By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2019 election in Oyo State, Oloye Adebayo Adelabu has said that people of Ondo State rewarded the numerous achievements of the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s administration by re-electing him for a second time.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had yesterday announced Akeredolu of the APC as the winner of the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the Sunshine State, defeating the duo of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Agboola Ajayi of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP and others.

Adelabu, in a congratulatory statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, expressed gratitude to the people of the state for believing in Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his APC, saying that the governor’s re-election has shown that there is a lot to be gained when there is no division with APC.

According to the former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, who recently clocked 50, “I am happy with this result. It says a lot, our candidate scored 83 per cent
In the election. That means his achievements in the first four years are satisfactory. The people of Ondo deserve commendations .

“Apart from that, another major thing that has assisted us greatly is the new found unity within our party. We now understand what it means to go into a major election with a united house. I recall I was a member of the committee that screened and organized the primary that produced Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as our party candidate. Though it is normal for us to disagree during primaries, the way our people reconciled is unprecedented. It was quicker than we expected. And with the result, we saw that all our people delivered.

“Though the reconciliation has started in our dear Oyo State, there are things we can learn from the just concluded Ondo election. Let’s unite. We are better together. I know the national leadership of our party is doing well coupled with what we are doing at the state chapter, I like to urge us to be more united as we approach Ekiti and Osun election. I know what it means to be surrounded by APC neighbours,” he added.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Senator AbdulFatai Omotayo Buhari has condemned in strong terms the wantom attack on the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Ajagungbade III, The Soun Of OgbimosoLand by certain miscreants.

The lawmaker representing Oyo North Senatorial District at the Red Chamber in his reaction to the dastardly act urged the good people of the Valiant town to calm down and maintain peace while necessary steps are being taken to put an end to all these issues of unrest.

” No right thinking sons and daughters will be happy to hear this very unfortunate incident happening in the town.

“The killing of the innocent souls by the yet to be identified overzealous security personnels is also not palatable to the ears.

‘ A meeting was ongoing on how best to put the situation at rest and these perpetrators jumped into the palace and started damaging things in the exalted palace. Who does that and goes free?

” These evil doers have rubbed salt on the injury of our dear very peaceful town and will be brought to justice.

” What if Baba was in the sitting room when these hoodlums forced themselves into the palace ?

” Imagine schools in the north and south axis of the town are closed for today. Just too sad a situation.

” Full investigation into the whole scenario is ongoing and all guilty persons shall face the full wrath of the law” Buhari assured.

The lawmaker used the medium to call on all concerned not to relent in their efforts at ensuring that peace returns to the ever peaceful town.

Buhari ended by wishing His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Ajagungbade III, The Soun Of OgbomosoLand, more years of very sound health in peaceful reign.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Students, artisans and other trainees undergoing free vocational training at Prince Akinremi Foundation (PAF) are to resume today, Monday, October 12, 2020 at the Yemetu Ibadan constituency and vocational office of the Honourable Musiliudeen Olaide Adewale Akinremi. 

The Prince Akinremi Foundation office located in Ibadan North area of Yemetu behind Yemetu Police Station was closed down few months ago because of the need to follow the guidelines and protocols of the coronavirus pandemic otherwise called Covid-19.

The Foundation office of the lawmaker had trained and equipped over 3, 000 people in different fields like Tailoring, Hairdressing, Barbing, Shoe Making, among others, since the Centre took off in 2016, three years before Akinremi Jagaban was elected in 2019.

According to Hon. Musiliudeen Olaide Adewale Akinremi in a statement he released on Sunday in Ibadan, many of the students are yet to complete their training tenure due to Covid 19 pandemic ravaging the land.

He said all students learning one vocation or the other, should resume to their various classes this Monday morning.

The lawmaker representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency added that all Covid-19 protocols have been put in place and shall be followed accordingly.

Akinremi Jagaban therefore urged the students to come with their nose or face masks.

By Oluwakemi Ishola

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals (APC-P), on Sunday charged the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to prosecute thugs arrested from Oyo state and other states of federation.

The group accused the State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde of invading Ondo State with thugs during the Saturday’s governorship election.

The Chief Convener of the group, Alhaji Adekunle Lawal, in an interview in Ibadan alleged that Governor Makinde’s right-hand-man, Babatunde Tijani (Double T) was arrested by the Police for electoral malpractices, while others led by former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila (aka Auxiliary) escaped arrest.

He said Double T who is also a close ally of the special adiviser to the governor on political matters, Hon. Babs Oduyoye was arrested in Owo, Ondo state around 9:00am on Saturday.

The APC leader said: “it is shameful that our inarobo (Kid) governor in Oyo State became so arrogant, boasting that he will single-handedly deliver Ondo State to the PDP just because of his reliance on those thugs he has been using to terrorise the people here in Oyo State.”

The APC professionals described the arrest of Tijani as a vindication of those who accused Governor Makinde of masterminding the assault on the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, at the PDP rally in Ondo last Wednesday.

They reminded the governor that he was told last month when he was grandstanding that just the way he went to Kogi State to lavish Billions of Naira belonging to the people of Oyo State and came back empty handed, he will also fail in Ondo State and he has indeed failed.

The group advised the governor to face governance and stop wasting the State meagre resources on his political territory expansionist agenda, on which he has plunged the State into huge debt.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

A socio-political group, the One Nigeria Movement (ONM) has accused beneficiaries of illegal mining in Zamfara State of trying to mislead Nigerians on the State Governor, Bello Mattawale’s noble innitiatite of engaging in the business of buying gold directly so as to block armed bandits’ major source of fund.

According to a statement on Sunday, by its Convener General, Ahmed Sodiq-Mugoro and Secretary, Babatunde Aliyu, ONM, which said it was not true that Zamfara State government was mining gold in the State, noted that those behind the attacks on the governor were only doing so because they were being made to lose the source of their illicit wealth.

The group said the question Nigerians should ask those behind the attack on the governor are; “Were people not mining and selling gold in Zamfara State before now? Why all these attacks on the governor just because he is trying to do what is right by exposing what has been happening in the State?”

The group said what the Zamfara State government was simply doing is to use its own fund to buy gold so as to prevent the miners from selling to armed bandits, who in turn use the gold to exchange for arms and ammunition.

“The reality Governor Metawalle has brought to the attention of Nigerians is that despite the ban on mining, people did not stop from doing illegal mining and it was the major source of fund for bandits.

“From the day the governor exposed this by taking the gold to President Muhammadu Buhari and letting Nigerians see what the State has, why has banditry come down drastically in the Northwest?”

Speaking further, ONM said: “Zamfara State government under Governor Bello Mattawale, is not cornering the resources belonging to the entire federation of Nigeria, far from it.

“Rather, the State Government is investing its own money to bring sanity to the mining sector, provide jobs and most importantly, eradicate banditry.

“Before now, what was happening was the bandits forcing the miners to sell gold to them at like N5,000 per gram while the bandits take the gold to the end users and sell at as much as N20,000 per gram. In most cases, they use the gold in exchange for arms and ammunition.

“It is like using one stone to kill more than two birds and since this initiative started, Nigerians can notice a drastic reduction in activities of the bandits in the Northwest now and it is hoped that they will fizzle out the moment they no longer have means of getting arms.

“For this, it is our opinion that Governor Matawalle deserves to be commended. But we understand the plight of those orchestrating the attacks against the governor. They are those who are showing anger because the source of their illicit wealth has been exposed and we are sure the governor won’t be distracted.”

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the 2019 general elections in Oyo state, Akogun Sharafadeen Alli on Sunday commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu for their positive response to the nationwide protest against alleged unprofessional activities of men of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).

He said for President to bow down to the preasure of the masses, it shows that President Buhari believes in democracy and sovereignty of the masses.

Alli however condemned the attacks on the protesters which led to the death of a 23-year-old Jimoh Isaq in Ogbomoso area of the state.

He called for justice for Jimoh Isaq, saying “his killing must be unravelled.”

The former secretary to the Oyo state government in a statement he personally signed in Ibadan on Sunday advised federal government to consider the masses, especially the youths in composition of another security department in Nigeria Police Force.

The former chairman of Odu’a investment pleaded with government to ensure police officers adhere strictly to the post dissolution plans on SARS, saying: “government needs to restore confidence of Nigerians in Police Force.”

The statement reads in part: “I join many Nigerians to condemn the avoidable extrajudicial killing of a young man, Jimoh Isaq in Ogbomoso during the protest of some youths to ensure government put an end to harrasment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).

“Even though Jimoh was said not to be part of the protesters, but he was a victim of the wicked officer who cut his life short. I therefore join the call for justice for him and others who were victims during the protest.

“President Muhammadu Buhari and the IGP, Mohammed Adamu must be commended for their prompt intervention in the protest. This shows that President Buhari believes in our democracy and never underrate the sovereignty of the masses, hence he bow down to their demand.”

Twenty-four hours after killing of a bystander youth in Ogbomosoland, Isiaka Jimoh by alleged police bullet, the angry mob on Sunday protested to the Palace of the first class monarch of the town, Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade and in the process vandalised properties in the sacred palace.

Pacesetter News was reliably told by the palace sources that the youths in numbers gained entry into the sitting room and adjoining rooms of the palace and succeeded in wreaking havoc.

The media of the monarch, Sunday Ajamu could not be reached for comments as at the time of filing this report.

Further details later…

See photos:

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

A member of the House of Representatives from Ibadan Northwest and Southwest of Oyo State, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide on Sunday applauded the indomitable spirit of Nigerian youths, culminating in the ban placed on the operations of the Special Anti Rubbery Squad (SARS).

The lawmaker popularly called Odidiomo in a special message he sent to the media also demanded justice for all the youths either killed or maimed while the struggle to outlaw SARS lasted.

According to him, the blood of those victims will be baying for justice and the Federal Government must as a matter of urgency institute thorough investigation into it so as to bring erring officers to book.

His statement read as follows: “the Federal Government has finally bow to the pressure of Nigerian masses; more importantly the youths who have been occupying the streets in recent times.

“May I use this medium to register my deepest concern and position on the ongoing struggle against the brutality of operation of the now rested Special Anti Rubbery Squad (SARS), and struggle tagged #ENDSARS.

“As the voice of the voiceless and representative of the people, I lend my voice in support of the people and stand firmly in support of the struggle #ENDSARS.

“Also, I condemn in strong terms the killing of innocent young man Jimoh Isiaka in Ogbomosho, and other persons inflicted with degrees of injury and injustice during the protest which is a legitimate excersice and harmless action expressing disapproval of the activities of SARS.

“It is regrettable that those saddled with the constitutional responsibility of protecting the constitution, interest, right, lives and property of the sate and citizens are now rebellious against the same constitution by resisting / preventing and attacking citizens exercising their constitutional rights.

“At this juncture, I call on the authorities concern, the Presidency and the IGP to at first, order an investigation into the death of Jimoh Isiaka during the protest and beam searchlight into the activities of disbanded SARS, in accordance with provision of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I sympathise with the families of the affected persons and call on our people to remain calm as I and others concern will from now explore all lawful and constitutional means to ensure our voice is heard and interest protected across the federation. Enough is enough over this and other extra judicial killings in this country.

“Lastly, I appeal to the Nigeria Police Force to please permit our people to exercise their lawful rights if and when occasion demands, henceforth,” Olajide added.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Nigeria Presidency, on Sunday afternoon, gave a directive to the Inspector-General of Police to dissolve the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

According to the verified Twitter handle of Nigeria Presidency @ngrpresident, new policing arrangement to address anticipated policing gaps the dissolution of SARS will cause is being worked on and will be announced by the IGP.

The tweets read:

PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE: The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force @PoliceNG has been dissolved WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

The Inspector General of Police will communicate further developments in this regard.

All officers and men of the now defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) are to be redeployed with immediate effect.

A new policing arrangement to address anticipated policing gaps the dissolution of SARS will cause is being worked on and will be announced by @PoliceNG.

Raji Adebayo, Ibadan 

As the protest continue to gain more momentum across the country against the harassment, extortion and extra-judicial killings of innocent Nigerians by operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), the Ajia Balogun Olubadan, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke has condemned in strong term the extrajudicial killing of Mr. Jimoh Isiaq by a policeman during #ENDSARS protest in Ogbomoso on Saturday.

It could be recalled that a passerby, Jimoh Isiaq was hit by stray bullet, who later died at hospital while a student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso was also allegedly shot in the leg by member of Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command.

Reacting to the development In a statement on Sunday Adegoke, who is a Senatorial hopeful for Oyo South District called on the leadership of all the security agencies in the country to stem the needless killings immediately as he also called on the relevant security agencies to carry out a holistic investigation into the killing with a view to unravel the culprit and ensuring that the reprehensible acts are nipped in the bud and the culprit is brought to book to serve as a lesson to erring officers.

According to the statement, “I am deeply saddened with the report extrajudicial killing of innocent young man and others that sustained injuries during the #End SARS protest in Ogbomoso. This is most unfortunate and condemnable.

“I call on the relevant security and government agencies to ensure that the reprehensible acts are thoroughly investigated and the culprit is brought to book. We must ensure that law enforcement agents do not turn their weapons against the very citizens they are supposed to protect.

“I want to implore our security officers to always enforce law and order with every sense of professionalism, discipline, restraint, empathy, and above all, with utmost respect for human life.

Adegoke while condolling with family that lost their loved one, he prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal repose, give the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.