Accord has officially announced Oloye Adebayo Adelabu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, as its candidate for governor of Oyo State in the 2023 election.
At a ceremony on Wednesday at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, the returning officer, Olayemi Olugbenga, confirmed Adelabu as an Accord governorship candidate.
Other commission representatives were taken to the scene by Biodun Amosu, the administrative secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Oyo State.
The decision on Wednesday was made after Ayodele Oyajide, the party’s former candidate for governor, resigned and handed Adelabu his mandate in the presence of the National Chairman of Accord, Mohammed Nalado, the National Secretary, Alhaja Bukola Ajaja, the state Chairman, Ojo Kolade, and other notable party leaders.
Crisis had rocked after Adelabu defected to Accord from the All Progressives Congress after Senator Teslim Folarin won the governorship ticket at the same venue in May.
On his part, Adelabu reiterated that the party will emerge victory in the 2023 elections.
He said,“The change is here. Our coming to Accord is not by accident, it is a divine arrangement. This is the time Accord will produce its first governor in Oyo State.
“We are ready to do everything to make sure we win. We will win the three senatorial polls; 14 House of Representatives seats and 32 House of Assembly seats.
“We need oneness. Adelabu cannot do it alone , we need your support. Work has started from today on and
“The electorate will determine who they want in this election and who they want is the son of Adelabu. Insha Allah come 2023, Adebayo Adelabu will be sworn in as the governor of Oyo State.”
Operatives of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo state have paraded forty five suspects in connection with various offences ranging from kidnapping, Armed Robbery, unlawful possession of arms and ammunition among others.
The state Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye said the suspects were arrested from the eighteen Local Government areas in the state.
Adeleye says with the arrest of the suspects, the command remains resolute in curbing the menace.
Adeleye said there is effective synergy between all security Agencies in the state to reduce the influx of undesirable element who intend to cause havoc.
The corps however said the suspects will soon be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) had stated that it was not planning to hold any local government election in the State.
The spokesperson of the Commission, Babatunde Fanawopo debunked the rumour via a telephone conversation with ODUDUWA NEWS on Monday in Osogbo.
Fanawopo stated that it is only OSIEC that is backed by law to announce such exercise.
He also stated that the information regarding such an exercise would come directly from the Chairman of the Commission.
According to report, it was stated that the commission had planned to hold local government elections in the State on October 29, 2022.
Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had warned the State governor, Adegboyega Oyetola and the OSSIEC against going ahead with the purported planned local government election in the State.
The Osun PDP in a statement signed by Oladele Olabamiji, its Director of Media, also described the purported election as unlawful, illegal and criminal.
The statement reminded the State governor and the State electoral body of a pending suit before the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in FHC/OS/CS/94/2022.
According to the PDP, the public is invited to note the act of illegality and criminality being embarked upon by the outgoing Governor and his OSSIEC, a body which it said, till date, has no legal backing for its existence.
A former Aviation Minister and APC chieftain, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Ajagunla) has urged Nigerian Christians not to be afraid of Islamisation, and marginalization in the national scheme of things in the country as a result of the Muslim-Muslim tickets presented to Nigerians by the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Presidential flag-bearer of the ruling party, APC, had unveiled the former Borno state governor, Kasim Shettima, a northern Muslim, in an elaborate event, weeks ago, which was greeted by much criticisms, especially from the Christian southerners and northern APC Christians leaders, led by former Secretary to the Government of Nigeria, Babachir Lawal and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Yakubu Dogara.
Fani-Kayode, who recently defected to the ruling party form the opposition, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has lent his voice to the APC presidential ticket generating controversies and many critical views from Nigerians.
Fani-Kayode, In a post on his social media page cited examples of how Christian politicians dominated Southwest Nigeria and the Judiciary arm of the Nigerian government.
He said, “Till recently 4 of the 6 South West Governors were Muslim.
“Today all 6 are Christian (Oyetola is out) & EVERY Governor in the South is a Christian.
Again till recently the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Federal High Court were headed by Muslims.
“Today ALL 3 are headed by Christians. FEAR NOT!”, He wrote
Also, the Presidential candidate of the main opposition party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had also criticized the the same faith-ticket presented by the APC. Atiku had described the the ruling party’s ticket as “insensitive to the Nigerian Christians”, a statement that was met with fierce response from the Tinubu’s camp.
Oyo State Government has conducted the 2022 Competitive Entrance Examination for about Four Thousand Five Hundred and Forty-five (4,545) candidates seeking admission into the Seven Science Schools and Igbo Elerin Grammar School in the State.
The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barr. Rahman Abiodun Abdu-Raheem, who monitored the exercise in the two Computer-Based Centres in Ibadan metropolis, namely: The Polytechnic Ibadan CBT Centre, and Yinbol College CBT Center, Orogun, Ibadan, described the exercise and the use of Information Communication Technology as highly commendable.
Speaking after the exercise today, he reiterated that the process was geared towards enhancing a qualitative educational system in the state, as emphasised in His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde’s Education policy.
Abdu-Raheem explained that the registration of candidates for the examination was made free, in line with the Free Education Policy of the present administration.
The Honourable Commisioner confirmed that the Examination was hitch free in all the Computer-Based Test Centres in the State. He explained that the few teething problems experienced in the early hours were promptly addressed.
This, he said, was caused, majority by the inability of some candidates to use the computer properly.
However, the Commissioner emphasised the commitment of the government to promoting the use of Technology, in all levels of education in the State.
The Honourable Commisioner also expressed his happiness at the impressive turnout of candidates, while he equally commended the parents and guardians for their promptness.
Some parents who spoke with journalist expressed their delight over the exercise.
As the process of selecting the next Alaafin of Oyo continues, the Oyomesi (kingmakers), will soon commence the screening of 119 persons that applied to fill the vacant stool. Head of princes in Oyo town, High Chief Mukaila Afonja, popularly known as Baba Iyaji, disclosed this while speaking to Tribune Online.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel Akobo, Ibadan
He said that the ball is presently in Oyomesi’s court, where the applications were transmitted to.
Baba Iyaji, who didn’t give a specific date for the commencement of the exercise, said the screening of the 119 princes from the various royal families that applied before July 15, will begin soon.
He noted that the Oyomesi had started working on the applications, stressing that the applicants would be invited for screening either in fives or 10s.
Baba Iyaji explained that the applicants would be scrutinised on their educational qualifications, schools attended, age, vision, aim and objectives for Oyo town, if they emerge.
He added that Oyomesi wants the prospective Alaafin to have a rich sense of history, be educated, experienced, healthy, and have a good command of both English and Yoruba Languages.
Afonja said several stages of the screening exercise will hold in the coming weeks, which he noted are targeted at pruning down the number of applicants to just a few before consulting the oracle (Ifa) for direction on picking the successor to the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.
Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has declared tomorrow, Friday, 29 July, 2022, to mark 1st Muharram, 1444, as a public holiday to commemorate the commencement of the new Islamic year.
The declaration was contained in a statement released on Thursday in Osogbo, the State capital by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ismail Omipidan.
Omipidan quoted the governor as congratulating Muslims in Osun and across the globe for witnessing the outset of yet another Islamic year, and implored them to reflect on the significance and lessons of Hijrah.
“Governor Oyetola also called on the Muslim faithful and non-Muslims alike to use the occasion to pray to Almighty Allah for peace, unity and development of Osun and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
The Osun Government has flagged off the 16th edition of the food support scheme aimed at meeting the needs of the vulnerable citizens and bringing succour to the less privileged in the society.
The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring the continuation of the scheme as long as the incumbent Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, remains in power.
Governor Oyetola disclosed that half a million households and vulnerable citizens and their dependents had benefitted tremendously since the inception of the programme last year April.
Flagging off the 16th edition at the open field of the Multipurpose Hall, Local Government Service Commission, State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, Governor Oyetola said his administration is irrevocably committed to ensuring the continuity of the initiative.
Governor Oyetola emphasised the determination of the administration to revolutionalise the economy, saying there are verifiable records to the fact that the administration has indelibly made its imprints in the sand of time towards the enthronement and sustainability of good governance in all the strata of the economy and human endeavours.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, said the administration was not in any way deterred by the outcome of the election as the implementation of the initiative was in fulfilment of the promises to make life meaningful and worthwhile for the citizens.
“You will recall that 16 months ago, we flagged off the food support scheme for the vulnerable citizens and we did say that as long as we are in power, we would continue this scheme. Election or no election can’t hinder the continuity of this programme and many others and the effect of the commitment is what you are seeing today.
“As of today, we are still in a Government and as long as we are in government, we shall continue to champion the cause of the masses of our people in line with the mandate. We must among other things ensure their welfare and security.
“We are in government and we shall continue to provide this welfare scheme. We have impacted about half a million households directly since the commencement. We are aware that agriculture is the mainstay of our economy. That is why we have been encouraging our youths to participate in the agriculture and go back to the farm.
“As a matter of fact, we have a responsibility to encourage them to do so. And those that are participating in the supply of this month’s food items are more than 24 groups of young, dynamic and hardworking local entrepreneurs.
“As you can see, we are distributing garri for this month edition and the purpose of this is to further encourage and promote local production and empower our entrepreneurs. This garri is produced by our people and that is the focus of our Administration. We expect our people to continue to support our Administration as we are committed to revolutionalising the economy of the State”, Oyetola added.
While elucidating on the impact of the scheme on the local production and advancement of the local entrepreneurs, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, said the state government through the scheme had been able to build entrepreneurs to expand the scope of their businesses.
“It is a thing of joy to see that the mandate and promises of Mr. Governor are fulfilled and sustained. Today is another day that is attesting to his promise at ensuring that, on a monthly basis, 30,000 vulnerable citizens are reached with food items.
“We went through all the local governments to look for those that can supply us, and today the scheme has really encouraged local production. We have been able to build many entrepreneurs as many of them have been able to increase their staff strength and local productions. The fund for this programme is the fund for the economy of the state because the money used to finance this is being expended locally”, he added.
In their separate remarks, some of the gari processors, Hammed Adekunle and Prince Wale Afolabi, affirmed the great impacts the scheme had made on their businesses.
“I want to say with all sense of pride that the present Administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has made us and impacted greatly on our lives and businesses. Before I was incorporated into the list of government for the supply of garri, I was not known to anybody, but to the glory of God today, I have expanded the scope of my business.
“I was only in the streets of Ode-Omu where I was producing garri. But today, I have been made a garri contractor just as I have recruited a greater number of people in the production of garri. As I speak to you, more than 15 persons have been engaged for the processing while many women were equally engaged in the production process. I can’t thank Governor enough for seeing the potential in us and for uplifting us from nothing to something,” Adekunle added.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has said that the Wednesday shooting at the yard of the Craneburg Construction Company in Owo was aimed at destroying some of their equipment and not to maim or kill anyone.
Governor Akeredolu, who visited the construction site in company of Heads of Security Agencies in the State including the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Chief Tunji Adeleye, urged the people not to panic.
The Governor was also accompanied to the yard by the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Raimi Aminu, and the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Strategy, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye.
Governor Akeredolu said: “I want to allay the fear of our people. Clearly, what happened here on Wednesday night was not an attempt to kidnap anybody because they went away with nobody. And we have in the premises over hundred people living there.
“Yes, there were sporadic gunshots at the wall but they never went inside to kill anybody. It is better for everybody to know. They didn’t go inside there to kill anybody. The only two people who had some gunshots were security men who they saw outside the premises.
“So, it is clear to us that their intention was to attack one or two equipment here, which they did. Their explosives affected the tyres and the windscreen of another vehicle.
“And we have close to 50 vehicles here. For us we are looking at it. We are not clear yet about their intention, but this is not one that should send unnecessary panic or fear into the minds of our people. This should not cause panic.
“For the contractors, Owo is a relatively safe place for them. So, they didn’t have armed people here. Maybe we will have to support them to have armed people here to protect all their equipments and vehicles.
“They have been here for over five years. They had the Ore bridge, they had other roads. So, they are doing so many things for us and they are doing well and we are ready to give them necessary protection.”
The Governor also reassured the people of his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, stressing that the Wednesday night shooting was not anything near the June 5 attack in the town.
“We will protect our poeple and their property. So, there should be no panic. Yes, there was shooting but it was not anything near what we had during June 5 attack at St Francis. This was not aimed to maim and kill. No.
“I believe our poeple will understand better to know the difference. So, there is no need for any panic, no need. We have given them all the assurance, we will get this place protected. I will continue to support them.
The Oyo State Government has said it will commence serving traders and residents of Ibadan and its environs contravention notices for structures illegally erected on flood plains, blockage of waterways, and buildings under high tension powerlines.
Speaking with pressmen in Ibadan today after a meeting with key stakeholders in the sector, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Town-Planner Emmanuel Olusegun Olayiwola decried the present State of Physical Planning in Oyo State, adding that its has become an issue of concern to government.
He further decried the illegal development under powerlines in the State, saying that some developments on Pipelines, under High-tension cables, are in deviance to the State’s Physical Planning Law.
Olayiwola said that ultimately, illicit development activities without adherence to planning standard in the State, gave birth to the sprawl of illegal structures all over the State.
The Commissioner said illegal developments if not checked on time, would pose huge threat to residents of the State.
According to him, the Ministry, following reports from concerned citizens of the State over erection of structures under powerlines and its attendant health hazard to the good people of the State, will swing into action very soon.
He explained further that the State Government would soon embark on Property Auditing, Enforcement of planning standards and Technological innovations.
Olayiwola also said the Oyo State Government has introduced a Lands administration system, to manage the generation of demand notice.
He said the Billing System has been deployed to eleven local government town planning offices in Ibadan zone, for a test run, while the Ministry is on the verge of eradicating manual invoice/bill.
Townplanner Olayiwola added that the State Government has therefore constituted an enforcement initiative, that will check the excessive growth of urban blights in the State.
“This exercise is just to ensure a sustainable, organized and livable environment for the citizens of the State”, he said.
The Commissioner for Lands however, sternly warned members of the public against attack and abuse on Government Officials in the course of duty.
He also advised developers in the State to obtain approval from the Town Planning Offices in their various local governments before embarking on any development.
He urged all residents of the State to continue to abide by the provisions of the Oyo State Physical Planning policies in order to achieve the developmental plans of the Government for the entire State.
“The Public should understand and strictly adhere to Physical Planning rules and regulations “, he added.
He also urged the public to serve as watchdogs, by reporting any illegal activity around them.
“If you see something, say something because Government officials cannot cover every area of the State, so when you see any illegal development/ structures in any place within the State,please inform the appropriate agency of Government”, he said.
“They should ensure all Government fees are paid accordingly. In order to achieve this, Government has acceded to the yearnings of the public by approving a revised tax regime for planning approvals”.
In connection to this, Mr. Olayiwola announced that the Oyo State Government has revised the mandatory tax clearance fee downward for convinience of residents.
He hinted that the 11 Local Government Areas in Ibadan fall under the first category, who would pay N50, 600 as tax and development fees, rather than the initial payment of N 120, 000.
In the second category are residents in Oyo East Local Government, Oyo West Local Government, Atiba Local Government, Ogbomoso South Local Government, Ogbomoso North Local Government Saki West Local Government.
Others in the second category are Iseyin Local Government, Surulere Local Government, Afijio Local Government, Ibarapa Central Local Government and Ibarapa East Local Government, who would pay N 30, 600 as Tax and development fees.
The third category of tax payers are those residing in Orire Local Government, Ogooluwa Local Government, Itesiwaju Local Government Iwajowa Local Government, Ibarapa North Local Government, Orelope Local Government, Kajola Local Government, Atisbo Local Government, Olorunsogo Local Government, Irepo Local Government and Saki East Local Government. He added that they would pay the sum of 20, 600 as tax and development fees.
The Commissioner included in his statement that State Government will further strengthen orderly development that would promote Socio-economic growth, safety and security of lives and properties, aesthetics and wellness of the citizen and inhabitants of the State.
The meeting was attended by the SSA on Lands, Hon Tilewa Folami; Chairman, Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Femi Awakan; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Mofoluwake Adebiyi and the Directors of Townplanning in all 33 Local governments of the State.
E-signed: Hon. Wasiu Olatubosun, Ph.D.,
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.
