Category: Politics

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has today been inaugurated as Fayemi’s tenure comes to an end.

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Honourable Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, swore him in today.

In the gubernatorial election, Biodun had won fifteen out of sixteen local government areas in the State.

Details later.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, in a carnival like manner was conveyed in a motorcade with his wife, Erelu Bisi, and the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, while members of the House of Assembly, executive council, political aides and permanent secretaries accompanied him with songs and jamboree from the front of the Governor’s Office to the entrance of the Governor’s Office main gate.

Governor Fayemi had also ordered release N1.6billion to pay one month arrears of salary of workers in the State. He assured workers to expect alert next week.

Governor Fayemi also released N400Million to all the 35 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in the State to execute projects in their respective local governments.

The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has flayed the outgoing administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola for deliberately wasting the state resources over an unnecessary poll, noting that the failed exercise has vindicated the party position that illegality will not have its way in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Akindele Adekunle, on Saturday, commending Osun people for taking to its call to stay away from the ill-conceived council poll.

Dr Akindele noted that “going by the attitude of Osun people, who largely stayed away from the sham put up by the outgoing APC administration, it is not too late for Oyetola to apologise and ensure that every penny expended on the failed exercise is returned to the state’s coffers.”

“Right from the start, the process was flawed and our efforts to make Oyetola understand this was not appreciated. Polling units across Osun state are either empty or the presence of scanty APC members are what greeted anyone who visited them.

“Ballot papers purportedly used does not specify political parties neither does it designate the local government it was meant for. These explains the curiosity of Osun people and observers, who wondered whether it was an election or referendum that the Oyetola administration conducted.

“To make matter worse is how known members of the APC are stationed as officials of the OSSIEC, making mockery of the essence of democracy and bringing to focus the outgoing administration’s desperation to foist itself on the people.

“The summary of what happened today was that Osun people do not accept the sham disguised as election, and as a party, we are proud of their courage and resoluteness in rejecting a dangerous precedent that posed grave danger to our state.

“In any case, Governor Oyetola and his lackey at the OSSIEC failed in their design to hijack the councils unlawfully as Osun people made it abundantly clear with their boycott of the sham that no room for illegality. Our party sympathizes with Oyetola and his party for failing in their plot to unsettle the incoming administration, which was part of the purpose of the attempt to plan cronies as the helms of affairs of the council across the state.

“We reiterate our warning that the PDP will do away with all the illegal officials that is produced from this exercise and want to make it clear that the incoming administration will ensure that everyone involved in this shameful act will not escape the wrath of the law just as every penny expended on it will be recovered”, the State Caretaker Chairman posited.

The group of five Governors (G5) in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking justice, equity and fairness in the party have travelled to Spain for a crucial meeting.

It was gathered that the group led by the Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, left the country for Madrid on Friday night.

Others in the team are the Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Samuel Ortom (Benue).

It was learnt Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, might join the team later.

A Federal High Court in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday, sacked the Akoko South East/South West Federal constituency candidate, Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati

Adegboyega sacking comes after a petition by one of the aspirants, Dr Victor Ategbole, and others to court alleging that the APC did not conduct a valid primary election in the federal constituency.

Agreeing with the petitioners, the judge, ordered the All Progressive Party, to notify Independent Electoral Commission for fresh primary election to be conduct at the early approved venue (St Patrick’s College, Iwaro Oka) within the federal constituency.

He also ordered the electoral commission to henceforth stop the recognition of Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati as the candidate of the party.

The declaration of the APC primary result was allegedly made at the Dome, Akure in favour of Adegboyega Adefarati.

The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has today led the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to officially receive thousands of political decampees from other parties into its fold.

The event which took place at the remodelled Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan had several decampees from Action Democratic Congress, ADC and All Progressives Congress APC

The political defectors were led by the former Speaker of Oyo State, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, the Oyo State Commissioner of Information, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, Oyo South Senatorial candidate, Joseph Tegbe, among other notable politicians.

The governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde while welcoming the decampees implored them to work for the victory of PDP led government in the forthcoming general elections in 2023.

He however threw a jab at the opposition party, APC by describing them as a dying party gasping for breathe.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has absolved the chairperson of Olorunsogo Local Government, Hon. Mrs. Juliana Oluwakemi of financial recklessness levelled against her.

This was disclosed today in a report read by the Chairman House Committee on Local Government, Hon. Akintunde Olajide at the Plenary held today at the State House of Assembly.

The chairman in his disclosure made recommendations to the House as read in part:

“That the suspended chairperson of Olorunsogo Local Government, Mrs. Oluwakemi Juliana be recommended for reinstatement, her vice, Mr. Badmus Mutiu Adesoji be also reinstated as Vice Chairman.

“The Leader of Olorunsogo local Government who was directed by the Oyo House of Assembly to be acting as chairman be reverted to his previous position as Leader of the House.

“The action of the councilors of Ido Local Government to suspend Mr Sheriff Adeojo, the then chairman of Ido Local Government be declared null and void and Mr. Fashola who was acting as the chairman be directed to immediately vacate his seat and return as Political Head of Omi Apata LCDA.

The Speaker, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin thereafter moved for the motion to adopt the report and the House unanimously voted for the reinstatement of the council chairman and chairperson.

The crisis rocking PDP is worsened everyday as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike his Oyo State counterpart, Governors Seyi Makinde, David Ortom, Ikpeazu among others have shunned the national campaign of the party.

Recall, the Wike-led team had claimed that it is unethical for the PDP to have a northerner as presidential candidate and national Chairman.

They also alleged that Ayu promised to resign after the PDP presidential primaries if a northerner emerged as candidate.

Ayu however vowed to stay on as the party’s national chairman and Atiku’s spokespersons hinted that the presidential candidate had no intention – or power- to force Ayu’s removal.

In September, it has been reported that Wike’s camp pulled out of the campaign council of the party’s presidential candidate.

According to them, Ayu must resign to allow for an acting National Chairman of Southern Nigeria extraction to emerge and lead the party’s National Campaign Council for Atiku in the 2023 general elections.

This came in spite of the vote of confidence passed on the Ayu-led National Working Committee by the recent meeting of the National Executive Committee of the party.

However, despite their absence, the PDP campaign flag-off took place at the Nest of Champions Stadium in Uyo on Momday.

Present were PDP chieftains, including the party’s presidential candidate and ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.

Others in attendance include; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, his Adamawa counterpart, Ahmadu Fintiri, and the former lawmaker representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye among others.

The PDP campaign is coming barely four months to the presidential election in 2023.

Meanwhile, Atiku, Okowa, Ayu and Emmanuel took turns to address the crowd in Uyo, pledging to rescue the country should the PDP be elected into office next year.

The traditional ruler, Saheed Adamson, of Ajido community, in the Badagry area of Lagos State, allegedly beat up one of his high chiefs, Michael Kunnuji, during an argument.

Oba Adamson was said to have dealt a blow on Kunnuji, who doubled as his second-in-command, when they had an altercation at the palace.

It was gathered that the altercation led to a pandemonium when some youths threatened to destroy the king’s property over the incident.

However, the intervention of policemen from the Badagry division stopped them from carrying out their threat.

The policemen allegedly refused to make an arrest even after Kunnuji filed a complaint at the station but directed the high chief to the Badagry General Hospital, where he was treated.

A medical report from the hospital, stated that one Inspector Amina Bara referred Kunnuji to the hospital.

According to the medical report, Kunnuji was conscious when he was brought to the hospital, he was in pain and bled from an injury in the upper part of his eyes.

According to report, the high chief, said he was assaulted by the monarch when he paid him a visit after returning from Jerusalem.

Kunnuji explained that a crisis started between him and the monarch when he purchased a transformer for the community, a project the king did not support.

He said, “On September 30, 2022, I went to meet the monarch alongside the bishop that came to do thanksgiving for my coronation anniversary. When I got there, I greeted him in our Egun dialect, saying, ‘I hail you, your highness.’ Then he started shouting in public, saying, ‘Do you see him, look at the way he is greeting me.’

“He told me I was stupid and I also replied that he was stupid. Before I knew it, he punched me in my face with a ring and blood started coming out. I did not retaliate; I just left his palace with my bloodied face.

“I and my lawyer, who was present at the scene, went to the Badagry Police Station to report the assault on my person. After writing a statement, the police said they could not arrest him because he was a king.

“I am filing a case of assault against him; I have employed the services of legal professionals and I will see that I pursue this case and get justice.”

Kunnuji’s counsel, Ganiyu Adeola, said he was taking steps to ensure justice was served.

He said, “We know that nobody is above the law. If an Oba has committed an infraction that is criminal, he must be dealt with accordingly.”

According to PUNCH, when the monarch was contacted, he said that the high chief could go to court.

He said, “Let him go to court, what is your own problem? Are you not a journalist? Why are you asking me such a question? Why can’t you advise him to go to court? Is this the work of a journalist?”

He hissed and cut off the call.

The DPO of Badagry Police Station, SP Peter Gbesu, denied the allegation that the officers could not arrest or invite the monarch.

He declined further comment and referred to the state police spokesperson.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, promised to confirm and get back.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has identified true federalism as one of the strong pillars that can be used to build a prosperous nation.

Governor Akeredolu said true federalism is important in a diverse nation like Nigeria, adding that it will properly address the fundamentals of nationhood.

The Governor made this known on Sunday evening while speaking on the topic, “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Business of Nation Building”, during a Twitter Space session.

He assured Nigerians that the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will bring a new vista into governance and ensure that true federalism thrives if voted into power.

Governor Akeredolu said the APC Candidate understands the serious issues affecting the wellbeing of the country.

“If voted into government, Nigerians will see that we have someone in place who had gone through democratic tutelage. He has been Governor. He led a party.

“Asiwaju has deep knowledge about the problems of this nation. He has been part of the struggle to ensure that democracy is enthroned and that a true federal system runs in the country,” Arakunrin Akeredolu said.

The Governor recalled that Asiwaju Tinubu was part of the founders of NADECO and participated in the struggle that led to the return of civil democratic rule in the fourth Republic.

He said: “Tinubu’s contributions in the NADECO struggle can not be denied. As you know, when the 1993 presidential election was held, MKO Abiola was deemed to have won that election. But the military junta canceled the election and set up an interim government.

“Asiwaju Tinubu and few others felt they weren’t going to take it. They formed the NADECO and fought the military. They stood on June 12. Then the whole country conceded that the next President must be from the Southwest. That is why in 1999, only former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae ran for the election.

“You can not deny Asiwaju his role. He ran away from the county and set up the Radio-Kudirat. Those were the struggles we had before the forth republic came up.”

On the endorsement of Peter Obi by the Pan Yoruba Socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, the Governor declared that Afenifere doesn’t speak for the Yoruba people.

Arakunrin Akeredolu noted that Afenifere is divided in respect of the purported endorsement and emphasised that the group’s views do not represent the stance of the Yoruba people.

Governor Akeredolu said Asiwaju Tinubu has always remained a progressive despite the prevalence of political prostitution in the country.

“Prostitution in politics is very common. When you have people who stick to their guns and stay in their parties, you must respect them. It is not common. We have seen a situation where governors left their parties and go to other parties. For me, it is integrity. Asiwaju has shown integrity. Asiwaju’s form of politics has taught us that political prostitution is unnecessary.”he stressed.

Governor Akeredolu said Asiwaju Tinubu made efforts to build Lagos State when he was governor of the state, adding that the APC presidential standard bearer was able to make Lagos State a country within the Country.

He noted that Asiwaju Tinubu promoted national unity by appointing people from different ethnic backgrounds across the country into his government.

“Asiwaju was able to make Lagos a country within country. As you know, Asiwaju was in the saddle for eight years in Lagos. And you will find out that because of Lagos peculiarities, people from virtually all parts of the country were part of his government.

“Asiwaju Tinubu assembled the best brains for the job and these people moved from Lagos to become leaders in their respective states. Aregbesola was there as a commissioner and went from there to become governor in Osun State.

“Everybody has its own part to play. Today, we have people who have been senators in Lagos and gone back to their states to contest. Lagos can be described as a mini Nigeria. An Hausa man can thrive in Lagos. An Igbo man thrives in Lagos.

“Aliko Dangote lives in Lagos and his business is in Lagos and he’s thriving. So many other people thrive in Lagos. Our brothers from the East own the whole of Alaba. They have representatives in the National Assembly and Lagos State Assembly . You must give credit to Asiwaju for laying the foundation for such things to thrive in Lagos,” Governor Akeredolu said.

The Governor expressed confidence that the APC Presidential candidate would make state police happen in the country.

He said: “I strongly believe that the Presidency of Tinubu will give chance for State Police. He is lucky. Today, all governors in the 36 states of the federation support creation of state police. That should be a centre piece of his campaign.

“There must be restructuring and Asiwaju is one President that will come and restructure the country in accordance with the APC constitution. I look up to him as a leader who would say come 2023, a state police would happen.

Expressing his view on the Muslim/Muslim ticket, Governor Akeredolu said what is important to the country is capacity and knowledge, not religion and ethnicity.

“There are lots of discussions about the Muslim/Muslim ticket. And some of us have tried to explain to our people. The ticket itself can not be the issue. The main issue is who will serve the country. When you talk about the issue of ticket, you also want to talk about the issue of inclusivism. Should the presidency go back to the north? No!

“And what are we left with? We are left with an Obi and Asiwaju. Then you will weigh the two. Some of us have made a decision about Asiwaju. And the decision is based on what he has to offer.

“When put together on a scale, Tinubu weighs higher. We look at intellect, experience and what we stand to gain from his presidency. Capacity and knowledge are different from religion and ethnicity. We have always voted for experience and capacity.

“We have said it clearly. President must come to the South. It has come to us now to make a choice. In making the choice, we must think about capacity and competence. And the scale tilts towards Asiwaju Tinubu,” He stressed.

The Governor further assured that Asiwaju Tinubu will promote youth inclusion in his government, adding that young Nigerians will have enough participation in the government.