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Oyo APC Drags Makinde, OYSIEC To Court Over Recently Conducted Council Election

The Opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State chapter has filed a suit asking the High Court to declare the May 22 and May 26 local government elections in the state and subsequent swearing-in of Chairmen, councillors as illegal, unlawful, in breach of the rule of law, unconstitutional and void.

“In the suit number, M/272/2021, the APC is also seeking a declaration that the release of guidelines for Chairmanship and councillorship election, the timetable and every other election process carried out by the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) are unlawful, a breach of the rule of la

invalid, unconstitutional and of no effect because they were done during the pendency of Suit No. 1/347/2019, Appeal No. CA/B/300/2019 and Appeal No. SC556/2020” Nigerian Tribune reported.

The case however suffers delay because of the recently suspended Industrial action Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), the suit was later filed at the suspension of the strike while the OYSIEC, Governor of Oyo State and Attorney General of Oyo state were served last week.
Joined as applicants in the case are Chief Akin Oke, Mojeed Olaoya, Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye and 10 others while the OYSIEC, Governor of Oyo state and Attorney General of Oyo state are respondents.
Also, the APC is seeking a declaration that the 35 local council development areas in the state are a creation of law, pursuant to section 7 of the 1999 constitution, section 4 of the local government (further amendment) law 2016 and recognized by judgments in suit No. 347/2019 and Appeal No. SC556/2020, hence constitute valid administrative structures of the local government system as required by the 1999 constitution.
To this end, the party is seeking a declaration that the OYSIEC is obliged to conduct elections into the offices of Chairman and Councillors in the 35 local council development areas being a creation of law.
The applicants are also seeking a declaration that the imposition of the payment of nomination fees of N250,000 for chairmanship and N100,000 for councillorship candidates for the local government election and subsequent cancellation of payment after the deadline without an extension of the period for nomination to allow their participation and another political party amount to a deliberate disenfranchisement.
Aside from seeking an order setting aside the May 22 and May 29 local government elections and nullifying in the swearing-in of the Chairmen/councillors, the applicants are also seeing an order that

OYSIEC should immediately commence the process of conducting elections into all local government council areas and local council development areas in the state.
The applicants are also asking the court to determine whether the release of guidelines for chairmanship and councillorship election, notice, time table of the election during the pendency of suit No. 347/2019 and Appeal No. SC556/2020 are not subjudice and a breach of rule of law.

According to the party, the decision of the OYSIEC to proceed with the local government elections of May 22 and May 26 amounts to serial unconstitutional actions and illegalities and utter disregard of the rule of law.
Generally, the suit is supported by section 7 of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Local Government Law of Oyo State 2001 (as amended) by the Local Government (Further Amendment) Law of Oyo State 2016 and Section 10 of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission Law, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

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Yoruba Nation Agitators To Stage Protest Today In Ibadan In Solidarity With Igboho, Other Detainees

Following the declaration of Self-styled activist, Chief Sunday Igboho wanted and the detaining of eleven members arrested during the invasion of Igboho’s house last week by men of the Department of State Security DSS, the Yoruba Nation Agitators have resolved to stage a protest today in Ibadan in solidarity with Sunday Igboho and other detainees.

The report to embark on the said protest was made known to ODUDUWA NEWS by Sunday Igboho’s Spokesman, Olayomi Koiki via a telephone conversation.

Details later.

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Osun Gov, Oyetola Reacts As House Of Assembly’s Minority Leader Accuses Him Of Being Hostile To Opposition

The Minority Leader of the Osun House Assembly, Hon. Kofoworola Adewumi, has been advised to leave the State Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola out of their parliamentary politics.

The lawmaker has also been advised to stop fishing for trouble where none exists.

Reacting to the statement credited to Adewumi, in which he accused the governor of being hostile to the opposition lawmakers, Ismail Omipidan, who is the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, described the lawmaker’s position as not only misleading, but also lacking in logic and concrete facts.

Omipidan further noted that for the House Minority Leader to issue a statement on a matter he had unsuccessfully tried to get the presiding officer’s buy-in on the floor of the House shows he either lacks parliamentary acumen or does not understand his role as a parliament.

“I am not a lawmaker, but as an experienced parliamentary reporter, I understand perfectly how things work in the parliament. We have a 26-member House, and the opposition has three of the total.

“Lobbying is a potent instrument deployed by effective lawmakers to get things done for their constituents. If as a Minority Leader, you want favour from Mr. Governor, you lobby him to achieve your end. But, in this instance, you never made any request from the governor to the best of my knowledge Yet , you are accusing him of being hostile to the opposition lawmakers.

“Have you made any request of him either for your personal benefit or that of your constituents, which he turned down? To demonstrate our commitment to good governance devoid of partisan politics, as a government, we began our infrastructure development from Ede, the home town of our main challenger in the 2018 governorship election. The area is also being represented in the House by an opposition lawmaker.

“If for whatever reason the Minority Leader could not attend a meeting between the House and Mr. Governor last weekend, how has that become the fault of Mr. Governor? And how does that amount to hostility?

“When I first saw the misleading statement, I was waiting to read in concrete terms what constitutes the alleged hostility from my Principal. I was disappointed to observe that he was trying to drag Mr. Governor into what was purely parliamentary politics.

“I appeal to the Minority Leader of the Osun House Assembly, Hon. Kofoworola Adewumi, to apply parliamentary norms to parliamentary issues, including lobbying, leave the governor out of parliamentary politics and stop fishing for trouble where none exists,” Omipidan declared.

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Lagos Gov, Sanwo-Olu Gifts 10 Cars To Lagos Outstanding Civil Servants

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday presented 10 cars to recognise public servants who have distinguished themselves in the junior and senior categories across the State Civil Service.

The Governor also announced a N5million cash gift for a Level 16 officer in Lagos State Civil Service for winning an impromptu quiz competition personally coordinated by the State’s Chief Executive.

Speaking at the luncheon with the Year 2019/ 2020 outstanding officers, (Junior and Senior categories) in Ministries Departments and Agencies, Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas held in Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged officers in Lagos State Civil Service to continue to be change agents and outstanding public servants.

He also encouraged civil servants to continue striving for excellence and live as an example in whatever they do.

The Governor also urged them not to give up in being the best to justify the confidence reposed in them as well as letting people have something good and original to say about them.

Governor Sanwo-Olu while presenting keys and documents to the 10 recipients of the cars, which were drawn through a raffle draw commended the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola for his efforts, saying Lagos State Government is committed to the welfare and service it promised to deliver to the state.

The recipients of the cars who emerged through a raffle draw at the grand finale of activities lined up to commemorate the Year 2021 Public Service Day, comprised four junior and six senior officers.

Recipients in the junior category were Basirat Shogbola, Olalere Alaka, Kikelomo Ogunbiaro and Olufunmilayo Alase, while those in the senior category were Olanrewaju Jaji, Olayiwola Odukoya, Adekunle Ipaye, Waheed Alaba, Victoria Adegbite and Olanrewaju Disu.

A Level 16 officer in Public Service Staff Development Centre, Mr. Taofeek Oladiran Ajetunmobi won a N5million gift from the Governor.

Speaking earlier, the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, urged the awardees not to rest on their oars but continue to exhibit the high sense of responsibility, diligence, commitment to duty and unalloyed loyalty which are the qualities and values for which they have been recognised.

He said 166 out of 180 nominees were recommended for the Outstanding Officers’ Award, noting that the awardees comprised 101 officers in the senior category and 65 officers in the junior category.

The Head of Service said this year’s Public Service Week featured various activities, which included mass work for fitness, variety show, among others, adding that the objective of the best officer awards was in a bid to recognize and reward excellence.

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Fayose Vows To Join APC If His Preferred Candidate, Kolawole Loses PDP Gubernatorial Primary Election

The former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has made known his intention to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ifhis preferred candidate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loses the party gubernatorial ticket.

Fayose made this known on Monday while addressing his teeming supporters at Afao Ekiti having endorsed Bisi Kolawole as his preferred candidate for the election.

He had, in May, presented the former House of Assembly Member who represented Efon Constituency to his supporters across the 177 political wards in the state in preparation for his victory in the party’s primary.

With the primary billed to come up early next year, the former state governor encouraged his followers to work closely with the various delegates to ensure victory for Kolawole and see that those that won’t listen to him do not win the election.

He reiterated that he will rather pitch his tent with the incumbent governor, Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and go all out to work against PDP if his candidate does not get the party’s ticket.

His words: “My people, do not be afraid of the primary election ahead, you will all recall I bought the forms for the majority of the party’s executives from the ward level to the state level. I know some of them already betrayed me but I have no fear about that. Don’t forget I am Peter the rock, my anointed candidate Bisi Kolawole will do all his best to win and if the worst happens, I will pack my load and work with Governor Fayemi.

“I will better destroy the party than allow those who won’t listen to me to win the main election. I will advise you all to go home and work with delegates, don’t allow them hijack this my greatest asset which is the Ekiti PDP,” he said

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CONSTITUTION REVIEW: SOUTHWEST GOVS, SENATORS, REPS MEET IN ABUJA

•Set Up Committee To Harmonize Positions

Southwest Governors on Tuesday evening met with Senators and House of Representatives members from the zone in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The meeting was well attended by all the six Southwest Governors and the National Assembly members from the zone.

Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who briefed reporters shortly after the closed door meeting, said the meeting discussed so many areas of interest, particularly, constitutional amendments.

He said the Governors and the National Assembly members have agreed to present a common position as regards the constitutional amendments.

Governor Akeredolu also disclosed that a committee has been set up to harmonize the positions of the Governors and lawmakers from the zone.

He said: “The meeting, which had Governors, distinguished Senators and members of the House of Representatives, discussed so many areas of interest.

“But most importantly, the meeting today deliberated on constitutional amendments. And we have resolved that we would present a common position as regards amendments to the constitution.

“In order to achieve this, this meeting has set up a committee. The committee is made up of distinguished Senators led by the caucus chairman, House of Representatives members led by the Caucus chairman, and Attorneys of the Southwest states.

“The Committee is to harmonize our positions so that we can present it as and when necessary before the two houses and, at the end of the day, have the Constitutional amendment that has our serious input.”

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House Of Reps Speaker, Gbajabiamila Dispels Report On Àlleged Alteration Of Electoral Bill

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday to claims that the leadership of the National Assembly altered the report on the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill 2020, still awaiting consideration by the Legislature.

The speaker dismissed the thought, saying that it existed only in the “realm of speculation.”

Gbajabiamila clarified that nothing had happened to the authentic report on the bill, adding that the House would pass it in the next few days.

Some media reports had lately conveyed the impression that the leadership of the National Assembly had altered the report, especially the provision on electronic voting, where it allegedly reversed the committee recommendation that election results should be transmitted electronically.

However, addressing a point of privilege raised on the floor on Tuesday on the allegation, the speaker said it was mere speculation and urged Nigerians to discountenance it.

Gbajabiamila expressed surprise that anyone would accuse the leadership of altering the report of a bill still in the custody of the Committee on Electoral Matters.

He stated, “I really don’t want to speak on a report that has yet to be presented to the floor….Ordinarily, I will not comment on a matter that is not before us yet.

“I don’t believe there is any alteration to the committee’s report.

“Only the authentic report of the committee will be submitted for consideration. So, all that is being said remains in the realm of speculation.

“I have asked the chairman of the committee and she told me that there has been nothing like that (alteration).”

Recall that both the Senate and the House had announced last week that the bill would be passed before July 14.

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Court Remands Ex-JAMB Registrar, Dibu Ojerinde Over N2.5bn Scam

The former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) was accused of diverting over N5.2billion.

Professor Adedibu Ojerinde has been ordered to be remanded in prison custody.

The order was given by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

This comes after the former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) was accused of diverting over N5.2billion.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a ruling on Tuesday, ordered that Ojerinde be kept in a correctional facility pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for July

Justice Egwuatu gave the ruling after Ojerinde, dressed in white native attire, was arraigned on an 18-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/97/2021, in which he was accused, among others, of complicity in the diversion of public funds estimated at over N5.2billion.

The prosecuting agency – the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission(ICPC) – said Ojerinde committed the alleged offences, contained in the charge, from 2003 when he served as the Registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO) till 2021.

Ojerinde pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

His lawyer, Peter Olorunnishola (SAN), subsequently informed the court about a bail application he filed and served on the prosecution.

Olorunnishola however sought time to react to the counter-affidavit filed by lawyer to the prosecution, Ebenezer Shogunle, which the defence lawyer said was served on him late.

Shogunle, who did not object to Olorunnishola’s request for time, opposed the defence lawyer’s application that his client be allowed to remain on the administrative bail, earlier granted him by the ICPC, pending the hearing of his bail application.

Details shortly…

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JUST IN: Lagos Assembly Passes Bill Stopping Parade Of Suspects

The Lagos House of Assembly on Monday passed an amended version of the Criminal Justice Law of the state barring the police from henceforth parading suspects before the media.

The bill was passed at a sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa.

Section 9(A) of the newly passed bill states: “As from the commencement of this law, the police shall refrain from parading any suspect before the media.”

The bill further stipulates conditions under which a policeman can arrest without warrant one of which is that a person must be reasonably suspected to unlawfully be in possession of firearms or other such dangerous instruments.

A subsection of the bill also barred the police or any other agency from arresting a person “in lieu of any other person in a criminal matter.”

The bill adds that a person who is arrested “shall be given reasonable facilities for obtaining legal advice, bail or making arrangements for defence or release.

The bill stipulates that a suspect should be “accorded humane treatment, with the right to dignity of person; not be subjected to any form of torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment; be brought before the court as prescribed by this law or any other written law; or be released conditionally or unconditionally.”

After a voice vote, the Deputy Speaker directed the acting Clerk of the House, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, to transmit the bill to the governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for assent.

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