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Despite Hiccups in Oyo ADC, Sharafadeen Alli Optimistic of Party’s Victory

By
Peter Ayoade
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Despite hiccups and misunderstanding that trailed the choice of candidates especially gubernatorial in Oyo state chapter of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), one of its gubernatorial aspirants, Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli on Monday said the party would still win the 2019 elections in the state.

A press statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Comrade Taiwo Ibrahim said Sharafadeen also expressed his appreciation to the teeming members of the party who thronged out in large numbers at the venue of the party primaries yesterday to elect a candidate of their choice.

Sharafadeen observed that despite the hot weather, the people still expressed their unflinching love for the party and ready to partake in a democratic process that will carry their flag.

The gubernatorial hopeful also appreciated the doggedness of the members of the National Executive Committee as well as that of the state executive of the party for their desire to entrench an unparalleled democratic process as a cardinal principle to bring a new order to Oyo State politics.

He said this couldn’t have been much better if not for the experience and the steadfastness of all the leaders of the party to have a a party that will serve as a model for others to worship.

He stressed that in politics, there will always be paramount issues to arise and the ability to put them in right perspectives make people to distinguish the bron from the brain.

“Let’s appeal for calm as a glorious dawn has come and we shall all have cause to glorify our God,” Sharafadeen Alli concluded.

Expect Quick Resolution of Gubernatorial Candidate, Others, Ladoja Tells Oyo ADC Members

By
Peter Ayoade
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Former Governor of Oyo State and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has said that he was aware of the anxiety that pervaded the atmosphere over the October 7th INEC’s deadline for the conduct of primaries.
High Chief Ladoja, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo stated that he is working round the clock to find lasting solutions to all the issues.
He therefore assured members that all anxieties would be addressed and resolved within the next few days.
Ladoja also called on all members ‘to please remain calm.’
Pacesetter News recalls the charged atmosphere at Premier hotel Ibadan on Sunday following disagreements on the choice of the gubernatorial candidate of the party.
The development led to the announcement of a national officer of ADC, Dr. Dele Ajadi as the Oyo state protem gubernatorial candidate pending the amicable resolution of the impasse.

PRIMARIES: Oyo APC Youths Petition Oshiomhole, INEC Over Ibadan North Federal, State Constituencies

By
Peter Ayoade
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Concerned youths in Ibadan North chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state have petitioned the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party over the imposition of candidates to represent them in the forthcoming federal and state house of assembly elections.

The youths who expressed their displeasure over the decision of Governor Abiola Ajimobi to impose candidates on the party for the 2019 general elections, also copied the state chapter of the party; its national party headquarters and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The governor’s action, according to their petition, a copy of which was made available to Pacesetter News, “is contrary to the resolution proposed by the Governor on the 9th of September 2018 and agreed to by all aspirants for Federal House of Representatives and State House of Assembly to adopt the indirect primaries method for the election of candidates to the various legislative positions.

“This action of imposition is not in the spirit of democracy as all aspirants purchased nomination forms and also expended resources in campaigning for the primaries, only to be told by the Governor on the day of the primaries (October 3rd ) that aspirants must step down for each other and support the candidate he (governor) has anointed.

“We as loyal party members are not only worried, but aggrieved by the actions of the Governor as this disregard for the party constitution and resolution reached with aspirants on the 9th of September has caused a lot of disaffection within the rank and file of party members which does not augur well for the fortunes of the party in the upcoming elections in 2019.

“Party members in Ibadan North Local Government are today in disarray and confused because the Governor decided to impose his chief detail (Saheed Aderonmu Adeshina) who joined the party about three months ago and he is unknown to a majority of party members prior to his declaration for House of Representatives.

“Saheed Aderonmu Adeshina is from Oyo town and not Ibadan. The Governor also directed other Federal aspirants to step down their ambitions and offered them the 2 House of Assembly tickets in Ibadan North Local Government.

“This unilateral action has therefore denied the 13 House of Assembly aspirants who purchased forms and campaigned vigorously in the expectations that there will be Indirect Primaries as adopted in Oyo State for electing candidates for the upcoming elections in 2019.

“We are writing this petition to formally put on record that there was no primaries elections in Ibadan North Local Government for both Federal House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.

“Against this background, we want to appeal to the National Working Committee and the National Chairman of the party to please redress this great anomaly and injustice,” the petition stated.

Those who signed the petition are Adewunmi Adepoju (Ward 12); Aliu Segun (Ward 11); Rauf Nurudeen (Ward 3); Iyiola Taiwo (Ward 3); Baba Ibadan (Ward 6); Abdullahi Ayodeji; Esther Adedokun (Ward 6); Abubakar Ibrahim (Ward 5); Oyedokun Abel (Ward 3)
Usman Ishola (Ward 5); Taiwo Akeem (Ward 12); Ibrahim Murphy (Ward 12)
Lamidi Kazeem (Ward 12); Amina Oke (Ward 11) and their Secretary, Usman Ishola.

Alao-Akala: My Son Not a Bastard, Can’t Accept to be Running Mate of Bayo Adelabu

By
Peter Ayoade
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A Former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala on Saturday spoke on the insinuations making the rounds that Governor Abiola Ajimobi was planning to make his son, Olamiju Alao, emerge as the running mate to the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bayo Adelabu. He described it as ‘laughable, unfounded and diversionary’.

The former Governor who was a guest of a Yoruba programme ‘Bosenlo’ on Lagelu FM in Ibadan said Olamiju, currently serving as the elected Chairman, Ogbomoso North local government would never accept to be Adelabu’s running mate.
Alao-Akala, one of the gubernatorial aspirants of the APC ahead of 2019 race boycotted last Sunday governorship primary which produced Adelabu as potential Ajimobi’s successor.
Represented on the programme by one of his associates, Chief Wale Ohu, Otunba Alao-Akala said his son was not a bastard and would never accept such an offer to deride him. He then catalogued many failed promises of Ajimobi to him in Oyo APC.
Alao-Akala disclosed that the governor has never honoured their pact as spelt out by the National leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that both should superintend the party for the good of the members and future electoral successes.
He alleged that the governor has been sidelining his supporters in the running of the party at all levels; non-provision of appointments for them to serve as Commissioners or as Boards’ Chairmen and the highhandedness in the running of the party activities which climaxed with the gubernatorial primary he boycotted.
On the next line of action, he said
God would show him the way, though there are reports that he may likely emerge as the gubernatorial candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP) within the next 24hours, to meet up with the October 7th date set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for all political parties to conduct primaries and present candidates for elective offices in 2019.

No President Globally Can be as Irresponsible as Nigerian President, Says Kukah

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said that no President of any country in the world can be as irresponsible in the usage of power as a Nigerian president.

He made this known in Akure, Ondo State on Friday while delivering the annual Ulefunta/Oyemekun Festival lecture entitled “Building blocks for a good society” held at the Francis Idibiye Lecture hall of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

According to Kukah, the structure of the Nigerian presidential office makes the holders of the office extremely powerful, so much that he can deploy power the way he want.

“No president in the world has the kind of power the Nigerian president has and as such, no president in the world can be as irresponsible as the Nigerian president. His power is so much that he can give oil bloc to his girlfriend and many others. You thus can’t be a man of honour and live in a country like Nigeria and not be angry,” he said.

Kukah said that from the first Nigerian Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa to President Muhammadu Buhari, virtually all of them were dragged into the presidential office, maintaining that this was unlike the presidency of the United States of America where the president does not emerge by circumstance.

“What is the problem? It is the dilemma of leadership. In America, there are basic expectations of what  a president should be. For instance, he must have gone through Harvard as an institution, he must have language and track records, not even wealth. You can’t surprise the system. Here in Nigeria, local government chairman wants to be governor; the governor wants to be president and the president doesn’t want to go! Many states have two governors representing them at the National Assembly. Governors have control and monopoly of resources of state and they use same resources to oppress them,” he said.

Kukah, who said that the Nigerian society is in ferment, maintained that although Instability, the type that Nigeria faces as a country is inevitable in any system, however said that developing mechanisms that will confront the instability is the hallmark of great countries.

“In Nigeria, it is not a question of looking for trouble because trouble is already here. The Nigerian state has no capacity to protect itself and there is no loyalty to Nigeria from its citizens but to those who help individuals to get to positions in the system,”  he said.

Kukah however singled two former Nigerian leaders out of the leadership rot, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Aminu Kano, whom he called “architects of a good society.”

“Awolowo, for his major quintessential evidence as somebody who already figured out what he would do with power if he got it. He understood the building blocks for an egalitarian society. Aminu Kano single handedly took on the feudal class in Northern society and had a deep understanding of society, even as he textually talked about a free society in a way and manner that didn’t offend religion,” he said.

While stating that it is not enough for a people to have the building blocks of a good society alone, Kukah also maintained that Nigeria has not been able to build a good society because the country has not obeyed the rules of design.

“We have to understand the building blocks of society which is not too different from the rules of building a house. A good society is not different from the building blocks of society. When a building collapses, it didn’t collapse in a day. It began to collapse a long time ago. For us to build a good society, we have to have eyes that monitor the needs, growth and development and feelings of that society. Then you can be sure of the quality of that society,” he said.

While reviewing the lecture, Professor Kole Omotoso, lauded Kukah for what he called a very profound lecture and said that the only point of departure he had in the lecture was Kukah’s submission that education has the potential to remedy the problems of Nigeria’s existence.

Guests at the occasion included the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the chairman of the occasion, and many others.

 

 

Oyo ADC Fumes Over Imposition, Consensus Arrangement to Pick Candidates

By
Peter Ayoade
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With less than 72hours to the deadline in presenting candidates for elective offices to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by all political parties, the Oyo state chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) appears undecided over mode of primary to undertake in presenting candidates for the 2019 elections.

A press release issued by the party’s PRO, on Thursday, Comrade Adedapo Ademola bears it all.

 

Read details below…

 

PRESS RELEASE:
THE POSITION OF THE ADC OYO EXECUTIVES ON THE CONDUCT OF THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN OYO STATE.

Good afternoon.

Upon assuming office as officers of the greatest party in Oyo State being the African Democratic Congress (ADC), our major task was to mend all hitherto broken fences, harmonize all warring factions and give a solid backing to every development-oriented programmes calculated to bringing electoral victory to our great party in the forthcoming elections coming up in Oyo State.

Political interests such as Labour Party, Accord Party, CNM, Unity Forum, Old ADC, some PDP members and other political groups came together and berthed ADC. Then we believed that to achieve a major breakthrough as a political party, all factions must forge a common front and speak a common language without any discord or fractionalization. That was the philosophical underpinning behind the emergence of the ADC in Oyo State.

However recent developments in recent times in our dear party shows that the conduct of some persons within the party is now becoming overbearing.

Some days ago the national leadership of our great party sent in the guidelines for party screening and primary elections for the 2019 general elections.

This document was ably signed by Chief Anayo Arinze the national coordinator of electoral matters and INEC liaison. Inherent on the face of the guideline is the fact that the National Working Committee of our great party desires a rancour free primary elections and even left it at the discretion of the State to choose the mode of primary elections we want to take provided it will aid in winning elections.

 

It is most saddening to posit sagaciously that despite the provisions of paragraph 1 of the guidelines empowering the State Working Committee to set up the 7 man State Primary Election Local Organizing Committee, officers from the national level in connivance with some persons within the state went ahead to turn the selection of the committee into an esoteric and mysterious subject. Names were imposed on the Oyo State Working Committee without dues consultation with the leadership of the party at the state level.

Current events point to the fact that all the representatives of the national Working committee did was to play a divide and rule game with the state executives by selecting members of the State executives and coopting them as members of the primary elections committee without consulting the State chairman. This is with respect, not healthy for the survival and unity of the party. It is an effrontery on the authority of the state chairman.

Without donning the garb of preposterousness, it is also apt to posit that the 7 man election local organizing committee had been operating within Oyo State without carrying the state chairman along. It defies all political permutations and commonsense for national officers of the party to visit a state without paying a courtesy call to the state leadership of the party most especially when the national officers are even from Oyo State. Attitudes such as these are tantamount to injuring the goodwill, unity, zeal and oneness of the party.

All things being equal, though paragraph 8 of the electoral guideline of the party provides that the decision of the national Working Committee shall be final on all primary elections, it is also provided in the same guidelines that particularly at paragraph 13 that simple majority of aspirants in each state shall decide on the electoral system at a pre-election meeting that shall be conducted by the state primary election Committee with the state working committee members as observers. It is not only unfortunate but most unfortunate that the electoral Committee is bent on imposing candidates on every other aspirants as there is no move by the electoral Committee to either work in partnership with the state working committee or call all aspirants to know their wishes on the kind of primary elections they prefer.

I say this without any spirit of immodesty that the only means of allowing and maintaining the unity of all groups comprising the ADC and to also ensure fair play among all aspirants is to allow transparency and democracy come to play. Every aspirants and every stakeholders must be carried along.

 

The general consensus is to allow the members of the state working committee perform their duties. Any imposition attempts by anybody will not lead anywhere. All blocs, groups and interests must be protected. We hereby urge those concerned to consider the statement of the greatest President of America of all time Abraham Lincoln when he said in quote: “I shall do more whenever I believe what am doing helps the course. I shall do less whenever I believe what am doing hurts the course. I shall correct errors when shown to be errors and I shall adopt new views so far as they appear to be true views.

To this effect, the State Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress Oyo State hereby resolves as follows:

1. That no primary election has been conducted into any political office within the Party and as such any form of imposition from any quarter is outrightly illegal. No form of imposition or consensus candidate should be adopted so as to give room for internal democracy within the party.

2. That the Oyo State Executive committee of ADC hereby dissociates itself from any kangaroo consensus candidates into any political office of the party.

3. That both the Oyo State Primary Election Local Organizing Committee and the State Working Committee will meet within the next 24 hours to fine-tune the modalities for the meeting with all aspirants in the party to determine the type of primary elections the aspirants desire.

4. That members of the Oyo state Working Committee are set to partner with the national working committee in a bid to achieving the much desired result of winning all elections in Oyo State come 2019.

5. That all stakeholders within the party be fully and maximally carried along.
It is our strong belief that all these factors put together will strongly position the party well ahead of the 2019 elections without any internal wrangling. It is better to err on the side of surplus than err on the side of decrease.

SIGNED

Comrade ADEDAPO ADEMOLA
State PRO
African Democratic Congress
Oyo State

 

PZ Wilmar Launches Devon King’s Seasoning Cubes in Ibadan

By
Peter Ayoade
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The PZ Wilmar has launched a new product in Ibadan ‘Devon King’s seasoning cubes’ to breach the nutrients gap in food consumption with lesser spending by the family.

The management of the company said the latest product has been imbued with the 30 percent recommended daily allowance for healthy living in food intakes.

A representative of the management, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Popoola Dania said Devon King’s Seasoning Cubes comprises 15percent zinc and another 15 percent iron to cater for the health needs of the families.

Dania said the company chose Ibadan for the flag-off because of the love residents of the city; neighbouring Abeokuta, Osogbo and other cities closer to Ibadan have in Mamador products over the years.

With improved taste, and edible variants, Dania said the new product requires no condiments to give consumers value for their money.

Dania further remarked that Devon King’s seasoning cubes was specially formulated to reduce money being spent on cooking.

She said even without chicken or beef, consumers can still enjoy every semblance of their taste required in their food consumption adding that, “Devon King’s chicken cubes remains the best in the market for all types of meals or cooking”.

At the official launch in Ibadan were Chioma Mbanugo (Category Marketing Manager), Ipsit Chakrabarti (Sales Director), PZ Wilmar Foods Ltd, Matanmi Abideen (Regional Sales Manager); Austin Ezeji (Regional Sales Manager); Adesina Segun (Head of Sales, Neighborhood Market); and Mohit Kumar (Head of Sales, Open Market).

A consumer, Dr. Adeyoola Olaitan recommended the new product for young and old.

#Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect new details

Akin Fagbemi Flees PDP Primary with Delegates, Supporters over Threat to Lives

By
Peter Ayoade
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A Federal House of Representatives aspirant for Ibadan North West and Ibadan South West constituency and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mogaji Akin Fagbemi on Wednesday fled from the primary of the party at the NTC area of Iyaganku Sharp corner in Ibadan when thugs numbering over 200 stormed the venue and threatened to kill his supporters and delegates should anyone cast votes for him.

A message which read “Vote Akin Fagbemi, vote for Acid. Vote Akin Fagbemi, vote for death” was severally received by delegates believed to be sympathetic to him and this made him to alert the police and the DSS.

Sensing that the security agents appeared helpless, Fagbemi with scores of his supporters told journalists at an hideout in Ibadan that they had to run for their lives.

Fagbemi regretted that the PDP that he and a few others started its rebuilding process since July, 2015 through various empowerment programmes and supports to party members in the state have been hijacked for selfish ends by those who came to join later.

He recalled how the party chairman in Ibadan South West and a State Officer of PDP in connivance with some elders in the area threatened to deal with him should he go ahead with his ambition, a threat he rebuffed, believing that “in a democracy, people’s votes should count not knowing that desperadoes would not allow free, fair and credible election to bring out the best candidate.”

Akin Fagbemi added: “200 thugs armed to the teeth were brought to the venue of the primary and they were all over the place threatening to kill or maim whoever identify with me. They came with liquid contents suspected to be acids. We are law abiding people and we left the venue for them. We wrote a letter to the committee that we cannot go to this primary unless security was provided abinitio and our fears were later confirmed with the threats to my life and those of my supporters.

“He who fights and run away, lives to fight another day and I also believe that tough times never last but tough people do. God’s promise for us shall come into fruition in the fullness of time,” Fagbemi averred.

Chief Akin Fagbemi who hailed from Ibadan North West has therefore called on his supporters and well wishers to remain calm and await the next line of action as he could no longer cohabit with ‘desperadoes’ in a party he used his hard-earn wealth and energies to labour hard to rebuild in Ibadan North West and Ibadan South West constituency.

Housewife Begs Court for Divorce After Pregnant for Another Man in Ibadan

By
Peter Ayoade
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A housewife, Jelilat Mustapha on Tuesday secured a judgment of a Customary Court in Ibadan for dissolution of her eighth year-old marriage with her husband, Moshood Mustapha after she became pregnant for another lover.

 

Moshood had told the court that divorcing his wife was a bitter pill difficult to swallow for him but since she had been impregnated by her lover, he had no choice.

 

In suit no 394/2018 filed by Jelilat, she claimed that her husband was wicked, crude and stubborn who can never  be pleased.

 

The mother of three who said her husband failed to pay bride price on her, insisted that she regretted knowing Moshood, let alone marrying him.

 

She alleged that Moshood had attempted to set her belongings ablaze before the intervention of their neighbours.

 

Jelilat said she moved out of his house when she discovered that he was not ready to change his ways. “I am no more interested in him. One of our children is with me while the other two are with him. I cannot cope  with him any longer.  I want this court to separate us so that I can enjoy my life.”

 

Reacting to her allegations, Moshood said he loved his wife so much but since she had been impregnated by her lover, he was no more interested.

 

He said: “my lord, we never had grudges before I left home for work that very day but to my surprise, she moved out of my house without my consent. Meanwhile, I warned her against the caliber of friends she is keeping. Those friends taught her wayward life. There was a time she left my house and I accepted her back a year later because I loved her.  She finally left my house in 2016 and to my surprise, she is carrying another man’s baby now.  I am no more interested,” Moshood said.

 

The president of the court, Chief Ademola Odunade dissolved the marriage and granted custody of the last child of the family to the plaintiff, while he ordered the defendant to take care of the other children.

 

Buhari Gets APC Delegates’ Nod for 2nd Term in Senate

By
Peter Ayoade
-

With affirmation and unanimous consent of over 97% of the delegates in Oyo North senatorial district of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, has won the second term ticket of the party ahead of the 2019 general election.

Buhari who was declared unopposed, got 3,599 out of 3,997 delegates accredited for the primary election held on Tuesday in Iseyin area of Oyo state.

The exercise which was conducted by representatives of the National body of the party like Mr. Ejiro Etaghene, Dr Hassim Adda and Sarah Egye Amiyawa, was supervised by security agencies and members of staff of Independent National Electoral commission (INEC).

The affirmation which started around 10pm lasted few hours with all the delegates making voice affirmation and declaring total support for Senator Buhari’s return to the senate.

Dr. Adda lauded the delegates for their patience and understanding and urged them not to relent in their effort in ensuring that APC win subsequent elections in the state.

He maintained that the party was poised to strengthen democracy and make life better for all and sundry in the country through provision of basic amenities, infrastructural development and creating enabling environment for promotion of commerce and industry.

In his acceptance speech, Senator Buhari thanked the party leaders and members for entrusting him with their votes and pledged not to disappoint them.

“In 2014, we did the same exercise here and you supported me, and pray for me to succeed, together we have been able to achieve what we are able to do so far in the area of empowerment, infrastructural development and legislative duties.”

“Today you have demonstrated another level of courage and believe in me to further represent you at the upper chamber of the National Assembly and I want to assure you that you will not regret it because I wont betray the confidence you repose in me”

“I will continue to work to enhance the progress of my constituents and constituency in accordance with the party manifesto to promote the integrity and ideology of APC”.

AgricOyo: Oyo Cultivates 24 Hectares of Grains

By
Peter Ayoade
-

The Oyo State Government has cultivated 24 hectares of maize grains under the Oyo Agricultural Initiative (AgricOyo) in the 2018 planting season.

 

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Mr. Oyewole Oyewumi, during his inspection to the farm at Paapo village, Iseyin noted that agricultural practices under the present administration in the state has moved from the olden method to mechanized farming which has facilitataed many agro-allied investors in the state.

 

Mr. Oyewumi, at the farm cultivated by Iseyin Local Government, explained that efforts of the government in the Agricultural sector cannot be visible within the short period of time like the construction of roads, saying that the AgricOyo initiative is a systematic approach which has started yielding a positive result with the cultivation of the 24 hectares of grains.

 

The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Victor Atilola stated that AgricOyo is one of Governor Ajimobi’s agricultural initiatives aimed at improving job creation, poverty alleviation and food security through massive engagement of human and material resources through the agricultural value chain to position the state as the food basket of the Southern States.

 

He said the vision of Governor Ajimobi in launching the AgricOyo in 2016 has made people appreciate the importance of mechanized farming, saying that this is contrary to insinuation that the programme is a waste as it has started yielding results.

 

Mr. Oyewumi commended Iseyin Local Government for complementing the efforts of the state government in achieving its vision for AgricOyo, enjoining other agrarian local governments and the general public to imbibe the spirit of farming as agriculture is the bedrock of the nation.

 

In his address, the Chairman, Iseyin Local Government, Hon. Yekini Akanni speaking through the Vice Chairman, Hon. Adeniyi Adekunle, appreciated Governor Abiola Ajimobi for launching the AgricOyo in his Local Government, saying that he has been working earnestly to ensure that the initiative yielded positive results.

 

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Head of Iseyin Local Government Administration, (HLA), Mr Taiwo Adewale pointed out that Paago was the root of Agric Oyo in 2016 which has assisted the development of  Iseyin Local Government.

 

He therefore commended the State, Local Government and his team for a job well-done in the realization of this landmark among the agrarian local governments in the state.

 

Help, FG Wants to Increase Tuition Fees to N350, 000 in Public Varsities, ASUU Cries Out

By
Peter Ayoade
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Tertiary education may once again go beyond the reach of the ordinary Nigerians as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) today alleged that the Federal Government has concluded plans to hike tuition fees in public universities beginning from N350,000 per session.
The Ibadan Zone of ASUU while addressing newsmen at the Correspondent’s Chapel Office Mokola through its Zonal Coordinator, Dr Ade Adejumo disclosed that this was the position of the leader of Federal Government Team, led by Dr Wale Babalakin which the Union has resisted and asked Nigerians to join in the struggle to make the federal do the needful to public education.
ASUU said the Union is kicking against FG’s plan to establish Education bank where students will now beg for loans to go attend public universities.
Flanked by the Chairman University of Ibadan ASUU, Dr Deji Omole, University of Osun Chairman, Dr Femi Abanikanda and the Investment Secretary of the University of Ibadan Chapter Professor Ayo Akinwole, Dr Adejumo warned that unless the federal government is prevailed upon to honour the Memorandum of Action it signed with the Union in 2017, it cannot guarantee industrial peace and harmony on university campuses.
According to the Union, the issues in the 2017 Memorandum of Action (MoA) that may lead to another strike included collapse of the renegotiation of 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, non-release of over two trillion naira meant for the revitalization of decayed infrastructure in public varsities (2014-2018), failure to release the forensic audit on the disbursement of Earned Academic Allowances covering 2009 to 2017, failure to pay arrears of shortfall in accrued salaries in Universities that have been verified under PICA, failure to release operational license of NUPEMCO, and needless proliferation of State Universities.
While noting the dire situation in public varsities, ASUU said instead of the Muhammadu Buhari led-government to inject funds into funding Universities, its agents are busy propagating propaganda that it has released N20billion to ASUU when in actual fact funds are released to University management.
ASUU said it was laughable that a shameless government could be happy releasing N20billion to about sixty-four public varsities in the country wondering how insignificant this could be.
“Government has always agreed that the condition in the Nigeria University is in a serious state that needs urgent intervention. As a result, government agreed to pay a quarterly intervention 20 Billion into a dedicated account at the CBN to pilot the revitalization scheme. Unexpectedly, government has refused to pay the said amount which has now accrued to about 2 Trillion Naira. Instead of releasing the fund that will address the infrastructural deficit in Nigerian Universities as agreed, government went to the media last week that it has given 20 Billion to ASUU! This propaganda of government is unhelpful as ASUU is a union and does not collect money from government”.

Logistics Affects Oyo APC Senatorial, Reps Primaries as Bisi Ilaka Wins PDP Seat

By
Peter Ayoade
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For the Senatorial and House of Representative aspirants in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), logistics problems is presently affecting the conduct of the primaries in the designated centres across the state.

In Iseyin, Moniya and Ibadan North venue for the Oyo North, Central and South primaries, party men, supporters and delegates were stranded as there was no election materials in place.
The APC national assembly primaries committee, Pacesetter News authoritatively gathered are still in Abuja as at the timing of filing this report around 3:30pm fueling speculations that the election may be put on hold till tomorrow, Wednesday.
Top politicians fighting for the APC Senatorial tickets are the incumbent Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi against Dr. Fola Akinosun (South); while aspirants in Oyo Central are Senator Teslim Folarin; Hon. Temitope Olatoye Sugar and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, Mr. Bimbo Kolade. For Oyo North, the current Senator for the district, Fatai Buhari has no opponent.
In the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a chieftain of the party in Oyo Central, Chief Bisi Ilaka has been declared unopposed while a former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi and a former Commissioner for Information, Mr. Bayo Lawal are currently slugging it out in Ibadan for Oyo South ticket.
A former Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mulikat Akande Adeola is leading her rival, a businessman, Salawudeen in Oyo North election, also holding in Iseyin area of Oke-Ogun.

OYO GOV 2019 – The Consequences of Scheming out Okeogun Aspirants

By
Peter Ayoade
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“Feelers from the gubernatorial primaries of APC and PDP reveals that Ibadan indigenes have emerged from both APC and PDP primaries held last Sunday. We implore both parties to choose their deputy governorship candidates from Ibadan too. Okeogun will no more accept second class post. I heard someone saying what are we going to do if an Okeogun person accept deputy slot from either of the parties. The answer is simple. Whoever tries that will incure the wrath of the Okeogun dieties!”

 

By Ismail Adewoyin

 

It is no more a news that major political parties in the state have schemed out Okeogun aspirants from contest for the gubernatorial post in Oyo State. From the look of things, only one or two of the relatively new political parties in the state may field Okeogun indigenes as their parties’ flagbearers.

The reasons why we want an Okeogun person as next governor of the state is not borne out of selfishness or nepotism but fairness, equality and justice. We must not shy away from the fact that our state, at this particular point in time needs her best brain to be at the helm of affairs. Our efforts to raise the bar of governance to a higher level require our collective struggling for selection of a God fearing, trustworthy and loyal person to take the mantle of leadership from Gov Abiola Ajimobi. Where such a leader comes from should not be a concern for all of us if selection or election of candidates for the gubernatorial post has been done with equality, fairness and justice. But the reverse is the case. A section of the state must not arrogate the power of “winner takes all” position at all times to itself. It has now become a syndrome which we must all find means to stop.

In my last write-up, I chronologed the ascension into gubernatorial position in the state in the last 34years and it was obvious only Ibadan indigenes have been ruling as governors. At the same time, Okeogun region has been producing the deputy governors.

A virile state requires ability to harness all resources, human and materials to create evenly distributed wealth through developmental projects. But a situation where capital projects, appointments and educational resources are being concentrated in the state capital just for the fact that it has the highest population is very unfair. Okeogun region has been abandoned for many years. We are always ever shortchanged in all the ramifications of what governance stands for. If you see any Okeogun person as head in any of the state establishments, ponder a bit, you will discover it is purely on merit (for instance, the Chief Judge post). Other key (juicy posts as politicians called it) appointments do not come to us. Even in some cases of heirachical ascendance to key posts, our sons and daughters will still be denied (a case of recent appointment of new house of assembly speaker).

For several years, we have been lamenting about these injustices – appointments, developments, health, educational, even the administrative head of state agricultural project existing in Okeogun was brought to Ibadan leaving the management of the project with the rituals of coming to and fro Ibadan for administrative approval. However, l must state emphatically that the era of lamentations of Okeogun people is over. Call it resolution or revolution, Okeogun unlike before have come together, to speak with one voice – OKEOGUN LOKAN.

The ongoing scheming out of Okeogun aspirants from the major political parties of both APC and PDP is a miscalculation on their part. The education, exposure and the wisdom in us shall be deployed to proof the Okeogun in us. You will recall that eminently qualified aspirants from Okeogun had earlier shown interest to contest the gubernatorial post in the two major political parties – APC and PDP.

The pack comprises of Professor Adeolu Akande, a professor of political science with wealth of experience in public office both at federal and state level as SSA and Chief of Staff respectively. The Honorable Minister of Communication – Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin a USA trained medical practioner with over 15years political exprience under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola, both former governors of Lagos State. The erudite international public speaker and Editor-in-chief of The Guardian Newspaper Mr. Debo Adeshina who acts as adviser to some African countries presidents. Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, a former Permanent Secretary in the state ministry of works and General Manager OYSTROMA. Hon. Isaac Omodewu, a USA trained administrator and commissioner for almost 8years in the state Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey. Also Dr. Gbenga Babalola, a former senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

All these are eminently qualified aspirants from Okeogun who were schemed out of contest with oratorary power of the state governor who doubled as the party leader in the state. Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin was forced to resign as deputy Chief of Staff earlier last year, Hon. Minister Barrister Adebayo Shittu was the last victim with NYSC saga. Hon. Isaac Omodewu was not found worthy of occupying the number one post in the state because he got political appointment under a governor who has the political power of life and death and used same to tell it to our Omodewu that he is not fit to be governor. Professor Adeolu Akande saw the handwritten on the wall when he was schemed out of participation in party congresses that led him to Unity Forum, same with Engr Rauf Olaniyan. Senator Gbenga Babalola also complained of highhandedness in his former party, the PDP and left for the relatively new political party ADC to pursue his dream to govern the state.

Given the narrative above, the OKEOGUN LOKAN can only materialise if the only credible alternative party ADC chooses one of us, otherwise our votes in the forthcoming election will be under protest. We are going to give massive support to Okeogun candidate of ADC or we boycott election totally. Feelers from the gubernatorial primaries of APC and PDP reveals that Ibadan indigenes have emerged from both APC and PDP primaries held last Sunday. We implore both parties to choose their deputy governorship candidates from Ibadan too. Okeogun will no more accept second class post. I heard someone saying what are we going to do if an Okeogun person accept deputy slot from either of the parties. The answer is simple. Whoever tries that will incure the wrath of the Okeogun dieties!

 

.Esv Ismail Adewoyin
The Convener,
Okeogun Project Forum

 

Primaries: Oyo ADC Unveils 13 Guber Hopefuls, 12 Senatorial, 55 Reps, 150 Assembly Aspirants

By
Peter Ayoade
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“When asked by journalists if Oyo ADC would give automatic tickets to lawmakers who joined the party from other parties, Hammed said “that is our internal issue”.

Ahead of the primaries of the opposition African Democratic Congress in Oyo State this week, the State Chairman of the party, Dr. Hammed Ayinla today officially unveiled all ADC aspirants for elective positions ahead of the primaries.

This development came barely 24hours after the gubernatorial primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had produced Chief Adebayo Adekola Adelabu and Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde respectively.

The ADC Chairman has therefore appealed to the contestants not to see the election as a do or die affair.

Ayinla also urged them to always put the interest of the party ahead of their personal interests.

Dr. Ayinla revealed this while speaking at an interactive session between Oyo state ADC executives and aspirants on the platform of the political party, which took place at the party’s temporary office, Old Ice road.

The Oyo ADC governorship aspirants are: Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Dr. Yunus Akintunde, Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Dr. Muhammed Kola Balogun, Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, Chief Ayodele Adigun and  Senator Gbenga Babalola.

Others include Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, Mr. Oluseye Opatoki, Chief Festus Adegoke, Barrister Lowo Obisesan, and Engr. Aderemi Oseni.

Ayinla also revealed that there are 12 Senatorial aspirants jostling for party’s tickets for the three Senatorial Districts of the state, including Senator Monsurat Sumonu, the incumbent lawmaker representing Oyo Central.

The Oyo ADC Chairman added that there are 55 Federal House of Representatives aspirants and 150 state House of Assembly aspirants have obtained nomination forms of the political party.

He urged all aspirants for various political offices on the platform of the political party not to see the contest for ADC tickets as a do -or – die affair.

According to him, there are so many aspirants in the political party because people believe in the popularity and credibility of ADC.

Dr. Hammed, however, assured that the Oyo ADC executives will ensure that the process of choosing party’s candidates is credible and transparent.

He was, however, silent about the issue of automatic tickets for lawmakers who crossed into the ADC from other political parties, as promised by the national leadership of the party.

When asked by journalists if Oyo ADC would give automatic tickets to lawmakers who joined the party from other parties, Hammed said “that is our internal issue”.

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