Category: Politics

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Makinde is fulfilling promises, Adelabu has lost touch with reality- Media Aide

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, has said that the governor has been fulfilling his electoral promises and building a new Oyo State.
The governor’s aide stated that contrary to criticisms by the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the 2019 election, Mr Adebayo Adelabu that none of the promises Makinde made to the electorate has been fulfilled, the governor has in the last one year and four months, placed the state on a sound footing for economic expansion and put in place policies and programmes that are lifting the people from poverty to prosperity.
A statement by the governor’s Media Aide indicated that Adelabu’s comments are clear indications that he has lost touch with the current reality in Oyo State, having been blinded by unbridled ambition to govern the state.

He said: “Governor Makinde, as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made promises on the campaign train which were later crystalised into the four-point service agenda of his administration including Security, Health, Education and expanded Economy (using the agricultural value chain.)
“14 months into the tenure, notwithstanding the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which rattled the world and slowed down the pace of developmental works, the administration of Engineer Makinde has been busy recording one great landmark achievement after the other.
“Even the blind can see the improvements made to the Health sector; everyone can see that the free and qualitative education is yielding fruits; that the security has been taken a top notch; and that the economy is expanding fast with improved infrastructure and revival of moribund companies that harbour huge revenue potentials,” the statement read in part.
The statement further maintained that thanks to the prudence and ingenuity of the Makinde administration, which recently introduced the Alternative Projects Funding Approach (APFA), the government is presently working on the all-important 67 km Moniya-Iseyin road, to open up the food basket of the state; the 21km Ajia-Airport road; remodeling the Adamasingba Stadium, as well as fixing the abandoned Agbowo shopping complex, Ibadan.

The statement indicated that Makinde’s achievements in 14 months have already outclassed the returns of the eight year tenure of the immediate past APC administration in the state.
According to the statement, the achievements of the administration in the health sector include the equipment of the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, Ibadan; the setting up of Saki Specialist Hospital, Saki and the determination to remodel and equip Grade III Primary Health Centres across each of the electoral wards, which is well on course, saying these are landmarks the APC chieftain won’t acknowledge.
The statement added: “The Oranyan Maternity Centre, Eyin Grammar Comprehensive Health Centre in Ibadan, and Aafin Oyo and Aawe PHCs in Oyo zone are great testaments to Makinde’s revitalization of the Health sector.

“Governor Makinde has also completed the Phase One of the Light-Up Oyo State Project and commenced the second phase. It is to be noted that the Light-Up Project is a multi-purpose project which addresses the security challenges, enhances night life and expands the economy as we drive the state towards a 24-hour economy status.”
The statement added that the Makinde government has embarked on a steady rebuilding of the state’s infrastructure, adding that the administration has also been guiding the state towards a solid economic revival through different policies and initiatives.
According to the statement, the claims by Adelabu that he would remove Makinde from office in 2023 amounted to a wild dream of a man blinded by ambition.
It added that Adelabu lacked the understanding of what the state needed to move forward, since he does not have any form of blueprint to develop the state.
The statement read: “Let it be on record that the people of Oyo State are happy with the deliverables by the administration of Governor Makinde, since he has practically turned the state to a huge construction site. “Everyone is happy that the governor is delivering on his promises.

“But one is in no doubt to state that Adelabu has never read a line of the Roadmap to Accelerated Development of Oyo State 2019-2023, which is the book of government for every step Governor Makinde has taken since May 2019. One is also not in doubt to state that Adelabu does not know that rather than tax the hapless students of Oyo State, Governor Makinde has been paying In excess of N526 million per term to primary and secondary schools in the state to cater for the needs of.their pupils and students as part of his free education policy.”
The statement particularly frowned on the misguided view of the APC candidate on payment of salaries in the state and what he described as populist programmes, saying that Adelabu’s statement showed clearly that he was happy with the previous administration’s shabby treatment of workers, teachers and pensioners.

“We must equally put on record that the people of Oyo State are not looking for a governor that will refuse to pay their salaries and gratuities; return the pensioners to deadwood, who will only be paid in percentages and owe teachers for years, as his mentor, former Governor Abiola Ajimobi did.
“Adelabu has never missed an opportunity to criticise the effort of the Makinde government to ensure prompt payment of salaries and pensions on or before 25th of every month. “Unfortunately for him, he does not know that by constantly pushing money in excess of N11 billion into the state’s economy every 30 days, Makinde is deliberately reflating Oyo State’s economy and stabilizing the buying power of the people.

“It is to be placed on record as well that since May 29, 2019, Governor Makinde has never missed the payment of salaries/pensions on the 25th. In many instances, the payments have come earlier. In fact, workers received their September salaries on the 24th.
“But that is what Adelabu chose to criticise. The lesson from this is that Adelabu, like his mentor, detests the workforce and pensioners of the state and thinks that they do not deserve to be paid as and when due. The former CBN Deputy Governor criticising Makinde for paying salaries, showed that if ever he gets to govern the state, the welfare of workers and pensioners will not be his priority. Of course, no one would expect anything different,” the statement said.

“Anyway, the statement credited to Adelabu did not throw up a surprise. It is expected that the man, who has been on vacation from politics since he lost the last election, will look for a way to come back to limelight now that the dynamics of politics in his party shows that no one will impose him on the party any longer.
“What is surprising, however, is the fact that Adelabu has allowed his unbridled capitalistic tendencies to blind his eyes to developments in Oyo State, which he sought to govern, to the extent that he could not separate politics from development.

“For one, coming out to say that the administration of Governor Makinde has not done any of the things he promised showed that Adelabu has lost touch with reality; his only reality appears to be how to corner landed properties and build ventures for personal gains. If that is not the situation, one wonders how anyone reasonable would close his eyes to the massive infrastructure development going on in the state.
“Indeed, one would have loved to continue reeling out the achievements of the incumbent government in the state, but it will be needless, knowing that nothing can make Adelabu buy into a reasonable argument.
“We will like to state, however, that Adelabu should not take his arrogance to the point of playing god by claiming to have power to remove Makinde in 2023. No matter what he does, Makinde will not be distracted. The governor has not said anything about 2023, because he is busy delivering on the mandate given to him. When the time comes to talk about 2023, however, it is clear as crystal that the people will not allow charlatans and wicked politicians to take advantage of them. They already know those who are only interested in building capitalistic ventures and milking the people to their bone
marrows.”

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Seyi Makinde implores FG to site gemstone market in Oyo

…calls for economic diversification through mining.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called on the Federal Government to site the hub of the nation’s gemstone market in the state in order to boost the mining industry in Nigeria.

The governor, who stated this while receiving the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite, at the Government House, Agodi Ibadan, also sought for the support of the Federal Government to curb the activities of illegal miners.

He maintained that the state has already been putting some structures in place to enhance the development of its solid mineral development sector and position the state to benefit maximally from the immense opportunities available in the sector.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor added that in line with his promise to build infrastructure that targets the economic expansion agenda of the administration, a number of projects are being put up to support the mining industry.
He said:

“We do have some aspirations, which I think we can collaborate on, especially the gemstone market. It is informal right now but we want to formalise it. I know you are from Ogun State but Abeokuta should not even be in competition with us and I will tell you why. Here, we are putting up a number of projects that we think would support the mining industry, especially in the aspect of the expansion of Ibadan Airport.

“So, quite frankly, if we have the gemstone market, we will basically just take off from there to anywhere in the world and that is what we want to do.
“Ibadan used to be a regional capital and we have a fairly developed infrastructure. So, I think you should just give the gemstone market to us and let us sign it up this evening.
“Also, on the mineral surveillance programme, we were looking at doing that on our own, but we think that if we can collaborate with the Federal Government, that will allow us, from the outset, to key into that programme. One of the things that we always say here is that we are so much in a hurry to get things done and if the bureaucracy at the Federal Level will not allow things to happen as fast as we will love to see, then we can go ahead. But we can have the arrangement for the agreement that when you are indeed ready, we will just match that together.
“We have seen cobalt here and we have also seen ledium here and when I looked at the quality, I think they told me it was about 70 per cent purity, when the entire world is looking for something around 40 per cent. So, for me, even though you classified it as something for the future, I think it is happening right now. Those are opportunities that we really want to wrap our fingers around in Oyo state. I also believe we do have challenges with the illegal miners. Not just here, I believe it is all over the country, but I believe it has to be sorted.”

Governor Makinde admonished the Federal Government to diversify the economy of the country by tapping into the economic benefits available in the mining industry.
“The fact that we have oil and gas reserves in abundance still should not preclude seriousness on our part to develop the solid mineral sector. If you have a little bit of unclarity with what people should do, how people should operate, that clarity has to be around the programme and so the local people can invest massively.”
The governor maintained as part of moves that can demonstrate the seriousness of the Federal Government in exploring the opportunities in the mining sector, the minister should encourage it to become active as part of the board of the Nigerian Marble Mining Company, Igbeti, which the state recently constituted in line with its commitment to expand its economy using mineral development as one of the core areas of focus.

“In Oyo State, we have the Igbeti Marble Mining Company and the Federal Government owns 20 per cent of that. We have seen people but when we came in, we did not meet anybody there. The Board was not in place for so long but when we came in, we started putting things together. We inaugurated the Board a few weeks back but we want the representative of the FG on that Board to be active. We also want the FG, through your ministry, to be active. We want to achieve and align on certain things.”

Earlier, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Adegbite, said the essence of the visit was to spread the gospel of mining to Oyo State and all over Nigeria.
He said: “We are in Oyo State essentially to spread the gospel of mining all over Nigeria. President Buhari, since assumption of office, has tried so much to diversify the economy, especially through the mining sector and agriculture. We have relied so much on oil and gas and whenever the vagaries of the oil prices happen in the international market, Nigeria catches the cold; our economy is in tatters. But to avoid that, there is massive injection of efforts and campaigns into agriculture, which has started yielding results.
“If not for the effort of the past four years, I think this pandemic would have caught us in more situations. But because we achieved some certain level of adequacy like feeding ourselves, that is why the strength of the pandemic was not so bad on our people. It could have been worse.
“We are in Oyo State to bring awareness and to let people know more about what we are doing in the sector. At the same time, we have been doing a lot of international road shows. We go there and publicise mining in Nigeria. Nigeria is known for oil and gas and it is very difficult to convince people otherwise that mining can thrive in Nigeria. But we are getting some tractions because of the investment that has been put into the exploration of minerals in that sector.”
The minister, who stated that his Ministry has had good cooperation with the present administration in Oyo State, said he has been convinced on why the gems market should be in Ibadan, where he said seems to be the centre for the products, though informal.
“We have had a good cooperation with the Oyo State government, particularly this current government. I have had delegation from my office. They talk about mining in Oyo State, especially the gems market. Oyo State, particularly Ibadan here, seems to be the centre for the gems market, though the market is a bit informal because a lot of them don’t know the value of what they mine.
“The focus primarily is on the minerals but not the gemstones. But now, we are beginning to organise that sector as well to make sure that we regulate the gemstones market. Ibadan and Abeokuta were in competition for that but I have been convinced to bring the market to Ibadan. The market exists already but all we need is to develop a fund and organise the market so that people can derive value for what they have laboured for.
“Government can realise revenue from this market in terms of royalty and everybody will be happy about it. This is part of what we are doing and proclaiming all over the country,” Adegbite said.

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Ondo poll: I maintain my stand that ‘Ondo no be Rivers’ – Akeredolu tells Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State  has been warned to stay away from the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for October 10th.

The warning was given by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State against the backdrop of Wike’s declaration on Friday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, would win the guber poll.

Wike stated this on Friday when he featured on Channel Television’s Sunrise Daily.

He had, during the programme, alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was mounting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to win the poll for Akeredolu, following the victory of PDP in Edo State.

But, Akeredolu fired back at Wike, saying the Rivers governor would not have any room to influence the process at the poll.

The Ondo governor spoke through his Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogor.

Akeredolu said: “In all aspects, Governor Wike deserves respect not just as governor but as a critical stakeholder in the democratic journey. He has his inalienable rights as a citizen to express his mind and make comments about whatever he feels strongly about.

“However, what amuses us is his imperious attitude and recourse to spurious allegations just because of an election. He should know that the people of the Ondo State who have a history of rejecting external influence and domination, will resist his attempt to play the role of a godfather in Ondo state. Ondo is not Rivers.

“The man ought to know that utterances of public office holders must be measured and their delivery ought to be in line with the mood of the people. The people of the state will resist Wike here even if he had roared elsewhere successfully. For emphasis, his imperialistic approach is most unfortunate and very unbecoming.”

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I will support Tinubu’s presidential ambition in 2023 – Senator Fatai Buhari

The lawmaker representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Senator Fatai Buhari has declared his support for the leader of All Progressives Congress APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu if he declares his intention to run for the presidential election in 2023.

Buhari said this during an interview with journalist, Edmund Obilo, on Thursday.

When asked if Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State was working against Tinubu’s interest, Buhari said that was not true.

He responded, “No. I am Tinubu. I am not Fayemi and I will not be in a meeting where somebody would be working against Tinubu. I am supporting Tinubu.”

Responding to a question on whether Tinubu was running for president, Buhari said, “If he wants to be President, I will support him. I will campaign for him.”

Fatai Buhari said he would put all machineries in place to support Asiwaju’s presidential ambition whenever he declares his intention as he believes he has all what it takes to steer the affairs of Nigeria.

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My purported planned removal ochestrated by opponents- Oluwo

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi has attributed his purported planned removal to the plot ochestrated by those who contested the seat together with him.

This was contained in a statement released by the Press Secretary of Oluwo, Alli Ibrahim reads in part:

“Our attention has been brought to a letter purportedly written by some kingmakers calling for the removal of Oluwo. We need not reiterating the fact that some of them were under duress stage managed by an over 40years serial contestant to the revered stool of Oluwo.

“We want to state it categorically that detractors who contested the stool with His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, are making every possible attempts to derail the compassionate Oluwo from the glory his reign has credited to the ancient stool of Iwo. “So much good things are happenings to Iwo under TELU. Why must it be him”they thought.

“It’s a conspiracy of a detractor who has been fighting so hard to become the Oluwo of Iwo.The detractors has gone beyond many times to discredit Oba Akanbi and failed serially. The recent was to divide the king makers but dead on arrival. Achievements of Oluwo endeared him to Iwo, more. You can’t run down what your children may benefit in the future.

“Oba Akanbi is a king of positive marks. He is a market detractors are trying to de-market.

“All he was alleged of are not without reason(s). His reign is prosperous, fruitful and virile to the advantage of all and sundry but because someone who has been a serial aspirant want to be Oluwo by all possible means is romancing few individual to detract Oba Akanbi’s reign. The deaf could hear IWO is moving.

“In the olden days, losers
who contested the stool with winner are not allowed to stay in town but thing has changed. We will keep managing him. He is my subject.

“From all indications, Iwo is secured economically, security wise. The religious Atmosphere, traditional and political deals are peaceful under his majesty. Iwo has never had it so good like this traditionally. The loathe is natural when good things keep coming to town.

“Traditional system is not parliamentary. Oluwo will keep serving humanity. Nothing will discourage the good work. He loves everyone. Together we can achieve better. Detractors romancing my Chiefs should continue wasting their time, Oluwo will keep lifting his subjects”.

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APC disassociates itself from Kayode Fayemi’s suspension

The National body of All Progressives Congress APC has disassociated itself from the purported suspension of Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi by a faction of the State Chapter.

This was contained in a statement released today by the Publicity Secretary of the Party, Yekini Nabena which reads in part:

The attention of the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a purported and widely-reported “suspension” of the Governor of Ekiti State, H.E. Kayode Fayemi as well as an earlier reported, “indefinite suspension” of some other party members in the state.

The actions are a nullity as the Party’s National Secretariat is yet to receive communication from the state chapter on the purported “suspensions”. We strongly advise all members to adhere to our Party constitution.

Governor Kayode Fayemi remains the leader of the party in Ekiti State.

In line with the mandate of the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee and the President’s admonition to party members to ensure and support ongoing amicable and rancour-free settlement of internal party disputes, we call on our esteemed party members and leaders in Ekiti State to be duly guided.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Architect Paul Omotosho-chaired APC Ekiti State Working Committee is the authentic, valid, and duly recognised Executive as no factions or divisions exist in the State Chapter.

Yekini Nabena, Publicity Secretary.

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JUST IN: Crisis rocks Ekiti APC as faction suspends Governor Kayode Fayemi

OduduwaNews has gathered that a faction of All Progressives Congress APC in Ekiti State has just announced the suspension of Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi.

The suspension came barely a week after some members of the Ekiti State Chapter of APC accused Fayemi of anti-party conduct in the recently held Edo gubernatorial election.

According to a statement released by the faction led by Senator Tony Adeniyi, the governor was suspended due to “his numerous anti-party activities, especially his role in the recently concluded governorship election in Edo State which is contrary to the provisions of Article 21 (A) (ii) of the APC Constitution.”

They claimed that five days before the Edo Election, Gov Fayemi hosted PDP big wig Mr. Femi Fani- Kayode in the government house in Ado Ekiti and planned a coup against Edo APC.

Another allegation leveled against Governor Fayemi was that he played a role in the gubernatorial election in Oyo State and supported the PDP candidate to defeat the APC candidate.

The news of Governor Fayemi’s suspension is coming days after Babafemi Ojudu, a special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari was suspended alongside 10 others.

The statement announcing Ojudu’s suspension was signed by Ade Ajayi, APC’s publicity secretary in Ekiti.

Ojodu was suspended alongside 10 other members which include Omotunde Ojo, a former member of the house of representatives.

These suspended leaders rejected their suspension and formed a faction which eventually announced that they have suspended Governor Fayemi.

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Adelabu berates Seyi Makinde, says his campaign promises still exist on wish-list

The governorship aspirant in the 2019 gubernatorial election in Oyo State, Chief Bayo Adelabu has berated the administration of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

Adelabu, who was governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 elections, lost to Makinde.

Addressing journalists in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, as part of his 50th birthday celebration, Adelabu said with the return of “notable politicians” to the APC, the party is well positioned to dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.

“Everything this administration promised the people of the state is still on their wish list 16 months after coming on board. With the caliber of people that have returned to the APC, no party can stand the way of our party in 2023,” he said.

He also played down prompt payment of workers salaries by Makinde, describing it as statutory obligation.

“No state needs a governor before salary is paid. When salary is paid through statutory allocations and it goes straight to the accountant general, they take it to the bank and they pay. Why must that be the major achievement of any governor?” he asked.

On his loss to Makinde in the 2019 election, Adelabu said it served as a blessing in disguise, explaining that he had since gathered a lot of experience that would make him a better governor in 2023.

“I have become wiser politically and more conversant with progressive grassroots politics. I am now in the driver’s seat. I will be a better governor in 2023 than I would have been in 2019,” he said.

“I will contest for governorship seat of Oyo state in 2023. I am confident that with the unity we now have in Oyo state chapter of the APC, we shall dislodge the ruling party in the state. We tried in 2019 but you can only win when God says it is your time.”

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Nigeria @ 60: Lagos plans low-key celebration

The Lagos State Government has announced a list of activities lined up for a low-key commemoration of the Nigeria 60th Independence anniversary celebration.

Speaking on the planned celebration at a Press Conference held today at Alausa, Ikeja, the Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, noted that this year’s celebration will be held low-key in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

According to him, “This year’s Diamond anniversary is a milestone and you will agree with me that it is worth celebrating. 60 years of unity, despite various challenges the Nigerian State has faced and surmounted; 60 years of ongoing socio-economic development; 60 formidable years of forging ahead in spite of several daunting obstacles lining our path of greatness”.

While calling for sober reflection and thanksgiving to the Almighty for keeping the Nigerian State together thus far, Elegushi reiterated the determination of Lagos State to continually be the face of Nigeria in infrastructural development, industrialisation, trade investments and information technology as the State has always been in the fore-front of the noble effort of bringing greater development to the nation.

The Commissioner averred that these are evident in the ongoing massive infrastructural developments in the State in tandem with the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration, which is aimed at aiding commercial activities and geared towards making Lagos a 21st-century economy.

He stated that many creative initiatives in Lagos have yielded tremendous dividends to the State and its people as some of these programmes and policies have become templates for other states in their drive to accelerate development and the quality of lives of their respective people.

The Commissioner also commended the foresight, dedication and passion of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who deployed all resources at the government’s disposal to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in the State, noting that the current administration is poised to deliver the dividends of democracy at every level of governance.

Accordingly, he said this Year’s anniversary celebration will commence with a Jumat Service on Friday, 25th September, 2020 at the Lagos State Central Mosque Alausa, Ikeja, followed by an Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 27th September, 2020 at the Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa, Ikeja by 10.00 am.

“On Thursday, October 1, 2020, there will be an Independence Day Parade at the Agege Stadium by 9a.m, while a Grande Finale of the Independence Day Celebration will be observed under strict COVID-19 protocols as attendance will be by invitation only,” the Commissioner added.

In his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso opined that the unity of purpose has been instrumental in the victory recorded in overcoming the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, adding that same energy when applied to other sectors of the economy will engender tremendous growth.

He further stated that the Nigerian polity needs the spirit of togetherness in order to achieve higher greatness.

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Alleged terrorism in Oke-Ogun: The time when ‘being on top of the situation’ no longer tenable – Ismael Taiwo

ALLEGED TERRORISM IN OKE-OGUN, THE TIME WHEN ‘BEING ON TOP OF THE SITUATION’, INACTION AND SILENCE NO LONGER TENABLE

By Ismael Taiwo T-COOL

Our lives begin to end the day we keep silent on the things that matter most. – Martin Luther Jnr

Globally, the protection of lives and properties is the first condition of humanity. A society where the security of lives and properties is being threatened cannot witness meaningful development that is why the first responsibility of a responsible government as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended is to strengthen peaceful coexistence among the populace.

Recently, the media space was awashed with allegation of some suspected terrorists trooping into Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State as clearly affirmed by Aare Onakakanfo, Iba Gani Adams who spoke voraciously based on the intelligence claimed to have been at his disposal.

Gani Adams raised alarm on several occasions that some suspected terrorists presently occupying Oke-Ogun region. In as much as I believe it is the work of security agencies to ascertain the veracity of the claim made by Aare Onakakanfo but as citizens we must brace up to the security threat and ensure that all hands are on deck to prevent another Borno replica in Oyo State.

What should perturb sensisble minds is the inability of our military men to come out in clearer tone what they are trying to put in place or have been put in place to forestall the rising challenge of security threat in Oke-Ogun as claimed by Gani Adams. There is no gainsaying in the fact that the current security architecture in Nigeria has failed to curtail various security challenges battling Nigeria as a country due to the inability of our security agencies to nip in the bud any rising security challenge before it gets out of hand. It has always been a case of some people who supposed to have been on the field doing on-spot assessment of security situation in the country but prefer to sit tight under a well fitted air-conditioning offices dishing out weightless ‘on top of the situation’ press statement even when the fight has been brought to their barracks.

It will be recalled that not later than two weeks that the Aare Onakakanfo raised an alarm of some suspected terrorists occupying Oke-Ogun that the Nigerian Army released their usual statement in response to the claim which depicted their readiness to combat any rising challenge in the region. It must be noted at this juncture, that the current disposition of military in their characteristic manner is not different from their usual statement of being ‘on top of the situation’ while the war on terrorism waxes stronger on a daily basis and seems unabating.

One will expect the military to come out in stronger term on measures put in place to forestall the replica of Borno terror-like-act in Oyo State but their statement alluded to the fact that our security agencies only take solace in tackling security menace at the top level when it has gone beyond control rather than tackling it headlong while the wave of security threat is still at a germinating process. One could infer this from the genesis of security challenges in some northern parts of Nigeria as a result of inability of our military personnel to nip in the bud the growing seed of terrorism in those parts before it later germinated into guerrilla war and escalated beyond control. On several occasions, instead of taking proactive measures to face the challenges holistically in those parts, the military in its usual media tactical approach was brandishing weapon of ‘on top of the situation’ around until the reality dawned on us as a nation.

Dearest people of Oke-Ogun, we are not oblivious of the fact that some parts of the region are presently under the siege of some criminal elements. Records of dastardly acts carried out by these criminal elements have alluded to the fact that Oke-Ogun is not safe presently. In recent times, the cases of kidnapping, maiming, killing, raping and all sorts of social vices have been traced to some suspected kidnappers, bandits and Fulani marauders who have taken over some parts of Oke-Ogun and are hellbent in terrorizing the innocent people carrying out their daily economic activities. Over time, the people of Saki have been raising alarm over the spate of insecuity in the town where kidnappers have been on rampage – killing, maiming and raping of innocent girls. Many citizens have been recorded to have lost their lives in the hands of these agents of darkness whose operations could be likened to terror-like-act. Recent happening in Saki few days ago where a farmer was kidnapped and killed by Fulani marauders corroborates my stance that Oke-Ogun is under siege and not safe any more.

The incessant kidnappings and killings are numerous in some parts of Oke-Ogun where the citizens have resigned to fate having been neglected by government.

Ado-Awaye, Araromi LCDA is one of the towns in Oke-Ogun that is currently under siege of kidnappers and Fulani marauders as no fewer than five people within this month said to have been kidnapped with no trace of whereabouts. Ipapo area of Oke-Ogun is not left out of the terror currently unleashed on the innocent citizens of Oke-Ogun as virtually every part of the region is being terrorized.

While it is the duty of security agencies to combat security challenges, we must not shy away from the fact that security apparatus put in place in Nigeria has failed to live up to its responsibilities and this could be justified by the spate of insecurity in Oke-Ogun and Nigeria at large. Hence, the need for the sons and daughters of Oke-Ogun to set aside their political, religious and personal differences and address the security challenges holitistically. Being ontop of the situation everytime or rolling out weightless press releases without appropriate action is no longer tenable for us as a people of Oke-Ogun.

Yoruba will say, “ati okere ni oloju jinjin ti n m’ekun sun”, we must therefore rise to the ocassion of security challenges by putting our security agencies on toe. It is high time we took a bold step in salvaging Oke-Ogun from being totally taken over by terrorists as alleged by Gani Adams.

We are utterly bewildered by the inability of our security agencies to come out in clearer term to either authenticate or disprove the claim made by Gani Adams as well as silence and inaction of some of our stakeholders. This inaction and attitude of sitting on the fence has put us as a people on red line and we must brace up and confront the challenges ahead of us.

It must be noted that history will place us on record, our disposition currently will speak for or against us in future. We must therefore shun attitude of passivity and silence and rise to the new wave of security challenges in Oke-Ogun by organizing a security summit where we come together to harmonize ideas and chart a way forward ahead of possible threat of terrorism as alleged by Gani Adams.

This piece will be submitted by the words of Frantz Fannon, “future will have no pity for those who possess exceptional privilege of being able to speak the words of truth but have taken refuge in attitude of passivity, of mute indifference, and sometimes, of cold complicity. It is high time we spoke the words of truth to those who care to listen.

Com. Ismael Taiwo T-COOL
writes from Oke-Ogun

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