Adébáyọ̀ Adelabu, governorship candidate of Accord in Oyo State has been advised to go contest with the likes of Aliko Dangote and others if he feels he is the best investor.
Teslim Folarin, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in a reaction to remark by Adelabu, who was the candidate of the party in the 2019 election before defecting to his new party after failing to get the gubernatorial ticket, at the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Yoruba, debate in Ibadan, said: “We would like to ask him (Adelabu) what individual candidate’s choice of business has got to do with political campaigns? The statement credited to the Accord gubernatorial candidate has further portrayed him as a learner in the field of politics. Whatever success he is laying claim to in the business world was there in 2019 when he ran an uninspiring campaign for the same post and he lost scandalously.
Adelabu had, during the debate, described both the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and APC candidates, Governor Seyi Makinde and Folarin respectively, as people without stakes in Oyo State because they have no investments in the state.
”Before Governor Seyi Makinde was sworn-in in 2019, he declared N48 billion assets. The APC governorship candidate, Sen. Teslim Folarin has represented Oyo Central Senatorial District three times, meaning he has been collecting government money for 12 years. Please ask both of them why they have not established a single factory, even if it is a pure water factory that will employ at least five persons, in Oyo State?
“Why are they taking all their money abroad? They are like birds which fly as soon as the tree falls. They are portmanteau politicians. If anything negative happens, they will easily relocate abroad. I can not leave Oyo State because my treasures are here.
“Wherever your treasure is where your heart goes. Since I lost election, I have not relocated from Ibadan. I have met and engaged more people that can be of help in my election. And I have also learnt and invested more in the state. There has been no year that I did not add new investments in the state since 2019 because as a stakeholder, I won’t want the state to regress or collapse. All my businesses and family members are in Oyo State. My friends are here. I grew up here,” Adelabu had said.
But reacting, the three-term senator, who spoke through the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr Olawale Sadare, has explaining that “For the avoidance of doubt, Sen. Teslim Folarin has been involved in the business of government at the zenith level in the country for more than 20 years now and he has never been found wanting. His chain of business in the corporate world did not matter to us when he was seeking the ticket of our party because neither the Electoral Act nor the APC Constitution requires him to submit the record of his private business engagement.
“If Mr. Adelabu feels he is the best investor in the world, he should leave politics for the serious players and strive to compete favourably with the Dangotes, Adenugas, Elumelus or even Bill Gates of this world. The fact remains that the remnants of Mr. Adelabu’s bloated ego will be finally deflated in the next general election and the shame of electoral defeat would make him run away from future contest.
We at APC will never take him seriously because he is not ready to learn at all.”
As political parties and their respective Senatorial candidates vie to represent the good people of Oyo North by winning the 2023 election, Ore TV in partnership with Oduduwa News and other news outlets organizes a debate programme that will be a live broadcast and streaming production that offers a singular forum for direct interaction and communication between the senatorial candidates and the constituents.
The programme comes up tommorrow at the Ore TV station located in Saki by 10am.
Being the first of its kind, the programme will make all the good people of Oyo North proud regardless of which candidate they support and offer the best possible platform for all the leading candidates to come and share their best plans for their people.
There will be an audience of 20 people for the debate, including CSOs and the Diplomatic Corps. It will be an opportunity for the people to hear directly from the aspirants and to ask them questions on governance and nation building.
The debate will be broadcast on ORE TV,and partner TV stations like Korrectnews, 1207media and Oduduwa News. It will also be streamed online on YouTube and social media platforms to enable those in the diaspora to participate.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 11th January, 2023 dismissed the separate appeals filed by Otunba Jimi Lawal and his group members, Taiwo Olabode Idris against the appeal court ruling that allowed Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu’s application against the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta delivered by Justice O. Oguntoyinbo on 27th September, 2022.
The Supreme Court panel of Justices led by Justice Kekere Ekun before dismissing the two appeals expressed displeasure against the actions of the appellants appealing against the decision of the Appeal court, stating that their actions were just aimed at frustrating the appeal of Hon. Adebutu at the Appeal court sitting in Ibadan despite been heard and allowed.
The interpretation of the judgement is that Hon. Adebutu Kensington is now the authentic PDP Gubernatorial candidate for Ogun State.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, CON has approved the redeployment of three commissioners to various ministries in a minor cabinet reshuffle.
Those affected are the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Akinwumi Sowore; Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives Services, Hon. Lola Fagbemi; and Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Amidu Takuro.
In the minor reshuffle, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Sowore moves to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives Services, while the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Takuro moves to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Equally, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives Services, Hon. Fagbemi moves to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The redeployment takes immediate effect.
Governor Akeredolu said the reshuffle was informed by the need to improve service delivery and strengthen collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies in government.
The Governor charged the Commissioners to continue to work in line with the Redeemed Agenda and the “One Administration” mantra of his administration.
The Lagos Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Abdul-Azeez Adediran aka Jandor, has claimed that the location of the Television Continental station used to be a Lagos State Polytechnic campus.
He made this known on Your View programme on the same TVC on Monday.
The governorship candidate asked if it is legal to convert a Lagos owned property to a privately-owned property.
He said, “Where we are sitting right now, this TVC premises used to be a Lagos State Polytechnic property. Even if you tidy up everything and it is so legal to sell it to yourself, is it morally right?“
The entire zone of Ibarapaland received political gladiators from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP on Saturday as the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde flagged off the 2023 electioneering campaign of PDP at Old Garage, Igboora.
The party faithfuls, residents and indigenes of Ibarapaland gathered at the venue for the flag off.
Highlight of the flag off was the presentation of PDP flag to all the candidates of the party in the forthcoming General Elections across Oyo State.
In his remarks at the flag off, Governor Seyi Makinde promised to set up Rural Electrification Board in Ibarapaland while also assuring that the reconstruction of Eruwa-Ibarapa road will commence in two weeks.
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi has said it is the turn of Nigerian youths and women to take back Nigeria.
He made the assertion during a recent visit to Akwa Ibom (his wife’s home country) for his campaign.
Peter Obi while revealing his plans for Nigeria if elected president of Nigeria next month, said Nigerians should hold him accountable if he fails to change the country.
“Stop listening to all these parties telling you about structure. They brought Nigeria to where it is today.
“When we started this democracy, we had less than 50 million poor people in Nigeria, today it is 133 million people and growing every day.
“Nigeria can feed itself, let’s bring people who can focus on helping Nigeria. Let nobody tell you it is his turn, or tell you, you have to wait for next time.
“It is the turn of Nigerian youths and women to take back this country. Your children are suffering. We have children who have gone to school and cannot find jobs for years and someone (Tinubu) is saying it is his turn, which turns? It is your turn to retire.
“Let those people who want to be president come here as I came here and speak to you, not through their spokesperson. You don’t campaign anywhere in the world through a spokesperson, you go personally.
“If you are looking for a job, you go for employment directly, that is why I am here.
“I want you to go to the nooks and crannies of Akwa Ibom and tell them that somebody is determined to change Nigeria. Hold me responsible if I don’t change this country,” he said.
Akure, the capital of Ondo State stood-still on Saturday as mammoth crowd thronged major streets in the town to catch a glimpse of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu was in Akure in continuation of the Presidential campaign rally of the APC.
Massive crowd stormed the Akure Airport to received the APC candidate. The huge crowd followed the long motorcade conveying the Presidential candidate to the venue of the rally.
The massive crowd filled the expansive M.K.O Abiola Democracy Park, venue of the event, to the brim.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, CON received Asiwaju Tinubu and his entourage at the Airport.
Governor Akeredolu was joined by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and his Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun. Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his Ekiti State counterpart, Mrs Christiana Afuye also joined the Governors to receive the APC Presidential candidate.
Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye; former Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; National Secretary of the APC, Senator Iyiola Omisore; other members of the National Working Committee, members of the Ondo State Executive council, leaders and members of the party, were also on ground to receive the APC Presidential candidate.
The jet conveying Asiwaju Tinubu and his entourage touched down at exactly 12:50pm at the Akure Airport.
At the rally, the former Lagos State Governor promised to make the coastal area of the state a tourist centre.
According to him, if elected, his government will develop Ondo Deep Sea Port and develop hydroelectricity.
He said he will give the people uninterrupted energy and not estimated billings, adding that the people will enjoy good governance.
His words:”We will tame the surge of Atlantic like we tamed the surge in Lagos. For good and proper things to happen in this country, we will definitely look at all the abandoned projects and failed promises of the past and rehabilitate them, give you the opportunity to become a manufacturing centre and economic centre in Ondo state.
“We will definitely develop Ondo Deep Sea Port. We will develop hydroelectricity and give you uninterrupted energy and not estimated billings, stealing your money. We will do more . Don’t create conflict, don’t create enmity, we are a people of peace, progress and prosperity.
“The message we bring here today is that of a renewed hope, a renewed assurance that education will receive priority in our government. No children of the poor will be left behind.
“If you don’t have the money we will establish student credit loan so that you can go to school. You will be educated, you will be experts to be what you dream and desire to be. Your future will not be bleak. You are given this assurance by me, you trust me, you trust what I did in Lagos.”
Tinubu assured Nigerians of renewed hope, promising to change the narratives of the people of the country for good.
The Presidential campaign rally was attended by Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and his Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Chief Betty Anywanwu-Akeredolu; Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his Ekiti State counterpart, Mrs Christiana Afuye.
Others were Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye; former Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; National Secretary of the APC, Senator Iyiola Omisore; other members of the National Working Committee, members of the Ondo State Executive council, leaders and members of the party and thousands of APC supporters and loyalists.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was full of gratitude to people of the state for the rousing welcome and warm reception given him, described the people of the state as dependable and sincere.
He appreciated Governor Akeredolu for always standing up for justice and fairness, stressing that Ondo State is the home of the progressives.
Asiwaju Tinubu informed the mammoth crowd that the coming election is for the betterment of the people and the country in general.
The former Lagos State Governor pleaded with the people not to lose their PVCs, saying the rally signaled a renewed hope for the country.
Tinubu, who expressed confidence that he will win the election, also urged the people not vote for those who will sell their future or make their children go to bed hungry.
He said he was determined to create safer, more prosperous and dynamic society.
According to him, the progressive governance can only be brought to the people by someone who had once governed in a progressive manner.
He noted that the PDP Presidential candidate is not ready to do the courageous and hardwork required to build a better nation.
“He cares little that his policies and actions will impoverish you and you will be left with nothing.” He added.
Tinubu also took a swipe on Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as a wicked parent who held money in his hand while the children go to bed hungry.
The APC Presidential candidate explained that when Obi served as Governor of Anambra State, no farmer or city dweller prospered, urging Nigerians to reject the LP Presidential candidate at the polls.
He noted that Nigerians cannot entrust their future or that of the nation to “Mr Sell Everything” like Atiku and “Mr Stingy like Obi” .
The APC presidential candidate said himself and his running mate, Shettima have brought a message to renew hope through empowerment to all Nigerians.
“I love what Akeredolu has done. I respect Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, he has improved infrastructure status of Ondo State. He has restored Ondo State glory in the plantation. Cocoa plantation will fetch fortunes, he has put Bitumen on front burner. He is chatting the path of industrialization of Ondo State. He is making Ondo State a definite tourist destination.” He said.
The host and Ondo State Governor,Arakunrin Akeredolu, who assured Tinubu that Ondo State is a progressive state, said the APC will emerge victorious in the coming elections.
He appreciated all the party leaders and governors, especially Ganduje for gracing the rally.
Also, the National Secretary of the party and former deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, said Nigerians will vote APC in the coming elections, promising that APC will change the narratives and bring hope to the hopeless.
Earlier, the State Chairman of APC, Ade Adetimehin, said Ondo State people are already “BATified”, saying APC stands strong in the State.
“We are united under the able leadership of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Ondo State will beat Lagos State in terms of numbers of votes. APC will deliver Ondo State for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. All our candidates for Senate,, Reps and House of Assembly will win in the coming polls”, Adetimehin added.
Alleged attack by the Minister of Interior and Former Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the February 2023 General Elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been described as fake news and a creation of the imagination of jittery politicians who are bent on maligning the Minister in order to cause disaffection between the duo.
A statement signed by Sola Fasure, the media adviser to Aregbesola on Wednesday titled, ‘Jittery Politicians Scared of Full Reconciliation’, stated that there is a well coordinated sinister plot to frustrate the reconciliation efforts being championed by notable individuals and other key stakeholders.
“We are observing a sinister and coordinated effort to frustrate the reconciliatory moves being championed by notable stakeholders within and beyond our party to rally all necessary factors for the success of our Party at the February 2023 Presidential Election.
“Just last week, jittery politicians who are authors of this malicious manuscript, paid a handful of rent-a-crowd comedians to react to a non-existent ‘attack’ and regurgitate the storyline again, with the intention to frustrate a series of reconciliation steps for their selfish interest”, Fasure noted.
The Minister’s Adviser further stated that some known interest keeps promoting a narrative that he’s attacking or has once attacked Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as fake news and targeted at maligning his person.
“The social media news making the rounds is targeted at maligning the person of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as concerns an alleged attack on the person of the presidential candidate of our Party, The All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is FAKE news and simply not True.
“We urge well-meaning Nigerians to be wary of the evil machinations of this cult of fifth columnists, whose sole business is to cause dissatisfaction, manufacture distractions and sow seeds of doubt”, Fasure revealed.
The statement further said the Minister is focused on his current ministerial duties and ensuring his party, the APC emerges victorious at the Presidential election in February 2023.
