Category: Politics

The Pain State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party PDP has maintained that illegality of Osun kangaroo local government election is a shared position of key stakeholders and threats of impeachment from a failed legal adviser can’t sustain or validate an illegally conducted election.

Reacting to a threat of impeachment if the Governor-elect dissolved the local government council, the State Caretaker Chairman of the PDP, Dr Akindele Adekunle said the councils would be legally disbanded as soon as the new administration takes over the state, asking what manner of a Legal Adviser will wrongly advised his party to toe the path of illegality.

” It is trite in law that you cannot attain legality with an illegal foundation. The state electoral commission violated its own laws alongside the Electoral Act 2022 in the conduct of the local government election. This reality is known across party lines and even many leaders within the ruling APC are opposed to the OSIEC’s action.

” Those supporting the illegal action like the legal adviser places personal greed above state interest or how do you justify somebody holding position of a State Legal Adviser, Local government party caretaker chairman and now elected council chairman for Irepodun council area. Because of his greed which has led to mass defection from APC to PDP, the so called Legal Adviser cannot rightly advised his party against committing illegality.

” Aside existing judicial action, we want to reaffirm that the illegally elected councils will not stand. The incoming administration will deploy all constitutional means to get rid of usurpers who wilfully breach the law for personal greed and avarice. We will also institute necessary legal action against those who knowingly breached the laws and caused the state loss to the tune of billions of naira”, the statement concluded.

The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has hit back at his predecessor in office, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, declaring that he would fail in his anti party politics aimed to scuttle his reelection bid in 2023.

Abiodun who flayed Amosun for playing “dirty politics” and openly declaring to work for the emergence of a governorship candidate of another party next year, said that the former governor would fall once again as he did in the 2019 governorship election.

The immediate past governor at an interview recently declared that he would work against Governor Abiodun and support Biyi Otegbeye, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) come 2023.

But Abiodun during a meeting with members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, on Friday, dismissed the former governor’s outburst as an “empty threat of a falling man”, adding that “my second term is already ordained by God”.

The governor noted that it is a pity that the former governor has quickly forgotten how his adopted candidate lost woefully during the last general election, even when he was still in office as the governor.

Abiodun insisted that he is not perturbed by his predecessor’s empty threat, as similar threat in 2019 did not amount to anything,

“The same thing that person did in 2019 and failed woefully, even when he was still the governor in the state, he is now preparing to fail again and even fall down.

“We are waving good bye to him now, he is not even a candidate of any political party; he is nothing and he is saying he will stop a governor that God has ordained, he will definitely fail again by the grace of God,” Abiodun stated.

He noted further that being a governor is not anybody’s inheritance, adding that he is governor today because of the divine intervention of the Almighty God who ensured his victory in 2019.

“Being a governor is not a family inheritance. I am not a king, I am G
governor today because of your support, but, there are some people who are hell bent on fighting God. They fought us before the election, they even went to court from May to December, 2019, they still failed. The Almighty God who ensured my victory in 2019 is still on the throne,” Abiodun added.

The governor who described the automobile technicians as part of the economy who are responsible for looking after people’s vehicles, said that “if they are removed from the automobile value chain, we will be stuck, so, they are extremely important to the transportation value chain and by extension the state economy”

While noting that he will provide the Mechanic Villages with electricity transformers, also noted that the automobile technicians in the state would be provided with soft loans to help their business.

“As we bring investors here, as they come here to live, work and play, their vehicles will need servicing, we must support them to provide those services.

“I will provide you with transformers, I am going to ensure that we put together a scheme for them, like we have the Oko’owo Dapo for the women, these are people who have a means of income, at times, they need to stock on maybe motor parts or tools for their profession.

“So, we will provide some kind of soft loan that will allow them to generate money, transformers will be provided for them, we will visit their Mechanic Villages and grade them when the season is more stable and when the rain begins to subside,” he said.

The Governor also disclosed that his administration would also look at the possibility of giving land to the association for the siting of new mechanic villages.

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has informed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State that it will render his counterpart in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, jobless in 2023.

Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, said it would have expressed disappointment if Wike had attended any event “without his usual rant of a drowning man who will clutch at straw.”

He said, “I only wonder how Governor Wike, who didn’t support Jandor and at the same time couldn’t stop him from picking the party ticket in Lagos, despite his supposed might within the PDP, would apportion to himself the decision of generality of Lagosians in the forthcoming election.

“While we won’t but acknowledge Governor Wike’s developmental strides in Rivers State which have witnessed influx of other state chief executives including Sanwo-Olu for commissioning, it is worrisome that Wike will call Sanwo-Olu a performer without asking how many times he has invited anyone to Lagos for the commissioning of ordinary borehole in his almost four years in office as Governor.

“My dear Governor and leader, we promise to render Sanwo-Olu jobless and send him to the club of you former Governors next year. Only God, who has seen Jandor and Lagos PDP this far, and the generality of Lagosians, can determine his fate at the polls in 2023, not your endorsement.

“We will continue to sell our breath of fresh air agenda to Lagosians with the promise of a better tomorrow. Lagos needs a breath of fresh air!”

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has dismissed the ambition of Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor.

He endorsed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for a second term in office.

Wike was the Special Guest of Honour at the 2022 National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) with the theme ‘Spring Forth, Stand Out’ in Victoria Island.

He also donated N300 million to COWLSO.

According to Wike, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s performance in office has earned him a second term.

He commended him for giving women the opportunity to serve in various capacities in the state, especially the judiciary.

Wike noted that the involvement of women in politics and decision making in Lagos is
helping the State continue to set the pace.

He expressed amazement at all COWLSO had been able to achieve, and promised to replicate all he has learnt from the conference.

“By the grace of God, you will be a second term Governor. Lagos State is doing better than other states in this country because Lagos has allowed women to participate in governance in various capacities.

” I am very happy to participate in this conference. I don’t play politics of ethnicity. Even if Sanwo-Olu is in my party but is not doing well, I wouldn’t have come. I do not regret saying I am in support of you,” Wike told Sanwo-Olu.

Wike added that his administration has emulated Lagos by ensuring a woman became Deputy Governor in 2015 as no woman had ever served in that capacity since the state was created in the 60s.

He added that all 22 local governments in Rivers State have female vice chairmen.

He also lauded Lagos First Lady, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, for the several projects COWLSO has done under her chairmanship in the last three years.

Sanwo-Olu, who praised the organisers of the conference for their positive contribution to the state, said: “I must express how much I am proud of the achievements of COWLSO, especially in the way they have stood by us and contributed to promoting the ideas and objectives of our administration.

“The various philanthropic and humanitarian activities of COWLSO, in addition to their intervention in critical sectors such as health, education, environment and youth development, have continued to impact positively on the lives of Lagosians.”

He urged participants to vote for him for a second term in office, saying they should not be deceived by anyone.

“Don’t let anybody deceive and confuse you. They will come with all kinds of promises. How can someone, in this age be about Lagos4Lagos? How can someone be saying Lagos is only for the Aworis? This a Lagos that is for all,” he added.

Grand Council of Yoruba Youths has alleged leader of pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, is promoting People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, and not Peter Obi, of Labour Party.

The youth made the allegation in a statement after Adebanjo reiterated his support for Obi.

“Peter Obi is the person of Igbo extraction that Afenifere has decided to support. He is the man we trust to restructure the country back to federalism on assumption of office.

“To keep Nigeria one, everyone should be Obi-Datti compliant,” Adebanjo had said.

However, the council alleged the Afenifere leader was deceiving Obi to favour Atiku.

It claimed Adebanjo was a factional leader and should not be taken seriously.

The statement reads: “Pa Ayo Adebanjo’s Afenifere endorsed former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, 2015, and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in 2019, both of who were then presidential candidates of PDP, but now smartly claiming it had shifted its loyalty from PDP candidates to Mr Peter Gregory Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) ahead of 2023 election.

“But the two remaining Afenifere in Yorubaland, both of which are progressive, are behind… APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The group said there were three Afenifere factions.

“Chief Reuben Fasoranti’s (now Pa Ayo Adebanjo’s) minority Afenifere, which endorsed former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and three PDP governorship candidates in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo (Seyi Makinde, now Governor Seyi Makinde) ahead of 2019 presidential and goverorship elections.

‘’The late Senator Ayo Fasanmi’s (headed by Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi after the death of its two past leaders, including Senator Biyi Durojaiye)

“Majority Afenifere, this is the noble platform that blessed the 2019 aspirations of President Muhammadu Buhari, and three APC governorship candidates in Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun; Prince Dapo Abiodun, and Oyo; Chief Bayo Adelabu.

“The third, Wale Osu-led Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) was involved in the Afenifere Majority endorsement of APC candidates because they are always forthcoming in the decision-making of core progressives in Yorubaland.

“The interpretation of the above is that since 2011, PDP candidates always get the minority Afenifere endorsement while APC candidates get majority Afenifere endorsement.”

Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, son of the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, has revealed that the last wish of his father was that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu becomes President.

Adeyemi, who is representing AFIJIO/Atiba, Oyo East,Oyo West Federal Constituency, stated this at the 84th posthumous birthday of the late monarch in Oyo at the weekend.
The ceremony was held at the new mini stadium in Ode Aremo, Oyo, near Alaafin’s palace.

He urged youths to support Tinubu, who is the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmaker said Tinubu has contributed immensely to the development of the country, calling on youths to be focused and cast their votes for the man who has their interest at heart.

He said: “We want to appreciate our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sen. Kashim Shettima. The project is paramount to us, it is paramount to Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. His last wish was to see Asiwaju become the President.
“Five hundred grassroots mobilisers for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima were empowered with cash today to move and spread the gospel of harbinger of success, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu.

“I want to admonish the youths to look and be focused to know who truly loves them, who they can support, and who has the interest of their future at heart.”

Adeyemi empowered 1500 people with cash, commissioned ICT Centre, a block of three classrooms, motorized borehole, transformers and also offered free medical services to thousands of his constituents to mark the posthumous birthday of the late monarch.

“Today would have been his 84th birthday, as people do celebrate posthumous birthdays, we lined up series of activities and projects to commission and to honour Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. We started with free medical services such as free treatment, free drugs and distribution of food items throughout the four local governments.

“After that, we moved to project commissioning. We commissioned classrooms, ICT centre, borehole, transformers.

“To top it all, where we are today, Ode Aremo, was known as the greatest dumpsite in Oyo. We turned it around with Oba Adeyemi’s blessings. What we are handing over to Oyo today is an edifice that would be used for so many social activities,” he added
The Mogaji of Adeyemi, Alhaji Hasan Oranlola Adeyemi, and Oyo traditional council (Oyomesi), represented by the Samu, High Chief Lamidi Oyewale, lauded the lawmaker for having the love of Oyo and her people at heart.

In attendance were Oyo State APC chairman, Hon Isaac Omodewu; APC governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin; traditional rulers and wives of the late monarch among others.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has appointed Mr Yinka Oyebode as his Chief Press Secretary.

In a statement, the Head of Service, Mr Bamidele Agbede says the appointment is with immediate effect.

The Governor, Oyebanji also ordered the freezing of all accounts of the State Government with immediate effect.

All accounting officers and financial institutions are urged to comply with this directive.

Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress, was present during Bidoun Oyebanji’s swearing-in as governor of Ekiti State on Sunday.

Along with Tinubu, several APC governors were present at the celebration on Sunday at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti.

The governors include Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the state’s most recent governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, and Arakurin Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State.

Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, the governor of Jigawa State, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, the governor of Kebbi State, and Chief Bisi Akande, the previous temporary chairman of the APC, are the other three..

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has replied his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amoosun, declaring that he (Amosun) will fail in his “anti-party politics aimed to scuttle his re-election bid in 2023”. Abiodun, who flayed Amosun for playing “dirty politics” and openly declaring to work for the emergence of a governorship candidate of another party in the 2023 general polls, said that the former governor would fall once again as he did in the 2019 gubernatorial election.

Amosun had in an interview with BBC Yoruba on Friday declared that he would work against Abiodun’s re-election bid. He also noted that he had already pitted his tent with the African Democratic Congress candidate, Biyi Otegbeye; a move which angered the state governor.

Abiodun, during a meeting with members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, was said to have dismissed the former governor’s outburst as an “empty threat of a fallen man”, adding that “my second term is already ordained by God”.

The governor noted that it was a pity that Amosun had quickly forgotten how his adopted candidate “lost woefully” during the last general election, even when he was still in office as Ogun Governor. Abiodun said he was not perturbed by his predecessor’s “empty threat”, as similar threat in 2019 did not amount to anything.

“The same thing that person did in 2019 and failed woefully, even when he was still the governor in the state, he is now preparing to fail again and even fall down. Abiodun was said to have said, “We are waving goodbye to him now. He is not even a candidate of any political party. He is nothing and he is saying he will stop a governor that God has ordained; he will definitely fail again by the grace of God.”