Category: Politics

The members of the Osun State National Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward Congress have applauded the peaceful conduct of the exercise in the entire State.

The delegates also extolled members of the ruling party for their high level of compliance towards ensuring smooth, free, fair, credible and acceptable congress across the 332 wards in the State.

This is even as the APC loyalists and supporters who participated in the process across wards in the State expressed satisfaction at the adoption of consensus mode by the party leadership.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that the processes were not the same in other States as violence marred the ward congresses in Oyo, Ogun where parallel congresses were held by some aggrieved members.

Recall that members of the Committee after their arrival in Osun on Friday evening, during a stakeholders’ meeting, announced their readiness to conduct a credible and transparent Congress in the State.

Addressing journalists shortly after the tour to some of the wards in the State, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, expressed delight at the way and manner the members of the party conducted themselves.

Elegbeleye, who supervised the Congress exercise in all the wards visited, said it was worthy of note that the entire process had been seen, observed and adjudged to be peaceful, orderly and in line with the party’s principles and guidelines.

He noted that the reports gathered so far had reflected the peaceful conduct of the members of the party as demonstrated to elect new party’s officers.

“So far so good, the Congress has been conducted in a free, fair and credible atmosphere. The wards visited so far have been very peaceful as members of the party conducted themselves in a peaceful manner to elect their new officers across the registered 332 wards in the State.

“We were able to see the members agreeing on who will oversee the affairs of the party as new executive officers in all the wards we have visited.

“Though the party agreed on consensus for the conduct of the Congress, in case there is any disagreement, then, they will vote. Anywhere the members feel they don’t like a particular candidate, then they can vote.

“But in a situation where for instance we have about a hundred members and eighty-five of them agreed on a particular candidate and fifteen disagreed, there is nothing to vote about. One must have known that the majority have their way,” he added.

While fielding questions from journalists during the tour of the Committee to Iragbiji, the country home of the State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, the governor lauded the members of the party for turning out in large numbers to elect new officers of the party at wards level.

Oyetola also extolled the peaceful conduct of the exercise across the 332 wards in the State.

“Well, you have seen things for yourselves and thank God it is been very peaceful. Members of the party are here in their large numbers, just as the Congress has been done in line with the directive of the National Secretariat of the party.

“It has been peaceful all through as we all agreed to use the principle of consensus to elect those that will be overseeing the affairs of the party in their various wards.

“I am glad the way everything has been going so far. As you can see that people are very happy here in my ward. It can’t be otherwise because we had a consensus agreement across the nine federal constituencies in the State and I am glad that members of the party have been allowed to exercise their rights in this regard.

“I must appreciate those who have contributed to the success of the conduct, particularly members of the press who have been very supportive,” Oyetola added.

Earlier, the Osun Caretaker Chairman of the party, Prince Gboyega Famodun, hailed the party members for adhering to and complying with consensus mode.

According to him, the report so far across the State has indicated that the Congress has been very peaceful and orderly as it has affirmed the decision of the party to consider the consensus.

As at the time of filing this report, the Committee members had visited Ward 04, the ward of the former Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Adebisi Akande in Ila-Orangun, Ila Local Government Area; Ward 04, Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government; Ward 01, Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government among others.

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin has announced the immediate dissolution of all House Standing Committees.

The Speaker announced the dissolution of all the 36 Standing Committees shortly before the adjournment of Thursday plenary.

He said newly constituted Standing Committees will be announced in due course.

The Speaker however did not give any reason for the dissolution.

Hon Ogundoyin said “Standing Committees are one of the pillars of the Legislature and the House of Assembly. This is our 2nd Year in office. We are expected to re-evaluate our position, we are expected to be more efficient and effective in our duties as Legislators in terms of oversight and Lawmaking as well as other functions of the Legislators. When new Committees are constituted, it will allow members to have new experiences and ultimately widen their horizon,”

According to the Speaker, the dissolution is a normal practice in the parliament as it helps to sharpen the process and the procedures.

He assured that all ten outstanding bills yet to be done will be handled by adhoc Committees.

” When we complete the ten outstanding bills, it will make it a total of seventy-three bills passed within the spate of just two years by the 9th Assembly. This would have surpassed the record of the previous Assembly. The 8th Assembly was only able to pass fifty-three bills in four years. You can imagine how many bills will be passed by us in four years. We are setting high standard and enviable precedence for incoming Assemblies. ” Oyo Speaker said.

He appreciated all the members of the House of Assembly who served in the just dissolved Committees, adding that the successes and achievements recorded by the Assembly in the last two years were made possible because of their hard work, dedication and all round commitment.

The Ogun State Government has inaugurated the recently elected council chairmen yesterday.

This was made known by the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun as read in part:

“We inaugurated all 20 recently elected local government chairmen and 236 ward councillors in Ogun State into office, earlier today.

“With a charge on the new office holders to provide verifiable results to people at the grassroots, I encouraged self sustenance through innovative and socially fair revenue sources at the now autonomous local government level despite the support that the State Government would continue to provide.

“I appreciate all Ogun State people for voting massively for progressive governance in Saturday’s clearly free and fair elections, as organised by the State Independent Electoral Commission, OGSIEC, especially amidst COVID-19 restrictions, in line with the resolutions of the Southern Governors’Forum”.

Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has stated that the attempt by the Federal Government to criminalise the case of Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popular known as Sunday Igboho, is undemocratic.

This was contained in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, where Adams expressed sadness over the way the Igboho was arrested.

According to him, the plan by the FG to clamp down agitators is undemocratic and can make the government an enemy to the people.

“Igboho’s case is gradually exposing FG’s plan to clamp down on all agitators and that is undemocratic, and also capable of turning government to tyranny of the majority, especially, from a government that came to power with a lot of hope and support from the people of the South-West,” Adams opined.

He also called on the FG to be fair in handling Igboho’s case as maltreatment may lead to war.

He said, “I think the FG should be fair to the young man because any attempt to trivialize issues of agitations might set this nation on fire.

“For example, the issue of self determination didn’t come up overnight. It was as a result of the long years of injustice, nepotism, and corruption occasioned by bad leadership.

“So, the FG will be making a big mistake if it decides to treat agitators of Yoruba nation as common criminals or enemies.

“Igboho has a right to his freedom. There is nothing bad for him to seek asylum in Republic of Benin, and he is entitled to seek refuge in a foreign land if he thinks his safety cannot be guaranteed here in Nigeria.

Scores of Leaders and members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) have joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State.

The defectors were received into the party by the acting chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, and handed them over to the leader of the party in the state, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.

The decampees were led by former National Youth Leader of PDP and former Executive Chairman of Ose local government, Arole Dennis Alonge-Niyi; Former Executive Chairman of Akoko SouthEast Local Government Council, Hon Akin Aibinuomo; Former Financier and Leader of PDP in Irele Local Government Area, Prince Thompson Atayase; Alhaji Ilesanmi Jamiu and Chief Aladejebi .

Welcoming the defectors into the party, Governor Akeredolu assured them of a level playing ground, stressing that no founder, no joiner.

The Governor declared that there is room for many and more, adding that the new members will be integrated into the party without discrimination.

“I want to plead with our party leaders, we must not discriminate. They have become members of our party and we must only integrate them. Let us find a way to accommodate them so they will feel integrated. No founder, no joiner,” Governor Akeredolu said.

The acting chairman, Engr. Adetimehin, disclosed that the APC remains the best party in the state, noting that Governor Akeredolu has turned the fortune of the parry around positively.

He said: ”Governor Akeredolu has turned the fortune of this state around. He has turned this state into an industrial state. Before his arrival, the state was a civil servant state. Look at the industries at the ore Industrial hub. Since he came in board, he has constructed over 400 kilometers of roads. My town, Idanre, is a beneficiary.

“Since Ose Local Government Area was created, no General hospital, but today, there is a very big standard hospital. This party is performing. Mr Governor is performing. In ore today, there is a gigantic flyover. Go to Oke Alabojuto, it was a hilly road. Gaga, there are networks of roads.

“Today, Ondo state is the only state in Nigeria that is having three universities standing. Before he assumed office, in the whole Southwest, Ondo state is the only state without a teaching hospital. Today, he’s building two giant teaching hospitals. He has made legacies.”

In their separate remarks, the defectors said they were attracted into the party by the outstanding achievements of the Governor.

Arole Dennis Alonge-Niyi said: ”Your achievements are number one thing that appealed to us. You came in when the resources coming to the state is meager. We have seen what you have been able to do in transforming the nooks and crannies of the state.

“We see your agenda as agenda that unites the people of Ondo state. You have a general agenda for the overall well-being of the people of the state. I mentioned the quality of your work in Ondo State. These are our attestation to the quality of your leadership.

“You know where we are coming from. And that’s the PDP. It has raised some of us from the state to national level. It is unfortunate that today, the vulture has taken over the party. We have looked round and the redemption is not coming so soon.

“Not with the type of the intimidating achievements you have recorded in Ondo State. Our hope is not in the tribunal, our hope is in you.”

Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Thursday announced the setting up of a 28-member committee made up of prominent South-West leaders to look at issues around the region and a Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Igboho, who was arrested in Benin Republic.

ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier today reported that the committee coordinator, Akin Osuntokun, said the committee would look into the arrest of Igboho and other related matters.

Igboho was arrested on Monday night in Cadjèhoun Airport, Cotonou with a Beninese passport while trying to travel to Germany.

On July 1, the Department of State Services (DSS) raided the residence of Igboho in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“The Ooni of Ife inaugurated an advisory council comprising eminent Yoruba sons and daughters across the political spectrum. It is called the Ooni Caucus. The inauguration ceremony had been scheduled over a month ago and it is just an accident that it coincided with reports of Sunday Igboho’s arrest in Cotonou. Nonetheless the council is actively interested in the new development and would appropriately respond in the nearest future,” Osuntokun said on Thursday.

Members of the Ooni think-tank are;

1. The Olugbon of Igbon, Oba Olusola Alao
2. Senator Biodun Olujimi
3. Toyin Saraki
4. Segun Awolowo
5. Doyin Okupe
6. Otunba Gbenga Daniel
7. Prince Oye Oyewumi
8. Muyiwa Ige
9. General Olu Okunnowo.
10. DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd)
11. General Secretary, Afenifere, Mr Sola Ebiseni
12. Jimi Agbaje
13. Sola Lawal
14. Debola Oluwagbayi
15. Dupe Adelaja
16. Dele Momodu
17. Senator Tolu Odebiyi
18. Dr Olusegun Mimiko
19. Dr Seun Obasanjo
20. Makin Soyinka
21. Dele Adesina (SAN)
22. AIG Tunji Alapinni (retd.)
23. Dr Reuben Abati
24. Eniola Bello
25. Bimbo Ashiru
26. Senator Tokunbo Ogunbanjo
27. Dapo Adelegan
28. Professor Akin Osuntokun.

The Governing Council Chairman of the prestigious Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa, Professor Samuel Ogunwale Ogundiran, has rejoiced with the entire Muslim students, staff, and management of the institution on the celebration of 2021 Eid-il Kabir.

In his Sallah message made available to ODUDUWA NEWS this afternoon, he said, “It’s my pleasure to felicitate with my prestigious, intelligent, patriotic and industrious Council members, management, staff, and peace-loving students of the prestigious Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa on the joyous celebration of Eil-el Mubaraq. This day teaches us love and fear of God. Therefore, the lessons learnt from Prophet Ibrahim should be put into practice in our daily activities.”

He further appreciated the Executive Governor Of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde for the ample opportunity given to him to serve as the institution’s Council Chairman. He also lauded his unflinching support which is aimed towards progress of the institution.

While concluding his message, he admonished students of the institution to be law-abiding, focused, and steadfast in thier academic pursuit. In his words, “the institution is currently experiencing accelerated development. It is therefore the collective responsibility of the students, staff, and management to keep the good name of the school and be of good ambassador anywhere in the world.”

He also enjoined Muslim faithfuls on campus to use the period to pray for the growth of the institution, Oyo State, and Nigeria at large.

Happy Sallah! May we live to witness and celebrate more of this day in good health.

Igboho was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on Monday, and he is believed to held in the country pending completion of extradition processes between Nigeria and the Francophone country.

A statement signed by Akintoye and made available to journalists by Maxwell Adeleye, his communication manager, said Igboho has committed no crime to deserve the treatment that Nigerian government is subjecting him to.

“I received last night the troubling information that Chief Sunday Adeyemo fondly called Igboho had been arrested at the Cotonou Airport,” Akintoye said.

“I and other Yoruba patriots who are immediately available are now working to provide the assistance necessary to ensure that nobody will be able to do to him anything unlawful or primitive and to prevent him from being extradited into Nigeria which is strongly possible.

“Fortunately, Benin Republic is reliably a land of law where the authorities responsibly obey the law. We have secured the services of a leading and highly respected lawyer whom we can confidently rely on.

“What the situation now calls for is that the Yoruba nation at home and in Diaspora must stand strong, resolved that neither Sunday Igboho nor any other Yoruba person will henceforth be subjected to inhuman or dehumanizing treatment of any kind.

“For a start, we must all see to it now that Sunday Ighoho will get his freedom back so as to be able to move and operate as a free person. We all know he has committed no crime.”

Akintoye said some people are trying to eliminate Igboho because he stood up to fight against the oppression of his people.

“We know that some people are trying to suppress or even eliminate him only because he stood up to defend his kinsmen, women and children who are being massively killed and raped in their ancestral home land; who are having their assets and means of livelihood destroyed, and who are facing ethnic cleansing and even genocide without having the benefit of protection by the rulers of their country,” he said.

“We know, furthermore, that for the protection of his people who are being brutalized, he has joined hands with many of his brethren to take the legally-approriate step, namely to seek the intervention of the International Criminal Court.”