O
OYSIEC to partner with security agencies to achieve credible council poll in Oyo – Chairman
The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, (OYSIEC ), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, has solicited the support of security agencies in Oyo State, with a view to achieving credible and peaceful local government council elections.
Olagunju said this during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp’s (NSCDC ) Oyo State Command’s Office, at Agodi Ibadan.
He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to conduct Local Government election that would be void of any form of voters’ harassment and intimidation.
Olagunju, hinted further that the commission would not relent in its awareness and advocacy drive, driving home the importance of massive participation of residents at the electoral process.
On the likely date for the conduct of elections, Olagunju said building people’s trust and confidence remain the focus of the commission at the moment, having identified both as core challenges before the commission .
While commending the NSCDC for maintaining peace and order in the society, Olagunju allayed fears of the populace on various inadequacies attributed to past local government council elections in the state.
Ondo 2020: 11 political parties form alliance with PDP ahead of Saturday’s guber poll
OduduwaNews has just gathered that 11 political parties have formed alliance with Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP to support Eyitayo Jegede in the governorship election election slated to hold on Saturday.
The parties included Accord Party, Social Democratic Party, African Democratic Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, and All Peoples Grand Alliance
Others are New Nigeria Peoples Party, National Redemption Movement, All Progressives Movement, All Peoples Party, and Young Peoples Party.
The chairmen of the concerned political parties converged on PDP secretariat in Akure, the state capital on Monday to jointly sign a statement for their action.
Speaking on behalf of the chairmen, Mr Dele Ogunbameru, who is SDP’s state Chairman, said the decision was made to ensure that the ruling All Progressives Congress was defeated in the election.
He said, “The political parties participating in Ondo 2020 governorship election in Ondo State have resolved to support the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, for the poll. We are committed to good governance in Ondo State, which we believe can only be offered by the PDP at this present austere period.
“There is no gainsaying that the present political leadership in Ondo State can best be described as nothing but a calamity in the face of things. This collaboration is an organised effort to save Ondo State from the political quagmire and the undesirable socioeconomic predicament of our people.
“The political party leaders, therefore, resolved to work as a team in tandem with the PDP’s well-captured manifesto for the welfare of the good people of Ondo State.”
JUST IN: Youths stage rally to seek for free, fair, violence free election in Ondo State
OduduwaNews has just confirmed that some youths are currently staging a peaceful rally in Akure, Ondo State calling on President Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure the conduct of free, fair and violence free election slated to hold on Saturday, October 10th, 2020.
The rally which kickstarted at Adesida, Oja Oba axis of Ondo State witnessed large turn out of youths carrying placards with various inscriptions.
In the past few weeks, Ondo State has been witnessing series of politicking, character assassinations by the political players in the forthcoming election. It was reported last week that the members of ruling Political party, All Progressives Congress and the opposition, Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP engaged themselves in free-for-all that resulted in some people sustaining injuries.
In the meantime, the Nigerian Police Force has warned the political actors in the forthcoming election to sheathe their swords as any act capabling of threatening the peace of the State shall be meted with stiff resistance and that anybody caught formenting trouble will be arrested and prosecuted with immediate effect.
Lanlehin is mischievous, Oyo ADC got 3 commissioner slots – Oyo PDP
Oyo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned former lawmaker, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, against blackmailing Governor Seyi Makinde to gain political sympathy from the masses.
The ruling party made this known in a statement signed by its state publicity secretary, Engr Akeem Olatunji, and made available to newsmen on Sunday.
The party explained that two core hallmarks of the Seyi Makinde led government is integrity and purposeful leadership which has trickled down to all facets of life and rapid development in the state.
According to the statement, governor Makinde has fulfilled his obligation to the coalition pact in the spirit of truth which include the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ruling party noted that Makinde’s obligation to the coalition should not be mistaken for agreement with Senator Lanlehin as an individual but with ADC as a political party in the coalition.
The party added that there were other notable leaders in ADC as at time the coalition pact was formed including Chief Michael Koleosho, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, former Oyo Deputy Governor and Nigeria’s Ambassador Dr Taofeek Arapaja, former Oyo SSG Chief Olayiwola Olakojo and other leaders.
The statement further revealed that Lanlehin’s continued bitterness and political miscalculation could not in any way be attributed to Governor Makinde stressing that the governor is a PDP from PDP and the only thing he shares in common with ADC was the agreement.
The statement wondered why Lanlehin would expect Makinde to be interested or participate in happenings in ADC leading to Lanlehin’s miscalculation and eventual political loss.
The statement reads in part: “Oyo state PDP is appalled by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin’s statement on Governor Makinde in his advice to People of Ondo state towards their forthcoming guber election where Senator Lanlehin continued to take out his political frustration on Governor Makinde who is well reputed for honesty, integrity and purposeful leadership.
“Lanlehin at his level in politics should know better and understand that politics is a game of scheming and calculation so, if his miscalculation has cost him relevance in ADC leading to eventual migration back to a party he left over six years ago, how is that Governor Makinde’s doing?.
“Senator Lanlehin as well as other notable leaders in ADC on behalf of their various supporters and followers entered into the coalition pact and no fewer than 3 persons i.e Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun as commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon Adeniyi Adebisi as Commissioner for Commerce, and Barrister Seun Ashamu as Commissioner for Energy, from ADC extraction are all currently serving commissioners in the present government.
Other appointees into top offices from ADC by Governor Makinde include Chairman Oyo State House of Assembly Service Commission, Rt Hon Wasiu Musah, Chairman Oyo State Housing Corporation, Chief Bayo Lawal, Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters,. Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Hon Akeem Ige.
“We like to emphasize that there is no amount of blackmail that can downplay the soaring reputation of Governor Makinde as a man of his words who is daily providing purposeful leadership in and out of government to the admiration of the good people of Oyo state.
“It is of credible note that the soaring reputation of Governor Makinde transcends the shores of Oyo state and cuts across the entire south west region and Nigeria as a whole which was evident in the landslide victory in Edo state where the governor joined his colleagues to deliver the oil rich state to the PDP.
“Governor Makinde’s reputation has continued to create huge confidence in the minds of the good people of Ondo state which has been evident in the clamour for Barrister Eyitayo Jegede of PDP to take over reins of leadership as the incoming governor of the sunshine state.
“Nigeria’s politics has outgrown the era of using false propaganda and cheap blackmail to gain political sympathy, we urge Senator Lanlehin to focus his energy on rebuilding his dwindling political relevance rather than attaching his political misfortune to a high soaring governor reputed for personal dignity and integrity.
INVESTIGATION: Why Ibadan is dirty? Moniya dumpsite among others need urgent attention
INVESTIGATION: Why Ibadan in the throes of refuse heaps? Moniya dumpsite among others need urgent attention
OduduwaNews has gathered some facts on some of the reasons why Ibadan is littered with refuse. This contained in an INVESTIGATION carried out by our correspondent to ascertain the facts behind the reason why the city of Ibadan is dirty. It should be recalled that recently, Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde announced the termination of appointment of members of the Board of Oyo State Waste Management Authority.
In this INTERVIEW carried out at Moniya refuse dumpsite, it was revealed that Seyi Makinde led-administration needs to be proactive and pragmatic in the course of making entire Oyo State a clean and dirty-free city.
It was ascertained that the drivers of refuse collection vehicles as well as the people living around Moniya dumpsite are at the receiving end and most of them are counting losses on a daily basis due to inability of Oyo Waste Management Authority to clear the dumpsite and reorganize it to enable smooth passage of refuse collection vehicles obstructed by excessive and unorganized wastes scattered all over the place.
OduduwaNews crew visited the dumpsite yesterday and interviewed some of the drivers of refuse collection vehicles seen at the axis.
One of the drivers who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, the Moniya dumpsite has been neglected by government. He said there are two dumpsites he has knowledge about, the one in Akanran area which is reserved for the government’s refuse collection vehicles used to offload waste products on the roads while the other one which is Moniya dumpsite reserved for the private refuse disposal contractors. He said he was so sad that having paid his dues upon request, the Moniya dumpsite is completely tattered and in bad condition that poses health hazard to the people working there as well as the people living in the environment.
He stated further that the Moniya dumpsite is totally filled up with refuse and some of the waste products are currently finding their ways back to the city and are littered on the nearby roadside when the space at the dumpsite has been occupied leaving some vehicles stranded with nowhere to go. He said citizens have been mounting pressure on them to come and carry their waste products but they couldn’t yield to their requests due to the fact that some of the refuse they have carried to Moniya dumpsite for the past three days are still hanging on the road leading to the main dumpsite awaiting evacuation. He said, their plights can only be addressed if government can provide CATERPILLAR at the place to clear the dumpsite for proper expansion.
A driver identified himself as Adeyemi Adebiyi in his words said, they are facing alot of difficulties at the dumpsite particularly this time of raining season where they have been finding it difficult to offload refuse. He said, if government can provide CATERPILLAR at Moniya dumpsite to clear the site and make it motorable to any incoming refuse collection vehicle, the lamentation of the citizens of Ibadan about the state of dirtiness in the city will be a thing of the past.
OduduwaNews could ascertain the fact that the Moniya dumpsite needs urgent attention by the government as the site is filled up and the road leading to the dumpsite is not motorable which leads to some refuse collection vehicles to be stuck along the road and unable to offload their refuse causing unnecessary pile up of waste products laden in the vehicles.
Another driver of waste disposal vehicle who also spoke on the condition of anonymity said, they are calling on Governor Seyi Makinde to come to their aide as Oyo citizens are lamenting and decrying their inability to work at optimal level due to their vehicles laden with refuse but stranded at Moniya dumpsite for several days which has also dealt a deadly blow to their source of livelihoods when refuse disposal that supposed to last hours now taking days to be disposed. He said there is need for government to come and inspect the state of Moniya dumpsite and have on-spot assessment of what they are passing through.
In the words of Alayo Oloyede, he thanked the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for all his efforts in ensuring that the dividends of democracy trickled down to the people of Oyo State. He said, he understands that it is not easy to be a leader as many requests will be on his table demanding attention. He however called the attention of Governor Seyi Makinde to prioritize a very critical sector which is the environment sector they are dealing with. He said whatever government is doing without putting the environment sector into consideration may witness a setback due to the multiplier effect of hygienic environment on general well-being and health status of the populace as well as economic development as the saying that ‘health is wealth’.
In the words of one of representatives of the government at the dumpsite who is a civil servant at Oyo Waste Management Authority who also spoke on the condition of anonymity said, he had lodged complaints on the condition of Moniya dumpsite to his superiors but yet to get positive response. He also used the occasion to join the private contractors to call on government to expedite action in giving life back to Moniya dumpsite to accommodate large refuse disposal.
Our correspondent also spoke to some of the contractors contracted by the government to manage the dumpsite. The contractors unanimously spoke on the bad state of Moniya dumpsite and that on several occasions they would have to contribute money themselves to clear the site and expand it to allow vehicular movement of waste products to the site. They said, there is little they can do with government property but they had to swing to action to do the little they could do when it dawned on them that the government had left them alone to carry their cross.
They therefore appealed to the governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde to provide CATERPILLAR at the dumpsite to evacuate some of the refuse blocking the main entrance to the dumpsite as well as clearing the site to be motorable to waste disposal vehicles as doing so will enable them to speed up their action in offloading refuse in various neighborhoods across the State and complement the efforts of the government in making Oyo State one of the cleanest cities in Nigeria.
Failure to restructure Nigeria will lead to break up – Adeboye
Pastor Enoch Adeboye has revealed via his Twitter handle that a break up of Nigeria is imminent if the country is not restructured as soon as possible.
He told his audience that the federal government must find a lasting solution to secession agitations and its economic challenges by restructuring the country. According to the cleric, the restructuring must be done as soon as possible to prevent a breakup of the various socio-ethnic components that make up Nigeria.
He advocated for a system of government that is 100% Nigerian and unique to citizens of the country. Adeboye said: “Why can’t we have a system of government that will create what I will call the United States of Nigeria? Let me explain. We all know that we must restructure. It is either we restructure or we break, you don’t have to be a prophet to know that one. That is certain – restructure or we break up. “Now, we don’t want to break up, God forbid. In restructuring, why don’t we have a Nigerian kind of democracy? At the federal level, why don’t we have a President and a Prime Minister?
Nigeria needs visionary and innovative leaders to advance development – Sanwo-Olu
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has made it known that visionary and innovative leaders are what Nigeria needs to take it to the promised land.
Sanwo-Olu stated this while participating as a guest speaker at the Nehemiah Leadership Institute’s 60th Independence Day Symposium where he harped on the relevance of transformational leadership.
Sanwo-Olu was quoted as saying, “a transformational leader must be visionary and inspire innovative ideas to advance development.
“This is what we aspire to in Lagos State. The story of Nehemiah is instructive, and his leadership style captures our approach to governance in Lagos State. We have a burden to ease the sufferings of our people, and we are ready to do the work needed to accomplish this.
“Our motivation remains the people and their wellbeing. We recognize that when we take the lead, our people will toe the path of participatory governance, which will engender the collaborative transformation of Lagos State”.
The gang-up against Asiwaju Tinubu will backfire big time – Fayose
The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose has described the recent gang-up against the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the handiwork of those he brought up who are now traitors in his camp.
In his words,Fayose said, “I am making it clear that if you trace our history, our leaders have always been given away by men they brought up, by traitors within their camps.
“If somebody gives you a platform you never expected in life and the only option you can do is to trade that person for you to rise, that will never work”.
Fayose described Tinubu as a major figure in Yoruba nation, stressing that if anything happened to Tinubu, every Yoruba is reasonably consumed as it would send a wrong political signal to an ordinary person.
Fayose emphasised that he was not defending Tinubu, but the Yoruba nation and establishing the fact that Tinubu remained a major key leader that nobody could ignore, even if you were not in APC.
Says Oshokomole, as fondly called by his followers,”I have said it severally, I am not in APC and I will never be in APC, but if you want to sacrifice Asiwaju Tinubu because of these cheap Political opportunists, it’s not going to work.
“In due course water will find its level because Tinubu has paid his dues, made his marks, so rubbishing him will not be an option for those ingrates to pay him back”,Fayose stated in feat of anger.
He concluded that without Asiwaju Tinubu, there would not have been a Buhari and that Tinubu would have realised now that he miscalculated, saying nobody could question God.
Fayose was of the view that the gang-up against Tinubu would backfire on his betrayers.
Stop spreading falsehood to tarnish my image – Ondo Deputy Gov warns Akeredolu
The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi has warned the governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu to desist from spreading falsehood to tarnish his image.
This was contained in a statement issued out to the newsmen today which reads in part:
“The Deputy Governor is constrained to once again respond to the deliberate falsehood being peddled by Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, the outgoing governor of Ondo State, concerning his office and sundry security and political issues.
“He is particularly appalled by the fact that the governor claimed he pockets state resources every month as if he has been doing so illegally and against the law.
He is worried that the Governor’s show of indiscretion, if not countered, will leave false tales about him and his office in the minds of citizens, residents and voters in Ondo State.
“The Deputy Governor is surprised that the Governor could go to the press announcing the sum of 13m as what the Deputy Governor gets as if it was a gift for the personal use and not for the use of his office.
“The Deputy Governor states that what came to his office until Akeredolu refused to release same was 12million naira per month. This includes the imprest of his office, allowances of staff, fuelling of vehicles, care of his residence and welfare of his aides.
Huge as the amount may appear, it amounts to not so much when the heads and number of individuals it caters for are considered.
“This also pales to nearly nothing when compared to what Akeredolu and members of his family skim off the purse of our state with reckless abandon.
For instance, the governor gets a security vote of 750million naira every month. He, Akeredolu, also gets an imprest of about 150million!
“His wife, though occupies no constitutionally recognised position, takes an imprest of 15million naira per month. Apart from this, she collects an additional sum of 11million naira from the Ministry of Women Affairs, which she runs like a potentate.
Babajide, Akeredolu’s son, is also not left out in the pillage that Akeredolu and his family is visiting on Ondo State. He too takes a whopping 5m monthly and rips off the state by taking unbelievable commissions as a consultant to the State”.