Oduduwa News

The ongoing membership registration exercise of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo state was turned ugly, as party members engaged in a free-for-all over substitution of names.

According to newsmen, Party members, who were present at the centre in Oke-Ogun, said several persons were injured and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.

A former council chairman in Oke-Ogun was also reportedly stripped naked and beaten by members of a rival party faction.

It would be noted that directives from Abuja have been issued for the dissolution of all factions like the late Senator Ajimobi faction (SENACO), Lam Adesina group, called Lamists; the African Democratic Party group, and the Peoples Democratic Party returnees to promote ones within the party.

However, a source who preferred anonymity, alleged that loyalists of the immediate past governor of Oyo, late Abiola Ajimobi, led by a former commissioner, attempted to substitute names of committee members, who are expected to supervise the registration exercise in all local government areas, with persons from other camps within the party.

He claimed that a former commissioner, who now leads the Ajimobi faction of the party (SENACO), removed names of members from the Lamists; the African Democratic Party group, and the Peoples Democratic Party returnees and replaced it with names of members from the SENACO group.

Meanwhile, when the state police public relations officer, Olugbenga Fadeyi, was contacted for confirmation, he said the command has no knowledge of such incident.

Also, efforts to reach the Oyo APC director of media and strategy, Abdul-Azeez Olatunde, was not successful, but a prominent member of the party in the state, who also preferred not to be named, corroborate the earlier accusation.

The Northern Governors Forum has expressed displeasure over reports of attacks on herdsmen belonging to a particular ethnic group in some parts of the South East and South-West, resulting in loss of lives and property.
In a statement issued by the chairman of the forum who doubles as the Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, the gpvernors said:
“The statement read: “While the Northern Governors Forum concedes to the rights of Nigerians to reside wherever they so desire without any molestation or discrimination, it also emphasizes that criminal elements should not be used to tar any particular ethnic group for any crime as that will portend danger to peaceful coexistence and national unity.
“Rather, such criminal elements should be exposed, isolated, and made to face the law of the land without prejudice to their ethnic backgrounds as the motives or criminal actions cannot be said to be the position of their ethnic group.
“In the face of recent worrisome developments, therefore, the Northern Governors Forum calls for calm and cautions Nigerians, particularly those in the affected areas who might have been aggrieved or targeted, to exercise restraint.
The governors’ reaction may not be unconnected with calls by Nigerians in some parts of the south for eviction of the herdsmen who have been accused of killing, kidnapping, raping and destruction of farmlands.
About two weeks ago the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, asked herders in his state to vacate the state’s forest reserves and subject themselves to registration if they want to continue to do their business in the state.
A couple of days after Akeredolu’s decision to flush out unregistered herders from Ondo forest reserves, a Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka, Igboho, also asked herdsmen in Ibarapa area of Oyo State to vacate the state.
After the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum he gave the Fulani herdsmen in Igangan community in Ibarapa North Local Government of Oyo State, Igboho visited the town again to enforce his eviction threat.
Houses and other properties belonging to the Seriki Fulani of Igangan were reportedly torched in the wake of Igboho’s visit.
He had since moved to Yewa community in Ogun State to drive out the Fulani herdsmen in the community too.
Reports from the community, too, have been unpleasant.
The property of the Seriki Fulani of Yewa community in Ogun and the cattle market in the area, too have been reportedly set ablaze.
The stories have been relatively the same in the South-south and South-east too as some women in Bayelsa and Edo states took to the streets on Wednesday, asking herdsmen to vacate their states.
The northern governors, in the statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Makut Macham, in Jos, described as worrisome the rampant eviction notices being given herdsmen in the south.
They recalled the recent intervention of the Nigerian Governors Forum, led by its chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi, who met with stakeholders in Akure, Ondo State, to douse tension and forge amicable resolution of the issues.
They noted that, while such intervention was celebrated as a success to be sustained through further engagement between herdsmen and representatives of affected communities, emerging reports of attacks on herders and the gradual introduction of ethnic sentiments into the conflict is disturbing and should immediately be nipped in the bud before it gets out of hand.
“Nigeria is going through a lot and escalating such tensions would definitely not resolve any grievances but rather aggravate the situation to levels that could threaten national security.
“Leaders across political, ethnic, religious and community lines should avoid utterances and actions that further fan the embers of distrust, hate, violence, and retaliation which can easily escalate the situation and cause chaos.
Call to speak out
“Relevant government officials, traditional rulers, and opinion moulders must also rise and speak with one voice by not only condemning crime, no matter who is involved, but also send the right signals to those who want to take the laws into their hands and trample on the Nigerian constitution by attempting to deny others the rights to live and pursue their legitimate business in whatever place they choose to reside.
“Security agencies must equally be firm and rise to the occasion by protecting all law-abiding citizens against the threat to their lives and properties, irrespective of their ethnic or other affiliations.
“They should also send a clear and unambiguous message to those threatening the peace that they will act decisively to stop them from plunging the nation into anarchy.
“The Northern Governors Forum further assures Nigerians of all ethnic, religious and political persuasions of their constitutional rights to pursue their legitimate businesses wherever they choose within the region and appeal to the people to resist any attempt to lure them into any act that can threaten the peace and tranquility of the region and the nation at large.”
Gov el-Rufai condemns eviction threats
On his part, Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, also condemned the calls for eviction of herdsmen, and urged state governors to take a stand before the situation degenerates into anarchy.
He said in a statement: “The government of Kaduna State notes with grave concern, video clips circulating on social media platforms like WhatsApp in which citizens of a particular ethnic group are being massacred and their properties destroyed in parts of Nigeria.
“This is coming amid avoidable rhetoric, frenzied ethnic profiling and unlawful eviction of citizens from their places of domicile.
“Many citizens of Kaduna State have reached out to me as their governor to confirm the authenticity of these video clips. Some allege that these incidents have the support of leaders of the places where attacks have occurred. While I am unable to confirm the authenticity of the video clips, their impact on the peaceful coexistence of our people is a source of concern.
“On behalf of the government of Kaduna State, I call on all Nigerians living in our state to respect law and order and the rights of all citizens to live in peace and security wherever they reside or work. I appeal to my colleagues governing other states in our country to make similar statements, and disavow these attacks and massacres.
“We must avoid anarchy and vigorously promote the rule of law and the right of all citizens to life, liberty and livelihoods wherever they choose to reside.
“Elected and appointed public leaders across the country must act on their constitutional obligations to protect all citizens, uphold order, and contribute to a climate for peaceful resolution of all issues.
“In Kaduna State, we are learning from decades of unfortunate and needless experiences. We have faced the tragic manifestations of the indigene-settler divide. This has been compounded by criminal activities that often have fatal consequences.
“But the victims of criminal actions like banditry and kidnapping in our state cut across all ethnic and religious groups. We have resisted the attempt to tar all members of any ethnic group for the criminal actions of some of their members.

“At all times, our government has upheld the right of every citizen to live and pursue legitimate livelihoods wherever they choose.
“This is why we ordered the arrest of persons who issued an unlawful eviction notice to our citizens of a certain ethnicity in 2017. The impunity and calculated disregard for a common humanity that prompted such irresponsible rhetoric is sadly at play again.
“The genuine fears felt by people across the country for their safety and security imposes a responsibility on all leaders to ensure that these anxieties are assuaged and urgent steps taken to relieve human misery and stop the criminal actions that menace our citizens and their property. This should be the top priority.
“It is time for governments and leaders at all levels to step in, exercise firm action, engage people and ensure that the responsibility these dire times demand are not derailed by those who only see opportunity for their own myopic agenda.
“We cannot allow, by inaction or otherwise, the reign of anarchy where fear creates a tragic momentum of violence, blurring the lines between victims and perpetrators and complicating a difficult moment.
“We urge our representatives in the National Assembly to expedite action on the Constitutional amendments that would usher in State and community policing as this is the ultimate panacea for effective law enforcement nationwide.
“We should not allow the criminal actions of insurgents and bandits to tear our country apart. We should not be seduced into the dangerous passion of blaming innocents, declaring them guilty of the crimes of others, evicting them, killing and destroying their property.

“In difficult times, we must uphold the right of everyone to live, with security and safety. The frenzy of ethnic labelling makes solutions difficult and can only guarantee disorder, violence and pain.’’

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 654 suspected criminals for armed robbery, arson, cultism and other vices, while 557 of the suspects have already been arraigned in a law court to answer for their crimes.

This disclosure was contained in the monthly Police Activity Report for January 2021, issued by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu.

The report disclosed that the Police foiled 13 armed robbery incidents and recovered 30 arms, while 119 vehicles and 670 motorcycles were impounded for violating the State traffic laws across the Lagos metropolis.

It also revealed that some hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers were arrested at NASFAT Area of Isawo, Ikorodu based on intelligence gathering, leading to the mobilisation of a team of policemen to dislodge criminals at the location; two of the hoodlums were apprehended and one locally made pistol, five unexpended cartridges and the suspects’ operational vehicle was impounded.

Two suspected armed robbers, according to the report, were also arrested at Eleko Beach and one locally made pistol, two unexpended cartridges and some charms were recovered from the suspects. Another set of hoodlums suspected to be cultists holding a meeting at Mashalashi Street, Sari Iganmu were dislodged. Two of the cultists were arrested while others escaped. A locally-made pistol and some weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from them.

While listing other areas where cultists operated and subsequently arrested to include Seme Border, Owode-Elede area of Mile 12, Weigh Bridge and Owode Onirin area among others, the report stated that one Seun Agbakin was taken into custody for allegedly stabbing a 36-year old man residing at Adewale Okediran Street, Iba, to death during an altercation.

The report revealed that the Police officers who responded to the distress call tried their possible best to save the life of the victim by rushing him to the hospital but he had lost so much blood that he gave up the ghost during treatment.

Also contained in the report was the case of a four-year-old girl, who was allegedly defiled by one Sunday Zanu on Thursday, January 7, 2021, inside a bathroom at Sogunro, Pedro, Iwaya. However, the police team dispatched to the scene were able to rescue the victim before taking her to a hospital for medical examination while the suspect was arrested.

On the contravention of the traffic law, 173 motorcycles were impounded for plying prohibited routes at the Owode Elede Area of Mile 12, Ikorodu Road, two vehicles were confiscated for driving against traffic and 31 for obstructing the free-flow of traffic in other parts of the State.

The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has made it known publicly plans to establish tertiary institution in Iseyin Local Government area of Oyo State.

The Governor stated this on Friday at the 8-day fidau prayer for the late mother of the state’s chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Omokunmi Mustapha, held in Iseyin town.

Makinde said formal announcement on the proposed higher institution would be made in February.

ODUDUWA NEWS quoted Makinde as saying: “When I was campaigning for the Governorship position, I made a promise here in Iseyin. I said we will establish a higher institution here. In six weeks from now, we will make the announcement.”

FEDERATION OF IBADAN STUDENTS’ UNION, 3RD NATIONAL PARLIAMENT⚖
(OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER)

Date_05/02/202

---

1. Combatant/Parliamentary greetings to all our ever sagacious and indomitable honorables, in the spirits of love, unity, oneness and togetherness.
2. We the FIBSU National Parliament sincerely appreciates the entire Fibsuites across the tertiary institutions for their precious time spent with us yesterday during our visitation to Oyo State House of Assembly, Parliament Building, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan. You’re indeed true sons and daughters of the soil.
3. On this note, I really acknowledge and register our utmost appreciation to the executive arm of the FIBSU National Council led by a friend, Àare Olalekan Yusuf Ajibola Lexiphyll for the wonderful collaboration so far so good. Indeed FIBSU National Body is a top notch example when it comes to meaningful and progressive collaboration among the executive and legislative arms. May the regime led by Àare Lexiphyll records more outstanding achievements.
4. It will be a disrespect, “arifin” of the highest order if we fail to acknowledge the presence of the immediate past FIBSU Parliament led by Rt. Hon. Akande Ridwan Kante and his Deputy Speaker, Àare Selim Olalekan Password for using their time judiciously with us throughout yesterday at the plenary session. More better places await y’all.
5. The visitation to Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday wasn’t about observing the plenary session alone. We extended it to visits some honorables from Ibadan among which are Hon. Akintunde Olajide AKT from Lagelu State Constituency and Hon. Mogaji Akinajo form Ibadan North East 1 State Constituency to mention but few. Our visitation to the Honorables was positive, because we used the medium to registered our displeasure about how we(Indigenous Associations) have little or no recognition from the State Government and Parliament as well, also we discussed a lot of issues affecting indigenous body mostly Bursary and Students’ welfarism. And behold they promised us that there would be changes as soon as possible and they are also looking forward for more collaborations.
6. On final note, we (FIBSU National Parliament) appreciate the Oyo State House of Assembly (9th Assembly) led by Rt. Hon. Adebo OGUNDOYIN for FIBSU National Parliament recognition during the House Preceeding. May Oyo State continues to be a pace setter state. God bless you all.

Accept The High Parliamentary Regard!

Signed:
RT. Hon. Adefisoye, Azeez Ademola
(Demmy)
Speaker
08107774237
07059746993

At least, 37 herdsmen and 5, 000 cows illegally occupying the Ondo State’s forest reserves have been chased out by the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, for violating the order of the state government.

This followed the recent order handed down by state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, that all herdsmen illegally occupying the state’s forest reserves should leave or register with the state government to make their operations legitimate.

It was gathered that in spite of the order, the herdsmen have remained in the forest, prompting Amotekun corps to chased out some of them.

The state Commander of the Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, who disclosed this, said his men were still in the forest to flush out the remaining erring herders.

Adeleye said some of the herdsmen, who could not cope with the terms and conditions of the state government, had met with the corps and had opted to move out of the state peacefully.

He disclosed that the suspects were arrested in Ala, Oda and Ofosu forests of the state.

He said: “Some of them have opted to leave the state because they couldn’t meet with our terms and conditions.

“They came through the Chairman of Miyatti Allah in the state.

“Some opted to go to Osun, Edo and Kogi States.

“So, our men escorted them to the boundaries of those states.

“We have to monitor their movements out of the state so that they would not destroy farms on their way out.

“37 herders have been arrested with about 5, 000 cows.

“Majority of the herders have been coming to us through their chairman and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Hausa Matters.

“We will hand over the culprits to the chairman to lead them out and anybody caught again after this would be arrested and prosecuted.”

The Amotekun boss implored the farmers to always call on the corps whenever the cows invaded and destroyed their farms, saying the corps would respond immediate.

An aspirant of Ibadan South East, North East Federal Constituency, Hon. Iyiola Ibraheem, popularly known as ‘Dudu Alubarika’ on a radio program at King FM, Ibadan on Thursday, outlined strategies for the Oyo state government on how to better improve the current security situation of the state. 

The Ibadan born politician listed four strategies for improving security in Oyo state and also in Nigeria as he noted that security is a national issue. He urged the government as well as other stakeholders to empower security personnel by providing them with needed tools that will enable them to better fight insecurity in the state.

He also called for community policing, saying that the burden of security lies on everyone. He enjoined people to always alert the police and other security personnel whenever they perceive strange sights in their community.

Hon. Iyiola who said he came into politics because of his beliefs that everyone is needed to bring about the desired change in the socio-political space in the country called on parents to monitor and give proper training to their children. He noted that improper upbringing and lack of home training also contribute to the security menace. 

He similarly commended the effort of the Oyo state government in setting up the Oyo State Security Network popularly known as Amotekun, however, called for the distribution of the security personnel across the state, saying it would further strengthen the security enforcement in the state.

Ìbàdàn North Federal Rep, Hon. Olaide Akínrẹ̀mí has solidarized with everyone and all families who has been affected by one issue of insecurity or the other.
In a signed release, the Federal Honorable stated that either directly or indirectly, we all are affected by these incidents, as he has had to render financial support to some people in his Constituency aftermath of their losses to rogues.

Read details below;

On The Rising Insecurity Incidents In Ọ̀yọ́ State.

The spate of terrible, sad and heinous incident which is being witnessed in Ọ̀yọ́ State these last few months is one which breaks the heart of our people.

Frequent and somehow coordinated activities of recalcitrant herdsmen, thugs, bandits and street urchins among others has suddenly turned our not so long ago peaceful pacesetter state into a dreadful habitat.

Lives are being lost, farms are being destroyed, public infrastructure are getting vandalized, people are getting robbed and shops are being looted. From one zone to another, cases of unrest continue to threaten the peace of our people.

Quite a number of these incidents has occurred in my Constituency, with some coming to my personal attention, and within the confines of my capacity, I have financially supported a few who were victim of these rogues.

In addition, I have through my office reached out to relevant stakeholders in a call for support for our dear state, and this I have done from the lowest cadre of law enforcement to the Inspector General of Police, IG Mohammed Adamu.

I have since followed up my initial engagement with the Inspector General of Police, bringing to his attention updates which I am certain has also reached him from the Ọ̀yọ́ State Commissioner of Police. I also have made it a point of duty to reach out to the Ọ̀yọ́ State Commissioner of Police personally, as well as to some DPO’s in my Constituency too.

This move of mine is imperative for anyone who wants the progress of Ọ̀yọ́ state, as we only stand to lose if these series of occurrences continue unabated. We all are affected by these torrid events irrespective of political, social, and religious delineation among others.

More so, it is important that we sustain the legacy of peace left by late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi’s administration. The last administration laid a solid security foundation, one which is worthy of being consolidated upon in the best interest of our people.

At this point, all hands need to be on deck to successfully checkmate our security challenges. The Ọ̀yọ́ State Government needs to wake up, and with immediacy implement strategies that will bring lasting solution to all our insecurity issues.

We can’t afford to allow a total breakdown of law and order as the current state of things isn’t encouraging, and I want to charge the ruling party of our dear state not to view this as being opposed, but as a clarion call for expedite action to protect the people of Ọ̀yọ́ state.

Our farmers in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun, business owners in Ìbàdàn, Ogbomoso, Ọ̀yọ́ town and indeed the entire people of Ọ̀yọ́ state in general need a safe environment to live, as well as to carry out their daily activities.

I want to appreciate and also encourage all law enforcement agents in Ọ̀yọ́ State, especially members of the Nigeria Police Force for their dedication and hard work.
The task may seem arduous, but I have no doubts in your capacity to tame all forms of unrest just like you did in the times of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Lastly, I commiserate with the families of those whose lives has been cut short by unpatriotic and unscrupulous members of our society across Ọ̀yọ́ state. It is my sincere prayers that the departed souls find eternal rest.

God Bless Ìbàdàn North Federal Constituency.
God Bless Ọ̀yọ́ State.
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Prince Akínrẹ̀mí Jagaban.
MHR, Ìbàdàn North Federal Constituency.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday inaugurated the multi-million state-of-the-art Chief Adebisi Akande Shopping Complex in Ila-Orangun.

This is even as the Governor charged political office holders, particularly elected officers, on the need to focus more on people-oriented and human capital development projects aimed at transforming the people and the society.

The newly-built and inaugurated shopping complex named after the worthy and illustrious leader and former Governor of Osun, Chief Akande, was executed by the Chairman, Ila Local Government, Hon. Joshua Ademola Adediji.

Addressing the people at the inauguration ceremony, Oyetola said it had become imperative for those in government to prioritise the welfare and general well-being of the people to which government is formed.

Oyetola who described local government as the closest to the people, said its relevance to existence could only be justified in the volume of impacts made in the lives of the communal and the society at large.

According to him, the relevance of local government is only to the extent to which it serves the needs of the people at the grassroots.

Oyetola said it behoves all leaders to diligently identify what the needs of the people are and make conscious efforts to meet those needs, adding that, it is sacrosanct for those in the position of authority to replicate themselves by executing impactful and life-changing projects.

“We must realise that the only way to live forever in the hearts of the people is to always put them first and serve well,” Oyetola added.

While applauding the Chairman for the laudable project and for naming the legacy project after Chief Akande, Oyetola said, “this is the legacy our fathers like Chief Akande have demonstrated with their enviable political careers. And I must say, it is the secret of a life of timeless relevance.

“I must equally note that with this honour, you have scored two significant points, or as it is often said, killed two birds with a stone. That is, providing a facility of felt need and honouring a deserving leader.

“In a nation where poor models of leadership on several fronts abound, it is apposite to identify those who hold counter-narratives and project them for honour.

“When this is done, we will entrench the values of integrity, hard-work, selflessness, and service. This is the pathway to rapidly multiply the Akande tribe in our midst and build a society filled with inspirational minds for our young people,” Oyetola added.

Earlier, Chief Adebisi Akande, a former Osun Governor, applauded the sense of humility and sense of integrity of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola which he said had culminated into milestone achievements recorded by his administration.

He expressed gratitude to the Council Chairman for the honour done him, describing the gesture as a welcome development.

The Lagos State Government has condemned the alleged brutalisation of a journalist, Benjamin Anaja, with Guild Press Limited by some operatives of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) at Meiran Bus Stop, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

A statement signed by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the present administration has a zero-tolerance for any form of brutalisation of members of the public by any employee, operative or agent of the State government.

He stated that the incident will be thoroughly investigated and punitive measures will be taken against any of the KAI operatives mentioned in the viral news report if found culpable, reiterating that the complainant would be invited to substantiate his claim and possibly identify the culprits who attacked him, despite identifying himself as a journalist.

The Commissioner, however, apologised to the victim, the management of the Guild publishing company and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, promising that the State government is determined to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Bello said the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu believes in a free and unfettered media, which is a basic requirement for a better and egalitarian society.

Recall that a news story had gone viral on Wednesday evening alleging that some operatives of KAI dislodged street traders at Meiran Bus Stop on Lagos Abeokuta Expressway and accosted a journalist who was recording the event.

According to the post, the journalist claimed to have produced his identity card but was, nevertheless, dragged into their vehicle, brutalised, detained for several hours and had his identity card seized before he was eventually released at Ikeja along Bus Stop.