Category: Politics

Osun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of executing a concerted agenda to discredit the Osun State governorship tribunal through outright lies and misrepresentation of tribunal proceedings.

The PDP through one of its senior counsel, N.O. Oke, SAN has subsequently reported the APC to the Tribunal Chairman for lying about proceedings at the court. The Tribunal had proceeded to ask for those publications in response to the submission of the PDP counsel. Misrepresentation deserves necessary sanctions.

The party through its State Chairman, Dr Adekunle Akindele berated the APC for undermining the integrity of the judges by deliberately lying on common agreement reached by all counsels with the judges on how the proceedings should be conducted.

The Tribunal Chairman had from the beginning sought and secured the understanding of all counsels that objections to documents tendering should be reserved till the last day during addresses by parties. All respondents agreed to the request meaning that counsels can bring any document no matter how worthless but its merit or otherwise will be determined during the address stage.

It was in keeping with this agreement that the PDP did not object to all the worthless documents being submitted to the Tribunal. At the address stage, our team will knock out those so called documents tendered as they lack merit on all counts.

The Chairman affirmed that “all the documents being presented by the APC will not see the light of the day by the time the respondents take the stage for their addresses.

“Let me reaffirm that admission of the documents is not in anyway a confirmation of veracity of the contents. We all agreed that all sides can tender whatever they have. That was our agreement with the panel. What the Tribunal did in good faith is now being abused by the APC because it is more interested in media trial than just prosecution of its petition.

“The APC came up with many documents that are not even pleaded in their original submissions. They claim certificate forgery which we will dispel as Ademola Adeleke has certified certificates authenticated from all institutions he attended. The many lies APC is peddling is because it has no case against Senator Adeleke’s election as Osun state Governor-elect.

“It is indeed a disservice to the judiciary for the APC to go to town and misrepresent a common agreement. We did not object to those groundless documents because our turn is coming during address stage. APC is known for lies and that was one of the reasons why Osun people voted them out of office”,

Dr Adekunle reassured PDP supporters and people of Osun state that the electoral victory of Senator Ademola Adeleke is not shaking by the valueless submissions of the APC, declaring that ” as at today, it was APC that sought adjournment because it is aware all its lies will be demolished when we take the stage”

Akindele restated his submission that Senator Adeleke did not present any forged certificates as all his educational qualifications are original and bonafide.

“The APC and Mr Oyetola sent a team to the United States to investigate the certificates of Senator Adeleke. They found no smoking guns as all the schools confirmed our Governor-elect as their former student. APC is just chasing shadows.

“Our lawyers are on top of the case. Mr Oyetola has no case. He is defeated and he should relocate to Lagos or Iragbiji”, the party Chairman noted.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has presented a budget of N113.6 billion for 2023 to the State House of Assembly for consideration.

The bill, christened “Budget of Strong Beginning”, was made up of N80.36billion for Capital Expenditure and N34.06billion for Recurrent Expenditure.

Mr. Oyebanji explained that capital expenditure constituted 70 per cent of the Budget while 30 per cent represented recurrent expenditure.

According to the Governor, the budget will provide the roadmap for the implementation of his administration 6-point agenda.

He said that his administration would be irrevocably committed to openness, transparency and accountability towards ensuring fiscal discipline in government activities.

Governor Oyebanji said the budget was prepared in accordance to global best practices and added that the state Ministry of Budget and Planning will later give a detailed analysis of the budget.

Earlier, while welcoming the governor to the House for the first time as the Chief Executive of the State, the Assembly Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Hakeem Jamiu assured that the Assembly will continue to build bridges of understanding and collaboration with the government for the betterment of Ekiti people.

He assured that the House through its various committees will work expeditiously on the budget estimate with a view to passing it in a record time.

The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has today presented the budget tagged “sustainable development” to the Oyo State House of Assembly.

The presentation was done by the executive governor at the ongoing Plenary session.

The majority leader, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin while introducing the executive governor, highlighted some of the past achievements of the governor in the State which included improvement in internally generated revenue, revamp of the economy and infrastructural development.

Gov. Makinde while speaking on the 2023 budget was quoted as saying “three years ago when we came with our budget, we came with budget that would aide accelerated growth of the economy. In 2020, we budgeted Two Hundred And Eight Billion Naira (N208bn) for the state and we have moved from accelerated growth to sustainable development.

“These are not just figure, in reality, we have moved our people from poverty to prosperity. In education, we have consistently maintained 18-20 % allocation. We have also grown Internally Generated Revenue by over 90% without raising tax on anybody and we did this through private partnership as we focus on comparative advantage in agribusiness to grow our economy.

“Today, through infrastructural development, we can say with pride that our dear state is interconnected through road construction and rehabilitation”, said Makinde.

He highlighted his achievements in sports and youth development, he claimed that the state has brought the lost glory of over 28 years back as a result of the recent international football match that was played at Adamasingba Stadium.

He talked about the health sector, where he claimed to have invested heavily in primary healthcare and installation of health equipment in Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital and other state hospitals.

He further hinted on the importance of ‘light-up-Oyo’ claiming the project has contributed to the drastic reduction in crime rate in the State.

“Time would fail me if I should continue to highlight some of our achievements but I can boldly say we have raised internally generated revenue from N1.7bn in 2018 to N3.3bn. Our budget revenue performance stands at 59.7% while expenditure performance remains at 54.8%.

“Today, we are presenting Three Hundred And Ten Billion Naira (N310bn) Budget of Sustainable Development to meet the needs of the good people of Oyo State without compromising the best standards”.

He premised the details of the 2023 budget on the internally generated revenue which stands at N83.5bn while the statutory allocation stands at N50bn, with VAT generated to be N60bn.

N154.348bn has been budgeted for capital expenditure, accounting for 49.7% of the total budget, while recurrent expenditure stands at N155.651bn making 51.3% of the total budget.

Education to receive N58.213bn being 18% of the 15-20% of the UNESCO recommendation, health care gets 36bn while agricultural sector to receive N11.198bn.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin while speaking commended the governor for the laudable projects he has embarked on in Oyo State. He therefore used the ocassion to implore him to do more for the good people of Oyo State.

Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti has said that the meeting of the socio-political organisation will henceforth hold in Akure, capital of Ondo State.

He said the leaders of the group will no longer converge on Isoya Ogbo, Ijebu home of the acting leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

Following the shifting of meeting venue to the residence of the leader, Adebanjo may have ceased to be acting leader.

Fasoranti, frontline educator and Second Republic Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State, reiterated the group’s endorsement of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

He rejected the insinuations that he was paid to endorse the Jagaban Borgu, saying that he has been a man of principle all his life.

Fasoranti said those who started meeting at Ogbo after naming Adebanjo as acting leader misunderstood and misinterpreted him.

He lamented that these people shifted the meeting of Afenifere to Adebanjo’s residence because they felt he was becoming senile.

Fasoranti said some people felt he could not comprehend things, adding that the person who said that has regretted it.

However, Fasoranti said he is not senile, adding that “there is no shaking.”

He stressed:”The reason the meeting was shifted was due to misunderstanding and misinterpretation of some people that I was going senile and that I cannot comprehend. When I heard that, I reacted and the person saying that regretted it. “

In a viral video at his Akure residence, the old ‘Action Grouper’ said he will now communicate meeting schedules to Afenifere members after liasoning with the secretary and other leaders on meeting agenda.

He maintained that most Afenifere chieftains have said they will not go to Ogbo for meetings.

Following the return of meeting venue to Akure, many Afenifere chieftains disclosed that Adebanjo has ceased to be acting leader.

A chieftain, who spoke on phone, said:”There can’t be two leaders at a time.”

Another chieftain said Adebanjo may fight back, but from a weak position, adding that the group should prepare for crisis management.

The Afenifere leader said there is no meeting point between Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, pointing out that they are two different ethnic organisations.

Fasoranti promised to leave a legacy of stability and honesty in Afenifere.

He said the organisation will continue to pursue restructuring as a cardinal belief.

The elderstatesman threw his weight behind the agitation for the use of arms and ammunition by Amotekun to effectively protect the Southwest, stressing that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who is championing the crusade was on course.

He also urged government to defend education to halt falling standard.

The Alado of Ado Awaye, Oba Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, Makuledoye 11, and the Chief Custodian of Ado Mountain Heritage, Ado Awaye, has assured maximum security of lives and properties during this year’s Iyake international festival.

Oba Folakanmi made this known in a statement made available to ODUDUWA NEWS.

He said he had met with all residents in Ado-Awaye including the various security groups and other stakeholders in his Palace, Oke-Odo, Ado Awaye, Araromi LCDA, Oyo state.

The festival which has been packaged to mark his 5 years on throne slated to hold from 16–19 November, 2022 at the foot of Ado mountain, Ago Afin, Ado-Awaye, Iseyin Local government,Oyo state.

According to the monach, the ancestors of Ado Awaye people settled on Ado mountain around 1500AD and had since then discovered the suspended lake there.

Alado said that the local oracles divinated that Iyake Suspended Lake took its name from a woman who migrated to the mountain crying for being barren and got her self drown into the lake along with some other children followers. Hence, the appellation of Crying Mother…”iya ti nke” gave birth to the name of the lake till date, IYAKE.

Iyake lake is said to be bottomless, mystical, medicinal with high fertility power such that many barren women who visited the lake during festival like this have been blessed with children. Hence the appellation, IYAKE OLOMOYOYO FESTIVAL.
Kabiyesi Alado explained further that the 2022 edition of Iyake Olomoyoyo Festival shall witness a new dimension of festival events including: special cultural performance, festival discourse, mountain climbing competition and multi games, crown anniversary lecture and celebration, key note addresses, and most particularly, Rilwan Oyekola Scorpion Boxing Tournament among others.

The monarch equally identified the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Chief Bayo Lawal, Okere of Saki, a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and a son of the soil, Barrister Chief Iyiola Oladokun among other special dignatories expected at the festival.

Oba Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi finally guaranteed the public of full security at the programme as he confirmed to have summoned several meetings with the leaders of the various foreigners residing in the community including the Fulanis’ , Togoleses’ Egedes’ ,Hausas’ Igbos’, Marcurdis’ among others towards a serious vigilant against any form of insecurity before, during and after the festival. He also affirmed the readiness of security agents including Police Force, Operation Burst ,DSS, Civil Defense, Amotekun, and other local Vigilante groups to combat any unforeseen security threat.

The Monarch concluded his briefing by revealing to the public that there shall be a festival camping on Ado mountain for interested individuals or teams on the night of the grand finale day being Saturday 19/11/22 with Riliwan Boxing Tournament towards showcasing the wonders of the African only suspended lake –IYAKE, and other uncommon wonders on Ado mountain, Ado Awaye, Oyo State. The Royal father therefore used the avenue to invite the general public to this cultural, educative and fun filled festival- IYAKE OLOMOYOYO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL, 2022.

The lawmakers at the Oyo State House of Assembly have unanimously agreed to regulate the activities of commercial motorcyclists in the State.

According to the motion titled: “Urgent Need To Regulate The Activities Of Commerical Motorcyclists To Curtail Security Threats And Other Criminal Actions In The State” as sponsored and read today at the Plenary by Honourable representing Oyo East/West, Hon. K.T. Isiaka.

The honourable while speaking at the Plenary averred that the commercial motorcycle is one of the means of transportation across the globe and that despite its economic advantage and easy access, it poses an inordinate security threats.

He lamented the spate of kidnappings, insurgent attacks and robbery incidents in the country.

He therefore called the attention of the House to the growing trend of nose-mask usage among the Okada riders to shield their identities from the public to perpetrate evil acts.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin while commenting on the motion, highlighted some of the actionable plans already put in place by the executive arm to curtail the excesses of some of the Okada riders in the State.

He therefore called for the adoption of the resolutions of the motion and the whole House voted to adopt the motion.

Adebanjo, has described the meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the former leader of the group…

Leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has described the meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the former leader of the group and a prominent Yoruba leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State, as diversionary.

He said the “real Afenifere” has made its position known about endorsing the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, and that has not changed.

Pa Adebanjo said the intent was to create a wedge between him and Pa Fasoranti and he was not bothered about it.

Tinubu had met Pa Fasoranti where he presented his 80-page manifesto to the nonagenarian with other prominent Yoruba leaders in attendance.

The meeting came after Adebanjo endorsed a South-Easterner as the preferred candidate of Afenifere in 2023.

Speaking with Daily Trust, Adebanjo said Fasoranti called him over the phone yesterday and he warned him.

He said, “The Yoruba People know their leader. I’ve spoken, the National Secretary has spoken. This is not the time to engage in polemics. The way forward is my position.

“What happened was a diversion. They want us to be engaged in arguments. Is that the issue now?”

He insisted that in the interest of fairness and justice, it is the turn of the South East to produce the next President.

“Can he (Tinubu) deny it that the South-West has not had its turn? Can he deny it South-South has not had its turn? They should answer that. As far as I am concerned, the meeting does not concern us as Afenifere.

“Afenifere is not divided. That was why I said I don’t want to engage in polemics. They want to throw a wedge between me and Pa Reuben Fasoranti and I won’t allow it. The man phoned me yesterday and I warned him, don’t get yourself involved,” he said.

Adebanjo further stated that those in attendance at the meeting were Yoruba APC chieftains.

Popular Nigerian actress and producer turned politician, Funke Akindele, has called out the Lagos state government over the recent flood scare.

This comes after several warning signals were sent out on a predicted flood about to hit the state.

Funke Akindele tagged the Lagos state Government irresponsible for not declaring a state of emergency, especially in the riverine communities in the state.

She took to her Instagram page and wrote, “After speaking with people in several wards across the state, I feel compelled to share my concern about the safety of Lagosians in all areas of the state. The Lagos state government put out a flood warning for several parts of the state but it is yet to announce a state of emergency or share a detailed response plan in the event that flooding endangers the lives of citizens. The fact that lagos state has not declared a state of emergency, especially in the riverine communities, is extremely irresponsible & puts so many Lagosians at risk. Our riverine communities do not have functional gutters, flood canals built to channel flood water are filled with silt & blocked by refuse and our water ways are overrun by water hyacinths. It is a disaster waiting to happen.”

Funke Akindele futher noted that securing the lives of Lagosians is more better that campaigning. “While campaigning is important, securing the lives and properties of Lagosians takes precedence. In light of the present flooding in other parts of the country and the advance warning delivered by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NMA), it is imperative that the Lagos state government ensures that citizens are protected by declaring an ecological state of emergency.”

She then advised that agencies should focus on unclogging flood canals in the state in order to ease flow of the water, “I would advise the state government to redirect its agencies, LASTMA and LAWMA to focus on unclogging the major flood canals so rainwater can be safely redirected out of the city & temporarily relocate citizens already displaced by the flooding in parts of the state until the flood waters disperse and work to decongest drainage channels in all densely populated areas before we face another flood disaster.”

She continued, “Emergency numbers should be broadcasted on all state media channels, citizens should be educated on present emergency protocols and encouraged to report any missing persons or damage to properties. We cannot in good faith ask our citizens to care about elections when their lives are at risk. I strongly urge Governor Sanwoolu and the Lagos state government to intervene and mitigate a potential tragedy.”

Funke Akindele’s fans took to the comment section of her post to react. One Bolatito_Apatira wrote, “For weeks now LAWMA didn’t come and pack refuse yet they have the gut to increase the bill”

One FeyosayoRichards wrote, “We should be prepared for a general flooding problem coming especially for areas below sea level…Government should please do something about it ASAP we are begging…every life should matter in a sane country”

Feyisayoichards added, “Honestly speaking, I really ask myself of what use exactly is this present government to us all, what exactly have we benefited from this present government, it keeps getting worse…just couple of weeks ago I was robbed at 2nd rainbow at about 1:30pm and as if that wasn’t enough, just last week I was driving towards igando from Ipaiye Iba, only for some guys to throw something in my car on motion,I thought it was a stick not knowing it was a Snake…we keep battling with different sad occurrences everyday, from insecurities to bad infrastructure to lack of employment to flooding crisis”

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Sunday sent a subtle solidarity message to the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress(APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general election.

This was made known by the Deputy governor of Oyo state, Bayo Lawal who represented Seyi Makinde in Ondo State at the reception of Tinubu by the leader of Afenifere, Pa Fasoranti.

Recall ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported that Fasoranti and the leadership of Afenifere, the Yoruba cultural and political organisation to present his Action Plan on how he intends to tackle the economic and other problems the country is grappling with.

Lawal noted that though separated by political affiliation, but united by strong ethnic bonds.

Seyi Makinde and four other PDP governors believed to be aggrieved over party leadership tussles have been at loggerheads with the Chairman of the People Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyorcha Ayu over the zoning of the party’s chairmanship seat.

Makinde and notably, Rivers state governor, Nyesome Wike boycotted Atiku’s campaign launch in Akwa Ibom state including a recent campaign held in Edo state, moves believed to have heightened tensions in the camps of Atiku’s loyalist

Political pundits predicted defections with many believing the five aggrieved PDP governors, including Makinde might pitch their tents with the APC presidential candidate, Tinubu.

Speaking in the Yoruba language at the event, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mr Bayo Lawal who represented Gov Makinde, stressed that the people of his state will stand with the decision of Yoruba leaders as regards the 2023 presidential election.

His words: “ Since Makinde became governor, he doesn’t joke with anything that concerns the Yoruba people, whenever baba (Pa Fasoranti) calls him, he is always available.

“Whenever there is an event, either organized by Afenifere or any other Yoruba group, Gov Makinde will always be supportive. Though we are not of the same political affiliation, but we are bound by ethnicity”.

“The message he sent me to deliver here is that, whatever you are doing in Yorubaland, Makinde, Oyo people are in support of it.”

After ending his speech at the event, Lawal sang a song Yoruba song, “…Asiwaju ni wa, Asiwaju ni wa” which literally means “We are the one who leads” and the same song can be interpreted as a pledge to Tinubu (Asiwaju)

Vanguard reported that Bola Tinubu visited Afenifere leader, Pa Fasoranti where he unveiled his action plan and was blessed by the Yoruba leader who dismissed Ayo Adebanjo to labour party’s candidate, Peter obi.

There was palpable tension on Wednesday evening in Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State as some youths protested alleged move by the state government to announce a new Akinrun of Ikirun. It was gathered that Prince Olalekan Akadiri has allegedly been penned down by the state government to be announced as the Akinrun.

The youths, it was reported, had set up bonfires at the popular Oja-Oba/Palace Market road as a means of venting their anger against the alleged government move.

They alleged that the Osun state government was set to announce Akadiri as the Akinrun any day from now especially before the end of the month.
When the alleged news broke in the town, local security operatives, Osun Amotekun and members of the hunters were seen stationed at the Akinrun Palace.

The Akinrun stool became vacant when the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba AbdulRauf Adewale Adedeji II passed on in February, 2021.

However, the Osun State Government has not come out to debunk the information.