Category: Politics

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has directed the Bureau of State Pensions, to commence immediate payment of gratuity to pensioners in the State.

The N1b gratuity was released to ease and bring succour to the senior citizens, who have served the State and the Local Government diligently.

This was made known by the Permanent Secretary in the Bureau, Mr. Adesoji Adewuyi during an interview with journalists in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

He stated that the gratuity would cater for pensioners who were scheduled for September and part of October 2014, adding that it would also take care of part payments of Basic, Rent, and Transports (BRT) allowances for January and February 2013 of the pensioners.

Mr. Adewuyi stated that some pensioners with urgent medical needs were also attended to from the gratuity released, and pleaded with those who were yet to receive theirs to be patient with the present administration, assuring that all pensioners would be paid accordingly.

The Permanent Secretary appreciated Prince Abiodun for the payment of a cash palliative of N10,000 for pensioners, to enable them to cope with the economic situation occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy for the period of three months with effect from July 2023.

The Ondo State House of Assembly has directed the Clerk of the House, Benjamin Jaiyeola to write the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa over allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him.

The Petition which has been signed by Nine out of 26 Members of the House was read during the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji.

Details later

The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state state has taken a swipe at the former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, over an alleged verbal assault he meted out to a cross section of traditional rulers from the state at an official function hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde at Iseyin on Friday saying that he (Obasanjo) acted in bad faith and in clear demonstration of his vindictive tendencies.

In a short video clip which went viral on virtually all the social media platforms on Friday evening, Chief Obasanjo was captured castigating some monarchs and title chiefs for an offence derived from their reported failure to rise up and be on their feet ostensibly in honour of him (Obasanjo) and Gov. Makinde while they were coming to the venue of the road project commissioning. The former president lampooned the traditional rulers and then ordered them to stand up and then sit down.

While reacting to the development in a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC submitted that Obasanjo’s verbal assault against the traditional rulers was not accidental or coincidental but premeditated, scripted and purposely delivered as a prize to people who had defied the former president on his mission to enthrone Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party against the popular choice of Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC in the last presidential election.

“It is evident that Chief Obasanjo used the avenue of his questionable invitation to the road project commissioning to get back at certain individuals who openly rejected his presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the build up to the last general election. We recall that one of the monarchs on seat appeared on some private radio stations during the electioneering and mobilized support for Tinubu who won the election eventually. This did not go down well with the former president who is popular for his vindictiveness and he used the opportunity handed down to him by one of his loyalists (Gov. Makinde) to hit back at his target.

“Meanwhile, we condemn in strong term the conduct of Chief Obasanjo who threw decorum into the wind on account of being a former president and chose to desecrate the rich culture and traditions of the Yoruba people. By assaulting the monarchs, who were at the occasion on invitation, the Owu-born former military dictator had shown to the world that he was not worth his status as a statesman, title chief and leader on the African continent.

“It is on record that despite ruling Nigeria for a combined period of 12 years, Obasanjo did not make a.significant impact on the lives of the people of Oyo state as the best he did (and still does) was removing an elected governor of the state and refusing to add value in the areas of infrastructure, wealth creation and empowerment of our people. So, the good people of the Pacesetter state do not hold him in high esteem and they expect little or nothing from him even if has another opportunity to become president again in future.

“However, there is a pertinent question begging for answer regarding the choice of Obasanjo as the chairman of the occasion at the instance of Gov. Makinde. The simple truth is that the whole scenario has further exposed the hypocrisy in Gov. Makinde who has done everything possible to claim the glory of President Bola Tinubu’s victory in Oyo state in the February 25 presidential election. How can you be loyal to two opposing characters in a political contest at the same time? It is obvious, Obasanjo is anti-Tinubu and Makinde is also pro-Obasanjo while we watch keenly as the governor continues his tricky game in the political space.” Sadare stated.

Ogun State House of Assembly has acknowledged the receipt of a list containing the names of additional ten Commissioner Nominees from the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

A release signed the Clerk/ Head of Legislative Service, Mr. ‘Deji Adeyemo indicated that the new Nominees would be screened by the State Lawmakers tomorrow, Wednesday 13th September, 2023 at 2.00pm prompt.

The new nominees are: Hon. Adeleye-Oladapo Adijat, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun, Mr. Sofela Adebola Emmanuel, Hon. Ilori-Oduntan Olufemi, Engr. Dairo Oluwagbenga, Hon. Owootomo Bolu, Mr. Oresanya Oladimeji, Hon. Balogun Ademola, Mr. Osunbiyi Tunde and Mr. Fagbayi Sesan.

The Peoples Democratic Party PDP has condemned Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu for his inability to relocate to the state to continue running his administration from there.

The Ondo State PDP Chapter in a statement signed by its Spokesman Kennedy Ikantu as read in part:

“Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Governor of Ondo State has continued in his usual lack of respect for the people of Ondo State by practically relocating his government and State Assembly to his residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

“On 6th June, 2023 Akeredolu wrote to the Ondo State House of Assembly about his medical vacation abroad amidst rumours that he was incapacitated. A medical leave that has taken three clear months.

“Mrs Betty Akeredolu, the Governor’s wife shut down the social media by posting her husband’s photo in an aircraft with the caption “Homebound” yesterday. There was no official release from Akeredolu’s media handlers, a responsibility Betty has since assumed.

While Akeredolu was in Germany, attending to his health, Ondo State suffered multidimensional setbacks, from in fighting to huge sums of money siphoned from the state treasury as medical expenses.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter expected that, now that the Governor is back in Nigeria, his first point of call should have been Ondo State, where everybody prayed for his quick recovery and return to his duties.

“Instead, he headed for Ibadan and instructed all State Cabinet members and State Assembly men to join him.

“This is very absurd and an insult on the sensibility of Ondo State people. If Akeredolu has been certified fit to resume duties, let him notify the Assembly accordingly to conclude the remainder of his tenure for which he has been barely tolerated”.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has demolished the DATKEM Plaza, owned by Olufunke Daniel, wife of former governor Gbenga Daniel and incumbent senator representing Ogun East.

In a statement, Olusegun Lawal, the Project Manager and Developer for the building, revealed that the demolition of the five-storey building located at Folagbade Street, Ijebu-Ode, was carried out at 3:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Mr Lawal said that the building, which had been under construction since 2009, had the full approval from the state government and was scheduled for commissioning by the end of September before the demolition, adding that the building had no structural or quality issues.

The building
He disclosed that the third floor of the now demolished building was to house the Ogun East Senatorial Office.

The demolition comes as rumours proliferate about a raging rift between the incumbent governor and former governor Daniel now senator for Ogun East.

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has lauded Governor Ademola Adeleke for proving his critics wrong by being a dancing but hard working Governor in the governance affairs of the state.

During his address at the 16th Harvest Anniversary and Thanksgiving Service held at the Love of Christ Generation Church C&S in Victoria Island, Lagos State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo cited the Governor as an example of a leader who is not ashamed to praise God despite occupying highest office in the state, positing that dancing and working for God and the people are things to be proud of.

“Mr Governor, they call you a dancer. But you are dancing to praise God. And I heard you are working hard for your people”, Chief Obasanjo who spoke in Yoruba language affirmed.

In an event attended by the Ooni of Ife, His Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Aare Dele Momodu; Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun and members of Osun House of Assembly; and top political and traditional rulers, Chief Obasanjo said “dancing to praise God is praise worthy especially with the reports of good developments happening in Osun state.

“God whom you are praising will shower his blessings on your state and government. I associate with you.

“Again, I learnt you are a listening leader. They said you take advice from the young and old. I am happy to hear that.

“I call on His Majesty ,the Ooni of Ife and other royal fathers to support the Governor to deliver more. Mr Governor, continue to work closely with traditional rulers, elders and stakeholders of your state.

“I charge Kabiyesi Ooni to always host close door meetings with the Governor. God whom the Governor is praising will continue to support him. He will not fail”, Chief Obasanjo concluded.

The Lagos State House of Assembly, on Thursday, confirmed 15 out of the second batch of 18 nominees sent by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently.

The confirmation happened after Hon. Mojeed Fatai, Chief Whip and chairman of the screening committee, laid a report of the exercise before the House.

At a sitting, presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the lawmakers rejected Engr. Olalere Odusote, Mr Samuel Egube and Hon. Tolani Sule Akibu.

However, the House resolved to step down the confirmation of Hon. Tolani Sule Akibu for another day.

Dr Obasa commended the committee saying the members did a thorough job screening the nominees. His position was supported by the lawmakers present at plenary.

Those confirmed include:

Dr Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen
Mr Oluwaseun Oriyomi Osiyemi
Prof. Akinola Emmanuel Abayomi
Dr Oluwarotimi Omotola Wahab Fashola
Mrs Folashade Kaosarat Ambrose-Medem
Mrs Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe
Mrs Bolaji Cécilia Dada
Mrs Barakat Akande Bakare
Mr Olugbenga Omotosho
Mr Mosopefoluwa George
Dr Yekini Nurudeen Agbaje
Dr Olumide Oluyinka
Mr Abayomi Samson Oluyomi
Dr Iyabode Oyeyemi Ayoola
Hon. Sola Shakirudeen Giwa

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has struck out the evidence of 10 out of the 13 witnesses called by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP) in support of their petition against the election of President Bola Tinubu.

In a judgment delivered today September 6, the court held that the witnesses, who were subpoenaed at the instance of the petitioners, had their written statements, which contained their evidence, were not filed along or frontloaded with the petition within the 21 days allowed by the Electoral Act 2022.

The court, in the lead judgment currently being read by Justice Haruna Tsammani, also rejected the documents, including the report of analysis, tendered by the petitioners through the affected 10 witnesses.

The court also held that some of the witnesses are not only persons with interest in the outcome of the case, the reports they tendered were made during the pendency of the case.

The court also dismissed the Labour Party’s 25% FCT votes claim stating that the FCT residents have no special privileges as the petitioners claimed. The ruling was made in response to a petition filed by the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who challenged the election of President Bola Tinubu. Obi and LP had argued that Tinubu should be disqualified from being president because he did not win 25% of the votes cast in the FCT.

The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin has formally inaugurated the special and standing committees of the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly.

The special committees which are seven in number are Selection Committee, House Services Committee, Public Petitions, Justice and Judiciary Committee, Public Accounts Committee, Ethics and Priviledges Committee and Information, Media, Public Affairs and ICT Committee.

The other Stannding Committees chaired among the Honourable members are Twenty – two in numbers.

Performing the inauguration on behalf of the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi said “Committee system in the legislature is legendary and virtually all democratic legislatures are operating Committee system to deliver on their statutory functions and assignments.

He observed that the legislature is to make, review and repeal laws for the peace , orderliness and well-being of citizens, noting that the various committes tasked with oversight functions on ministries , department and agencies for the purposes of ensuring that the laws passed by the legislature are implemented.

Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin further revealed that the leadership of the 10th Assembly is working round the clock to carve out jurisdictions for each standing committees for effective operations and to address the problems of overlapping duties and responsibilities.

In her opening remarks , the Clerk of the House, Pastor ( Mrs.) Oludara Awe who said the work of committees in legislative takes about 70% of the whole legislative business, urged committees members to discharge their oversight functions with the fear of God.

The one – day inauguration ceremony featured various papers presentation by seasoned resource persons on topics such as the Role of Committees in Managing Legislative Executive Relations, The Role of Legislative Committee in Enhancing Legislative Performance and Committee in the Legislature.