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Government and Oyo PDP are not your private companies ā€” Balogun tells Makinde

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

A former Chief of Staff to former Governor Alao-Akala and chieftain of Oyo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Saka Balogun, has warned Ā Governor Seyi Makinde againsf running the state and party like his personal companies.

Balogun, who made this disclosure in a chat with Double A Exclusive Media, said Makinde has more of campaign experience but not enough government runnings experience. He cited lack of Elders Committee within Oyo PDP, as the main factor responsible for the actions and inactions of the Governor.

Dr. Balogun in his words: ā€œI have no problem on all his appointments, he is doing good but he needs to allow more hands in his decision-making, particularly the elders of the party need to be carried along the more in his government. Makinde is only using the operational guide of how he runs his business to run the government which is not the best. There is need for Elders Committeeā€.

In his reaction to Alhaji Bisi Olopoeniyanā€™s positions on the party and Governor Makindeā€™s style of leadership, Balogun expressed satisfaction with his comments but added that he shouldnā€™t have made it known on the radio.

ā€œOlopoeyan indeed worked for Makinde tirelessly; it is unfair for Makinde not to allow him to be part of his government. Olopoeyan should have made his grievances known internally rather than making it publicā€, he said.

ā€œOlopoeyan and other PDP leaders not to be bothered with whatever comes out of Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi Auxiliaryā€™s mouth. Olopoeyan needs to be very careful not to dismantle the house he built. He should rather embrace peace and be patientā€ Balogun advised.

Balogun promised to support moves to build a better PDP. He assured that the internal wrangling will be resolved in no time as he and others are working towards reconciliations.

AWDROP Raises Alarm over Water Drought in Nigeria; Expels Members

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

The Oyo State Chapter of Association of Waterwell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), has raised an alarm that many parts of Nigeria is mostly like to experience terrible water drought due to indiscriminate drilling of boreholes by foreign borehole drillers in the country.

The association made the disclosure when its State Chairman, Engr. Yinka Kolawole, addressed journalists at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku – Ibadan on Sunday.

Kolawole, who was supported by the associationā€™s Vice-Chairman, Mr. Deji Araromi; State Secretary, Mr. Kehinde Olaniyi; Public Relations Officer, Mr. Oluwaseyi Ojo; and Director of Protocol and Strategic Planning, Mr. Ayo Akinyemi, noted that foreign borehole drillers had earlier done what they are doing in Nigeria presently in Tanzania, Ethiopia and a part of India, which made the governments of those countries to check their activities.

Engr. Kolawole clarified that AWDROP is not against foreign borehole drillers from operating in Nigeria, but they must be put under a body like AWDROP to check their activities in order to protect Nigerian environment.

He noted that the way people have been drilling boreholes in many parts of the country, including Ibadan, Lagos, Ogun, Abuja and other places called for a great concern.

In his words: “Most of these Asian drillers left their countries to make money in Nigeria. In fact, most of them have been doing capital flight. We have gone on research on what they are doing. But the government is yet to acknowledge what we are doing, maybe because our industry is not a very loud one.

The Authentic AWDROP Oyo State Executives Pose with their certificates

“Now, they have been doing indiscriminate drillings in Nigeria. Before we came in, most of the depths of drillings were about 40 metres, 50 metres and we had good water everywhere. But when they (Asian drillers) came in, they started drilling 100, 200, and 300 metres.Ā  They have really gone into the earth core, which made us to research on them. We discovered that India is facing a major problem concerning underground water supply now because they have done the same thing they are doing to Nigeria now to India.

“So, our advice to the government is that they should empower AWDROP under our National President, Michael Ale, to raise the benchmark for the depths that all borehole should go. Right now, we have so much around and probably within the next 10 years, we will be having challenges of water because they have gone to the depths that they should not have gone into. If they don’t stop now, we will be in a big problem. You can go on Google and see what they have done to India. They have virtually stopped drilling in some parts of India because they are facing serious drought in those areas. The story is the same in Ethiopia and Tanzania.”

The association, at the press briefing, announced the expulsion of its 10 members, based on contraventions of the AWDROP constitution.

Kolawole lamented that hoodlums always disturb members of the association whenever they go out to drill boreholes legally. ā€œWe are always accosted by the hoodlums, who have always been collecting money from us forcefully, we call on the State government and security agencies to come to our rescueā€ he said..

The association while commiserating with Oyo State Government on the death of Honorable Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Rt. Hon. Kehinde Ayoola,Ā  enjoined Governor Seyi Makinde to appoint a competent individual like late Ayoola who really understood environmental matters.

Covid-19: New Oyo CAN chairman advises journalists on objectivityĀ 

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Debo Adeoye

With the current increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in Oyo State, the Oyo State Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has charged journalists to be thorough in their way of reporting the novel Coronavirus pandemic in the state.

Speaking with journalists in Ibadan on Sunday morning, the new Chairman, Oyo State Chapter of CAN, Apostle Sola Joshua Akinyemiju, a retired army Colonel who emerged as chairman on the platform of Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) bloc of CAN appealed to journalists to see accurate reporting as the only antidote to stop the spread of novel Coronavirus pandemic.

“Untill the role of Journalists in putting off the spread of the Covid-19 in the state and Nigeria in general is appreciated and encouraged, whatever effort will put in place would be in futility. It is through accurate reporting of all activities relating to Covid-19 and exposition of non-compliance on daily basis that can end the spread of the virus,” Apostle Akinyemiju advised.

The CAN Chairman also charged journalists to distance themselves from politics, and let the interest of the masses be of importance to them, especially during this trial period when thousands of lives had already been lost to Covid-19 globally, likewise the crashing of economy.

“I take this opportunity to appeal to men of the noble profession to allow professionalism to take the lead when performing their duty, especially during this Covid-19 period. They should not allow politicians or any group to use them against the interest of the masses. Morese, many lives several thousands of lives already lost to Covid-19, people are still dying while economy is in comatose globally.

Responding to the question on his position on initial directives of the immediate past chairman of CAN, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu on ban placed on religious centres, gathering of people, social distancing and using of face mask, Apostle Akinyemiju insisted the directives stand.

“Let me assure you this, there is no division in the body of Christ, hence, Pastor Akanmu’s directives to Christians, asking them to comply with government order on Covid-19 is still stand and should not be flouted. I pray for God’s quick intervention to quench the burning fire of Covid-19,” Apostle Akinyemiju prayed.

Covid-19: Cole doubtful of his survivability

By
Peter Ayoade
-
Pacesetter

 

Debo Adeoye, Sports
A former United player, Andy Cole has cried out on his state of health which made him to express fear of not likely to witness his 50th birthday on the planet of earth.
According to report available to us, he underwent a life-saving kidney transplant in 2017. Meanwhile, he had earlier been diagnosed with kidney failure in 2015 after contracting a virus during a trip to Vietnam. Three years later, he underwent a transplant but the trauma took a severe toll on his mental health.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 lockdown has taken its toll on the Manchester United legend’s health. The two months already spent in self-isolation has greatly affected him both physically and mentally. The 48-year-old is now doubting possibility of his being alive to see his 50th birthday.
Discussing about his health, the Old Trafford hero said, “I try not to look too far ahead, I take it day by day. I remember I recently had one of my sombre days with my daughter, who has been unbelievable.
“She said to me, ‘dad, you’re going to live forever’. I’ll always remember that, because I kept saying to her ‘look, if I make 50, I will be happy’. I’m a year and a bit away from and if I make it? Considering what I have been through, I will be made up.
“My biggest fear is that one day I wake up and my kidney pack up. I don’t care about anything else, that’s my biggest fear. I have said to myself ‘if it packs up, how are you going to do it again, mentally? How are you going to go through it again?’
“That is my biggest fear. It’s been really, really hard. Last week was one of my toughest ones. This week before I had my daughter here, who’s been shielding as well. But this week, after she left, has been really tough,” Cole lamented.

Oyo COVID-19 Cases Jump to 365, iSON Xperiences Gets Lion Share

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

Oyo State on Saturday recorded 31 fresh cases of coronavirus to take the stateā€™s confirmed cases to 389. Despite the spike, the state retains its 6th position on the national COVID-19 log.

The new active cases were revealed in the routine update released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) late Sunday. The Pacesetter Newsunderstands that the iSON Xperiences, which is the epicenter of the novel coronavirus in Oyo State has lion share of the fresh cases.

Till date, 12233 cases have been confirmed, 3826 cases have been discharged and 342 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Here is the breakdown of 389 new cases of #COVID19;

The 389 new cases are reported from 23 states- Lagos(66), FCT (50), Delta(32), Oyo(31), Borno (26), Rivers(24), Edo (23), Ebonyi(23), Anambra(17), Gombe(17), Nasarawa(14), Imo(12), Kano (12), Sokoto(12), Jigawa (8), Ogun(7), Bauchi (5), Kebbi (2), Kaduna(2), Katsina(2), Ondo(2), Abia(1), Niger(1)

Police Squadron Base: Oyo Deputy Gov, Makindeā€™s Aide Contradicts each other on national radio

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan has debunked Oyo State Governmentā€™s position that he was part of the Oke-Ogun stakeholders that wanted Police Squadron to be sited in Igboho instead Ago-Are in Oke-Ogun.

Special Adviser on Political Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye while featuring on a popular socio-political programme on Fresh FM Ibadan ā€œPolitical Circuitā€ on Saturday, said that some bigwigs in Oke-Ogun requested that the Police Squadron be situated in Igboho town.

In a swift reaction to the revelation made by Hon. Babs Oduyoye, the anchor of the programme, Mr. Mayor Isaac Brown, read out a reaction message sent to his phone by the Deputy Governor. According to Mayor, ā€œI (Deputy Governor)was not one of the political office holders from Oke-ogun who requested that the Squadron should be located in Igbohoā€.

Immediately after the message was read out, Hon. Oduyoye countered Engr. Olaniyan message again saying, ā€It was not to be sited in Igboho, the Deputy Governor had inputs. His domain covers the whole of Okeogun; he is the Deputy Governor and he is the highest-ranking political officer of the Peoples Democratic Party from Okeogun.

Hon. Oduyoye further said that Governor Makinde went to Abuja August to request for the Police Mobile Squadron to strengthen the security of the state as against the general view that it was diverted from Oyo town to Ago-Are.

Folarin Raises Concern over Increased Insecurity in Oyo, Calls for State of Emergency

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

The Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Oloye Teslim Folarin, has raised concern over increased insecurity in Oyo State. He decried the latest news of the murder of 7-month-old pregnant Shomuyiwa Azeezat in Akinyele area of the state.

Five days after Miss Bello Barakat was gang-raped and subsequently murdered, Shomuyiwa Azeezat was killed in a cold blood in her rented apartment. The horrific events happened in Akinyele Local Government Area.

Senator Folarin, in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Com. Yso Olaniyi, expressed his deepest concern over the security collapse in Oyo Sate. He described the ugly incidents in his district as horrific, barbaric and shocking.

The statement reads in part, ā€œOn 1st June 2020, Miss Bello Barakat, aged 19years and a student of Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training, Moor Plantation Ibadan – Oyo State, was gang-raped and stabbed to death by unknown persons. The horrific incident took place at the back of the home she shared with her family in Akinyele area of Ibadanā€.

ā€œOn Sunday, 31st of May 2020, unknown gunmen invaded Ikereku, Pade and Olanla Villages in Akinyele LGA and gruesomely killed three constituents. Fact check reveals that the deceased persons (Ope Babalola, Waheed Ganiyu and Yemi Osunolale) were shot dead in their farms by the attackers and their bodies were picked up in the bushā€.


ā€œOn 25th April 2020, the two-year-old twins of popular Ibadan-based Islamic scholar, Sheik Taofeek Azeez ā€œAkewugbagoldā€ were kidnapped at gunpoint at the clericā€™s residence located at Abatakan area in Ojoo, Ibadan. The twins spent 8 days in captivity before they were released after the abductors were paid N4million ransom. The abuctors initially demanded for Ā£100,000 which is equivalent to N55 million for the release of the childrenā€.

ā€œOn 6th of June 2020, I woke up to another horrific and shocking news of a 7-month-old pregnant young lady, Shomuyiwa Azeezat. She was found in a pool of blood in her rented apartment at Aba Ijefun, Akinyele local government, Ibadan. Evidence reveals that she was hit with an heavy stone on the head. Late Azeezat was a postgraduate student of Social Work Department, Faculty of Education of the University of Ibadanā€.


The former senate leader while commiserating with the families that lost their loved ones, lamented the harvest of deaths and high-wave of crimes in the state.

He noted that insecurity in Oyo Sate has been on the increase in the last 10months. ā€œJust like the residents of Oyo State, I am deeply worried over the collapse of security architecture in the state. The ugly situations must not continue, Oyo State government must declare state of emergency on the security situations in the state. The government must be seen living up to the expectations of the people by ensuring adequate protection of their lives and propertiesā€ he said.

Oloye Folarin said the spate of killings, kidnappings and rape incidents in Oyo State and other parts of Nigeria call for great concerns of all the tiers of government, stakeholders and the citizens. He therefore called on relevant security agencies to speedily investigate the crimes with a view to bringing the culprits to book in order to serve as a deterrent to others.

ā€œI pray for the families that lost their loved ones. As a stakeholder and Senator representing Oyo Central, I am already working with relevant authorities to bring the perpetrators to bookā€ the statement concluded.

Ibadan Killings: Police Commissioner Relocates to Moniya, Vows to Arrest Culprits

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu has relocated his office to Moniya in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, to ensure the killers of Miss Bello Barakat and Somuyiwa Azeezat are arrested and face the wrath of the law.

The police public relations officer in the state, Olugbenga Fadeyi, made this disclosure in a press statement made available to journalists in Ibadan.

According to Fadeyi, the decision of the Police Commissioner to relocate his office was in a bid to ensure the killers of 18-year-old Barakat Bello and 29-year-old Azeezat Somuyiwa are arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

Fadeyi stated that Commissioner of Police relocated his office to the area along with the DC Operations, DC Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Area Commander Moniya, DPOs Moniya and Ojoo with all the Police tactical teams in the company of Special Assistant (SA) and Executive Assistant (EA) Security from Oyo State Government House.

ā€Furthermore, intensified efforts are on by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Iyaganku Ibadan to unravel the misery behind the dastard killings. The Commissioner of Police therefore wishes to use this medium to put the record straight that Azezat Somuyiwa ā€˜fā€™ aged 29 years of Ijefun Community, Moniya that was killed at the early hour of 5th June, 2020 by some assailants was smashed with stone on her head. The deceased is not a post graduate student of the University of Ibadan as widely circulated on the social media. Her murder seems similar to that of a ritual killing.

ā€œConsequent upon this, the CP wishes to further use this medium to thank the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed A. Adamu NPM,mni, the Government and people of Oyo State, the Traditional Leaders, Leaders of thought, Political Leaders, family members and others for their patience and understanding; while reiterating the Police in Oyo State assurance to get to the root of the matter. He equally advised members of the public to be wary of these hoodlums in our midst who carried out this heinous crime that is inimical to our safety and security and as well threatening our corporate existence. He nonetheless seized the opportunity to sensitize the members of the public to be extra vigilant and security conscious. The CP equally enjoined all and sundry to be at alert and also clear nearby bushes in their various communities.

ā€œHe reiterated the Commandā€™s resolve to continue to rejig our security architecture for maximum protection of lives and property of the good people of Oyo State while he sternly warns the criminals to relocate from Oyo State as the Police in Oyo State Command is battle ready to crush any individuals or criminal gangs who is bent on disturbing the relative peace and tranquility being enjoyed by the good people of Oyo State, ā€œthe PPRO stated

He then urged the people of the state to continue to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of molestation or threat from any quarters as adequate security measures have been emplaced to respond promptly to any security threats from any individuals or groups.

OYO COVID-19 CASES ON THE RISE AGAIN!

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

Oyo State has recorded 16 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 334. The spike takes the state to 7th position on the national COVID-19 log.

The new active cases were revealed in the routine update released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) late Friday. The Pacesetter News found that majority of the new cases are from iSON Xperiences.

The Pacesetter News understands that No. of Cases on admission in Oyo COVID-19 facilities are 215; Number of Discharged patients are 112 and Number of Deaths recorded stands at 7.

According to NCDC, 11844 cases have been confirmed, 3696 cases have been discharged and 333 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory having carried out 73,064 tests.

The 328 new cases are reported from 14 states- Lagos(121), FCT(70),Bauchi(25), Rivers(18), Oyo(16), Kaduna(15), Gombe(14), Edo(13),Ogun(13), Jigawa(8), Enugu(6), Kano(5), Osun(2), Ondo(2)

UI Pregnant Student Died of Physical Assault, Not Gang-raped – SUG

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

Contrary to the widely circulated report that Shomuyiwa Azeezat was gang-raped to death, the University of Ibadan Studentsā€™ Union has clarified that the victim was hit by heavy stone on the head.

Shomuyiwa Azeezat was a postgraduate student of Social Work Department, Faculty of Education of the University of Ibadan. The news of her death surfaced on the Internet early morning of Friday.

On a visit to the deceased residence by the Studentsā€™ Union leaders on Friday, it was confirmed by family friends said late Azeezat was hit with an heavy stone on the head contrary to reports made available on the Internet that she was raped.

The Pacesetter News understands that men of Oyo State Command of Nigerian Police force have visited the scene of the incident and some co-tenants have been arrested for prompt investigation.

Azeezat was found in a pool of blood in her rented apartment at Aba Ijefun, Akinyele local government, Ibadan. It was also confirmed that the deceased is seven months pregnant.

PHOTOS: Senate leaders welcome Kalu from prison

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

Senate President, on Friday, led a Senate delegation in a solidarity visit to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who has just been released from prison.

A Federal High Court in Lagos had on Tuesday granted a motion seeking his release from the Kuje Prison custody.

Justice Mohammed Liman before whom the applicantā€™s motion was pending, granted the prayer of the applicant and ordered the release of Kalu.

Kalu was sentenced to 12 years for a N7.2 billion fraud. The verdict was handed down by Justice Mohammed Idris on December 5, 2019, while his co-defendant, Jones Udeogo bagged a 10-year jail term.

PHOTO NEWS: Buhari Observes Jumuā€™at Service

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

President Muhammadu Buhari and other worshippers performedĀ Jumaā€™at prayers at the State House Mosque, Abuja today.

See photos

JUST IN: Nigeria to Lose 24 LGAs to a New State to be Announced by UN on July 10

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

The United Nations has completed plans to carve out a new territory from Nigeria and Republic of Cameroon by July 10.

The creation of the new territory to be known as United Nations Organisation(UNO) State of Cameroon may see Nigeria losing 24 local councils, by way of ceding, to the new country.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Paul Biya of Cameroon, on the invitation of the then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, had in March 2003 signed documents to cede their disputed territories (Northern and Southern Cameroons) to the proposed UNO new country in West and Central Africa.

According to a report in a national daily, the new state will have a total landmass of 28, 214 square km, with an estimated population of 20 million people.

This was disclosed in a May 26, 2020 letter on the UNO State of Cameroon by Prof. Martins Chia Ateh, the United Nations-appointed workshops coordinator in Cameroon and Nigeria, according to the report.

The report also noted that the recent withdrawal of troops by President Paul Biya from the southern part of the planned UNO State of Cameroon, which was said to have been formally demanded by the former President of the United Nations General Assembly, Ali Treki, on May 20, set the stage for the creation of the new state being spearheaded by the UN.

Quoting the letter, the report said Ateh wrote: ā€œGreetings and thank you very much for the attached list of those who were detained in the Nkambe prison of Cameroon in August 2008.

ā€œIt is only now that the soldiers of la Republique du Cameroun are being withdrawn from the southern part of UNO State of Cameroon.ā€

On UNā€™s creation of a new country in Africa, Ateh wrote: ā€œI should be getting back to you once the United Nations finishes with an official announcement on the existence of UNO State of Cameroon to the international community.ā€

Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast region with a decade-long Boko Haram insurgency is sandwiched between its territory and Cameroon, with Bakassi Peninsula and Lake Chad located south and northeast of the UNO State of Cameroon.

The creation of the new country will see Nigeria losing 24 Local government in the North-east alone, comprising 24 local government areas in Borno (five), Adamawa (12) and Taraba (seven) states.

According to the report, the UN workshop coordinator and chairman, steering committee, Ateh, revealed that the councils to be ceded to UNO State of Cameroon, include Bama, Gwoza, Ngala, Kala/Balge, Dikwa, Madagali, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South, Mayo/Belwa, Toungo, Ganye, Serti, Hong, Jada, Maiha and Jada councils.

The UN had kept Northern and Southern Cameroons under watch since Obasanjo and Biya signed the documents under the UN treaty before the announcement of the new state.

The UN, according to recent reports, pledged to actualise a new State of Cameroon on July 10, 2020.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of UN, Antonio Guterres has commenced the process of sensitisation towards the July 10 date of creating the new state for the Anglophone separatists in Cameroon.

PA S.A ADELERE: We’ve Lost a Core Progressive Politician ā€“ Sen. Folarin

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi IsholaĀ 

The Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial district, Oloye Teslim Folarin,
on Friday said that the Oke-Ogun zone and Oyo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have lost a giant in the death Pa S.A Adelere.

Pa Adeleke, an elder statesman and great politician from Iseyin Local Government Area, died in the early hour of Friday.

In a condolence statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Com. YSO Olaniyi, Oloye Folarin said the late frontline politician believed and worked for the progress of Iseyin, Oke-Ogun and Oyo State as a whole.
The former Senate leader described the deceased politician as a giant and one of the surviving disciples of the Awolowo School of thought.

“All his life, Pa Adelere defined his politics and pitted his tent early in life with the progressive school. Even after the demise of the late sage and when others abandoned the Awoist camp for other political philosophy, he remained steadily on the Awo progressive track”

Oloye Folarin conveyed his deepest sympathies to bereaved families, the great people of Iseyin and Oke-ogun, as well as the APC family. He also prayed for the repose of the late politician in the bosom of his Lord.

APC re-strategizes to stretch Obaseki beyond his political calculation

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Debo Adeoye, Southern Bureau

The ruling party in Edo state, All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday announced its plans to display on Monday and Tuesday the certificates of the six governorship aspirants to contest in the primary slated for June 22, 2020.

This new development according to some political stewarts and analysts could be a joker to get Governor Godwin Obaseki disqualified from participating in the primary and general election under the platform of APC.

According to the release, the certificates will be displayed at the party offices in Benin and Abuja for objection and verification by party members.

Meanwhile, Obaseki is already in court to defend himself on a case of certificate forgery as well as perjury levelled against him.

However, the APC through its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu denied any plan to set a Banana Peel for the governor. Issa-Onilu saidĀ  the party decision to display certificates was introduced to avoid the lapses of the past, that cost it, notably, the Bayelsa governorship.

ā€˜In our bid to ensure due diligence and transparency in the screening exercise and learning from our recent shocking experiences, we are determined to avoid any lapses in the processā€, Lanre Issa-Onilu said.

ā€œTherefore, we are making the submitted information and documents of the governorship aspirants available to our party members and the public for verification of claims and to support the screening panel with information or any objection to the claims contained in the submission by the aspirants,ā€

Those contesting for governorship ticket under the platform of APC are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Governor Godwin Obaseki, Dr. Pius Odubu, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Osaro Obazee and Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen.

ā€œWe are inviting party members and indeed members of the public to assist the screening committee by scrutinising the information, credentials and documents provided by the governorship aspirants and availing the Screening Committee of counter and correct information, if applicableā€, Issa-Onilu said.

According to the National Publicity Secretary, the time table for the process is as follows,

ā€œScreening of aspirants has been slated for Wednesday 10th to Thursday 11th June, 2020.

ā€œThis will be followed by Screening Appeal which will hold on Friday 12th June, 2020.

ā€œThe Primary Election will hold on Monday 22nd June, 2020, while Election Appeal has been slated for Wednesday 24th June, 2020ā€, the party said.

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