Category: Politics

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Friday night said he was hit by a rude shock upon receiving the story of an air crash that killed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers.

According to a statement by his Director of Media & Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare, Ooni Ogunwusi described the departed military officers as change makers who in their individual capacities contributed to the repositioning of the fight against insecurity in the country towards victory.

“It is really a bitter pill to swallow, particularly as they were caught by the cold hand of death while rendering patriotic services to their beloved country.

“On behalf of the entire House of Oduduwa worldwide, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, the military, and Nigerians in general over the departure of these heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in Nigeria.”

“I pray that they all find eternal peace in the bossom of their creator.” The Ooni said.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that out of thirty three council seats, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cleared thirty two leaving the fate of Ido Local Government undecided. In the light of this, PDP have been declared winner of the Oyo State 2021 Local Government election in those council areas.

Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Mr Isiaka Olagunju declared 32 PDP candidates winners following presentation of results by the returning officers for local government areas at the state office of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Ibadan, on Sunday.

Among those returned as Chairman-elect are Omirinde Sarafadeen, Saki West LG; Raheem Adepoju, Oorelope LG; Akanji Kabiru, Ogbomoso North LG; Oyedokun Oyeniyi, Ogbomoso South LG; Julianah Oluwakemi, Ogooluwa LG; Taoheed Adedigba, Akinyele LG; Yusuf Shuaibu, Ibadan North LG; Kafilat Olakojo, Atiba LG; Gbadamosi Kazeem, Lagelu LG.

Others are Misbaudeen Sanusi, Ona Ara, Adeyemi Akani, Ibadan Southwest, Rahman Olanrewaju, Oyo North west, Oyedele Sikiru, Ona- Ara, Kafila Olajoko, Atiba, Teju Alabi, Orire. 

After an initial stepping down and one hour break, result for the contentious Ibarapa East LG was declared with the candidate of the PDP announced as winner of the election.

 Prior the announcement of result, returning officer for Ibarapa East LG, Mr Kareem Thompson affirmed that hoodlums actually invaded ward 7, unit 3 and ward 5, causing mayhem and carted away ballot boxes and electoral materials.

The suspended Ido LG election will hold on Wednesday 26th May, 2021.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Oyo State Chapter has just confirmed the readiness of the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to swear- in the duly democratically newly elected Chairmen and courcillors in the recently concluded Saturday election.

This was contained in a press release by the Secretary Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke as read in part:

“My Newly Elected Chairmen and Chairpersons. 

“I want to on behalf of the Leadership of the Party say a very big congratulations to you all. 
This election is a clear testament that our party is loved and our major responsibility is to maintain and sustain the love of the people. 
I pray that Almighty God will us all the wisdom, strength and capacity to do well for our people and lead them appropriately. 

I wish to inform you also that your swearing in is 10am tomorrow at the House of Chiefs, Ibadan.

“PDP in Oyo State is proud of you and once again, we say congratulations to you all.
Eku Oriire”.

It has come to the knowledge of the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, that some group of persons who held a rally under the cover of what they term ‘secessionist agitations’ in Akure, on Saturday, May 22, 2021, erroneously claimed to have had his support for the rally.

This was contained in statement signed and released by Signed Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State as read in part.

“Governor Akeredolu wishes to state clearly that while he acknowledges the right of individuals and groups to hold peaceful rallies, it must not be misconstrued to mean support for secessionist agenda and or balkanization of the nation. Far from it.

“Unequivocally, the Governor’s opinion on the Akure rally or any other of its ilk, is only to the effect that he is not opposed to any civil protest which is not in breach of the extant laws of the Nation. He neither believes, nor supports the quest for the Yoruba Nation outside of Nigeria in the manner canvassed. Governor Akeredolu stands by a virile, united and indivisible Nigeria as demanded by the Southern Governors’ Forum.

“Therefore, the vigour, zeal, leadership and candour displayed by Governor Akeredolu for a just and fair Nigeria is altruistic, and borne out of patriotism for the Nation as well as love for his people, the Yoruba ethnic nationality.

“It is important, therefore, to state without any equivocation that the Yoruba Nation secessionist promoters do not enjoy any lending hand in Governor Akeredolu”.

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC, has postponed the chairmanship and councilorship elections earlier billed for today till a later date.

OYSIEC boss, Aare Abiola Olagunju, will brief the media any moment from now.

ODUDUWA NEWS had reported early this morning how despite protest by the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, for the postponement of today’s rescheduled election in Ido local government to another date, OYSIEC, said it was going ahead this morning.

Though the chairmanship candidate of the ZLP In Ido, the only LGA the party is contesting election, visited OYSIEC headquarters in the council area to monitor distribution of sensitive materials. He had said they were participating ‘under protest’ as the outcome would determine their next line of action, expressing optimism that the party would win if given a level-playing ground.

ODUDUWA NEWS had reported how OYSIEC boss, Aare Abiola Olagunju, while speaking on Fresh 105.9 FM, announced cancellation of the election following the omission of the ZLP logo on the ballot papers.

But despite the logo omission and subsequent cancellation of poll, ODUDUWA NEWS learnt that election continued. PDP supporters were said to have besieged OYSIEC headquarters, calling for the announcement of winners, an action the commission has refused.

The senior advocate had said that the election would be reconducted today after assurance from the printer to deliver a fresh ballot tonight.

But in a letter written to the commission, ZLP is asking for postponement, saying that it would need more time to source fund and human resources needed to be deployed for the poll.

Ido, is the only council the ZLP is contesting the council election in the state.

Though the commission was said to have been persuaded by the commission to allow the election go on as rescheduled for tomorrow, ZLP had threatened to go to court if it takes place tomorrow.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed sadness over the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other officers in a plane crash in Kaduna on Friday.

In a condolence message, the Governor described the death of the officers as a very painful loss.

“My heartfelt condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari over the tragic air mishap that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other officers.

“This is a very painful loss considering the commitment of these officers to combat insecurity in our country and win the war against insurgency.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I pray that the Nigerian Army, families and friends of Lt. Gen Attahiru and the other officers will find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the Governor said.

The statement indicated that movement of persons and goods will be restricted between the hours of 6am and 3pm to enable officials of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) conduct the election without hindrance.

It directed all registered voters in the state to freely participate in the election and remain law abiding.

The statement, signed by Mrs. Adeosun, read: “In furtherance of the quest for a hitch free local government election holding on Saturday, May 22, 2021, His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has ordered the restriction of movements between the hours of 6am and 3pm on the aforementioned date.
“During the period of the restriction, security operatives will stop unauthorised movement of persons and goods in all parts of the state.
“Only persons on essential duties would be exempted from the restriction order.

“The general public is hereby advised to observe the restriction order avoid any form of brushes with security operatives.
“Indigenes and residents of the state are as well enjoined to go about their duties peacefully while they go out to cast their votes in line with prescribed guidelines of OYSIEC.”