Sexiest Yoruba movie actresses unveiled

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

To be sexy is to be sexually attraction, appealing, exciting, alluring and sexually aroused. And some of our adorable actresses in the Yoruba movie genre are abundantly endowed in this respect. On the basis of their exceptional style, good looks, sensuality, curves and figure, ENCOMIUM Weekly unveils the sexiest Yoruba actresses right now. BIMBO OSHIN She is beautiful and at 42 she is still one of the hottest to grace the silver screen. She is a graduate of Philosophy from the University of Lagos, and is married to Dudu Heritage boss, Ola Ibironke. She has been doing very well for herself, whist her beauty and sensuality best define her. BIMBO AKINTOLA The ever beautiful and charming Bimbo Akintola is no doubt one of the most versatile characters in the Nigerian movie industry. At 43, she is one of the industry’s most eligible bachelorettes, though she keeps assuring her fans that God’s time is the best. She is a head turner, as she remains super attractive and has been able to keep her curves intact. She also dresses up in outfits that accentuate her curves. MERCY AIGBE-GENTRY Mercy Aigbe-Gentry has made her place in the sexiest Yoruba actresses list for her charm, beauty and talent. The Edo born actress is happily married and has two children. She has a unique style, seductive eyes and is a versatile and multi-talented actress. TOYIN AIMAKHU The fascinating, charming and sensational Toyin Aimakhu also keeps her place in the sexiest Yoruba movie actresses list for her charm, sensuality and talent. She got married to a colleague, Niyi Johnson in July, even as she just enrolled in the school of motherhood by taking the 9-month course, she still looks sexy with her baby bump. BIMBO THOMAS The big and beautiful Bimbo Thomas is no doubt one of the Yoruba movie industry’s sexiest ladies. Despite her weight, she doesn’t fail to show that she has a well structured body with all assets in place, as she flaunts them at every opportunity. She became popular after her role in Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto. BISI IBIDAPO-OBE The beautiful and sultry actress, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe became popular after her first movie Edunjobi. Her sensuality and ability to carry herself well earns her a space on this list. She still remains graceful after the birth of her child and the circumstances that surrounded it. RONKE ODUSANYA Flakky Idi Dowo, as she’s also known has earned a place on this list for her talent, good looks and charm. She is one of the few non-controversial Yoruba actresses, as she likes to keep a low profile. She was recently said to be dating fuji star, Pasuma, and set to get married soon. FUNKE ADESIYAN Funke Adesiyan is also one of the sexiest Yoruba actresses, she is equally a wonderful role interpreter. The busty, dark skinned actress, who doesn’t fail to flaunt her boobs at every given opportunity, was said to have had a boob enlargement sometime in 2013, though she denied it. She is also one of the most sought after females in the Yoruba movie industry. SindodoTAYO ODUEKE This talented, busty Yoruba actress, popularly known as Sikiratu Sindodo, is also recognized for her controversial lifestyle on and off the movie industry. She was one of the most sought-after actresses in Yoruba movie industry before the sickness that almost claimed her life. Though she is back on her feet and doing good, and is currently rumored to be dating fuji music star, Malaika. TOPE OSOBA Tope Osoba, came into the Yoruba movie industry not too long ago, and in the little time she’s been there, she’s proved that she has come to stay. The busty light skinned actress is one with a lot of tattoos and she also likes to flaunt a little bit of cleavage every now and then.

Confessions of a Zumba virgin

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

'My heart is beating, my legs are moving... just not in the same direction as everyone else's!' Vincent has spent five years walking past posters advertising fitness craze Decided to join a class as part of a Flora challenge to lower cholesterol Described himself as the Freddie Starr to the instructor's Ginger Rogers Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2551653/My-heart-beating-legs-arms-moving-just-not-direction-elses-Zumba-virgin-Vince-Graff-gives-call-fit-craze.html#ixzz2seIRdXxL Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Scores killed, thousand displaced as Boko Haram invades Borno

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Northern Christian Candidate For President Won’t Work- Sheik Ahmad Gumi

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Outspoken Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi has said that a Northern Christian candidate for President under the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) would not work in Nigeria’s 2015 elections. He made the comment while analyzing the political developments in Nigeria in an interview with SaharaTV on Saturday. Northern Christians he said needed to rebuild confidence with other Northerners before they would be taken seriously. Instead of a northern Christian candidate he suggested that a South West Muslim presidential candidate and an amiable Northern Muslim candidate as a combination that would rather guarantee a landslide. “Because the Northern Christians, unfortunately for them, during the 2011 election … all went to Jonathan, they need to build the confidence back for the northerners to show that they believe in being northerners before they will be taken seriously,” he said to SaharaTV’s Rudolf Okonkwo. The sheik also said he would not accept the offer to be president of Nigeria if asked by any party but would rather support someone acceptable to the majority of Nigerians to assume office. “I cannot be a president of Nigeria,” he said. “Why? Because of the diversity of Nigeria. Let everybody maintain his diversity. I don’t want to impose myself on people who are ready to reject me. So we should find natural people who are acceptable to everybody so that we can have peace.” He described President Jonathan’s firing of former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah as too little too late. “Already the nation has characterized the regime as tolerant to corruption,” he said. “The image has not yet been corrected. It would have been a better image if the president had sacked that woman.” On the controversy over the $20 billion the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is alleged to have failed to remit to the federal account, Sheik Gumi called for a combined team of auditors from Russia, China and Germany to come and audit the corporation's account. Handing the audit over to a Western auditing firm he said would not work because the money in question is in western banks and there would be conflict of interest. He recommended that the Senate and the House of Representatives should select the auditors and not the Minister of Finance. Sheik Gumi also observed that Muslims were the first victims of the fight against terror. He said that the way the president fights terror had the whole of the northern region subjugated to draconic laws; a situation which he reckons has brought resentment against President Jonathan. “The imagine of Jonathan now in the North has gone bad,” he said. Gumi rejected the president's pronouncement last week that his government had left Nigeria better and stronger than he met it pointing at corruption and insecurity across the land as an example. “He (Jonathan) didn’t make Nigeria better,” he said. “He made it worse.” He also commended Saharareporters for breaking stories around Stella Oduah’s corruption and sustaining the story, leading to her eventual dismissal. “If the press in Nigeria is as good as Saharareporters, Nigeria will be better” he said. Source: SARAHAREPORTERS

9 Sexiest Foreplay Tips You Can Ever Use in Bed!

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Is sex turning boring or predictable? Try these 9 sexiest foreplay tips for men and women and you’ll feel like a frisky horny teen all the time! By Sarah Summer Sex is fun and exciting. Well, it is, at least for the first few months. And somewhere along the way, it starts to get just a little predictable and just a little boring. And when you get there, and still don’t do anything to keep the sexual frenzy on a high, it’s only a matter of time before it starts to feel a chore! [Read: 20 most common sexual problems in a relationship that can easily be avoided] Sexual foreplay tips for men and women You may not realize this, but sexual intimacy is just like romance. It’s always heart pumping at the beginning, until it runs out of steam and turns predictable and less-than-adrenalin-inducing over time. And just like you’d rely on gestures and surprises in romance, you need to keep the excitement alive in bed too, by constantly recreating the wheel of sexual passion. When you’re making love for the first time, as you place your lips on your lover’s body, the sexual tension feels electric. And all you’d need to do is slip your hands into your partner’s shorts to see that they’re all ready and raring to go. It’s all fun and dandy the first few times, and you won’t have to rely on fancy foreplay to arouse your lover. But as time goes by, and both of you start to feel just a little more numb to each other’s sexual touches, it’s time to rekindle the passion by arousing the sexual tension straight in each other’s minds. The right way to sexual foreplay Remember, as much as it’s worked before, foreplay isn’t just about slipping your hands over your lover’s strategic regions and letting it wriggle about for a few minutes! If that’s your idea of foreplay, you’re definitely not doing justice to the deed that follows, especially if you’ve been in a relationship for over a few months. In a seasoned relationship, sexual foreplay is the art of arousing your lover without even getting your hands anywhere near each other’s privates. If you can master that art, you’d always have the mojo to arouse your lover and keep sex just as exciting as it was the first few times. The 9 sexiest foreplay tips to burn the sheets in bed! Does the thought of foreplay in bed stress you out? Or do you wonder what you can do to stimulate your lover and experience the mad rush of passionate sex like a horny one night stand? Try these 9 foreplay tips, and you’ll see that these tips are not just easy, they’ll explode your mind with sexual ideas and naughty thoughts every time you’re in bed with your sexy other. #1 Outside the bedroom. Sex is predictable when it’s initiated within the walls of the bedroom. Every now and then, initiate sex outside the bedroom. You don’t have to sit close and slip your hands into your lover’s shorts out of the blue. That’s just predictable again! Instead, get closer *innocently* and sit down for a few minutes while watching the television together. Just stroke your lover’s hands or play with their fingers, and when you feel the tingle of love, kiss your partner or cozy up under a blanket. Before you know it, both of you would be having spontaneous sex without even realizing it. #2 Shock each other. It’s easy to feel sexually desensitized when you see the same package or pair every day, all the time, and at times, even in the most unflattering of circumstances *toilet?*. But by doing something unique and sexually risqué, you can change the numb sensation into a sexual frenzy instantly. Show your assets off, but shock and awe your partner while doing it. Give your lover a sneak peek in public, sext each other, grind each other on the dance floor, or undress yourself slowly and ask your partner to make love to you while you’re leaning against your bedroom window! #3 Learn to kiss passionately. Those quick sparrow pecks of goodbye kisses may work while saying goodbye and rushing to office in the mornings. But in bed, that’s one of the biggest sexual turn offs. Take your time. Even if you’ve kissed your lover a million times, a slow and sensual kiss can still feel just as intimate and sexy as a first kiss. Close your eyes, place your lips on your lover’s lips and play along, while moving your lips softly, slowly and purposefully. Breathe into each other slowly, and just experience the sensation. After all, there is nothing that feels as sexy as a perfect kiss with a lover who knows to kiss you just the way you want to be kissed. #4 Explore their body. Don’t be in a hurry. As you kiss your lover, run your hands along their back or over their arms or shoulders. Penetration doesn’t have to be the only sexy thing you do in bed. Gently kiss your partner’s neck, their arms and the rest of their body. If your partner moans or relaxes their body, they probably like what you’re doing. Let your hands linger all over their body, but as you do that, close your eyes and run your lips over the rest of the body. Just experience the way your lover’s body feels against your lips. It’s sensual and arousing, and it’ll surely make both of you feel really horny! #5 Dirty talk. This is one of the sexiest things in you do in bed. And the best part about dirty talking in bed is that it can help you talk about your darkest sexual fantasies without the fear of being judged by your lover. It’ll bring both of you closer, make both of you feel more intimate, and it’ll open a new door of sexual bliss that’ll make sex feel as exciting as the first time, all the time. You can talk dirty anywhere, in bed or even in the living room. Just talk about something naughty, be it an incident or a fantasy of yours. All it takes is a few sentences before both of you feel stiff around the loins! #6 Use a mirror. It’s surprising just how many people find mirrors exciting and fun. Prop a long mirror horizontally on the bed, right next to the both of you. Get naked and play with each other’s bodies while watching each other in the mirror. Just watching your partner getting stroked and teased in the mirror is a huge turn on that’s definitely worth experiencing. And having sex while watching yourselves in the mirror? Well, that just gets even better! #7 Watch a movie. Sometimes, the stress of foreplay can make sex feel awkward and forced. You know you have to indulge in foreplay, and your partner knows it too. And all the drama and the stress of foreplay can just make you dislike it. So try something else that’ll play the part of good foreplay. Watch a good porn movie, with a plot that both of you would enjoy. Just slip under the blanket, watch the movie and run your hands against each other. And at some point in the movie, both of you would be more than ready to do the deed yourselves. And then, you get to have sex, watch a sexy porn movie, talk about the acts they’re doing on the movie, and orgasm on a crescendo all at once. Isn’t that just perfect?! #8 Enact your fantasies. Foreplay is fun for both lovers only when both of you enjoy it. And if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, you may end up hating foreplay and start avoiding sex just to skip the foreplay. So try something that you know will excite you *and your lover at the same time*. Do you have a sexual fantasy that makes you feel horny each time you’re alone? Talk about it with your partner, or enact it with them. It could be something sexually taboo, or a role playing idea or something that you’ve always wanted to do in bed. Talk about it with your lover while stroking each other, and try it. As long it arouses both of you, it’s something that’ll help both of you experience a sexual fantasy and make sex more exciting at the same time. #9 Naughty games. There’s nothing like a bit of fun in bed to take the stress off sexual foreplay and make sex feel naughtier, kinkier and a lot sexier. Don’t focus on foreplay, and don’t think of sex. On a lazy afternoon or evening, just get into bed, and play a few dirty games. And once you start enjoying these games, you’d want to play them every single day! Sex can truly be the sexiest thing on earth, even if you’ve been doing it with the same person for several years. All it takes is a few naughty twists to make it as exciting as the first time, every few months. And if you use these 9 sexual foreplay tips for men and women the next time in bed, you’ll realize how dirty and naughty each of these tips can really be. And you’ll learn just how easy it is to improvise on these 9 ideas and create a new personal sexual foreplay tip yourself! We’re trying hard to create better relationships in the world. But we can’t do it without YOU! Did this feature help you better yourself or your relationship? You can change someone else’s life too!

Don’t stop our rallies, APC tells INEC

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The All Progressives Congress on Sunday warned the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Police not to stop its members from campaigning for the 2015 elections, should they decide to start now. The party said the warning became necessary in the light of what it said was the go-ahead given to President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, to begin a nationwide campaign well ahead of time. Interim National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this in a telephone interview, with one of our correspondents in Abuja. He explained that the party had over the last few weeks drawn the attention of all government agencies as well as INEC, to the fact that President Jonathan had been in the forefront of those flouting the electoral body’s guidelines on election campaigns. Mohammed said by going round the country to hold campaign rallies and making clear campaign promises, the President had destroyed the moral authority of INEC or the police to enforce any law with respect to the elections. He said, “I can assure you, we will demand equal treatment and since Mr. President can be allowed to go and campaign in Sokoto, to go and campaign in Owerri then we are sounding a notice to both INEC and Police that any attempt to deprive us of similar opportunities will be met with consequences. “We have been trying to draw the attention of everybody it started with Bauchi, then Sokoto from Sokoto to Owerri and this is the President of Nigeria who is supposed to be an embodiment of the rule of law. In the interest of peace, fairness and equity, INEC should not disturb us whenever we also start our campaign.” The party explained that one did not need to be a rocket scientist to know that what the President was doing was campaign. It said it would not have been so disturbed if it were to be just PDP chieftains violating INEC regulations, but that when the President of the country who swore to uphold the rule of law and the constitution was “at the head of this kind of shenanigans then its spells doom for the country.” In separate interviews with one of our correspondents, civil society organisations under the aegis of the Partners for Electoral Reform, have asked INEC to inspire confidence in Nigerians as the nation approaches 2015. Members of the coalition include — Centre for Policy Advocacy and Leadership Development; Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition; Trade Union Congress of Nigeria; and Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement. The chairman of PER and Convener of Say No Campaign (Nigeria), Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, said the PDP was clearly violating INEC provisions with respect to electoral campaigns with its state rallies. He said, “We keep making the point that the Electoral management body, INEC must conduct itself in a manner that inspires confidence in the electorate ahead of the 2015 general elections by manifestly and effectively policing every aspect of elections and electoral process. “On the other hand the position party (PDP) cannot continue to act with impunity by finding dubious ingenious ways to infract on the laws of the land.” The Executive Secretary of Anti-Corruption Network and a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dino Melaye, said the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega should resign because INEC was behaving like a parastatal of the PDP. “INEC is a parastatal of the PDP. They cannot question their masters. We will be ready to fight INEC in 2015. JEGA should resign. He is not capable of conducting a free and fair election,” he alleged. Also speaking, a legal practitioner and civil rights activist, Mr. Ebun Olu- Adegboruwa, said “As the electoral umpire, INEC must provide a level playing ground for all the parties, treat them equally and give a sense of belonging to all the parties.” Source: THE PUNCH

N100 bribe: Policeman sentenced to death

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Monday sentenced a police sergeant, Clement Indyel, to death for killing two persons while engaging in a fight with a bus driver over a N100 bribe. Two other persons identified as Ali Bello and Auwalu Kwale, bagged life imprisonment each for their involvement in the crime. Justice Biobele Georgewill, who delivered judgement on the matter, said Indyel and the two others conspired to murder Chinyeaka Kamalu and Ugochukwu Harcourt. Georgewill, who recalled that the convicts were charged with felony, conspiracy and murder, said they (convicts) attacked the victims, who were passengers. He added that the report of the autopsy conducted on the victims revealed that they (victims) sustained gunshot injuries that led to their death. The trial judge maintained that the injuries sustained by the victims were as a result of the bullets from the AK-47 rifles used by the policemen. According to Justice Georgewill, the incident that led to the sudden demise of Kamalu and Harcourt occurred on January 17, 2010 in Port Harcourt. “The result of the autopsy conducted on the remains of the victims, which was tendered in court, showed that the wound sustained by them was bullet wound from AK47 rifles used by the officers. “The only way the souls of the victims can rest in peace for their unjust murder by police officers who were meant to protect them is to allow the law to take its course,” he said. Sister to the late Kamalu, Mrs. Chinyere Ideoha, expressed delight over the ruling of the court, even as she added that the judgement could not bring back her dead sister to life. Source: THE PUNCH

EXCLUSIVE: How we spent Abacha’s $500 million loot — Okonjo-Iweala

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy and , Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala , said yesterday that the $ 500 million recovered Abacha loot was used to develop the nation’s rural areas. The minister was reacting to an article by Mr. Sonala Olumhense who claimed that $2.5 billion was recovered from the funds looted by the then maximum ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha but that the money disappeared under the minister’s watch. According to the minister, $ 500 million, not $2.5 billion was recovered and had been spent development projects in rural areas as agreed with the Swiss government. A statement by Mr. Paul Nwabikwu, Special Adviser to the minister said that the claims by Mr. Olumhense were unverified and largely false. “The problem I have with Mr Sonala Olumhense’s articles on the Coordinating Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is the general absence of verified facts and the basing of opinions on gross inaccuracies. “For instance, Mr Olumhense writes that $2.5 billion of Abacha money was recovered during Dr Okonjo Iweala’s time as Finance Minister under President Obasanjo and that the money disappeared implying some involvement in the disappearance by the Minister. This is absolutely false. First, the amount recovered was $500 million, not $2.5 billion. “The recovered amount was channeled into rural projects and programmes as per the agreement with the Swiss government which repatriated the funds. A combined team of Nigerian and Swiss NGOs with the World Bank later verified the use of this money on the ground in the projects cited and they certified the money had been accurately utilized. “The World Bank had written about this in a 2007 2008 Handbook on stolen Asset Recovery where the case was cited as a best practice example of how to deploy returned proceeds of looted assets. Readers of Mr Olumhense would benefit more if his passionate writings on Dr Okono Iweala are supported by a bit more research as opposed to sweeping, unverified statements”, the statement read in part. On the NNPC oil accounts issue, Mr. Nwabuikwu said that the minister has been at the forefront of the anti corruption crusade and had called for an independent forensic audit to establish the facts of any unaccounted for money and ensure that all every Naira owed the treasury was returned to the Federation Account. “This is the best way to proceed given the conflicting claims by Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the NNPC. After all the speeches and comments like that of Mr Olumhense, the fundamental problem of determining the facts as a basis for action must still be tackled. Is there room for more action on corruption? Of course the answer can only be yes. But action is needed to achieve change. Talk is cheap, action is crucial. “The clean up of the fraud in the subsidy payments regime to oil marketers for which she paid a heavy personal price in the form of the abduction of her mother by paid kidnappers in November 2012 is one clear example”. “Another example is the clean up of the pension fraud with the establishment now of a new institution under the Federal Ministry of Finance – the Pension Transition Administration Department to ensure that pensioners under the old defined benefits scheme are not defrauded anymore”, he said.

SPORT: Arsenal VS Chelsea

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jonathan Walters scored from the penalty spot to put more pressure on Arsene Wenger and his boys as they are now four points behind Chelsea, who won at Fulham this afternoon. The game ended 1-0 in favour of Stoke City. After a poor first 45 minutes, Chelsea came out in the second half looking like a completely different side and dominated from then onwards. A nervy-looking Fulham defence had no idea how to deal with Hazard, who twisted and turned his way through the Cottagers’ defence on numerous occasions, and Schurrle was on hand to wrap up the win that keeps Chelsea right where they want to be: at the top of the Premier League table. The full result Everton 1- 0 West Ham Fulham 1-3 Chelsea Hull City 1-4 Newscastle Stoke City 1- 0 Arsenal The match between Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion was postponed. Source: VANGUARD

National confab: principal officers arrive Abuja

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, on Thursday in Abuja, received the principal officers of the proposed national conference. The principal officers are: Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd), Vice Chairman Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi and Secretary Dr Valerie Azinge. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the officers, who arrived the office of the SGF at about noon, were received by Anyim after which they had a closed-door meeting. One hour later, they left the SGF office complex in company of Anyim. NAN recalls that the Presidency had on Tuesday, announced the appointment of the three principal officers of the national conference. Anyim had, while announcing the conference leadership, said that he would receive the principal officers on Wednesday. “The appointees are to resume in Abuja on Wednesday, 5th March, 2014 and would be received on arrival by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” Anyim had said. The SGF had also said that the conference would be inaugurated on March 10. The national conference will be attended by 492 participants representing all strata of the society.. Already, almost all those who are expected to nominate participants have forwarded their nominees to the Presidency ahead of inauguration on March 10.

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jasvir Ram Ginday allegedly told a neighbour he had set fire to 'rubbish' The 30-year-old denies murder but admits manslaughter of Varkha Rani, 24 He also admits perverting the course of justice by lying to police Court heard he married to 'conceal his homosexuality and please parents' The pair wed in a lavish ceremony in India only months before her death A bank worker who married to conceal his homosexuality strangled his wife a few months later with a metal vacuum pipe, a court heard yesterday. Jasvir Ram Ginday throttled Varkha Rani and tried to destroy her remains in an incinerator after going through with the arranged marriage to please his parents. The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in India last March – even though Ginday, 30, had confided in a friend years earlier that he was attracted to men, the jury were told. The defendant had travelled to the subcontinent with his mother to find a bride and met several women before a match-maker known to both families introduced him to Miss Rani. Prosecutor Debbie Gould told a jury the couple became engaged ‘at the end of a meeting which lasted several hours’, with Miss Rani’s family believing Ginday to be ‘a perfect match for their intelligent, well-educated, and attractive young daughter’. The bride, who had completed a degree and a master’s degree in science and information technology in India, moved to the UK to live with Ginday in August after being granted a visa. But just a month later, police discovered the unrecognisable remains of the 24-year-old bride in the back garden of the home they shared with other members of Ginday’s family. Miss Gould said that after killing his wife, Ginday had forced her body into a 22-inch deep metal incinerator in an alley beside their home. He called police that night to report her missing – claiming she had walked out after assaulting him and had only married him for a visa to get into the UK. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2583547/Gay-bank-worker-murdered-wife-marrying-hide-sexuality.html#ixzz2wNXfVcod Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook‘Over the years the defendant made contact with gay chat lines to discuss his sexuality, he developed a network of gay male friends and he attended gay clubs in the Birmingham area.’ The court head Ginday and his wife had been alone in the house at Walsall, West Midlands, on September 12, the day of the murder. That afternoon, neighbours saw smoke and likened the smell to that which comes from a crematorium. When one concerned resident knocked on Ginday’s door, he claimed he was simply burning rubbish. Police searched the property that night after Ginday made the missing persons report, but they did not look in the garden. They returned the next night after neighbours reported seeing black smoke for the second day running. Although Ginday had attempted to destroy his wife’s body, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that a woman police constable ‘lifted the lid (of the incinerator) and found herself looking down on a human skull which was severely burnt’. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2583547/Gay-bank-worker-murdered-wife-marrying-hide-sexuality.html#ixzz2wNXwmUhw Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2583547/Gay-bank-worker-murdered-wife-marrying-hide-sexuality.html#ixzz2wNXmv227 Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2583547/Gay-bank-worker-murdered-wife-marrying-hide-sexuality.html#ixzz2wNXXPNLd Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2583547/Gay-bank-worker-murdered-wife-marrying-hide-sexuality.html#ixzz2wNXQrqyZ Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Nigeria: This Leadership Is Cursed By Peregrino Brimah

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Baby violently battered to death by his mother 'could have been saved' if vital clues were not missed by social workers because of family's 'well-presented image' Emma Wilson was jailed for life two months ago after murdering Callum Review says health workers failed to alert council about scratches on face Wilson, 25, made up stories that the bruises had been caused by falls She told children's centre staff that it was her cousin's child and not hers Callum, of Windsor, was found to have 11 broken bones in his small body Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2593478/Baby-violently-battered-death-mother-saved.html#ixzz2xZsJUR1M Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2593478/Baby-violently-battered-death-mother-saved.html#ixzz2xZs4da6b Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Deadly NIS: Civil Defense Agents Assault Protesters

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) today in Abuja abducted four protesting members of “The Nigerian Patriot,” who staged a peaceful protest over the killings of several applicants who lost their lives during the bloody recruitment exercise of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) across the country recently. The members of the group who gathered at the Area 1 Roundabout, were met with more than what they had bargained for. Eyewitnesses say the overzealous officers of the Corps had swooped down on them, confronted them and began asking them to leave. There was no permit issued from the police officials in respect to their protest. The Leader of the group, Japhet Omojunwua, reportedly told the security agents that it was a peaceful protest, as the death of one of their colleagues still remains fresh in their memory. That explanation did not go down well with the law enforcement agents. Witnesses say one officer had slapped the leader of the group in the face several times, and then began kicking him to the ground. Within minutes, other security agents joined-in, numbering over twenty officers. It was a brutal attack. After a thorough beating lasting over 15 minutes, Japhet Omojunwua was then pushed, and dragged to the security agents’ waiting Hilux Patrol Van, along other three members of the group. They were then all taken to an unknown location. The Leader of the security squad who refused to identify himself, quickly removed his name tag shortly after the beating on Japhet Omojunwua. According to eyewitnesses the security squad leader then seized the iPads and cameras of some nearby journalists who were covering the protest. A female security officer later identified as Rose Mary Inuwa, was the first to assault the protest group leader, according to eyewitnesses, before she was joined by others officers in the beating. The team of Civil Defense agents was attached to a Joint Task Force operating in the Abuja City Center. The Task Force was combined with other para-military agencies which includes, the FRSC, VIO Police, and the Nigeria Prison Service etc. The other security agencies were not part of the assault on the protesters, SaharaReporters learned. The Nigerian Patriot members were set to deliver a coffin to the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, as part of the protest, and as a symbol to register their grievances over the untimely death of the applicants across the country. As at time of this report, there was no information on the whereabouts of the four members of the group. They are still missing. Source: SAHARAREPORTERS

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_157022" align="aligncenter" width="1247"] Uniosun Convocation pix with Vice Chancellor and Governor Rauf Aregbesola[/caption]

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kennedy Nwariwe, 4, has been hit to death by an insane man in Portbouet, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. The incident happened in a church premises while play with other kids outside. A four-year old Nigerian, Kennedy Nwariwe, has been hit to death by a man suspected to be insane in Portbouet, a sub-urban settlement of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire’s economic capital. The victim’s father, Mr Andrew Nwariwe, said the incident happened in a church premises after the boy left the auditorium to play with other kids outside. “I did not know that he has left the church hall, it was when we heard noise outside that I saw it was my child. “With the assistance of some persons, we immediately rushed him to the hospital where he was confirmed dead,’’ he said. According to eyewitnesses, the man, who attacked the children, grabbed late Nwariwe’s two legs and hit his head severally on a wall. They said it took the intervention of some daring youths to get the little boy off the man’s grip. According to them, Nwariwe became instantly lifeless while his head got seriously swollen due to the attack. Reacting on the incident, the President of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Karrem Nasiru, described it as unfortunate. He urged Nigerians in the country to be mindful of the movement of their children and wards in public places. “We are in a foreign land; we need to be careful, we need to avoid putting our children and wards into unnecessary dangers,’’ he said.

Kwara police arrest 4 PDP supporters over illegal arms possession

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Members of the House of Representatives, yesterday ,mandated its committee on security to invite the National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, the Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau, rtd, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to appear before the House and explain what led to last week’s killings of Nigerians in Zamfara State. In a motion sponsored by Representative Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, PDP, Zamfara, the House also appealed to the defence ministry to “consider locating an army barracks in the affected local governments to forestal the recurrences of such killings.” The House in plenary also passed another motion sponsored by Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo ,PDP, Nasarawa, urging relevant authorities to hasten the construction of a military barracks in Doma Local Government of the state in view of last week’s killings of Fulani herdsmen allegedly by soldiers in the state. On the Zamfara killings, the House directed security agencies in the country to “fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to justice to serve as deterrence to others.” It also directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to deliver relief materials to the distressed citizens of the affected villages, just as it resolved “to send a committee to sympathise, see first-hand, the damage done and report back to the House.” Gusau in his motion said that the said killings in Zamfara were carried out by “suspected Fulani herdsmen” who “operated freely for about four hours, shooting at children, traders, vigilante, community leaders and clerics. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/kwara-police-arrest-4-pdp-supporters-illegal-arms-possession/#sthash.mdYmwTJM.dpuf

Woman Arraigned For Setting Husband Ablaze In Abuja

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Woman Arraigned For Setting Husband On Fire In Abuja 9 April, 2014 Local [Get e-mail updates on development of the story!] A woman identified as Amina Dauda was arrested and accused of killing her husband, Mohammed Matazu, by setting him ablaze. According to reports, the prosecution witness, Usman Idoko, on Monday told an FCT High Court that Matazu, a journalist, was allegedly set ablaze by his wife after she had sprayed with petrol in residence at Gwarinpa, Abuja. Idoko said that the Matazu was taken to three hospitals by neighbors who were at the crime scene. Leadership reports: A prosecution witness, Usman Idoko, on Monday told an FCT High Court that the late journalist, Mohammed Matazu, was taken to three hospitals before he died from injuries sustained from fire set to him by his wife. Idoko said this while testifying at the trial of Amina Dauda, wife of Matazu, who alleged sprayed the deceased with petrol and set him ablaze in his residence in Gwarinpa, Abuja. He said the deceased, also a legislative aide to Sen. Mohammed Ibrahim (PDP-Kaduna), was taken to the hospitals by neighbours who were at the crime scene. Idoko said Matazu was also moved to the National Hospital Abuja, where he was referred to the ABU Teaching Hospital Zaria, Kaduna State. “My lord, on February 21, 2013, I received news that Matazu had passed on through a letter signed by Sen. Ibrahim. The senator also sent us the death certificate of the late Matazu,’’ he said. After the death of the victim, Idoko said that the accused was arrested and kept at the State Criminal Investigation Department headquarters, Abuja, for further investigation, where he took her statement and read her rights. After his testimony, the prosecution counsel, Mr Sunday Adewumi, prayed the court for an adjournment for other witnesses to appear in court.

Lagos shuts illegal orphanage, rescues 5 children

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Vanguard gathered that the orphanage, Stream of Mercy and Love for Humanity Centre, located at Ilapo village, Alagbado was never registered with the state government before it commenced operation about two years ago. Sources said that officials of the Office of Youth and Social Development, OYSD, stormed the area last Thursday, arresting the caregiver found in the orphanage and shut the premises. Vanguard learnt that the officials rescued five children who were between the ages of one and eight years. Also, Mrs. Glory Ebenezer, the owner of the orphanage was said to be away at the time of closure. Vanguard learnt that the caregiver was later released after the husband to the owner of the orphanage showed up at the office of the state Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. The owner’s husband, who was formally detained, was later released on bail as the offence is said to be bailable. The orphanage, our correspondent gathered, had approached the state government for registration on December 23, 2013, but was turned down since it did not allegedly meet the requirement for registration. A state government officials alleged that the orphanage had been operating three years before it sought for registration, an act the government declared illegal as one could not operate an orphanage without being registered. Special Adviser to the state Governor on Youth and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru, said the state government had carried out surveillance on the orphanage and discovered that it was not registered and operating illegally, saying this was what informed the closure. Badru said: “We got there and rescued the children and locked up the place and we are going to prosecute them. We want to know how they came about the children and their history. It is illegal to keep children when they are not yours without informing the government.” He said that this was not the first time the government would be prosecuting people with illegal orphanage and that government would not relent in getting rid of illegal orphanages in Lagos State. According to him, “some of them think that because they are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, they don’t need to register with us when they operate orphanage homes. Some of them even say they have a calling from God to operate orphanages. They should desist from such act when not registered. “If they have calling from God to operate an orphanage, they should come to the government and we will give them the requirement to operate. There must be regulation in this sense as intended operators must have the infrastructure in place. It is like when you want to operate a school, you must register.” The Special Adviser noted that it was not impossible that some illegal orphanages sell babies as they were not being monitored by government, but noted that those fully accredited to operate were credible and did not engage in sharp practices. Badru said the children rescued had been kept in government’s custody while the owner of the orphanage would be arraigned in court soon. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/lagos-shuts-illegal-orphanage-rescues-5-children/#sthash.rezCfWOe.dpuf

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

OSUN GUBER: How Omisore landed elusive ticket Followers of political events in Osun State were not surprised that Senator Iyiola Omisore won the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primaries in the state. This is because it will be unfair to describe him as unprepared for the race among other contestants, given that he had long indicated interest to govern the state before other aspirants. Those, who contested alongside the former deputy governor of the state were: former senators Isiaka Adeleke , Olasunkanmi Akinlabi and a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Wole Oke. The build up to the exercise was characterised with a lot of permutations and intrigues among the various political camps. An example of that was the sudden entrance of Adeleke into the race three weeks before the event. The former governor’s emergence was believed to be upon the prompting of the presidency and some powerful people in Osun PDP. His supporters banked on the assumption that his candidature, would be very easy to sell to the electorate more than Omisore, who some had labeled as controversial. But what was seen as an attempt to impose Adeleke on the party, was resisted by Omisore’s group, who challenged the party’s national body and the presidency. Late drafting of Adeleke The presidency, it was gathered tacitly denied having hands in the late drafting of Adeleke into the race. Amid such politically tensed atmosphere, party faithful went to the polls, where Omisore eventually won. At the primaries which was held at GMT Hotel, Osogbo , Omisore scored of 1, 128 votes out of the 1186 votes cast to defeat other aspirants. Akinlabi and Oke got 45 and five votes respectively, while 18 votes were voided. Before the event commenced Adeleke withdrew, citing alleged irregularities during the party’s ward congresses. Announcing the results, the Chairman of Osun PDP Governorship Primaries, Alhaji Adamu Alero, said though 1,380 delegates were expected to participate, only 1, 280 showed up for accreditation. Earlier in his remarks, the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa said whoever emerged would lead PDP to victory in the gubernatorial election. He urged aspirants to accept whatever might be the outcome in good faith. An elated Omisore in his acceptance speech said: “Today is an epoch making day in the history of our great party. It is so in the sense that a lot of landmines were laid to introduce divisive tendencies into our party in the run up to our primaries. The aim of the opposition and some disgruntled elements, who made themselves willing tools in the hands of these people stemmed from the fact that they were afraid that come August 9, 2014,the PDP will win the governorship of Osun State. The All Progressives Congress (APC) started it’s machinations as soon as INEC released it’s guidelines for the 2014 governorship election.” He continued: ‘’In spite of shenanigans by the APC, those who were sent from our National Headquarters in Abuja to superintend the primaries organised a free, fair and transparent exercise. This for me is an eloquent testimony to the fact that we are truly democratic in words and actions. “I,therefore, wish to congratulate our dear party and my fellow contestants for the orderly manner we have comported ourselves before, during and after this primaries despite provocation by the APC. This is an indication that we have survived all divisive tendencies introduced by the APC to sabotage us and make us a laughing stock.” In addition, he said: ‘’I want to reassure my fellow contestants that this is victory for all. We have all won. All other elective positions are still there for grabs if we all work together. All hands must be on deck to ensure our victory on August 9, 2014 and other subsequent elections. I want to call on the chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega to listen to the voice of reason and take away Ambassador Rufus Toyin Akeju who has proven overtime to have bias for the APC in order to pave way for free, fair and peaceful election on August 9, 2014. “I urge the police and other security agencies to be on red alert now that a candidate has emerged for the PDP to ward off incessant attack by the APC. The journey to Abere has started today and there is no going back. We are poised to rescue our people from the maladministration of the incumbent government led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and never again shall we allow incompetent people to take us for a ride.” Factors that aided Omisore: However, the victory did not come on a platter of gold, as there were some factors which played prominent roles in his emergence. Prominent among the reasons for the victory, was Omisore’s ambition to govern the state as far back as 1999 when he and some Afenifere leaders, pulled out of the PDP to form the Alliance for Democracy, AD. Omisore at that time had a formidable political machinery needed to actualise his ambition, until th last minute emergence of Chief Bisi Akande, who was drafted into the race by late Chief Bola Ige. While Omisore was compensated with the post of deputy governor, he later pitched his tent with PDP with the sole aim of actualising his governorship ambition. But this attempt was also unsuccessful at the last minute following the demise of Ige. Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who then was not nursing any gubernatorial ambition, rode on the back Chief S.M Afolabi into the race, while Omisore was compensated with a senatorial seat. Omisore’s closeness to the national secretariat, also played a role in his victory. Another factor that landed the lawmaker the priced ticket, was his control of the party machinery in the state. For instance, Omisore is known to have produced the party’s National Secretary, Prof Wale Oladipo. This feat was also replicated at the state level, where he was instrumental in the making of most key appointments.

OSUN GUBER: How Omisore landed elusive ticket

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Followers of political events in Osun State were not surprised that Senator Iyiola Omisore won the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primaries in the state. This is because it will be unfair to describe him as unprepared for the race among other contestants, given that he had long indicated interest to govern the state before other aspirants. Those, who contested alongside the former deputy governor of the state were: former senators Isiaka Adeleke , Olasunkanmi Akinlabi and a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Wole Oke. The build up to the exercise was characterised with a lot of permutations and intrigues among the various political camps. An example of that was the sudden entrance of Adeleke into the race three weeks before the event. The former governor’s emergence was believed to be upon the prompting of the presidency and some powerful people in Osun PDP. His supporters banked on the assumption that his candidature, would be very easy to sell to the electorate more than Omisore, who some had labeled as controversial. But what was seen as an attempt to impose Adeleke on the party, was resisted by Omisore’s group, who challenged the party’s national body and the presidency. Late drafting of Adeleke The presidency, it was gathered tacitly denied having hands in the late drafting of Adeleke into the race. Amid such politically tensed atmosphere, party faithful went to the polls, where Omisore eventually won. At the primaries which was held at GMT Hotel, Osogbo , Omisore scored of 1, 128 votes out of the 1186 votes cast to defeat other aspirants. Akinlabi and Oke got 45 and five votes respectively, while 18 votes were voided. Before the event commenced Adeleke withdrew, citing alleged irregularities during the party’s ward congresses. Announcing the results, the Chairman of Osun PDP Governorship Primaries, Alhaji Adamu Alero, said though 1,380 delegates were expected to participate, only 1, 280 showed up for accreditation. Earlier in his remarks, the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa said whoever emerged would lead PDP to victory in the gubernatorial election. He urged aspirants to accept whatever might be the outcome in good faith. An elated Omisore in his acceptance speech said: “Today is an epoch making day in the history of our great party. It is so in the sense that a lot of landmines were laid to introduce divisive tendencies into our party in the run up to our primaries. The aim of the opposition and some disgruntled elements, who made themselves willing tools in the hands of these people stemmed from the fact that they were afraid that come August 9, 2014,the PDP will win the governorship of Osun State. The All Progressives Congress (APC) started it’s machinations as soon as INEC released it’s guidelines for the 2014 governorship election.” He continued: ‘’In spite of shenanigans by the APC, those who were sent from our National Headquarters in Abuja to superintend the primaries organised a free, fair and transparent exercise. This for me is an eloquent testimony to the fact that we are truly democratic in words and actions. “I,therefore, wish to congratulate our dear party and my fellow contestants for the orderly manner we have comported ourselves before, during and after this primaries despite provocation by the APC. This is an indication that we have survived all divisive tendencies introduced by the APC to sabotage us and make us a laughing stock.” In addition, he said: ‘’I want to reassure my fellow contestants that this is victory for all. We have all won. All other elective positions are still there for grabs if we all work together. All hands must be on deck to ensure our victory on August 9, 2014 and other subsequent elections. I want to call on the chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega to listen to the voice of reason and take away Ambassador Rufus Toyin Akeju who has proven overtime to have bias for the APC in order to pave way for free, fair and peaceful election on August 9, 2014. “I urge the police and other security agencies to be on red alert now that a candidate has emerged for the PDP to ward off incessant attack by the APC. The journey to Abere has started today and there is no going back. We are poised to rescue our people from the maladministration of the incumbent government led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and never again shall we allow incompetent people to take us for a ride.” Factors that aided Omisore: However, the victory did not come on a platter of gold, as there were some factors which played prominent roles in his emergence. Prominent among the reasons for the victory, was Omisore’s ambition to govern the state as far back as 1999 when he and some Afenifere leaders, pulled out of the PDP to form the Alliance for Democracy, AD. Omisore at that time had a formidable political machinery needed to actualise his ambition, until th last minute emergence of Chief Bisi Akande, who was drafted into the race by late Chief Bola Ige. While Omisore was compensated with the post of deputy governor, he later pitched his tent with PDP with the sole aim of actualising his governorship ambition. But this attempt was also unsuccessful at the last minute following the demise of Ige. Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who then was not nursing any gubernatorial ambition, rode on the back Chief S.M Afolabi into the race, while Omisore was compensated with a senatorial seat. Omisore’s closeness to the national secretariat, also played a role in his victory. Another factor that landed the lawmaker the priced ticket, was his control of the party machinery in the state. For instance, Omisore is known to have produced the party’s National Secretary, Prof Wale Oladipo. This feat was also replicated at the state level, where he was instrumental in the making of most key appointments. Source: VANGUARD

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, has said that the House will not be distracted in its resolve to probe the alleged N10bn chartered jets scandal levelled against the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. It also noted that the investigation into the chartered jets was not a “personal quarrel” between Diezani and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Group Managing Director, Mr. Andew Yakubu, as the alleged reaction of the corporation portrayed. This came as The PUNCH’s investigations on Friday showed that the minister and the NNPC had moved against the Speaker and the House Committee on Public Accounts as part of the move to thwart the probe. But commenting on the move, Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Imam Imam, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Friday in Abuja, said the Speaker would not take issues with the minister on a matter that was under investigation by the parliament as empowered by the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Imam added, “This is not a personal issue between the Speaker and the minister. “Does the Speaker run or operate any private jet? Or is the Speaker under any investigation over jets? “A committee of the House is conducting an investigation and a minister is asked questions? Instead of the minister to answer the questions, she is talking about the Speaker. “Is the Speaker the one under investigations or the minister? “Let her go and answer her questions and leave the Speaker out it because there is nothing personal in this matter.” On the allegations against committees, the spokesman of the House, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, said the NNPC always conducted itself as a government agency that did not want any other institution of government to look into its affairs. He explained that the corporation often conducted its activities in secrecy; hence it felt offended each time the House dared to probe its operations. Mohammed accused the NNPC of “doing all within its capacity to frustrate investigations, including sponsoring protests and hiring consultants to organise all sorts of campaigns for the NNPC.” He also stated that previous probes of the NNPC did not end at the House but were referred to the Executive for implementation. “The concern really is, why is the Executive lacking the political will to implement the results of these probes? “Does the National Assembly prosecute offenders? That is the job of the executive,” Mohammed added. The PUNCH’s investigations on Friday revealed that a team of NNPC officials and some security agents were compiling all the flight logs of the Speaker. A source at the NNPC, who spoke to one of correspondents in confidence, said, “One interesting aspect of the ongoing probe is that the NNPC is in possession of all the flight logs of the Speaker. “You know for the past two years, the Speaker has not been flying Presidential jets because of fear. Since he started having problem with the Villa, the man has been flying private jets being funded by the National Assembly. Apart from the Speaker, some of the lawmakers have also flown private jets,” the source said. A source said the department, known as National Assembly Liaison, was headed by Alhaji Bala Bamanga, a General Manager. Bamanga is said to be supported by other senior officers of the NNPC, a deputy manager and other well-trained personnel just below the managerial level. It was also gathered that it was the responsibility of Bamanga to sign all letters from the National Assembly and to ensure effective liaison with the House. The source said, “I can tell you that not less than N10bn is spent annually by the National Assembly Liaison in the NNPC. “The GM in charge of the department is Alhaji Bala Bamanga, and he has a manager, a deputy manager and other officers with him. He signs all the letters,” the source said. The source said that there were four committees each in the House of Representatives and the Senate which had oversight responsibilities over the NNPC. The committees are the House Committee on Petroleum Upstream, the House Committee on the Petroleum Downstream, the Committee on Gas and the Committee Environment. When contacted, the different spokespersons for the NNPC and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Omar Ibrahim and Mr. Kingsley Agha, respectively, did not answer calls to their mobile phones. Text messages sent to them were also not replied.

Anger, condemnations trail Abuja park blasts

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, assured the nation that the Boko Haram threat was just a temporary setback, promising that the country would triumph over the terrorists. Jonathan, who visited the scene of the deadly blast in Abuja, emphasised that there was need for citizens to be enlightened, be security conscious and report suspicious persons and objects to security agencies. The President who was accompanied to the site by Senate President, David Mark; Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, was received by the Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, as well as the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force. He said: “I’m here with the Senate President, David Mark and Chairman of PDP, ministers, CDS and service chiefs and all other very senior government functionaries to collectively express our condolences to the families of those who suffered directly on the incident. “The issue of Boko Haram is temporary. Government is doing everything to make sure that we move our country forward in spite of all the distractions that want to take us backward. We promise that we will get over it. “We also want to use this unique opportunity to plead with the media and our great men and women, to come up with enlightenment programmes for our people. Those countries that face terror have developed great awareness. If there are unusual movement of vehicles and bags, they called security and based on this, a lot of incidences are contained.” Govt has run out of ideas — PGF But in its own reaction, the All Progressives Congress governors, yesterday, reviewed the security situation in the country and concluded that the Federal Government had run out of ideas on how to checkmate terrorists and other criminals. The governors, who commiserated with the families of the blast, regretted that the death of innocent Nigerians had become a daily occurrence with little respite. The statement, which was released by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, PGF, and governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, noted with concern that no fewer than 1,000 innocent Nigerians had been slain in the last two weeks. The PGF said the tragic deaths indicated a major failure on the part of the Federal Government. “It is plain the government has run out of ideas in the fight against insurgency, ethnic and communal clashes as well as the spate of armed robberies and kidnappings across Nigeria.” Perpetrators must be brought to book —Buhari On his part, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) said: “The attack was horrific, heartbreaking and a cruel act of merciless slaughter. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. I also pray and hope for the full and speedy recovery of those wounded. “My heart breaks every time I take to this platform to offer condolences in this tormenting season of seemingly endless violence. I understand that it is difficult for the government to prevent every terrorist attack, but we can always do more to protect our defenceless citizens by boosting our intelligence and counter-terrorism capabilities. “Words alone cannot express the full solemnity of our grief. We can only honour the memories of our country men and women by winning this war against terrorism and bringing to justice the perpetrators of those dastardly acts. It’s cowardly, barbaric—Tambuwal Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has also condemned the attack. In a statement in Calabar by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Dalhatu Imam, Tambuwal described the attack as cowardly and barbaric. He said all Nigerians must join hands to bring an end to the spate of wanton killings in the country. The speaker further urged security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the violent act are brought to justice. While condoling with the families of those who lost loved ones in the blast, Tambuwal prayed for the quick recovery of those injured. Also, speaking in the same vein, Rep Tajudeen Yusuf, PDP, Kogi described it as an uncouth action and deserves outright condemnation. He said: “It is barbaric and the highest display of cowardice, we must be resolute. Men of honour must join hand with our patriotic men and women in the police and the military to find a lasting solution to this unpalatable development.” Chairman, House Committee on Anti-Corruption, Rep. Abiodun Faleke, APC, Lagos also said: “It is very devastating and unfortunate. The presidency must provide jobs, set up new methods for intelligence gathering to nib this attacks.” Sultan condemns killings The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Jama’atu Nasri Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar condemned the bombings. The Sultan, who was speaking at the opening ceremony of the JNI Central Council meeting holding at its national headquarters, however, said: “Muslims are at the receiving end. More Muslims are being killed. “We condemn the bombing in strong terms and pray that Allah will expose the perpetrators in the nearest future. There is the urgent need for the government to come to the aid of innocent Nigerians who are always victims of the attacks and bombings.” APC calls for national security summit On its part, the APC urged the Federal Government to urgently convene a national stakeholders’ security summit to help find a lasting solution to the spate of mindless killings in the country. In a statement issued in Lagos, yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party expressed its shock and sadness at the savagery of the attack, while condoling with the families of those killed and praying for a quick recovery for the injured. It said: “It is time for new thinking, new ideas to stop this insurgency before it consumes all of us. ” APC leadership, govs are responsible —PDP alleges National leadership of the PDP has alleged that the leadership of the opposition APC and their governors were responsible for yesterday’s bomb explosion. Noting that the attacks cannot be justified under any guise, the PDP raised alarm that they were politically motivated and can be traced to the utterances and comments of those it termed “desperate persons who seek to undermine and discredit the present administration and make the nation ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan by instituting a reign of terror against the people.” In a statement yesterday by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party while condemning the act as barbaric, monstrous and extremely wicked, stressed that the party was shocked and had remained grief-stricken since it received the news of the gruesome attack and killing of Nigerians pursuing their legitimate endeavours. Alleging that the APC should be held responsible over the sad and unfortunate incident, Metuh said: “We stand by our earlier statements that these attacks on our people are politically motivated by unpatriotic persons, especially those in the APC, who have been making utterances and comments, promoting violence and blood-letting as a means of achieving political control. “Nigerians are also aware of utterances by certain APC governors which have been aimed at undermining our security forces and emboldening insurgents against the people.” Jonathan should do more to end bombings —SERAP Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has said that “the unlawful and unnecessary killings of many Nigerians showed that the measures the government is taking to tackle the Boko Haram phenomenon are inadequate and simply not working.” The organisation urged President Jonathan to “show leadership and urgently initiate fundamental changes in the security strategy to end continuing civilian casualties, and a climate of insecurity across the country.” In the statement signed by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the group said: “Nigerians have heard promises from this government before that it would take all possible steps to prevent bombing tragedies and citizens’ deaths and injuries. But if this government is to be taken seriously on its promises to protect the citizens, this latest explosion needs to be the last of its kind. The government must now come up with a blueprint to end continuing bombing tragedies.” - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/anger-condemnations-trail-abuja-park-blasts/#sthash.AlZfkXMM.dpuf

HOW boko haram mercilessly 100 schoolgirls one day after deadly bombing

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The shocking attack took place in the north-eastern Nigerian state of Borno after armed men overpowered guards protecting a school in the town of Chibok. Once the girls had been taken, the school was set on fire as the terrorists fled with their victims. "Over 100 female students in our government secondary school at Chibok have been abducted," Audu Musa, a teacher from the area said. "Things are very bad here and everybody is sad," he added. One girl managed to escape the terrifying raid after the truck she was being moved in slowed down because of a fault. Last month all the sate's schools were ordered to close to protect children after Islamists in the area slaughtered dozens of pupils in a February attack in the neighbouring state of Yobe. However the schoolgirls at Chibok had returned to school to sit exams. On Monday at least 71 people died when a bomb exploded in Nigeria's capital Abuja during rush hour. The attack is feared to have been masterminded by White Widow Samantha Lewthwaite, the infamous widow of 7/7 bomber Germaine Lindsay. The British-born Muslim is wanted in connection with seven murders as well as the devastating siege at the Westgate shopping mall in Kenya last year which left 67 people dead and nearly 200 wounded.

PDP, APC Members Clash Over Jonathan’s Visit

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

A No fewer than 20 people were injured yesterday when members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed in a free-for-all at Ibadan Airport, while awaiting the arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan. President Jonathan was billed to attend the church service to mark the centenary birthday celebration of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana. An eye witness said trouble started around 9:30am when members of the APC in Oyo State arrived at the airport to welcome the president with songs, but the PDP members asked them to go back before they started pelting stones at each other. “I was there when they started fighting with stones and sticks. The PDP members asked the APC members to leave the airport premises but they did not answer them; instead, they started singing abusive songs; that was when they both exchanged blows and started injuring one another. “Over 22 of them were injured and have been taken to the hospital,” he said. Another eye witness, Mr Basiru Ayinla, noted that it was the PDP members belonging to the group of the Osun State gubernatorial candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore that first unleashed their weapons on the APC members. “The APC members were chanting Governor Ajimobi’s praise at the airport and were also sweeping the floor with their brooms; so, this got the PDP members angry and they confronted them before things went out of hand and this led to the fight between them,” he said. It was gathered that if not for the quick intervention of the state joint security patrol team, ‘Operation Burst’ and other security agencies on ground at the airport, the clash would have escalated more. But when contacted, the police public relations officer (PPRO), SP Olabisi Ilobanafor, said she was not aware of such incident, adding that the police did not receive any such report.

Suspected Boko Haram Gun Down Two Customs Officers In Bauchi State

Ademola Iginla — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 07:30:37 +0000

Bandits in possession of weapons suspected to be part of the Boko Haram sect have gunned down two customs officers in Bauchi state in attacks that the men have been carrying out in the state since Wednesday. Security personnel told SaharaReporters. According to the military personnel, the suspected sect laid ambush on the Customs officers who were in convoy on official patrol along Bauchi-Yobe way in Darazo local government area of the state. They also burnt down vehicles the officers were traveling in, while some of them escaped and others sustained injuries. Similarly, SaharaReporters also gathered that another set of Boko Haram launched sporadic attacks on soldiers and police officers in Misau in the state in the early hours of today. The security agencies repelled their advances after which the bandits retreated. - See more at: http://www.nigeriaonpoint.com/2014/04/suspected-boko-haram-gun-down-two.html#sthash.UONo5LHy.dpuf

Breaking News: Taraba under gunmen attack, residents flee

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

How World Bank Plans To Support Nigerian Youths With $300m

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Using the template of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), the World Bank has earmarked $300 million to support youth empowerment in Nigeria. The World Bank task team leader for the bank’s social support operation tagged YESSO, a federal government/World Bank-supported intervention on poverty reduction.

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Suspected gunmen of Boko Haram sect shot dead the Kala/Balge council chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Modu Janga; and its Youths Leader, Alhaji Abba near Mafa town on the Maiduguri-Dikwa road by 11am Monday. The APC duo officials were returning to Gudumbali from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, when their vehicle was ambushed near Mafa town. According to an eyewitness and resident of Mafa, Babagana Usman mafa, said “the insurgents blocked the road with wood and tree branches, before identify occupants of the vehicle and shot dead two persons at the spot, and fled towards Dikwa, a border town with Cameroon. “The party chairman along with other passengers in the ambushed vehicle, were first stopped by flagging down the driver for identification, before three gunmen on motorcycles shot dead two people at close range; and fled towards Dikwa,” Usmani said in a telephone chat Tuesday in Maiduguri. He said the gunmen did not rob the party officials, as their vehicle was abandoned at the scene of the incident, adding that the road was also closed for two hours by soldiers and policemen prevent further attacks. On whether other vehicles were ambushed during the attack, he said: “these gunmen could have targeted the APC officials returning to the council area of Kala/Balge, before they were ambushed on that road leading to Gudumbali, the council headquarters.” Our correspondent also learnt that Mafa town was attacked three times this year, destroying several public buildings, vehicles and houses along with people’s lives, including three policemen and a soldier. Council chairman of Kala/Balge, Alhaji Alifa Bukar Rann also yesterday in Maiduguri at the Government House confirmed the incident. He said “two officials of APC were shot dead near Mafa town while returning to Gudumbali for party official engagements”. When contacted for confirmation over the incident yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Gideon Jibrin’s phone number could not be reached, but a security source who is not authorized to speak on the matter said “armed hoodlums ambushed a vehicle on Dikwa road on Monday; and two people were feared dead, before the security agents closed the road for two hours prevent further attacks”. End - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/boko-haram-ambushes-motorists-borno-kill-two-apc-leaders/#sthash.Rfe3xhvr.dpuf

Lola Omotayo-okoye Replies Haters Who Blames Her For Psquare’s Separation

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Mother accused of killing her children was under too much pressure, says friends

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Tania Clarence was charged with three murders after her daughter Olivia, four, and twin sons Ben and Max, three, were found dead at home. She is due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court today. Her husband Gary, 43, was visiting South Africa with the couple’s eight-year-old daughter Taya when the alarm was raised. Yesterday a statement from the family’s lawyer said they had “undergone and suffered an extreme tragedy”. The spokesman added that the incident had left the family under “tremendous pressure and strain”. Paramedics who were first to the horrific scene on Tuesday visited the children’s home yesterday to pay their respects. The ambulance workers broke down in tears as they laid flowers at the driveway of the home in New Malden, south-west London. A post-mortem into the deaths took place yesterday at Great Ormond Street Hospital, in central London. Friends of Tania, 42, have revealed how she “took on too much” and felt alone at the time of the children’s deaths. They also said that Tania felt the local council was “judgmental” and allegedly told her to “get on with it and pull herself together”. The mum-of-four is thought to have been pregnant with the twins when she found out that Olivia had spinal muscular atrophy. After their birth the boys were diagnosed with the same genetic disease, which can cause fatal breathing problems. Tania had help from a carer and a nanny but struggled to cope with the round-the-clock care the children needed. It is thought the hired help had been given time off over Easter. The children were found dead in the evening after friends raised the alarm, having not heard from Tania in 24 hours. Pals suggested that Tania should put the children into a special care home but she refused. A spokesman for Kingston Council said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of three children from New Malden.” The family, from South Africa, moved into their £1.5million home around nine months ago. Neighbours told how both Tania and Gary, who works as an investment banker, “doted” on their children.

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

ASUP Strike: Latest Update On ASUP And Protest In Abuja: ASUP, COEASU And Civil society groups embark on street protest today ABUJA — ACADEMIC Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, are set to embark on a street protest today to pile pressures on Federal Government to respect the agreement reached with both unions. Addressing the press in Abuja, ASUP President, Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha, and his COEASU counterpart, Ahmed Lawal, said the unions could no longer tolerate government’s inability to address the remaining two of the four critical points it promised to speedily tackle to ensure early call off of the industrial action. Dr. Asomugha recalled that during an earlier meeting with government, the unions were assured that four outstanding issues, including the appointment of the governing councils, release of the white paper on the visitation panels, implementation of CONTISS 15, and the setting up of the NEEDS Committee, would be addressed within two weeks. He said government was only able to address two issues, including the inauguration of the governing council and the needs assessment committees. “It is worrisome to note that the issue of outstanding is still pending and as it is, the strike will not be suspended until the government pays attention to this ,” Asomugha said. He lamented that the unions were not offered any window of opportunity for dialogue, neither carried along by the supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, since December 18, 2013.

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

ASUP, COEASU Strike: Police tear-gas protesting students, lecturers

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Boko Haram members who have assumed “ownership” of the students were reported to have initially kept the girls at the Boko Haram camps in the notorious Sambisa Forest, then relocated them in trucks to other locations following the battle they had with the Military who had stormed the forest in search of the girls where over 40 insurgents were killed. Bitrus who also said sources in Cameroon revealed most of the girls were now being held at “an area where the Boko Haram operates in Cameroon was in tears while speaking to Daily trust urged all Nigerians to join in the search of these missing girls. He said: “If these captors are trying to achieve a political point, I think the best thing is for us to try to make sure that they don’t succeed but from all indications they are succeeding due to inaction of government. It is helping these people in achieving their objectives.” Meanwhile the parents of the abducted girls who had expressed their fear that their children will be married out forcefully to their abductors have given President Jonathan an ultimatum to rescue the girls.

Junaid tells Jonathan to distance himself from Edwin Clark

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Second Republic lawmaker Junaid Mohammed, yesterday, dismissed the sacking of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Political adviser, Ahmed Gulak, as non-consequential as long as other loquacious elements in an outside the administration continues to speak for Jonathan. Mohammed, who is a delegate at the ongoing National Conference, told our correspondent that Jonathan needed to do away with men and women, who exert negative influence on him while trying to pose as patriotic Nigerians. Mohammed said the sacking of Gulak alone and leaving other elements who constitute a minus to his cabinet, would do more harm than good to the President. The politician said that Gulak, who created more problems than solutions for Jonathan, should have been sent packing before now. He said: The removal of Gulak is a good step taken at the wrong time: it has been overdue and has already created a lot of problems for the man, who appointed him because he specialised in personal attacks instead of offering solutions when occasion demands. Mohammed particularly asked Jonathan to distance himself from Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, whom he said, has continued to make despicable utterances that create more problems in the land rather offer the advice of a statesman that he claims to be. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/05/junaid-tells-jonathan-distance-edwin-clark/#sthash.VjbmLOg1.dpuf

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27281320 EMP v.3.1.0.r749603_749269_749444_6

Another confab delegate dies at 71

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The ongoing National Conference has announced the death of another delegate, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar Jumare, who until his death was in the confab on the platform of Elder Statesmen. He was said to have died in the early hours of Monday in Abuja. A statement by Assistant Secretary of the confab, (Media and Communications) to the National Conference, Mr. Akpandem James, the remains of late Jumare, who hailed from Kaduna State has since been buried in his home town, Zaria, according to Islamic rites. The demise of Alhaji Jumare, who was 71 years, came exactly one month and eight days after a delegate from Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Hamma Misau, died at the National Hospital, Abuja. Misau, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, had equally died in Abuja, after a brief illness at the age of 67. Misau, who died on the 27 of March, is yet to be replaced by the Retired Police Officers Association, which he had represented at the conference. The late Dr. Jumare was born on August 20, 1943 in Kwarbai, Zaria City. He attended Town School Number 1 in 1949-1952; Middle School, Soba Senior Primary School, Katsina Teachers College and Ahmadu Bello University where he bagged the Doctor of Philosophy in 1989. The statement said the late delegate started out as a primary school teacher in 1960 at the Zaria Local Authority and later transferred to the Treasury as Clerk in 1962. He rose to the position of Emirate Supervisor of Accounts and then Head of the Local Authority between 1973 and 1975. After the local Government Reforms, he became the first Principal Assistant Secretary and Head of Administration. He worked with the Ahmadu Bello University between 1986 and 1992 as Senior Lecturer and Senior Administrative Consultant. He was the General Manager Personnel and Administration at Peugeot Automobile Limited, Kaduna, between 1993 and 1999; and Chairman, Kaduna State Water Board between 2003 and 2004. Jumare had also served as a National Commissioner in charge of Information and Publicity Committee at the National Electoral Commission. He was also the Chairman of the 15-member National Advisory Committee on Delimitation of Constituencies constituted by INEC in 2008. His tenure at INEC lapsed in 2009. He was reappointed Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission in Kaduna State in 2011, a position he was until his demise on Monday, May 5, 2014. His burial was attended by the Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Ramalan Yero and the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji (Dr) Shehu Idris. The National Conference was represented by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Assistant Secretary in charge of Finance and Administration. A strong believer in the democratic process, Jumare once threatened to leave public service if there was an attempt to introduce another interim government in the country. While announcing INEC’s plan to hold a national conference on the 2007 general elections, Jumare was quoted as telling Journalists that politicians should go and canvass for votes from the electorate instead of looking for short-cut to governance. He reportedly said, “There is nothing like Interim National Government. Many of us will leave if the government comes up with something like that.”

Chibok: American Marines locate abducted girls in Sambisa forest

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

There were indications yesterday that the 230 female students abducted by Boko Haram terrorists from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, GGSS, Chibok, Borno State, have been sited at the Sambisa Forest in Borno State, by the Special Forces of the United States Marines. The girls who were abducted on April 14, were part of the 250 students boarded at the school for the West African School Certificate, WASC/ Senior Secondary School Certificate, SSSC, examinations, triggering world-wide condemnations. This was even as more US military officials arrived Nigeria yesterday to join local officials in the search for nearly 300 school girls taken captives by the Islamist extremist group, Boko Haram, the US Secretary of State John Kerry, and the defence department, Pentagon, said The UK team had earlier arrived in Abuja to support Nigerian government in its response to the abduction of over 200 school girls. The arrival of the foreign troops is coming on the heels of the appeal yesterday by the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar for Nigerians to unite and fight the insurgents to achieve success. According to Kerry, “Our inter-agency team is hitting the ground in Nigeria now and they are going to be working with President Goodluck Jonathan’s government to do everything that we possibly can to return these girls.” The CNN also quoted the U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, John Kirby, who serves as Pentagon press secretary, as saying that the small team of seven would join advisers supporting local efforts to find the girls abducted over three weeks ago. Kerry said the US team, working with the Nigerian government, would do everything possible to free the girls and everything possible to stop the atrocities of Boko Haram. “We are also going to do everything possible to counter the menace of Boko Haram. The entire world should not only be condemning this outrage but should be doing everything possible to help Nigeria in the days ahead,” he added. But there are no plans to send American combat troops into Nigeria, Mr. Kirby said. The abduction of the school girls on April 14 in a remote community in Borno State, one of the most shocking terrorist acts by Boko Haram yet, has drawn widespread anger around the world with calls for a swift action. President Goodluck Jonathan said Thursday that the kidnapping will be “the beginning of end” of Boko Haram. US President Obama has said he hopes the abduction by Boko Haram will galvanize the international community to act against the brutal group that has directed much of its cruelty oncivilians and the innocent.marines-arrest This week, more than 100 people were killed in a busy market by militants suspected to be from the group. The attack occurred in Gamboru Ngala, Borno State, near the Nigerian border with Cameroun. Besides the United States, Britain, France and China have also offered to help rescue the stolen girls.Obama said the team sent to Nigeria comprised personnel from military, law enforcement and other agencies. France said it will station 3,000 troops in Nigeria’s neighbouring countries to help fight militants in the Sahel region. British satellites and advanced tracking capabilities also will be used, and China has promised to provide any intelligence gathered by its satellite network. Meanwhile in a statement yesterday, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said, “a team of UK experts who will advise and support the Nigerian authorities in its response to the abduction of over 200 school girls touched down in Abuja, Nigeria this morning”. The team is drawn from across government, including DfID, FCO and the MoD, and will work with the Nigerian authorities leading on the abductions and terrorism in Nigeria. The team will be considering not just the recent incidents but also longer-term counter-terrorism solutions to prevent such attacks in the future and defeat Boko Haram. The team will be working closely with their US counterparts and others to coordinate efforts. Us Marines find abducted girls, arrest Boko Haram leader However, military sources said that apart from abducting the girls, the insurgents also carted away food items and vehicles as well as killing undisclosed number of people in Chibok on the fateful night. The sources told Saturday Vanguard in Abuja that members of the United States Marines who are already in Maiduguri following the promise by President Barak Obama to assist Nigeria in rescuing the abducted girls, located the girls inside the forest, using some Satellite equipment which combed the forest, located an assembly of the young girls and sent the images back to the Marines on ground in Maiduguri. Aside locating the whereabouts of the girls in the dense forest, it was also, further gathered that one of the leaders of terrorist group who participated in the abduction of the girls was arrested by a combined team of the US Marines and Nigerian forces. Sources said that the Boko Haram leader was arrested, through an advanced interceptor equipment which was used to track the terrorist while exchanging information with his colleagues in Sambisa Forest about the movements of American and Nigerian soldiers in Maiduguri. His phone was subsequently traced to a location in Maiduguri where he was arrested and handed over to the Nigerian military. The location of the girls in the forest is contrary to widespread reports that the girls had been distributed and ferried to the Nigerian border towns in Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic. Senator Ahmed Zanna, representing Borno Central District in whose Maiduguri home, an alleged Boko Haram top commander was once arrested told the Senate last week that he gave the Military an up-to-date information on how the girls could be rescued, but lamented that his information was largely ignored. He spoke against the backdrop of the claim by the Boko Haram leader, Sheik Abubakar Shekau, last week that the girls were booties of war, who would be sold into slavery. However, Atiku said in his blog, “While I have had and continue to have major policy differences with the government in Abuja and its leadership, as a nation we must remain united. ”We have come to a turning point in our war against terrorism in Nigeria. It is a critical moment for us; the war will not be won without us winning this battle. In short, if one is not part of the solution, they become part of the problem. ”And at a moment like this, we can no longer afford anything but a united commitment to stamping out a great evil that threatens the very existence of the only place we call home. ”On social media, I have been amazed by the outpouring of solidarity from within and outside Nigeria. While on the one hand it is sad to see Nigeria in the news for its inability to protect its most vulnerable citizens, it is also clear that in the age of social media no concerns or problems are local. ”It is in light of this that I welcome the offer of military support from the United States, United Kingdom, France and others, and the acceptance by the Nigerian government. While I believe that we waited too long to get to this point of admitting our need for external help, I will also insist that it’s better late than never. ”We must make it clear that under no circumstances should any person, group of persons, or organization ever be permitted to prey on the children of Nigeria, or any other country. We must make it easy for everyone who has information about this crime against humanity to contact the authorities at once. ”We must make it easy for the innocent population of the affected areas to see the Nigerian military and authorities as friends, not enemies. We must make it easy for our soldiers to be loyal and committed to this great and difficult task ahead of them. ”We must make it easy for the world to see Nigeria as a country that cares for all its citizens, regardless of their age, gender, religion, ethnic group or economic class. We must remember the people most affected, trapped on the frontlines of the battle. They need support, relief and rehabilitation. ”We must remember they will need help when they are returned home to their families and their loved ones. And we must make it difficult for anyone to play politics with this crisis. ’’Nothing, absolutely nothing, is worth the bloodshed and the destruction we have come to associate with this campaign of terror. Not party affiliations, not the 2015 elections. We are in a race against time. For every day we delay our response, or allow ourselves to be caught up in needless bickering, we hand victory over to the forces of darkness and despair, like Boko Haram.” Atiku appeals for unity to defeat Boko Haram However, the arrival of the foreign military officials is coming on the heels of the appeal yesterday by the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on Nigerians to unite and fight the insurgents. Atiku said the Nigeria had reached a turning point in the war against terrorism, asking the people irrespective of class, status, religion or party affiliation to unite to ensure victory over evil. Atiku posted his opinion on his blog on the website lamenting the high level of insurgency resulting in the abduction of female students by Boko Haram Islamist sect, pointing out Nigerians can no longer afford any other thing, but a united commitment to stamp out what he termed ‘’a great evil that threatens the very existence of the only place we can call our home.’’ No Boko Haram activities in Lagos —Police In a related development, the Lagos State Police Command said yesterday that the rumour about activities of Boko Haram members in some parts of the state was false. The Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the state Police Command, DSP Ngozi Braide, made this known at a news conference yesterday, at Premier College Group of Schools, Palm Avenue, Mushin, where the sect members allegedly invaded. “It is not true that there is any act of terrorism anywhere in Lagos State. It is a lie that the terrorists invaded Premier College to abduct students. “Somebody just sat down somewhere and cooked up the lies to cause panic in the state. “Premier College and other schools in the state are safe and secure; let the public discountenance the rumour,“ she said. The Executive Director of the college, Mr Abraham Martins, spoke in the same vein, describing the rumour as ”false and baseless.” There are indications that with the confirmation that the girls are still within Nigerian territory, contrary to widespread reports that the girls have been distributed and ferried out, the original plan to storm Sambisa forest which was put on hold, would now be activated.It is however not clear if and when the the rescue operation would begin. Nigerian Girl Guides Association expresses worry Meanwhile, the Nigerian Girl Guides Association,NGGA, has joined millions of Nigerians to express worry over the continued abduction of 234 female students and called on the Federal Government to ensure that the girls are rescued unhurt to re-unite with their families. The association, in a statement signed by its Chief Commissioner, Dame (Dr) Christie Toby also challenged Nigerians to be security conscious and assist law enforcement agencies in fighting the enemies of the nation. “The NGGA joins all well-meaning people all over the world to express shock over the abduction of 234 innocent school girls in Borno State. “We are sad that up till this moment, these girls are still missing. The NGGA, being a female organisation, is specially concerned, and condemns such a heinous act. “We declare our support for these girls and their families and pray God to strengthen them in these trying times. We appreciate the fact that government is fighting terrorism in Nigeria, but we are appealing to President Jonathan to ensure that these girls are returned safely to their families so that they can continue with their education. “We also appeal to all security agencies and people of goodwill to support President Jonathan as they work to bring back our dear girls,” the statement added.

REAL MEN DON'T BUY GIRLS

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

NATIONAL CONFAB: Key issues before northern delegates

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION: In convening the 2014 National Conference, the President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is following on the footsteps of his predecessor in office, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo whose earlier exercise was called National Political Reforms Conference, 2005. Unlike the familiar “constitutional” conferences held both under the colonial period and military rule, the motive or purpose for calling these ‘National Conferences’ by Nigeria’s Presidents have never been clear to all Nigerians. On the contrary, they have tended to be gimmicks used by the Presidents to push through certain agenda that they fear cannot possibly pass through the National Assembly. Besides, the Presidents are quick to discard and abandon reports of these conferences once they failed to get what they wanted. The unmistakable conclusion to be drawn from the history ofthese exercises is that the 2014 National Conference, like its 2005 predecessor, is intended to permit Mr. President to take certain actions and decisions which are not allowed without changing the constitution and which the National Assembly may not otherwise endorse. In other words, the National Conference is a device designed to blackmail the citizenry especially the National Assembly, into a position where they may be powerless to prevent the introduction of certain policies or changes no matter how obnoxious they may be to the majority of the population. Of course, the President won’t tell anyone in advance what the hidden agenda are with respect to the Conference. One is, therefore, left to second guess his motives and to do so by analyzing his pedigree, his speeches and actions as well as those of his supporters and advisers in the five years he has been in office. On this score, the tell-tale signs of his secret ambitions are unmistakable. President Jonathan’s supporters have missed no opportunity to remind everyone that he is the first democratically elected president of Nigeria who is both from an ethnic minority and from the oil rich Niger Delta. Both facts are pregnant with significance for what he might want to do, particularly in the light of the endless agitation by people from that part of the country to confiscate all revenue accruing from oil exploitation for themselves alone. Whatever his motives might be, it behooves the Delegates to this Conference to ‘shine their eyes’ and use a magnifying glass while looking at all proposals being brought for their consideration. It is our hope that Northern Delegates would find the analysis and data contained in this publication helpful in appreciating some of the issues likely to prove contentious at the conference. We wish to express our appreciation to the Northern Governors, the Arewa Consultative Forum and the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for their decision to constitute this Think-Tank and to have found the membership suitable for the task of thinking-through the key issues before the Conference. It is hoped that this intervention will help the Northern Delegates assist the Conference move Nigeria forward not backwards. Derivation and Revenue Sharing Under Nigeria’s Federal arrangement, the central government shares responsibilities and resources in stipulated covenants (established by the colonial masters at the inception and severally affirmed by Nigerians at different conferences and Constitutions) that seeks to achieve equity, justice and fairness to all the units for balanced development of the units and a strong enough centre for national security and ensuring orderliness and managing international relations. How much the regions have to contribute to the centre from revenues they generate and how much they receive from revenue surpluses accrued to the centre (Federal Government) and what resources should the units and the federal government have control on, remained central issues in defining the Nigerian federation. Records show that the Northern region contributed 75.18 per cent to the centre but it received only 18.94 per cent in services between 1914 and 1946, while the South that contributed only 24.18 per cent received 81.06 per cent. The North clearly played a key role at significant disadvantage so as to ensure a balanced development of the nation early in its history. In fact, the contributions of the North were used for the development of the oil sector and other regions whose contributions fell short of their needs as at then. Similarly, agriculture in the North still contributes much more to the national economy than is currently appreciated; the sector saves the nation billions in foreign exchange which would otherwise have gone into food and raw materials importation. The increasing role of petroleum oil in the national economy and a declined cash contribution of the agricultural and other traditional factors (e.g. cattle tax) to the central account have agitated the South, particularly the Niger Delta to demand for new definition in revenue sharing and control of resources. Control ofresources The Federal Government since 1999 has taken steps which negated the principles of justice and equity to the entire federating units, clearly threatening the balanced development of the country for the common good of all. For example, the revenue received by the six states of the South-South from the Federal allocation from 1999 to date amounted to N17.74 trillion (each of the six states received on average N2.96 trillion), while the 19 states of the North received only N10.53 trillion (an average of only N554 billion per state). On the other hand, the eleven states of the South-West and the South-East combined together received N8.79 trillion (an average of N799 nillion per state) . It is the position of this paper that the agitation made by the Niger Delta states for the abrogation of the onshore/offshore dichotomy are uncalled for and did not appreciate historical facts or meet the tenets of the federal system that we operate. The Supreme Court ruling on the onshore/offshore oil dichotomy has settled the case. Moves made by the Federal Government in awarding the contract for the protection of the pipelines and oil producing structures to ex-insurgents (purportedly for greater involvement of citizens of the oil producing areas in the management of oil matters) is ill advised and in the light of subsequent events, a security threatto the whole nation. Recommendations: The paper, therefore, recommends that the country takes the path of equity and justice and a commitment to a balanced development of every part of Nigeria as expected in a federal system. Claim to oilresources The North also recommends the rejection of claims to oil resources by oil producing areas that led to the cancellation of the onshore/ offshore oil dichotomy which action gave away a national resource to littoral state, seriously eroding revenue available for distribution to all parts of the country. The North demands a reversal to status quo ante. All mineral resources should remain under the exclusive rights of the Federal Government as provided for by the international law (1982 United Nations Converltion on the Law of the Sea UNCLOS, Article 76) on territorial waters/boundaries which stipulated that 200 nautical miles off the continental shelves belongs to the central government exclusively. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/05/national-confab-key-issues-northern-delegates/#sthash.Yz1sfpmV.dpuf - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/05/national-confab-key-issues-northern-delegates/#sthash.Yz1sfpmV.dpuf

Goodbye Nigeria: Give us Oduduwa Republic or Let us Die - By Femi Fani Kayode

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_161047" align="alignleft" width="360"] Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode[/caption]I look at the Nigeria of today and I am not encouraged or inspired. As a matter of fact I am deeply saddened. I see no heroes on the horizon but only questionable pretenders and fallen caricatures that have sold their heritage and destiny for a mess of pottage and that couldn’t give a fig about what history or posterity will say about them or their country. Many have asked why I should say such things. Permit me to answer that pertinent question by posing a few of my own. I start by asking: is this the Nigeria of Murtala Mohammed and Theophilius Danjuma? Is this the nation that helped to liberate Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa? Is this the nation that restored sanity and stability to Sierra Leonne, that brought an end to a civil war in Liberia, that fought so gallantly in Burma and Somalia and that quelled a military coup in Sao Tome and Principe? Is this the nation whose wealth once knew no bounds and whose middle class once owned the finest cars and properties in London, Paris and New York? Is this the nation whose beautiful people once graced the streets of Belgravia, Chelsea, Hampstead and Knitsbridge? Is this the country that once nationalized BP and that gave Margaret Thatcher sleepless nights over apartheid South Africa ? Is this the nation that once stood up to the mighty Boers and whose ancestors studied at Oxford and Cambridge as far back as the 1800′s? Is this the nation whose inhabitants and various ethnic nationalities once ruled vast empires and whose progenitors contributed so much to the traditions, religion and culture of Ancient Egypt? Is this the country that once fought a bitter and brutal civil war, yet declared ”no victor, no vanquished” and, in the spirit of love, came back as one? Is this the country which has been through thick and thin and yet whose people remained ever so resilient and always put a smile on their faces? Is this the country where giants once held court and where the greats of old once presided? Where did we go wrong? What has happened to our people and what has afflicted our country? When did our leaders become spineless cowards and deceivers? When did the green white green of our nation’s flag become soiled with human faeces and when was it torn to shreds? When did we shy away from fighting our own battles and prosecuting our own wars? When did we start bowing our heads in shame as events unfold in our country? When did we start sitting down silently as international newscasters speak about our nation in painful, disdainful, hushed and condescending tones? What has happened to the ever courageous, ever smiling, ever confident and ever dependable Nigerian who shook the world with his arrogance and confidence and who spoke of his nation with pride and joy? What has happened to our great army that was once the pride of Africa and that once made us so proud? What has happened to our great intellectuals and our men and women of courage and vision who once, like a colossus, bestrode the world? What has happened to the stubborn and proud yet warm, friendly and profoundly good people that Nigerians once were? What has happened to the people that were once regarded as the hope of Africa and the pride of every black man on the planet? Where and when did we go astray? How and when did it all go wrong? When did we lose our strength, our wealth, our honour and our power? When did we lose our excellence, our confidence, our dignity and our self-respect? When did we become so weak and so helpless? When did we turn into killers, savages and barbarians? When did we become so pitiful that the whole world mocks us and heaps insults on us so easily? When did they start saying that we have ”no serious government”, that we have ”lost control of large portions of our nation” and that we can’t even protect our own children? When did we become incapable of defending our borders and protecting our people? When did we turn into a laughing stock and a reference point for incompetence, stupidity, cowardice, ignorance, evil, cluelessness and all that is bad to the rest of the world? When did other nations start giving us lessons on how to fight insurgency and how to prosecute our wars? When did our people start clamouring for foreign armies to enter our land, violate our sovereignty and march on our sacred soil? When did we start having to ask others to come and solve our local problems? O Nigeria, how are the mighty fallen. Truly ours is a nation afflicted. She is finished and there is little hope of any form of redemption or resurrection. The honeymoon is over and the glory has departed. One hundred years of a forced and failed marriage has ended in a bitter yet undeniable divorce. We have lost it all and there is no going back. Those that wish to break up our nation for sport and bring our people to their knees have had their way. Those that wish to watch us slaughter one another in an Fun of mindless violence and that wish to establish their AFRICOM in our shores will soon be here and we shall be occupied forever. O Nigeria, how are the mighty fallen. I loved Nigeria but now I have stopped believing in her. She is saddled with many different sub-nations that were simply incompatible right from the start. She is plagued and cursed with one particular sub-nation whose ruling elite are dangerous and unyielding, whose guile and deceit is second to none, who treat their own people with contempt and derision, who believe that they were born to rule, who think that power belongs to them, who suppress the religious and ethnic minorities within their ranks and who were taught from an early age that there was none besides them. Those people have killed Nigeria. They and those who have consistently bowed and trembled before them and who have always allowed them to have their way. Our nation has become a cruel joke – she is a maliciously contrived contraption that has shattered many dreams and frustrated many ambitions and aspirations. This was a country that was created for the benefit of just a few at the cost of the misery and pain of so many. I will never accept the idea of living in a nation side by side with religious extremists who slit the throats of children, who habitually slaughter the innocents and who abduct and fornicate with small girls. Animals have no place in the homes of men. It is time for us to stop pretending: let the terrorists and their friends in high places break away and establish their own country where they can marry as many young girls as they please and chop off as many limbs as they want. Let them form a nation where they can stone adulterers and turn women into chattels that are not even worthy of life. Let those of us from the west establish Oduduwa and let us celebrate and enjoy our freedom from the bondage and ineptitude of a cruel failed state that has no soul and that lacks humanity and compassion. Let us be liberated from the deceit that is known as Nigeria: a nation that once was but that is no more. Let us be free of Nigeria: a nation where injustice, evil, persecution, insensitivity, impunity, terror, graft and wickedness reign supreme. Let us be rid of Nigeria: a country where those of us that had the misfortune of being born on the ”wrong” side of the regional divide or who are adherents of the ”wrong” religious faith are butchered for our heritage and can never be treated as equals. Give us Oduduwa or let us die. Yet we will eventually take our freedom by force if it is not freely given to us. We shall take it by fire: by the shedding of blood and by our own bleeding if necessary. We will take it by fire and by sacrificing our lives if that is what we are forced to do. What we will never do is continue to live in perpetual slavery in a nation called Nigeria that is afflicted with feeble rulers and peopled by religious bigots, intimate deviants and bloodthirsty terrorists. We shall not allow ourselves to be consumed by the weakness and ineptitude of our present-day rulers and the sheer incompetence of those that do not have the courage or the moral authority to crush the beasts that have abducted and enslaved our girls. SOURCE: I have had enough. I say goodbye Nigeria: give us Oduduwa or let us die.

Twin Explosions In Nigeria: Militant Pipeline Vandals in the South; Boko Terrorists in the North

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sunday twin-explosions in Nigeria's First Lady's hometown of Okrika and Opposition's Northern stronghold of Kano are political messages to a besieged and traumatized citizenry that head or tail, South or North, next year 2015 Presidential election shall unleash be a watershed elections

#BringBackOurGirls: Protesters Reschedule Visit To Presidential Villa

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

pro-Boko Haram policy

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

MEND claims responsibility for P’Harcourt blast

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Opinion: How Islam can fight back against Boko Haram

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Similarly glamorous motives were ascribed to Boko Haram's bombing of two newspaper offices in Nigeria. Headlines described the April 2012 incident as "an attack on freedom of the press." However, Shekau's video release, which followed soon after, gave his actual, rather primitive reasons: "...Each time we say something, it is either changed or downplayed...I challenge every Nigerian to watch that video again. There is no place our imam either said he will crush President Jonathan or issued an ultimatum to the government in Nigeria, but nearly all papers carried very wrong and mischievous headlines." I can imagine the AK47-clad hoodlums scrambling to Google after each fresh aggression, frantically typing their leader's name and some relevant key words. There was nothing complex about the group's motives: The newspaper office bombings were a mere act of raw revenge. Boko Haram is probably just a gang of plundering hoods masquerading as a group with higher motives that could warrant dialogue -- never mind that they may have attracted the alliance of more sinister sponsors with more strategic purposes. The group claims "Western education is a sin" yet records its threats with hi-tech video equipment and employs advanced ammunition to destroy; it has no clear target and attacks willy-nilly, a la Wild Wild West; and its conduct is as Islamic as that of the street preacher who kidnapped and raped Elizabeth Smart was Christian. The media and expert analysts are the ones who seem to be supplying Boko Haram with all the grand motives they may never really have thought about in the first place. As an author, who has had expert reviewers dissect my book and ascribe to my writing various meanings of which I had absolutely no idea, I am quite familiar with how something straightforward can suddenly be accorded impressive complexity. We may not be able to take the guns and bombs out of the hands of Boko Haram and their ilk yet, but since they are not content to take full advantage of Instagram or Facebook -- as many other attention-seekers of this age are -- the media must stop fuelling their inner psychopaths. If they won't travel to Hollywood and patiently wait tables until they get noticed by Quentin Tarantino, we must not offer them stardom on a platter. There has to be a better way of passing on the relevant information and awareness of danger about terrorists to the public, without creating superstar monsters.

LATEST ASUU: Indefinite strike begins...LASU

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Following the reluctant of Lagos state government to address the demand of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU), Chapter, the union has commenced an indefinite strike. [caption id="attachment_161510" align="aligncenter" width="272"] Lagos state University, LASU[/caption] The union made it decisions known today (Tuesday) after a meeting with the national body of the union, which held at the Ojo campus of the institution. The decision is to further press home their demands from the Fashola led administration. DETAIL SOON...

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Area Boys are Human Beings- Hon. Ajidagba Hon. Shuaib Fatai Ajidagba is the present Executive chairman of the Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA). He is the CEO of Ajifat Convalescent Home and Health care centre. He is fondly called as “Ajifat or the Peoples’ chairman”. He is one of the Lagos State Local Government Chairmen you can see freely in his house office without due process. He is a medical professional with integrity. In this brief interview with Godday Odidi, he spoke on his leadership agenda to the people he represented and area boys’ violence in Ifelodun LCDA recently. Excerpts: What is the problem of Area boys in Ifelodun LCDA ? Area boys are human beings. We must empower or engage them to prevent future violence in the local government. My government is all about the people that elected me into the office. I can’t run away from them. I have been living in this community over the years so I know the problem of the people. I know the poverty level of people living here. As a trained medical professional over 20years of practice, poverty is the bane of progress. The government is all about creating jobs for the people which we are doing now. What has been your major agenda in Ifelodun LCDA since you were elected as the Chairman? A: Every good leader must be God-fearing in terms of fulfilling his or her promises to the people he or she representing. My government is focused on education, environment, and construction of roads, health, welfare, electricity and massive infrastructure at the grassroots level. I am a grassroots leader that knows the problem of the people. I must work for the people that elected me into this office. I am answerable to them. So grassroots development is my focus. You can be a leader and you are not listening to the people. We also provide welfare for our people too. Question: Your leadership is quite different from your past predecessors, what is the secret behind it? A: There is no secret my brother is just God on my leadership. I live with the people till date. Every good leader must have an agenda for its people and nothing more. Grassroots leadership is all about the people not me. I see leadership as a sacrifice which we are doing here now. We also provide constant welfare for the people. We can’t satisfy everybody but we can do our best. Question: Do you consider yourself to be re-elected for second term as Ifelodun LCDA chairman? A: It is the people I am representing will decide it. I can’t force myself on them. I have said it before that leadership is for the people not me. I will always do my best and live the rest for God. Lastly, what is your advice for Ifelodun youths seeing you as a role model? They should work hard and believe God in their lives.

How Boko Haram Killed 20 Borno Villagers On Sunday

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

How Boko Haram Killed 20 Borno Villagers On Sunday

No fewer than 20 persons were reportedly killed on Sunday afternoon in an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Kamuyya village in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The insurgents have killed over 100 persons in the last one week in their attacks on isolated villages in the troubled state, leaving property eiither destroyed or carted away.
The Sunday attack, according to residents of the area, was hatched by dozens of the members of the outlawed sect, who invaded Kamuyya village with assault rifles and explosives.
The attack was said to have lasted for over two hours and 20 persons were left dead by the insurgents, who fled to the bushes after the killing spree.
Residents, who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri on the telephone on Sunday, said some insurgents had visited the town about two months ago and asked the village head to mobilise his subjects to contribute the sum of N250,000 for them in order to execute “God’s work.”
The villagers, out of fear of the terror sect, were said to have been able to raise N70,000, contributed by peasant farmers and petty traders with little income.
Though the insurgents were said to have collected the contributed money, but left a message that they would come back for the balance.
They allegedly threatened that if the balance was not paid at a stipulated time, it would fetch death sentence for most of the villagers.
According to one of the villagers, Bukar Umar, the threat was taken with a pinch of salt as many thought it was “madness gone too far.”
He said, “Actually when they issued such threat, we all took it lightly as we are all relaxed and nobody bothered to make any extra effort to put in the amount they requested. May be that was what ignited this bloody attack because we were unable to meet their demand.”
Umar said they were caught pants down as over 20 insurgents, who were believed to have emerged from the bush, stormed the Kamuyya weekly market and opened fire on the crowd before setting shops and vehicles on fire.
According to him, the hoodlums, who were well armed with sophisticated weapons, after raiding the area, proceeded to the major market and began sporadic and indiscriminate shootings into the crowd, killing 20 persons on the spot and burning most of the shops in the market.
He noted that they were taken unawares as the town had not come under such heavy attacks for a long time.
Umar, who expressed dismay that innocent people were killed with such impunity, added that there was no intervention from the security forces despite the over two hours that the onslaught lasted.

Ndume: Boko Haram, Not Just the Failure of the Political Class

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The senator representing Borno South senatorial district in the National Assembly, Mohammed Ali Ndume, yesterday said the Boko Haram crisis persisted not because of the failure of politicians to deliver dividends of democracy but because everyone was shying away from their responsibility to the nation. Ndume said the crisis should be seen by Nigerians from the perspective of what should they contribute personally to solve it. Speaking with journalists in Maiduguri, Ndume said it was wrong to trade blame on what had sustained the crisis this long, insisting that since security was the responsibility of all, the large scale insecurity as with Boko Haram is the irresponsibility of all. He said Nigerians are always quick to throw blame for the system failure at politicians as if they were not the making of the society or system. “We should all take responsibility and stop trading blame, we should desist from concluding that politicians have failed the nation. “Are politicians from Mars, did they go to special school to learn politics? They are just like any other Nigerian, because I contested for an election and won does not making me better than you,” Ndume said. He told journalists that “if you are saying the senate has failed the nation, who make up the senate? In the senate today, we have a former National President of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the person of Senator Smart Adeyemi, who it would be right to say you donated to us, does that mean journalists could be singled out as failures? The fact is that the senate is the make up of the Nigerian society as well as other arms of government. “So we need not be so quick to see politicians as failures instead look at what we can do as individuals to preserve the country.” Ndume said he was optimistic that this will be the last session of emergency rule in the three North-eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa as the military are presently working tirelessly to put an end to the Boko Haram menace. “The problem before now was the misconception of the crisis as religious, ethnic and regional, but with the realisation of the federal government that it is a national calamity and non-religious, non-tribal and non-regional, the first step has been won as discovery is the key to solving a problem. “I believe we are almost there, we are about to win the war, the whole world is interested in solving this problem, the only thing that is needed is sincerity and the will of government,” the senator said. He added that the federal government has the capacity to bring peace back to the North-east, the world is unified against Boko Haram therefore, the federal government should tap into this to bring peace back to the North-east.” Ndume said it was good news that the federal government had assured Nigerians that elections would hold next year in the three troubled states where emergency rule presently reigns. He said: “We are still optimistic that election will hold. Elections have held in worse situation worldwide, even during wars why not here.” source

APC CHAIR: Tinubu re-strategises as Ikimi, Jaja emerge main contenders

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi and erstwhile deputy national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, have emerged favourite candidates of two major blocs in contention for the office of national chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC. [caption id="attachment_83535" align="alignright" width="252"] ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU[/caption] Two other aspirants, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, who are also in contention, are being propped up as fall-back options by the two blocs that have been built around the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and northern governors in the party. Odigie-Oyegun, who was earlier being promoted by Tinubu, Vanguard learnt, may have lost out in a recent realignment that has seen the Tinubu camp shift allegiance to Sam Jaja. Ikimi, who is being backed by a number of former governors and some northern governors in the party, Vanguard learnt, has received the full endorsement of erstwhile governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who has noticeably become a rallying point for the anti-Tinubu forces in the party. Zoning the slot Vanguard gathered that following the determination of the interim national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, to step down at the convention due in two weeks, and the determination of those opposed to Tinubu to zone the office of the national chairman to the South-South/South-East, Tinubu had set his eyes on Odigie-Oyegun as the next national chairman of the party. Odigie-Oyegun, a former governor of Edo State and Tinubu were arrowheads in the move to validate the 1993 presidential election won by Bashorun Moshood Abiola. They were subsequently colleagues in the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO. However, sources close to Tinubu disclosed that he recently changed his plans and opted for Sam Jaja, a candidate being pushed by governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi. The move by Tinubu, Vanguard learnt, may have been a calculated one by the former Lagos State governor to regain his momentum in the party by dividing the ranks of the governors who had recently united to stop some proposals backed by Tinubu. In working with Amaechi, the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, Tinubu, it was learnt, would hope to break the unity of the governors who had recently risen as a group to oppose proposals favoured by him. Opposing forces Besides influencing the appointment of one of their own, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, as chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, the governors also prevailed on the rezoning of the office of the national chairman to the South-South and the decision to host the national convention in Abuja. Those backing Ikimi were last night hopeful that the Tinubu synergy with Amaechi would come to nothing. “Tinubu is having problems with backing Ikimi because he believes Ikimi cannot be easily nudged,” one Ikimi supporter said yesterday. The Amaechi factor The move concerning Amaechi and Tinubu is despite parallel moves by associates of President Goodluck Jonathan to woo the Rivers State governor. As part of the efforts in thawing the ice, the Federal Government last week released the Rivers State government-owned aircraft impounded by the Ministry of Aviation and gave permission for the authorities in Port Harcourt to import two armoured helicopters earlier procured to boost security in the state. Efforts to get a reaction from the Rivers State governor and his aides were unsuccessful last night. Culled from: VANGUARD

Release abducted girls or face God’s wrath

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

An Abuja Federal High Court on Monday declared that Charles Okah, suspected mastermind of the October 1, 2010, twin bomb blasts at Eagle Square, Abuja, was fit to stand trial. John Ainetor, Mr. Okah’s counsel, however, brought an application that Mr. Okah was not mentally fit to stand trial. He urged the court to allow a private medical doctor examine him. The court had earlier ordered that a medical test be conducted on Okah at the National Hospital, Abuja, but Mr. Ainetor insisted on having a private doctor’s report besides it. The prosecution counsel, Alex Izinyon, had urged the court to dismiss the application, describing it as an abuse of court process. He argued that it was a ploy to delay the matter, which had yet to make any progress since 2010 when the suit was instituted. Ruling on the matter, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that Mr. Ainetor’s application was an abuse of court process and dismissed it. “The request for a private medical evaluation of the accused person is an abuse of court process. Its aim is to ensure that the trial does not proceed. “There is no merit in the applicant’s motion on notice and it is hereby dismissed.” he said. Mr. Kolawole ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Kuje Prisons, Abuja, and be produced in court for accelerated trial. He adjourned the case to July 8 and 9, and October 7, 8, and 15, for the trial.

Sanusi: The Making Of An Emir

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The elevation of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to the ancient throne of his forefathers in the historic city of Kano, known for commerce and Islamic learning brought all speculation about succession after the long reign of the late Emir Ado Bayero to an end. We join millions of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to congratulate the new emir and to wish him a successful reign. Power comes from God; man is only a temporary caretaker. It is in that context that we urge all those who may not have endorsed the candidacy of Sanusi to join hands with the new traditional and religious leader, to sustain the worthy legacy of the late Emir Bayero. [caption id="attachment_170718" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi[/caption] Anyone familiar with the history of Kano and its importance to the wellbeing of the entire northern Nigeria would appreciate the need for temperance on the part of the new emir, especially considering the circumstances of his ascension to the throne. One unfortunate burden of the royal race was the heavy shadow of partisan politics that was cast over the exercise. Now that the race is over, it behoves Alhaji Sanusi to bring the entire royal family together and work tirelessly for the material and spiritual advancement of Kano as father of all. Those who are trying to portray the new emir as belonging to their political persuasion do the throne of Kano grievous harm. Every traditional ruler has to earn the respect and admiration of his people and must not be seen as leader of only a section thereof. Politicians will come and go, but the throne of Kano will endure. Emir Sanusi must therefore send unmistakable signals that he is above partisan politics. No longer should anyone be allowed to drag his name into the murky fray of politics, for in doing so, they taint his name and the sacred throne he occupies. Having acquired the best of both Islamic and Western education and having excelled so brilliantly in his professional life as a banker, Emir Sanusi has what it takes to make a success of the new assignment that God has thrust on him. He knows, more than anybody else does, that he must be an embodiment of justice and must be seen to be a personification of Islamic virtues. Old things must pass away – even pervasive presence in the social media – unless they advance the cause of uniting the people of Kano and the socio-economic development of the emirate. In addition, the emir must be the foremost ambassador of Kano culture without discounting its distinguished reputation as a melting pot and home for all. It is our prayer that Almighty Allah who has put Sanusi on the throne will grant him the sagacity to navigate the waters successfully. Source:LEADERSHIP

2015: Tinubu ‘drops interest’ in VP slot

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has dropped his interest in the vice-presidential slot of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 presidential election, TheCable understands. Tinubu is making that “personal sacrifice” in the interest of opposition politics in Nigeria, one of his associates said at the weekend. He said: “Tinubu has seen that the political currents in Nigeria are not in favour of a Muslim-Muslim ticket and there is every chance that the presidential candidate of the APC will be a northern Muslim. “Picking an all-Muslim ticket will only play into the hands of PDP which has been trying to portray APC as an Islamic party. Whoever emerges as the running mate will have Tinubu’s blessing. “No matter what, Tinubu has succeeded in negotiating a very good deal for the south-west in the APC. The strongest positions in the national working committee of the party have been zoned away from the south-west, which leaves the zone in a good position to take the vice-presidential slot. “Tinubu has laboured very hard to build a political base in the south-west and he deserves credit for this. Those who think they can just ride on his back to win votes need to show him a bit of respect.” TheCable was also informed that some top APC politicians in the south-west were already unhappy with Tinubu because of the VP issue, a situation that has generated tension in the party. Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and two former governors ─ Chief Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti) and Chief Segun Osoba (Ogun) ─ are all believed to be eyeing the VP slot since they are all Christians. All APC governors in the south-west are Muslims, apart from Fayemi. APC is most likely to zone its presidential ticket to the north, and a Muslim candidate is expected to be picked at the party’s convention in November. Outside of the north, the south-west is the biggest terrain for the APC where it currently controls five of the six states. Copyright 2014 The Cable. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.thecable.ng as the source Read more at: http://www.thecable.ng/2015-tinubu-drops-interest-in-vp-slot/ | TheCable

Amosu of Ogun State and others at Aregbesola's Re-election Campaign

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

a href="http://www.osundefender.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Ikirun-Rally.jpg"> [caption id="attachment_173905" align="aligncenter" width="499"]
From left, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; First Civilian Governor of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Sherifat and Wife of Ogun State Governor, Princess Fumilayo Amosun, during Aregbesola's Re-election Campaign in Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency at Ikirun, State of Osun on Tuesday 24-06-2014
From left, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; First Civilian Governor of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Sherifat and Wife of Ogun State Governor, Princess Fumilayo Amosun, during Aregbesola's Re-election Campaign in Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency at Ikirun, State of Osun on Tuesday 24-06-2014
[/caption] ]\\\\ [caption id="attachment_173903" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Mammoth crowd during Governor Aregbesola's Re-election Campaign in Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency at Ikirun, State of Osun on Tuesday 24-06-2014. Inset from left are, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; First Civilian Governor of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Sherifat and Wife of Ogun State Governor, Princess Fumilayo Amosun.[/caption]

Exposed: They Have Looted Ekiti Treasury - Fayose Cries Out!

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_173935" align="alignleft" width="284"] Ekiti state governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose[/caption] The Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has accused the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of depleting the state’s treasury. Fayose, at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Abuja during his appreciation visit yesterday said the state government had incurred a lot of debt for his incoming administration. The former governor noted that he served as the state governor between 2003 and 2006 without incurring any debt, adding that he left N10.4 billion in the states treasury in 2006. “I left N10.4 billion in the confers of the state today all the wealth has gone,” he said. Fayose who was in the company of the ministerial nominee from the state, Mr. Dayo. Adeyeye, said the PDP’s consensus arrangements would have defeated him in the primaries if not for President Jonathan’s intervention. The governor-elect said the incoming administration would ensure that all motorable roads in the state capital are tarred in the first two years in office. Source

Don’t Over-step Your Boundary, Aregbesola Warns Omisore

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday warned Senator Iyiola Omisore not to over step his boundaries in the run up to the August 9 governorship election in the state. Aregbesola stated this at a campaign rally for his re-election in Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state. He also said Omisore could not threaten him in any form, adding that “as Aregbesola, I have come to rebuilt the state for another good four years.” Aregbesola said he had not completed his mission in the state therefore Omisore should behave well before, during and after the election. He contended that the next four years would be enough to send People Democratic Party (PDP) and Omisore packing from the state. Aregbsola remarked that Omisore planned to being down the state from being governed but said if he does, he would face the the full wrath of the law. According to him, “If anybody thinks he can destabilised the state, he would be joking.” While reacting yesterday, Omisore’s spokesman, Diran Odeyemi, said Aregbesola did not know what he was saying because he was half educated. Odeyemi noted that Aregbesola was just making empty threats that are of no effect. He said the governor should not equate himself with Omisore in any form.

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Justice, Peace & Unity

P.O. Box 29356 Washington DC 20017

ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS-USA, NEW YORK BRANCH

cordially invites you to the

FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR GOVERNOR RAUF AREGBESOLA

Date: July 12, 2014 Time: 6:00 PM

Venue: Radisson Hotel JFK Airport 135-30 140th Street Jamaica, New York 11436 USA

SPEAKERS

Mr. Tony Isama, APC-USA Interim National Chairman, Hon. Dele Alade, a National Leader, APC-USA, Prof. Adesegun Labinjo, Interim Deputy National Chairman, APC-USA, Alhaji Hammed Famuyide, APC-USA, New York Branch and Mr. Musa Fatai, APC-USA Interim National Youth Leader

Osun State sons and daughters, and supporters of Gov.Aregbesola and APC are invited. Please come and support Gov. Aregbesola to keep the progress in Osun State going.

MODERATOR

Hon. Henry Ademola Adesanya

APC-USA Interim National Organizing Secretary

R.S.V.P.

Mr. Kehinde Kolawole, Interim Chairman, APC-USA New York Branch (347) 961-0926, Alhaji Hammed Famuyide, APC-USA New York Branch (917) 226-8939, Mr. Oladejo Abisoye, Interim Secretary, APC-USA New York Branch (201) 616-2201, Ms. Foluke Adeyemi, Interim Organizing Secretary, APC-USA New York Branch (718) 708-2142

National Confab Delegate Suffers Cardiac Arrest During Debate

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Niyi Akintola, a delegate from Oyo State and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, suffered a cardiac arrest today during conference proceedings. According to PREMIUM TIMES, the incident occurred while Mr. Akintola, was inside the gallery listening to the debate on the report of the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, which was earlier presented by Ike Nwachukwu. He was hurriedly taken a an undisclosed hospital. So far there has been no further news of his welfare. Since the beginning of the national confab , three delegates have died while some others have fainted during plenary sittings. Source:

BREAKING: Military Jackbooks on rampage in Lagos, burn BRT buses!

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_175672" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Rampaging soldiers burnt BRT busues in Lagos[/caption] A battalion of Nigerian soldiers today took over the busy Lagos-Ikorodu Road in the Nigeria's commercial city of Lagos to protest the death of their colleague who reportedly died in an auto accident involving one of the public buses known as 'BRT." The soldiers assaulted commuters using the public buses and set at least for buses ablaze. Also, a security guard in the area was killed by the rampaging soldiers leading to a complete breakdown of laws and order in the area The activities of the soldiers also caused a huge road traffic meltdown leading to traffic snarling fro Ikeja to Yaba area of Lagos. Eyewitnesses told Saharareporters that a soldier riding a power bike collided with a BRT bus along the Ikorodo-Lagos road and died immediately from the impact of the crash. Several of the soldiers who belonged to an outfit called 'OP MESA' immediately took over the area stretching from Onipanu, Palm Groove and Maryland bus stops band began forcing passengers to disembark from the buses before vandalizing the buses. Some passengers who sought to know what was happening were severely beaten by the rampaging soldiers. As of the time of filing this report, the soldiers have burnt down at least 4 BRT buses and destroyed three others between Onipanu and Palm Groove. Lagos State employees operating the buses have abandoned their buses and scampered into safety. One witness said a soldier picked up a big stone and hurled at the crowd to disperse those that gathered to watch the mayhem; they also attacked some women going about their daily businesses with sticks. Nigerian policemen seen on the scene appear helpless as the soldiers continue the destruction of public properties, assaulting civilians, seizing phones, beating up journalist who came to cover their actions in the area.

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

id not stop at ministries, he gave many youths letters toBanks id not stop at ministries, he gave many youths letters toBanks

PDP AND THE AWAITING DOOM OF PHYRRIC VICTORY

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Y. Whom the gods would destroy They must first make mad with power” Charles Beard To the utter chagrin of All Progressives Congress and her governorship candidate, who is also the Governor of Ekiti State,Dr Ayodele Fayose won a landslide victory over the incumbent and his former political ally Dr Kayode Fayemi. But , apart from the fact that, Dr Ayo Fayose had antecedents to defeat an incumbent Governor, as he did to Otunba Niyi Adebayo in 2003 governorship election. Dr Ayodele Fayose is also close to the people at grassroots, more than the incumbent Governor. Although Dr Kayode Fayemi, is a Ph. D holder, but Fayose is an excellent orator and a political strategist farther than the Governor. Fayose is also popular like the Governor, and more generous than the Governor. And as a matter of fact, before the election, Governor Fayemi has lost contacts with the citizens of the state, particularly those in grassroots .And he has erected a bridge of animosities between himself and the students, particularly those in higher institution of learning, through his arbitrary and outrageous increment of tuition fees ,and his proscription of students union activities in the state university ,which ranged to more than two academic session. The Governor, a progressive to the core and a revolutionary, but administered like a river that forgotten his source, and through his policies he turned himself into a reactionary and a retrogressive. And many electorates were forced to choose Fayose as an alternative. As the election was announced, in favor of Dr Ayo Fayose, PDP was jeering, laughing, rejoicing, and celebrating that the winning of Ekiti state, is a gate way to win back the south west. How naïve the leadership of the party is. PDP thought, they have woken up, but honestly the Party is still in deep sleep, and even snoring, I can hear it loudly. Honestly, the election that was in favor of the Party, have exposed the Party Achilles to APC. The victory of PDP in Ekiti State,is more advantageous to the All Progressives Party than PDP ,the victory has exposed PDP permutations ahead of 2O15 to APC ,it will make the APC more focus, plan and vigilant ahead of 2015 elections. The victory have revealed to APC, where her House is leaking and how to mend it, to know where there are loopholes and how to block them. PDP is ignorant by thinking that, the Ekiti election will dampen the Spirit of APC, but instead it will make the spirit of APC stronger. The PDP Pyrrhic victory has taught APC their mistakes, before the election and how to remedy them. The PDP, because of their so called victory in Ekiti state now believing that, the same thing would repeat itself in Osun state, on Aug 9 governorship election. But alas! For PDP to think of such, is not only an illusion, or living in a fool paradise, but the Party to think of defeating Aregbesola in Osun, is an act of chasing a shadow, the Party is like fire extinguisher planning or working to extinguish the light of a moon, or the heat of sun. May I wake up PDP up, from their slumber that Aregbesola is too far ahead of Omisore in Osun State, Aregbesola is like two men against one man in Osun State, Aregbesola has both the attributes of Fayose and Fayemi in the state of Osun. Aregbesola,,although an easy going and coolheaded , a progressive to the core and a radical cum revolutionary minded person. Aregbesola is also a grass root man, lover of the downtrodden, and a great philanthropist. And in the coming gubernatorial electoral contest, Aregbesola is facing a man, which lacks a charismatic strength and vigor, a man that is suffering from political inadequate of good reputations and antecedents. Meanwhile in Ekiti State, Fayose has been a Governor and performed a bit, but Omisore as a former Deputy governor, if we are to ask ourselves, what he did in office, it’s not far fetch to know that, his greatest achievement was to publicly insulted Chief Bola Ige ,who was a former Governor and an Attorney General as at the time, another significant achievement of Omisore was ,when he incited impeachment against his Boss Chief Adebisi Ak ande. Then as a Senator, his achievement was to publish an open full page letter in the national dallies ,by insulting the Honorable Judges who presided over the appeal governorship petition between Aregbesola and Oyinlola, in fact as a Senator that represented his senatorial district for eight year at Senate, he could not boast of ant tangible achievement. The electorate in the State of Osun, are more wiser, and they will legitimately prevent anyone who wants to take them back, to the land of pain and agonies Aregbesola had rescued them from. No one should expect the Citizens of Osun to fold their arms and watching, If PDP arrests their leaders, as they did in Ekiti State, a day before the election. PDP should not forget that ‘’ those who makes peaceful changes impossible makes violent changes inevitable”. “The greatest fault is to be conscious of none”-Thomas Carlyle PDP audacity and bragged to win all the Southwest back, and have easy ride to win the 2015 presidential election, because of her victory in the just concluded governorship election in Ekiti state, is nothing but a bunkum and childish talks. In fact, is comically nonsensical and ludicrous. Does PDP think Ekiti electorate voted for her? May I tell the party, that Ekiti electorate, were not allowed to vote, out of 700 registered voters, only three hundred plus, voted. And the majority of them voted for Fayose and not PDP. There are no fools ,in the southwest among the electorates, particular those from Yoruba origin, except the disciples of Akintola(demo) who believes in plundering, looting, megalomania ,imposition, sit-tightness and amala politics. Southwest, will continues to reject PDP, be cause the worst government in Nigeria, being military or civilian Is the government of PDP ,particularly the present government of led by Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. ‘’ It is substantially true that Virtue or morality is a necessary Spring of popular government…….. Winston Churchill It’s obvious; to see and know that Jonathan led PDP federal government has virtually lost virtue and morality. What is it, that good in the Party? What are the good things? That will urges the electorate to vote for PDP, is it the incompetence of the President Jonathan to tackle the problems of insecurity of lives and prosperity arisen from the menace of heartless sect, knows as Boko Haram, despite that in the last 3years, over 4trillion has been invested on security, and in the last four months 130 billion naira, has also been spent, yet the menace continues unabated. ‘’The care of human life and happiness and not their Destruction is the first and only legitimate object of Good government’’—Thomas Jefferson Boko Haram attacks, in the last three years, have created more than ten thousands widow, destroyed more than five hundred churches, burnt more than eight hundred class room, abducted more than 200 girls who are teenagers, destroyed more than 209 schools in Yobe, and 300 in Borno state. In fact ,on May 2014,Boko Haram killed 300 people in Gamboru Ngala Borno state, abducted another 11 girls in Warabe and Wala communities ,burnt up to 200 vehicles and over one thousand houses and shops, were also set ablaze To be frank, when we are talking of corruption, there is no party under the sun, that is more corrupt than the PDP James Ibori ,is now a prisoner in London, the PDP former Governor was jailed for money laundering, Diepreye Alamaieyseigha ,went to prison on corrupt charges, and under President Jonathan, the worst had happen. In fact, to Jonathan corruption is like a pamper beast, under his government , a minister bought two official cars with 225 million naira, and another minister chartered jet with 10 billion naira and for the first time, huge amount of money as in 20 billion dollars got missing. So what is it that good in PDP, which Nigerians will give their votes for, comes 2015? As at 6th of June 2014, the Central Bank of Nigeria revealed that 80% of Nigerian youths are unemployed, so what is it that good in PDP, Peoples Democratic Party, the party that is bereft of virtue and morality, the party that believes only in power and not the people. “Fret not thyself because of evil doers. Neither be thou envious against the workers Of iniquity for they shall soon be cut Down like grass, and wither as green herbs …..psalm 37V1-2 Aregbesola , should not lose sleep over the antics and evil machinations of PDP and her Candidate, the quoted biblical injunction is a revelation of what is going to happen to the party, after August on 2014. Let them marks my saying, it’s not my words, but the words of God, Omisore ,to Aregbesola, is a case of towering giants that disdains a beaten path. Little minds are subdued by misfortunes, Great minds rise above them……..Washington Irvin And to all the APC Leaders, the National Chairman , The National Leaders , the APC Governors and Asiwaju Tinubu in particulars, who has been a threat and a phobia of PDP over the years, should not be confused and trembled over what happened in Ekiti State. It’s not but just an eye opener; no good road will continues to be smoothening with easy ride. Such road leads, but to a destination of perdition and utter regrets. Sail on o ship of state Sail on o union, strong Its entire great. Humanity with All its fears, with all the Hopes of future years is Hanging breathless on Thy fate – Franklin Delano Roosevelt. To all progressive congress, party executive and members, please don’t let down your guard. If they believe in political power, then APC must draw people to her side, and to let PDP realize that sovereignty belongs to the people the people by August 10 and 2015 in particular, as God lives PDP will see the evil of their pyrrhic victory. BELLO DESTINY PAUL 07036611633

"Oga Jona" Is Not Happy With You - Open Letter To Chimamanda Adichie

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_148423" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Chimamanda Adichie[/caption] All over the media space in the last 24 hour is the satire of the award winning writer and author of bestsellers including Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, The Thing Around Your Neck and Americanah - Chimamanda Adichie. I would have gloss over the article but for the fact that it runs contrary

Jonathan, Mark meet Chibok girls’ parents behind closed-doors

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

President Goodluck Jonathan is currently meeting with parents of the schoolgirls abducted from Chibok, Borno State on April 14 behind closed-doors. Those who are attending the meeting holding inside the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja include 51 escaped girls, parents of escaped girls, parents of girls still in captivity as well as opinion and community leaders from Chibok. Jonathan is attending the meeting alongside the President of the Senate, David Mark; Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State; Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State; members of the Federal Executive Council as well as service chiefs among others. Journalists were asked to leave the venue at about 11.20am when the meeting started. The meeting which came exactly 99 days after the abduction is still ongoing at the time of filing this report. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&list=UUm_i4O8qek0AX6dS0dv2abA&v=0Fz1d1Ut3YM culled from Punch

Insecurity, funding threaten 2015 elections, says Jega

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has listed challenges facing the commission ahead of the 2015 general elections. Jega, who listed the challenges in an interactive forum with the media in Abuja on Wednesday, also said that the recent governorship election in Ekiti State was not militarised. Listing the challenges ahead of 2015 elections, he said that they included, “Insecurity, funding, attitudes of political class, apathetic and inactive citizenry, delay in amendment to the legal framework, completion of the review of electoral constituencies and polling units and prosecution of election offenders.” He, however, said that the commission had carried out some reforms, which had led to the success of the Ekiti governorship election. “These challenges are not insurmountable and we will spare no effort to ensure that aspirations of Nigerians for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections are actualised in 2015,” Jega said. He stated that INEC carried out the reforms after it reviewed the 2011 elections. According to him, the review of 2011 elections shows that credible polls require adequate preparations, openness and partnership of all stakeholders. Jega said some of the reforms carried out by the commission were implemented during the Ekiti State governorship election. He said that part of the reforms was biometric voter registration, which had enhanced the integrity of voter register. The chairman stated, “We have rolled out in three phases, a programme of continuous voter registration nationwide. The CVR offers fresh opportunity to get more citizens into the electronic register ahead of the 2015 general elections. “Unlike the November 2013 Anambra State governorship election, our experience in the more recent Ekiti State election showed that we are making progress in enhancing the integrity of the register of voters.” He disclosed that the commission had started issuing permanent voter cards to all duly registered voters. Jega said that the PVCs, which were used during the Ekiti State governorship election, would be “swiped with card readers in 2015 elections to ensure 100 per cent verification and authentication of voters.” The chairman added that the commission had ensured training and retraining of its staff as part of preparations for 2015 elections. Another reform, Jega said, was the improved feature of sensitive electoral materials, These, he said, included serial numbering and colour-coding of ballot papers and result sheets as well as security coding of ballot boxes. The chairman added that electoral procedures, including pasting of result at polling units and collation centre, were more open during the Ekiti poll. Defending the deployment of security agents during the poll, he said, “There is no way the Ekiti State governorship election can be defined as being militarised.” When asked if he would want a similar situation in Osun State, he said, “I want security agencies to do everything possible to secure the electoral process. I want them in particular to protect our personnel and materials.” He added that security agencies should ensure that there was peace so that people would come out and vote. Jega also faulted a report that INEC would not conduct 2015 elections in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states because of the state of emergency the Federal Government had declared in the states. culled from Punch

#OnlyAregbeWakaCome: Governorship Debate, Omisore, Akinbade, Others, took flight

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

#OnlyAregbeWakaCome: Governorship Debate, Omisore, Akinbade, Others, took flight

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Terrorism should end by December – Council of State

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Members of the Council of State rose from an emergency meeting on Thursday with a resolution to support President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that the current spate of terrorism in parts of the country ends before December. They also resolved to put an end to all discriminatory practices in states including the registration and “deportation” of non-indigenes as well as different school fees for indigenes and non-indigenes in state-owned institutions among others. The council presided over by Jonathan has the Vice President, the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, all living former Heads of State, all former Chief Justices of Nigeria and all state governors as members. All living former Heads of State, except former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) attended the emergency meeting. President of the Senate, David Mark, was also absent. Governors Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Sullivan Chime (Enugu); and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting. Aliyu said it was the resolution of council members that all hands must be on the deck to end insurgency in parts of the country. He said they would work hard to ensure that the predictions by some foreigners that Nigeria would cease to exist as a united nation beyond 2015 remained a wishful thinking. The governor added that the council observed that leaders, particularly politicians remained the only threats to the country and democracy. He said a collective decision was taken to stop the inflammatory statements always attributed to politicians. He said, “More fundamental of the issues is the bucks stopping with the leadership. In fact, it came to the fore that if there is any threat to either the state or democracy probably the threat is coming from politicians and from leaders of the country. “We must understand the boundaries of leadership and also the responsibilities that are involved. Leadership is not about beauty contest. “In leadership, you must take difficult decisions and really go about implementing them. “So, all the things came to the fore at the meeting and subsequently, each of us made it a deliberate resolution not to be bi-partisan or non-partisan to support the President to make sure that we get rid of this insurgency and indeed suggesting that before December.” The governor said there was nothing religious or Islamic about the Boko Haram sect. He said the important thing was for the adherent of religions to respect the rights of adherents of other religions aside from theirs. Akpabio said the council frowned on the registration of Nigerians in parts of the country and directed that the exercise be stopped forthwith. He disclosed further that the council set up a six-member committee saddled with the responsibility of further identifying other discriminatory practices across the country. The committee, which had two months to submit its report, according to him, had governors of Niger, Sokoto, Enugu, Gombe, Akwa Ibom and Ondo states as members. He said with the submission of the report, the council would then decide if the National Assembly would be approached to ensure that changes were made. He said the ex-leaders proffered solutions to the security challenges in the country while council members commended the security agencies. The governor said, “The council viewed the report seriously that some citizens were being deported, deportation should be from one country to the other but where you have a Nigerian who is being returned to his state of origin from other states, then you know there is a problem. “We felt that that was capable of disrupting the unity of the country, making Nigerians to become apprehensive and unsafe. “Also, the council frowned on the idea of even registering Nigerians in various parts of the country and felt this must be brought to an end immediately. “And so we looked at all these issues and the role every leader should play from the local government level to the federal level. The role each one of us should play to ensure that we solidify the unity of this country. “We also looked at these discriminatory practices across board from all parts of the country: North, South, West and the East and we felt all those issues must be brought to the front burner, solutions proffer to ensure that Nigerians are united, live freely and do their businesses without hinderance.” Chime on his part said he saw commitment to save the country by both past and present leaders who attended the meeting. He said the willingness to remain one Nigeria would lead to the abolition of disclosure of states of origin. Rather, he said people would only be asked to disclose where they reside. The NSA said the Federal Government was troubled by the idea of registering Nigerians, hence the need for the meeting. He said those of them who were around knew that that was how the civil war started. He said, “Those of us who were around will remember very well that that was how the civil war started, we saw the danger, we said there is really the need for everybody to be sensitised on this. It looks very innocent now to say well, I have security concerns, I can register any body who is not from here.” culled from Punch

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Katsina State Government has approved an additional N97m for securing befitting accommodation for its pilgrims participating in the 2014 Hajj. The state’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Andullahi Faskari, said this on Friday at Matazu, Matazu Local Government Area of the state. He spoke at the opening of an enlightenment workshop for this year’s intending pilgrims. Faskari said the state government had earmarked N15m for the workshop which would be conducted in the 34 local government areas of the state. Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Development, Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf, Faskari also said the government was making arrangements for the feeding of the pilgrims. Faskari further said the state government would sponsor 300 people made up of preachers, health personnel and Hajj guides. He pledged that the state government would continue to give priority to the annual pilgrimage so as to enable citizens of the state carry out their religious obligation with ease. In his remarks, the Chairman, Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Danyaya Mashi, said the workshop, which was introduced in 2012, was yielding positive results in enlightening potential pilgrims. He said the Saudi authorities had recognised the good conduct of pilgrims from the state during previous Hajj exercises and had given them awards. Mashi urged the intending pilgrims to be punctual and cooperate with officials throughout the period of the exercise to achieve the desired goals. culled from Punch

Omisore Lied Over Opinion Poll On Osun Election –USAID

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has said it did not conduct any opinion poll on the governorship election slated to hold next weekend in Osun State. USAID’s denial came on the heels of text messages making the rounds with the claim that the US foreign assistance agency conducted a survey, which put the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Iyiola Omisore ahead of all other contestants. The Acting Public Affairs Officer, United States Consulate General, Lagos, Rhonda Watson and Information Specialist, Lagos, Joke Omotunde, and USAID Democracy and Governance Team, Abuja, in their responses to inquiries said no poll was ever conducted by the agency on the coming election. The short message reads thus: USAID opinion poll conducted across the state between 12-21, July put your honour ahead PDP, 58/ APC 42. Such poll may have 2 or 3 error margin.” In a terse response by the Acting Public Affairs Officer, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent, USAID said: “No USAID poll was taken in Osun.” Also clearing the air surrounding the false claim of the opinion poll, Mrs. Joke Omotunde, Information Specialist, U.S. Consulate General, on behalf of the USAID Democracy and Governance Team, Abuja, said none of the implementing partners of USAID planned, conducted or supported political survey or any related election opinion poll on the forthcoming election in Osun State. In her response on the veracity of the claim by the PDP candidate in the election, Omotunde, whose response was also made available to our correspondent, said: “None of the USAID Peace and Democratic Governance Implementing Partners (P/DG IPs) support or plan to support any election-related opinion polls in Osun.” Contacted, Aregbesola’s spokesman, who is the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said it was not surprising that desperate politicians would go to any length to use the credibility of such agencies as the USAID to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public. Okanlawon said Omisore needed such claims desperately to shore up the morale of his few hangers on and curry financial favours from the quarters where he had been getting funds. “Nigerians and indeed the people of Osun should by now be used to the habitual lies of Omisore and the party he represents,” Okalanwon said, describing Omisore’s latest claim as deliberate concoction of lies and fraudulent representation of an event that did not happen, which is aimed at gaining undeserved reputation. culled from Oranmiyan

Nigerian female doctor tests positive to Ebola

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

ABUJA—The Federal Government has confirmed the first case of Ebola Virus Disease in a Nigerian medical doctor, who was among the people that had the first contact with Mr. Patrick Sawyer, the deceased Liberian and first confirmed Ebola victim in the country. Late Sawyer, a consultant to the Liberian Finance Ministry was found to be infected with the virus when he arrived Lagos on July 20, 2014. He died in quarantine on July 25 and his body was later cremated. Disclosing the development to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu said the new case was as a result of contact the said doctor had with Sawyer at the Lagos hospital, where the Liberian was admitted after he was brought in from the airport. Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, accompanied by the Director, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Prof. Abdulsalam Nasidi, confirmed that it would be the second reported case of the virus in Nigeria in general and Lagos in particular. Chukwu, who was inaugurating the Treatment Research Group Committee on Ebola Virus Disease, disclosed: “When we met last week, I told you that we were still monitoring some of the healthcare workers and passengers who came in contact with the American-Liberian who brought in Ebola to Nigeria. There were others who attended to him; some have developed symptoms of Ebola. As of today, we now have a case; this is the second case of Ebola virus in Nigeria. This is the doctor who attended to the Ebola patient in the Lagos hospital.” Monitoring Further, he said: “Three others are under watch; at the end of today (yesterday) we will know the outcome. Eight of those who had contact with Mr. Sawyer have been quarantined, while 70 of those who had contact with the patient are on surveillance. ”All of these persons are being quarantined in Lagos, where the Lagos State Government has provided isolation wards.” The minister said beyond Lagos State, the Federal Government was working with each state to strengthen isolation wards and emergency coordination of health workforce on Ebola around the borders. He noted that places like Idiroko and Seme borders have received new directives and equipment to screen persons entering the country without having contact with such persons. On the aspect of bringing in corpses from Ebola -endemic countries for burial in Nigeria, Chukwu said the Federal Government’s order banning any airline or family members from bringing dead persons from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone was still in force. ”In the case of Imo State, we have carried out the investigation and found out that there is a death certificate and it was not an Ebola case, so we have asked the Commissioner for Health in Imo State to go on with the burial of the person. But for Anambra State and Akwa Ibom states, investigation is still going on. They are still under watch,” he said. Warning on false cures Chukwu, who disapproved of the panic being created on social media platforms, contended that contrary to widely-held opinion on social media that Bitter Kola was a suitable cure and as well prevents infection by Ebola virus, the minister stressed that there was no scientific evidence that the use of Bitter Kola cures or prevents Ebola infections. ”There is no proof yet,” he affirmed, noting that such claims emanated from previous “in-vitro research, which is in a test-tube (ongoing) where the samples were obtained from Bitter Kola, and tend to have some activities against Ebola. Committee on EVD On the way forward, the Federal Government has inaugurated the Treatment Research Committee on Ebola Virus Disease. Inaugurating the committee, Chukwu observed that Nigeria must get serious in the area of research as a strategic way of curtailing the spread of the virus. The committee has the Director-General of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development NIPRD, Prof. Karniyus Gamaliel and the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Prof. Innocent Ujah as co-Chairmen Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Maurice Iwu is a member. Others include Prof. Abdulsalam Nasidi of the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Dr Sani Gwarzo of the Port Health Services, Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Bridget Okoeguela and Director of Health Planning and Research, Mrs. Asa Ogu. The terms of reference of the committee include coordination of research on treatment and prevention of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD); receive and verify claims of Ebola disease; to collate all related research findings around the world on Ebola and advise government as may be appropriate on the matter. Isolation & treatment centres Speaking in Lagos, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, added that the state has established isolation and treatment centres to hospitalise the patients for strict surveillance. “From our activities to stem the spread of Ebola virus in Nigeria, another patient has tested positive for the virus. The female doctor is one of the eight persons who were under critical surveillance and care for having contact with the late Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, who died after being infected by the virus. “The state has established an isolation and treatment centre to hospitalise this patient. The staff at this Centre have also been trained on how to treat and handle the patients under their care. The hospital is also provided with enough facilities to ensure that the officials and other patients do not contact the virus. “The patients under our surveillance were those who had personal contact with the late Liberian. And the Rapid Response Team, RRT, had been in communication with these patients who developed fever and other symptoms. “We will not stop in tracking all those who had contact with the late Liberian. The contact remains in isolation until the confirmatory results are in and those who tested positive for the virus will remain in isolation until they are no longer infectious.” Idris stated that the secondary cases were expected, given the nature of the contact with the affected people. “This was because they were unaware of the patient’s status, until the management of the hospital informed the state government of the development.” Patient is alive Nasidi, when asked about the identity of the victim, declined to mention the name of the latest victim but confirmed it was a female doctor. “We will not be able to release the name of the new contact but we know that the person is a doctor and a female. “The patient is not dead. She is alive. Experts from the local and international organisations are attending to the patient. Of the eight that are under intensivesurveillance, tests are still ongoing on others.” Appeal to NMA: The joint Federal and state medical team therefore, appealed to Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, to call off the ongoing nationwide strike in the interest of the general public. “Given the state of the outbreak of Ebola virus in Lagos State, we are appealing to the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA who are on strike to please sheath their sword and call off their strike; join our team to fight this scourge. “We will also welcome volunteer from the health profession and those who accept volunteer shall be given incentive. We also appeal to residents to support the government in fighting the scourge,” Idris stated. Reactions: In a reaction to the development, a professor of Medicine and Former Direcor Human Resources West African Health Organisation, WAHO, Prof. Kayode Odusote, noted: “I’m concerned about anything that happens as a result because the man that came from Liberia and the trail of events. “We know the risk is there because of frequent travel and both the public and health workers must be prepared to pick up the first signs of this infection. Let us be prepared and not have a repeat of what happened in Liberia where there was denial at the beginning. Odusote, this exemplifies what we have been saying that anybody that has contact with a victim must report to the quarantine unit at once. Don’t wait. What this means is that we have to be vigilant. The earlier the signs can be picked up, the better. Anyone who has had contact with Ebola victim and is exhibiting any of the signs should just quarantine himself of herself so as not to put their family and the public in danger,” he affirmed Also speaking,. National President Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners, AGPMPN, Dr. Anthony Omolola, stated that the development was a signal. “It is a signal that we have a challenge on our hands now knowing full well that the mortality with Ebola is as high as 90 percent. “Government should put all its apparatus into ensuring that the disease does not spread in Nigeria. And the political will must be doubled now. There must be serious enlightenment programme now about Ebola virus. The treatment itself and there must be a very serious campaign, jingles in different languages and different media. It should also be ensured that all contacts with the late Patrick Sawyer has to under serious surveillance to ensure that there are no further contacts. Another Ebola suspect flown in: Another Ebola victim was yesterday allegedly brought in to Muritala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, from Ghana. The victim identified as Mr Nwosu Nnaji was allegedly flown on aboard Arik Air flight from Ghana which landed at about 12.00 noon. But a top official of Arik Air who was contacted, but pleaded anonymity, said the airline has stopped going to Ebola infested countries and that the airline could not have allowed an Ebola victim to be on their flight. Efforts to speak with the General Manager, Public Affairs, Arik Air, Mr Ola Adebanji failed as his mobile numbers were switched off. A Port Health official at the Lagos when contacted to speak on the issue said all enquiries on Ebola should be directed to Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN. But the Coordinating General Manager, Public Affairs , Aviation Parastatals, Mr. Yakubu Dati did not pick his calls when contacted. Meawhile, death toll from the world’s worst Ebola outbreak had risen to 887 by August 1, while the total number of cases in the four West African countries affected stood at 1,603 on the same date, the World Health Organisation said on Monday. Guinea has suffered the highest death toll with 358 fatalities out of 485 confirmed Ebola cases so far. Sierra Leone has had the largest number of cases, 646 overall, and 273 deaths, while Liberia has had 468 cases and 255 deaths. Nigeria, the latest country to import the disease, has had four cases, of which three are classed as ‘probable’ Ebola and one as ‘suspected’, the Geneva-based agency said in a statement. Courier companies The case of Patrick Sawyer, an American who died shortly after flying from Liberia at Lagos airport via Togo and Ghana, is still classed as “probable”. The WHO previously said it had not managed to check his sample because courier companies had refused to transport it to the Institut Pasteur in Dakar. The other two probable Ebola cases in Nigeria were a health-care worker and a Nigerian who had been to Guinea, WHO said. Nigeria itself has reported only the cases of Sawyer and, on Monday, one of the doctors who treated him. International financial institutions are preparing funding packages for Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea hard hit by the deadly Ebola virus, development bank officials said on Monday as African leaders gathered for the first day of a U.S. summit. African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka told Reuters his institution would immediately disburse $50 million to the three countries where government resources and health systems are being stretched by the worst outbreak of the virus. The World Bank is set to announce funding for each of the countries after approval by its board, bank officials said. “We’re putting together a substantial emergency package for the three countries and will announce it early this week,” a bank official said. The funding is part of a $100 million emergency response plan launched by the World Health Organization last week. WHO chief Margaret Chan has warned that Ebola was outpacing efforts to contain it and warned of “catastrophic” consequences if the situation deteriorated. Sierra Leone and Liberia deployed troops on Monday under an emergency plan to fight the spread of the virus. The latest outbreak began in the forests of remote eastern Guinea in February. On Monday, Nigeria’s health minister reported a second case of Ebola in Lagos in a doctor who treated U.S. patient Patrick Sawyer, who died last month. The impact of the outbreak and assistance for affected countries to try to contain it will be discussed on the sidelines of the African Summit attended by nearly 50 African leaders, U.S. official said. culled from Vanguard

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

THE National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun has warned that any attempt to rig Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State will lead to violent protest. Speaking at the final mega rally of the party in Osogbo, the APC chairman warned of dire consequences if the August 9 election is manipulated. He said: “In Osun state, I have seen what it means for a governor to be popular. For those who have ears, let them not tamper with a single vote in Osun State. We will not let them. Let me warn further that from now on, the battle line is drawn. The APC will no longer recognise any government arising from fraud. The APC will no longer accept any stolen mandate. After Ekiti, it must not happen again. “I want to warn particularly as it concerns February 2015. This country wants change, the APC is prepared for free and fair elections. I must warn that if anybody dares to steal the people’s mandate in February 2015, then we in the APC, will not recognise that government and then, we will proceed to set up a people’s government that the people of this country need. For those who have ears to hear, let them hear that there will be consequences if they fail to hear.” Also speaking, former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu encouraged the electorate to protect their votes. Immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, said “Jonathan has no say in Osun State because he cannot point put at any project his administration has done in Osun state. There is no denying the fact that Aregbesola has won Saturday’s election, I want you all to go out and vote.” culled from BIOREPORTS

OSUN 2014: SOLDIERS, POLICE SEAL OFF MANDELA FREEDOM PARK; VENUE OF AREGBESOLA’s SUPPORT RALLY

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Men of the? Nigerian Army and mobile policemen on Wednesday morning took over? the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, venue of the rally organised by workers of Osun state, western Nigeria, to show support for the re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the APC had said in a statement. Information reaching us at the State Secretariat of the APC is that the military and police have sealed off the Nelson Mandela Park, Osogbo in a possible attempt to prevent Labour from assemble at the Park, which they had originally secured for their event. The soldiers were reported to have told the General Manager of the Park that they were acting on ‘order from above’. According to the soldiers: ‘the order is for now’ ‘It is unclear why that order was given, but competent source informed the APC that the Federal Government machinery is trying to prevent as much as possible demonstration of support for Gov Rauf Aregbesola. ‘We understand that the Federal Government was frightened by the magnitude of the mega rally of the APC which is the biggest scene so far in the history of campaign in the State. Citizens are therefore advised not to put themselves in arms way by confronting the soldiers. ‘They should move on and reassemble somewhere else. ‘The people of the State of Osun will not submit to oppression and intimidation,’ the APC declared. Barr. Kunle Oyatomi, Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, APC, State of Osun. culled from BIOREPORTS

#OSUN2014: I My removal from Govt House is divine —Oyinlola

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_180499" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Olagunsoye Oyinlola[/caption]Former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State said on Wednesday that his removal as the governor on November 26, 2010 by the Court of Appeal had God’s approval. Oyinlola, who publicly defected to the All Progressives Congress, on Tuesday, said this in an interview with journalists in Osogbo. He said that he had no ill feeling against those who removed him from office because it would have been impossible for them to do if God did not want it to happen. Asked why he decided to team up with Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who unseat him as governor after a protracted legal battle, the former governor said he had no regret about his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party whose platform he used to become the governor of the state. He said, “I don’t brood over what is past. I believe what happened was the divine will of my creator. I had almost parked out of the Government House before the judgment was delivered. “I had planned that the Government House would be renovated during Christmas and I would return to my private residence at the GRA. So, it did not take me two hours to park out when the judgment came. “Some people came and started weeping and I told them that what would they have done if it was my corpse that was brought out of the Government House. “The following day I was out playing golf. I was on the golf course because I believe if you have it good all the time and there is a small set back you should be happy and thank God. That is why the Bible said, give thanks in all situations.” Oyinola said he decided to join the APC because it was the most formidable political party which had the capacity to take over at the federal level. He tacitly said President Goodluck Jonathan was responsible for his removal as the National Secretary of the PDP. According to him, Jonathan’s flaw is his inability to take decision quickly. He explained that this flaw was partly responsible for the successful abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls. The former secretary of the PDP stated that he was very loyal to Jonathan but the President and Alhaji Bamang Tukur did not trust him at all. Oyinlola, who said that President of the Senate Senator David Mark and Chief Tony Anenih vouched for him before Jonathan but the President still doubted him. Source: THEPUNCH

PDP In A Meeting With Corp Members To Perfect Rigging In Osun-APC

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressive Party (APC) on Thursday disclosed that it has it on good authority that some Youth Corps Me‎mbers were given instructions by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on how to perfect rigging in the Saturday election to favour the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. The APC in a statement signed by the party Chairman and the Publicity Secretary, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi and Publicity Secretary, Kunle Oyatomi said a meeting at Ayedaade Grammar School in Ikire had corps member that will serve in Ikire Federal Constituency tutored on how to handle the ballot papers to favour rigging. The party stressed that corps members were instructed to fold all ballot papers vertically before they are handed over to eligible voters APC also added that it gathered on good authority that INEC ad hoc staff have also been instructed to, on the day of election, mount a barricade round their tables. The statement revealed that the instruction that the operational tables of the INEC officials should be cordoned off and fenced from the people will afford people coming with cloned voters cards the opportunity to vote. According to APC, “We have been informed of the meeting that was conducted in Ayedaade Grammar school today on how youth corps members should fold ballot papers vertically before they give them to voters, and when they asked for the reason for that, they were told that it is because of the ink. “This has confirmed that there is something wrong with the ballot paper they are using. Why will they be doing that? Why should you not allow the party agents to sit with INEC staff so that they can see what is going on there. “PDP has perfected their strategy to rig in 1,195 units spreading across 155 wards, they have identified where they are going to do this with about 406,116 votes. “Their plan is also to make sure that their is not going to be problems during accreditation and voting, it will be during sorting and counting that they will create crises so that the men of the Department of State Service (DSS) who are in possession of the already thumb printed ballot papers will use the opportunity to seal the deal”.the APC revealed. The party’s Situation Room added that the PDP has finally found in the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof. Bamitale Omole to announce at all cost Iyiola Omisore as the winner of the election with a promise of rewarding him with a cash prize of 1Billion naira. APC also pointed out that DSS men who are able to perfect their plans at units and ward level have been promised to be compensated adequately. culled from BIOREPORTS

Update 28: Kingsley Kuku Leads Masked Niger Delta Militants To Arrest Lai Mohammed, Osun lawmakers others

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

APC spokesman, Lai Mohammed, Osun lawmakers, others arrested ...As Dusk clampdown on leaders begin ahead of Saturday poll A major clampdown and shooting spree around the homes of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) began at nightfall on Friday with armed and masked security agents surrounded and invadeed their homes with sporadic shootings to strike terror into their households and neighbours. The Government Reservation Area home of Senator Bayo Salami was invaded by armed soldiers and security agents at midnight while the country home of the first civilian Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke was not spared of the invasion. The entrance gate of Salami’s house was forced open by the hooded security agents who fired sporadically to gain entrance into the sprawling compound to arrest him. The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the State Secretary of APC, Prince Gboyega Famoodun were also invaded at midnight by armed soldiers. Already, the State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Sikiru Adetona Ayedun, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Wale Adedoyin,, the Executive Secretary of Osogbo Local Government, Mr. Isiaka Faramade, the House of Assembly member representing Obokun and Ilesa State Constituencies, Hon. Femi Fafiyebi and Folarin Fafowora have all been arrested by armed soldiers and hooded security agents from their homes on Friday night. APC agents in Ifelodun and Ede South Local Governments have been arrested at the time of distribution of election materials by officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while those of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were excluded. The Ede South Local Government chairman of APC, Alhaji Surajudeed Opalola was also arrested by the security agents who were led by by the Youth Leadr of PDP in the council Also arrested and whisked to the office of the the SSS was Mr. Sunday Dare a communication expert. Spokesman of the APC, Kunle Oyatomi, in a swift reaction, said the wave of arrests and intimidation would further deepen defeat of the PDP. "It is a shame this is happening. This is democracy and our people are resolute on electing the leader they can trust," Oyatomi said.

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_180978" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Niger-Delta Militant Attire allegedly adorned by GEJ's Minister[/caption]

OSUN 2014: DON’T SCUTTLE DEMOCRACY; AREGBESOLA WARNS JONATHAN’s GOVERNMENT

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Saturday’s governorship election has warned the Federal Government on the democratic system, asking it to show commitment to the country’s democracy. He said this immediately he was accredited alongside his wife, Serifat and family members, at Ifofin ward 8, unit 1 polling centre in Ilesa, at exactly 10:45 a.m. Aregbesola spoke against what he called “clampdown on chieftains and members of the APC across the state by security agents.” “They will have themselves to blame if they scuttle the democracy. You can see people’s patriotism and commitment to democracy. “If they can be 20 per cent committed like the ordinary people, the nation would have been the best for it. What they are doing by picking our chieftains and members is barbaric. “They have been arresting, harassing and molesting our people for no just reason. The democracy is about making your choice freely without being hounded,” Aregbesola said. culled from Bioreports

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jonathan transforming Nigeria into poverty –Basorun

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview with ENIOLA AKINKUOTU, a leader of the All Progressives Congress and a Commissioner for Education during the Lateef Jakande administration, Chief Olorunfunmi Basorun, speaks on Lagos politics and other national issues The PDP has been losing elections in Lagos since 1999. As one who has been in the two major parties, what do you think is responsible for this? It is because Lagos people, since the 1950s, know where to go on election day. Even if they like you but have found fault in you, they will vote against you. As loved as Obafemi Awolowo was, there was a time they voted against his party in Lagos because of some certain issues. So, Lagos is showing that it is made up of enlightened people. Even the illiterates are politically aware. The majority of Lagosians cannot be deceived. In 1983, Shagari’s party, National Party of Nigeria, pushed out Bola Ige in Oyo and then Ambrosse Ali was also pushed out by similar impunity in the old Bendel State but Lagos refused and rather, Alhaji Lateef Jakande scored 90 per cent of votes. So, Lagosians can always be trusted with votes. After Lateef Jakande, the current governor, Babatunde Fashola, is the second best and he is doing extremely well. During the 2011 election, he scored 1.5 million votes, nobody even got 500,000 votes. Are you saying Fashola has continued with Jakande’s legacy? Of course, I will say so except with some differences but remember that Jakande left government 31 years ago and a number of things have happened which have changed the face of development and emphasis shifting and the individual is doing a lot to follow Jakande’s footsteps and Jakande was always thinking of the best for the masses and that is what Fashola is doing. Under Jakande, you were Commissioner for Education and that same administration established the Lagos State University and did a lot for education. I was not the commissioner all through the administration. When we came in, we met three shifts in schools. By three shifts, I mean students were attending class in turns. For instance, Methodist Primary School here, some students would come in the morning while some would come in the afternoon, some would come towards in the evening, making three shifts in all and it was all over the state because there were no classrooms to accommodate them. So, our government introduced what we called functional classrooms which some regarded as poultry sheds. Many of the pupils that attended the schools then are graduates today. Why were these ‘poultry sheds’ built instead of proper classrooms? You see, to build an ordinary house, no matter how small it is, even if you have all the money, it will take at least six weeks because you will have to construct the foundation and other parts of the building but we made just walls and then the roof and we made thousands of classrooms and we were able to solve the problem. When I took over, we were to start changing the face of those schools and I had given contract out for 1,000 classrooms before General Buhari overthrew the government. Still on education, the government you served established the Lagos State University. Do you think the Fashola administration has preserved this legacy having increased the school fees? You see, tuition is a controversial matter. It is economic, political and social. People have to look at it from two angles. You go to a university where there are no facilities and get very poor education; or you go to where there are good facilities and you get good education. Many people have complained that the fees are high and there has been pressure here and there but being a listening governor, he has set up a committee and he has brought the fees down and he gives indigenes of the state scholarships. It is just like private universities that charge three times more than LASU. I have a grandson that attends a private university and they pay about N450, 000 while some pay in dollars. But if we believe that we are progressives, we should encourage education and at the university level, what the governor has done should be appreciated because our resources are dwindling everyday but for the excellent efforts made in garnering revenue in Lagos, we would have had problems because what is coming from the Federal Government is not enough, the whole money is being held by President Jonathan to fight us. Right now the government is generating about N20bn every month which is unprecedented because some states are still celebrating between N2 and N3bn annual IGR when we are on N20bn. And see Lagos, 65 per cent of the students attending our schools are not from here. Lagos is United Nation of Nigeria. Everybody comes here, when you are in Maiduguri, they come to Lagos, when they come here they see that things are rosy and they don’t want to go back and we want to make sure we provide for everybody. From the same source, we provide social services, health services and roads. The APC is having some infighting over allegations of imposition by Bola Tinubu and there have even been protests. The sad part of it is that if there was imposition, those who are involved in protests benefitted immensely from imposition. To me, I don’t know what they are protesting about because we have not held any election in recent time, the only thing that we held was the congress and I was very much involved. Before we embarked on the primaries, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is a leader of the party, called a meeting and he said everybody must participate in the congress but we even went further to say where people have agreed at home that X, Y, Z shall hold this position in Ward A, we should be cautious because our opponents could even infiltrate the party. When we did registration, some wards had over 5, 000 people. My ward here in Ikorodu had over 3, 000 people. To put 3, 000 people in the field and start electing just 26 people would increase cost and those who are not our members would infiltrate. So, we put such an argument forward but Tinubu said even if we have reached a consensus, people must go to the field and members must queue behind their preferred candidate and that was what we did. We did it here in my local government, all the leaders agreed and we called all the ward leaders and they came here, we told them and they approved and the following day, they were all in the wards to vote. I was in my ward and we voted for whoever we wanted to be our chairman and we are all working together. So, there is no imposition and when it came to state congress, we did the same thing, we met and said whoever you people think is right must appear and delegates would vote. So, I don’t know why people should be talking about imposition. Being the founding chairman of the PDP in Lagos in 1999, you must have been among those who secured Lagos votes for President Olusegun Obasanjo. Do you think he performed well? Obasanjo was not initially our choice because we did not want an ex-soldier but we Yorubas had to pick a candidate. He tried to the best of his ability but he bungled like most African leaders including Jonathan. He wanted to perpetuate himself. He did not do many things he should have done. The first thing he did, which is why we have not had a coup till now is that he retired all political office holders in the army that had served as administrators. That was a very good thing but the conference he convened did a lot of work, some of the decisions of the conference which is similar to some of the ones being taken now, were just thrown somewhere and he was heading for perpetuation like Abacha and now Jonathan wants to do the same but he will fail. How do you score Jonathan’s government? Jonathan is not in charge, he says he has a transformation agenda but he is only transforming Nigeria into poverty. His government is using impunity. The Boko Haram is just one. Start with the way he is using the police and the army. He used them during election in Ekiti but even before then he used them to intimidate us here in Lagos during the fuel subsidy protest. He used them against the Rivers State Governor. He used them to block the governor from going to his house and yet he is saying there should not be state police? There must be state police. It will take me a whole day to talk on Jonathan’s government but since Yar’adua got sick, the period of his sickness and when Jonathan was confirmed by a doctrine of necessity, Jonathan has gone down. Imagine only the Ministry of Aviation is having a debt of N153bn? A single ministry! And Jonathan does not have the will to return normalcy because his major aim is to remain in power. Was Obasanjo better? Yes, he was. He had focus on some issues but Jonathan has no focus. For instance, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission functioned better under Obasanjo. Imagine Fayose, who is still being investigated by the EFCC, running for governor? And he was sponsored by the President’s party. Why should Fayose’s case drag for so long? And there are many other cases. cullrd from Punch

Telephone conversation between Iyiola Omisore and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Iyiola: Hello my superior, can I be Appointed as your personal assistance so as to get money to pay money loaned from Kashamu the Shylock? Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola: I sympathise with you but Darkness and Night dont relate. There is NO VACANCY FOR PERMANENTLY DECEITFUL PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF OMOLUABI STATE. I am sorry you can try Abuja or Akure.

The Funeral Of The Chibok Girls - By Ayo Alaba Idowu

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The entire event was done at the most serene area of Borno, what should be only a few kilometers away from Sambisa. It was such a classified event that was meant to be top secret, but I have learnt overtime from my teacher-mum that whatever isn't within you alone is no longer secret. I was at the Funeral, and I am here to give you an account of it.code> [caption id="attachment_174109" align="alignleft" width="409"] PHOTO: Abducted Chibok girls [/caption]Chibok High school girls are still missing Let no man bother for now how a young entrepreneur in the city of Lagos managed to be part of the supposedly classified event; Deo Volente, I will share it at the end of my account. "We all gather here in memory of our dearest girls that lost their lives in the hands of their deadly abductors..." Looking around me, it was shocking to realize that this was being said by about the most celebrated personality in the Christian association. It was even more shocking to find most celebrated government officials there present. What about all the supposedly emotional dispositions? What about all the video that went viral? What about all the guided and misguided statements? What about the $1 billion dollar loan? My heart broke completely apart! There I saw the true face of my country Nigeria. It was what could be described as a glamorous, black and red day. Everyone was looking bright and beautiful in some black garments only with tints of red -are these not the same colors chosen for the BBOG initiative? What a mockery of their own people. Their women were all laced up with gold bracelets and necklaces, expensive shoes and handbags, and of course overly expensive human hair. Their men were looking brightly simple with expensive shoes and wrist watches. I'm sure you have an idea what these top Government officials would look like. Yes, they were looking just the same way you are imagining. They then ironically created a deliberate funeral mood. I wished I never found my way to the event. "...and may their souls rest in peace... Take heart, my fellow Nigerians, our girls have gone forever..." This, to me, was the statement of the day. It was rather carelessly said by the only man upon whom over 200 million people had their hopes. How disheartening it was for this man to make such statement behind the back of these people. I could no longer take the penetrating pain, and so I had to leave, and decided to tell it to the concerned Nigerians who wouldn't mind spending their last days to fight the course of bringing these girls back. On my way home, I pondered over how to tell these people who have spent over 100days on active protest, and an idea came to mind that in the stead of the BBOG campaign, why not invest the same effort in another drive that will be more purposeful and quite consolatory? Big T, my secondary school football coach, would tell us that if you miss the ball, don't miss the leg. Yes, maybe such drive. When I got home, I thought first to say a few things to my president. My dear Mr. President, I heaved a heavy sigh when I thought of my advice to you. Even as a young entrepreneur, I understand how much you cannot be an expert at all things. It is the reason the structure allows you to equip yourself with experts in the varying fields of Government. I won't stop wondering what you expected when you appointed Mr. Labaran Maku, a prematurely educated teacher and journalist who has got no background of strategic communication, as a whole overseer of information and communication in the country. Such man would only help you handle issues like a reporter, headmaster, and probably a teacher -Nigeria is a more mature country than this. Please advise your successor never to make the same mistake -it will only be deadly on the part of the people. The same error is probably responsible for your ever-dwindling personality in the media. What were you expecting when you hired a brilliant Theater Arts graduate and Newspaper Columnist, Mr. Ruben Abati, as your special adviser on Media and Publicity. The innocent man will successfully give you brilliant drama performances and fine group of words in the media. It is not his fault that he knows no much about strategic media concepts -he is brilliant, but not a strategist. After the tearful Chibok experience, I thought not to bother so much about Doyin Okupe -he doesn't exactly matter here anyway. In the wake of the long narration I have managed to give, I find it somewhat necessary to mention that it has been a long sleep after-all. Could all of these have been the nightmare of the first order? I dare the president of a nation to wake me from my sleep if they have been. Ayo Alaba Idowu @ayoalabaidowu alabee2002@yahoo.com Source: SAHARAREPORTERS

'No just God would stand for what they did': Obama vows to punish ISIS for beheading James Foley – as it emerges White House knew killers had sent email threat to his family a week ago

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Obama administration knew James Foley's captors were considering killing him to avenge airstrikes; Foley's family received an emailed warning a week ago and told the White House Obama seemed to double down on attacking ISIS after a militant beheaded Foley in a shocking video 'One thing we can all agree on is a group like ISIL has no place in the 21st century,' a defiant Obama said Secretary of State John Kerry said Foley 'was brave and bold, and no masked coward can ever steal the legacy of this courageous American' US Secret Service and UK intelligence are searching for Foley's executioner, who spoke with a British accent in the video Nearly a dozen new airstrikes near the Mosul Dam came after gruesome video showed an ISIS militant cutting off photojournalist's head ISIS threatened to kill a second American journalist if airstrikes continue; White House has confirmed the footage is authentic Foley's parents issued a statement stating their son was 'innocent' Obama spoke from his vacation on Martha's Vineyard and played golf immediately after delivering his remarks2015: We won’t allow hooded security operatives, says Jega

That First Lady’s fight in Namibia

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Dame Patience Jonathan was in Namibia in July. There are reasons this writer takes note of it. She had followed in the footsteps of President Goodluck Jonathan who was in that same country earlier this year. Nigerians shouldn’t forget that, on that occasion, Namibians had honoured their leader with the highest national award in their behalf, in the process thanking Nigerians for their assistance in the course of Namibia’s war of independence. That’s a point once noted on this page, pointing out then that compared to other people from that part of the continent which enjoyed the same assistance from Nigeria, Namibians stand apart; they are a grateful people. So, just as one had stated then, and because every act of gratitude deserves another round of assistance if it’s needed, it’s repeated here that Nigeria should continue to stand by Namibians anytime, anywhere. For this reason, when Nigeria’s First Lady travelled to Windhoek to attend the 8th Stop Cervical, Breast and Prostrate Cancer in Africa programme with the theme, “Universal Access to Cervical Cancer Prevention”, it immediately caught this writer’s attention. The fight which the President’s wife took to that country wasn’t the first. She had been to other African countries too, and on some other occasions had sent gifts from Nigerians to nations where there were displaced people such as the Saharawi Republic in the North-West of the continent. This time though, it was for the cause of women suffering from cervical cancer that she had headed South-West. But there are more reasons for being interested in such an endeavour. Africa is one place where the helpless and the voiceless are in the majority, meanwhile, it’s the vociferous few that make the louder noise, often not about issues that affect the voiceless majority. In Sudan’s Darfur, women and children die under Khartoum’s relentless assault and the main news pages where this tends to come into focus are those of the Western world, their radio as well as their TVs. In Central African Republic, years of misrule have turned Muslims and Christians who have lived together for years into enemies; now they maim and kill one another, with no one hearing about it except for the few occasions when Western media happened to pick the more heinous acts of bloodshed and report them. Those are a few of the man-made problems, the outcome of lack of quality governance. There are the challenges that man has little control over; those are many, and are generally pushed to the background especially in the face of more shocking human miseries. In the face of this, something still has to be said and done for victims of other problems that silently trouble Africans, not a few of which involve women. Cervical cancer is one of such. One more reason what took place in Namibia is of interest is that finding relevant voices on the continent that voluntarily speak for the voiceless doesn’t always happen. So when wives of Africa’s leaders put heads together to speak up on an issue, any issue at all, it’s worth pointing to. More so, this is one continent where the challenges are so overwhelming that governments can’t pay needed attention to all. In that case, whatever helping hand any group offers should, for the sake of the beneficiaries, be placed in its proper perspective and made the most of. According to the WHO, in 2008, there were more than 530, 000 new cases of cervical cancer worldwide and 275,000 deaths resulting from the same. Over 90 per cent of them were recorded in developing countries among which is Nigeria. In the African region alone, 75,000 new cases were recorded in the same year while 50,000 women died of the disease. Cervical cancer occurs when the cells in the cervix begin to grow and replicate in an abnormal and uncontrolled way. When this happens, the body cannot organise these cells for normal function and the cells form a mass that is called a tumour. Malignant tumours in the cervix can spread to other parts of the body, crowding and destroying normal cells. Cervical cancer often grows very slowly over a period of years. Before the cancer actually develops, there are early changes that occur in the cells of the cervix. While these cells that become abnormal are not in themselves cancerous, and many women with the cells do not develop cancer, the cells may lead to cancer. The abnormal cells usually develop as a result of viral infection that is generally sexually transmitted. When women have the virus, their immune system can eliminate it. For women whose immune system does not eliminate the virus, the cells may in time develop into cervical cancer. While all women are potentially at risk of developing cervical cancer at some point in their lifetime, the most common risk factors include an early age of first intercourse, having multiple sexual partners, and having experienced a weakened immune system. Cervical cancer is most often diagnosed in women in their late 30s. It can, however, be diagnosed in younger as well as older women. Where this becomes more important for Africa is that high incidences of cervical cancer are reported on the continent, at rates exceeding 50 per 100,000 populations with age-standardised mortality sometimes exceeding 40 per 100,000 populations. For example, between 1981 and 1990, data from Nairobi hospital showed that cervical cancer accounted for 70 per cent-80 per cent of all cancers of the genital tract and eight per cent-20 per cent of all cancers. In Nigeria, 17, 550 women are diagnosed yearly, and no fewer than 26 Nigerian women die daily as a result of cervical cancer. The good news is that there are measures that offer opportunities for prevention: There is the low-cost screening approaches suitable for low-resource areas and vaccines that are efficacious in preventing the infections as well as the precancerous changes that can lead to cervical cancer. Efforts are also being made from different backgrounds, and from outside the continent to see to its prevention. In 2013, it was announced that the African Collaborative Centre for Microbiome and Genomics Research at the University College Hospital in Ibadan was to receive more than $4.16 million over four years from the United States of America to fight cervical cancer. The funds released were part of the initiatives by the US expanding its partnership with African institutions and scientists for research into some of the most vexing health problems plaguing the continent. The research in this case was to focus on the epidemiology of cervical cancer and human papillomavirus infection. As the US National Institute of Health puts it, the grant “addresses a high-impact public health challenge that affects women’s health in Africa and the rest of the world”. The US didn’t forget to remind everyone of this and related initiatives at the recently concluded US-Africa Summit where President Barack Obama’s Secretary of Commerce had announced for Africa’s leaders to hear: “Investing in Africa would support workers in California, and strengthen the health of patience in Nigeria” because of the MoU signed by Environment Chemical Corporation to “construct a state of the art cancer institute in Ibadan”. The fight against cervical cancer is one area where groups and agencies external to the continent have been seen to be doing something vital. It was to this a few relevant voices on the continent also added their own quota in Windhoek. Out there, in the course of the programme, Nigeria’s First Lady said she and her fellow First Ladies were focusing on “universal access to cancer prevention,” adding that “girls between the ages of nine to 15 years should be immunised… and have regular cancer screening done using the affordable procedures”. So, it’s the view of this writer that sometimes such interventions from whatever corner they come from may be what that next girl or woman needs in order to survive and raise the next generation for Africa. And of course that fight in one small corner of the continent, on behalf of the womenfolk, can’t be separated from whatever progress Africa wishes to make. It’s in that light efforts such as this should be fully encouraged

Ijesa regent, others to sue police, DSS

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

How Aregbe Overwhelmed DSS Hooded Thugs At The "Battle" of Orita Olaiya - (Eyewitness Account)

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

My name is Akinremi Akonimeje, I am an ordinary Nigerian living in Alekuwodo Area of Osogbo. I woke up at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday the 10th of August, 2014, after a suspense-filled slumber of the previous night, expecting results of the Osun State Governorship election to have been formally announced by the umpire - INEC. Alas, what I saw and heard on Channels Television was a crowd of news correspondents and expectant supporters of candidates singing "ALL WE ARE SAYING, GIVE US RESULTS...". The above scenario was what gingered my interest and I quickly dressed up, making sure I wore my sneakers, as I headed straight to the INEC headquarters to see LIVE, with my eyes, what I heard and saw on Channels TV. What greeted me on arrival was the sea of heads milling round the menacingly armed security in front of the INEC headquarters. From the crowd I learnt that results for all the 30 LGAs have been announced by the returning officers, and Aregbesola has clearly won with a resounding victory. The agitated crowd was only awaiting final collated figures and formal declaration of Aregbe's victory by the Chief Returning Officer, the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU -IFE. As the announcement boomed by Professorreason for the jubilant mood for for the wore witnessed For 18 days nowThis is an account of a chilling, near-bloody encounter witnessed B'omode o ba itan, a ba aroba, aroba ni baba itan 1. Reflecting a foreshadowing of 2015, the battle for the soul of Osun spilled unto the internet and an ethnic drama was played out in full, when out of every 10 comments on the subject of Omisore Vs. Ogbeni, 6 were against Aregbe, and 4 in his favour. Of the 6 that were against Aregbe, 5 (about 83%) were made by people with names indicating either South-East or South-South extraction. The IP address of the computers where these rabid anti-Aregbe comments came from locations outside Osun, in fact half of them came from outside the country. This forensic revelation gave us confidence that, though we were out-numbered and seemingly overwhelmed online, these roaring internet and social media lions were not on ground in the Osun battle, and therefore, cannot devour us, nor gain any legitimate victory over us. (The Online media strategy which we later used to defeat these rabid anti-Aregbe commentaries is also a subject of another discuss, another day sir.) 2. My second observation which provides a raison d'être for collabo platform was a chilling experience after the INEC declared Ogbeni as winner, the masses trooped out besieging his official residence to rejoice with him. This made us to advise him to come out of the house to address the ecstatic and jubilant surge. This eventually led to a spontaneous triumphant road show, which ended at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park for a mammoth victory rally. Just before we got to the Park, there was a near-bloody encounter at Orita Olaiya junction between our exuberant procession and a menacing convoy of about 25 militarized vehicles of masked "DSS" men sitting behind machine guns pointed at the crowd. The advanced section of the procession surged towards the hostile convoy and were waving their brooms (symbol of the APC - Aregbesola's Party) at them as if to convey the vindication of people's power against tyranny. It looked like an imagery from June 1989 Tiananmen Square. I rushed to the scene of encounter with the hope of bringing reason and calm to the situation. I addressed the leading armoured vehicle with three masked men sitting behind a machine gun and advised them not to run through the crowd, but to wait for the Governor and the milling crowd to pass before the military convoy could continue its journey. The sharp and bitter rebuttal by one of the masked men shocked me, he spoke in pidgin English with an obvious Niger Deltan accent saying: "Shuooor? who be Governor? he wan die?" At this point, the Governor, as if he heard the denigrating remark of the hooded thugs, arose with frenzy and ecstasy, waved his broom at the masses, pointing in the direction of the Freedom Park, and by implication commanding the crowd to ignore the obstinacy of the convoy and continue procession to the Park without further distraction. There was a rousing and deafening ovation by the masses, in response to their Commander-in-Chief. The long-shot of the above "conversation" was the language of an army of occupation intent on riding roughshod over a people determined to hold on to their victory. You don't argue grammar with a man with machine gun pointed at you. But the response of the masses to the 'battle' of Orita Olaiya (which we obviously won) was, in obedience to their adored leader, to mass-on, and march-on unstoppably, leaving behind a confused and angry convoy whose arsenal and menacing armoury was simply defied and despised in our victory parade with the peoples' Governor. The sheer force of an overwhelming mass of the contagiously joyous people whose tumult drowned the siren of the convoy triumphed over the occupation army. Sir, your choice of the keyword "RELIEF" is most appropriate. That victorious relief is just a reduction of our burden over the danger to democracy and good governance, which the political regime constitutes. It is not a removal of our grave concern for this asphyxiating democracy. WHAT IS TO BE DONE? Can we use this 'minimum platform' to formulate ideas and collabo on how to ensure longevity of democracy in Nigeria? Can we use this 'minimum platform' articulate a programme of action for defeating fascism that is creeping on us? Can we use this 'minimum platform' to galvanize our people like the frenzied and restless mobilization of Osun people over the last 3 months? Can we use this 'minimum platform' to avert the distortion and diversion of popular struggle, which is taking ethnic colouration now? Can we use this 'minimum platform' to work for a possibility of defeating the PDP Behemoth in 6 months time Feb 2015 elections? Can we use this 'minimum platform' to resurrect dead and dry bones warriors who have been disillusioned and jettisoned the struggle, to come back as an exceedingly great army for oxygenating democracy and good governance in Nigeria? Can we use this 'minimum platform' to rekindle the fire of popular struggles to expand the democratic space? I have copied Drs Arigbede and Olorunyomi in order to expand and possibly enrich this discuss. Thank you sir for expressing yourself on the Osun political upset against PDP. Regards,

57 Escaped Chibok Girls Gain Admission In US

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Patience Ivie Ihejirika — Aug 25, 2014 | 5 Comments The Centre for Promotion of Ethics, Values and National Integration (CENPEVNI), has said that it has secured admission for the 57 escaped Chibok school girls from a school in the United States of America (USA), through its collaboration with other groups. The executive director of the group, and project coordinator, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Outreach Mission (RROM), Dr Mercy Sokomba, stated this in Abuja, at a one day Stakeholders Interactive Session on Effective Victim Support Strategies. She said, offers for completion of education of the girls, inclusive of scholarship has been made to RROM through Stefanos Foundation and the international support groups of RROM. “The reality of this particular offer is if the girls are ready for another form of separation from their parents. However, we have initiated discussions with some leadership of the Chibok community and at some point will meet with them and the parents for consent,” she said. Sokomba however said that they hope that the funds and support partnership will consistently get to RROM for project sustainability within scheduled time frame so as not to hinder the progress the outreach mission has made so far. Commending the efforts of the federal government in the fight against insurgency, Sokomba prayed and pleaded for a quick resolution of the Boko Haram saga and safe return of the abducted Chibok girls and many other women and children abducted earlier or after the Chibok girls. According to her, “The end of terrorism will bring an end to the loss of lives and properties.”

Osun: Demons in our democracy

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Each time I get into discussing Nigeria with my non-Nigerian friends who have studied up on the country as a country, the ones who know the history, tenacity and intellectual strength that Nigerians carry in their DNA, those who see sprawling natural resources littering almost every nook and cranny of the nation but wasted and frittered away in ignominy and dire depravity, those who believe that even their successes are contingent upon the success of Nigeria as a nation, they are all curious to know why a nation so blessed is yet so bizarre in actions. Non-Nigerians are not the only ones frustrated and asking questions, Nigerians are also. The same stories of neglect, depreciation in human value, blatant human rights violations, and in-your-face hijack of what is a man’s precious possession continue with no end in sight. I have not been part of an electoral process in Nigeria since 1983, a few years before I relocated to the United States. The last Osun State governorship election was my most recent experience, and it was bizarre.What I saw and heard during the election doubled up my disgust and disdain for our system still struggling to work pro bono publico. Nigeria has not grown, and may never if the manure that will enhance growth becomes incrementally menacing and venomous. It was both shocking and appalling that political party men and women in a pathetic prowl around polling stations doled out money to voters to vote certain ways. Bowls and bags of rice were distributed to voters so they could elect brigands to be captain over the people. Unfortunately, many I engaged in discussions over this discussed the issue as a comedy package. What is abnormal in sane societies is normal in my country. I deliberately rode on commercial vehicles for a whole day eavesdropping as the people recalled their experiences on Election Day. Some rejected the baits thrown at them by party foot-soldiers while many others who had no choice responded to the lure because there is too much pain in the land. Some families had probably not eaten in days and they just wanted to eat their last supper and die. Before, during, and after the election, the attack dog of violence was let off its leach to torment and bruise many people in an unfathomably reckless fashion. Errand boys of lawlessness in masks and with ammunition from unverifiable destinations put the citizens in a choke-hold and a hostage situation. They were the lieges, and the people became the helpless vavasour. The littering of major cities and villages by masked men and marksmen brandishing guns and gleefully shooting into the air was perceived by many as a carefully designed bugaboo to cow down voters and skew the election in a particular direction. Those guys who became night marauders couldn’t have been the same ones Nigerians pay monthly to protect them. Some powerful people in government hid under that cover to perpetrate those acts in this democracy filled with demons. Men in black on the eve of the election besieged many homes. About 800 members of the opposition political party were reportedly arrested and detained with no explanations. Up till the time of this report, hundreds of them are still reportedly kept behind bars still awaiting freedom from the hands of our “security operatives”. And this is a democracy? The Osun election has loudly and limpidly shown us all that Nigeria is not only on a slippery slope into an era of brutish bullishness and reprehensible impudence, an audacious spate of fascism has obviously crept into the crevices of our fabrics as mobocracy and thugocracy are contending with democracy as we approach 2015. Where is the freedom guaranteed under a democracy? Where is commonsense, and where is decency in government? That Osun militarization charade is an inficio, infeci, infectum on a budding democratic lifestyle that Nigerians are striving to cherish. What happened before, during and after the election in Osun is apparently an imprimatur from political marksmen and snipers that are using the power and might of the Federal government as cover to oppress and suppress. Let the truth be told that evil men and women in masks and black uniforms have an enlightened and determined Nigerians to contend with, and the people are waiting and prepared to defend their votes and voices. The pertinacity of the people cannot be submerged or subsumed in a veiled attempt to render them mute. Our behaviors have caused us to lose respect in the eyes of the rest of the world. When some white man somewhere in the western world calls us animals-in-human-clothing because of our actions, we get angry and furious and demand to be respected. Have we proved them wrong? Big Agbada and flowing Babariga don’t provoke respect. Big talk, haughty swagger, big jeep, big castles, and big oil don’t provoke respect. Respect is a jewel and a precious stone more precious than silver and costlier than gold. At one time in Nigeria’s history, we earned respect and many nations bowed before us. At another time, we auctioned it so cheap on the back of greed, graft,gluttony, dehumanization, and deliberate pauperization of the people are leaders were elected to serve. Ours is a nation where leaders have no respect for the people they lead, where human lives are not deemed precious, and where blatant banditry has become the order of the day. A nation where government resources become personal assets, and cronyism is an open cankerworm, cannot be respected. A nation where opposing voices are silenced in cold-blooded massacres, where community leaders are kidnapped for ransoms and young girls are handed out in marriage to Alzheimer-stricken oldies-with-no-goodies cannot be respected. Ballot-box snatching, ballot-papers-switching-abracadabra country makes a good line in Saturday Night comedy in the US. A nation with astounding mind-boggling wealth and yet with an undeserved astounding, mind-boggling heap of ravaging poverty cannot be respected. Some of these fellas who have become “area boys” at all levels of government studied in the US; and many of those who lead us today studied abroad. They apparently got the education but remain uneducated; they went through schools, but the schools didn’t go through them. They have helped ordain demons in our democracy. If you live in Anambra, Sokoto, Rivers, Kwara, Oyo, and anywhere in Nigeria and do not rise up to condemn these acts of arbitrary arrest and dehumanisation of powerless Nigerians by powerful ones that we saw in Osun, it will soon come to a city near you. When it does, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. In a democracy, a man has the liberty and freedom to elect whosoever he desires even if the candidate is deaf-and-dumb and a nincompoop. That’s his choice, that’s democracy. In a democracy, goons with guns don’t just take over my house and life and tell me how to jump and how high. In a democracy, you just don’t take over power because you are connected to a military depot and police precincts or you have access to money and men who can do your bidding for a paltry. In a democracy, you lay your case before the people, why you want to be who you want to be, and the people make the final call based on the conviction in their soul. Will Nigeria’s many troubles ever end? That is our hope. But we’ve got some mess in our hands; and it’s a huge mess!

The Political Magic of Roads-Is real democracy possible without highways?

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

A friend was asking me about my recent trip to Rwanda. What, he wanted to know, surprised me the most? “I think it was the roads,” I said. “The roads were amazing.” “I’ll bet,” he said. “They must have been a mess, right?” No, actually, just the opposite. I explained that the streets in Kigali, the capital, are smoothly surfaced, with nary a pothole in sight. Well-crafted rain gutters and zebra-striped curbs mark the edges of each roadway. Blinking warning lights are embedded in the road surface at corners. Traffic lights don’t just show green for go and red for stop; they’re also equipped with digital clocks, showing how long until each light changes color. The wealthy suburb of Washington, D.C., that I call home would be happy to have such roads. Nor is this a privilege of Rwanda’s capital. When we set out on a trip to the city of Goma, just over Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the highway that took us there was just as impressive. I barely noticed a bump in three hours. My subsequent travels around the country confirmed that this was no fluke. Rwanda is a nation of remarkable roads. This discovery struck me with particular force because of one of my other recent trips to Africa. In December I visited Mali, the West African country that nearly fell apart two years ago when Tuareg separatists in the north, aided by jihadi allies, decided to break away. The drive from Mopti, in central Mali, to the northern city of Timbuktu covers just 250 miles — but this rather modest journey took us nine bone-shattering hours (not counting stops). It’s a roller-coaster dirt track that rarely permits speeds higher than 40 miles per hour. In order to avoid the worst we often swung off the “highway” onto barely visible trails through the bush that paralleled it. By the time we arrived in Timbuktu, I found myself sympathizing with the separatists: Why should northerners feel any loyalty to their compatriots in Bamako, the capital in the south, if the government can’t even be troubled to connect the two parts of the country with a proper road? The comparison is compelling. Mali is a democracy that boasts free elections and a pluralistic press but is also plagued by miserable governance and entrenched corruption that continue to hamper development. Rwanda is an autocracy that tolerates little dissent but has a remarkable record of delivering public services to its citizens (including infrastructure). Both countries have traumatic histories of poverty and ethnic division. But while Mali continues to struggle, Rwanda is on the move. That good roads have a positive economic effect seems like a no-brainer. But my travels have made me inclined to think that we tend to underestimate the political effects of transport infrastructure. In Rwanda, decent roads stand for the official commitment to provide everyone with equal access to the fruits of development — concrete evidence, if you will, of the determination to overcome the ethnic divides that led the country into mass slaughter just two decades ago. Every part of the country is relatively close to a good road; no group is excluded. (Nor do you have to have a car to get around; members of Rwanda’s growing middle class can simply hop on one of the country’s ubiquitous minibuses.) Northern Malians can only dream of such conditions. Roads don’t just enable the movements of goods; they also enable the flow of ideas. Christianity in its present form probably wouldn’t exist today if it weren’t for the extraordinary Roman road network that enabled the Apostle Paul to transmit his teachings across the empire. The establishment of the U.S. interstate highway system in the 1950s completed the work of national unification that started with the construction of transcontinental railroads in the 19th century (and pushed the country into the modern era of indistinguishable suburbia and big-box stores). As such, roads are also crucial ingredients of state-building. Soon after toppling the Taliban in 2001, the U.S.-led coalition that occupied Afghanistan set out to rebuild Highway 1, the ring road linking Kabul with the country’s major urban centers (including Kandahar, the Taliban’s unofficial capital). The idea was to restore a sense of unity to a country that had virtually fallen apart during the long years of civil war. Taliban insurgents immediately vowed to sabotage the project for just the same reason. Today, the dismal story of Highway 1, which is falling apart after $4 billion of Western investment, offers a perfect microcosm of Afghanistan’s roller-coaster struggle to reinvent itself. Afghanistan isn’t unusual in this respect. Take a look at many failed states around the world and you’ll probably be struck by how many of them have bad (or no) roads. Of course, there’s a big chicken-or-the-egg question here: A country’s governing class probably won’t be capable of building proper roads unless it’s fairly competent to begin with. That’s certainly the case with the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) of President Paul Kagame, an ascetic former guerilla leader whose obsessive-compulsive-disorder approach to rule has even prompted him to ban plastic bags. The Tutsi-dominated RPF, whose members spent decades in exile in countries adjacent to their homeland, took power after the collapse of the Hutu Power government that implemented the mass slaughter of mostly Tutsi Rwandans in 1994, and the memory of that trauma gives an extraordinary urgency to the government’s efforts to shape a national identity that transcends old divides. (And building roads does play a part in that larger program. The authorities often send Rwandans to work on local roads as part of government-sponsored job creation schemes or compulsory “community service” programs.) Despite what some of its defenders say, Rwanda is no democracy; it’s a tightly organized one-party state. (Incidentally, it’s a company from Singapore, the one-party state that Kagame most often cites as his model, that designed the urban plan for Rwanda’s capital, including its remarkable streets.) Even so, if you had to ask me whether Mali or Rwanda is more likely to achieve a prosperous, fully functioning democracy one day in the future, I’d probably have to pick the latter. Can you really have a democracy when one half of the country doesn’t feel like it is part of the rest? Can you have a democracy without citizens who are connected on the most elementary physical level? The Internet and the increasing sophistication of virtual worlds may one day change this equation. But don’t hold your breath. For now, tarmac is the test. BY Christian Caryl Source

Examining the Buhari option

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

From the blue, again, a few days ago, came an SMS on my phone from my good old friend, Lawson Omokhodion (Omo Law!) — ex-financial journalist, ex-bank MD, but an entrepreneur and a perspicacious gentleman of integrity. “Tunde my Senator,” he began, and I must remind my readers that some folks, especially at our club in Ikoyi, Lagos, against my now abandoned protestation, have stubbornly (even embarrassingly) stuck with calling me “Senator” since that time, over a decade ago, I ran for Senate under Gani Fawehinmi’s National Conscience Party in my Osun Central senatorial district. They would have none of it, I remain a “senator” whether I won the election or not — I am their senator! “A few years ago,” Omo Law continued, “I told you that only Gen. Muhammadu Buhari could bring sanity to Nigeria. I remain resolute in my belief. Have you joined me? Cheers. Omo law.” I do not know what has suddenly provoked this resurgence of what I call the “Buhari Option” debate in Omo Law’s mind. True, the country remains a conundrum, a ‘peculiar mess’ (apologies to the late stormy petrel Ibadan politician of the First Republic, Adegoke Adelabu), beset with myriad of conflicting and aggravating problems. True, Boko Haram insurgents have become more pernicious and more daring by the day, invading and sacking towns in the North-East zone of the country with impunity, even hoisting their flag in damning territorial conquest; raiding schools and homes and abducting innocent children, girls and women into their impenetrable enclave; sacking bastions of Nigeria’s security forces — police and army — almost at will and causing the poorly equipped and ill-motivated law and territory-enforcers to flee. True, the country wobbles on under the weight of corruption and ineptitude of governance of unimaginable proportions; But what could be new? What could suddenly have irked Omo Law into inflicting upon my mind, first thing in the morning (at 6am!), the “Buhari Option” at a time it is fast receding into improbability? “Omo Law,” I began in my reply, “Good morning my brother. Nigeria makes me sad and its conundrum appears unresolvable. A civilian Buhari cannot do much amidst the barracuda politicians we have without being impeached, compromised, forced to resign, or eliminated. He cannot replicate his military time and short-lived order which, even with the then organised discipline and seeming unity of the military still had a contrarian, permissive, Babangida overthrowing the regime for the onset of the rottenness that has since enveloped the country. In any case, it is forlorn to hope a confused and divided opposition party, as presently obtains, can dislodge a sitting president in our clime of unbridled corruption and base ethnic sentiments. Good day, mate. TF” The “Buhari Option”, it must be said, is a romantic nostalgia of that brief period in 1984 when Buhari as a general in the Nigerian Army became the military head of state from the military putsch that terminated the Second Republic of President Shehu Shagari. Even though Buhari’s regime acted in arrant folly in some ways — imprisoning journalists even if what they published were the truth; killing drug offenders under a retroactive law; etc — it was generally regarded, with its stern order of across-the-board discipline blazoned as “War Against Indiscipline as a welcome sanitizer of a polity going haywire, corrupt and unedifying. After his overthrow by the gap-toothed, genial Gen. Ibrahim Babangida that saw the country rapidly descending into the abyss of chaos, free-for-all looting, and debilitating shenanigan of leadership, not a few Nigerians began to long for what they had just (then gleefully) lost in Buhari: an ordered and disciplined life! Not much has changed since then. On the contrary, the country has continued to drift under one government or another, with occasional instances of buoyancy or direction being quickly punctured by the overwhelming force of roguish elite and their freeloaders profiting more in an environment of disorder than of order and disinterested in making sacrifices necessary for developing a nation. Consequently, the call for a ‘revolution’ has not been a muted call, even by some important personalities. Many believe the only thing that can save Nigeria from total perdition is a revolution either of a bloody type — Rawling’s Option” — that would “clear the deck” or some spring, a dream revolt of the masses! Rawlings, it will be recalled, was the Flight Lieutenant in Ghana who in 1979 led an insurgency that took over power and carried out the merciless killings of a number of Supreme Court justices, military officers and the killings and disappearances of over 300 other Ghanaians in what he described as a “house cleaning exercise.” Ghana survived it and for the better, it is believed. It is in this vein that the “Buhari Option” is being considered in some quarters — a no-nonsense man who would come and cleanse the country of the immorality that plagues it, even if it means through proclamation of draconian laws and the undertaking of merciless killings, if need be. Were that to be possible in Nigeria, thousands of heads (figures ranging from 2,000 to 5,000) would have to roll to make any meaningful impact and re-order the country. Surely, Buhari himself, as a latter-day democrat, would laugh and scoff at the improbability of the idea. He is no longer in the army, indeed long out, he commands no troop, and the present climate is unwelcoming of military government of any hue. Let it also be said, though, that Nigeria experienced such an iron-fisted (semi-demi military) president in Gen. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007. It was a rare chance offered on a platter and for which Obasanjo was well suited in grit and guile, aided by a military suppliant to its former (and new) Commander-in-Chief. Unfortunately, Obasanjo frittered away the great opportunity to force the pace of development and rebuild Nigeria’s moral and ethical values; frittered away on the altar of personal ego, self-delusion, and compromised integrity. Perhaps Gen. Buhari could re-enact that circumstance but he lacks in guile and capacity to tactfully engage an exacting democratic structure (and democratic impertinence!) without compromising his integrity the way Obasanjo disappointingly did. A man to whom material wealth apparently means nothing, Buhari certainly fits the bill of the Uruguayan President Jose ‘Pepe’ Mujica of which this column wrote last week. But, unfortunately, the “Buhari Option” is a dead option. It is a romantic view not worth expending any more time on now. If a revolution would come, it would need to come from a collective of the younger breed — when and if they are sufficiently riled by the mess they see and fired by the determination to have a better future; brighter than one which my generation and Gen. Buhari’s may have condemned them to. Until then, I am prepared to wager my last kobo that, all things being as they are, the path is clear for a Jonathan’s second term. It is the logic or illogic of our country, some say of our “stage of development”, as if cursed! But, yes, we are cursed — by the oil from the Niger Delta that fuels the greed and corruption of us all. And that’s saying it the way it is! Source

Boko Haram slaugthering males in Bama –Borno senator

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 18:03:23 +0000

The Senator representing Borno Central in the National Assembly, Ahmed Zannah, on Wednesday raised the alarm that Boko Haram insurgents had started massacring teenage and adult males in its drive to expand its caliphate in the North –East. Zannah, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, also insisted that the insurgents had taken over Bama, a town less than 78 kilomitres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The Senator, who is a native of Bama, spoke just as Rueters news agency reported that the Islamist fundamentalist sect seized Bara, a community in Yobe State. Recounting how he lost two of his nephews to the Monday/ Tuesday attacks on Bama, Zannah said, “As I am speaking to you, Bama has been captured and the insurgents are on the prowl for any male on sight. “Everyone is a target as long as you are a male but for now, women and children are being spared.” He challenged the military authorities and the Borno State Government to take the media to Bama to cross-check his claims on Tuesday that Bama had been captured by Boko Haram. The lawmaker said, “Both the military and Borno State Government are lying to Nigerians. To prove that I am the one misinforming the public, they should take journalists to the town to cross-check the fact.” We’re in control of Bama –Military source Efforts by The PUNCH to speak with the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade,on Zannah’s claim yielded no fruits as calls to his mobile telephone did not connect. But a top military officer told one of our correspondents that the troops were as of Tuesday night still in firm control of Bama. He said the insurgents were repelled from Bama with fighter jets and ground troops of the Nigerian Army. The officer,who did not want to be named because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, added that the military had since deployed more men and weapons in Bama. He said, “The soldiers are in control of Bama and they are in the barracks now. Even the soldiers that came to Maiduguri from Bama who were at Sector 9 and Sector 10 are back there. “The commanders have also deployed more men; more arms and ammunition have also arrived so the soldiers are in the barracks now. “Last night, two Air Force fighter jets and ground troops were used for the operation which led to their being dislodged from the town. “It is not correct to say that only soldiers are there; Not all the residents fled to Maiduguri, some that relocated temporarily are back to their houses. “The air strike affected only military and security formations where the insurgents launched attacks.” The officer threw Zannah’s challenge back to him to take journalists to the town to verify his claims. He said that in a situation like this, it was easy for politicians to be involved in all “manner of cheap talks.” Another security source said that some soldiers who retreated from Bama when they ran out of ammunition and were quartered at sectors 9 and 10 had all gone back on Wednesday. The source said that the soldiers were in control of the Bama barracks and other security formations within the troubled town. The PUNCH gathered that tension was very high in Bama and Maiduguri when rumours filtered in that the insurgents sent a message that they would launch an attack on Maiduguri. Bama attacks force Shettima back from Sudan,UK The battle for Bama made Governor Kashim Shettima to cut short his official visit to Sudan and the United Kingdom. Shettima, who left the state late last week was expected to visit some school authorities and over 70 students recently sponsored by his administration to study medicine and Petroleum Geo-Sciences in UK and Sudan. It was gathered that the governor, on returning to the country, held crucial meetings in Abuja with appropriate authorities over the happenings in Bama and the rest of the state. He was also said to have approved the formation of a committee to coordinate the distribution of relief materials to the victims of attacks in the state. According to sources, the governor was scheduled to leave Abuja for Maiduguri on Wednesday evening . A former media aide to the governor, Mallam Isa Gusau, said, “Shettima returned mainly to provide needed leadership, be with his people, build public confidence, coordinate relief for victims, step up co-funding and provide psychological support to the military.” Shehu of Borno calls for three-day fasting Also on Wednesday, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, called on all Muslims faithful in the troubled state to immediately commence a three-day fasting and prayers for the return of peace to the state. El-Kanemi also urged Christians in the state not to relent in their prayers so that the insurgents who invaded Bama could be warded off. A statement by the Secretary of the Borno Emirate Council, Alhaji Zanna Laisu Kazalma, quoted the monarch, who is also the Chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Association, as advising that the fasting and prayers should start on Thursday(today) and end on Saturday . The statement read in part, “The Umma is equally urged to offer special prayers in all mosques and recitation of Khalimat Shahada ‘La Ilaha Illallah’ continuously during the fasting period. It is also urged that each and every Muslim individually and collectively offer Sadaqat to the needy and the underprivileged, especially to those internally displaced persons in various camps. “In the same vein, the Royal Father also urged the Christian community in the state not to relent in their continuous prayers for peace and security to prevail in Borno State and Nigeria as a whole.” B’Haram takes over two Yobe villages In Yobe State, the insurgents seized Bara and Gulani,two communities without noticeable presence of the military. They also killed two policemen after an attack on Toro Local Government Area. The policemen were reportedly shot and killed and their guns stolen by the attackers at a mining station in Magama Gumau. “The militants went preaching in the whole town asking people to leave government work and join them to do the work of Allah,” Musa Abdullahi, a trader who escaped from Bara told Rueters. In Gulani, the insurgents allegedly occupied the local council secretariat complex and the lodge on Tuesday night. According to residents of the community, the attack recorded no death in the town as the insurgents claimed they came to preach Islam. Gulani is a border town with Buni/Yadi, which is believed to have already been captured by the insurgents. It is about 164 kilometres west of Damaturu, the state capital. A resident, Bukar Isa, told journalists on the telephone on Wednesday that “no one of us was killed during the Tuesday invasion. “The insurgents have taken over our secretariat complex and lodge by noon, before telling us that they stormed the town not to kill, but preach and do the work of Allah (God), according to the Quran,” he said. 246 Nigerian soldiers, customs officers flee to Cameroon The Cameroon Radio Television however reported on Wednesday that 246 Nigerian soldiers and customs officers fled to the far north region of Cameroon during a gun battle with Boko Haram insurgents. About 480 Nigerian soldiers fighting the sect members had on August 25 ran into Cameroon in what Nigerian military authorities described as “tactical manoeuvre” Although the radio/tv station did not name the Nigerian border town where the battle started, it reported that 40 insurgents who also fled to Fotokol, the Cameroonian side of the border, were killed when they also engaged the gendarmes in combat. Two vehicles belonging to the militants were destroyed while a gendarme was injured during the three-hour battle which took place on Monday. It said the 246 Nigerian soldiers and customs officers had been officially handed over to the commander of the Nigerian military operations in the area. The radio/ tv station quoted official sources as having said the clash was a fallout of the fighting between Nigerian forces and the insurgents at Bama. The fighting, according to the report, has led to the influx of refugees into the far North region of Cameroon. Nigeria, others want B’Haram’s funding sources blocked Earlier on Wednesday, foreign ministers of Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic as well as representatives of the United States, Britain, France, Canada and China met in Abuja over strategies to curtail Boko Haram. The meeting also had officials of the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, ECOWAS and the Organisation of Islamic Countries in attendance. It resolved at the end of the talks that Nigeria, its neigbours and other partners should ensure that arms supply and funding to Boko Haram were cut off. Its also regretted that in spite of efforts by the Federal Government and its international partners, the over 200 schoolgirls abducted since April by the sect were still in captivity. Nigeria and its neighbours had agreed during a recent Paris mini-summit on a regional plan of action to combat Boko Haram to find the schoolgirls . Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali, who briefed journalists, said the parley underscored the need to effectively address the sources of funding for and the supply of weapons to Boko Haram. “The meeting called for greater cooperation of the international community to assist in tracking these sources with a view to putting an end to these practices and all forms of illegal transfer of arms and ammunition,” he said. According to him, the participants also called for strict implementation of relevant UN and other international sanctions against terrorist groups, especially Boko Haram. It also called for a redoubling of efforts on the part of all concerned given the critical importance of intelligence sharing in the fight against terrorism. The minister said the participants urged support for the implementation of multi-dimensional measures adopted by the Nigerian government to combat terrorism and called on regional governments and multilateral development institutions to intensify socio-economic cooperation aimed at poverty eradication, economic upliftment and inclusive development. On the Chibok girls, the meeting reiterated the need to mobilise support to end their captivity and called for support to end sexual violence. Wali had in his address at the event called on the international community not to allow Boko Haram to establish fresh links with another terror group called the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. He described Boko Haram’s claim of establishing an Islamic Caliphate in a few parts of the North as ludicrous and untenable. The minister stressed that the Federal Government would never surrender to any terror group. He said, “As the Nigerian government confronts this challenge, what bothers us most at this time can be reflected in a number of posers that I will like to share with this meeting: Who are the sponsors of Boko Haram terrorist campaigns? Who are those funding the insurgency? Where are the sources of the sophisticated arms and ammunition being used by the terrorists? Who are those seeking to re-define the territory of Nigeria and Africa in the 21st century?” I’m ready for any panel –Ex-Borno gov A former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has described as unfounded, the accusation by an Australian hostage negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis, that he was a sponsor of Boko Haram. Sheriff, at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, also denied that a political group he founded metamorphosed into the militant Islamic sect. He said that he was ready to face any panel over the issue, adding that he would sue the Australian negotiator. Davis was reported to be involved in a negotiation between Boko Haram and the Federal Government for the release of the Chibok girls. The Australian, in an interview last Thursday, said he had been informed by Boko Haram commanders that there were prominent politicians who had been sources of funding to Boko Haram. Davis had said, “First thing to do is to arrest the former Governor Sheriff. Former Governor Sheriff has been funding this for years. He is satisfied that he will be picked up and he has now switched to the ruling party (Peoples Democratic Party) in the hope this will give him protection. “That guy is really a bad guy and he is known to be corrupt and why the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) has not picked him up is anybody’s guess.” Denying the allegation, the former governor said, “I have already instructed my lawyers to sue the Australian. We will track him anywhere he is so that our lawyers will get to him.” Sheriff also described as false, an allegation that a group, ECOMOG, he founded, when he was governor, metamorphosed into Boko Haram He said that a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Gen. Jeremiah Useni (retd.), who was reported to have made the statement, had denied it. Source

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The All Progressives Congress’ governors seem to be reversing policies in major areas such as education, job creation and workers’ welfare in a move considered to be a ploy to appease voters ahead of the 2015 general elections, DAYO OKETOLA writes Notwithstanding its victory in the August 9 Osun State governorship election that saw Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola returned for a second term in office, the All Progressives Congress has yet to forget the loss it suffered in the June 21 Ekiti State election. Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s defeat sent shockwaves through the opposition party considering the fact that he was rooted to win the poll because of his performance. But he lost and analysts see his defeat as a reflection of the popularity of the APC across all the states where it is in control. Also, a former Minister of External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, who recently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, reinforced this thought, saying, “It is common knowledge that the vote against the very popular candidate Senator Chris Ngige in the Anambra governorship election and recently against one of the most successful governors, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State was indeed a vote against Tinubu.” Ikimi described the APC as “a Tinubu party” and predicted mass protest votes against the party in the 2015 elections. “The party has collapsed in very many states such as Adamawa, it is in distress in Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Lagos and Nasarawa,’ he had said. Coincidentally, a Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, in a recent television programme monitored by our correspondent, had explained that any government in power requires a mix in balance proportion of politics, propaganda, polity and programmes to win the election in 2015. He is of the opinion that the APC had failed in satisfactorily mixing these elements in Lagos State, adding that this may affect the outcome of the 2015 elections. In view of this, the APC is not leaving anything to chance in its bid to retain all the states it currently controls with the hope to capture more states from the PDP. As such, the APC governors have embarked on mild review of policies deemed too harsh on the people and they are currently wooing diverse groups such as teachers, civil servants, students and National Union of Road Transport Workers, among others, ahead of the 2015 elections. This has become imperative since it is widely believed that many people are not happy with the party across all its states. For instance, members of NURTW, who spoke with our correspondent, described APC administration in Lagos as “a government of one day one law” and vowed to vote for another party in the 2015 governorship election. The Lagos State Government, in quick response to the threats posed by this development, is perhaps relaxing some of its policies perceived to be anti-people. For instance, the government had reversed the tuition of the state university to its original fee of N25,000 across the different faculties and courses. This was after many protests by students of the university who had condemned the “high school fees” and had demanded its reduction. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Chief Fatai Olukoga, said, despite the reduction, the government would continue with its research fund, scholarship and bursary provisions and increased its spending on infrastructure and physical development of LASU. But the Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Capt. Tunji Shelle (retd), said, “The APC government of the day has disappointed and offended a lot of people by not being sensitive to the average Lagos residents. The leadership can afford to say anybody can go to hell. They have done it to the market women; they have done it to the commercial motorcyclists; they have done it to the civil servants. “When they increased LASU fees, they thought they could damn the consequences. They thought they could afford to ignore the students and their parents. Now election is coming, they are doing policy reversal in school fees of LASU. They are doing policy reversal even in the regulation of okada movement. Everybody knows that they only reversed the LASU school fees because of election.” The Lagos State Government, which appears undeterred, had also absorbed 880 Kick Against Indiscipline personnel into the state’s civil service as permanent staff. Governor Babatunde Fashola said the development was part of ongoing restructuring to reposition the brigade for better service delivery to the public. In similar vein, Oyo State government had increased the salaries of civil servants in the state by between 10 and 30 per cent, depending on the grade level of each worker. This came barely 48 hours after Governor Abiola Ajimobi approved the outstanding promotions of teachers. The governor, who expressed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers, added that the 10 Ajumose buses would convey workers free. With the death of Abdul-Azeez Alao-Arisekola, Ajimobi is left with a huge job of retaining the supporters of the late business mogul and the empire of people he built with philanthropic activities. Having also benefitted from this large support base who are mostly Moslems, Ajimobi was aware of the danger of allowing other political parties to penetrate the group. The Ramadan period provided a golden opportunity which the governor used to his advantage. He opened the doors of the Government House to all and provided free meal everyday for people to break their fast. It worked as Moslem clerics in the state sang his praise on various religious programmes. The Edo State Government had also reversed its decision to conduct a competency test for teachers in the state, and had recalled the 936 teachers who were sacked over certificate discrepancies and age falsification. Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in a meeting with the teachers’ union and the Nigeria Labour Congress, said that government’s earlier decision to conduct the competency test was prompted by the need to uplift the standard of education in the state and the discovery that some teachers were not qualified. He said, “Our insistence on the competency test must be seen in this light. However, having listened to all suggestions and consultations with various groups, government has agreed to set aside the competency or assessment test in order to re- assure Edo State workers that it has no intention to sack anyone.” He said in place of the test, government would introduce training and re-training programmes for teachers and other civil servants with welfare packages during such trainings. It will be recalled that the APC in Osun State had embarked on several stakeholders meetings aimed at pacifying workers and other groups in the state thought to be unhappy with the Aregbesola administration shortly before the election. The APC government in Osun was also said to have even borrowed money from its counterparts in Rivers, Lagos and other states under the control of the party to pay workers’ salaries before the election. This was done to ensure that the workers vote for Aregbesola. The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, in a statement signed by its chairman, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, had alleged that the APC governors’ action enabled Aregbesola’s government, “which apparently lacks respect for the welfare of workers,” to pay workers part of their July salaries. The APC had said the payment of the salaries of workers was aimed at boosting their confidence in the administration. Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has reportedly launched a “welfarist agenda” aimed at paying more attention to the people’s welfare in order not to lose the second term election. Amosun had recently handed over severance cheques to former political appointees that served between 2007 and 2011. Civil servants in the state are now being paid their monthly salaries earlier than before and this, according to analysts, is aimed at pacifying civil servants many of who felt they were not getting a fair treatment from the current administration. The APC in Kwara has also focused on youth empowerment programmes, grassroots mobilisation and empowerment of artisans, traders, commercial drivers and commercial cyclists as part of efforts to ensure that the party wins in the forthcoming elections. The spokesperson for APC in Lagos State, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the state government slashed LASU tuition fees to prevent PDP from using it to play cheap politics. He said, “A sound and very good policy we put in place to lift the standard of LASU was being politicised, that was why we had to reverse it so that the people who don’t believe in performance to get into power will not be able to use it to play politics again. “The PDP, which controls the Federal Government, has not done anything in the past 15 years. The party only uses the money it has stolen to bait people during elections. That is what the PDP wants to do in Lagos. So, we didn’t want to leave the party to grab LASU for cheap politics.” “How many policies have we reversed,” Igbokwe asked. He said, “For the past 15 years we have been battling with the issue of power. The PDP-led Federal Government has increased the pump price of fuel several times. It is also increasing school fees in its own universities; students have protested at Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Lagos.” “That was how the PDP played politics with the activities of commercial motorcyclists. We restricted the activities of the motorcyclists on 495 out of nearly 10,000 roads in order to save lives and reduce crime. The PDP also banned motorcyclists in Abuja, Akwa Ibom and Delta states. “The PDP needs to show Nigerians what it has done that makes it deserve to win Lagos State.” The Ogun State APC spokesperson, Mr. Sola Lawal, who corroborated Igbokwe in a telephone interview with our correspondent, also said, “No government of APC particularly in the South-West can be jittery over the 2015 election. Although the party lost in Ekiti State, we won overwhelmingly in Osun State. This goes to show that the party still enjoys acceptance among the populace in the South-West. “There is nothing any government controlled by APC is doing or has done that will suggest that there is panic involved because of the 2015 elections. “Though the PDP controls the Federal Government, its hold on the central government is very tenuous with myriads of challenges all over the country such as Boko Haram, corruption, mismanagement, poor economy, hunger and disease, among others. “The fact is that the PDP has no place in the South-West. The PDP cannot imagine itself not being in government in a whole region.”The All Progressives Congress’ governors seem to be reversing policies in major areas such as education, job creation and workers’ welfare in a move considered to be a ploy to appease voters ahead of the 2015 general elections, DAYO OKETOLA writes Notwithstanding its victory in the August 9 Osun State governorship election that saw Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola returned for a second term in office, the All Progressives Congress has yet to forget the loss it suffered in the June 21 Ekiti State election. Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s defeat sent shockwaves through the opposition party considering the fact that he was rooted to win the poll because of his performance. But he lost and analysts see his defeat as a reflection of the popularity of the APC across all the states where it is in control. Also, a former Minister of External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, who recently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, reinforced this thought, saying, “It is common knowledge that the vote against the very popular candidate Senator Chris Ngige in the Anambra governorship election and recently against one of the most successful governors, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State was indeed a vote against Tinubu.” Ikimi described the APC as “a Tinubu party” and predicted mass protest votes against the party in the 2015 elections. “The party has collapsed in very many states such as Adamawa, it is in distress in Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Lagos and Nasarawa,’ he had said. Coincidentally, a Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, in a recent television programme monitored by our correspondent, had explained that any government in power requires a mix in balance proportion of politics, propaganda, polity and programmes to win the election in 2015. He is of the opinion that the APC had failed in satisfactorily mixing these elements in Lagos State, adding that this may affect the outcome of the 2015 elections. In view of this, the APC is not leaving anything to chance in its bid to retain all the states it currently controls with the hope to capture more states from the PDP. As such, the APC governors have embarked on mild review of policies deemed too harsh on the people and they are currently wooing diverse groups such as teachers, civil servants, students and National Union of Road Transport Workers, among others, ahead of the 2015 elections. This has become imperative since it is widely believed that many people are not happy with the party across all its states. For instance, members of NURTW, who spoke with our correspondent, described APC administration in Lagos as “a government of one day one law” and vowed to vote for another party in the 2015 governorship election. The Lagos State Government, in quick response to the threats posed by this development, is perhaps relaxing some of its policies perceived to be anti-people. For instance, the government had reversed the tuition of the state university to its original fee of N25,000 across the different faculties and courses. This was after many protests by students of the university who had condemned the “high school fees” and had demanded its reduction. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Chief Fatai Olukoga, said, despite the reduction, the government would continue with its research fund, scholarship and bursary provisions and increased its spending on infrastructure and physical development of LASU. But the Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Capt. Tunji Shelle (retd), said, “The APC government of the day has disappointed and offended a lot of people by not being sensitive to the average Lagos residents. The leadership can afford to say anybody can go to hell. They have done it to the market women; they have done it to the commercial motorcyclists; they have done it to the civil servants. “When they increased LASU fees, they thought they could damn the consequences. They thought they could afford to ignore the students and their parents. Now election is coming, they are doing policy reversal in school fees of LASU. They are doing policy reversal even in the regulation of okada movement. Everybody knows that they only reversed the LASU school fees because of election.” The Lagos State Government, which appears undeterred, had also absorbed 880 Kick Against Indiscipline personnel into the state’s civil service as permanent staff. Governor Babatunde Fashola said the development was part of ongoing restructuring to reposition the brigade for better service delivery to the public. In similar vein, Oyo State government had increased the salaries of civil servants in the state by between 10 and 30 per cent, depending on the grade level of each worker. This came barely 48 hours after Governor Abiola Ajimobi approved the outstanding promotions of teachers. The governor, who expressed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers, added that the 10 Ajumose buses would convey workers free. With the death of Abdul-Azeez Alao-Arisekola, Ajimobi is left with a huge job of retaining the supporters of the late business mogul and the empire of people he built with philanthropic activities. Having also benefitted from this large support base who are mostly Moslems, Ajimobi was aware of the danger of allowing other political parties to penetrate the group. The Ramadan period provided a golden opportunity which the governor used to his advantage. He opened the doors of the Government House to all and provided free meal everyday for people to break their fast. It worked as Moslem clerics in the state sang his praise on various religious programmes. The Edo State Government had also reversed its decision to conduct a competency test for teachers in the state, and had recalled the 936 teachers who were sacked over certificate discrepancies and age falsification. Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in a meeting with the teachers’ union and the Nigeria Labour Congress, said that government’s earlier decision to conduct the competency test was prompted by the need to uplift the standard of education in the state and the discovery that some teachers were not qualified. He said, “Our insistence on the competency test must be seen in this light. However, having listened to all suggestions and consultations with various groups, government has agreed to set aside the competency or assessment test in order to re- assure Edo State workers that it has no intention to sack anyone.” He said in place of the test, government would introduce training and re-training programmes for teachers and other civil servants with welfare packages during such trainings. It will be recalled that the APC in Osun State had embarked on several stakeholders meetings aimed at pacifying workers and other groups in the state thought to be unhappy with the Aregbesola administration shortly before the election. The APC government in Osun was also said to have even borrowed money from its counterparts in Rivers, Lagos and other states under the control of the party to pay workers’ salaries before the election. This was done to ensure that the workers vote for Aregbesola. The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, in a statement signed by its chairman, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, had alleged that the APC governors’ action enabled Aregbesola’s government, “which apparently lacks respect for the welfare of workers,” to pay workers part of their July salaries. The APC had said the payment of the salaries of workers was aimed at boosting their confidence in the administration. Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has reportedly launched a “welfarist agenda” aimed at paying more attention to the people’s welfare in order not to lose the second term election. Amosun had recently handed over severance cheques to former political appointees that served between 2007 and 2011. Civil servants in the state are now being paid their monthly salaries earlier than before and this, according to analysts, is aimed at pacifying civil servants many of who felt they were not getting a fair treatment from the current administration. The APC in Kwara has also focused on youth empowerment programmes, grassroots mobilisation and empowerment of artisans, traders, commercial drivers and commercial cyclists as part of efforts to ensure that the party wins in the forthcoming elections. The spokesperson for APC in Lagos State, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the state government slashed LASU tuition fees to prevent PDP from using it to play cheap politics. He said, “A sound and very good policy we put in place to lift the standard of LASU was being politicised, that was why we had to reverse it so that the people who don’t believe in performance to get into power will not be able to use it to play politics again. “The PDP, which controls the Federal Government, has not done anything in the past 15 years. The party only uses the money it has stolen to bait people during elections. That is what the PDP wants to do in Lagos. So, we didn’t want to leave the party to grab LASU for cheap politics.” “How many policies have we reversed,” Igbokwe asked. He said, “For the past 15 years we have been battling with the issue of power. The PDP-led Federal Government has increased the pump price of fuel several times. It is also increasing school fees in its own universities; students have protested at Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Lagos.” “That was how the PDP played politics with the activities of commercial motorcyclists. We restricted the activities of the motorcyclists on 495 out of nearly 10,000 roads in order to save lives and reduce crime. The PDP also banned motorcyclists in Abuja, Akwa Ibom and Delta states. “The PDP needs to show Nigerians what it has done that makes it deserve to win Lagos State.” The Ogun State APC spokesperson, Mr. Sola Lawal, who corroborated Igbokwe in a telephone interview with our correspondent, also said, “No government of APC particularly in the South-West can be jittery over the 2015 election. Although the party lost in Ekiti State, we won overwhelmingly in Osun State. This goes to show that the party still enjoys acceptance among the populace in the South-West. “There is nothing any government controlled by APC is doing or has done that will suggest that there is panic involved because of the 2015 elections. “Though the PDP controls the Federal Government, its hold on the central government is very tenuous with myriads of challenges all over the country such as Boko Haram, corruption, mismanagement, poor economy, hunger and disease, among others. “The fact is that the PDP has no place in the South-West. The PDP cannot imagine itself not being in government in a whole region.” Source

Tinubu’s legacy

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

One man who has shot into political prominence—and stayed aloft—is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the man variously and fondly called BAT, Asiwaju, Emeritus, Jagaban or Leader. Some simply but aptly call him Eko because of his almost complete hold on Lagos, the nationfs richest and most influential State. Many books and articles will be written to explain this manfs rise to relevance in the political terrain of our country. Many of the words that will be used will likely include courage, doggedness, ruthlessness, a good understanding of the uses and abuses of power, a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of human beings great and small, a tactical and strategic mind, a political sixth sense and most importantly, luck—which can be read as the ability to seize the moment. My curiosity this morning concerning this man who has seized many important moments— from the NADECO days when he made himself a rallying point, to the AD days when he exploited the fault lines to emerge as a formidable power broker, to the Obasanjo days when he virtually became a lone voice against PDP domination, to the merger of three main opposition parties in Nigeria which gave Jonathan and PDP a lot of sleepless nights—is about the legacy he is leaving behind. Don’t get me wrong; I do not wish him dead. By his own accounts, he is still under 65 years which means there is still a lot of fight in him. Besides, whatever the trajectory of his life at the moment can be altered by one momentous action. Like it did in the life if Dr Stella Adadevoh who was an accomplished professional minding her business and that of her small family until a certain Patrick Sawyer happened to pass by. Very few things have hit me as hard as the death of that woman; someone I didnft even know. I kept hoping she would survive given what she did for you and I and what she did to extend the life of a dying nation. As it turned out, many of my friends in the medical profession knew her well in her formative years. Many testified to her beauty as a young lady; beauty that is still discernible even in her middle age photographs. But what was exhibited at that moment of critical decision was the beauty of the soul; a passion and compassion that went beyond the call of duty. Someone said she was only doing her job. Wasnft Dr Sam Emenuo, another doctor whose decision at a critical moment has brought death to his family and community also doing his job? Her death, and the manner of it, has not only saved lives, it has given life and hope to a nation in search of new ethos, and young despairing people in search of new heroes. *She has shown that despite the greed of our political and professional elite, all is not lost in Nigeria; that Nigeria is still worth dying for. As she is mourned by her family and friends, one positive stands out from this needless death; it doesnft matter how long but how well. She could have lived for another 50 years in a quiet, nondescript existence. Now, she is emblazoned in the hearts of grateful nation. It does not matter whether the nation honours her, whether her profession honours her, she will always be honoured by the rank and file whose lives she saved. She will also be forever remembered alongside her illustrious grandfather. Hers is an enduring legacy. That said, Tinubu is also a man who is being mentioned alongside some of our successful political fore-fathers especially Chief Obafemi Awolowo on account of his hold on the politics of the Yoruba nation. I was lucky to have met the two of them and came away with favourable first time impressions. I can also see some similarities. Both are loved— and hated with a passion. Both have deep political insights and have gone to great lengths to defend the Yoruba nation. Both have also shown fearlessness and courage when necessary. Both have strong loyalists but have suffered serious betrayals. But there are glaring differences as well. One was a political purist while one is, well, a pragmatist. One guarded his political legacy carefully and kept his children well away from political largess while the other has been rather careless on that front. But it is in the area of personal integrity that the difference has been more glaring. The Chicago episode was an unnecessary one that showed a deep character flaw. Unnecessary because the law of the land didnft raise the bar for elective positions that high. Alhaji Lateef Jakande didn’t parade a string of degrees, yet he is one of the most politically and professionally accomplished leaders in Nigeria. Also, nobody could seriously accuse Pa Awo of corrupt enrichment. Yes, there were a few aspersions like papa’s land (Maroko) and huge retainerships from big multi-nationals. But they were straws in the wind; completely weightless. The allegations against Tinubu are not so weightless and could, if care is not taken, affect his legacy. The social media is currently awash with a list of prime properties that are said to be owned by him. The titles are so massive and the method of acquisition so steeped in corruption that only a compulsive land grabber with no thought to his name and reputation will attempt such a thing. I hope the allegations are not true because nobody can lead the Yoruba nation talk less of matching Awo’s legacy with such a deficit in probity. Also the allegations of Chief Tom Ikimi on his wealth and deals should not be wished away. He must look beyond the messenger. Would Tinubu wish to be remembered as a man who used politics to enrich himself or as a man who used politics to empower his people? The choice is his. Dr Stella Adadevoh has earned the right to be in the same room with her illustrious grandfather or indeed any great Nigerian leader and it was not down to money. By Muyiwa Adetiba Source: VANGUARD

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Accord Party (AP) governorship candidate in the last gubernatorial election in the State of Osun, Barrister Niyi Owolade, has filed a 91-page petition to challenge the victory and success of the All Progressive Congress (APC)’s governorship candidate, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, at the poll. Owolade alleged in his 91-page petition that the governorship election held on August 9, 2014 in the state was characterised by irregularities, while expressing optimism that he would win the election if privileged to be re-conducted. The petitioner, who was a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, was seeking the order of the tribunal to invalidate the election that was conducted in the 30 local government council areas of the state Owolade added by asking the tribunal to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to re-conduct a new election into the office of the Governor of the State of Osun He claimed further that the third respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had collaborated with the first and second respondents, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the party, All Progressives Congress (APC), to rig the just-concluded governorship election. The petitioner swore to the 91-page petition on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at the registry of Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The Secretary of the tribunal, Mr Adamu Muhammed Aliyu, on receiving the petition file, promised that the tribunal would discharge its duties without any fear or to favour anyone. Aliyu added that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, had filed his own petition, also seeking an order of the tribunal to nullify election in 17 local government council areas and declare him winner of the August 9 election in the State of Osun

APC’ll survive Buhari, Atiku’s ambition with internal democracy – Bukar Abba

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Nigeria must not cede any state to Boko Haram –NLC

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

•ECOWAS Defence Chiefs meet in Accra By Sylvester Enoghase (Lagos) Innocent Oweh and Stella Omona (Abuja) President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar, has expressed worries over fresh developments in the battle against insurgency in the country. The NLC president particularly cited recent reports of the Boko Haram sect’s incursion in the three North East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, warning that the development calls for great concern on the part of all stakeholders. The congress said in a statement in Abuja on Monday that the violent attacks and reported seizures and declaration of an Islamic republic should be rejected by all. According to Omar, “a republic cannot exist within a republic”. “While we appreciate the commitment of Nigeria’s security agencies, particularly the armed forces, to the battle against insurgency in Nigeria, we strongly warn that the consequence of allowing any part of the country to be forcefully seized by any group will be overwhelmingly harmful to our collective unity and socio economic advancement. “We are worried at the speed with which the insurgents are taking over communities even in areas reported to have heavy security presence. “It is time the Nigerian armed forces prove their preparedness to protect and defend the Nigerian people and their territories by using all within their armoury to protect our territorial integrity. “The credibility and professional image of our armed forces would be at stake, even in global ratings, if our forces who have been widely acclaimed to have performed so well during peace keeping operations in different parts of the world would allow themselves to be overrun by insurgents back home. “While we commend the Federal Government for providing necessary human and material needs for the battle against these insurgents, we believe the government can do more in ensuring the troops are well kitted with modern weapons and all that is required to fight contemporary wars as the situation has obviously moved beyond mere insurgency. “We must never allow any part of Nigeria to be subjected to perpetual fear and nightmares, which the entire north east seem to have been boxed into. “The need for an urgent intervention in the funding and provision of appropriate equipment to the Nigerian armed forces as well as proper policing of communities across the country cannot be over emphasised at this juncture. “The failure to do this will be a monumental discredit to the Federal Government under whose direction and authority the armed forces as well as the overall safety of all residents is constitutionally placed,” the NLC said. Meanwhile, troops have cleared Boko Haram terrorists from Bama, Brono State. The military had been launching air raids with fighter jets and warplanes on the second largest town in Borno State for the past days after it was over ran by the terrorists. A military official on Monday said government forces were also fighting a southwards push into neighbouring Adamawa State. The source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said Boko Haram fighters had been driven from Bama, 70 kilometre southeast of Maiduguri. “Bama has been recaptured by the soldiers and I can confirm to you Maiduguri is safe,” the official in Abuja told Reuters news agency. The towns captured within the last few days included Bara in Yobe State, Banki and Bama in Borno State while Madagali and Gulak were seized in Adamawa State. The Defence Headquarters also said on Monday that 50 terrorists died on Sunday afternoon, as troops raided their hideout in Kawuri before setting out on a planned in Bama. Another report said the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) is to hold its 34th Ordinary Session between September 9 and 11 in Accra, Ghana, to review the general security situation in the region and determine adequate responses. During the meeting under the theme, ‘Strengthening ECOWAS Military Cooperation for Peace, Stability and Development’, the regional defence chiefs would among other issues be briefed on the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa. The ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at its last meeting in March characterised EVD a security threat to the region. The CCDS meeting would also receive an update on the security situation in Nigeria concerning the Boko Haram sect. Source

Kayefi: You'll Be STUNNED When You See How God Protected This Girl From A Danger

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed Thursday that at least 350 Nigerian students are currently trapped in Ukraine’s crisis-torn regions of Donetsk and Lugansk. In efforts to secure and assure the safety of the students, the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science has requested all Nigerian students undergoing courses in higher education institutions in the two danger zones should “urgently forward their names, passport numbers, name of their institutions, courses, year of study and alternative universities within Ukraine to either the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East and Central European affairs division, Abuja or Nigerian embassy in Kiev." “Such required details would enable the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science to transfer the students to universities in safer central and western regions of the country to continue their studies,” it said, adding that the directive became necessary following heavy fighting between the Ukrainian military and separatists in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, and with the 2014/2015 academic session having commenced on 1st September 2014. The ministry also estimated that 2,000 Nigerian students were studying in various higher education institutions of the two regions as of the last academic year, out of which about 1,650 had returned either to Nigeria or had moved to safer places at the end of the just-closed academic session. “The remaining 350 Nigerian students were trapped in the two troubled regions of Ukraine,” it said, urging the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and parents and guardians whose children and wards were studying in the two crisis regions of Ukraine to take urgent steps to get the information across to them for “appropriate action”.

Boko Haram has surrounded Maiduguri -Borno elders

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Borno Elders Forum has raised the alarm that Boko Haram insurgents have surrounded the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, and are preparing to launch an attack to capture it. The group stated this on Thursday, calling for military reinforcements. The alert from the forum, made up of retired senior civilian and military officials, came after the United States of America warned of an imminent attack on the city and analysts claimed the government risked losing control of the region, the Agence-France-Presse reported. The BEF expressed its fears after Boko Haram captured some towns in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in recent weeks. In Borno, the militants are now said to control an area from the north around Lake Chad, down to its eastern border with Cameroon and round to Bama, 70 kilometres from Maiduguri to the south. The Defence Headquarters claimed that Nigerian troops had retaken Bama but the Borno elders said the government needed to act, asserting that the insurgents were in reach of the city. “They have declared their caliphate; independent Islamic State with their headquarters at the all-important and military strategic city of Gwoza,” BEF said in a statement. “They declared the Gwoza Emir’s palace as their seat of government, hoisting their flag there. They have annexed and are sitting in court in several other key towns and regions. “They have completely surrounded the city of Maiduguri. It is apparent that their imminent target is to take the city of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital. We wish to call on the Federal Government to urgently fortify in and around the city of Maiduguri.” Source

Editorial: Afenifere Owns Up to Fascism

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Afenifere has finally owned up to its fascist propensities when, at its recent meeting, it showcased its leadership now including Jelili Adesiyan and Musiliu Obanikoro, the point-men in the militarization and manipulation of elections in Ekiti and Osun States and coordinators of the deployment of hooded terrorists and mercenaries to lay siege on Yorubaland. This was at the meeting where its response and opposition to INEC’s deployment of more polling centers were addressed. Afenifere regarded this move by INEC as a ploy to rig elections in favor of the North. By this public association, Afenifere is telling us that it has thumped up its noses at Yoruba people telling us it has come to stay as a fascist organization, ready and willing tools in ensuring Yorubaland’s enforced acquiescence to the attempt at subjecting us to a self-neutralizing agenda foreign to our political trajectory. This meeting commended Goodluck Jonathan for convoking the National Conference and urged him to ensure complete implementation of the Conference resolutions and put in place True Federalism as a system of government in the country. According to the group, “We want the president to ensure that the country practices True Federalism, let him make this as a centenary legacy for which he will be remembered as Nigeria is today remembering Lord Lugard for amalgamation”. It concluded by commending “ Yoruba delegates to the conference led by Chief Olu Falae, saying they were able to adequately present the position of the region at the conference.” As fascists are wont to do, conscious contradictory statements is their forte; for what the Conference recommended, of which Afenifere played a major part and the True Federalism it is asking Jonathan to ensure are light years apart. There cannot be True Federalism without Resource Control and Derivation just as carving up Nigeria into 54 states and declaring them “federated” is not True Federalism but an enforced union when a non-existing entity is already assumed to be federated with another. It needs to be reiterated that before the Conference, Afenifere held a meeting in Isara where it was resolved to continue with the current status quo, with minor adjustments. It took another meeting of Yoruba activists in Ibadan to restate True Federalism as the Yoruba Position while during the conference itself, Segun Mimiko, Afenifere’s arrowhead and Ondo State Governor, was busy telling whoever cared to listen that “we should accept whatever it is that the conference offered”. Chief Falae now being commended, was a signatory to the Calabar “southern summit” communique wherein True Federalism was proposed, but which disappeared as a major outcome of the Conference only for them to turn round and start blaming the North as if this would be the first time the north would so object; especially when the same north had been telling everyone, before the conference and as at the time the “southern summit” was making its case, that it objects to True Federalism, however defined. Making the north the culprit is therefore an afterthought as well as a non-issue. Chief Osoba was at the Conference where his first statement was on saying that he did not come to the conference as a Yoruba but as a Nigerian and cooperated in de-Federalizing Nigeria only for him to come around at the Afenifere meeting to tout the same Yorubanness and Federalism he had abandoned when it mattered. These Afenifere leaders were part of the Conference decisions that made provision for INEC as the sole electoral umpire in Nigeria, accepting the removal of State Electoral Commissions and promoted the notion of a pan-Nigerian referendum, which of course would be conducted by the same INEC, when on issues of Federalism, it is only those affected that vote in such a Referendum. After all of these, the same Afenifere now turns around and asked Jonathan to ensure True Federalism in Nigeria. Obviously, Afenifere sees political one-upmanship in all of its activities, otherwise it would not stoop so low to insult our intelligence by now claiming to promote what it had rejected at the conference while at the same time ensuring the emergence in its leadership those characters who spared no effort in trying to negate whatever electoral choices the Yoruba were to make, riding on the coattails of Goodluck Jonathan. The Conference and all of Afenifere’s politics were aimed at checkmating Asiwaju Tinubu and his political platform, which made Afenifere enter into an unholy alliance with the Jonathan forces which had also neutralized the Obasanjo faction of the PDP in Yorubaland. Now that the proverbial north is outsmarting them, they want to once again gain reckoning in Yorubaland. Yet, if their aim as well as Jonathan their sponsor’s aim was really to fight the northern penchant for power, all that Jonathan and his coalition needed to do was to leave the post-2011 political map intact; that is, the ACN would retain its dominance in the West, the CPC would have its own northern base while the faction of APGA that wants to remain outside Jonathan’s orbit would be left to sort itself out. The implication of this is that there would be less necessity for the merger that produced APC, at best we will have a coalition of sorts by 2015 which would make restructuring easier as the “north” would have its political space restricted. In the run up to the 2015 elections, Afenifere now wants to proclaim its relevance in Yorubaland when its fascist outing in 2014 has already sealed its fate as a relevant organization in Yorubaland. Yoruba and non-Yoruba people in the state of Osun, through their August 9 superlative refusal to be intimidated, showed these Afenifere fascists that all of their official powers were not enough to impose themselves on the Yoruba Nation, and have, through this means, expressed their vote of no confidence on Afenifere and its political trajectory. For, were it not for the resilience of the people and capability of APC leadership, the Osun election would have been very different and these characters now lamenting about possible INEC rigging would have been patting themselves on the back for a job well done. Fascism, which was violently resisted in 1964/65, would have found its way into power in Yorubaland, courtesy of Afenifere. The people of the State of Osun has shown how to prevent any rigging of elections, and just as the saying goes, eternal vigilance being the price of liberty has made it mandatory for the Yoruba to ensure that Afenifere’s fascism is thrown into the dustbin of history in 2015 elections in Oyo, Lagos and Ogun States which will formally signal the permanent end of that organization, having lost its historical usefulness in turning to its opposite as the perpetrator of fascist politics in Yorubaland. The good people of Osun and the vigilant APC leadership did not have to rely on official diktats or mercenaries in order to beat the rigging machinery put in place by these Afenifere fascists such that were INEC to try to rig future elections in favor of whoever, a template of resistance has already been provided by the Osun example hence “ooduapathfinder” is of the view that Afenifere having lost any claims to leadership in Yorubaland by its negation of True Federalism when it mattered, is no longer relevant in our politics, except as enablers of external aggression and domination. Thus, when there is talk of unity as a manifestation of Yoruba Civil war experience and the attendant Kiriji armistice, the anniversary of which is coming up on September 23, the Yoruba Nation should be mindful of the fact that unity is not an abstraction; we cannot unite simply because we are Yoruba; we can only unite on the basis of a shared vision on Yorubaland, which is anchored on True Federalism and social democracy and which Afenifere fascists have gone all out to destroy. The Yoruba Nation must also be mindful of the limitations embedded in the proverbial saying to the effect that many paths may lead to the same destination; for such a saying is dependent on whether we have the same destination in mind or not. Fascism and Social Democracy are two different roads to two different destinations. http://watch.ooduapathfinder.com/watch/?p=8282

Photonews: Aregbesola's Presence at NASFAT 15th Annual Women's Week

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Senate: Why We Haven’t Considered Jonathan’s $1 billion Loan Request

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Buhari and Fashola

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Archbishop of Canterbury admits doubts about existence of God

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

No Appointment: Man barges into White House after jumping lawn fence

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

A man jumped a fence at the White House late Friday and made it through the North Portico doors into the building before he was captured, Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary told CNN. Part of the White House was evacuated after a disturbance was initially detected on the North Lawn, according to a CNN reporter who was among those hustled from the building. The first family was not at the White House at the time, but other people were. President Obama had left just four minutes earlier with his daughters via helicopter from the South Lawn to visit Camp David. The suspect, 42-year-old Omar Gonzalez of Copperas Cove, Texas, was apprehended just after making it inside the doors. He was taken to George Washington Medical Center for a medical evaluation, Leary said. Gonzalez was known to Secret Service, said an official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official would not say how or why. He had not been arrested by the Secret Service before. "He appeared to responding officers to be unarmed, and that turned out to be true. He ignored officers' calls for him to stop and ran towards the White House," Leary said. It's unclear how Gonzalez made his way onto the grounds. A CNN crew saw Secret Service agents standing over what appeared to be a man on the North Portico. A man believed to be the suspect was later seen being loaded onto an ambulance. More than an hour later, Secret Service agents and dogs were seen standing near where the disturbance occurred. CNN White House producer Becky Brittain said she has never been evacuated off White House grounds in her nine years of reporting there. "This time they were very serious about getting us all out of the White House very quickly," she said. CNN

Fayose, APC in war of words over Ekiti case

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

http://huhuonline.com/index.php/rep/4510-my-victory-is-a-lesson-in-perseverance-ikuforiji

Chiua Achebe and The Trouble With Nigeria at 54 - By Albert Amatabong

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Nigeria is in a very sorry state of affairs. Goodluck has destroyed everything that, Nigeria had hold dearly. Even the celebrations of our national day 1st October is now confined to the forecourt of the State House instead of the Eagles Square. Jonathan is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces only on TV. A C in C who is a poltroon and afraid to visit Chibok , Borno State or our gallant soldiers at the front line. Happy 54 Independence celebrations Nigeria!!!! I wish to quote from Chinua Achebe`s book entitled `The Trouble With Nigeria`; Chapter 1, page 1 `Where the Problem lies` `The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which is the hallmark of true leadership. On the morning after Murtala Mohammed seized power in July 1975 public servants in Lagos were found `on seat` at 7.30 in the morning. Even the `go-slow` traffic that had defeated solution and defied every regime vanished over night from the streets! Why? The new ruler`s reputation for ruthlessness was sufficient to transform in the course of only one night the style and habit of Nigeria`s unruly character. That, the character of one man could establish that quantum change in a people`s social behavior was nothing less than miraculous. But it shows that social miracles can happen.` There is hope for Nigeria and Nigerians, cos the inhabitants whether within or without from that geographical expression called Nigeria, could be called or ascribed all sort of names. But none can describe Nigerians are being LAZY. To me, that is the most important and the biggest HOPE and Honour for any nation. Progressively as the election management process gets better, credible and transparent, Nigerians will begin to have a choice and say in who governs them. It is not good laws that make good people but good people who make good laws.

Nda-Isaiah to declare for presidency

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The founder, Leadership Newspaper Group, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, will formally declare his intention to contest for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress on October 28. According to a statement by his campaign group, Sam4Nigeria, the declaration will take place at the Idris Legbo Kutigi Conference Centre, Minna, Niger State. The Executive Director, Public Affairs of Sam4Nigeria, Ibrahim Tukur, said “after over one year of consultations with family and friends, critical stakeholders, different groups, communities and leaders across the country, it was now time for Sam to formally step out.” He said, “Our country has never been in greater need for change. What came out loud and clear during our consultative tours were people telling us that they were tired of change as a slogan – they need change as an action word, now. “For the first time in the history of Nigeria, our great party, the APC, offers change as an action word, a real possibility. The overwhelming feedback is that we also have an aspirant, Sam, who embodies the hopes and aspirations of party and country.” Source

PHOTO NEWS: Kano State Governor Visits Aregbesola

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2rd right); his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Osun Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Members of the National Assembly representing Kano South, Sen.Kabiru Gaya, during Kwankwaso visit to Governor Aregbesola, at the Government House Osogbo on Sunday 12-10-2014.

Ghanaian Movie Star, Majid Michel Loses Mum

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

One of the celebrated superstar actors, Majid Michel is presently not in the best of moods and the reason is not far-fetched. The handsome and talented actor, according to reports gathered by Nigeriafilms.com, has lost his mother to the cold hands of death. The mother of the 2012 AMAA Best Actor winner, aged 63, we learnt gave up the ghost last week in a Ghanaian hospital after he was taken there for treatment. The aged woman was reportedly rushed to the Ghana Canada Hospital, located in East Legon in Accra, Ghana, where she later died. We heard the family is mourning the demise of the woman, who some said was greatly loved by her family members. Majid, after winning his way into the hearts of movie buffs in Nigeria, became a household name in the West African region. He is a superstar actor in his native Ghana. He is one of the hottest actors in the country. Source:

B’Haram gives list of detained commanders to FG

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

2015: Thugs destroy David Mark’s campaign posters in Otukpo [PHOTOS]

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Consensus candidacy: APC presidential aspirants hold meetings in Abuja

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Boko Haram: Military raises fresh alarm

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The military, yesterday, raised alarm that following the new onslaught by Nigerian troops to reclaim seized communities from Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, the insurgents have resorted to using women and children as human shields in order to halt or slow down the troops’ advance. The alarm came a day after the Boko Haram captured another town, Maiha in Adamawa State. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/boko-haram-military-raises-fresh-alarm/#sthash.EPLoznsF.dpuf

Boko Haram attack Chibok again, casualty uncertain

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The grief in Chibok community over the abduction of over 200 girls since April was on Friday compounded with yet another reported attack by the suspected Boko Haram terrorists. The insurgents were believed to have been fleeing from Mubi and Maiha after being displaced by the combined fire power of local hunters and the Nigerian Army. It is not clear how many people are affected from the latest attack but reports indicate that many residents have run out of the town for fear being attacked. Mr. Apogu Afaramai, one of the residents who escaped to the bush narrated how he took to his heels as the insurgents stormed the town at about 10.00pm Thursday night. He was however not sure of the casualties. “As I am speaking to you now I am in the bush moving towards Biu town. Though I don’t know whether they killed anybody or not because when we heard gunshot we just fled the area and there was no network service,” he narrated. Another resident who identified himself as Suleiman disclosed that the insurgents arrived the town and started shooting sporadically to scare of everyone in the city who were about to sleep. ” We were about sleeping when we started hearing sound of ceaseless gunshots and shouts of Allah is great in Arabic. The shooting was so intense. I cant even explain how I escaped from that village.” The Senator representing the area, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume confirmed the latest incident to newsmen but was equally not sure of the number of casualties. “Yes I was told that Boko Haram terrorists attacked Chibok town but I cannot tell whether there is casualty or not, as we are yet to receive call from those in Chibok since the insurgents have burnt down the telecom- masts in the town,” Sen. Ndume said. By Duku JOEL Source

Bomb blast rocks Kano, kills six

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kwara gov loses mum

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

KWARA State Governor, Dr. Abdul Fatah Ahmed, has lost his mother, Hajia Ramotalahi Ahmed. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, said Hajia Ahmed, who was 90, died yesterday after a brief illness. The deceased is survived by Alhaji Ayo Ahmed, Alhaja Hajarat Ibraheem, Hajiya Sidikat Sadiq, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, Abdulrasak Ahmed, Hajiya Binta Atolagbe, Hajiya Nimota Abiara and Hajiya Basheerat Ahmed. The deceased has since been buried according to Islamic rites in her home town of Share, Kwara State,

Voters’ registration: INEC grants two-day extension to six states

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

ABUJA—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has granted a two-day extension of the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, in six states of the Federation. The gesture, which the commission said, excluded Adamawa State, covered only states under the third phase of the exercise. The affected states, according to INEC, are Kano, Edo, Plateau, Ogun, Imo and Lagos states. A short statement by Mr Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, explained that the CVR which commenced on Wednesday, November 12, and was scheduled to end on Monday, November 17, 2014, will now last until Wednesday, November 19, 2014. “The Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, approved the extension to make up for initial challenges in the exercise and to enable as many eligible persons as possible to get registered. “The Commission strongly admonishes against persons using the CVR to engage in multiple registration, which is a criminal offence and culprits liable to prosecution,” the statement said. Urging affected Lagos residents to take advantage of the extension and get listed, the Lagos INEC Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Femi Akinbiyi, however, advised residents to shun double or multiple registrations. His words: All eligible voters whose names were not on our electronic voters’ register (EVR) should take advantage of this extension to register. Multiple registration should be avoided as this will deprive you of your right to vote in future elections. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/voters-registration-inec-grants-two-day-extension-six-states/#sthash.5YYMyRq3.dpuf

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

No Discrepancies in Osun Election Result - PDP Expert Witness --Says, 'I'm Not a Registered Statistician' The expert witness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the August 9 election in Osun State, Mr Samuel Oduntan has confirmed to the state Election Petition Tribunal that there was no any discrepancies in the results of the election he analysed for his principal. The witness who had claimed to be a statistician early in his witness statement also made a u-turn while giving oral evidence before the Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal on Thursday and confessed that he was not a registered statistician. He said he used Certified True Copies (CTCs) and duplicates of the results forms of the election which had earlier been tendered by the petitioners and he found no discrepancies in the course of his analysis . Omisore and the PDP are challenging the August 9 re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the All Progressive Congress (APC), while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was joined as a party. The witness who had stated in his written deposition that no voting point was created in the polling units being challenged by the petitioner, was confronted with the result forms of some of the units and he quickly made a u-turn that voting points were created, but not based on 300 voters per voting points. Being drilled by the INEC counsel, Mr Ayotunde Ogunleye, the expert said, "I am not a registered statistician. In this kind of two analysis I have done in the past, those who employed me did not win the case.‎ "I did a similar analysis in the case of Kogi State and submitted the report, but it was not tendered for the case. "I am not from Osun, neither did I monitor the election, but I was employed by the petitioners to do the analysis of the election materials", he confimed. Also answering question from the APC counsel, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Oduntan said "in his comparison of the duplicates result forms given to the petitioners and the CTC of the forms, I found no discrepancies. I didn't say I found any discrepancies. The witness who had also claimed in his statement that the result forms he analysed were not stamped nor signed, confirmed to the tribunal that he did not see the original copies of the documents to ascertain whether they were signed or not. Osinbajo subsequently confronted the witness with the fact that there were a lot of errors in his report of the purported analysis, which he denied. While also being cross-examined by Aregbesola counsel, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), the expert witness confirmed that in spite of the fact that not all the polling units and wards in the 17 local governments in contention are being challenged, he based his analysis on all the wards and units of the 17 councils. Earlier, the INEC counsel had objected to the admissibility of the report of the purported analysis of the expert, saying the document is inadmissible under section 84 (2 and 4) of the Evidence Act. He argued that the document was a computer-generated evidence. Before it can be admitted, it must be accompanied by certificate of identification of the device through which it was made. The tribunal reserved ruling on the admissibility of the documents, but marked it as exhibit. Other witnesses who testified after the expert witness were Adebisi Gbolagade who was the PDP Collation Agent for Ifelodun Local Government and Wasiu Olaitan, the PDP supervisor for Ward 4 of the local government. Gbolagade said his party did not have party agents in many of the 105 polling units in the local government, in spite the facts that the agents signed the result forms. He also confirmed to the court that all the PDP agents in all the wards submitted the result forms to him. Olaitan also said he was not the one that signed the result form tendered by the petitioners' counsel as the ward 4 collation agent, even though the document was signed.

2015 polls: We’re ready for war —APC

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

WhyNUT threatens to shut primary schools indefinitely if…

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

THE National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has threatened to direct its members to embark on a nationwide indefinite strike action if the proposed local government autonomy and scrapping of the State Joint Local Government Account sail through in the ongoing constitutional amendment. NUT’s National President, Comrade Michael Olukoya, who briefed newsmen at the end of the NEC meeting at its headquarters in Abuja, insisted that granting of LG autonomy would lead to total collapse of primary education in Nigeria. [caption id="attachment_184069" align="alignleft" width="300"] Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)[/caption] He urged the governors and members of State Houses of Assembly to stoutly resist the recommendation of the National Assembly in the recent proposed scrapping of the State Joint LG Accounts as contained in the Bill for an Act to further alter the provision of the 1999 Constitution. Olukoya said the implication of the LG autonomy was that payment of teachers’ salaries, pension contributory funds and payment of retirees would be left in the hands of Local Councils. According to him, the development would be a great setback to the efforts by the Federal and State Governments to revamp primary education in the country. He said: “The moment the constitutional amendment process is concluded against the wishes of the Nigerian teachers, we shall direct all schools in Nigeria to remain closed. “The mother of all strikes shall commence; because we have a responsibility to protect and defend our members.” NUT President lamented that the children of the poor who are the majority voters have been denied access to quality education while the children of public officials who formulate various policies leading to the decay being experienced today are sent overseas. He said the sad memory of the near-total-collapse of Primary Education between 1990 and 1994 when Primary Education came under the control of the LGs, was still very fresh. “At that time, the local government allocation from the Federation Account was increased from 15% to 20% to ensure that local councils comfortably assist the State Governments in the payment of salaries of the primary school teachers. “Unfortunately, primary education was never in the priority list of the LG Councils as virtually all of them resorted to owning the teachers their salaries for upwards of 6 to 12 months continuously. “Expectedly, the situation attracted incessant strikes from the deprived teachers which heralded a near total collapse of Primary Education in Nigeria. “The effect of that is still hunting the entire education sector till date,” he said. Olukoya insisted that granting of LG autonomy would spell doom for primary education nationwide and increase the hopelessness of poor Nigerians who would not have the opportunity of going abroad to receive quality education. Source: THENATION

Nigeria 2015: Impending Political Volcanoes and The Struggle To End Civilian Dictatorship and Fascism - Kunle Oladejo

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

NEW TURNING POINT IN THE CURRENT SITUATION AND IMPENDING NIGERIAN POLITICAL VOLCANOES AND THE CLASS STRUGGLE TO END CIVILIAN DICTATORSHIP AND BUDDING FASCISM: Crisis of Nigeria's Neo-colonial Capitalist Economy and the Split in the Ruling Class-what is to be done as the Conditions for a Victorious Revolution are Ripe-Transitional Programme, Strategy and Tactics of Mass Actions for the Revolution–in-Permanence and Grassroots Democracy Versus Jonathan-PDP Reactionary Transformation Agenda As Imperialism and Counter-Revolution –The Need for Freedom Charter Campaign by Labour and Its Militant Civil Society Allies in LASCO The approaching Nigerian mass democratic movement to be led by Labour and Civil society Coalition (LASCO) which impends has made it imperative for all left opposition activists to BE PREPARED AS THE CIVILIAN DICTATORSHIP AND BUDDING FASCIST REGIME MIGHT FASTRACK ITS GAME PLAN FOR A COUP D’ETAT!!! ORGANISE! ORGANISE!! ORGANISE!!! Along the following lines of mass actions with a view to setting up:*Workplace / Factory Committees *Working People‟s Self–Defence committees / Popular Militia like the CIVILIAN JTF *Peasant committees in rural areas *Popular Committees on Prices ,Rents and Tariffs(PCPRT) *Neighbourhood Grassroots Action Committee(s) on each street or in each community (Neighbourhood GAC(s) *Joint Action Committees of Trade Unions at Local State and Central Levels *Grassroots Assembly in each of the Wards, State Constituencies, Local Government Areas (LGA‟s), Federal Constituencies, Senatorial Districts *Working People‟s Assembly in each State to co-ordinate the Grassroots Assemblies Regional Grassroots Assemblies in each of the six (6) geo-political zones. Supreme Grassroots Assembly (SGA) at the center, Abuja, to create a dual power situation to coordinate the WPAs Dual power situations created during mass actions from the bottom to the top or from workplaces to the center will signal the beginning of the PERMANENT REVOLUTION. THE Present Political Situation: Revolution and Counter–revolution in Nigeria Political situations in Nigeria have always been characterized by revolution and counter-revolution.“for every revolution, there is a counter–revolution” (Leon Trotsky). The period between 1963 and now has been turbulent for more than 50 yerars. The regime of civilian dictatorship (bonapartism) and budding fascism has been in vogue since 1999. Conditions for a Victorious Revolution The conditions outlined by Lenin for a revolution to be consummated are summarised broadly as objective factors and subjective factors of history and a revolution becomes VICTORIOUS when there is a convergence of these: (1)abject poverty as more than 100 million Nigerians are said to be poor who could not afford $1 dollar a day,that is,=N=160(one hundred and sixty Naira) ,more than 60 million of these are said to be JOBLESS,more than 10 million of the jobless are unemployed graduates-the official figure of greater than or equal to 35 million was the figure the Bureau gave 10 years ago;but at a retreat by the National Assembly,the unemployed were said to be 50 million 10 years ago!!!Poverty wages are being paid while austerity measures, as a result of the protracted CRISIS OF WORLD CAPITALISM which IMF and the’ ’ECONOMIST’’ of London predicted would last 20 years meaning 20 years of cuts in living standards globally, are to be intensely increased in Nigeria in particular, as revenue from the main stay of Nigeria’s dependent capitalist economy decreases ,the resultant of America’s SHALE OIL reducing the size of Nigeria’s world market; (2)the working people, the grassroots’ masses and most importantly, the working class, are prepared to resist the present PDP-LED CIVILIAN DICTATORSHIP (BONAPARTISM) AND BUDDING FASCIST REGIME under the influence of IMPERIALIST TRIUMVIRATE OF IMF,WORLD BANK AND WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION(WTO-formerly General Agreement on Trade and Tariff,GATT by the time General Babangida introduced the SAPIST conditions and austerity measures since 1985 which the Nigerian RUINING CLASS applied to destroy/debase NIGERIAN ECONOMY) –as the grassroots (including working class as leaders) are not prepared to be ruled in the old ways ;(3) the middle class are in ferment as exemplified by their participation in the rehearsal for the REVOLUTION-IN-PERMANENCE, the January 2012 Revolution and 40-million strong spontaneous occupy movement on the streets as a result of 8-day GENERAL STRIKE that shook Nigeria;(4) the inability of the RULING CLASS to govern in the old ways as the GOVERNING CLASS are divided on how to solve the crises in NIGERIA’S NEO-CONIAL CAPITALISM as a result of the ruining class morbid adherence to obnoxious policies of NEO-LIBERALISM foisted on Nigeria by agents of IMPERIALIST POWERS who hold the country by the jugular for 30 years by 2015!!!

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Obasanjo frowns at insurance firm’s refusal to settle claims on November 26, 2014 / in Insurance and You 7:00 am / Comments Tweet By Godwin Oritse Former President of Nigeria, Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo has decried the action of some fraudulent insurance companies who try to avoid payment of claims in the event of a disaster. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Obasanjo was reacting to the refusal by an insurance company to pay claims on the burnt property of one of his adopted daughters Mrs Morenike Oladunni-Omorodion. The former president who refused to disclose the identity of the insurer also said that the company has been doing everything possible to avoid paying the claims. Omorodion’s property got burnt in the month of July and up to the time of going to the press, nothing has been done to assuage the loss and inconvenience. Speaking to Vanguard, Omorodion said that she has lost confidence in insurance in Nigeria adding that since the incident occurred, the insurance firm has been insensitive to her plight. She said, “The house is insured but the insurance company is trying to play funny. I will tell you that up till now, the only thing I know is that one or two teams have visited the house like three or four times. I am not particularly an insurance literate persons. Source: THEPUNCH

On Tambuwal And Defection By Aja N. Aja

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Events in the recent past, especially political matters, have moved at a dizzying pace but few have generated the amount of buzz and hoopla the defection of the Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives has thrown up. Of course he is not the first person to cross the floor but his case is peculiar for a number of factors chief of which is the loss of face it occasioned for the PDP. It is on record that his emergence as the Speaker was a populist parliamentary revolt against PDP as he trounced the establishment candidate in the person of the current House Leader, Mulikat Akande. This threw spanners into the works and the party was forced into a hasty tinkering of their calculus in the House to accommodate emerging realities. Of course it never went down well with the party apparatchiks even as suspicion deepened that Tambuwal was acting a script scribbled somewhere other than the Wadata House. Tambuwal adroitly leveraged on the goodwill he enjoyed across board to provide robust leadership in the House even as his original party never really took him as their own. The Speaker stoked further distrust when he started hobnobbing with opposition elements, even attending opposition functions at the cost of PDP ceremonies, and even those convoked by the Presidency. And when the Governor of Sokoto State moved over to the APC after the Eagle Square walkout by a rump of the PDP that later morphed into the New PDP, Tambuwal’s membership of the PDP became notional and nominal; discerning minds said it loud and clear that Tambuwal would follow his Governor sooner than later. And it came to pass. For the PDP, Tambuwal’s defection provided a perfect opportunity to get back at him. From the moment he dropped the news after hitting the gavel to officially adjourn the House till December 3rd, PDP went into quick march, spewing one mischief after another all calculated to make sure Tambuwal never returned to the seat. When the heat became too much, and fearing some blackmarket arrangement by the PDP, Tambuwal headed for the courts. The intrigue came to a head, despite the pendency of the matter in court, when the Speaker was almost physically prevented from accessing the Green Chambers after reconvening the House for the purpose of looking at the request of Mr President to extend the emergency rule in the three states of the North-east. It in the light of the constitutional issues raised by the defection that I make the following submissions. First of all, constitutional provisions are sacred and cannot be altered by wishful thinking or creative construction. Even the Supreme Court lacks the authority to extend the bounds of constitutional provisions, especially where there is no ambiguity in the words used. The highest court itself held as follows: The fundamental duty of the court is to expand the law and not to expand it. It must decide what the law IS and not what it MIGHT be. Where the words used in couching the provisions are clear and unambiguous, they must be given their ordinary and grammatical meanings, no more. And although the judex must always have a resort to the intention of the legislators, that intention can only be found in the words used to frame the provisions and nowhere else. See AMECHI Vs. INEC (2008) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1080) at page 437. This echoes the ratio by the same court in C.C.C.T.C.S. LTD Vs. EKPO (2008) 6NWLR (Pt. 1083). The implication of the reasoning above is that not even the judge is competent enough to add or subtract from what the law provides. In fact, the judge is bound to honour the intentions of the lawmaker and never to depart from same. Even where a lacuna exists in a law, the judge has no business filling the space; he can only make a comment to the effect that the legislature may have a second look at the law for the purpose of filling the spaces. Section 68 of the Constitution provides for instances where members of the central legislature can lose their seats with sub (1)(g) providing for the consequence of crossing the floor. However, paragraph (g) is made subject to a proviso which gives a leeway as follows: Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties of factions by one of which he was previously sponsored. In almost all the commentaries yet reported on the incidence of crossing the floor, subsection (2) is always ignored, yet it is a critical plank in putting into effect the general intendment of the section. The Supreme Court in the Amechi matter cited above had cause to restate the necessity for a community reading of any law in order to get the true intention of the lawmakers. It held that The court in interpreting the provision of a statute or Constitution must read together related provisions of the Constitution in order to discover the meaning of the provisions. The court ought not to interpret related provisions of a statute or Constitution in isolation and then destroy in the process the true meaning and effect of particular provisions (page 314). It is germane to reproduce subsection 2 of section 68 as it will show the defect in certain arguments in respect of the contention that once a member crosses the floor, he stands removed without more. Subsection 2 provides that The President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, , as the case may be, shall give effect to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, so however that the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives or a member shall first present evidence satisfactorily to the House concerned that any of the provisions of that subsection has become applicable in respect of that member. There is no gainsaying the fact that once a procedure for achieving an end is provided for in a statute, departing from that procedure inflicts mortal damage on the entire process. The case of the current Governor of Adamawa and his resignation is fresh enough to restate that legal truism. Now, the sequence envisaged by the Constitution is as follows: A member crosses the floor The Speaker or a member provides evidence satisfactory to the members that the member who has crossed the floor does not fall within the proviso to subsection (g) The Speaker pronounces the member’s seat vacant. The important thing to note here is that subsection (2) applies to all the instances (from a-h) that a member loses his seat. This means that the same process shall also run through when A member joins another legislative house A situation arises that would have disqualified him from running for an election to become a member He loses his citizenship He joins the Executive He absents himself from proceedings of that House without just cause for a period amounting to more than one-third of the total sessions of that House. Now, Tambuwal has crossed the floor but has any evidence been laid by any member to the effect that the Speaker does not benefit from the proviso? Not at all. There is something in the word satisfactory that suggests strongly that the seat of the offending member cannot be declared vacant until a motion to this effect has been moved and passed by the members based on the value they ascribe to the evidence adduced and presented before them. There is just no way around this as the only instrument of gauging the satisfaction of members is by a motion and a motion only. It is my strong conviction that this provision is there to prevent arbitrariness by the Speaker as he must of necessity involve the members of the House. It is also my view that the critical crux of paragraph (g) is whether the proviso is applicable or not to particular situations, which is a question of facts. If the member in the eye of the storm cites any division in his original party, the onus shifts to the person presenting evidence to the House to negative it by showing that no division exists in the party. The raging logic appears to draw from a judgment of the Federal High Court sitting at Abuja to the effect that there WAS no division in the PDP. The use of the past tense (WAS) is deliberate because the fact that a party was not divided when the judgment was passed does not mean it cannot be divided the day after the judgment. The distinction is apposite as a judgment of that nature is time-sensitive. In addition, Speaker Tambuwal was bound by that judgment only to the extent of giving life to it to declare the seats of the affected members vacant and not to vacate his own seat on account of the judgment as he had not crossed the floor then. He was a Defendant while the defecting members were the Plaintiffs. The judgment of the court was against the Plaintiffs and cannot by any stretch of the imagination be construed to work against the Speaker who, by and large, won the case. Let me also make it abundantly clear that I do not subscribe to that judgment at all. If what happened to the PDP was no division, then I wonder what can amount to a division. But inasmuch as it is the law today until set aside by a higher court, I still hold the view that the judgment does not help the case of those urging Tambuwal to vacate his seat. First of all, Tambuwal never cited the division canvassed in the Federal High Court as his reason for defecting. Instead, he said he was walking away from the PDP on account of division in his home state of Sokoto. Some commentators have argued that the PDP is one, meaning that only a division at the national level suffices; however, that is weak. It is weak because the national body is just a structure of the party and not the party itself. In fact, nobody is a member of PDP at the national level as paragraph 8 of the PDP Constitution makes it abundantly clear that membership of the party is at the ward level. The meaning is that a division of the party at the appropriate ward is enough to prove division. When the split occurs higher up in the party structure applicable to the member crossing the floor, the result is the same. The further implication is that Tambuwal being a member of the party at the highest level, he stands to benefit from any division in the party from his ward up to the national level. Let me, in concluding, state that the bastion of our constitutional democracy is the separation of power between the three arms. It is not accidental but a deliberate attempt to make governance all-inclusive by reducing the incidence of arbitrariness and dictatorship by one arm. In the matter between GADI Vs. MATE (2010) 7NWLR (Pt. 1193), the Court of Appeal stated that The Constitution is founded upon the well cherished principle of separation of powers. And by virtue of that principle, neither the Executive nor the Judiciary can interfere with or take away from the Legislature functions that are strictly and exclusively assigned thereto by the Constitution (page 287). The tripod of governance thrives on a partnership founded on mutual respect. It does not augur well for our democracy when one arm attempts to impose itself on another, as the police so willfully did when it usurped the position of the Judiciary to interpret the consequence of the Speaker’s defection, stripped him of security details and almost restrained him from presiding over the House. The removal of a member pursuant to provisions of section 68 of the Constitution is an exclusively legislative matter that must of Constitutional necessity follow a prescribed procedure, and until the members of the House of Representatives vote to remove him, Aminu Tambuwal remains the Speaker of the Lower House. AJA N. AJA, ESQ ABUJA Source: ABUSIDIQU

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

APC criticizes FG over devaluation of naira on November 28, 2014 / in News 1:10 pm / Comments All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized the devaluation of naira describing the development as not healthy for Nigeria’s economy. lai-takeThe National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday in Abuja told newsmen that the devaluation of currency had its implications on the people and the economy. “When the currency is devalued, it is the worst thing that can happen to any nation. “All it means for a country like ours, which is import dependent, is that more naira will be needed to buy raw materials and machines. “It also means that very soon, cost of living will go up,’’ Mohammed said. Mohammed said that the party had always warned government about the implication of its economic policies. He said that the party warned government that the cost of producing oil in Nigeria was the highest and raised alarm on organised theft of crude oil. “We went further to advise the government to diversify our economy. “We equally advised government to spend more of our resources in finding new reserve. “We gave example that while Angola and Brazil have reinvested in new deposit to about 40 per cent, Nigeria had only invested about two per cent. “These are all the issues that we raised,” he said. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/apc-critises-devaluation-of-naira/#sthash.ds7t3CAr.dpuf

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

on December 01, 2014 / in Viewpoint 11:08 am / Comments Tweet President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent declaration to, once again, vie for the Presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has deepened the discourse on his achievements thus far. The opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, is crying itself hoarse that Jonathan has not achieved anything. The PDP, and several other groups sympathetic to the President, are presenting, yes, shouting an unending list of Jonathan’s achievements across all media platforms. What then should the ordinary Nigerian believe? To all intents and purposes, Jonathan and all the other Nigerians who aspire to ascend the Presidency on May 29, 2015, are applying for a job. Every Nigerian who is of voting age; has a valid voter card, and no legal impediment against casting a vote on February 14, 2015, is a potential employer of Jonathan and all the other presidential job seekers. What do potential employers ask job seekers to do? Submit their curriculum vitae and if deemed suitable, they may be invited for an aptitude test and/or interview. At every job interview, job seekers can expect to answer one obligatory question among others. That mandatory question is: What have you accomplished thus far in your career that makes you believe you are the right candidate for this job? Prior to his re-election bid declaration, many Jonathan sympathisers had complained that his accomplishments were under-reported, especially in the print media. Mindful of this anomaly and the fact that the propaganda machinery of his detractors is presently in overdrive to discredit him, Jonathan brought a long list of accomplishments to his declaration, an event that could be likened to a job interview. The first significant accomplishments Jonathan mentioned were the commencement of the Presidential Initiative for the North East, establishment of the Victim Support Fund and the Safe School Initiative. He said: “The Presidential Initiative for the Northeast is focused on improving infrastructure and economic growth in the region. The Safe School Initiative is centred on creating a safe environment to encourage our children in the communities to acquire education. The Victim Support Fund, a partnership with the Private Sector, has raised about N60 billion, which will help to empower and rehabilitate victims of terror.” Equally conscious of the fact that his employers face electricity challenges, President Jonathan signposted the direction in which he has led the country. According to him, in the electricity sector, “Nigeria has undertaken a most transparent and corruption free bidding process, attracting global commendation. The on-going 450MW Azura Power Plant in Edo State is a testimony to the success of this transformation.” Jonathan further added: “We have also resumed development of our Hydro-Power potential, with the construction of the 700MW Zungeru Hydro-Power Plant, while construction work on the 3,050MW Mambilla Hydro-Power Plant is about to take off.” Concerning potable water and provision of sanitation infrastructure, President Jonathan said: “In the past three and a half years, the water sector has witnessed unprecedented improvement. Access to potable water is now 67%, up from 58% in 2010, while sanitation coverage is 41%, from 32% within the same period.” As important as electricity and potable water may be, these things cannot be more important to Nigerians than food production. Therefore, President Jonathan knew well enough to give a clear report of what he had done in that aspect. He said: “We are reforming the National Urban Water supply programmes in 12 states, with 385 formal and informal irrigation projects, covering… (an extensive) land area cultivated mostly by small holder farmers. This has yielded over three million metric tons of assorted grains and vegetables, with a market value of about N45 billion.” Thereafter, Jonathan continued reciting his long list of 150 new Almajiri schools, railways and roads reconstructed, airports refurbished, and new bridges built around the country. But something that must have struck many Nigerians as innovative and interesting was what he had to say about the country’s major inland waterway. While presenting the report of his leadership, Jonathan said: “My administration has successfully completed the dredging of the lower River Niger from Baro in Niger State to Warri in Delta State. The cheering news is that over 6.7 million passengers and over 1.6 million tons of cargo have been moved through this channel in less than three years.” To illustrate his leadership in the rapid industrialisation of the country, President Jonathan reported: “Our support for cement production is unprecedented. We have increased our installed capacity from 16.5 million metric tons per annum in 2011 to 39.5 million metric tons per annum in 2014. Nigeria is now exporting cement.” On the issue of jobs, the President stated: “Our efforts to create an enabling environment for job creation in different sectors of the economy, including the MSME sector, agriculture, housing and manufacturing have yielded results. Between the third quarter of 2012, when we started tracking jobs created and the end of 2013, 1.9 million jobs were created. To deepen our success in this area, I have created a Presidential Jobs Creation Board headed by the Vice President with the mandate to create at least two million jobs a year.” Despite all that, perhaps the most important thing that President Jonathan said at his re-election bid declaration, which I consider a veritable enabler, is his claim to having provided an atmosphere for freedom of expression. Read him: “Let me re-affirm that under a Jonathan Presidency, your views, no matter how freely expressed, will not send you to prison or into exile.” This, for me, is fundamental and represents the greatest democracy dividend; and no other presidential aspirant has demonstrated that he can be as tolerant as Jonathan. For this and all the other reasons enumerated above, Jonathan will surely get the vote of this writer on February 14, 2015. *Mr John Ainofenokhai, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos Source: VANGUARD

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jonathan’s visit: OAU students clash, six injured DECEMBER 2, 2014 BY SODIQ OYELEKE 36 COMMENTS print Injured OAU students Injured OAU students | credits: Sodiq Oyeleke No fewer than six students were injured during a clash among some students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Sunday evening. While some of the eyewitnesses described the fight as a power tussle between students who were loyal to the President of the Student Union, Ibikunle Isaac, and those of the Vice-President, Oladejo Olufunmi, others described it as a cult attack. They all, however, agreed that the clash was an aftermath of President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the institution. It was learnt that the Education Rights Campaign members had just concluded a meeting at the Students’ Union Building when the fight broke out. Among those involved in the fight were some union executive members, suspended students of the university, members of the Security Committee of the SU and ERC members. Some of the students, who suffered varying degrees of injuries, were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. One of them, Tedy, was allegedly stabbed with a pointed object suspected to be a screw driver, while another student, David, was dealt a matchete cut on his head. It was gathered that the door to the SU President Office, where some students hid, was broken while the occupants were thoroughly beaten. There are, however, two sides to the cause of the fight. While some of the students said it was as a result of ideological differences, others inferred that it was related to the protest held during Jonathan’s visit. Jonathan, traditional rulers and some politicians were at the OAU for a conference, where Jonathan was endorsed ahead of the 2015 polls. The campus fracas took a dangerous dimension when students of the school engaged one another at the school gate with weapons. Chief Security Officer of the university, Mr. Paul Ogidi, said there was no cult attack in the institution. “It is true that our students fought. There was no cult attack on our campus. We did not witness any attack, but a fight among our students,” he said. But the Vice-President of the Students Union, Funmi Oladejo, insisted that what happened on the campus could be likened to 1999 cult attack that claimed the lives of students. She denied the fight as being factional, but hinted that the controversy that surrounded the presence of Jonathan on the university campus last Friday contributed to the cause of the fight. She said, “I was to have a meeting at the SUB yesterday (Sunday) around 6pm. On getting there, I met a student, Sanyaolu Oluwajuwon, inside the gutter, where he had been seriously beaten and I wondered what happened. After a while, the injured students went to show the injury to others and that enraged many students. “Meanwhile, what started the fight, I heard, was that ERC were having its meeting when the President and the PRO passed through the place and saw them. He then called his boys to come, saying some people were having an opposition meeting at the SUB. “After beating them up, they ran away except Teddy that waited. We later realised that those that ran to town went to hire cult members, who came with machetes. We eventually caught four of them. Two were students and two were non-students. When asked if the fight was connected to Jonathan’s visit, she responded, “As far as I am concern, that is to mess up the whole issue. They want to make it a partisan stuff and that is out of sense. Our unionism is known to be independent and non-partisan. So, the case of Jonathan’s visit was sardonic. They (Ibikunle’s faction) wanted to pay back the opposition that greeted Jonathan’s visit.” It was learnt that the two of the arrested people involved in the fight were taken by students to the Awolowo Hall of the university, while the security officials took another two students involved in the fight. The President of the SU, Isaac Ibikunle, told our correspondent that none of his loyalists were cult members. He promised to call back to give his “full reaction” after a meeting expected to be held between members of the executive and the parliament today (Monday). The Public Relations Officer of the union, Oludare Bamidele, said, “It remains a sardonic issue that suspended students are beating legitimate students on OAU campus right now. Is this intellectual struggle? The act of dragging a security official to be beaten is an affront to law and arrival of the hobbesian state of nature.” Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Sade Odoro, said those involved in the fight were not cultists. She said, “OAU students truly fought and they were taken to the police station. The police counselled and released them after a while.” Public Relations Officer of OAU, Mr. Biodun Olarewaju, confirmed that the students fought over Jonathan’s visit to the institution. He said, “There was no cult invasion in OAU. Our campus is too fortified for that to occur. Our security go on regular patrol and we are in collaboration with external security forces. “What happened was just a fight between two groups of students. “Some believe that it was wrong for another to take picture and welcome the President, Jonathan, while others believe it is not, especially when it is done without their consent. “It is just a friendly fight. All that happened was that a group felt they were not carried along.” Source: THEPUNCH.

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lagos APC governorship aspirants push for direct primary DECEMBER 3, 2014 BY TOLUWANI ENIOLA 2 COMMENTS print APC logo Some governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State have called on the leadership of the party to suspend the scheduled indirect delegate primaries scheduled for December 4, optingt for a direct primary. The APC governorship aspirants are Dr. Leke Pitan, Dr. Femi Hamzat, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Dr. Tola Kasali, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab and Mr. Olasupo Shasore. The aspirants, in a communiqué issued on Tuesday, said the indirect primaries could lead to agitation, tension and litigation and may deprive the party from presenting a valid candidate for the general election in February 2015. The communiqué reads, “Our party leadership should immediately review the scheduled indirect primaries scheduled to commence on December 2, 2014 and particularly the one scheduled for December 4, 2014 with a view to suspending it. A special consideration to conduct direct primaries rather than the indirect delegate-based primaries should be noted. We need to be gravely concerned about the recently released guidelines for the upcoming APC primaries and the legality of the indirect primaries as it relates to the INEC regulations 2014, the Electoral Act 2010 and the constitution of our party. “We believe that both direct primaries and consensus building can be concluded within the INEC timetable. The party should commence consensus building exercise amongst all aspirants in order to effect a smooth affirmation of candidates.” Source: THEPUNCH

Synagogue: Coroner suspends inquest till Friday

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The coroner probing the September 12 Synagogue building collapse, Magistrate A.O. Komolafe, has suspended further sitting till December 5, 2014. Due to the abrupt suspension of the court’s proceeding on Wednesday, Komolafe could not take the testimonies of all the witnesses that had been invited to appear before the court. The decision to suspend sitting, came after the Founder, Synagogue Church Of All Nations, Prophet T.B. Joshua, through his counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, had informed the Komolafe of a pending application before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja. In the said application, Joshua had asked for a judicial review of the coroner’s proceedings. Among other things, Joshua also asked that the invitation served on him to appear before the coroner be put on hold pending the outcome of the application before Justice Okunnu. When the Wednesday proceeding commenced, Ojo reminded the coroner of the application, adding that he had only just served it on the C. Ojo said the application was not yet ripe for hearing because he had yet to serve it on all the other necessary parties to enable them reply as appropriate. “The motion is not ripe for hearing having not been served on all the relevant parties. “It is our position that it is pending but not ripe for arguments,” Ojo said. Responding, Counsel for the Lagos State Government, Mr. Femi Adamson, confirmed that they had only been served, adding that they had not filed their reply. Following the development, the coroner said it was proper to dispense with the application first before going on to take evidence from other witnesses. Komolafe apologised to the witnesses who were already in court that the inquest had to adjourn to enable the lawyers do their jobs. He therefore directed Ojo to serve the application on the relevant parties to enable them file their responses. He also disclosed that the church had submitted the name and address of the contractor which handled the collapsed building, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company, to the inquest. Further sitting was adjourned till December 5, 2014. Source: THEPUNCH

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

APC lawmakers face ‘police crackdown’ Posted by: Our Reporter in Featured, News 6 hours ago The crisis in Ekiti State has taken another dimension as the police search for the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) for “interaction”. Before the current move, the members had intelligence report that Governor Ayodele Fayose had enlisted police’s support in the crackdown on opposition politicians, including lawmakers. The police had dropped “invitation letters” in the homes of Folorunso Ogundele from Efon-Alaye and Tope Peter Agidi from Ilawe-Ekiti. But the Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, denied knowledge of the invitation, saying there was no basis for such invitation, as there were no complaints against the lawmakers. He advised the Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, to ignore such invitation. The APC had earlier raised the alarm that Governor Fayose had recruited back to Ekiti State some of the policemen he used to unleash terror on the opposition during his first term. It said the “special squad” was being raised as an “alternative police force” to attack APC members as he did between 2003 and 2006. With Lakanu’s denial, Omirin said the coast seemed set for the next phase of crackdown on the opponents. Source: THENATION

PRESS BRIEFING BY THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE APC OYEGUN THURSDAY, 4TH DECEMBER, 2014

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Gentleman of the Press, 1. Today, I want to continue the conversation with the good people of Nigeria as promised in my last press briefing and discuss what the All Progressives Congress (APC) plans to do when it comes into government. The subject this morning is corruption; its ill effects on our country and the program of action of an APC led administration to combat it. Corruption as defined by Transparency International and accepted by the APC is “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain”. Corruption can manifest in both public and private sectors, but its ill effects are more damaging in the public sphere because the power of government and its officials to affect the welfare of citizens is generally more far reaching. Corruption in the public sector is a threat to national security, economic development and socio-political stability of our country. 2. Nigeria since independence has experienced varying degrees of corruption to the extent that it has been one of the recurring reasons for change of national leadership. In spite of strong public disapproval of corruption, the cancer of corruption has continued to spread. In the last sixteen years corruption has grown exponentially to the point that the world has come to stigmatize Nigeria and Nigerians as synonymous with corruption. Our national institutions have been compromised and the continued survival of the country is threatened. The operation of the national budget and the maintenance of the military forces have been so severely compromised by corruption that national development and security have been massively undermined under the Jonathan administration of the last six years. Using the corruption perception index {cpi} of Transparency international, Nigeria has maintained a score in the range of 25 percent and ranked amongst the bottom level of corrupt countries deteriorating from a bad score of 27 percent in 2011 to 25 percent in 2013. 3. Evidence of widespread and rampant corruption abound in our everyday life. Following the last public demonstration against the increase in fuel prices in 2012, a probe into the operations of the fuel subsidy program of the Jonathan administration revealed massive fraud and corruption but no conviction has been secured by this government. The various reports of investigation of corrupt practices in the national pension scheme, the power sector, the NNPC, the Central Bank, government ministries and departments abound and nothing has been done about them. The Administration has demonstrated, both in its body language and explicit actions, a disgusting lack of will and competence to arrest and reverse the debilitating grip of corruption on our national life. Public officials have developed and sustained chummy relationships with society figures being investigated for corruption and former public officials, convicted for corruption, have been selectively pardoned by the presidency. Some of these persons, following their pardon, have been appointed to high positions of influence by the PDP administration and offered their platform to contest for high public office. This is the issue of corruption, an evil that flourished under state – sponsorship and the patronage of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We have a historic opportunity during the forthcoming elections to begin a serious and decisive fight to end this cancer, or submit to its destructive inroads into every facet of our lives. 4. We declare corruption as evil and the APC will fight it with every resource and vehemence that can be mustered. We will promote personal integrity, government integrity and national integrity. In line with the public statement of one of our national leaders that a “fish rots from the top”, any officer in an APC government accused of corruption shall be thoroughly investigated and severely sanctioned if found guilty. Our government shall lead by example and signal, through its explicit conduct, a zero tolerance for corruption. All APC governments at all levels shall mandatorily operate an open budgetary process with quarterly report of budget performance. The spirit and letter of public procurement laws/processes shall be scrupulously complied with. Our government shall as an article of faith honor all contractual obligations and ensure strict compliance with all court orders/judgments. In the international fora, our government shall abide with agreements freely entered into and our foreign missions must honor all contracts so that the image of Nigeria as a corrupt, lawless and undisciplined country will be changed. 5. Fellow citizens who listened to the President’s recent litany of excuses, apologies and claims during the declaration for another term in office, would have noted that he said very little about corruption. There was a good reason for this. Corruption built the PDP, and PDP built corruption into a weapon which it has deployed against all our values and interests as Nigerians. It has built its electoral fortunes on corrupting all vital institutions that should give the popular will of our people expression. This allowed them to acquire governing mandates with which they accumulated public funds to consolidate their control over state institutions and resources. 6. Leaders who emerge through subversion of popular will do not attach primacy to the protection of law and order, or running governments on the basis of the rule of law. Our current security situation is an example of how the PDP government, at the center, has allowed corruption to eat into the heart of our defence and security agencies. The result is seen in the manner terrorists are taking over large territories, and hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens are now living under occupation right under the noses of the Jonathan administration. An APC administration will restore the integrity and capacity of our military to defend our lives and our land by removing corruption from their management and operations. Do not give the PDP another opportunity to deepen the crises in our security institutions, and hand over the rest of Nigeria to terrorists. 7. When the PDP asks for four more years to misgovern Nigeria, ask them what happened to the Fuel Subsidy Investigation Report, and why we are still paying over a trillion naira in fuel subsidy. Ask them how many people have been sanctioned, including public officials, over subsidy scams. Ask them to disclose to you what NNPC generates, and how it is spent. 8. When PDP asks you to trust them with your lives, fortunes and your future, ask them what they have done over the pensions scam, billions that belong to Nigerians who worked hard all their lives for our nation. Ask how you can trust them when they cannot account for hundreds of billions of your money stolen by people very intimately tied to the PDP leadership. Ask them to explain the missing N20b from the CBN revelations. Ask them what has been done with the billions which went to oil and gas producing states controlled by the PDP. Ask them how much was spent by the federal government against the huge expenditure contributed by APC governors of the North-East in the fight against Boko Haram. We fought and won a three year civil war without borrowing a single kobo, today we have borrowed a billion Dollars only to lose territory. 9. When they say they can deal with Boko Haram, ask them why our military is so ill-equipped and demoralized. Ask them what they will do or have done with the $1b loan they got to fight Boko Haram. 10. Shine your eyes, fellow Nigerians! Ask where all the hundreds of billions being used to campaign for President Jonathan by hundreds of well-paid and gorgeously attired groups are coming from. Ask where the billions that will be spent to induce you to submit to another four years of joblessness fear, insecurity and poverty will come from. They will not tell you the truth, because the money is yours. They will use your money, stolen, embezzled or diverted to seek another four years. 11. If PDP gets back, God forbid, you should expect more corruption. Corrupt leaders cannot fight corruption. Our administration will strengthen anti-corruption agencies and reinforce the rule of law. We will save trillions of Naira being stolen, and use it to rebuild lives, provide education, expand infrastructure and take back our nation from occupiers. We will not tolerate corruption, and we will punish those who think they can get away with it. This is our pledge, and commitment to the people of Nigeria. My late father, a colonial civil servant, drummed into me how our erstwhile colonial master will readily spend one pound to get to the bottom of theft of one penny. The APC will likewise do all it takes to tame the monster of corruption. 12. Our administration will launch a vigorous campaign against corruption. The campaign shall comprise short and long term components. In the short to medium term an APC administration shall immediately strengthen and reform all existing anti-corruption institutions to ensure their performance in accordance with the expectation of the law and the spirit of its enactment. The reform of existing anti- corruption laws and institutions, may involve expansion of the court systems, the sanctions system and use of special prosecutors to ensure the speedy prosecution of all cases, while the judicial reform process will be aligned to the achievement of the objectives of the fight against corruption. 13. The Anti-corruption agencies shall be decentralized and states/local government encouraged to establish similar agencies within their jurisdiction. The use of the ombudsman institution will be reviewed and streamlined for efficiency and to meet public expectation. The enforcement of contracts shall be a national article of faith. A framework for the encouragement and protection of whistle blowers shall be institutionalized. 14. An APC government shall launch a comprehensive, nationwide and sustained campaign to fight corruption. The objective of the campaign will be to reverse the spread of corruption through an irreversible and sustained improvement in PERSONAL INTEGRITY, GOVERNMENT INTEGRITY and NATIONAL INTEGRITY leading to measurable positive change in the periodic corruption perception index as published by Transparency International. The long term aspect of the campaign will involve a massive mobilization of the Nigerian people and all residents in a manner akin to the fight against Ebola disease to effect national value reorientation and change. Rather than be a vehicle for propaganda, The National Orientation Agency (NOA) will be reorganized to lead this fight. Our national experience suggests that the twin evil of corruption and impunity are deep in our national fabric and their removal must be as a result of a deliberate and prolonged effort. The components of the action plan will include a review of the educational curriculum to ensure the teaching of national values of patriotism, honesty, industry, civility and fairness at the entry levels of educational institutions nationwide; the teaching of these values, at home by family heads, faith based worship centers and community and local leaders. Compensation/ remuneration packages of public officials will be reviewed and continually monitored to ensure the payment of wages that removes incentives for corruption. 15. To ensure a focused and sustained campaign, a structure will be put in place to undertake a continuous review of the process and to ensure that the progress of the fight against corruption is on track and in alignment with stated objectives and the rule of law. 16. The fight against corruption will be total and rooted in the belief that all major religions in Nigeria and our culture abhor corruption and impunity. An APC government will fight corruption within the rule of law and respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens. We shall fight for change and we must change Nigeria. We believe that an environment of poverty and ignorance is a fertile ground for corruption and impunity, consequently, our economic program of inclusive growth , qualitative education and equitable distribution of the national wealth shall constitute a potent weapon in the fight against corruption. 17. Fellow Nigerians, Nigeria is on the threshold of a new beginning to a future of certainty, peace and prosperity. This can only be provided by our great party, the APC. Give us the opportunity to rebuild our nation so that in our lifetime, we can say, Nigerians can build enduring legacies founded on justice, fairness and honesty. Welcome to the future of SECURITY, INTEGRITY and PROSPERITY – The NEW NIGERIA. God bless you all. God bless the APC God bless NIGERIA Source

APC primaries hold amid tight security

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_196722" align="alignleft" width="179"] APC[/caption]The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has commenced its governorship primaries at the Onikan Stadium, Ikoyi. Over 3,000 delegates from the 20 local government areas of the state have been accredited and ballot boxes placed at the centre of the field. All 13 governorship aspirants are seated outside the main field. They are: A former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan; a former Account General of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode; the Current Commissioner for Works, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Senator Ganiyu Solomon. Others are Mr. Wahab Tokunbo, a former aide to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Tayo Akinde; Mr. Olanrewaju Ope, a former Commissioner for Rural Affairs, Mr. Toyin Ayinde and a former Attorney General of the state, Mr. Olasupo Shasore. Ambode, who is said to have the backing of Tinubu is the most likely candidate to win. Our correspondent who spoke to a cross section of aspirants across all the local governments learnt that Ambode would emerge the winner. Despite protests by all the aspirants (except Ambode) that the direct system of election should be used, the APC has gone ahead to employ the delegate system otherwise known as the indirect system of voting. The Peoples Democratic Party has therefore told the APC aspirants that they are free to join the PDP if they perceive any hanky panky. However, the state Chairman of Lagos APC, Chief Henry Ajomale, said, while addressing journalists at the venue, that there would be a level playing field. Ajomale said the direct system of primaries would be too hectic and cumbersome. He, however, said aspirants would not defect to the PDP if things did not go their way. He said, “We had about 20 aspirants in 2007 and many even left because they were not satisfied but we still won convincingly. “Everybody cannot win but I am proud of the quality of the aspirants we have today.” The chairman of the event, Mr. Peter Obada, who is also a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, said the votes would be counted at the venue. More details later. . . Source: THEPUNCH

Why Jonathan was booed in OAU – Wali

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

ABUJA – A Self-acclaimed President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Ali Wali has said that President Goodluck Jonathan was booed at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, because his administration recognises people who are not students as presented by his aide on Youth and Students matters. He alleged that the Senior Special Assistant to President on Student and Youth Matters (SSPA), Com. Jude Imagwe was the one causing disaffection in NANS and the Youth Council, because he always presents non-students as students to Mr President, the situation that made students feel shortchanged in the scheme of things in the country. Meanwhile, the SSPA, Com. Jude Imagwe, disowned Ali Wali, just as he insists there is “no crisis in NANS”. Wali, who made the accusation during a press conference, in Abuja, said misrepresentation had been the basis of crisis in the association, and even in the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). “We state here categorically that Jude Imagwe has never for once mobilized any legitimate students to attend any function of Mr President and a clear example of how bitter some of these students feel was displayed in OAU Ife recently. “The student protest was not completely intended to embarrass the President, but to inform him that his SSPA does not have the kind of control over students as he claims. “The SSPA is today sponsoring one Mr Usman Tijani, who we earlier said is a 45 years old man, who is not a student.” However, Imagwe in his reaction wondered why Ali Wali would be parading himself as President of NANS, when he deliberately stepped down in Asaba during NANS congress that produced Usman Tijani as the President of NANS. He revealed that Ali Wali had been to his office in Abuja pleading with him to talk to Tijani to make him (Ali) a Secretary in his administration, the idea that was frankly rejected by Tijani. Imagwe said Wali was acting out a script either written by some body or himself to discredit him and his office, urging Nigerians not to listen to him, as all the allegations were not true. By CALEB AYANSINA Source: VANGUARD

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Obanikoro VS Bode George: ‘The rumble in the jungle’ of Lagos PDP on December 05, 2014 / in Politics 12:00 pm / Comments Tweet By Charles Kumolu FOR a party that had for a long time, sought to reinvent itself in Lagos State, the seemingly frosty relationship between a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George, is likely to shape the conduct of the party’s governorship primaries. Famed for being an old rivalry, the resurgence of the clash of interest between the duo did not take observers aback. But the pattern it has assumed has not stopped being a source of anxiety for party faithful. The fact that the development makes the party’s dream of presenting a sellable governorship candidate vague, makes the matter more worrisome. For a disagreement that has so much polarised the fold ahead of the primaries, it is believed that the PDP is again about to self-destruct in Lagos. Like in the past, the growing impasse is largely unconnected with who the party’s flag bearer should be in the next gubernatorial election in the state. Current storm in the party KoroGeorgeThe decision of Obanikoro to participate in the race again, is believed to have exhumed the carcass of the feud that had existed between them, leading to the current storm in the party. Accordingly, the George group, which is believed to be an alliance of other hitherto factional blocs, has not spared any of its political arsenals in its bid to ensure that the former minister did not participate in the race. While this had earlier existed in the realm of speculations, it became much of a reality when an alliance was forged under the leadership of George with the perceived objective of stopping Obanikoro’s governorship ambition. This unusual unity is undoubtedly around a new entrant into the party, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, whose ambition is being championed by George against the wishes of the traditional PDP family in Lagos. George, it was gathered, sees Agbaje as a non-controversial candidate, with no baggage against Obanikoro, who he had always opposed for yet to be known reasons. The George group has not failed to back its support for Agbaje with claims that there was a gentleman agreement that Obanikoro, having been made a minister, would forego his long held ambition. The former Ambassador, has however, denied that and is insisting on pursuing his ambition despite the seeming consensus by party chieftains that the 2015 candidate should be a Christian in order to frontally confront Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s alleged plot. Similarly, the recent attempt by three members of the party seeking the disqualification of the erstwhile Minister of State for Defence from the governorship race, was linked to George by Obanikoro’s supporters. In like manner, the outcome of ward congresses held across the state, pitched the supporters of the duo against each other. So obvious was the backlash arising from that exercise that Obanikoro wrote a notice of complaint to the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’Azu. Bode George’s undue interference In the notice, Obanikoro pointedly alleged that George had unduly interfered with the conduct of the congresses. While stating that the ward congresses were manipulated by George, he urged the party’s leadership to check George’s influence ahead of the party’s primaries. He also added that no cynic in the state could stop his governorship ambition come 2015. “PDP needs a free and fair primary that is devoid of Bode George’s undue interference as seen during the ward congresses. What I see is a greater Lagos, where the hopes of the little girl growing up in Mushin are the same as the dreams of the child in Victoria Garden City. Cynics have perfected the art of telling us that the Lagos of our dreams is not possible. We refuse to agree with them! One million cynics cannot stop the dream of a greater Lagos. While they focus on impossibilities, we focus on a greater Lagos,” he stated. Notwithstanding, George’s body language, is such that suggests that he stands against everything Obanikoro stands for politically. For instance in a recent interview with Vanguard the retired Naval officer had this to say about Obanikoro: ‘’He said that he resigned as Minister because the President endorsed him, that is the greatest lie. Quote me. That is the greatest lie. And when you build your house on lies, it cannot stand a little storm, not now. Who asked him to be Minister? I think the president has made his statement when he came here and I queue up behind that statement. ‘’He is still very much alive. Wike too in Rivers, is it the president who asked him to resign? Did he put his name on the paper? Who signed the paper? Is it the president? People lie. That is a blatant lie. And you can put it down that I said that.’’ Amid the ensuing battle, Obanikoro has remained upbeat about his chances of clinching the ticket, on the strength of his grassroots popularity. With his campaign slogan titled: Greater Lagos, the former Ambassador to Ghana, has repeatedly noted that he would not be detracted by the perceived conspiracy against him, adding that having associated with the defunct Alliance for Democracy,AD, he is the best man to defeat the APC. Source: VANGUARD

Obasanjo guilty of contempt over autobiography – Court

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Wednesday held that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was in contempt of court for flouting orders restraining him from among others, publishing his autobiography – “My Watch.” Justice Valentine Ashi, in a ruling gave Obasanjo 21 days (from the day of service of the court’s orders on him) to explain cause why he should not be punished for contempt for going ahead to publish the book despite the ex-parte interim order made by the court on December 5 and a pending libel suit involving him (Obasanjo). The judge restrained him from further publishing, printing or offering for sale, the book, which content touches on the subject matter before the court. Justice Ashi had on December 5 granted ex-parte interim orders, restraining Obasanjo from proceeding with plans to publish the book or have it published for him, and fixed December 10 as the return date. Despite the court’s interim orders, Obasanjo reportedly made public presentation of the book on Tuesday in Lagos, arguing that the book had been published before the court was misled into making the orders. The judge took arguments from lawyer to the plaintiff/applicant, Alex Iziyon (SAN) and defendant/respondent’s lawyer, Realwon Okpanach on the plaintiff’s motion for interlocutory injunctions, the defendant’s counter affidavit and motion for order to vacate the earlier granted interim orders. Ruling, Justice Ashi held that it was wrong for Obasanjo to have proceeded to publish the book despite the fact that a libel suit, which subject matter formed part of the content of the book, was still pending before the court and that the orders he made on December 5 was still pending. He further held that it was immaterial that the book was published before the interim orders were made. He said Obasanjo ought not to have publish the book because he was aware of the part-heard libel suit relating to the letter he wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Buruji Kashamu, of being a fugitive wanted in the United States. “The fact that the book was published in November is irrelevant. As long as the substantive suit is not yet determined, no party is entitled to publish or comment on material facts that are yet to be decided on by the court. “I hold the defendant, not only in contempt of the court, but to show cause why he should not be punished for contempt and ordered to undo what he has wrongly done,” the judge said. Source: THENATION

APC CONVENTION: Atiku concedes defeat, pledges to support Buhari

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Umbrella ti ya tan: Obanikoro drags PDP, Agbaje to court

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has taken his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to court to redress the anomaly that ensued during the Lagos state governorship primary that took place on 8 December. It would be recalled that Jimi Agbaje was named the party’s governorship candidate which Obanikoro described as ‘sham’ after the total number of votes cast, 863, was higher than the total number of accredited delegates, 806. “I urge all our teeming supporters to remain steadfast. We will pursue this to a logical conclusion and justice will be done!” he wrote on his Twitter page today. He then stated that he has taken the matter to the proper authority. “In the light of this development, we have proceeded to the Federal High Court, Abuja to seek redress. Obanikoro explained that his decision to go to court follows the inaction by his party. “The 48 hours timeline stipulated by the PDP Electoral Guideline to address our appeal has elapsed without a response from the party.” Source: PMNEWS

Edwin Clark seeks revocation of Tompolo, Asari Dokubo’s security contracts

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Obasanjo’s Autobiography: Group condemns court order December 12, 2014Premium Times Former President Olusegun Obasanjo. A group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has criticised the Abuja High Court for granting an exparte injunction stopping the publication of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s latest book, My Watch. The court, presided over by Justice Valentine Ashi, on Wednesday, found Mr. Obasanjo guilty of contempt, after he defied its directive barring him from releasing the book. Mr. Ashi had ordered that the book launch be put on hold over claims the three volume series contained details of a libel case already before the court. The case involves a drug trafficking allegations by the former president against a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Buruji Kashamu. HURIWA said the court’s order was an attempt to dabble into the arena of partisan politics and muzzle freedom of expression. “In the considered thinking of the HURIWA, any Nigerian who feels that his/her reputation is tarnished by the contents of the book written by erstwhile President Obasanjo should do any of the two options – go to court to file a case of libel or do your version of the story told in this latest book by Olusegun Obasanjo,” the group said in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director, Zainab Yusuf, on Thursday. It called on the Chairman of the National Judicial Council, NJC, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Muhammad “to immediately activate mechanism to clean up the Aegean stable in the judiciary and stop judges from issuing baseless exparte orders which has created spectacular public image deficit for the Nigerian Judicial system over the past couple of years.” HURIWA said it took exception to the attempt by the court to stop the exercise by Mr. Obasanjo of his constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of expression and right to fair hearing as enshrined in chapter four of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the issuance of an inexplicable and heavily one- sided court injunction. It stated that any court’s attempt and/or action that appeared to be anti-intellectual should be rejected and jettisoned for that was an attempt to return Nigeria to the disgraceful days of military dictatorship and tyranny through the back door. While faulting what it described as “belated injunction” from the court, which reportedly emanated as soon as the author had made every arrangement to publicly present the book, HURIWA argued that it was “immoral and disgusting for a court of law to involve itself in a bitter intra-party squabbles by seeking to halt the publication and circulation of a book written by a Nigerian who has the unfettered fundamental right to freedom of expression.” The group said the enjoyment of the fundamental freedom of expression was the very basis for the existence of democracy and the principle of the rule of law. It also stated that it was inconceivable that a judge could have attempted to stop an act that was already completed just as it asked any Nigerian whose reputation was reportedly injured and/or tarnished by the contents of the book to file a proper and appropriate libel case in the competent court of law rather than engage in an exercise in futility. It said, ”We are all living witnesses to the gross abuses that exparte motions were subjected to by politicians only in the recent past and these frequently abused privileged orders of the court which is seen largely as a professional ambush against respondents who ought to be properly served and put on notice and so it is imperative that the hierarchy of the nation’s judiciary takes immediate and effective action to check the abuse of exparte applications by litigants. “We have not forgotten that it was also by the abuse of exparte application for an injunction from an Abuja High Court obtained by mid -night by the notorious Association for a better Nigeria [ABN] that truncated the planned transition to civil rule during the General Babangida’s regime when the now martyred Icon of democracy Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola was coasting home with victory in the popularly acclaimed free and fair Presidential election of June 12, 1993. “We completely reject any court injunction that seeks to keep Nigerians perpetually in information and intellectual darkness regarding the undercurrents of our politics especially in the contemporary times. Indeed the court of law should give judgements that will promote the exercise of the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms as encapsulated in the nation’s supreme body of laws.” Source: REMIUMTIMES

Gbemi Saraki, Jani Ibrahim concede defeat in

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Two Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in last Friday’s primaries, Senator Gbemisola Saraki and Jani Ibrahim, have congratulated the winner, Senator Simeon Ajibola. The party, last week, declared Ajibola a third-term senator representing Kwara South, the winner of its governorship primaries. [caption id="attachment_166127" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Gbemi Saraki [/caption] In separate statements, Ms Saraki and Ibrahim conceded victory to Ajibola, who polled 144 votes. In an electronic mail, Gbemisola Saraki said: “After a keen contest, the wish of the majority of our delegates is that Senator S. S. Ajibola should be our governorship candidate in the 2015 general election. I congratulate my brother as I also congratulate our party for the success of our primaries. “I’m a firm believer that democracy is a journey and not a destination. The appreciation of the lessons and our experience on that journey determine the value of our society as well as the quality of our leadership. Democracy was at work at our primaries and those lessons we learnt can only strengthen our resolve to see a better leadership and to work even harder for a glorious Kwara State. “The beauty of democracy is that an individual ambition cannot supersede the true wish of the majority. If we, as leaders, are truly champions of the interests of our people, we cannot be a party to the subversion of their legitimate aspirations and/or a chance at their pursuit of happiness. “Because I believe that we can build a glorious Kwara State where competence, true passion and transparent leadership mark the process of that rebirth, I was a candidate in the primaries. However, my passion for that rebirth isn’t for the sole direction of the voting at our primaries but the true interests of our people and our state. “As a team, we are going to work together with the choice of our party to rekindle the hope in our people of a government that can truly serve their true interests. “I’m often buoyed to see every lesson on the journey of democracy as an opportunity to grow higher and grow better in the true service of the people. “Allah gives power to whom He wishes. As a people, we must learn the lessons in His choices. Our people look unto us; we must be their mirror of the decency of a true leadership. “I thank you all for your support, encouragement, prayers, volunteering and work. I pray you would extend these to our party in the drive to birth a glorious Kwara.” Source: THENATION

Ugandan Babysitter Who Savagely Beat A Toddler Is Sentenced To Four Years In Prison

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

A Ugandan maid caught on video beating a toddler has been sentenced to four years in jail by a Chief Magistrate court judge in Kampala. On Monday 22 year-old, Jolly Tumuhiirwe, pleaded guilty to the crime of assault last week during her appearance before Chief Magistrate Lillian Bucyana. Ms. Tumuhiirwe was captured on CCTV as she tortured 1/12 year old Arnella Kamanzi in her father’s home in Naalya suburb on Kampala in November. The video uploaded by the baby's father went viral and led to global outrage against the barbaric act of the housemaid. Source: SAHARAREPORTERS

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Buhari and Muslim/Muslim ticket DECEMBER 16, 2014 BY OUR READER LEAVE A COMMENT Fomer Head of State, Maj-Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (retd.) | credits: file photo Last Sunday night, a former military Head of State, and now the All Progressives Congress, presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, was quoted on Channels Television as saying that, he did not mind fielding a Muslim as his running mate if, his party, the APC, thought this would be a good strategy to win the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria. In the interview, Buhari recalled that Gen. Yakubu Gowon as the Head of State in the seventies “filled his government with Christians”, “Buhari/Idiagbon” were Muslims when they ruled in the 80s, and that “Nigerians voted a Muslim/Muslim” in the M.K.O. Abiola and Babagana Kingibe Social Democratic 1993 Presidential ticket; and “nobody complained”. There are several imports and lessons from Buhari’s reaction to the possibility of a Muslim/Muslim ticket by Nigeria’s leading opposition party – the APC. I think this is his first response since the controversy started, and was fuelled by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. First, Buhari seems to have totally ignored the changing role of religion in our national, local, even domestic lives. In the 70s, religion was not an issue, and views were not influenced by religious outpourings. That has drastically changed over the years, starting from the early 80s when the Maitasine riots swept through some parts of Northern Nigeria, to the more recent Boko Haram socio-religious genocide predominantly in Northern Nigeria. One expects the retired General to know that Nigeria of 2014 is different from Nigeria of 1975 when Gowon was the Head of State, or the Nigeria of 1983 when Buhari and Idiagbon were military rulers, or the Nigeria of 1993 when Abiola and Kingibe ran a Muslim/Muslim ticket. The Christian community in Nigeria has fears of a perceived Islamisation agenda, based on the ongoing persecution, mass murder, and massacre of their colleagues in the North by a group of extremists of religious extraction known as Boko Haram. By choosing to ignore the dominant role of religion in contemporary national life in Nigeria, Buhari either deliberately embarked on political irrationalism for his political advantage or portrayed himself in the eyes of his detractors, as a person stubbornly committed to his religious persuasion, even when this is to his political disadvantage. Buhari had a golden opportunity with his recent interview on the possibility of a Muslim/Muslim ticket in the APC, to prove that he is tolerant of other religious tendencies, but he messed it up. His comments in the interview may be insensitive to the views of other religious adherents. As a Christian, a Muslim/Muslim ticket may not be an issue for me, but the characters of the person that holds the ticket matters. I am ready to vote for a Muslim/Muslim in present day Nigeria, if I believe the holders of the ticket are religiously tolerant and will keep religion out of the state as much as possible, or as much as required. Christians voted massively for Abiola, because nobody saw him purely as a Muslim, though they knew him as a practising Muslim. As far as the time I was in primary school, many years before he declared his presidential bid, I have read stories in the media of Abiola making donations to churches and Christian organisations. If MKO resurrects today, Nigerians across religion persuasions would still cast their votes for him. Abiola was loved by Christians and Muslims, when he contested the Presidency. Buhari will do himself a lot of good if he realises that some Christian communities do not love him the way they loved Abiola. Comparing himself to an Abiola, would therefore be a suicidal political miscalculation as well as falsification of history. Buhari is not an MKO, and can’t enjoy the benefits of an MKO. Babatope Babalobi is the Coordinator of the Movement for Revolutionary Change babalobi@yahoo.com, +2348035897435 Source: THEPUNCH

UPDATE: B’Haram threatens Emir of Kano in new video

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_185528" align="alignleft" width="300"] Sanusi [/caption]Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the extremist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has threatened to attack the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, for mobilising support against the sect. In well publicised statements, Sanusi asked Kano State residents as well as vigilantes, to arm and defend themselves against future terrorist attacks following a recent attack on the Kano Central Mosque. The latest threat was contained in a video posted on youtube and viewed on Wednesday by our correspondent. Shekau condemned Sanusi and adherents of most Islamic sects, describing them as infidels who have abandoned the Islamic doctrine. He said they should be ready to repent and practise Islam as preached by his sect, or be ready to face the consequences. Shekau said, “Before I start talking to my brothers who believed in me and the religion of Allah, not the religion of democracy, not that of western education, those who believed in the religion of the Quran not that of the constitution and not religion of the Emir of Kano. “We do not practise the religion of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, not the religion of Jonathan, not the religion of Obasanjo, not the religion of Atiku, not the religion of Babangida, not the religion of Obama, not the religion of Bush, not the religion of Clinton, but the religion of Allah. “Now listen to me Emir of Kano. I am talking to you and only you because of your recent utterances. Let me inform you now that you are late (dead), you should know that you are only the King of Kano, King of Central Bank, King of money, you are only Sanusi Lamido.” Shekau said his group would continue to fight and kill local vigilantes, hunters, and all those who oppose the teachings of the sect. He also said, “Emir of Kano Sanusi, you are late, that our triumph is just for a period of time so you said. Even your predecessors who are renowned idol worshippers in Islamic history like ‘Abujahal’ could not succeed in fighting Islam. “Yes, you can say that our success is for a period of time, because you are a king of Bank and a loyal citizen of your country. “Because you are made the Emir of Kano, that is why you got angry and was calling on the vigilante groups and hunters to attack us. Let me tell you that the hunters and the vigilante groups will fail and you will also fail.” Shekau condemned all other Islamic sects in the country, calling them pagans. He said the Izala, Tijjaniyya, Qadiriyya and Shiite Islamic groups were pagans and his group would continue to kill their followers. The Boko Haram leader also condemned the government of Saudi Arabia, saying that all infidels would perish in hell. “We will kill you people, we will capture hostages and keep selling them,” he said. The Boko Haram leader said he (Shekau) was human, adding that “It is Allah that is supreme and even if there is no war, members of my sect and I will die.” He said they were ready to die and go and rest in heaven. Over 100 people died in the Kano Central Mosque attack which was believed to have been targeted at the Kano emir. The Emir, who had travelled out of Nigeria at the time, visited the mosque on his return, and re-affirmed his vow that the Kano people would not bow to the Boko Haram’s threats. Source: THEPUNCH

BUHARI/OSINVBAJO TICKET, BEST BET TO RID NIGERIA OF POLITICAL PESTS - Sen Ojudu

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Buhari/Osinbajo presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the best bet to rid Nigeria of the political pests and parasites that have brought the country to her knees. In a statement in Abuja, the spokesperson of the APC caucus in the Senate, Senator Babafemi Ojudu who made this assertion, described the unanimous choice of Professor Yemi Osinbajo as General Mohammadu Buhari's running mate in the February 14, 2015 election as a great plus given the Law Professor's brilliance, analytical prowess, ability to rework an economy for people-centred progress, antecedents of performance and a rare loyalty which are the midas touch in all his undertakings. All these, Ojudu said, would come in handy in Buhari's agenda to rid the country of graft and set it on the path of an all-encompassing progress and good living for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, status or religion. Congratulating Osinbajo, Ojudu added that being a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), his choice has also silenced political desperadoes who are always playing the card of religion while re-validating the fact that Buhari is a detribalised Nigerian who has respect and love for all Nigerians irrespective of their faith. Ojudu, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Defence and Army, urged Nigerians to seize this opportunity to redirect the country from the path of perdition which the PDP's fifteen years of misrule has placed it by voting the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket in February, adding that the two men are patriots who are driven solely by their passion to make Nigeria a true nation in name and attributes. Signed: Senator Ojudu Babafemi

Osun Monarch in court over removal of female chief

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The paramount ruler of Ijesaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adekunke Aromolaran, on Thursday appeared before an Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa over the removal of the Yeyerise of Ilesa, Chief Module Obiwole. The monarch, who was dressed in white agbada, with a white cap was followed to the court room by a retinue of chiefs including other female chiefs. The kabiyesi is the Defence Witness in the case instituted by Obiwole who is challenging her alleged unlawful removal as the chief(Yeyerise) by the monarch. The monarch was accorded respect by Justice W. O Akanbi as a seat was provided for him outside the dock and was allowed to sit comfortably throughout the duration of his cross examination by the plaintiff’s counsel, Chief Boye Williams. The monarch was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr. Jola Akintola, and he adopted his written statements on oath dated March 25th and July 1st, 2014 as his evidence in chief before the court. The cross examination lasted over two hours and the monarch was obviously irked by some of the questions but the presiding judge shielded him in order to prevent argument between the monarch and the plaintiff’s counsel. The plaintiff was accused of constantly flouting the Owa’s order and representing the monarch at public functions without his consent. She was suspended for three months and was subsequently removed from office by the monarch. During cross examination, Oba Aromolaran agreed with the plaintiff’s counsel that Yeyerise chieftaincy title had been recognised since the time of the Western Region but he added that the title had also been derecognised. Asked if the monarch had the power to try criminal offences which the Yeyerise was accused of, the monarch answered in the negative saying he could not do that since he did not have personal police force to investigate. The courtroom was filled to the brim with chiefs and residents of the town who trooped to the court to watch the proceedings. Justice Akanbi told the monarch not to see the plaintiff’s counsel as being disrespectful due to some of the questions put to him during the cross examination. He said that lawyers were at liberty to ask question but the judge said that he would never allow any counsel to denigrate a monarch and neither would he allow monarchs to disrespect lawyers in his court. Akintola re-examined the monarch to clear some of the answers he considered to be ambitious. Justice Akanbi adjourned the adoption of final written addresses to March 10,2015. Source: THEPUNCH

Jonathan weak? Never –Ebong, A’Ibom TAN coordinator

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

For over two decades, he worked in the oil and gas sector, rising to the top management level. Now, Mr. Ufot Ebong is not only a politician, he also manages his own business. However, above all else, he has just been appointed the Akwa Ibom State coordinator of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a strategic communication arm of the present administration at the centre. Ebong, in this interview, justifies the existence of his enlightenment organ. He also talks briefly about his Akwa Ibom State, post-2015 elections. Excerpts: You are Akwa Ibom State coordinator of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), why would anyone be that ardent in support of President Jonathan and his administration? That is an excellent question you have asked. You see, having travelled to nearly all the continents of the world and having studied different modules of development, I have observed that there is a uniform pattern. There is this element of continuity in governance. Most of the world leaders do not achieve amazing results from day one. They usually take out time to stabilize and then assemble people of like minds and from there hit the ground running. That is what has happened in Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s case. We all know the circumstances he came into power. He used the first few years to take on the long term problems of the country from the foundation and he has done well when you are looking at it from a broad spectrum. That is why I support him and that is why Nigerians like myself are saying, let him continue in office and consolidate on these efforts and the fruits of it will be very visible for all to see. He is a very honest, open minded and transparent leader with good intentions. Four years can be such a short time in a nation’s history. Let him take advantage of the remaining four years provided for in the constitution. We have seen tremendous improvements in agriculture, even in power. Like we are seated here, I have been enjoying light since morning. We will not have a good interview if my generator was on and making a lot of noise. It did not use to be so and despite our increased power consumption. He has put excellent structures in place and in the next four years, the difference will be clear. These and so much more are the reasons I support his administration. But many have cited insecurity as a weak link in his government. How would your organisation react to this? I listened to one analyst the other day and he said that the present security situation we are in now started about 15 years ago and nobody did anything to stem the tide and now it has snowballed into the present day criminality. What we are experiencing now was a sectional matter. Many leaders abated it, pampered it and some even used it for political reasons, not knowing that it will one day blow up on the whole country. So, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan inherited what insurance companies call pre-existing condition. So, Mr President inherited it and it has now grown teeth. It is a global challenge now. The USA, Britain, others, they all came here and looked for a way to find a lasting solution to this monster. Terrorism is a global problem. The USA, Britain have tagged Boko Haram a terror group. You cannot blame Jonathan for it. He did not create it. Do you see the ammunitions and the weapons these guys use? Is that from a small rag tag army? They are well funded. Maybe, they are a unit of Al Qaeda, who knows. We are fighting a war and the president is handling it well. Some persons would have wiped out the entire North East, but he is doing well. By the way, what are the objectives of TAN? Our sole objective is to enlighten Nigerians and sell to the Nigerian population the need for us to re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan. TAN is a nongovernmental organisation designed to promote good governance. It consists of individuals of impeccable character fostering the continuation of the transformation of President Jonathan. The group comprises professional men and women, youths, businessmen and women, artists, artisans, sportsmen and women, physically challenged persons, widows associations, Christians, Muslim and native religious groups. Community, traditional and market leaders, opinion moulders and analysts, farmers, school teachers, trade unions and all masses of Nigeria committed to the ideals of good and quality leadership, order, unity, peace and progress of our nation. The aim of TAN also is to promote the spirit of self-reliance and entrepreneurship, empowerment, job creation and provision of industrial cities. We also intend to create jobs to sustain families and spread the gospel of Goodluck’s transformation agenda through visible empowerment of the people. We intend to use TAN at the end of the day to promote active citizenship participation in politics and advocate transparency, accountability, and productivity and condemn official corruption. TAN believes that President Jonathan’s sterling human qualities, democratic credentials and landmark accomplishments are currently under marketed and under advertised; a situation that has given rise to the persistent false narrative about his leadership standing and a myth that TAN has set out to deconstruct for Nigerians and the international community to know the truth and live by it. TAN is not only engaged in strategic media marketing and political advocacy; it is also conceived as a human transformation platform that will develop ideas and execute projects in the areas of poverty reduction, job creation, youth empowerment and all-round environmental renewal through its waste to wealth programme as a complement to, and in furtherance of the transformation agenda. TAN is a body for all and I invite all Akwa Ibom people to identify with us. Let me also share with you the fact that TAN is ultimately conceived as a mass movement of millions of TANITES who are deeply devoted to propagating President Jonathan’s transformation agenda from the organisation’s outreach centres and human resource bases in the 36 states and the 774 local government areas of the federation. We in Akwa Ibom State are spreading our roots. Your principal, President Jonathan, many say he is weak. How can they say he is weak? The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria weak? No, he cannot. It is not about Jonathan. You are talking about the democratically elected leader of Nigeria. It is the office and the institution called the presidency. You cannot be the country’s president and be weak. The reason people may say he is weak is that he is a man who likes to follow rules. It is not in his nature to wield naked power, witch-hunt the opposition. You cannot say he is a weak leader; he is very thoughtful and robust leader. In about six months, Akwa Ibom State will have a new government, what do you think will be the projection of that government? When I am talking about the new government, I am saying it from the standpoint of the aspirant I have had the singular honour and privilege to interact with. He is such an intelligent and focused man. I am referring to Emmanuel Udom. The foundation has been laid. We have excellent infrastructure. I see a state run by Emmanuel Udom that will be an investor’s haven. He will turn this place into an economic hub for West Africa. He has the connections and the capacity to move the state forward. That Dubai we refer to, they have nothing. It is a desert, very little oil. The money you see in Dubai is investor’s money. Investors only go to a place where they trust quality leadership. If it is said that Mr. A is the governor of a given place and he has billions of naira, the investors will ask, how did he make billions? What is his annual income like? If my salary does not add up to the billions, nobody will invest in the state that he is governor; even Dangote will not invest there. They will think that he wants to steal their money as he stole the other one. But when they know that Mr. Udom Emmanuel is governor, a man who has been at Zenith Bank, raised the bank from where it was to one of the first in Africa, a man who was on the board of over 11 international companies, then interacted with the first class investors of this world. If I was a candidate, I will go to him and say, sir, I want to support you and work with you. You are of the PDP and your candidate, Emmanuel Udom. Why do you think he’s the best candidate? It is not because of his qualification. It is about Udom in person. I have had the singular privilege to interact with all the aspirants coming out to succeed Governor Akpabio. I know their pedigree and what they will bring to the table. One day I asked Udom, where do you see this state in eight years, it took us almost three hours before we could finish that interaction. Two things struck me, first he said he was concerned about youth employment. He said if care is not taken, all the good things Governor Akpabio has worked for will become beneficial to the foreigners. We need to have statistics of our people, when they left school, what they are doing now and all that so that we know exactly where our people can fit into and where necessary be sent on short trainings to have requisite capacity. He now added this other point and it struck me that he will not send them to America or United Kingdom because they may not return but he will send them to the best schools in South America and Eastern Europe knowing that they will return. That is a man that has seen the problem, thought through how it will be done for it to be effective. All the people we sent to Canada, none has returned. They are there now, some married. Udom has the capacity, the pedigree and the heart to accomplish goals. Source:

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Nobody can cage me — Alao-Akala DECEMBER 21, 2014 BY OLUFEMI ATOYEBI 0 COMMENTS print Former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala Former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala Former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, tells OLUFEMI ATOYEBI, in this interview, that he will break the second-term jinx in the state After being in the Peoples Democratic Party for more than 10 years, why did you decide to walk away? There is nothing much to say except that I have walked in the path that God has outlined for me. When you are with God, you are in the majority. Everything you have read about me and the PDP in the last few weeks can be described as injustice meted out to me. If it was impossible for our party to conduct free and fair primary elections, why must I remain in it? What they did and the way a candidate was nominated was not what we agreed upon. We had a clear understanding of how the primary election was to be conducted. But, the rule was changed in the middle of the game. I was shocked when the party said less than 10 per cent of those who were supposed to make up the delegates list would be used for the primary election. That was far from the channel to be employed in picking a popular candidate. I was not forced to leave the party but I decided that I don’t have to waste my time where ward congresses were repeatedly cancelled. PDP in Oyo was not fair because a level playing ground was not provided for all. Despite our complaints, the party turned a deaf ear and I had to move on. Why didn’t you accept the proposal of one of the big parties that wooed you, instead of the Labour Party? That is true but don’t forget that I am a leader and I have to listen to my people. The decision was beyond me because politics is about the people, not the individual. If you don’t follow the wishes of your followers, you are going nowhere. Will you consider returning to the PDP, if you win with LP ticket, just as Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko did recently? When we get to the river, we shall cross it. How did your close associates react to your defection? My friends were aware of what was going on in the PDP. They called me and I gave them updates on what was going on behind the scene. They advised me to take a decision before it was too late. They are happy with my decision. What was the reaction of the Presidency to your defection? My friends among them called me and wished me good luck. LP does not have a presidential candidate, are you ready to work for President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election? I will only obey my party’s desire when the time comes. After you left the PDP, Seyi Makinde also left for Social Democratic Party. What will you say about PDP’s position today? We are not bad losers. If things were done normally, the party would remain strong. You cannot impose someone who has told me that he would write the delegates list that would be used. We were supposed to elect them, not write their names. You are going to the poll, just like Makinde, Rashidi Ladoja, and the incumbent governor in the state, Abiola Ajimobi. Does it mean that the second-term jinx is about to be broken in Oyo? With due respect to others, we are about to see the end of that jinx and by the grace of God, I will be the first person to break it. PDP had said it would not worry about your defection and that it has a strategy to cage you. Are you ready for the fight ahead? Unfortunately for them, I am older in the game. Nobody can cage me because, as a security officer, I have caged someone before. We have started separating boys from men. If you had lost the primary fairly, would you have stayed back at PDP? I would have exhibited good sportsmanship and congratulated whoever won. I have done it before, what is new in accepting defeat? If the party was fair to me, why should I be stupid enough to reject the result of a free and fair election? I would have worked for the winner to the end. Why are you interested in becoming Oyo State governor again? I have always dedicated my life serving mankind. When I was in government, people enjoyed my time and those people are the ones calling me back. There were meetings called by the PDP eders involving you and other aspirants while the stalemate lasted in the party. Would you like to share what transpired at the meetings? That is no more necessary because events have overtaken those meetings. Whatever I say now will not reverse what has happened. That was a time when we thought that we could reason together and move the party forward but that was not to be. Does it mean that the National Working Committee of PDP refused to listen to aspirants’ complaints? Some of us know our onions. We cannot be going to Abuja to tell the party what stuff we are made of. We have the Abuja politicians among us. They run there to tell them things they only want to hear. Since I am a native man and a grass roots politician, I remain at home with my people. They will not listen to people like me in Abuja because they will have the impression that I am coming with local ideas. Are you saying the so-called Abuja politicians installed the governorship candidate of PDP in Oyo State? If you study the way the whole exercise was done, you will arrive at the answer. We have a situation whereby the rules were changed midway into the game. We have rules guarding the ad hoc committee, why did the party refuse to let it be? By all means, they were bent on favouring one person. This is not from the Presidency but from the party. Oyo is not alone in this problem, some other states are also having the same issue. In Ebonyi, members moved en masse to LP to protest the same kind of injustice I complained about. If there is justice, things will work better in the PDP. What are the mistakes you made while in government that you want to correct if you have the chance to rule again? Nobody is perfect in life and we learn everyday. Those things we failed to achieve will be done now and those things we did well will be improved. Having stayed out for some years, I have known better. This is a state where you cannot just bring a novice to run the government. Why do you think you are the person to beat in this race? I have been tested and trusted. People know who I am and what I can do. Copyright PUNCH.

We do not lack funds —INEC

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Independent National Electoral Commission has refuted claims that it does not have sufficient funds to conduct 2015 elections successfully. According to the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, the commission has no reason to complain about paucity of funds. Recently, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, reportedly said inadequate funding was a challenge that was threatening the conduct of the forthcoming elections. Speaking to SUNDAY PUNCH on Friday, Jega’s spokesman stated that the commission appreciated the cooperation and goodwill it enjoyed from all the arms of government. Though he admitted that all the funds needed to fully plan for the 2015 elections had not been released, Idowu expressed his optimism that the Federal Government would meet the needs of the electoral body. He said, “What the INEC chairman said was that funds could be a threat to timely positioning. As it is well known, monies from budget are released in tranches, not wholesale.” Idowu also said INEC was going to track how much money political parties and their candidates spend on the 2015 election campaigns. “In 2011, we were not able to track down how much money political candidates expended in their campaigns toward the election. There were no structures in place to the tracking of political parties’ expenditures,” he said. Idowu also encouraged the parties and their candidates to exhibit orderliness and shun violence in next year’s elections. He said, “I think a major positive note from the primaries conducted by various political parties is that the elections were largely successful without violence. Going forward, politicians should ensure that 2015 elections are devoid of violence. If they do, we are coasting home with the desired results.” Meanwhile, INEC has said it would start to re-validate and upgrade its ad hoc staff recruitment databank in preparation for the forthcoming general elections. Source: THEPUNCH

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Osun APC reaffirms Omoworare’s victory

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The All Progressives Congress in Osun State on Wednesday said Senator Babajide Omowarere won the Osun-East senatorial district primary in the state. This was contained in a statement signed by the state Chairman of the party, Prince Gboyega Famodun. “Senator Babajide Omoworare, the incumbent senator, won the party’s ticket both at consensus primary and general affirmation held on December 9, 2014 at the Nelson Mandela Park, Osogbo,” the APC said. The party expressed concerns over misrepresentation and wrong impression being created by an aspirant, Sola Lawal, who claimed to have won the primary. The party also dismissed the claims being peddled in certain quarters that Governor Rauf Aregbesola imposed Omoworare. The party said, “On December 3, 2014, in line with the guidelines and timetable set for the primary of the party, screening exercises were held to scrutinise the credentials of the aspirants with a view to determining their capacity and the correctness of their records to fly the party’s flag. “On the said date and at the screening committee stage, there was no primary. The process and stages that brought up candidates for various offices on the APC platform in the state were uniform and there was no ambiguity as to how they emerged. “The stage being referred to by the said aspirant is just a screening exercise and not sufficient as stipulated in the party’s constitution to serve the purpose of a properly defined primary, which was finalised on December 9, 2014 at the Nelson Mandela Park, in Osogbo. “From the result of the exercise conducted for Osun-East senatorial district, Senator Babajide Omoworare won at all levels and has been issued the necessary documents to proceed as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Osun-East senatorial district. We implore anyone spreading falsehood and disparaging the party, our candidate and the governor to desist from such a diversionary exercise. ‘We also implore the general public to disregard any discordant tune, disregard all unfounded claims, remain focused and vote for our carefully chosen candidates of character and integrity flying the APC flags, including Senator Babajide Omoworare. The APC remains committed and focused to give the best of people-oriented and impactful democratic governance to the people of Osun and Nigeria in general.” Source

Reasons Why Nigeria Must Vote Buhari -------- Prof Yemi Osinbajo

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 presidential election, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday said the country needed a man of integrity, such as the APC’s flag bearer, Maj. Gen. Muhamadu Buhari, to end corruption in the country. Osinbajo, who joined passengers in the Bus Rapid Transit from the Tafawa Balewa Square to Barracks area of Lagos, urged Nigerians to vote for Buhari, saying the former military Head of State is the only one that can curb corruption in the country. The former Lagos State Commissioner for Justice addressed passengers in the bus, saying he would utilise “unusual opportunities to reach out to Nigerians on the need to vote out the PDP.” He said, “Every Nigerian knows that Maj. Gen. Buhari is a no-nonsense person. He is going to make changes that would turn Nigeria around for the better. Remember that the APC is the party of change. Collect your PVC and ensure that you vote for the APC. “The only way to make an omelet is to break an egg. You have to do something and I think that all of us, whatever it is that we are involved in must be interested in making a difference in this country. This country needs help desperately. Considering the economy and the security challenges, everyone of us must be involved in trying to get a change.” While responding to a question by one of the BRT passengers, identified as Mfawa Edet, on whether Buhari was sponsoring Boko Haram, Osinbajo dismissed the allegations as “pure propaganda.” He noted that if Buhari was sponsoring the Boko Haram sect, they would not have attempted to kill him. The arrival of Osinbajo at Barracks area of Lagos attracted some APC supporters and caused a mild gridlock on the road. Party supporters, who chanted solidarity songs, struggled to take photographs with him. Giving an account of his stewardship as a former Attorney General of Lagos State, Osinbajo said the Lagos State judiciary recorded huge success because he enforced a zero tolerance policy for corruption. He said during his tenure, 22 magistrates and three judges were sacked because of corruption-related cases. He said, “In 1999, there was a survey, a great percentage said there was so much corruption in the judiciary in Lagos State. We decided on a plan; first we increased the salaries of the members of staff, we also decided that if a report was made about any judge, we follow up the report and treat any complaint of injustice, involve in investigation and we will reach a logical conclusion.” source: Punch

Shekarau and Jonathan’s education transformation agenda

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

0 BY OUR REPORTER ON DECEMBER 30, 2014 OPINION By Muhammad Yusif Muhammad After serving as Principal in many schools, he became a Permanent Secretary in 1999 on account of his outstanding character, integrity, doggedness, sincerity and above all, fear of God. In 2002, the same outstanding character earned him demotion to classroom teacher from an erstwhile boss who saw the good in him. In 2003, God listened to the popular voice of the people and made Shekarau the Governor of Kano State after a landslide victory against the same man who sent him away for being honest. In spite of the gang up and evil machinations against him, Shekarau became the first Governor in Kano State to repeat the same political feat in 2007. In 2011, after the successful completion of his required two terms in office consecutively as governor, he emerged the presidential candidate of an erstwhile opposition party with yet another landslide victory in a keenly contested primary. In 2013, Shekarau became a founding member of a mega party and in January 2014, he had a good cause to move away from the mega party to the ruling PDP. On 9th July, 2014, he was sworn in as Minister of Education by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Since he resumed office at the education ministry, he has left no one in doubt that he is out to solve problems for the common good of the people and their society. He immediately swung into action, met leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and their Colleges of Education counter part whose members had been on strike for ten and eight months respectively. Shekarau, known for his goodwill and political sagacity talked sense into them. The leaders of the two unions saw reasonsin Shekarau’s talk and immediately directed their entire members, nation-wide, to resume work to enable their students to also resume their academic pursuit, thereby ending the ten and eight months of their industrial action respectively. Shekarau, in few months of assumption of office, has been working tirelessly, visiting various tertiary institutions for on-the-spot assessment of the various intervention projects towards re-engineering Mr. President’s transformation agenda in education sector. One of the cankerworms that had dealt a deadly blow to our education system was the incessant strikes always embarked on by teachers, which had done no good to anyone. In order to avoid this ugly trend, the federal government led by Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan took some far-reaching decisions towards nipping things in the bud. In assessing the president’s performance in this particular sector, there are two basic assessment principles upon which Jonathan’s transformation assessment of education sector are built. These are the levels of access to education and its quality. In view of the increasing large number of people willing to receive education, there is need to increase access and create more opportunities for people to be able to go to school. In order to increase access to education, the federal government has so far built and established additional twelve (12) new universities, four (4) new Polytechnics and four (4) new Colleges of education across the six geo-political zones in the country. At least, each of these institutions admitted not less than 2000 students. At the basic education level, which is the Primary level, the government has constructed over 127 Sangaya Primary schools in the North, many of which have been commissioned. At the Secondary school level, government also established and constructed 49 new schools for girls. This is how access to education has been created by Jonathan’s government to enhance more intakes of students at the various levels of the education sector. The second assessment point is the quality of education. The government has also ensured that there is quality in the provision of infrastructure such as lecture theatres, class rooms, office facilities, laboratories, workshops and libraries. A walk to any of the federal and even state tertiary institutions in the country for on-the-spot-assessment will attest to these various developments. Before now, there was Education Trust Fund, which was made up of taxes paid by private manufacturing sector. It has been discovered that not much is being realized in view of the enormous challenges in education. It is against this background that Jonathan transformation agenda came up with various interventions, one of which is the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND). Under this pragmatic approach, every public University received N910 million, Polytechnic received N650m and College of Education has in its kitty N550m to access. It is left for each institution to decide what to do with the fund. In spite this, when ASUU had crisis, Mr. President accepted to do NEEDS assessment, marshalling out the basic needs requirement. At least, N1.3 trillion was assessed and approved by the President, which is to be released in phases over five years with N220 billion to be released on yearly bases. The Honourable Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, chaired the Implementation Monitoring Committee where it was discovered that some of the institutions are yet to come forward and access the fund. As a matter of fact, no previous government had ever injected such fund into tertiary institutions before now. This is not all. As a result of water shortage in Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, a N9 billion water project with effective water treatment is being carried out. The Samaru village is earmarked to benefit from this water project by the federal government. At Yaba Polytechnic, five new projects of which none is less than N2billion are also being carried out by the federal government under Jonathan’s transformation agenda in education. It is interesting to note that even State Universities benefit from the NEEDS and TETFUND irrespective of party affiliation. This is unlike in a State where a particular student was denied scholarship for not wearing certain colour of cap on the day of disbursement. There is also the sponsorship of quality staff where special Presidential Scholarship Programme for every first class students in the country. Admission is sought for them to read up to Doctorate level in the first best twenty five Universities in the world. At the Colleges of Education, there are special libraries. The federal government equally sponsored the publication of Mathematics and English language textbooks to improve student academic performance and enable them to pass the subjects. All these are courtesy of the teaching syllabus of Jonathan transformation agenda based on access and quality education. At present, the Honourable Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has promulgated standing order where he sets aside every Tuesday as inspection day for all institutions of learning including that of the States for on the spot assessment of government projects. The focal point of Shekarau is to cultivate harmonious industrial relations in the University, making it a strike-free institution. He believes that there is always a carry over problem and that no matter what the problem is, lesson and teaching must continue. As a partner in progress, “we are one and the same thing.” He therefore resolves to continue and sustain the tempo. The NEEDS assessment reports bordering on staffing, facilities and other issues are being addressed. At the end of the day, there will be no need for a strike by any institution. Shekarau, whose great concern and focus is on teacher-education, wants to restore the dignity in the teaching profession. As a teacher, he believes that the quality of education in any country is linked to the quality of the teaching staff. Therefore, he is doing everything possible to accord teacher-education full priority in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. Indeed, the Education Minister, Malam Shekarau, wants to resuscitate and revitalize the integrity of the teaching service as well as giving attention to entrepreneurship education as a recipe for curbing insecurity and solving the prevailing social and economic problems. In this regard, he plans to assemble and convey the National Teachers Summit in March 2015 to brainstorm and sustain the campaign on teachers and the teaching service and to remind everybody and parent in particular, to know what is happening towards promoting teachers’ success and advancement, summing it up as “let-every-one-teach-one under the auspices of give back what the system has given to you. All these are enshrined in the interactive/lunch forum organised in Kano over the weekend where the Minister elaborated extensively on the score cards of his ministry in line with Mr. President’s transformation agenda. Finally, it is hoped that the government is given the chance to do more. The education system is pivotal. It is the engine room of human existence and development without which nothing can be achieved. As a matter of fact, Jonathan is working, Shekarau is working and education is transforming. •Muhammad Yusif Muhammad writes from Kano via muhammedyusifmuhammad@gmail.com

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Ondo North Senatorial District of Ondo State, Dr. Bode Olajumoke yesterday called for truce in the crisis bedeviling the party. He appealed to the aggrieved members of the party in the state to bury the hatchet and come fully on board for victory for the party in the 2015 elections. This is coming as jubilation greeted the acceptance and clearance by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of the Senatorial and the House of Representatives’ candidates. The PDP supporters across the three senatorial district trooped to the streets to jubilate the diplay of the list of candidates. Olajumoke while addressing PDP top shots in the District at his Campaign Organization office in Akungba Akoko, asked them to join hands with Governor Mimiko in his quest for victory for the Party. He said plans are on for him to commence the tour of Local Government Areas from January 5, 2015 to meet party stalwarts and flag off their mobilization of the electorate to vote the PDP back into power at the state and national levels. According to him, there is no stronger alternative to the PDP in Ondo State, especially in the light of the coming together of the two leading parties in the state. Source: VANGUARD Source:

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Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jonathan squandered $55bn oil money—OBJ

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

ABEOKUTA—Irked by what he perceived as the frivolous expenditure of the Jonathan administration, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, once again took a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him among other things of squandering $25billion crude oil savings left behind by his administration. Jonathan and Obasanjo Jonathan and Obasanjo Obasanjo made the allegation while hosting the South-West women leaders at his residence in Abeokuta, describing the administration of President Jonathan as full of impunity. Obasanjo also said the failure of Jonathan’s administration to save for the rainy day led Nigeria into the current economic mess where a dollar exchanges N195. Obasanjo claimed that the more than $25billion inherited by his successor, Musa Yar’Adua, was raised to $35 billion but the Jonathan administration squandered all, including also the $40billion in Nigeria’s foreign reserve account after paying the outstanding debt at the time. According to him, former President Yar’adua also raised the reserves to $60billion, but under President Jonathan, the reserves plummeted. These new claims followed series of public denunciation of Jonathan’s government by the former president. I’m not against Jonathan Last year, Obasanjo repeatedly lambasted the current government, accusing the president of promoting and tolerating corruption, and failing to provide security for Nigerians. But Obasanjo, yesterday, said he was not fighting the President, nor was Jonathan fighting him. He said he was more concerned about the interest of the country, and, therefore, cared less about criticisms. “I have no grudges against Jonathan and I think Jonathan equally has no grudges against me. I’m not quarrelling with Jonathan. All I know is that whatever is good for Nigeria, that I’m ready to die for. “I emphasize that whatever is good for Nigeria is what I’m ready to defend with my life. Whoever I emphasize, whoever says he would not do anything good to Nigeria, even if he says he’s ready to go ‘konko below’, I’m ready to square it up with such a person. I say again, whoever that person may be, I want you to get that correctly. If this country is going to change for the better, it would start from the top and if it’s going to be otherwise, it would start from the top, too,” the former president stressed. Economy in bad condition The former president also lamented the poor condition of Nigeria’s economy, saying it shouldn’t have been this bad. “Our economy should not have been this bad. When I was leaving office about eight years ago, I left a very huge reserve after we had paid all our debts. Almost $25billion was kept in what they called excess crude, including the excess from the budget we were saving as reserve for the rainy days. When we left in May, 2007, the reserve was said to have been raised to $35billion. “But today, that reserve has been depleted! The reserve we left when we finished paying all our debts, our debts that was about $40billion, that is including debt forgiveness, the remaining debt was not more than $3billion. Our reserve after we had paid off this debt was about $45billion. As at the end of 2007, I heard that the reserve increased to almost $67billion before the end of that year. But our reserve now, I learnt is left with around only $30billion. “That is why the Naira has been falling against the dollar. What would now happen? I learnt if you want to buy a dollar now, it’s about N192 or N195. What it means is this, what you have been buying at N150 to a dollar, now you need N192 or N195 to buy it. That is the real situation. Is there any remedy? There is, but it does not come overnight because it means we have to give up all the bad things we have been doing,” Obasanjo said. He continued: “I know that God did not create Nigeria not to be rich or great. Is it that the people he created in Nigeria are not knowledgeable enough or not intelligent enough? Or is it that they don’t know their rights? Our problems in Nigeria lie with the leadership. Let’s look at the foundation of our leadership. In the profession I know very well, the military, what we normally say is that there are no bad soldiers but bad officers. If you see a situation where the soldiers are not doing well, we need to examine the officers in charge. So it is in the family, the community, the town and the country. “Truly, the price of crude has fallen, but anyone who is wise enough should know that since we depend on just one resource and since we have no control over its pricing, we should be planning for this type of situation and the way out of it. Our inability to have a reserve has brought us into this economic quagmire. “If we are going to solve unemployment problem, it is through agriculture and not through oil and gas. Now, we have no alternative. Agriculture is renewable because the land can be used over and over again, but, once a barrel of oil is gone, it’s gone forever, “he said. I’m not apprehensive about forthcoming elections On the forthcoming election, Obasanjo said he’s not apprehensive as being speculated. He also advised the electorate to vote for candidates with integrity and good records. “I have had some little experience about this country. I was a military head of state and I was also a civilian president, so what is left? So, if I talk, I know what I’m saying. Whoever wants should listen to me and whoever feels otherwise, may turn a deaf ear. But when I’m talking, I’m talking with my understanding and intellect. I’m drawing from my experience and from what I’ve learnt with others and from other countries and fellow eminent citizens of the world that I relate with. I have no apprehension over this coming elections. I have no fears over the forthcoming elections. “Good governance comes from voting, from selection of leaders. It is now left to you to decide who you cast your vote for because if you throw away your votes and tomorrow you are saying good governance, once you throw away your votes you have lost out. That is one. Find out the track records of achievements of those you want to vote for. What have they achieved in the past and not what they have said.” I’m still in PDP Concerning his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Obasanjo said: “I am still in the Peoples Democratic Party, though not active. With the kind of people and behaviours I see in the party, I don’t think I can stand before God and defend them. “Nigeria does not deserve the position it finds itself today. Our nation is plagued with insecurity, corruption, economic downturn, and impunity in doing thing. If man cannot arrest you, God will arrest you. The position you are now, God puts you there. If you think lies can keep you there, continue. If you think bad people can keep you there, continue. If you think it’s money, continue. But remember God does not sleep nor slumber. A leader must be forward looking and plan ahead. “At the beginning of last year, the budget was based on $78 per barrel. That year, the government spent more on recurrent expenditure and a little on capital expenditure”. Nigeria cannot disintegrate The former President, however, ruled out the possibility of Nigeria disintegrating after the election, saying, he had been told that he would be the last President when he was contesting the election in 2003. He recalled that, “1964 election led to ‘Wetie’. I saw people being slaughtered; there was 1966 coup, the 1966 pogrom and the civil war. We survived it. Then, Abacha came, we survived it. When I was about to contest in 1999, I was told that it was a deceit like IBB and Abacha did. They said that Abubakar Abdulsalami was also out to deceive us. Some people said after me, there would be no Nigeria again, but, after me, there had been two presidents. This God is God of Nigeria”. You are the repository of nationhood —Lawson The women who were led to the former president’s house by the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson included the Iyaloja-General, Mrs, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo and Iyalode Ibadan, Alhaja Aminat Abiodun represented by Eketa Iyalode, Mrs. Adedeji among others. Earlier in her speech, Chief Lawson noted that President Obasanjo has become a good repository of everything that makes nationhood. “You are the hand and eye in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. You are the voice everybody is waiting to hear on any topical issue in the public domain. We believe we are in the right place to discuss with you some knotty issues bleeding our hearts as we have seen you as a beacon of hope and light for the nation”, Lawson told Obasanjo. On state of the nation, the women said they were concerned about current happenings in the country, going by the current atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. She said the nation is plagued by insecurity, economic downturn, poverty, corruption, among other challenges. “The unabated nefarious activities of the insurgents which have placed us as a people on the throes of war is worrisome to us, because womenfolk is the most affected. Countless Nigerian women have lost their lives, husbands, children, relatives and sources of livelihood as a result of the despicable acts of killing and wanton destruction by the Boko Haram insurgents,” she said. Obasanjo’s response Reacting to the speech, Obasanjo said the meeting had been politicised on the pages of newspapers, declaring that, he had no problem with President Jonathan, but, insisted that he would never associate with anyone that does not have either interest of the country at heart. According to him, “God had put you in a position for a purpose, and if you fail, you will give account to God. It was prophet Samuel that God sent to anoint Saul to be king but when he misbehaved, it was the same God that sent Prophet Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint another king. “But when Samuel got to Jesse’s house, he was attracted by the physical and outward appearance of Eliab. But God told him, he (Samuel) was looking at outward appearance whereas he was looking at the heart. We must not keep quiet concerning this nation.”SOURCE< VANGUARD NE - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/jonathan-squandered-55bn-oil-money-obj/#sthash.SGyKA150.dpuf

Full List of members of APC’s Presidential Campaign Council 2014

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Full List of members of APC’s Presidential Campaign Council 2014

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ogun governorship: How ambition is tearing Ogun PDP apart on January 09, 2015 / in Politics 12:51 am / Comments By Daud Olatunji The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State is on the verge of becoming an empty house following the rift arising from its recent primaries on account of the emergence of some candidates believed to be loyal to Prince Buruji Kashamu. Kashamu Buruji Kashamu Buruji For instance, at the governorship primaries monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Gboyega Isiaka emerged as the state PDP standard bearer, having scored 705 votes to defeat Jelili Kayode Amusan (151 votes) and Omoba Segun Adewale (zero vote). Over 900 delegates voted in the governorship primaries that were boycotted by eight of the party’s aspirants. Aggrieved aspirants The eight aspirants who boycotted the governorship primaries were Asiwaju Tony Ojesina, Prince Yanju Lipede, Dr. Remilekun Bakare, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Dr. Yomi Majekodunmi, Professor David Bamgbose, Isiaq Akinlade, Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye and former speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole. Return of numerous groups The PDP is made up of some groups which include the Chairman, Mobilisation and Organisation committee in the South West, Prince Kashamu, former Governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Dimeji Bankole and former Minister of Finance, Chief Jubril Martins-Kuye. Apart from these groups, the party in the state also has other groups like that of the former Deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye which had made the party become strong and formidable. Few months ago when Daniel, who had defected to the Labour Party with his followers, rejoined the PDP, many political analysts averred that the PDP was on the verge of reclaiming the governorship from the All Progressives Congress (APC) which dethroned it in 2011 due to a serious internal wrangling. It was observed that apart from Daniel and Ogunleye’s groups, other groups such as those of Martins-Kuye and Bankole did not leave the party but they were just passive. So, when all of them came together and began to work for the victory of the party, the PDP became the talk of the town. In fact, some pundits had rated the umbrella party high, saying that the PDP had come out of its hooks to dislodge the APC from the state. However, all the groups seem to be at the mercy of the group led by Kashamu, who had been ‘maintaining’ the party while the other groups were away. Kashamu, who had successfully installed the state exco led by Engineer Bayo Dayo shortly after the 2011 elections and had since been maintaining the party and attracting different people. When Daniel and others rejoined PDP, the general belief was that Kashamu would be shoved aside while Daniel would call the shots but the reverse is the case as Kashamu has continued to dictate while other groups had no choice but to follow. Bone of contention The bone of contention now, which may affect PDP’s victory, is the choice of candidates. All the groups had gone the extra mile to ensure that their delegate’s lists were used for the primaries so that their candidates would emerge as party candidates but as at this moment, Kashamu’s endorsed candidates had the upper hand from the wards to the state level including the governorship. Unity list This development pulled the leaders of the losing groups together and they resolved to go for a “unity list” which would comprise delegates of all of them. But Kashamu rejected the idea and insisted that he could not be part of the process that would deny the winners of the party primaries their victory. According to findings, all the candidates that emerged were not Kashamu’s loyalists. Some are Daniel’s loyalists. The candidates For instance, for the Senate, the candidates that emerged include a former commissioner for works during Daniel’s administration, Waliu Taiwo from Ogun West; wife of Ijaw leader, Chief Bisola Sodipo-Clark (Ogun Central) and Kashamu himself, who emerged as the candidate for Ogun East Senatorial District. For the House of Representatives, Oladipupo Adebutu, the son of pools magnate, Chief Kessington Adebutu, emerged as the party candidate for Remo Federal constituency, while Adekoya Adesegun Ijebu clinched the ticket for Ijebu North-East/Ogun Waterside. Both are loyalists of Daniel. Others include a serving member of the House of Assembly from Ifo 11 state constituency, Adijat Oladapo-Adeleye (Ifo/Ewekoro federal constituency) while a former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Amusan Jelili got the ticket for Abeokuta North/Odeda/ Obafemi-Owode. A reliable source hinted that the national leadership of the party waded into the crisis and came come up a unity list. It was said to have pruned the number of governorship aspirants from 11 to four, two from Ogun West and two from Ogun Central. It was gathered that those favoured among the 11 aspirants by the party leadership include a serving member of House of Representatives from Yewa South/Ipokia federal constituency, Hon. Abound Akinlade; former General Manager of Gateway Holdings, Bodega Sakai from Ogun West while former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Musharraf Tunji Ishola were picked from Ogun Central. The PDP national leadership reportedly agreed with the idea of a “unity list” with a view to accommodating all the groups within the party in the state. But there were conflicting reports about the composition of the unity list. A version had claimed that the unity list favoured Bankole as the governorship candidate of the party while another version said Sakai is the party’s standard bearer. As of the moment, Tunisia’s name has been submitted at the INEC office but feelers from Abuja indicated that there may be an amendment in the list to prevent mass exodus of aggrieved party members to other parties. Working together Many of the aggrieved leaders have already approached the newly introduced Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state and had been reportedly accommodated. Findings showed that some of them have been given some slots including a Senate ticket belonging to Ogun West as part of the process of working together ahead of the coming election. It was gathered that,Daniel and other aggrieved leaders have been asked to nominate a senatorial candidate and had reportedly nominated Bi Begotten. Bankole was reported to be eyeing the governorship ticket of the SDP which had been given to an Worrier man and a serving Senator from Ogun West, Senator Akin Unshod. Unconfirmed reports had it that Bankole had been tipped as the SDP governorship candidate, by the leader of the party, Aremo Segun Osoba. The former Speaker was said to have been chosen as the substantive governorship candidate to replace Odunsi. But it had been denied by the SDP which said, it had not and would not replace Odunsi with Bankole. SDP’s spokesman, Clement Adeniyi told our correspondent that Bankole had not become a member of the SDP and could not have become the party’s governorship candidate. Meanwhile, there seems to be confusion in the state over the choice of the SDP governorship candidate as Dimeji Bankole Movement was insisting that there had been an arrangement between them and the leadership of the SDP to field Bankole as the governorship candidate. The atmosphere would be clear next week, January 13, when the opportunity to replace governorship and house of assembly candidates by the parties would be closed. As at the moment, those who were on the list of INEC as governorship candidates include: for PDP, Adegboyega Nasir Isiaka and his running mate is Bilau Adekunle. For APC, the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Oyelaja Amosun is the governorship candidate while Yetunde Abosede Onanuga is the running mate. For SDP, Kamar Babalola Akin Odunsi has been chosen as the governorship candidate while his running mate is Olivia Olubukunola Onabanjo among others. Source: VANGUARD

Anambra Bishop presents Bible to Buhari

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

All Progressives Congress presidential candidate on Saturday promised to end the spate of insecurity and revolutionise the economy if elected President in the February election. Buhari spoke at a rally held at Emmaus House, Awka, where he addressed the people of Anambra State as part of a national campaign tour. He said he would improve public power supply to boost investment opportunities in places like Onitsha and Nnewi, which form the bedrock of the economy of the South-East. The APC presidential candidate had earlier been presented with a Bible by the Anglican Bishop of Awka, Rt. Rev. Alex Ibezim, who he visited before the rally. Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who also addressed the rally, debunked insinuation by some Buhari’s opponents that he planned to make Islam a state religion when he becomes president. “Buhari was once a military general and Head of State. He had decree and power. If he didn’t do it then, is it now that we are in a democracy that he will Islamise Nigeria?” he asked. Former Anambra State Governor, Senator Chris Ngige, said APC would show Nigerians good governance. Buhari, who was accompanied by Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former Abia State Governor, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu; and former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Segun Oni, had earlier visited the Eze Uzu of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu Source: THEPUNCH

Jonathan a liar; we never plotted to kill him —MEND

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_204762" align="alignleft" width="300"] Jonathan [/caption]The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has described President Goodluck Jonathan as a liar for alleging that the group had planned to assassinate him. MEND, in an online statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, yesterday insisted that its endorsement of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, for the February 14 election, had nothing to do with its leader, Henry Okah, who is serving a jail term in a South African prison. The group said it was unfortunate that President Jonathan would openly accuse Okah, an indigene of Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the home town of a former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, of being paid to assassinate him. The militant group said: “Mr. President, MEND says thank you for vindicating every word in our recent statement on the endorsement of General Muhammadu Buhari, and for also solidifying your status as a clueless, inept and bare-faced liar. “MEND will like to state it clearly that our endorsement of the APC’s presidential candidate has absolutely nothing to do with Mr. Henry Okah. We challenge Mr. President to come out and reveal to the nation, the names of the ‘persons’ he claims paid Mr. Henry Okah to ‘assassinate’ him. “Goodluck Jonathan should also explain why these ‘persons,’ as he obviously knows who they are, were not arrested, tried and convicted. “Nigerians may recall that prior to the bomb blasts of October 1, 2010, MEND issued a warning of an impending attack on Eagles Square, Abuja, where we also advised the public to steer clear of any parked vehicles to avert any casualties. “These warnings were ignored by the Nigerian security agencies, hence the unfortunate and regrettable casualties. “If, as Goodluck Jonathan claimed, he was a target of an ‘assassination’ attempt, why did we issue a prior warning? Where in this world would an assassin warn their target in advance of an attempt on their life? “This false allegation by Goodluck Jonathan further confirms our earlier assertion of how he takes Nigerians for stupid, as he seems to have forgotten how he openly came out to absolve MEND of any involvement in the attack. “Rather than address his administration’s failures, he (President Jonathan) chose to descend so low, by using a very cheap, bare-faced lie to get sympathy. Is this the kind of president the country wants to be stuck with for another four years of misery?” MEND also stated that President Jonathan had finally resorted to cheap blackmail on the national dialogue report by urging Nigerians to vote for him as a condition for implementing the report in spite of all the billions of naira spent on the “jamboree”. MEND admonished Nigerians to use the power of their votes in securing the great country back from the claws of President Jonathan’s corrupt and inept government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Source: News Express

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

THE POLITICAL ARITHMETIC IS VERY MUCH AGAINST GOODLUCK JONATHAN AS TWO APC STATES CAN CANCEL ALL THE STATES IN THE SOUTH SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST PUT TOGETHER. KANO HAS ABOUT 5 MILLION VOTES, LAGOS ABOUT 6 MILLION VOTES, WHILE BAYELSA HAS ONLY ABOUT 6OO THOUSANDS VOTES, EVEN EDO, RIVERS AND DELTA FORM THE SOUTH SOUTH WHERE GOODLUCK JONATHAN COMES FROM HAVE ABOUT 7 MILLION VOTES AND THEY ARE MOSTLY APC OR LEANING TOWARDS APC.. IN THE SOUTH EAST WHERE GOODLUCK SCORED THE MAJORITY IN THE LAST ELECTION, STATES LIKE IMO, ANNAMBRA ARE NOW OUT OF THE REACH OF GOODLUCK JONATHAN AND ENUGU, ABIA, EBOYIN ARE NOW VERY DICEY AND CAN GO ANY WAY. IN THE SOUTH WEST LAGOS, OYO, OGUN, ONDO, OSHUN ARE OUT OF THE REACH OF GOOD LUCK THE REST CAN GO ANY WAY. IN THE NORTH, KANO WITH ABOUT 5 MILLION VOTES,, SOKOTO,, BORNU, ADAMAWA, ZAMFARA, KASTINA, KADUNA, ETC ARE NO GO AREAS GOODLUCK JONATHAN AND HE MAY NOT HAVE FOOT SOLDIERS IN THOSE AREAS TO CAMPAIGN FOR HIM, DISPLAY HIS POSTAL, DRIVE HIS VEHICLES ETC. IN THE OTHER AREAS IN THE NORTH GOODLUCK JONATHAN WILL FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO GET EVEN THE REQUIRED 25% OF THE VOTES AS REQUIRED BY THE ELECTORAL LAW.

SHOCKER: We may conduct fresh voter registration before elections —INEC

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

We may conduct fresh voter registration before elections —INEC

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

by James Sambo The Buhari Support Organisation has reacted to the statement of the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, who said that half of the country would have been taken over by Boko Haram, if not for President Goodluck Jonathan. According to the support group of Buhari, the president literally handed over Nigeria to Boko Haram. A statement released on Tuesday, January 20, by the Directorate of Media and Information Management Directorate of the BSO, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, said: “It is the Jonathan administration that handed over Nigeria to Boko Haram when Mr. President admitted publicly his strategy of dealing with Boko Haram at its infancy was one of treating them with kid’s glove.” “This singular miss-judgment of strategy made him lose valuable time to tackle the insurgency most appropriately. When the Chibok girl’s saga erupted, it took the government weeks to come to terms with the reality.” “Handlers of Mr. President such as Mr. Olisa Metuah, Doyin Okupe and Reuben Abati were always busy chasing shadows, calling the APC all sorts of names as the people sponsoring Boko Haram while available global intelligence pointed in the direction of Al-Qaeda with the radicalization of these home grown insurgents,” the statement added. Furthermore, Maduekwe said the President’s body language emboldened terrorism, citing as an example, his comments after the 2010 Independence Day Bomb blast, where he stated that the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta was not responsible for the bomb blast. Source

Irawo Buhari Ju Ti Fayose Lo Ni Ipinle Ekiti: Osupa Oba Orin Korin Fun APC

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Tambuwal is a patriot, says Gov. Wamakko

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State says the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the state, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, is a ”patriot who is religiously committed to the even socioeconomic development of the state. Mallam-Aminu-Tambuwal” The choice of Tambuwal as the party’s gubernatorial candidate of the state was never a misplaced priority and the people of the state will not regret,” Wamakko said in Isa town, headquarters of Isa Local Government Area of the state. Wamakko spoke at the flag off of the party’s gubernatorial campaign in the state ” The state deserves leaders of integrity and leaders that have the feelings of the masses no matter their position or rank,” the governor said. He called on the people in the state to collect their Permanent Voter cards, describing them as the only weapons to protect the country from the myriad of problems and challenges. Wamakko thanked the people of Isa Local Government Area for their support and dedication throughout his tenure and urged them to live in peace with one another for the development of the state. Speaking earlier, Tambuwal commended the supporters of the party in the area for their unprecedented attendance at the rally. ” If voted into power, my administration will give more emphasis on the completion of all the projects, programmes and policies initiated by the present government,” he said. Tambuwal commended the people of the state for their support on his candidature and vowed to justify the confidence reposed in him. SOURCE: VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

Jonathan not Ijaw President, PDP tells Tompolo, Asari

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peoples Democratic Party has warned some ex-militants who have been threatening violence if President Goodluck Jonathan loses the February 14 presidential election to desist from such act. The party warned them to realise that the President remains the President of all Nigerians irrespective of their tribe, region and religious believe. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, stated this in an interview with selected group of journalists in Abuja on Friday. Metuh was reacting to the statements credited to some ex-militants that there would be war, or that the country would break, if Jonathan loses the election. Among those who have made such threats were former leaders of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and the Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force, Mr. Dokubo Asari. But Metuh said such comments by the party’s supporters must be stopped, warning that the President, who is an Ijaw man like these ex-militants, must not be labelled as the President of Ijaw. The spokesperson for the ruling party was asked why the party had remained silent over the statements which had attracted condemnation from opposition political parties and eminent Nigerians. Such eminent Nigerians included a former Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma(retd.), who asked the security agencies to arrest the ex-militants without delay. Speaking on the position of the party, Metuh said, “We are not in agreement with their statements and we are cautioning them to mind what they say. “No individual own the party. The President could be more loved in Anambra than Ijaw area, he could have support in Adamawa than in Bayelsa. He even said in Adamawa State that he had more votes from there in 2011 than his home state of Bayelsa. “Jonathan is not the President of Ijaw or South-South. He should not be reduced to just the President of Ijaw alone. He is the president of the whole country.” He also called on those campaigning for the party and the President to be decent in their languages, saying that those who founded the party were men of honour. Metuh said, “While we have noted the zeal of individuals of people supporting the president with advertorials and rallies, they should be guided with the ideals of the people who founded the party. “We respect the sanctity and privacy of individuals. We won’t trade words with issues that are private. “Support groups and individuals must be guided with this. We want issue-based campaigns. Those showing support for us should be guided by issues and not insults. That’s what we want the campaigns to be.” On the pelting of the President with stones and sachet of pure water in some northern states, Metuh said that that should not be used as a sign of rejection of the PDP presidential candidate. SOURCE: PUNCH NEWSPAPER

VIDEO: The Documentary Jonathan and PDP Do not Want You to See [Watch]

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=85114404&v=Qb3VHCcgXL0&x-yt-ts=1422579428&feature=player_embedded

OnTheSceneReport: The disaster that was D’banj’s 10th anniversary celebration (What really happened there?)

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Don’t you just feel bad when you already had your day planned and circumstances take a better part of it. These things just never go as planned. Things such as a D’banj event. It should have been noted in my subconscious when we were told the event was slated to start at 7pm. Maybe I was giving them the benefit of a doubt? What was wrong with that? After all, it’s his 10th year in the industry, everyone should be eager to celebrate him enough to be early? No? Thats was what I thought when I arrived the scene and it was scanty. Typical, so it wasn’t such a big deal. In an hour or two or three, things should get better and people should turn up? So I thought. I’m sure at this juncture a lot of people are wondering what I was expecting, this is what is obtainable at Lagos events. Right? You’ll know in a bit. The choice of event is still bewildering to me. What is D’banj’s love for sand? He seemed to have registered a thing for it since his last event. Going in from the carpet to the venue became a journey on its own. Something of a deja-vu. Only thing that made it better and different was the distance. Having finally made it to the venue, I looked around, a couple of guests had started arriving. Celebrities, not actual guests who purchased the tickets that started at 20,000 for regular. Which really, if you are a die hard – and more emphasis on die hard – you know the rush that comes when you know you’re about to attend a Cold Play event and you’d pay anything for it kinda situation, it’s shouldn’t be a big deal to get. But not when it was announced barely days to the event. The vast majority of the crowd were made up of media crew. At a point, they started interviewing co-presenters. Do you blame them? They have to make up for content somehow. With one guest by the hour, it was impossible to work with. The red carpet became more active by 12am. And when I say active I mean, the number had increased from one to two and three. When I heard a ten year anniversary celebration, I pictured an O2 Arena kind of gathering for a kick off. Even made better and confirmed when it was revealed ex-stripper, Amber Rose was headlining the event. So imagine my surprise. Every other thing went in a blur as time passed with nothing going on except a lot of bored people showing off their frustrations at 1am standing around doing nothing. The interior, though small looked really well decorated with dazzling ornaments. The stage well lit in anticipation of what should be happening but isn’t. People littered the corners sipping on drinks provided with the exchange of a voucher going for 3,000naira. For a 10 year anniversary apparently D’banj didn’t want a mammoth crowd hence his choice of venue. Then the moment came when people started leaving. Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Uzoma Dozie probably didn’t stay up to 11pm before he took his leave. Followed by some other people. First in their twos, then threes. Just as they had come. Then somewhere between 1:50 and 2am, there were loud sirens and a lot of chaos and we knew the hosts for the show had arrived and finally too. The moment Amber Rose had arrived on the red carpet much to the delight of the photographers who didn’t eventually get a good shot and swore under their breathes later, the show had begun for some and ended for most. As they had finally achieved why they came. All this while, no one noticed Sheyi Shay arrive in the midst of the ruckus. Even at that the show didn’t really kick off till much later into the morning. What baffled me though was that aside some celebs such as Teebillz and Tiwa Savage (who arrived the venue separately by the way), Ice Prince, Wizkid, Davido and some new acts, no one from the beginning of his 10 year professional career showed up to celebrate the supposed icon in the industry regardless of any existing rift. That’s how the cookie crumbled for Bangalee. Source

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Live From Osun Tribunal: Update

Wahala de ooo!!! Military Attack El-Rufai, Dis-arm His Police Guards, What happened?

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Reports coming from Kaduna, indicates that the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the state Nasir El-Rufai was this morning attacked by Nigerian soldiers. According to tweets from public relations consultant Muyiwa Adekeye attack happened at Ali Akilu Road/ Rabah Road junction. Adekeye said further: “Senior army officers intervened and defused the situation. “The incident was witnessed by a crowd who are now following El-Rufai as he makes his way to Kawo. “The seized police gun was returned to the ASP leading the police team.”

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Buhari Sues To the International Criminal Court (ICC) Buhari Go To ICC TInubu Goes 'GAGA'!!! Tweeted \

Election Postponement: Jega At Gunpoint Caved In To blackmail - Tinubu

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described the postponement of the 2015 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as democracy at gunpoint. Tinubu, reacting to the decision by the INEC via his Twitter handle, @AsiwajuTinubu, said the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega caved in to pressure and blackmail. Tinubu noted that the shift in the dates for the general elections was a mere pretext by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to gain time to perfect its rigging machine. The former Lagos State governor, who said there was nothing new in the security situation in the last one week that has not been there in the past three years to warrant the postponement, accusing security chiefs of playing the script of the PDP, adding that Nigerians are not ignorant of the plots/sub plots for postponement. Source

Did You Miss The Buhari Aljazeera Interview? Watch It here... [Video]

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I have checked every where for it, but its not yet online. Video later... http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/talktojazeera/2015/02/muhammadu-buhari-nigeria-reduced-failed-state-150208121316691.html

Leaked Ekiti Tape: How Nigerian military tortured my brother — Captain Koli

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sagir Koli, the Nigerian Army Captain, who exposed the planning and rigging of the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State by top government officials and the military, has given details of how his younger brother was arrested and tortured at a military facility in Ibadan, Oyo state, after he fled the country. In a video made available to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, Mr. Koli said 15-year old Adamu Koli, who lived with him before his escape, was arrested in his house in Akure, Ondo state where he was serving. “He was staying with me and was attending Army Children School in the Barracks, they went for him after they learnt I have left. “When he was released, he told the family that he was chained, handcuffed and starved of food. According to him he was fed once, or twice at times often with the kind of food he was not used to,” he said. Captain Koli also revealed that as a result of what he went through, the young Koli became sick. “They took him to the Hospital, and doctors said he was ulceric,” he said. Also, in a petition to the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, a copy of which was made available to PREMIUM TIMES, lawyers to the Koli family said the young man was chained to his bed even while in hospital. The lawyers, J. Akin Ajayi and Associates, said the younger Koli was detained at the Military Hospital within Adekunle Fajuyi cantonment in Ibadan. They said as solicitors to the Koli family, they undertook a trip to Ibadan with a member of the Koli family to verify the whereabouts of the boy and ascertain his state of being. “At Fajuyi cantonment, we were denied access to the young man in the cantonment in spite of showing them his passport photographs and narrating the relationship between the young man and the officer in whose custody he has been,” they said. Although Adamu Koli has been released at present, the lawyers in the petition, written on November 15 last year, pointed out that it was wrong for the military authorities to transfer their anger with Captain Koli to his younger brother. The chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, could not immediately confirm whether it was the commission’s efforts, based on the petition by his family lawyers, that led to the release of the boy. The video, leaked by Captain Koli, revealed how some Peoples Democratic Party’s chieftains connived with security agencies to rig the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State. At the meeting, as evidenced by the recording, prominent officials of the PDP were heard discussing strategies for rigging the election, a poll in which the party eventually won by a landslide. But some of the actors, including Musiliu Obanikoro, a former defence minister, and Ayo Fayose, who defeated the incumbent governor, denied being party to the plot to rig the election and questioned the authenticity of the recording. Despite their denials, the Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, who also attended the meeting, confirmed Sunday that the tape was authentic. He however disagreed with the context of the discussion, saying the meeting was never about plans to rig the election. Watch video here: Source

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido | credits: File copy Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State on Tuesday emerged from a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, giving an indication that the Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders would beg former President Olusegun Obasanjo who dumped the party on Monday. Lamido, who is the North-West Coordinator of Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign, told State House correspondents that Obasanjo remained the father of all. He said Jonathan and all the state governors were creations of the former President. He explained that it was only appropriate that “when a father is angry with his children, the children should beg him.” Lamido said, “Baba (Obasanjo) is more than a party man. He is an icon, a national symbol and a leader and an inventor, a creator of all the institutions today in Nigeria from the President to the governors who are his own sons, are all his creations. “And so, when a father is angry with his own children, we will only say we are sorry to him. But then, we cannot be renounced for whatever it is. “If you do any political DNA of our blood, you will find his (Obasanjo’s) blood in us. No matter what we are, we may not be able to live up to his expectations. “We might have made some mistakes, but abandoning us is not the solution because the country is first before anything else. So, he is our Baba even up to the President. “Baba is our baba no matter what. He is angry with us, but then, what do we do? He gave us the life at a time when Nigerians were fighting us, he stood for us. Since 2011, in 2007, he stood firm for us. “He is our father. And so, if we made some mistakes, we are only human because we are heading human institutions. And I think by the time he reflects, how could he abandon his own children like that. Wherever we are, we are right in his heart. He feels for us, he cares for us.” When asked to be specific on whether they would go and beg Obasanjo to return to the party, Lamido said such issue was not the kind he would announce publicly. “When there is some kind of misunderstanding between a father and a child, you don’t go to NTA or any other media to say you are going to do this. “I mean the bond between us is so strong. I know he is equally pained. I know what he is going through because he is our father, but I will not tell you the strategy because when he was producing us, you were not there, when he was making us, were you there?,” the governor said. When told that some party chiefs had already said they would not miss the former President, the governor said Jonathan who he described as Obasanjo’s first child had not said so. “But then, the first child is the President, did he say so?,” he asked. When asked again if Obasanjo’s constant criticisms of the President did not worry him, Lamido said “when parents get old, they tend to manifest signs of old age.” He added, “What I am saying is that all of us have parents. When we were born, they pepped us, gave us their love, gave us everything. By the time they get old, naturally, there is what they call role reversal. We became the parents and they became the children. So, what is wrong if our parents begin to manifest those signs of old age?” Lamido insisted that despite all the perceived setbacks, the PDP would still win the forthcoming elections. He said, “What is this opposition in Nigeria? You must know Nigerian history. Nigeria cannot be governed by an aggregate of pain, anger and frustration.

Buhari in the public eye

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

NaijaParrot.com – Nigerian News and Jobs HOME JOBS LIFE CELEBS POLITICS SPORTS Channels TV Staff Explain How He Was Stabbed At APC Governorship Rally In Rivers State admin | February 19, 2015 | No Comments A Channels TV Senior correspondent Charles Eruka was stabbed in the neck by some hoodlums during the fracas that broke out at the APC governorship rally in Okrika Rivers state on Wednesday February 17. Narrating what happened in an interview with Channels TV, Eruka said the hoodlums stabbed him while he was struggling to keep his phone which they wanted to take from him “Some of the attackers who have been looting the property of people who had provided the public address system now surrounded me and tried to take my phone away from me on the suspicion that I was actually calling reinforcement to come pick them up. So in the scuffle, I got stabbed in the neck” he said Please help Share this information with all your friends and family on Facebook or Twitter, they will appreciate it. Click on any of the Share buttons Below to share now

Wahala de ooo!!! Over 600,000 fake voters’ cards uncovered in Obasanjo's ward in Ogun

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_215562" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Fake PVCs in Ogun[/caption] Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has disclosed that over 600,000 fake permanent voter cards, PVCs, have been uncovered in Ogun State. Amosun, made this disclosure yesterday during a closed-door meeting with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state, which had in attendance among others Timothy Ibitoye, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner. The State Resident Electoral Commissioner in a chat with journalists after the meeting affirmed that no fewer than 600,000 PVCs in the state have not been collected. He further stated that the electoral body in some wards identified about 625,000 PVCs carrying the State Code but the photographs on the cards is not in consonance with the faces of the registered voters. The number one citizen of the Sate mentioned Ward 11 Ita-Eko, where he and the former president Olusegun Obasanjo belongs, specifically stating that most of the PVCs brought for distribution had issues of identification as the cards have the State Code but the photograph on them bears no semblance with registered voters in the ward. Amosu, who could not hide his disappointment at the slow pace at which the cards were being distributed said he suspects something funny in the distribution of PVCs in the State. The Governor alleged about 1.8 million people initially registered but the electoral body in the State removed over 500,000 names for what it called double registration among other irregularities. After the registration exercise was re-conducted, no fewer than 450,000 people were registered but only 159,000 PVCs are ready, Amosu said. He continued that only 40 per cent of the 1.8 million registered voters in the State have received their PVCs, even as he alleged that the slow distribution of the cards is being facilitated by somebody in Abuja. According to the Governor,“In the last election, we had about 1.8 million, they came back to say after post AVIS, removing what they call double registration and a lot of anomalies they said they took away about 500,000 and reduced Ogun State to about 1.3 million and we said ‘no problem, if you said there will be opportunities for people to re-register, which they did, when they did that, from their record, it was almost 450, 000 of the new registration and if you add that to the 1.3 million, it takes us back to about 1.8 or thereabout. “But as we speak, the cards they brought originally, we have two or three issues now. The first one is that the 1.1 million in November, on my honour, about 600, 000 of those cards do not belong to Ogun State, and that is the problem,” he posited. Source

Jonathan Bribed Pastors With N7bn, Not N6bn – Musa Dikwa

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

by Bizinton: 3:43pm More facts appear to be emerging on the allegation by Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, that President Goodluck Jonathan gave pastors across the country N6bn to vote against the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), in the presidential election. A Borno-based Pastor, Kallamu Musa-Dikwa, said on Thursday that the money that was given to pastors by the President was actually N7bn and not N6bn as alleged by Amaechi, who doubles as the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation. Amaechi had alleged that unnamed leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party paid N6bn to Christian clerics to campaign against Buhari and the APC. The governor’s allegation caused a stir among the Christian clerics, with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Northern State Christian Elders Forum asking Amaechi to name the church leaders, who collected the huge bribe. But Musa-Dikwa, who is the Executive Director of the Voice of Northern Christian Movement, told journalists in Kaduna on Thursday that the said money was channelled through the Christian Association of Nigeria. He said the CAN got the said money(N7bn) on January 26, 2015 and disbursed N3m to each State Chairmen of the CAN across the country. Musa-Dikwa, who was an Associate Pastor with the E. Y. N. Church, Farm Centre, Dikwa Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, under Rev. Emmanuel Kwajihe between 2002 and 2004, said the CAN had started threatening Christians in the state (Borno) that they must re-elect Jonathan in the rescheduled election. He said, “It was N7bn that was given to the CAN leadership by President Goodluck Jonathan. They(CAN) later disbursed N3m to the State Chairmen of the CAN. “The money was handed over to the CAN Leadership on 26th January, 2014.” “Actually, President Jonathan is using CAN President, and it was the CAN President who collected the monies and shared N3m to the CAN executives in each state. “And some Pentecostal Bishops also collected their share. Actually, the money is not N6bn, it is N7bn. This is what I know. One of the CAN officials from Abuja told me that they have collected the money. The corruption in CAN is terrible. They are corrupting the body of Christ because of money. “They are now threatening Christians in Borno State that they will deal with anybody, who refuses to vote for Jonathan. And the CAN officials are now campaigning that if Buhari emerges President, he will Islamise Nigeria; and that Osinbajo collected monies from Islamic world; and that the same Osinbajo will resign soon after Buhari wins to give way for Tinubu to emerge Vice President.” Musa-Dikwa named some high-profile clerics, who had benefitted from the controversial largesse to actualise the re-election bid of Jonathan. Source: NAIRALAND

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ytrfhw we end us here I don't know gffghhjwhat's com hi I amwhat's com hi I am

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Wahala de ooo!!! Fayose hired men to stalk Buhari in London, Read what they are doing...

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_212755" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Ayo Fayose[/caption]The All Progressives Congress Presidential campaign organisation today said that Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose had hired men to stalk its presidential candidate, retired General Muhammadu Buhari who is on a working visit in London, United Kingdom. "The APC had learnt on good authority that Governor Fayose has hired people in London who have been trailing the movements of the APC presidential candidate while on his working visit in London," a statement by the campaign media and publicity director Malam Garba Shehu said. ‎Fayose is one of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party's governors who went to the extent of sponsoring front-page death wish advertorials ‎insinuating that Buhari would die in office like some former heads of state of Northern extraction did. Despite the nationwide condemnation of the advertorials, Fayose seemed to be pestering on the issue with last week's stories credited to him saying Buhari has been flown abroad for medical attention. ‎ ‎The APC campaign office has therefore appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to call Governor Fayose to order over his continued pestering of Buhari with falsehood and death wishes. "Let it be on record that knowing Governor Fayose's antecedents, we are not leaving anything to chances. The Governor who has published death-wish advertorials on Buhari will stop at nothing. If anything should happen to General Muhammadu Buhari while in London or anywhere, the authorities over there in the UK and at home should know who to hold responsible," the statement said. On his itinerary in London, Buhari confirmed that he will honour his speaking engagement at the Royal Institute Of International Affairs, Chatham House in London scheduled for Thursday, February 26. ‎The campaign office said Buhari had an interview Friday with a local medium, the "All Eyes on Africa TV Show" with Kemi Fajodutimi and met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday. Shehu disclosed that Buhari left the London residence of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona at about 1.30 pm yesterday UK time and returned to his rented flat in the city. Source

Asiri tu o! You need to see Buhari on the Hospital bed PDP claims he is...Photos

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Is this the hospital bed the PDP said Gen Buhari is ? Wow! Too crowded and not enough beds. #March4Buhari [caption id="attachment_217034" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Buhari's hospital bed[/caption] Source

B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G!!! JONATHAN IN BIG TROUBLE!!! It Is Over! Few weeks to election, Jigawa PDP governorship aspirant with all his supporters defects to APC with all his supporters

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_217058" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Jonathan[/caption]Alhaji Aminu Kani, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Jigawa, on Sunday defected to the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC). Kani made the declaration during an APC rally at Matsaro ward in Hadejia. The governorship hopeful noted that the APC had better programmes designed to ensure good governance and improve the socio-economic well-being of the people. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kani had vied for the seat under the platform of the PDP for the second time having lost to the incumbent Sule Lamido in 2007. Kani also stepped down for the current gubernatorial candidate, Malam Aminu Ibrahim, during the party’s congress in December. Receiving the new member, the Jigawa State APC Chairman, Alhaji Ado Kiri, said the party is ready to welcome new members into its fold. Kiri said that APC had received thousands of PDP supporters who defected to the party in the last few weeks. He explained that the party had adopted effective campaign strategies to sweep polls in the state. NAN reports that hundreds of APC supporters including the gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar and his running mate, Ibrahim Hassan, attended the rally. (NAN) Source

Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir Claims CIA, MOSSAD Behind Boko Haram, ISIS: Watch Full Video

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In an exclusive interview with Euronews’ Mohammed Shaikh ibrahim, Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir accuses Israeli and American secret services of supporting Islamic extremist groups such as ISIL. (and Boko Haram) Bashir defends himself against charges of genocide and war crimes brought against him by the International Criminal Court for atrocities in Darfur that he is said to have ordered (more context on that here). He also shares his thoughts on the secession of South Sudan in 2011 and explains why he will be standing to run again for election later this year. In an exclusive interview with Euronews’ Mohammed Shaikh ibrahim, Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir accuses Israeli and American secret services of supporting Islamic extremist groups such as ISIL. (and Boko Haram) Bashir defends himself against charges of genocide and war crimes brought against him by the International Criminal Court for atrocities in Darfur that he is said to have ordered (more context on that here). He also shares his thoughts on the secession of South Sudan in 2011 and explains why he will be standing to run again for election later this year. On ISIL: Says that the CIA and Mossad are the only organisations with something to gain from the rise of ISIL Claims Israeli actions against Palestinians make it easier for ISIL to recruit Insists Sudan has succesfully tackled Islamic extremism on its soil thanks to re-education of young would-be jihadists http://www.euronews.com/2015/02/17/exclusive-sudan-s-bashir-on-isil-darfur-and-accusations-of-genocide-and-war-/ Source

CONFIRMATION! I Met Buhari On Saturday — Tony Blair

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

A former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has confirmed that he held a private meeting with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari, in London on Saturday. BY SANI TUKUR [caption id="attachment_216653" align="alignleft" width="196"] Buhari In London, With Tony Blair[/caption]A former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has confirmed that he held a private meeting with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari, in London on Saturday. There has been speculations in Nigeria that a picture showing Messrs. Blair, Buhari and Governor Amosun as well as a former Kwara state governor, Bukola Saraki, was photoshopped. Mr. Buhari’s campaign office had stated that the former head of state was in the U.K. on a working visit. However, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state and supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, are claiming that Mr. Buhari is in the UK for medical treatment. To buttress their claim, some of the critics claimed Mr. Blair was not in the U.K. on Saturday and could therefore not have met Mr. Buhari. PREMIUM TIMES Monday contacted the office of Mr. Blair for confirmation and we got a response that the meeting actually held. “Mr. Blair had a private meeting with General Muhammadu Buhari in London,” said Rianne Buter in an email response to PREMIUM TIMES’ inquiry. Ms. Buter also said Mr. Blair “hopes to visit Nigeria shortly when he will see the President”. Mr. Buhari’s campaign office also issued a statement saying the APC candidate “would hopefully give a talk at the prestigious foreign policy hub, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, in London.” Chatham House has now confirmed that Mr. Buhari will speak Thursday on the topic: “Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition”. Details of the event as posted on the website of Chatham House also revealed that Mr. Buhari would speak for one hour between 10 and 11a.m. and the event would be chaired by Richard Gozney, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria between 2004 and 2007. Chatham House encourages interested persons to send questions to Mr. Buhari via Twitter. “Send questions for the speaker by using #CHAfrica on Twitter. A selection will be put to him during the event,” it said Source: SAHARAREPORTERS

This is Weird, Fayose celebrates OBJ’s exit from PDP in the most unexpected way (LOOK)

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ekiti state Governor, Ayo Fayose appears to have a thing for Newspaper front page ads. The other time, he mocked the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), now he is up against former president Olusegun Obasanjo who tore his PDP membership card few days ago. In the new ad, he congratulates President Goodluck Jonathan on the exit of the “mole” in the PeopleS Democratic Party. “Congratulations on Obasanjo’s exit..Obasanjo the troubler and tomentor of our party is gone..” I congratulate our president, his Excellency Dr.Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the entire members of the PDP on the exit of the MOLE in our party . General Olusegun Obasanjo..Good riddance to bad rubbish. Our president, the coast is now clear your victory,” Fayose wrote in the Newspaper front page advert. Source

Obasanjo Spit Fire!!! Fayose is a mentally deranged man, the bastard gene is still all over him - Obasanjo

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_10915" align="aligncenter" width="445"] Fayose vs. Obasanjo[/caption]

Ayo Fayose, the mentally deranged man, deceived the people of Ekiti as a change agent. Meanwhile the bastard gene is still all over him.
— OLUSEGUN A. OBASANJO (@SegunObasanjo) February 23, 2015

Few Weeks To Election: Panic In The PDP, As 120 Reps Held A late Night Emergency Meeting With Jonathan, Issue Of Tenure Elongation. Read Details Of The Meeting

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_215962" align="aligncenter" width="259"] President Goodluck Jonathan[/caption] The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Honourable Mulikat Adeola-Akande, on Sunday, led about 120 members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House to a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, ahead the March 28 and April 11 new election date, Nigerian Tribune can report. Information pieced together by the Nigerian Tribune on Monday revealed that the PDP lawmakers were taken to the Villa in buses from the National Assembly at about 8.00 p.m. The PDP caucus crucial meeting with the president, Nigerian Tribune learnt, was held late Sunday night, solely on strategies to deploy for the party to record landslide at the March and April elections. However, against the background of tenure elongation allegation doing the round in the polity, the deputy House leader, Honourable Leo Ogor, who spoke via telephone interview on Monday night, said the meeting did not discuss anything about tenure elongation with the president. According to him, “it was a PDP meeting, purely to discuss with Mr President as the party’s standard-bearer for the presidential election. That was it.” Source

Top 100 Twitter 'Movers' and 'Shakers' in February 2015 from Nigeria

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_202916" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Top 100 Twitter Handles - Nigeria[/caption] The Story of social media influential personalities, celebrities and VIPs for the dying year 2014 will not be complete if we don’t compile the List of Top 100 Twitter handles in Nigeria and how they charted the course of politics, entertainment, economy and social-media during the past 12 months. In this influential #100TwitterNigeria2014, dominated by artists, sportspersons, musicians, actresses, actors and a sprinkle of politicians and business moguls, popular brands and newspapers, two governors made the list: Governors Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) – 30th position (289,000 followers), and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola 100th position (70,000 followers). President Goodluck Jonathan (85,400 followers) occupied 96th position. Each of the top 5 handles have over 1 million followers. Wizkid is the Numero Uno with 1.37 million followers, followed by Omo Baba Olowo – Davido the skelewu exponent. D’banj D Kokomaster and Michael Collins a.k.a. DON JAZZY closely followed, each commanding a million followers. Pastor Chis Oyakhilome handle has been a suspect until late this year when it began posting tweets. It got to 1 million-followers mark without posting a single tweet. That means the bulk of the supposed followers were bots, not humans. Channels Television became the 1st TV Station in the list coming 11th position. Basketmouth became the first comedian on the list with his 12th position occupation. The Punch Newspaper is the first newspaper on the list with about 572,000 followers occupying 15th position, slightly ahead of Vanguard newspaper on 17th position with 525,000 followers. Notable too on the list is controversial but popular blogger Linda Ikeji occupying 20th position with 493,000 followers. Closely following is SaharaReporters at 23rd position with 417,000 followers. Nasir el-Rufai (occupying 24th position on the list), is the number one politician from Nigeria with over 417,000 followers. Pastor E A Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) became the first Gospel minister on the list occupying 52nd position on the list with 186,000 followers, slightly ahead of Reverend Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Center who had 176,000 (55th position). Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly (LRA) occupies the 80th position with 117,000 followers while Prophet T. B. Joshua of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) followed closely with a little less than 117,000 followers (81st position). Social media is not the FORBES List of richest men, it is no wonder therefore that the richest black man from Africa – Aliko Dangote occupied one of the lowest rung of 85th position with 102Billion U.S. Dollars Oops, forgive the slip of keyboard, I mean to type 102,000 followers! The most-notable rise for the year 2014 goes to the new account created under two weeks by the Peoples General, Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB). Than handle rose from zero to 53,600+ followers! Watch out GEJ!!! This time next year, by God’s special grace, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015 TO ALL OSUN DEFENDER READERS! 100 Most Popular Twitter Handles from Nigeria 2014 1. Wizkid Ayo Balogun (Verified) @wizkidayo 1.44M 2. Pastor Chris @PastorChrisLive 1.35M 3. Davido (Verified) @iam_Davido 1.15M 4. D’banj D Kokomaster (Verified) @iamdbanj 1.09M 5. Michael Collins (Verified) @DONJAZZY 1.05M 6. Innocent Idibia (Verified) @2faceidibia 997K 7. Banky Wellington (Verified) @BankyW 974K 8. Tiwa Savage (Verified) @TiwaSavage 940K 9. Peter Okoye (Verified) @PeterPsquare 792K 10. Genevieve Nnaji MFR (Verified) @GenevieveNnaji1 782K 11. Channels Television (Verified) @channelstv 772K 12. Basketmouth (Verified) @basket_mouth 703K 13. panshak zamani (Verified) @Iceprincezamani 624K 14. jude abaga (Verified) @MI_Abaga 608K 15. The Punch Newspapers @MobilePunch 649K 16. Omotola. j .Ekeinde (Verified) @Realomosexy 580K 17. Vanguard Newspapers @vanguardngrnews 586K 18. TONTO W.C POKO DIKEH @TONTOLET 534K 19. eLDee (Verified) @eLDeeTheDon 521K 20. Linda Ikeji @lindaikeji 556K 21. Iyanya Foundation (Verified) @Iyanya 478K 22. Olamide (Verified) @olamide_YBNL 443K 23. Saharareporters @SaharaReporters 417K 24. Nasir El-Rufai @elrufai 417K 25. Dr SID (Verified) @IamDrSID 368K 26. MTN Nigeria (Verified) @MTNNG 350K 27. Ini Edo @inidelicious01 341K 28. olufunke Akindele @funkeakindele 326K 29. PSQUARE. Nonso Okoye (Verified) @rudeboypsquare 322K 30. Babatunde Fashola (Verified) @tundefashola 289K 31. Dele Momodu @DeleMomodu 289K 32. BellaNaija.com @bellanaija 280K 33. Anthonia Orji @AnthoniaOrji 265K 34. KCEE (LIMPOPO) @iam_kcee 256K 35. Denrele Edun @DENRELE_EDUN 251K 36. Jimmy Jatt (Verified) @djjimmyjatt 243K 37. Stella Damasus @stelladamasus 238K 38. Peter Odemwingie (Verified) @OdemwingieP 231K 39. Comedian Gordons @GordonComedian 238K 40. Ali Baba @ALIBABAGCFR 226K 41. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala @NOIweala 251K 42. THISDAY LIVE @THISDAYLIVE 257K 43. kate henshaw @HenshawKate 226K 44. Comedian LaughorYawn @LaughorYawn 215K 45. Nuhu Ribadu @NuhuRibadu 236K 46. Waconzy @Waconzy 192K 47. oby ezekwesili @obyezeks 238K 48. Asa(asha) (Verified) @Asa_official 212K 49. Atiku Abubakar (Verified) @atiku 234K 50. The GIDITRAFFIC App @Gidi_Traffic 230K 51. Uti Nwachukwu @SirUTI 203K 52. Pastor E A Adeboye @PastorEAAdeboye 199K 53. RCCG @RCCGworldwide 191K 54. Bovi-Ugboma-Akpos @BoviCOMEDIAN 182K 55. Sam Adeyemi @sam_adeyemi 189K 56. Reuben Abati @abati1990 201K 57. Teju Cole (Verified) @tejucole 179K 58. Akpos The Comedian @AkposTheComedia 173K 59. Daily Trust Newspaper @daily_trust 188K 60. Japhet Omojuwa @omojuwa 186K 61. Monalisa Chinda @Monalisacode 156K 62. Abolore Akande @i_am9ice 164K 63. WEIRD MC @weirdmcofficial 162K 64. Mercy Johnson @realmercyj 157K 65. INEC Nigeria (Verified) @inecnigeria 199K 66. Premium Times @PremiumTimesng 175K 67. The Nation Newspaper (Verified) @TheNationNews 174K 68. Uncle Saka @Saka_Stic 151K 69. Pat Utomi @UtomiPat 164K 70. Naija Jokes @Wazo_Bia 146K 71. Nairaland Forum @nairaland 155K 72. Nigeria Police Force @PoliceNG 159K 73. Abike Dabiri-Erewa @abikedabiri 159K 74. LEADERSHIP Newspaper @LeadershipNGA 152K 75. Bukola Saraki (APC) (Verified) @bukolasaraki 147K 76. Nigeria Info FM @NigeriainfoFM 146K 77. Ebuka Akara @ebuka_akara 134K 78. Flavour Nabania (Verified) @2niteFlavour 135K 79. 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Whay has changed, Why the military are now taking the fight to Boko Haram (Part 1)

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In criticizing the Nigerian military’s war efforts in the North East, we often fail to understand the historical context within which they are performing the current task, we choose to disregard the decades of sheer neglect of future military planning… Robert Gates is one American that had the privilege of serving 8 US presidents, as national security staff at various times, deputy director of the CIA, CIA director, and a defense secretary under presidents Bush and Obama. In his memoir “DUTY”, he complained bitterly about the US defense department, fixated on future conventional wars, without considering the non conventional wars such as the counter insurgency they were waging in Iraq and Afghanistan. He opined that, the military leaders at the pentagon were not planning enough and deploying the right military hardware suitable to the operations, including the need to protect the troops adequately following heavy American casualties. My key take away from Gate’s observation is on planning for the future and current military conflicts. It leads one to wonder whether Nigeria has such a structure where civilian leadership interrogates the military leadership on the future and current military exigencies, in terms of wars, joint trainings and equipment. In criticizing the Nigerian military’s war efforts in the North East, we often fail to understand the historical context within which they are performing the current task, we choose to disregard the decades of sheer neglect of future military planning, joint military trainings for fear they may be used as avenue to plan coups, and ignored the paltry sums that were allocated to defence procurements. Even lessons of past military interventions in Sierra Leone and Liberia were never learned. We often trumpet the military successes in those wars, but failed to realize the Nigerian military faced same current challenges then, because at a point in the battle for Monrovia, Gen. Malu had to fly to Abuja to complain he needed VBLs (infantry fighting vehicles) or the fact that the Nigerian troops in Sierra Leone had no assault helicopters for military advances until British special forces landed with the capability to win the war. The current military offensive against the Boko Haram terrorists has been interpreted as political, aimed to improve the electoral fortunes of the ruling party, but that is not the true position, I will make an attempt, to analyze the phases of Boko Haram terrorist group’s rebellion against the Nigerian state beginning from 2011, after they were dispersed in 2009 by the security services, which culminated in the death of the pioneer leader, Mohammed Yusuf, and also efforts made by the military and security forces to contain the threat. 2010 was the year of regrouping under Abu Shekau, with raids on police stations, prisons, and setting off bomb explosions. They graduated to another level with the first suicide bombing in Nigeria which happened at police force headquarters, Abuja, on 16th June, 2011. That singular attack were followed by other suicide and bomb attacks across the north east, especially places of worship, police stations and with a signature suicide attack on the United Nations headquarters. How did Nigerian military and security services respond to this phase (July 2011- December 2012)? National Security Adviser, General Owoeye Azazi (rtd) whose office was saddled with the task of coordinating anti-terror operations against the terrorists, by virtue of Terrorism Prevention Act 2011, set out to establish a national security architecture from the scratch, with the military setting up counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency department, training special forces, and procuring counter terrorism equipment to confront the emerging threat. They had some level of success with targeting the Boko Haram cells scattered across the north east and north west, closed down dozens of IED factories, arrested some Boko Haram commanders, bomb making specialists, disrupting IEDs planted in many locations, however, the efforts were drops in the ocean, as the terror group embark on widespread bombing campaigns. It is very instructive to note that, at this phase, the Nigerian military and security services were faced with confronting acts of terrorism, and were pooling all resources to bear on anti-terrorism efforts. It is also important to ask what was the strategic thinking at the ministry of defence, defence headquarters, intelligence and security services offices at this time. What kind of advice and briefings were they offering the political leadership headed by the President and the National assembly? And were they providing futuristic credible threat analysis to correspond with defence/security procurement request to enable the military/security , plan/fight the future wars? Going by President Jonathan’s explanation recently that he underestimated the Boko Haram threat, his humble admission should be taken in the light of the above questions and to understand the intelligence/security briefings he was receiving at the time from the highest defence and security leadership in Nigeria. They obviously didn’t think the group would graduate into seizing territories, in order to establish a caliphate. Had they analyzed properly, they would have set out in the day to plan for the on coming war, but they probably never did. The general view is that, they focused their plan and strategy on counter terrorism, and developing resources to counter and degrade the ability of the terror group to commit more acts of terror against the citizens All these strategies and plans were done against the backdrop of a Nigerian state with no more than hundred thousand soldiers, with various military and internal security operations going on across the country, and not to mention an underwhelmed police force. The north east alone needs nothing less than fifty thousand soldiers for the task, not when you are talking about a Sambisa forest twice the size of Lagos, Balmo forest in Bauchi, hills of Gwoza, Mandara mountains, thousands of kilometres of desert and streams/lake e.t.c, the region presented the military with a complex order of battle. Was anyone thinking about developing the orbat suitable to the north east, and if anyone was thinking at this period, was time enough to put in place the formations, and were there funds to procure equipment? Source

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

"Nigeria is transiting from a dominant party to a competitive system

Buhari Threatens to Back out of Abuja Accord

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Mohammadu Buhari has threatened to back out of the historic Abuja peace accord should the political allies of president Goodluck Jonathan continue with their insults and verbal attacks on his person. He also warned that no one should regard his patriotic commitment to maintaining national peace for weakness, stressing that neither president Jonathan nor his aides have the monopoly for the “flagrant breaches to the Abuja Peace Accord.” The APC presidential flag bearer also warned the authorities against interfering with the constitutional duties and operations of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC or surreptitiously hound its chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega out of office before the expiration of his tenure. Buhari’s outburst followed the recent actions of Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose whom he said wished him dead in a paid advertorial and the Director-General of the People’s Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organization, PDPPCO who was said to have repeated thrown tantrums over his academic qualifications. It will be recalled that president Jonathan, Buhari and other 12 presidential candidates on January 10, 2014 signed a peace pact to resist violence before, during and after the general elections. Speaking in a press conference in Abuja Wednesday, Buhari through the Director, Media, Information Management Directorate of his Support Organization, otherwise called, BSO, Dr. Chidi Maduekwe said that it was time the presidential allies stopped attacking his person. Maduekwe recalled that upon the postponement of the general election which ordinarily would have prompted aggressions, Buhari camp swiftly appealed to its supporters to be calm in the interest of the nation and the peace accord, wondering why the political associates of the president Jonathan had continued to flout the peace accord. He said: “We are all witness to the recent postponement of 2015 elections by INEC on the grounds that security chiefs could not guarantee security at polls. “While the postponement may have been within the constitutional window, the excuse on security seemed not quite germane. This sudden shift became acceptable to us for the sake of the overall interest for national peace . Our teeming supporters were urgently appealed to maintain calm with the assurances that six weeks will soon pass by as if it were just six days. “Regrettably, following this postponement, PDP government acting in cohort with the close aides and associates of Mr. President have been falling head over hills among themselves as they compete on who delivers most acidic insult, abuse, incendiary words and inflammatory remarks on our revered Presidential candidate , General Muhammadu Buhari. “These actions are all in breach of the Abuja Peace Accord jointly signed by all the presidential candidates. This is totally unacceptable and consequently we cannot continue to guarantee the tolerance limit of our teeming supporters nationwide who are daily being inundated with death wish commentaries on the person of General Muhammadu Buhari. “It has become imperative to ask Mr. President to rein in his aides if he must be seen to walk his talk that, his ambition is not worth any spill of human blood . His aides and associates are disingenuously currently working at cross purposes to this his favorite cliché by daily fanning the ambers of hate, pursuance of death wish and even going as far as stalking of GMB outside shores of this country. “The memories of a nearly successful assassination attempt on the life of GMB is still fresh in our mind . Our patience, our meekness, our prayerfulness and our patriotic commitment to maintaining the national peace should not be misconstrued for weakness. “Let it be stated clearly that Mr. President’s aides and political associates do not possess the monopoly for flagrant breaches to the Abuja Peace Accord .The hour has come to henceforth disallow these psychopathic sociopaths that have taken over the megaphone of Mr. President and tell them in very clear terms that enough is enough. We are ready to rise to the occasion to take down any unwarranted, baseless and inflammatory condemnation shot in our direction henceforth. “We call on Mr. President to show full commitment to the terms and conditionality of the Abuja Peace Accord jointly entered into and rein in his aides and political associates from further infuriating commentaries ,hate speeches and to stop over heating the polity with their incendiary remarks.” Also speaking on the INEC, Maduekwe warned that any attempt to tamper with the leadership of the electoral management body at this time of election may prompt negative consequences for the country. According to him, INEC must be allowed to use the card reader for the election. “We have all the while been enamored to bear this burden of daily insult and aspersion on our principal because we hope and trust that very soon INEC shall by March 28 and April 11th conduct a transparent free and fair election. Our hope and trust in INEC becomes eroded every time we assimilate these death threats and hate speeches from Mr. President unrestrained hatchet men whose glaring and questionable track records are well known to all and sundry. “While Mr. President has repeatedly said that May 29th handover date is sacrosanct . He is yet to declare that the Independence and Transparent conduct of elections by INEC are sacrosanct. We also expect Mr. President to unequivocally declare that the rescheduled election dates of March 28 and April 11 are equally sacrosanct. “The above three declarations will truly take away the wind from these hatchet men and showcase Mr. President as someone determined to walk his talk that his ambition is not worth the spill of any person’s blood . His recent media chat misrepresentation of his sole powers to hire and fire INEC Chairman is not provided for in the constitution. This also needs to be corrected. “At this juncture in our march towards march 28th,2015, we make bold to warn that any exogenous effort to interfere ,modulate , attenuate, reposition or juxtapose the INEC leadership will be tantamount to an inglorious and ill-timed behavior that will never resonate positively within our polity at this time. “This will certainly leave us with no choice but to doubt the transparency of the current electoral processes . Any action by omission or commission that prevents INEC from carrying out its constitutional mandate as presently composed will be a grave consequence to our fledgling democracy. INEC at this crucial time should not be deprived of the credibility it has garnered over the years as has been attested to by both international and local observers”, he said. Citing Ghana, Kenya and Sierra Leone as African countries where the technology of card reader had been proven to give credible elections, the BSO’s spokesman said that INEC should be given a chance to conduct the elections using the technology. “The card Reader gave Ghana it’s freest, fairest and most credible election in recent times. The Card Reader gave Kenya it’s freest, fairest and most credible election in recent times. The Card Reader gave Sierra Leone it’s freest, fairest and most credible election in recent times. “Nigeria’s INEC successfully supervised the use of Card Readers in the elections in Sierra Leone. Source

Inside Jonathan and his mother's Farm of Controversies: What Lawyers Says...

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

People residing in six villages in Abuja, the nation’s capital, have been forced by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to leave their homes and relocate to a neighbouring Wukara community at the Aviation Village in Abuja to pave way for the establishment of a farm by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his mother, Madam Afeni Eunice. The large expanse of the land was allocated to them by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Daily Trust gathered. The farmland, measuring 95.88 hectares, is located at the Cadastral Zone, Aviation Village, within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and was specifically allocated to Ebele Integrated Farms Limited by FCTA on March 8, 2012, two days after the company applied for the land and less than three months after it was incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). A search by Daily Trust at the CAC revealed that Ebele Integrated Farms Limited, with registration number 1003866, was registered on December 20, 2011 with a share capital of N30 million. The company has only two registered directors: Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, with share capital of N28.5 million and Madam Afeni Eunice, with share capital of N1.5 million. Records at the commission made available to Daily Trust indicated that the nature of business the company was registered to execute are: “To carry on the business of agricultural and mechanical farming in all its branches (which include but not limited to) crop farming, rearing of livestock, feed milling, arable and fruit farming, manufacturing and distribution of agric products, flour merchants, poultry farming, animal husbandry, fish farming, deep sea fishing, trawling and to sell and deal in same etc.” However, Ebele Integrated Farms Limited, since its registration in 2012, has no evidence of filing annual returns with the CAC, which is a vital requirement to be fulfilled by all such registered companies. The legal practitioner that filed the application documents for the registration of the company with the commission, Arum Ifeyinwa Jane, provided the address of the company’s owners, Jonathan and Eunice, as number 23, Kolda Street, Wuse 11, Abuja. Similar address was provided by the company to the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) in its application for the farmland. However, when Daily Trust visited the supposed company’s address at 23 Kolda Street, nobody around the area seemed to know that Ebele Integrated Farms Limited or any other company ever occupied the building within the past ten years. A security guard inside the compound told our reporter that the building is owned by a telecommunication firm. When Daily Trust visited the farm near Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, over 40 articulated vehicles belonging to SCC Construction Company were seen with several staff of the company carrying out different works. Armed soldiers and plain-cloth security operatives were seen at strategic parts of the farm which has a crocodile section near the main gate, orchards, where well irrigated mango trees provide shelter overlooking the hill top buildings said to be meeting and resting place for the president. On the other side, there is a standard fish pond with embankment to prevent erosion. There is also the clean water in the fish pond recycling itself. A short distance from there is a small airstrip for any helicopter to land. The airstrip is overlooking another set of hundreds of mango trees and a small stream with water passing through all in a solid concrete walls round the farm. The security operatives in the farm were there to, among other assignments, prevent any unauthorised person from gaining access into the farm. However, our reporters, with their cameras and other tools, succeeded in gaining access to the facility. People living at the Wukara village, workers at the SCC construction company working in the farm, government officials in the FCT ministry, AGIS, Development Control Department of the FCDA and AMAC “have all been warned not to talk about that farm,” Daily Trust heard. The case of the displaced villagers is pathetic. Malam Ahmadu (not real name), who was seen resting under a tree at the outskirt of Wukara, spoke to our reporters. He said: “I was residing in Sarkin Madaki village before we were ejected and our houses demolished. Six villages that include Sarkin Madaki where I hail from, Aguwan Audu, Kukeli, Anguwan Sharuwa, Badambo and Nasarawai, were the villages people were sacked from and demolished to provide space for this farm. Yes, we knew the farm belongs to the president but we have been warned not to say so. They said we must never discuss about the farm with anyone. “The former FCT Commissioner of Police came in company of some top officers and warned us at the palace of the Aguma (village head) of Wukara that if we ever mentioned anything to anyone about the farm, they will arrest the person that made the statement and drive others from here without compensation. I am talking to you now because no one is seeing us. If you had met me in the village, I would not have talked to you. “When they sacked us from our various villages, government gave us plots of land each at Wukara. People from all the six affected villages were moved to Wukara. But no monetary compensation was given to us. We had to sell part of the land allocated to us and build the remaining. It was after the commissioner of police warned us and left that we resolved to name the farm as the Aviation Farm.” Another resident of Wukara, who simply identified himself as Malam, told Daily Trust at BasanJiya, a nearby community where he went to buy provisions, that their problem is not just because their villages have been converted into the president’s farm, but because they took away their houses, places of worship, farmlands only to be given a piece of land, each, in return. “We are all farmers. None of us had his farm replaced. How do they want us to cultivate? “We all had our various sources of water before we were sacked from our villages. Here at Wukara, we scoop water from the ground to drink, cook and use at home because we have 2 boreholes that do not work. We complained to the Aguma who said he has written to SCC Construction Company but nothing has been done till date. “Yes, they are constructing access road for us through the bush path. We do not want that one. Let them construct the one that will burst near the airport gate. That’ll be shorter and safer for us.” When Daily Trust visited the palace of the Aguma of Wukara, Malam Mohammed Sarki, the people seen around the palace said the traditional ruler was indisposed. One of the elders was however said: “Nobody can speak to you about the farm. On the issue of the road and water, we have written to AMAC and SCC. Go to their offices and ask them why they refused to help us.” Daily Trust reporters visited AMAC twice; first the chairman was said to be in a meeting, while on the second occasion he was said to have gone to the FCT ministry for official consultation. A senior council official who pleaded anonymity, however, said: “Look, do not waste your time. The chairman will never see you on this matter. How can the president compensate them? Advise them to come and beg the chairman for a borehole and clinic, that is more realistic.” At the SCC Construction office in Utako District, Abuja, efforts to see the project manager were not successful. However, a top official of the company, who pleaded not to be identified, said the Aguma had actually written a two-page letter to the company, dated May 16, 2014, requesting them to sink additional boreholes for them, adding: “In as much as we sympathise with the community, as contractors, we cannot use our money to develop their community for them. “What they are asking for is not provided in the contract agreement. As a construction company, we only employ people with skills. But we went out of our way and employed their people who are now working for us. I am not privy to the contract sum, I would have told you. But it is a fact that what qualified us most for this contract was what the president saw our company did in General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s farm in Minna. You know, it was SCC that constructed it also.” Meanwhile, the development makes people wonder if the farmland in question was actually intended to be used as such by the designers of Abuja. A retired top ranking civil servant, Chief Bisi Winsala Kolins, who said he used all his retirement benefit to build houses in Garki that were demolished by the FCDA on the excuse that the area was meant for business and not residential, averred: “I am aware that in the Abuja master plan, no part of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), including the aviation village, is meant to be used for farming. It is also a fact that the Abuja master plan cannot be redesigned to accommodate any new development. That farm must, therefore, be demolished and relocated to outside AMAC for justice and fair play.” Former Minister of the FCT, Malam Nasir el-Rufa’i, in a response from the United Kingdom to an online enquiry by Daily Trust, said no part of Abuja Municipal Area is supposed to be used for farming purposes, including the aviation village now housing Ebele Integrated Farms. El-Rufa’i said: “Aviation Village is self-explanatory....it is part of Phase 5 of the Federal Capital City (FCC) meant to accommodate aviation company needs – hangars, fueling and maintenance facilities, housing and hotels. There were no provisions for agricultural land in the city footprint. “Farmlands are located outside the city in places like Gaube, Kuje and Kwali. I am surprised that agricultural land is being allocated in the footprint of the FCT. This may be another violation of the Abuja Dream.....God Save us.” At the Abuja Geographic Information system (AGIS), a top official who initially doubted claims by our reporters that the application by Ebele Integrated Farms Limited was approved in only two days from the date of the application, was shocked to see the company’s file number MISC 117899 with AGIS. He said: “You are right, look at the farm’s file. Their application for the allocation of the plot was dated March 6, 2012 and approval given on March 8, 2012. The initial plot number was 1680 before it was later changed to 1683. The change in the plot number does not affect the plot itself. Look at the note written with red pen that the FCT Minister attached to his approval. “In all my years in AGIS I have never seen an application for plot of land treated with such a rush. If we were allowed to treat it like the normal applications, we would have verified the address. Even if the address they gave was correct and they later moved to a new address, they are supposed to notify us of their new address.” Jonathan’s multibillion naira integrated farm project has attracted a lot of criticisms from the public, mainly because Jonathan’s salary and legitimate earnings as a president could not afford him to own a multi-billion Naira farm project. An NGO, Purpose Driven Human Initiative, in a media advertisement said the president’s farm project has vividly demonstrated why his administration has been unable to fight corruption. According to the NGO, the president’s action of owning the farm has contravened Fifth Schedule Part 1 (code of conduct for public officers) of the 1999 constitution, section 1, which states: “A public officer shall not put himself in position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.” Reacting to the publication, New Generation Coalition, a pro-Jonathan group, argued that the president’s project has not violated the Constitution, arguing that the Constitution allows a public servant to engage in farming activities. It also pointed out that former president Olusegun Obasanjo also acquired a farmland in Abuja while in office in 2005. Also, some legal experts who spoke to Daily Trust expressed different views on the issue. While some argue that the president was morally wrong to undertake such ventures while in office, others think differently. Below are some of the views in their words. Jonathan is not wrong – Fagboungbe (SAN) From Nahimah Ajikanle Nurudeen, Lagos Lagos-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Felix Fagboungbe, said President Goodluck Jonathan has not violated any law by applying for, and obtaining, a farmland in Abuja. The position of Jonathan as a president, Fagboungbe argued, did not take away his right to own property. He said the Code of Conduct only required the president to declare his assets if he owns property, because he has legal right to own property. “The only thing the Code of Conduct requires is that he has to disclose it, if people know that the land belongs to him, anyway. Because we are not sure he actually owns the land in as much as he hasn’t confirmed that the land belongs to him. People might just be speculating. “It is not possible to conclude land allocation processing within 48 hours, it is not possible because you need to identify the land, do the survey of land and a lot processes that go along with land allocation. But if truly the land in question was allotted within 48 hours, it means that it was not applied for with the survey plan because for such land, the surveyor-general has to see the survey and the survey department too, has to do something to certify the process,” he said. It’s an impeachable offence – Bala Na’Allah From Garba Muhammad, Birnin Kebbi Barrister Bala Ibn Na’Allah, a former member of the House of Representatives and a renowned lawyer, described the acquisition of a farmland at Aviation Village, Abuja, by President Goodluck Jonathan as a breach of his terms of office. “It’s an impeachable offence,” he said. Na’Allah, speaking in Zuru, Kebbi State, added: “The Conduct of approaching FCDA to get the land is in breach of the oath of his office and that is what is referred to as gross misconduct which itself is an impeachable offence. “Looking at the speed of the processing of the grant of that land to the said company of which the president is alleged to be a director, it’s obvious to give a reasonable ground for establishing gross abuse of office by both the president and the minister of the FCT.” Na’Allah, however, pointed out that it may be difficult to determine the legal position of this issue without putting it on both moral and legal scale. “Law and morality are distinct and distinguishable but looking at the entire phantasmagoria vis-a-vis the oath of office taken and subscribed by Mr. President which among other things states that he would not allow his personal interest to influence his official conduct and decisions. “It does appear that there is a clear case of breach of oath of office amounting to establishing a case of gross misconduct against Mr. President. While the Constitution allows public office holder’s to engage in farming, it equally prohibits them from taking any appointment as directors of companies and other paid employment. “So, if you look at this issue from both moral and legal scale, there is no how the president will be exonerated because as president, you are barred from becoming a director of any company. “Therefore, it doesn’t make sense if anybody thinks that it is okay, since the land is going to be used for farming. Legally, since he cannot be a director of a company, it means he is in breach of the oath of his office where he said he will not allow his personal interest to influence his official conduct and decisions.” Revoke that allocation – Aliyu Umar (SAN) From Ibrahim Musa Giginyu, Kano For a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Aliyu Umar, the approval for the allocation of the farmland to President Goodluck Jonathan should be revoked to deter Nigerians from engaging themselves in corrupt practices. He, however, said that the speed with which the FCT minister approved the land cannot be faulted by the law because the Land Use Act has not given time frame for processing and approving of such applications. “The question to ask is: did he (Jonathan) actually apply for the land or was the land allocated to him before he was given forms to fill? “If the processes enshrined for the acquisition of the land have been breached for any reason, then it has become illegal and also an act of abuse of office. The act may not be a crime, but it is morally wrong as it encourages corruption.” He urged relevant authorities to investigate the alleged irregularities involved in the matter such as when the company was incorporated and whether the process involved in the acquisition of the land was breached and whether the acquisition and the erection of the farm has altered the master plan of FCT or not. He may not be entirely wrong – Festus Okoye From Dickson S. Adama, Kaduna The President is allowed, in the Constitution, to acquire land for the purpose of farming, a constitutional lawyer and Civil Rights Activist, Barrister Festus Okoye has said. However, he pointed out that the size of the land and procedure of acquiring it can be unacceptable. He argued: “By the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution containing the Code of Conduct for public officers, the president is allowed to acquire land for the purposes of farming. But the issue of the quantum of land acquired or the purposes for which it is acquired or the means through which the land was acquired is a completely different matter. But the Constitution allows the president to engage in farming, and you cannot engage in farming without acquiring a land. So, to that very extent, it is legitimate for the president to acquire land for the purposes of farming. The President is allowed, in the Constitution, to acquire land for the purpose of farming, a constitutional lawyer and Civil Rights Activist, Barrister Festus Okoye has said. However, he pointed out that the size of the land and procedure of acquiring it can be unacceptable. He argued: “By the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution containing the Code of Conduct for public officers, the president is allowed to acquire land for the purposes of farming. But the issue of the quantum of land acquired or the purposes for which it is acquired or the means through which the land was acquired is a completely different matter. But the Constitution allows the president to engage in farming, and you cannot engage in farming without acquiring a land. So, to that very extent, it is legitimate for the president to acquire land for the purposes of farming. “If you ask me though, I will say that for a land as big as a whole village to be acquired by anyone for the purposes of farming is not acceptable. I personally don’t see the reason why the president should acquire over 90 hectares of land for purposes of farming while in office. Again, what the law says about acquisition of such land or property by a public office holder like the president is that it must be declared publicly and filed with the Code of Conduct Bureau or the agency in charge of asset declaration by public office holders. And this should be done before, during and after leaving the office.” He urged public officers, including the president, politicians and the media to work towards building a greater Nigeria and stop trivialising issues and or hide under the coverage of the Constitution to do things that would be morally unacceptable. Source

I believe that Nigeria may well have a new President in 2015 - Femi Fani-Kayode

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

That was before Femi Fani-Kayode's bank account became fatter...

BIG CHALLENGE!!! Group Wants Jonathan/Buhari Debate In Chatham House

Ademola Iginla — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 23:02:47 +0000

[caption id="attachment_219943" align="alignleft" width="300"] BIG CHALLENGE!!! Group Wants Jonathan/Buhari Debate In Chatham House[/caption]A group, National Coordinator of Wind of Hope, has urged a debate between President Goodluck Jonathan and the All Progressives Congress in the March 28 election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), at Chatam House in United Kingdom saying it would deepen democracy. The group threw the challenge in an open letter to Buhari by its National Coordinator, Mr. Onoriode Akpeh, and obtained by journalists on Saturday in Abuja. The organisation said it would “fully sponsor” such a forum, adding “all we ask is that you state your preferred date and time. “In our quest to deepen democracy which thrives on robust and constructive deliberations that aids the electorate in making informed decisions, Wind of Hope hereby challenges (or offers Your Excellency a platform) to a debate with the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan before the forthcoming elections at Chatham House where you were so obviously at ease before your ‘supporters’ and the international media,” it said. SOURCE:THE PUNCH

Ojú Olè Rèé: How FFK Manipulated Video of PDP "Election Riggers"

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The last has not been heard of the crude and failed attempts by PDP to smear the winning streak of the APC in Osun and Nigeria in general.

Why I Avoided Jonathan In Sokoto - Obasanjo Reveals The Tr

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ojú Olè Rèé: How FFK Manipulated Video of PDP "Election Riggers"

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The last has not been heard of the crude and failed attempts by PDP to smear the winning streak of the APC in Osun and Nigeria in general.

Prof. Osinbajo clears the air on THAT viral photo, says the man is my...

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Yes, this one. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential aspirant took to Twitter earlier today to correct the assertion that the old man in the photo above is related to him. Here’s what he tweeted: He tweeted that his own father died on the 22nd of July, 1996 while his mum, who is 82-years-old, is alive and well in Lagos. According to him, the photograph was taken during a campaign tour in Yewa, Ogun State, last week. He explained in another tweet: “We need to change a govt. that has impoverished our people by grand corruption and misgovernance. “From mass employment, mass low cost housing, conditional cash transfer to the extremely poor. Never before, in the history of this country, has a govt. been this corrupt.” See photos of his family as shared below: [caption id="attachment_220991" align="aligncenter" width="243"] Prof. Yemi Osinbajo with his Mother[/caption] [caption id="attachment_220993" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, his mum and his elder brother, Akin Osinbajo[/caption] Source

No amount of cash from the Presidency can buy our conscience - South-westerners

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_220695" align="alignright" width="300"] Gen Muhammadu Buhari[/caption]The Buhari Campaign Organisation, Arewa Community chapter in the Southwest, has faulted the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election by Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation and the Hausa living in the zone. It said: “No amount of cash from the Presidency can buy the conscience of the people.” In a statement by its coordinator, Alhaji Ali Idris, copies of which were made available to reporters in Ibadan yesterday, the Buhari Campaign Organisation cried out for what it described as “the whopping amount being spent by President Jonathan to mobilise people for his re-election.” The statement alleged: “Hundreds of millions of naira was shared among the hired crowd of people mobilised to Asaba, the Delta State capital, at the weekend, under the pseudo name of Hausa groups, to create an erroneous impression of endorsing Jonathan’s continued Presidency.” Describing as self-serving, the roles allegedly played by some Afenifere leaders and northern elite in the endorsement, the group urged those concerned to check their conscience and work for the interest of greater Nigeria, saying it would not be in their best interest to mortgage the nation’s future for monetary consideration. The body remarked that Afenifere was looked upon as a leading light in the country and enjoined the pan-Yoruba group not to erode its integrity. Source: THENATION

INEC was ready for Feb 14 election -Ekiti REC

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_219151" align="alignright" width="296"] the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega[/caption]The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti, Mr. Sam Olumekun, on Wednesday maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission was “substantially” ready for the rescheduled February 14 presidential election. He stated this while answering questions from journalists in Ado Ekiti on the plan to test run the card readers in Ekiti and 11 other states on Saturday. Olumekun argued that, that the commission would test run the card readers on Saturday did not suggest that it was not ready for the election. “We were substantially ready for the election. That we are test running the card readers on Saturday is not an indication that we were not ready. We have done mock voting in FCT and a few other places. “We are using this period to consolidate and fine tune our processes so that we can deliver near 100 percent perfect election.” The REC clarified that no voting will take place at all as the exercise was just a mock accreditation to test run the card readers to convince Nigerians about its success rate. “The mock accreditation of 7th March does not interfere with the real election day activities of March 28 and April 11,” he added. Olumekun said the simulation would take place in Dallimore Ward 09, Ado Ekiti, with a total registered voters of about 21,631. Of this, he said about 14,461 had collected their Permanent Voter Cards and were expected to participate in the test run of the smart card readers in Ekiti on Saturday. He added that the ward in Ekiti was chosen in compliance with INEC’s set standard that the exercise should be performed in polling units with registered voters more than 300. He said the simulation exercise would cut across rural, urban, humid, riverine, very hot or cold regions to test the card readers under all terrains. Meanwhile, Olumekun at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security comprising all the security agencies, stressed that adequate provision of security would play a critical role in the success of the forthcoming polls. The meeting appraised the situation and strategised on how to ensure and guarantee maximum security during all electoral activities in the state. Source: THEPUNCH

Justice Uwais Declines Comment on Son’s ISIS Membership

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, Wenesday, declined to comment on the report by a foreign news medium that his son had joined the terrorist group, Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, ISIS. In a telephone conversation with Vanguard in Abuja, the respected jurists, who was Nigeria’s Chief Justice between 1995 and 2006, neither confirmed nor denied the report published by a United States of America-based newspaper, The Will on March 4, 2015. Reminded that the report had already gone viral, Uwais, who also spearheaded Nigeria’s electoral reforms, said that he had no comment on the matter. “I don’t want to comment on hearsay,” the former CJN said. The San Francisco-based news medium had reported that the son of the retired judge, whose name it did not disclose, had joined ISIS after moving from Nigeria with his two of his wives and children in order to help fight alongside ISIS, which presently controls large territories in Iraq, Syria and Libya. The newspaper said that the intelligence report came from Saudi Arabia, one of the over 50 countries alongside the United Nations that has designated ISIS as a terrorist organization. If proved to be true, this would be the second time a member of a Nigerian elitist family would be linked to a foreign terrorist group. The first was the notorious underwear bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a member of al-Qaeda, who is presently serving a life sentence without parole in the United States, who is the youngest son of Katsina born Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, a very wealthy Nigerian banker and businessman, who had also served as a federal Minister in the 70s. Sources said that Justice Uwais had been told about the development. The Nigerian military and its West African allies are presently preoccupied with defeating the Boko Haram, a Nigerian terrorist group responsible for thousands of brutal killings and deadly bombings in northern Nigeria and border towns in Cameroun and Chad. of VANGUARD

2015 Elections: Opadokun reveals shocking secrets about Afenifere ||says Tinubu superior to group leaders

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Former Secretary-General of the Afenifere and ex-General Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition, Chief Ayo Opadokun, speaks on the crisis in Afenifere and the controversial endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by leaders of the pan-Yoruba organisation, in this interview with LEKE BAIYEWU [caption id="attachment_223599" align="alignleft" width="300"] Ayo Opadokun[/caption]There are different stories on what led the lingering crisis among the Yoruba leaders under the umbrella of Afenifere. What is your take of the state of the organisation today? First, I want to remind you that I was the General Secretary of Afenifere for 15 years. We came to irreconcilable relationship in 2001 and since then, I have been out of that body. I have resisted every effort to make me to comment on Afenifere. Mr. Wale Oshun (President of Afenifere Renewal Group, a breakaway faction of the Afenifere) wrote about ‘Afenifere and the Kiss of Death.’ Sometimes in 2000 after we had won (governorship) election in six states in Yorubaland, two sets of middle class of Yoruba people came knocking on my door for almost five months. The two organisations were called ‘The New Generation’ and ‘Idile.’ They used to come to me, massaging the ego of Afenifere and its exploits – that if it was not for its leadership, the Yoruba people could have been totally subverted irretrievably; that they were grateful that we had succeeded in the battle to keep the honour and integrity of the Yoruba race high. They just wanted to come and assist. They also went to other leaders of Afenifere. It was a hard sell for me to convince Senator (Abraham) Adesanya, who had become the leader after the death of Pa (Adekunle) Ajasin. The steering committee of Afenifere, therefore, permitted me to invite five members from each of the two groups to start attending Afenifere meetings. That was when they got to know what Afenifere is – all of them. Who were they? The New Generation included Jimi Agbaje (now Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State), I can’t remember the name of others now. In the Idile group, there was Dayo Adeyeye, Niyi Afuye, and Adedokun Abolarin, who has become the Orangun of Oke-Ila. Arguments for and against their admission were on among members but we succeeded in convincing our colleagues that the challenges confronting the Yoruba race needed the combination of the energy and mastery of the current technology to drive our affairs, which the youths would provide, while the elders would continue to brainstorm on the policy options. That was the basis of their coming to Afenifere. I do not know any of them who had had anything to do with the organisation before. Was it the same time the like of Yinka Odumakin joined Afenifere? Occasionally, like other journalists, Odumakin visited me. When I returned from the second detention (by the military regime), I remember that Dr. Olubumi Omosehindemi, who was the leader of traditional doctors in Lagos, and Odumakin started coming to me. I never knew Odumakin before. From then, he was reporting to my rented apartment regularly for about six months, while I was watching him. I thought I should try him; he should follow me to Afenifere meetings to take minutes for me. That was his first encounter with Afenifere; that was his entry point. He was to take minutes for me. At what point did the new entrants become full members? Over time, there were occasions that warranted the organisation to attempt at broadening its base; that the young members be given greater room to contribute. On such occasions, we talked about finance. We wanted to organise a Yoruba Congress under the auspices of the Yoruba Leadership Forum and we needed money to do that. Prior to this time, we had always been contributing money to run such programmes from our private pockets. With these young people, particularly those of them in the new generation with many of them being well-to-do professionals, chief executives of successful business concerns, we concluded that we should make one of them the treasurer. The pan-Yoruba congress was held in 2000. We appealed to them on what contributions they could make to make the event successful. For instance, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who later became Governor of Ogun State between 2003 and 2011 gave us a generator to power the theatre (for the event) in Mokola/Sabo area of Ibadan. Gradually through that process, all these people became full-time members. When Daniel defected from the Alliance for Democracy – the party that was formed by the Afenifere of Yorubaland – Jimi Agbaje was suggested to be the treasurer of the organisation. That was how they became part of us. Looking back at these new entrants in Afenifere today, have they been steering the wheel of the organisation as expected? I don’t want to generate any brickbats or throw punches. Once upon a time, Afenifere’s declaration had serious implication nationally and globally. The reportage of the Afenifere was most times on the front and back pages or major spaces in the media because the organisation was respected. In fact, whoever was the occupant of Aso Rock was always on his toes before taking a policy measure. They were always concerned on the take of the Afenifere on such policies, so much that we knew of some occasions when government utilised one of the newspapers they thought was close to us to test public reaction over certain matters. With all sense of responsibility, even in the hearts of those who call themselves name, they know that something is amiss. The raison de’tat of the organisation, which had always been political, has been extremely subverted. Are you saying that Afenifere is political and not socio-cultural? Afenifere has never been a traditional body. It is not a cultural organisation. Egbe Omo Oduduwa may be regarded as a socio-cultural organisation; Afenifere is not from day one. After the public presentation of the Action Group to Nigerians in Owo (Ondo State) in 1951, the leaders got back to Ibadan – the then seat of government – and people started to ask for the name of the party announced to them. You know our people, they were like ‘Action what?’ They were looking for a name that would approximate to what was the intention and objectives for which the party was formed. There were several suggestions. At the end, it was the late Chief Meredith Adisa Akinloye who suggested ‘Afenifere’ to be the name of the Action Group in Yorubaland. That was the beginning. Any other story is not true. There was no time that the Action Group was a socio-cultural organisation. It had always been a political party. In this Fourth Republic, it was the name of the officials of Afenifere in all Yoruba towns that was exchanged for the Alliance for Democracy. It was selfish intention on the side of the characters who were elected on the platform of the AD, who benefited and were separating the party from Afenifere. It was the executive of Afenifere that was used to register the AD. Quite a number of misguided people were selling falsehood to Nigerians that AD’s ties with Afenifere were disturbing them from getting nationwide attention and acceptability. Was that what led to the formation of the Action Congress Nigeria? Yes, that was the reason it was Tinubu who initiated the Governors’ Forum and hosted the first two meetings of the forum in Lagos. In fact, in 2005, Governor Bola Tinubu (of Lagos State) invited me to a meeting where he told me that his colleagues – in the Peoples Democratic Party were apprehensive that, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the President might make it difficult for them to get a second term. Therefore, they wanted an alternative party which they would use to run for their re-election. They appealed to Tinubu to help them do the registration. Tinubu called me and told me the story; he told me that Governor Lucky Igbinedion (of Edo State then) and his friend, James Ibori (then Governor of Delta State) pleaded that Tom Ikimi, the erstwhile Minister of Foreign Affairs under (the late military ruler, Gen. Sani) Abacha should join me in working to register the ACN. After about two months of working with Ikimi, I could not believe what I was seeing, even in his domestic affairs. He was too Bohemian-like in nature; his temperament was terribly difficult for me to manage. I told Tinubu that I wanted to opt out so that Ikimi could go on with the registration. Tinubu appealed to me that I should go ahead with the registration, which I eventually did. Did you register the ACN with the support of other members of Afenifere or you did it on your own? I had already left Afenifere then; I was on my own. By 2001, I had left Afenifere for almost five years. I am a legal practitioner and journalist. If I wanted three-square meal, I could have it. What then happened with the PDP governors and the ACN? It didn’t take long before things became awry. Even the governors who thought they could have used the ACN were very fearful of what Obasanjo would do to them. It appeared that it was Tinubu who sponsored and paid everything for the registration of the ACN. Is this a confirmation of Yinka Odumakin’s claim that some leaders of Afenifere and the National Democratic Coalition, after they became wealthy from their election into public offices, decided to dump the organisation? No doubt, those who got elected into office did not want to submit themselves to the leadership of the Afenifere. That might be so. But then, there was much more on the other side. Some people in the Afenifere mismanaged their stake and position in the organisation. No matter how little any person can be, when he becomes a governor in whose custody the collective destiny of the people has been registered, you cannot treat him like an ordinary man or an ordinary member of the organisation. People voted for him. Even if he were your son, it is very necessary for you to accord him the respect he deserves as the governor – the first person in that state. If you are in your room, you can treat yourselves as father and son. What I found in some of the leaders then was that they were of this magisterial posture – ‘We made him. Therefore, he must be obedient to our position.’ And some of them (governors) too were not sufficiently knowledgeable about the Yoruba culture, tradition and artefacts. What usually happened was that as soon as these people mounted their posts, they recognised their first class nature; that there is no one above them again. The official jesters, jobbers and sycophants around them will keep telling them, ‘you are the governor; the one elected by the people. How can you allow anybody to be goading you into doing something which you are not comfortable with?’ Ultimately, there is always the tendency of the new king or the governor to attempt at subverting the registered importance of such organisations that made them. That is what happened. If it is true that the Afenifere is purely a political group, why then are the leaders of the organisation being criticised for endorsing President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term? About seven months ago, we read in the newspapers of a group called the Yoruba Unity Forum. They held a meeting in Ikenne (Ogun State) with Mama HID Awolowo. They exclaimed that part of their resolution was that the Yoruba had been ignored and neglected by the Jonathan-led administration; that they had been relegated in the scheme of things, especially as regards political appointments and that they would go to Abuja to meet with President Jonathan to right such wrongs. I told the media about two days after, that those people knew for themselves that they were not speaking for the Yoruba nation. I said it had never been the trait, tradition or custom or convention of the Yoruba to go cap in hand to beg for what rightly belongs to them. I said what any right-thinking Yoruba man ought to be concerned with is that the currently skewed, warped and lopsided national structure should be reworked. It is clear that the Nigerian government, so to say, has been governing unitarily and centrally in actuality, even though it claims to be a federal republic. There are too many incidences that are counter to federal constitutional arrangement. In any federal constitution known, each of the components, because they have their assemblies or legislatures, can say ‘these are the laws that bind our people.’ They have the constitutional right to establish their police force. Since after the First Republic, the military had continued to have control over the entire federation. They have prohibited other things other than the deformation of the Nigerian Police, which they at the centre will continue to control. They have used the Nigerian Police as instrument of control nationwide. I told the YUF that they were wasting their time; that their own, General Olusegun Obasanjo, was in government (as President) for eight years; what one thing did he succeed in doing to Yorubaland in spite of the humongous money he sunk in infrastructure like power and road? Obasanjo did not commission one road (in Yorubaland) throughout his eight-year rule. Up till today, I’ve not seen any road that the Federal Government has constructed since the six-year advent of the current occupant of Nigerian presidency. Therefore, I indicated that the most important thing to the Yoruba race was how to rework this lopsided national structure so that every nationality could develop on its terms without being held back. Remember that under Abacha’s regime, somebody who had not gotten to the four walls of the university was made the Minister of Education. And when people asked him, he said they were talking nonsense; that did he need it (degree) to be able to run the ministry. That is the evidence of the irresponsibility. While some people can spend their entire resources on their wards to attend particular schools, some people are looking for plastics for their children to go around begging. And they are in the same country. Also, I said then that anybody, no matter who they are, are in a temporary sojourn in the presidential house. And in the individual’s policy options they decided voluntarily to ignore the Yoruba race to alienate them from the system, certainly they will meet their waterloo someday later on. The Yoruba, traditionally and culturally, can live without government. Most of our people do not want to hang on to government. Most of our people want to be on their own, manufacturing, producing and using their God-given intellect to significantly operate within the platform that technology has provided. I asked them – members of the YUF – why are you hanging on to be in the central government? Now, they are agitating that no Yoruba man is in government. They were sold a dummy that they wanted to give the fourth place (Speaker of the House of Representatives) to one Mulikat (Akande-Adeola, now Majority Leader); that it was because the chance was subverted by Tinubu and his people; that that is why there is no Yoruba from the first 25 to 30. I reminded them that Yoruba people are not mercenaries. The immediate Speaker of the House of Representatives (Dimeji Bankole) was from Ogun State. I asked them that with that office of the Speaker, ‘what did he bring to the Yorubaland?’ He should tell me and the whole world what he brought to the land other than for him to be stupendously rich unreasonably, unwisely and ungodly too; to the extent that he and his father could buy the big NITEL edifice, as widely reported by the media. How does that affect the Yoruba race? Did that contribute anything to their living standard? Yoruba people have not been willing to voluntarily force themselves on anybody in government because they can always utilise their god-given human ingenuity to run their race. There are particular sets of people in Nigeria who, from the cradle to grave, live on government. That has never been Yoruba lifestyle. But every ethnic group or geopolitical zone has the right to complain to the President if it feels it has been marginalised. After they (YUF) had visited Jonathan, what did they bring? Nothing, except that some of them became very loyal, close lieutenants to Jonathan. The rest is history. Are you saying the Afenifere leaders can be wrong in their judgement on what affects their people? I was extremely surprised when I watched on television screen the attendees of the meeting they had in Akure and the one in Ibadan, and I saw that the agenda had been choreographed by a serial decampee in the name of Dr. Segun Mimiko, the Governor of Ondo State, who decamped from the AD to the PDP; he decamped from the PDP to the Labour Party; he has now decamped once again to the PDP. And he is now the South-West coordinator of Jonathan’s campaign. If such a character is the frontline coordinator of Jonathan’s campaign in Yorubaland; that speaks volume as to the kind of person the President himself is. The fact that Jonathan is now visiting Yorubaland every weekend gets me amused. I said about a year ago that the ruler of the central government in Aso Rock that so shabbily ignores or alienates the Yoruba nation would always do so at his own peril. The payback time has come. The weekly manoeuvring here in Yorubaland is most unlikely to yield any positive development. Are you saying voters in the South-West will not listen to their leaders? Certainly because our people know who their true leaders are. Maybe some people take Yorubaland for granted, as it appears in other zones of the country. The Yoruba, as a nation, allows multiplicity of views, perspectives and related arguments of any subject matter. But by the nature of the Yoruba race, they always insist that the best argument should be preferred. There had been no time when Yorubaland was monolithic politically. In the golden days of Awolowo, there would always be the Akinjides of this world, the Akinloyes, the Fani-Kayodes. And because they were always in alliance, with some measure of conspiracy with a particular part of the country, they would be put in some highly promising political offices where they could make some illegal amount of money, which they could use to influence some Yoruba people. At every occasion when Yoruba people were given the privilege of deciding their destiny, they had never failed, despite the monies that these characters could have. Yoruba people know their leaders. On the day of reckoning, they will register their pleasure and displeasure. They will vote for their choice. Every one of us, if you have aged 18, have the individual right to vote for somebody of our choice. Nobody can query anyone for that. If you succeed in persuading your entire household to vote for a particular candidate, why not, if not? What we will not agree with; what we will disagree with vehemently is any attempt to foist personal preference, prejudice on the Yoruba nation; trying to ridicule them and subvert their collective destiny as to where they should vote. It’s important to stress that any person or individuals or group can have as many reasons for hating Tinubu, as a person and/or his politics. They cannot be allowed to cross the line by carrying their personal animosities and/or hatred in the form of transferred aggression to confuse our people. After all, some of them have had three governorship election opportunities to test their political acceptability and dexterity and they had been crushingly defeated each time by Tinubu. It is ungentlemanly for them not to acknowledge his superiority over them politically. Source: THEPUNCH

Just 20-days more to, Jonathan, PDP still not ready for....

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_223694" align="alignright" width="300"] President Goodluck Jonathan[/caption]The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not ready for the forthcoming 2015 general elections, the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said. Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said this morning in Port Harcourt that this explains the desperation of the party to scuttle the polls with one booby trap after another. According to him, “The rejection by PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan of the card reader machines which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has successfully tested and intends to use for the March 28 and April 11 general elections did not come to us as a surprise because PDP as a party has not prepared well for the polls. It had hoped to rig its way to victory as usual and has purchased and hoarded the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) of many Nigerians but has been frustrated by INEC’s ingenuity in introducing the card reader machines, which has disorganised its rigging plot. We can know understand why 14,000 PVCs of the Rivers State electorate have been declared missing by INEC as these are some of the cards stolen by PDP in its bid to rig the elections.” Continuing, the APC chief said in a statement, “After succeeding to postpone the February 14 presidential election to buy time and seeing that Nigerians are hell-bent to sack his clueless and corruptive administration, Jonathan and his failed party are now preoccupied with their satanic plot to sack INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and bring in someone who will do their bidding by abandoning the use of card readers so as to create the necessary foundation for them to rig. Their rejection of the card reader machines after the same machines were approved and the contract for their purchase awarded by the Federal Executive Council under the watch of President Jonathan simply demonstrates that Jonathan and his doomed party are either not ready for this election or are looking for anything they can use as an excuse to abort it once again.” Dr. Ikanya claimed that “the last-minute rejection of the card readers shows how jittery Jonathan and PDP have become, as they are aware that PDP can never win any credible election in Nigeria.” He said that enough is enough and challenged Nigerians to rise as one and insist that the card readers must be used for the polls. The Rivers APC Chairman declared that it is too late in the game to change the rules, adding: “PDP and President Jonathan have no hiding place anymore. They should be ready to face APC at the polls on March 28 and April 11 or get ready to face the wrath of Nigerians, who cannot afford to bear another four years of suffering and gnashing of teeth under Jonathan and his evil party, the PDP.” Source: News Express

Nigeria2015: Jonathan’s election-motivated actions too little, too late – APC

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jonathan’s election-motivated actions too little, too late

LEAKED: Jonathan Sends Mbeki, Abdusalami To Beg Buhari

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki and Former Nigerian Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar Monday, stormed Kaduna to meet with the Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari over the forth coming general elections. At the end of the meeting which was held behind closed doors at General Buhari’s office along Jabi Road in an eyebrow area of Kaduna metropolis Monday morning, neither the visitors, nor General Buhari spoke with newsmen. Mbeki and Abdulsalami left to the Kaduna International Airport to fly back to Abuja after a photo session which marked the end of the over one hour meeting. However, a source close to General Buhari told our Correspondent that, the meeting was unconnected with the Presidential election rescheduled for March 28. According to the source who spoke unofficially said, “They are here to prevail on General Buhari not to probe Jonathan after emerging President in the coming election.” Source: OMOJUWA

Inline code for use

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

General: Read: #March28: Proper funeral day for PDP, as Jonathan will be sent on honourable retirement – says Odigie-Oyegun Shocking Revelation! How PDP plans to eliminate Tinubu before the general elections Read also: #GEJOkagbare: Okagbare hits Jonathan for using her image for campaign, even when… Read: Nigeria-Morocco row: PDP, APC in fresh battle Read: PRESIDENTIAL POLL: PDP can only win JUST on ONE condition…— ex. Min. Gbagi||Tells party to leave Buhari alone, face issue-based campaign Read: The ONLY prevent electoral violence is to… Mbeki: Read: What Jonathan told Abdulsalami, Mbeki Read: 2015 Elections: Why Mbeki, Abdulsalami meet Buhari after meeting with Jonathan Read: 2015: Let’s kill corruption, before it kills us – Buhari tells NigeriansIvory Coast ex-first lady in 20 years imprisonment…BIG lesson for Patience Jonathan Read: 2015 Polls: Despite all designed distractions, Jega insists on giving Nigerians credible elections Read: Shocking: Why PDP govs, reject Card Readers Read: 2015 Polls: PDP's fresh plan, strategy to attack INEC reveals Read: We won’t print new ballot papers for rescheduled polls — INEC insists Read: The main reason why Igbo rulers back INEC on use of Card Readers For Elections TINUBU: Read Also: Crossing the line: Shaka Momodu’s obsession with Tinubu…A MUST READ Read: OMG! You wont believe how much AIT received for damaging documentaries APC leaders…guess who their next target is? Also: AIT in BIG Trouble: As Tinubu threatens to sue Daar Communications over…. Shocking Revelation! How PDP plans to eliminate Tinubu before the general elections Yoruba: Read: SHOCKER! Don’t expect Obas to campaign for you – S/West Monach tells Jonathan Read: March 28 Poll: Simple Questions For Yoruba Monarchs – By Anthony A. Kila Read: Empty Promise! Just give me this LAST chance, then I will… – Jonathan begs Yoruba leaders for vote Read: Yoruba Ronu ooo!!! As the Yoruba reflect on this moment in history…. BOKOHARAM: Read: War! As ISIS accepts Boko Haram’s pledge of allegiance Read: Shocking! What B’Haram plans to do with ISIL...A MUST READ Read: WARNING! We’ll be having recruit for Boko Haram in the next 15 years, unless…- Obasanjo PATIENCE: Read: FINALLY REVEALED: The main reason why Buhari dragged Patience Jonathan to ICC Read: Ivory Coast ex-first lady in 20 years imprisonment…BIG lesson for Patience Jonathan Read: Ahead March 28:The BITTER truth Presidency MUST know and take Read: Just before #NigeriaDecides: Shocking reasons why Patience Jonathan MUST apologise Read: Just before #NigeriaDecide: Shocking past records of Jonathan you must know Read: EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan, his many broken promises….revealing facts!

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

(2) Interactive session with @ProfOsinbajo in London |#GMB15| @GMBOffice @gebusites @kfayemi @bukolasaraki @Laurestar pic.twitter.com/H19ymuNxrs
— APC United Kingdom (@APCUKingdom) March 14, 2015

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

INEC office

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

X President Goodluck JonathanX How Okonjo-Iweala Is Frustrating Governors- Says FasholaX We’ll complete projects says FasholaX Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-IwealX Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos StateX western NigeriaX (Development Agenda for Western NigeriaX Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-IwealaX 16 governors loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan and embattled PDP ChairmanX Shocking! How;Why Okonjo-Iweala Frustrats Governors prior To Elections Choose from the most used President Jonathan, Rasaq Olokoba, COSEG’s chairman- Ifedayo Ogunlana,Rasaq Olokobaa, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, More Knocks For OPC Over Rampage In Lagos, Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Agric Value Chains Empowerment, Few days to poll: More battle For OPC over rampage in Lagos, as many Nigerians blast group, Few days to poll: More battle For OPC over rampage in Lagos; as many Nigerians blast group All Progressives Congress (APC), Dollar Tactic: PDP planning to implicate APC leaders again, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Idi-Iroko, West African nation, jamb, cbt, utme, 2015/2016 jamb, cbt result, JAMB 2015/2016 Candidates eparate tags with commas X Buhari receives 14 partiesX confident of credible pollsX Buhari receives 14 parties; confident of credible pollsX All Progressives Congress (APC)X General Muhammadu BuhariX Coalition of Progressive Political Parties (COP3)X eoples Democratic Movement (PDM)X African Peoples Alliance (APA)X KOWA PartyX Social Democratic Party (SDP)X African Democratic Congress (ADC)X Hope Democratic PartyX Democratic Peoples Party (DPP)X United Peoples Party (UPP)X Accord PartyX Independent Democratic (ID)X Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)X Action Alliance (AA)X All Progressives Congress (APC). Read: Ahead 2015 poll: Drama as Jega refuses to meet with Oritejafor….You must read this

code for Thurs march 19

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: Ahead 2015 poll: Drama as Jega refuses to meet with Oritejafor….You must read this Read: EXPENSIVE JOKE! Gov. Lamido reveals how PDP plans to cripple APC’s activities, just few days to poll Read: 2015 POLLS: Fear of exposure of alleged massive corruption grips PDP…Fani-Kayode MUST read this Read: Open Secret: Tinubu reveals how to get Card Reader to identify your fingerprint …this is really revealing! Read: 2015 POLL: Soyinka reveals why he no longer regard Patience as the First Lady of Nigeri || states his problem with Jonathan Read: It’s wrong for Jonathan to summon electoral umpire, Jega at will – APC Read: Few days to poll: Plot to kill APC council boss revealed Read: Afenifere’s endorsement of Jonathan wrong –Akinrinade Read: Anti-Jega Rally: OPC is for Yoruba interests and not for personal interests – Ekiti OPC blasts Gani Adams Read: 2015 Poll: The ONLY hope of Nigeria is…..- says Utomi

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Omoworare, Fadahunsi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Francis Fadahunsi, Iya Oge, Permanent Voter Cards,Permanent Voter Cards, Call Fadahunsi To Order- Omoworare Tells Police I-G; DSS, 2015 Polls: Call Fadahunsi To Order- Omoworare Tells Police I-G; DSS Frederick Chiluba, Multi Party Democratic (MPD), Jonathan Goodluck/Namadi Sambo, Major General Muhammadu Buhari/Pastor Tunde Bakare, March 28 2015 Presidential election, President Mathieu Kerekou, Nicephore Soglo, President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua, General Olusegun Obasanjo,Chief Chukemeka Odumegwu OjukwuX Life after election defeat, Chief Fredrick Louis Menkiti, Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909-1987), Dr. Nnamdi AzikweX Alhaji Aminu Kano,Major General Muhammadu Buhari, 2015 Polls Unlike Previous Election: Life after election defeat...a must read!

CODE FOR MARCH 20

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: Poll: Shocking secrets of Fani-Kayode exposed…haa! this will really shock you [VIDEO] Read: Big Trouble! Any Igboman or woman who votes for Jonathan is spitting on Ojukwu’s grave — says former PDP women leader aspirant Read: Polls: A special message to Patience from Buhari’s wife…A MUST READ Read: Ahead elections U.S. sends warning to Jonathan, Buhari Read: Interim Govt: Power grabbers want to truncate Nigeria’s democracy –Soyinka blast FG again Read: SHOCKING! Two issues anyone can accuse me of – Buhari reveals Read: APC blasts PDP again, reveals the doom ahead the party within the next four days Read: Few days to polls: Yoruba leaders say NO to interim govt ||reject Jonathan’s endorsement Read: 8 days to Poll: Osun APC Supporter On Danger List, Others Displaced By PDP Thugs Read: OPC Protest: Gani Adams Betrays Yoruba Nation – OPC Ruling Body Read: 2015 Polls: Call Fadahunsi To Order- Omoworare Tells Police I-G, DSS Read: Presidential: Igbimo Agba hits Jonathan hard…insists Yoruba can’t be bought with his dollars Read: 2015 Polls Unlike Previous Elections: Life after election defeat…a must read!

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Adaobi, 2015: Any Igboman or woman who votes for Jonathan is spitting on Ojukwu’s grave —former PDP women leader aspirant, Fani-Kayode, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Adaobi Kate Uchegbu, President Goodluck Jonathan, late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.X All Progressives Congress (APC)X Keep Your Young Children Away from Femi Fani-Kayode, Big Trouble! Any Igboman or woman who votes for Jonathan is spitting on Ojukwu’s grave — says former PDP women leader aspirant, Adaobi Kate Uchegbu, Poll: Shocking secrets of Fani-Kayode exposed...haa! this will really shock you [VIDEO],Fani-Kayode

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

All Progressives Congress (APC), United Nations, Suleiman Abba, (IGP) Mr. Suleiman Abba, Attahiru Jega, Countdown to Nigeria’s presidential election, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), 2015 Polls: Countdown to Nigeria’s presidential election...critical issues to consider, jambX cbt, utme, 2015 cbt, cbt result, Boko Haram jihadists

Code for 22 March

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: Poll: NURTW blasts Afenifere leaders…. defends Tinubu Read: Few days to poll: PDP still in battle with ACPN on card readers issue Read: Six days to polls: Jonathan, Buhari in last minute battle for votes Read: Asiri tu! PDP fresh plot to clampdown on Tinubu, other leaders prior to poll exposed Read: 2015 POLLS: The greatest mistake Nigerians MUST never again- Buhari reveals Read: Shocking! I’m NOT in charge of….-Jonathan admits….haa! Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces? [VIDEO] Read: 2015 CBT: Prof. Dibu Ojerinde reaveals why ONLY 895, 000 CBT results JAMB released, how others can get their results Read: 6 days to Poll: Jonathan finally follows Lamido’s advice….read what he orders EFCC to do to Tinubu Read: March 28 Poll: Nigerians have made up their minds to vote out Jonathan – Kwankwaso

PHOTOS :

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

PHOTOS: SEE Buhari’s Home Town Youths Watching-Away Jonathan’s Foot Step With Soup, Water & Broom After Campaign Visit President Goodluck Jonathan took his presidential campaign to Daura, Katsina State, the home town of All Progressives Congress presidential candidates, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, where he, the president was conferred with a chieftaincy title. Immediately the president left, some irate youths took to the street to wash the president’s and his entourage foot steps from the town with water, soap and broom; signalling he is not wanted. Similar incident took place in Bauchi and some northern states where some youth swept off the president’s foot steps after campaign.

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

DIFFERENT KINDS OF LINKS. READ ALSO: A MUST READ- Attacks On Buhari: You’re Desperate! APC Lambasted PDP Govs READ ALSO: THE TRANSFIGURATION OF GENERAL BUHARI (2): A CHANGE IN TIME READ ALSO: Patience ‘Hate Speeches’, Jonathan Must Disown Them… ALSO READ: Osun Tribunal Update: How Tribunal Decided Governorship Petition… ALSO READ: Boko Haram! War Outbreak As Battle for Bama Rages ALSO READ: Anxiety in PDP Over Mu’azu’s “resignation”, What Is Really Happening??? READ ALSO: Poll: Ex-minister Accuses PDP Govs, Ministers Of Abandoning President To Campaign Alone READ ALSO: PDP Proves Stubborn, Says Patience Jonathan Will Not Appear Before ICC ALSO READ: Updated: Big Trouble Land! As Senate Confirms Obanikoro, Seven Others Ministers…You Need To Read This ALSO READ: BURSTED! Danjuma Behind Closed-Doors Meeting With Jonathan, Denies Backing Any Candidate ALSO READ: A MUST READ: Why We Will Ensure Victory For APC, Royal Father Tells Oshiomhole READ ALSO:UNBELIEVABLE!!! Soyinka Accuses Presidency As The Major Culprit Of Using …. READ ALSO: UPDATE: INEC Meet Today To Review Card Reader Test… READ ALSO: AT LAST!!! Card Reader Test Successful – INEC ALSO READ: A Must Read!!! Trouble Outbreak As PDP, APC Supporters Clash In Rivers READ ALSO: 2015 Polls: CJN Warns Judges Against Scuttling Elections…This Is What He Threatens ALSO READ: Atiku Blows Hot!! Says I’m Not Under Any PDP Pressure, Am After APC Success In 2015 Elections… READ ALSO: Ha! You Won't Believe What Osinbajo Said About Buhari...This Will Shock You ALSO READ:At Last! Buhari Opens Up On Religion... ALSO READ: March 28 Elections: See What Mark and Others Prepared For Election...You Wont Believe This READ ALSO: This Is Unbearable For Jonathan! Awujale Ignores Jonathan's Re-endorsement...This Is What Really Happened ALSO READ: REVEALED!!! Why I jumped Out Of PDP’s Sinking Ship- Omo-Agege READ ALSO: Update! Patience ‘Hate Speeches’: Northern Monarchs Fires Back, Warn Against. . . READ ALSO: 2015 Poll: IBB Voiced Out! Count Me Out Of. . . READ ALSO: BREAKING!!! How Opposition Leader Was Murdered ! ALSO READ: OPEN Secret!! Why I Rejected Jonathan’s Offer Of Interim VP– Tinubu Reveals READ ALSO: A MUST READ!!! Reject PDP’s Bribe, Says Aregbesola READ ALSO: AT LAST! Alao-Akala Finally Opens Up On His Collapse...Hear What He Said ALSO READ: You Won't Believe This! Okagbare Shuns Jonathan’s Campaign Group Over. . . ALSO READ: PDP Attacks APC Again! Clashes Over What??? READ ALSO: March 28, Here We Come! Who Is Afraid Of Elections??? ALSO READ: 2015 Poll- Jega Blows Hot Again! Accused Parties Of. . . READ ALSO: Jega Exit: What Jega Must Do! Says MASSOB. . .A MUST READ READ ALSO: INCREDIBLE! Read What Sambo Said About Card Readers READ ALSO: UPDATE NEWS- King Of Morocco Deliberately Shuns GEJ | Read What Really Happened ALSO READ: March 20, 2015: Jonathan, Buhari To Come Face to Face In Abuja Over. . .|You Don't Want To Miss This ALSO READ: Shocking News!!! Tinubu Raised Alarm: Why PDP Wants To Assassinate Me. . . READ ALSO: Updated: Big Disgrace! Obas Don’t Canvass Vote For Anybody, Awujale To Jonathan ALSO READ: Busted!!! Jonathan Blew N7b On National Conference, Says Buhari READ ALSO: B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G!!! Two PDP Officials Were Shot Dead In Benue By...A Must Read ALSO READ: NOT AGAIN! PDP Chieftain Asks Court To Stop INEC From. . .This Will Shock You ALSO READ: Wahala de o! Mu’azu In Fresh Trouble Over Jonathan| What Is It This Time??? READ ALSO: Busted!!! Saraki Not Aware Of Any Love Triangle Between The President, Two Women READ ALSO: BIG LIE! EFCC Not After Buhari o– Spokesman ALSO READ: Anti-Buhari Antics: Fayose Is Desperate! APC Fires Back At Him READ ALSO: Attacks On Tinubu: Shaka Momodu Sponsors Have Failed Again! A MUST READ READ ALSO: EXPOSED!!! PDP Secretly Begs Court To Stop INEC From Using Card Reader| Did Court Agree??? READ ALSO: Updated!! Fresh Tension Grip APC Officials Over Jonathan’s Watch List…This Is Unbelievable ALSO READ: Jonathan Must Apologise To Us Otherwise…A MUST READ ALSO READ: Confusion Hit APC Over Jonathan’s List To Bring Down APC leaders| You Don’t Want To Miss This http://thenationonlineng.net/new/confusion-over-alleged-order-to-probe-atiku-tinubu-amaechi-saraki/ http://www.osundefender.org/news/updated-fresh-tention-grip-apc-officials-over-jonathan's-watch-list-this-is-unbelievable/ ALSO READ: Update: Why Fed Govt’s Refuse To Release Funds For Election- Tribunal ALSO READ: Attack On Tinubu: Read APC Lawmaker’s Reaction…A MUST READ ALSO READ: Unbelievable! Clark Lambasted EFCC As Commission Denies Probing Tinubu, Atiku…You Won’t Believe What He Said READ ALSO: AT LAST! Jonathan Confess What He Did To King of Morocco…He Must Apologize For This READ ALSO: Updated! Immigration Recruitment- Fed Govt Gives N75 Million For. . .A MUST READ ALSO READ: EXPOSED!!! PDP Governors Fresh Plot To Rig Elections, Uncovered!! You Don't Want To Miss This ALSO READ: BIG PITY! Immigration Jobs Tragedy: APC Accuses Jonathan Of Taking Advantage Saying. . .A Must Read READ ALSO: 2015 Polls: Not Even PDP Can Stop Card Reader! |Court Finally Voice Out…This Will Amaze You READ ALSO: Updated! Immigration Recruitment- Fed Govt Gives N75 Million For. . .A MUST READ READ ALSO: Trouble don land o!! Clark Spit Fire, Tells Jonathan To Sack EFCC Chairman or Else. . READ ALSO: Update! INEC Releases Official Report On PVC Collection In All 36 States Of Nigeria|See Full List Here READ ALSO: 14 Days To General Election! Jonathan’s Siege On The South-West: Will it Determine Votes? ALSO READ: 14 Days To Election! PDP Still Don’t Get|Give Nigerians Anyone But Jonathan. . . ALSO READ: Happening Now! Pro-Jonathan Jogging In Anambra…See Photo READ ALSO: Updated! Shehu Shagari Voiced Out About His Death...You Need To Read This READ ALSO: 5 Days To Election: You Won't Believe What Happened To INEC Card reader In Zamfara|This Will Shock You READ ALSO: 2 Days To The Presidential Election: Fresh Tension Grips Nigerians As Jonathan Speaks On Postponement Of Elections||Are They Going To… READ ALSO: March 28: Why We Are Against Card Reader By All Means, PDP Opens Up. . .You Don’t Want To Miss This ALSO READ: Nigeria Elections: 7 Suspects Caught Cloning Card Reader For PDP In. . .A MUST READ ALSO READ: 2015 ELECTION: U.S. Set For BIG Crisis In Nigeria If Election Is Postpone Again or Else. . . READ ALSO: Updated: Reason Why PDP Expels Ex-Speaker, House Of Reps Member, Others For Campaigning For Buhari Exposed! READ ALSO: Busted! Fresh Plot To Eliminate Buhari Discovered|You Won’t Believe What They Target READ ALSO: 2015 UTME: Check Out List Of Universities That Accept Below 200 or 180 and Above In JAMB||Check and See For Yourself ALSO READ: BIG Danger!!! Assassins Are After Me, Amaechi Cries Out ALSO READ: 2 Days To Election: Jonathan, Buhari Meet Again! What Were They Discussing??? ALSO READ: Update News! Jonathan’s Out To Demonize Ex-military Leaders – IBB Allege ALSO READ: Unbelievable!! Please Vote For My Husband, Patience Jonathan Begs Oyo Women ALSO READ: B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G!!! Minimah Has Sworn To Rig Election For Jonathan– El-Rufai Busted Out ALSO READ: March 28 Election: Jonathan In Closed-Door Meeting With Abdulsalami, Sultan, Others Again|Could They Be Planing How To Rig This Election??? ALSO READ: Fresh Update! How Jonathan Starved Governors Of Funds Exposed – Aregbesola|Jonathan Must Go! ALSO READ: 2015: Don’t Sack Me Please, Mbu Begs Court|Why? What Did He Do?? ALSO READ: Stop! or Else We Will Expose You|Group Warns Fayose On. . . ALSO READ: Election Update: We Are Ready For Troublemakers! Minimah Warns ALSO READ: Update: Unidentified Security Agents ‘seal Off’ APC Candidate’s Home. . .A MUST READ ALSO READ: 2015: Government Threatens To ‘execute’ Journalists ALSO READ: BREAKING NEWS!!! Fire Guts FCT High Court In Abuja|Big Disaster ALSO READ: 2015 Poll: INEC Voiced Out On Ballot Counting. . .Hear What He Said ALSO READ: 2015 Presidential Election: Strong Reasons Why and How PDP Will Lose|Don’t Miss This READ ALSO: News Update! PDP, APC Supporters’ Clash, Two People Were. . . READ ALSO: SERIOUS ISSUE! Fashola Accuses Yoruba Leaders Of Betrayal|You Won’t Believe What Happened READ ALSO: Election Update: How INEC Slated Domestic and International Observers To Monitor Polls. .This Is Getting Serious READ ALSO: Presidential Election Update: Buhari’s Disqualification Suffers Setback, Adjourned To. . . READ ALSO: 2015: Buhari Encourage Nigerians| Don’t Be Intimidated READ ALSO: UPDATED! JAMB CBT 2015: MY Jamb Result Is Not Yet Out ‘Solution’ Directly From JAMB, Check and Print Yours Here|Get The Solution Here READ ALSO: 2015 JAMB CBT: JAMB Releases Some Withheld-Pending CBT Results 2015||Are You Still Having Problem With Checking Your Result? Just Follow This Steps For Solution READ ALSO: Fayose In BIG Trouble Again! APC, Others Ask Court To Order His Arrest|Can He Escape This Time Around??? READ ALSO: March 28: Nigerians Must Be Delivered! Osinbajo Assured Nigerians READ ALSO: At Last! Osun Monarchs Rejects Jonathan Endorsement by Ooni|This Will Amaze You READ ALSO: BIG Shame!!! You Won’t Believe PDP, LP Gov Candidates Withdraw From Debate|Why? What Happened? READ ALSO: Unbelievable! PDP Threatens To Sanction Disloyal Members|This Will Shock You READ ALSO: 3 Days To Election: What Jonathan’s Administration Have Not Realise Yet|A Must Read READ ALSO: AMAZING!!! You Won’t Believe What Fayose’s Wife Did For Jonathan| READ ALSO: A Must Read! How Jonathan’ll Clear Financial Mess In Ekiti – Fayose’s wife READ ALSO: Busted! FG Plot To Cause Trouble In Lagos, Five Other States Discovered||A Must Read READ ALSO: IBB Blows Hot! Blast First Lady, Fayose, Fani-Kayode For Hate Campaigns|You Won’t Believe What He Told Them|Jonathan Must Not See This READ ALSO: Exposed Secret!!! At Last! Jega Voice Out|Why I’m Being Attacked Over Card Readers||Shocking News READ ALSO: 2 Days To Election: Jega Says NO! To Election Rigging For. . . READ ALSO: Election Countdown: FG Deployed Soldiers To Ensure. . .See Storie! READ ALSO: Tinubu Opens Up! Why He Gave Up His Ambition To Save APC|You Should Read This READ ALSO: Update News: Unknown Gunmen Shot Amaechi In Rivers|Did He Survive?? READ ALSO: B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G!!! FG Plans To Arrest APC Leaders Exposed|You Should See This READ ALSO: BIG Warning! Sound Sultan’s Sends Warning Message To Politicians|Read What He Said READ ALSO: Unbelievable! Why Mimiko’s Deputy Dumps PDP for APC|This Will Shock You READ ALSO: Immigration: Illegal Aliens In Niger Arrested For. . .Shocking News READ ALSO: Fashola Blows Hot Again! Blast Jonathan, Says Not Even Your Money Can. . .You Don’t Want To Miss This READ ALSO: Tomorrow Election: Jonathan, Buhari Agreed To Accept Polls Outcome Only If. . . READ ALSO: Discorvered! Fresh Format PDP Would Use To Rig This Election Exposed! Nigerians Must Hear This READ ALSO: Unimaginable! Wow! ‘One Million Votes For Buhari’|Jonathan In Real Big Trouble READ ALSO: Finally!!! Election D-Day – By Donu Kogbara READ ALSO: Updated: 10 Solid Reasons To Vote Out Jonathan|A Must Read READ ALSO: Fayose In BIG Wahala! APC Asks NHRC To Report Him To ICC|No Escape This Time Around READ ALSO: Bomb Shell! Court Strikes Out Suit Against PDP Gov Candidate|What Really Happened READ ALSO: Nigerian Decides: Welcome Back To Otuoke Jonathan After. . . READ ALSO: Shocking News! You Won’t Believe What Happened To Rev. Mbaka|This Will Shock You READ ALSO: (Update) On “Gunshots Fired At Ameachi”|Could PDP Be Behind The Attack??? READ ALSO: READ ALSO: READ ALSO: READ ALSO: READ ALSO: READ ALSO: READ ALSO: READ ALSO: READ ALSO:

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ex-PresidentX Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, (APC)General Muhammadu Buhari, Ekiti governorship election,Buhari and Obasanjo, Stop dragging our father’s name into disrepute; you’er an embarrassing to the family - Fayose's brother|| Reveals how; why he warned not vote for the gov, Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, Ekiti State Governor,Ayo Fayose,Ayo Fayose (Ekiti)

Codes for March 23

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: Few days to polls: Tinubu’s strange pose || APC leaders show the red card to PDP – 7 photos from last week Read: OPINION: Between continuity and change: Team GMB VS Team GEJ on Rubbin’ Minds Read: Finally Revealed: The main reason why Buhari was absent from Yobe campaign – Gaidam opens up Read: PRESIDENTIAL POLL: S/South says Jonathan must pay|| Insists president will not get the region’s votes Read: Few days to polls: Tinubu’s strange pose || APC leaders show the red card to PDP – 7 photos from last week Read: EXPOSED: Jonathan’s fresh plan to make elections in Southwest inconclusive leaked Read: Patience Jonathan; the first wife of a sitting President to be investigated by ICC…does she deserve this? Read: RED ALERT! Nigeria beware!! Fresh case Ebola returnes to Liberia Read: Polls: Thugs attack APC’s rally in Lagos Read: POLLS: Fasehun, Gani Adams and unending Southwest conspiracies…A MUST READ Read: Shocking! World famous reformer Lee Kuan Yew dies Read: Rivers 2015: APC blasts Ikuru; says he was a mole in the party Read: Haa! Few days to poll, Fr Mbaka shuts Adoration Ground over….na wa o!! Read: 2015 POLLS: You need to know how much Wike pays Jonathan’s wife monthly…this will shock you! Read: #NigeriaDecides2015: 17 States to Buhari, 14 states to Jonathan -VANGUARD Read: Presidential Poll: Kwankwaso insists Buhari ‘ll get 90% votes in Kano Read: Is Shehu Shagari really dead? What actually happened?– Aide reveals details Read: March 28: How Jonathan, Buhari will battle for votes Read: Buhari says Nigerians’re clamouring for change more than APC Read: Stop dragging our father’s name into disrepute; you’er an embarrassing to the family – Fayose’s brother|| Reveals how, why he warned not vote for the gov

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Goodluck Jonathan, oil sector, If GEJ couldn’t do it in 6 years; he’ll do it in 4 – ‘eradication of oil sector corruption’, If GEJ couldn’t do it in 6 years; he’ll do it in 4 – ‘eradication of oil sector corruption’, Jonathan @it again o! Though unable to do it in 6 years; promise to do it in the next 4 years||If you can believe this; your faith will move more than mountains

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

X ibbX objX dajumaX wole soyinkaX Proff. Pat UtomiX Prof. Pat UtomiX Pat UtomiX ArewaX YorubasX obasanjoX babangida Choose from the

Codes for 24 March

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: 2015 POLLS: Court stops Jonathan from deploying soldiers for elections Read: Presidential election: PDP’s last card – by Moses Makinde…A MUST READ Read: PRESIDENTIAL POLL: 2015 Unlike 2011; Can Jonathan Survive This? Read: Lagos 2015: Lagos State Association of Indigenous Youths (LAIY) endorses Ambode Read: Just before #NigeriaDecides: What Twitter users want you to #TellYourNeighbour before voting – Top 10 tweets Read: #NigeriaDecides: A special message to IGP from PDP before Nigerians go to poll Read: Shocking: APC reveals the source of Jonathan’s dollars rain….this will really shock you Read: 2015 Polls: Court ruled against use of soldiers during elections…Why FG might not adhere to the rule Read: Common Sense Revolution: Tinubu enjoins Nigerians to see election as common sense revolution—to reform,… Read: #NigeriaDecides2015: Why the sins of 1999 must not be repeated in this election – Feyi Fawehinmi Read: Haa! IGP changes tune: says “Voters are free to stay behind if they chose to”||Why did change his mine…read to find out Read: Jonathan @it again o! Though unable to do it in 6 years, promise to do it in the next 4 years||If you can believe this, your faith will move more than mountains Read: EDITORIAL: Buhari,Tinubu And The New National Majority Read: EXCLUSIVE: Why PDP Can Never Forget The Buhari Of 2015

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jonathan lacks power to implement Confab report-Rep, House of Representatives, Hon Bimbo Daramola, National Assembly, All Progressives Congress, (APC)X Daramola, All People Congress (APC)‎, Don't be deceived! Jonathan lacks power to implement Confab report- Rep insists

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Open Letter To President Jonathan By Daniel Olawale Awodiya, Prof. Daniel Olawale Awodiya, Omisore,Obanikoro, Fayose, #BuhariReturns: Three important questions from Bahari to Fayose, Martin Luther King, Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Governor of Lagos Babatunde Fashola, American Central Bank, Few days to poll: Open Letter to President Jonathan from Olawale Awodiya ||Advice! FFK; Omisore; Obanikoro should not read this; else....

Codes for 25 March

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: March 28 poll: @last! Court clears Buhari to contest Read: Presidential Polls: Anxiety everywhere, as Buhari’s eligibility decides today Read: Polls: IGP @it again o! says voters at polling centres after voting, risk prosecution…you need all that behind this Read: Wahala don land o! B’Haram hits in double folds, kidnaps over 400 women in Damask few days to polls Read: Nemesis will soon catch up with Fayose, as APC, others ask court to order his impeachment Read: March 28: Pay-Back Time! Patience says it’s time to pay her husband back||Nigerians really set to pay back…it will shock her!! Read: Bomb Shell! Northerners promise to deal with Jonathan mercilessly @poll|| Reveal shocking details Why they won’t vote for president Read: March 28 Poll: Don’t hand over to military – Obasanjo warns Jonathan Read: Shocking! Why I dumped PDP for APC – Ex. gov reveals, says party is…. Read: Shocker: Urhobo kingdoms reject Jonathan, say….’no apology for decision to vote Buhari Read: SHOCKING! Patience Jonathan reveals why she was picked as the First Lady…I can’t laugh o!! Read: POLLS: Atiku finally makes an appearance at Buhari’s campaign rally ||Pleads with Buhari to…. Read: Just before #NigeriaDecides: Listen to a crucial message from Gen. Muhammadu Buhari [VIDEO] Read: Four days to poll: Commotion in Lagos PDP as TAN agents in the state clash with TAN boss…threaten fire & brimstone Read: Shocking Revelation! Where did Patience Jonathan get the women she addressed in Ondo from? How much did she pay them each? – One of the rented women confesses Read: Polls: ‘Don’t put your eggs in one basket’ — Ex. Abia gov. Igbos not to vote Jonathan again Read: EXCLUSIVE! Buhari/Jonathan: Saturday’s hard choice…A MUST READ

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Dr. Fasheun, Senator Bukola Saraki, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Senator Femi Ojudu, Hon Dakuku Peterside, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Senator Sola Adeyeye, Senator Jajere, Senator Serika Hadi, Senator Jide Omoworare, Hon Nathaniel Agunbiade, Hon Bimbo Daramola, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, What Jonathan’s Administration did not realise … – APCX All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Bitter Truth! Too bad!! What Jonathan’s administration failed to realize … too late Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Abubakar Malaki, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, Mike Ozekhome, Chief Mike Ozekhome, Breaking: Court clears Buhari to contest presidential election, All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate retired General Muhammadu Buhari, Federal High Court,Ebunoluwa Adegoruwa

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

African Cup of Nations,Paul Bassey, FIFA, Keshi, Stephen Keshi set to continue as Super Eagles head coach- NFF, Nigeria Football Federation, coach Stephen Keshi, Stephen Keshi, Revealed: Why Stephen Keshi decided to continue as Super Eagles head coach, Super Eagles

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Otueke People awaiting the arrival of the illustrious Son from Aso rock, Jona welcome back home! Source: FACEBOOK

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),Registration Area Centre (RAC), Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Securit, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Fraudulent politicians afraid of Card Reader - says Jega, Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega, Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC), Card Reader,2015 Polls: Card Reader: Jega fights back....says those afraid of Card Reader are.....

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, President Goodluck Jonathan, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Takoradi, U.S. set for likely post-election crisis in Nigeria, John Kerry

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Sets Agenda for Buhari’s Presidency,North-east geo-political zone, Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Geidam, Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), All Progressive CongressX Ibrahim Babangida Square in Bauchi,2015 POLL: Atiku Sets Agenda for Buhari’s Presidency All Progressives Congress (APC), Holy Ghost fire, Goodluck administration, Adelabu, Adegoke Adelabu,Patience Jonathan

codes for march 26

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: SHOCKING! Why I dumped PDP for APC – Mimiko’s dep. confesses Read: APC reacts to Mimiko’s deputy’s defection, says it is…. Read: 48 hours to Presidential Poll: AD presidential candidate withdraws from the race, backs Buhari Read: Pre-election Violence in Lagos (Trouble spots: Oshodi, Mushin, Maryland and Costain) Read: POLLS: Just as Ondo deputy left PDP for APC, 16 political parties endorse Buhari in Ekiti….Nigerians set for CHANGE! Read: Election Violence: Why Winners Chapel was set ablaze Read: 2015 Polls: Card Reader: Jega fights back….says those afraid of Card Reader are Read: Presidential Poll: Yorubas, Ndigbos in Lagos say Jonathan should forget S/West….Fani-Kayode must read this! Read: #NigeriaDecides 2015: U.S. set for likely post-election crisis Read: Ahead Poll: Fani-Kayode exploded again; this time not to Tinubu but straight at Amaechi Read: Abducted 400 women in Damasak: You won’t believe what FG had to say about it…why would FG learn it lesson? Read: #March28: How Buhari survived disqualification scare….the beginning of greater success Read: Shocker! Women rain down curses on President Jonathan @campaign rally…Why??? this will really shock you Read: Polls: Patience Jonathan turns prayer warrior, rains ‘Holy Ghost fire’ on APC ||says APC will jail her if voted in Read: MARCH 28 POLL: Why I’m so sure of victory – Buhari reveals shocking secret Read: IBB Exploded! Blasts First Lady, Fayose, Fani-Kayode||says ‘they’re intellectually delinquent or they suffer memory loss; or a combination of both’

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

#NigeriaDecides: 5 things you should do before March 28 MARCH 26, 2015 by Adedayo Ademuwagun The coming election would’ve been history by now if it wasn’t for the postponement. But let’s face it. There could have been a war if it wasn’t for the postponement. The good thing is that the mood in the country is a lot lighter now and people are quietly going about their business while they look forward to the decision day. In about 2 days from now we’ll be lining up in front of those green and white rubber boxes to elect our next president. However, here are five things you should do before the big day. 1. The candidates How much do you know about Buhari or Jonathan? A lot of folks root for one of these two men and condemn the other without having really learned about both of them. Now that the election is 10 days away, see it as a chance to learn more about whom you want to vote. Get to know what’s happening. Listen to them talk. Read the newspapers. Check the records. Look at the numbers. Don’t just rely on what people are saying badly or nicely about a candidate. Don’t follow the multitude. Do your own homework and make sure the person you intend to vote is really worth your vote. 2. The big day On election day you just have to pop down to your polling booth, stick around for a few hours to do your vote and then you’re done, right? You know it’s probably not that simple for everyone. Some people live far from their polling booth and will need to plan how they’ll get there in time so they can do their vote and move on with the day. Remember movement will be restricted on election day. You probably won’t be able to drive around. How will you get to your booth? What time will you do so? Is it possible to check the polling unit to be sure it’s safe and there’ll be no problems? These are things you need to consider to forestall last minute issues that might complicate the day for you. 3. The history Most young people who’re so zealous about this election don’t know how it’s significant in our history. They don’t know where we’re coming from and how it relates to the upcoming election. They don’t know the history. So if you can relate to that, perhaps it’s a chance for you to educate yourself on some history so you can make more informed choices in this election and the subsequent ones, and also so you can better understand what’s happening right now and where we’re heading beyond this election. 4. Beyond voting People think their vote will decide who will be the next president on May 29, but that’s an illusion. Your one vote will not change a thing. You can go to the polling booth to vote or you can just sit in your house to watch House of Cards or Papa Ajasco. The election will get on fine without you. It’s good to vote, but it’s better to think beyond the voting if you want to see real change in the country. This year is another turning point for us as a nation. It’s also a time for us as citizens to reflect on our role in nation building, how we’ve contributed to the process so far and how we can still contribute in the near future. These things can make a bigger difference than simply walking to a booth and casting a ballot. 5. Your outlook Some people would rather go fishing than vote in this election. That’s how pissed they are with the system. They feel the country is finished and they just don’t see why they should waste their time voting. If that’s your thinking, then maybe this postponement is a chance for you to rethink your perception about our situation and try to brighten your outlook. It may not be easy because there’s so much negativity out there, but remember there’s also a lot of positive things happening in our country. We’ve got a million reasons to look forward to a better future. Sometimes we just need to change the way we look at things in order to get better results.

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Nollywood actress, Bimbo Akintola,INEC celebrity observer card, If INEC didn’t give Bimbo Akintola a ‘celebrity observer card’, who did?, Nigerian Independent Electoral Commission, #NigeriaDecides: Who gave Bimbo Akintola a ‘celebrity observer card'? If INEC didn’t [PHOTO]

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

LAGOS—Under the leadership of the President General, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, market traders kept Lagos markets shut yesterday to hold a rally at the Onikan statdium in support of Akinwunmi Ambode, the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the state, ahead of the elections. Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo declared that all members of the Lagos state chapter of the Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria, have pledged their support for Ambode in a bid to sustain the growth and development that has been witnessed all over the state under the APC. “We market women and men make up a majority among voters. I can assure you that we have our voters cards, and with this support and our continued prayers, victory is definitely assured for Ambode and all APC candidates in this general elections”, Tinubu-Ojo said. Ambode, who was joined at the event by his wife, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, thanked the leadership and members of the market women and men for their overwhelming support, and promised to keep Lagos working for them and all its citizens. Also present at the event was the Babaloja of Lagos, Alhaji Wasiu Atanda Balogun, and Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, Senator representing Lagos Central. Source:

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Angry passengers sit on tarmac in Abuja, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,Never! We MUST vote!! Angry passengers sit on tarmac in Abuja, Never! We MUST vote!! Angry passengers sit on tarmac in Abuja...Nigerians set for CHANGE, Polls:Never! We MUST vote!! Angry passengers sit on tarmac in Abuja...Nigerians set for CHANGE

codes for 27 March

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: Presidential: What can we call this man? is he not a ‘DISASTER’ to Nigeria?? …this will shock you Read: Just before ‪#‎NigeriaDecides‬: Let’s take a look @Jonathan’s administration….Only a BASTARD Yoruba will vote for Ebele Read: EDITORIAL: As Nigeria Goes to the Polls Read: Polls: How to report election process in your area to media Read: Election Violence in Ogun: One shot, many injured at Kashamu’s rally Read: POLLS: Did you miss this? Read Full Text of National Broadcast by President Jonathan ahead general election Read: Few hours to poll: Big trouble lands in Lagos PDP as Jonathan’s N650m campaign fund disappears ||Party members, leaders draw battle line Read: #NigeriaDecides: Unbelievable! Why APC’s INEC agent was arrested in Rivers…. Read: Polls: Dokubo-Asari @it again o! says it shall be gun for gun, bullet for bullet, bomb for bomb should Buhari…. Read: #NigeriaDecides: Who gave Bimbo Akintola a ‘celebrity observer card’, If INEC didn’t? [PHOTO] Read: Shocking reasons you MUST know about my defection from PDP to APC – Ondo Dep. Gov. finally opens up Read: #March28: The train of winninig team moving to Canaan’s land as AD candidate backs Buhari ||reveals why Read: Presidential Poll: Incase you missed it; here is Buhari full message @ press conference Read: PDP’s spinal cord broken: As Court restrains Chief of Army Staff from arresting Tinubu Read: Unbelievable! The main reason Mbaka’s bank accounts were frozen few hours to

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kudos to our dear Sister GBEMI SARAKI who has made the bold move of joining the CHANGE team...
— Dele Momodu (@DeleMomodu) March 27, 2015

Election Update: Read Why INEC Suspended Election In Delta Community

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended election in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State after the police said they could not guarantee security in the area. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Anidi Ikowak, said in Agbor that some stakeholders in the area did not allow electoral officers to move voting materials to polling units. He said the initial complaint was that they wanted to see the constituency collation form. He said, “But even when the form was brought, they did not still want the materials moved. “So the police had to advise that for security reasons, the election should be suspended.” Source

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Fayose, Tinubu’s in-law win at polling units, Fayose; Tinubu’s in-law win at polling units, Taiwo Olatubosun,Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Folashade, Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, Peoples Democratic Party,All Progressives Congress, Adewale Omirin has called on Governor Ayodele Fayose, #LiveUpdate80: Presidential poll: More results from Ekiti, as Tinubu’s in-law, other win at polling units, #LiveUpdate80: Presidential poll: More results from Ekiti; as Tinubu’s in-law; other win at polling units

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Itunsokun Ward, Funmilayo Ewuape, Gunmen snatch ballot boxes in Sagamu, #NigeriaDecides: Gunmen snatch ballot boxes in Sagamu How Amaechi was allegedly disenfranchised, SPOs, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, All Progressives Congress (APC), Ikwerre local government area, Rivers ,#NigeriaDecides: Shocking! How I was allegedly disenfranchised -Amaechi recounts ordeal with army bossX Port Harcourt Nasarawa Presidential Election Results, Ogun Presidential results, Osun Presidential Election Result, #LiveUpdate92: Presidential poll: More results from Osun, Ogun and Nasarawa||As Aregbesola clears Osun for Buhari

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Breaking news : APC members protest in Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Presidential and National Assembly elections, APC members protest in Port Harcourt, B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G: 'We MUST vote!' - APC members protest in Port Harcourt Breaking news: INEC office set ablaze in Rivers, Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC), All Progressives Congress, APC, Emohua

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Buhari Wins Presidential Election In Ogun By Over 100, Buhari Wins Presidential Election In Ogun By Over 100000 Votes, #PresidentialPollResult From States [Update1]: Buhari Wins Presidential Election, #PresidentialPollResult From States INEC[Update1]: Buhari Wins Presidential Election In Ogun By Over 100X Peoples Democratic Party, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Timothy Ibitoye, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Ogun State, #PresidentialPollResult From States INEC[Update1]: Buhari wins in Ogun by over 100, #PresidentialPollResult From States INEC[Update1]: Buhari wins in Ogun by over 100000 votes presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress, (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, Buhari Clears Oyo StateL Wins In 19 Local Government Areas, Buhari Clears Oyo State; Wins In 19 Local Government Areas, #PresidentialPollResult From States INEC[Update2]: Buhari clears Oyo; wins In 19 LG...'S/West cannot be bought' #PresidentialPollResult From States INEC[Update3]: Despite Mimiko presure, Buhari still clears Ondo Buhari Wins Presidential Election In Ogun By Over 100, Buhari Wins Presidential Election In Ogun By Over 100000 Votes, #PresidentialPollResult From States [Update1]: Buhari Wins Presidential Election, #PresidentialPollResult From States INEC[Update1]: Buhari Wins Presidential Election In Ogun By Over 100, Peoples Democratic Party, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Timothy Ibitoye, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Ogun State, #PresidentialPollResult From States INEC[Update1]: Buhari wins in Ogun by over 100, #PresidentialPollResult From States INEC[Update1]: Buhari wins in Ogun by over 100000 votes

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sokoto Presidential Results Tambuwal LGA APC: 48,900 PDP: 11,048 Wamakko LGA PDP: 6,719 APC: 46,736 Tureta LGA APC: 12,648 PDP: 6,121

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kashamu bribed voters during election —APC, Ogun East senatorial elections,Dapo Abiodun, Prince Buruji Kashamu, Senator Ibikunle Amosun Campaign Organisation, Bisi Adegbuyi, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, #NigeriaDecides2015: How Kashamu bribed voters during election, Senator Ibikunle Amosun ,Ibikunle Amosun,Amosun

Codes for March 31

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

#PresidentialPollResult Update9: See the final result from Ebonyi, Lagos, Gombe; Bayelsa and Niger by INEC, Ebonyi, Gombe, Bayelsa, Niger

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jonathan may concede defeat soon MARCH 31, 2015 : OLALEKAN ADETAYO, ABUJA 10 COMMENTS print There are indications that President Goodluck Jonathan may soon concede defeat. Some ministers and presidential aides have been trooping in to the Presidential Villa to consult with him since it became clear that the election has been won and lost. Our correspondent gathered that some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party will be meeting with the President by 6pm. At the end of the meeting, the PDP is expected to issue a statement on the election and the result while the Presidency will issue a separate statement. While the PDP might announce its decision to contest the election result in court, Jonathan may concede defeat and congratulate maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). The PDP chiefs, led by the national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, have started arriving for the meeting. Source: THEPUNCH

codes for April 1

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Click here to see the Presidential Poll Result Read: Presidential poll: Why, how Buhari floors Jonathan after fourth attempt Read: You represent the hope of a new generation of Nigerians -Atiku congratulates Buhari, hails Jonathan Read: #BuharisVictoryUpdate6: Celebration galore in Edo! As the state declares public holiday….Davido,others to perform Read: The remaking of the Nigerian nation – says Opadokun Read: #NigeriaDeides2015: The Beginning -and – The End of Jonathan’s doom Read: #BuharisVictoryUpdate1: Fayose imposes curfew on Ekiti || As 19 Ekiti lawmakers to return to state Read: FULL STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RESULTS Read: #BuharisVictoryUpdate2: Fear grips Bayelsans as Buhari clinches presidential poll…set to welcome Jonathan

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

President Goodluck Jonathan, General Mohammadu Buhari, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MENDX President-elect- General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Jomo Gbomo, MEND congratulates Buhari, #BuharisVictoryUpdate11: MEND congratulates Buhari; hails Jonathan,PDP Hails Jonathan Over Peaceful Poll

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: #Buhari’s victory, a fulfillment of Awolowo’s prophesy — says Aregbesola Read: #BuharisVictoy: War in Ekiti, as gunmen shoot at Ekiti APC members….guess who sent them? Read: Fire for Fire! Commotion in Ekiti house, as 19 APC lawmakers return…..BIG drama @assembly. Read: Dokubo-Asari @it again o! Blasts Jonathan for congratulating Buhari, reveals their next plan of action http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233481

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, on Wednesday conceded defeat to the Niger East Senator-elect, David Umaru, at last Saturday’s National Assembly poll in Niger State. Aliyu, who spoke to newsmen in Minna on Wednesday, explained that he had called the Senator-elect to congratulate him, saying his calls and text messages had not been answered. The governor said, “I have already conceded defeat to Barrister David Umaru. I have called Umaru’s number after he was declared winner about seven times but he did not pick‎ the calls. I sent a text, saying ‘this is the Chief Servant calling, please pick’, and I have not received a reply by now. “I have no qualms about the defeat. I did not see my defeat as an insult to my person but as God’s will.” Appreciating the Independent National Electoral Commission for paying attention to details, Aliyu said the electoral body should appreciate the shortcomings in the election and work towards correcting them. He also applauded what he described as “the gentleman approach” of President Goodluck Jonathan in congratulating the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, adding that his action doused whatever‎ tension that was on the ground during the collation of the results. “President Jonathan’s approach doused whatever tension had been created. It worked to smoothen whatever rough edge the election would have created. We hope that the transition will be smooth and everyone will see a friendly handover,” he stated. Aliyu added that the defeat of the PDP in the state would give the ruling party a chance to reorganise and put its house in order for the next election. source

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

A former Niger-Delta militant, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, says with the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan, he and other militants might be forced to ‘return to creeks.’ Asari-Dokubo, who hails from the same state as Jonathan, said the voting pattern showed that the South-West and the North ganged up again the South-South and South-East geo-political zone. The ex-militant said in a statement by his spokesperson, Rex Anighoro, that it was unfair that the minorities were being emasculated by the majority ethnic groups. He said he feared that the government of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, would be vicious. Asari-Dokubo said, “The conditions that advanced the need to embrace the creeks have been sadly re-energised, it is clear that a vicious government who may maim and murder the voice of the so called minorities may have just been birthed. “Indeed integration is nonexistent as regional gang ups and supremacy is symbolic with this victory.” The ex-militant, who had in January said he and his colleagues would wreak havoc if Jonathan lost, praised the President for being a true statesman. He said it was the struggle of the militants that led to the Jonathan presidency. Asari-Dokubo said since the South-South had lost the presidency, ex-militants would meet to decide the next line of action. He said, “While President Jonathan enjoys his moments and basks in the euphoria of a now world renowned statesman having congratulated Muhammadu Buhari, we must quickly be reminded that our struggle was never about Jonathan or about the presidency. “President Jonathan was a beneficiary of our struggle, our sweat and blood that many bled and died for, he was never in the struggle and he can never wish away our collective march forward for statesmanship. “Yes indeed to an extent he was a mitigating factor in self determination pursuit as we went on sabbatical, this mitigation he seem to have willingly repudiated. The days coming will be critical, we shall study all the conditions and consult widely before determining the way going forward for our collective existence and survival as a people. The days coming shall either drive the quest of integration or further separate us.” Source

codes for 3rd of April

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lagos poll: Backlash over Akiolu’s meeting with Igbo’s on April 06, 2015 / in News 11:26 am / Comments By Olufemi Ajasa

Codes for 5 of April

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: FLASH BACK! Lest we forget: Read what Okupe vowed to do to himself if APC …. Read: LagosDecides2015: Igbo set to drag Oba of Lagos International Criminal Court Read: #NigeriaDecides: Major difference between June 12 and March 28 Read: BIG TROUBLE: PDP drags Fashola in Akinolu’s matter; see what they ask him to do to monach…gov.@tight corner Read: #NigeriaDecides: INEC gives fresh date for cancelled Edo National Assembly elections Read: OPINION: I’m Mohammadu Buhari; I’m Reporting For Duty (Part 1) Read: TRIBUNAL: Omisore has NO case in court again…..o-p-a-r-i!!! Read: #BuharisVictory: Drama as police arrest PDP coffin in Osogbo Read: FINALLY LEAKED!: Listen to audio of conversation between Oba Akiolu and Igbo leaders in Lagos Read: This is wow! How I met my husband: Fashola’s wife shares their sweet love story Read: Rivers2015: How Wike, PDP attacked APC members….party worries over attack | Read: Why Buhari MUST purge out the army of politicians in army uniforms’ – Junaid Read: Big Trouble lands in Ekiti! As Fayose’s supporters block assembly to prevent impeachment Read:Shocking Revelation! My experience in past 16 years – Jonathan reveals|| says he has been in…..... Read: #GubarPoll2015: Read what Obasanjo asked Nigerians to do, as he stylishly campaign in the market... Read: #GubarPoll2015: Here is the President-elect’s schedule for the week||As he leads APC’s battle for Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, others Read: Aftermath #March28Poll: Here is Obama’s message to Jega Read: #GovernorshipPolls: How states will vote….this is really revealing Read: #BuhariVictoryUpdate: Read the prayer of Oritsejafor for Buhari…..hun! A MUST READ Read: Just Before #LagosDecides: Read Fashola’s special message to Lagosians Read: BIG TROUBLE LANDS! :Let them come; we are ready for….” – N’Delta threatens war over oil blocks..

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

LEAKED: How Jonathan Phone Call To Buhari Was Recorded|| Shocking Details READ ALSO: Eya! Big Pity!! Jonathan’s Long Trip Back To Otuoke| Touching Story READ ALSO: BIG Trouble! Rivers To Raise Probe Panel On Polls Killings|| You Should See This READ ALSO: April 11 Election: Why PDP Seeks Victory In Saturday’s Polls? A MUST READ ALSO READ: EASTER 2015: Read CAN Prayers For Buhari As Nigeria’s President. . . ALSO READ: Shocking!! See How Atiku Disowns Pro-Ribadu Banners, Urges Electorate To Vote APC In Guber, Assembly Polls READ ALSO: #BuhariVictoryUpdated: Buhari Feared Jonathan Would Not Accept Defeat| Hear What Our President-elect Said READ ALSO: #BuhariVictoryUpdated: N’Delta Groups Meet Over Oil Blocks…You Won’t Believe What They Did To Jonathan? ALSO READ: #BuhariVictoryUpdated: Propaganda of PDP- Ignore PDP’s Lies, Fashola Bursted Out| You Need To See This READ ALSO: #Buhari’s Victory: Ijaw Message To Buhari| Rule With The. . . ALSO READ: 2015: APC Encourage Nigerians To Unite For National…See More ALSO READ: INCREDIBLE!!! See Amaechi Begging For Forgiveness, Sues For Peace During Guber Poll||This Will Shock You ALSO READ: OUTBURST!!! Ojukwu’s Son Threaten To Drag PDP, INEC To Tribunal…Why? What Happened?? READ ALSO: #NigeriaDecides 2015: See Names Of Ten PDP Chairmen Defect To APC| This Will Amaze You READ ALSO: Eya!!! See How Jonathan, Family Move Personal Belongings From Aso Rock| You Don’t Want To Miss This READ ALSO: #BuhariVictoryUpdated: See 5 Crucial Days With The President-Elect| A MUST READ ALSO READ: Hidden Secret! The Pastor Behind CAN N7 Billion Bribe Story Has Been Exposed||You Won't Believe Who? See Name ALSO READ: #NIGERIADecides 2015: African Leaders To Hold Boko Haram Summit On The....See Date Haba! FFK at it Again o!! Fani-Kayode Denies Attacking Jonathan, Saying that. . . .You Won't Believe This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235356 BREAKING!!! Heavy Defection!!! PDP Massive Loss From Party Member.....SHOCKING NEWS http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235505 OUTBURST!!! Fani-Kayode Opens Up On Oba Akiolu’s Threat to Igbos “unacceptable” ||A MUST READ http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235508 Update! Fresh Borno Attack: You Won't Believe How Many Victims Boko Haram Killed In Village....INSURGENCY http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235502 BIG Tragedy: APC Rivers Lost 56 Members In. . . .See Photo http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235514 GuberPollUpdate: PDP, APC Fight Over Assembly Poll in Bayelsa....Who Will Win? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235512 2015 Election: INEC Exposes Reasons Why Card Readers Failed|| I Think You Should Know This Too http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235527 #BuhariVictoryUpdate: A Wave of Defections Hit PDP as Deputy governor, senators, Ex-minister Quit in Edo, Kwara, Benue, Others||See Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235503 Fayose, Fani-Kayode Must To Apologise To Nigerians or Else.... Group Declares http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235536 RED ALERT!!! APC Raises Alarm Over Worsening Violence Targeted at Members http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235521 See Photos: Ekiti Impeachment and Security Crisis http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235824 Update: Dokubo Warned Against ‘Committing Suicide’ Over Jonathan||By Who? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235655 BREAKING!!! Nigerian Troops Recapture Boko Haram Camp in Borno...A MUST READ http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235742 PHOTO SPEAKS!!! Buhari Visits Imo, Hails Igbos|| Amazing Visit http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235747 Unspeakable Offence!!! Why INEC Sacks Electoral Officers in Edo Exposed http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235752 See TRENDING Tweets!! Don Jazzy Tells Igbos, What If Oba Akiolu Is Working For Jimi Agbaje and Is Counting On Our Reactions+Tweets http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235772 Fayose Impeachment: Tinubu Slams Fayose's Request| The Game Changer Have Spoken| Read Tinubu's Reply http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235726 Update: APC “sad” Over South East’s Loss of Senate President, Speaker; To Zone Slots Soon http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235728 #BuhariVictoryUpdate: We’ll Not Go To Court, ‘ll Return In 4yrs, Says PDP http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235793 Update: APC Action Group Blows Hot! Says Fayose Has Not Learnt Any Lesson||A MUST READ http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235791 #BuhariVictoryUpdate: Heavy Wave of Defections Hit PDP as Gbemi Saraki, youth leader defect to APC http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235836 2015: Jonathan Warns Politicians Against Instigating Crisis, Saying That. . .A MUST READ http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235954 Unbelievable!!! PDP Planning To Rig Elections – El-Rufai Busted Out http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235974 SHOCKING! OMG!! Clark Condemns Obama Over Presentation of Certificate of Commendation to Jega...This Is Unbelievable http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235980 2015 ELECTION: PDP Gives Mimiko Conditions or Else.... http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236095 Gbam! Court Refuses To Stop Impeachment Proceedings Against Fayose, Deputy http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236077 BREAKING!!! FG To Release Report on Chibok Girls Soon, They Assured http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236117 BIG Calamity! APC, PDP Clashes Over Mimiko’s Rumoured Defection http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236235 2015 Presidential Election: The Winners, The Losers http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236122 #‎BuhariVictoryUpdate‬: Buhari to Unfold APC’s Job Creation, Security Master Plan on May....See Date http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236257 2015: PDP Bleeds As Ex-Deputy Senate Leader, Zwingina, Others Decamp to APC|| See Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236243 Busted! Fayose Courting Disaster; Ekiti Should Reject him http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236252 Wow!!! Buhari, Atiku, Oyegun Storms Adamawa; Canvass Support for APC Candidates|| See Photo http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236267 Top News! Unbeliieve! VP-Elect, Osinbajo Receives 5,000 PDP Defectors In Southern Kaduna...See Names http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236273 B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G!!! President Jonathan’s Aide, Oronto Douglas Is Died http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236370 #BuhariVictoryUpdate: No Stealing In My Govt – Buhari Assured http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236299 SHOCKING!!! Forever and Ever, Why PDP Can No Longer Deliver – Oshiomhole Exposed http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236371 Updated: Buhari to Unfold APC’s Job Creation Master Plan May 29, says Gov. Wamakko http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236384 Jonathan Loses Aide http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236387 #BuhariVictoryUpdate: Danjuma Compares Election With Nigerian War, says Ojukwu Failed To Act Like Jonathan http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236391 S-H-O-C-K-I-N-G N-E-W-S!!! Gov. Wamakko’s Brother Kidnapped In Sokoto http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236396 Predictions: 2015 Governorship Elections ...Who and Who will be Governors in Nigeria http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236394 News Update: APC Accuses Mimiko Of Arming Thugs To Disrupt Govs/Assembly Polls http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236413 OUTBURST!! Big Trouble!! Justice Forum Tackles Fayose, asks INEC To Shift Poll http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236422 Shocking Revelation! Why T.B. Joshua Cursed Zimbabwe. . .This Will Shock You http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236410 Don’t Vote Wike, He Can Betray His Mother For Money — Amaechi Raises Alarm http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236475 Wow!!! APC Campaign Shuts Calabar Down...A MUST READ http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236411 BREAKING NEWS!!! Fayose Moves Property From Govt House As Olugbemi's Security Aides Are Withdraw|| You Need To See This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236477 RED ALERT!!! PDP Plotting to Void Senator’s Votes, APC Raised Alarm http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236525 Anti-Card Reader: INEC Blows Hot! Says Gov are Behind It....A MUST READ http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236571 INCREDIBLE! April 11 poll: 9 Guber Candidates Step Down for El-Rufai....See Names http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236618 Not Again! Akpabio Denies APC Use Of Stadium| Buhari Must Not Hear This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236633 Busted! Caught Pants Down! Police Arrest Man With Multiple PVCs in Ebonyi|| Who Sent Him? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236628 BREAKING!!! Ogun APC- PDP Fresh Plot To Rig Election Exposed||This Will Shock You http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236641 BIG Trouble Again!!! Assembly Asks CJ To Set Up Panel to Probe Fayose http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236735 Shocking Revelation!!! ‘You Have Failed!’ Tinubu Slams APC Leaders In Lagos Over Loss To PDP http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236732 Amazing! See How Buhari Condoles Jonathan Over Oronto Douglas|| What Exactly He Told Him http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236759 Gbam! Winning by Hook or Crook Era Over – Jega Announced http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236769 OMG! Exposed! Patience Jonathan Secretly Begs INEC to Rig Rivers Poll – Amaechi Raised Alarm | Buhari Must Not Hear This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236753 Revealed! Why Mimiko Recalls Sacked Council Workers, Waives Promotion Exams Exposed http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236855 OPEN Secret! OMG!! Jonathan On Vengeance Mission, Seeks to Win Lagos At All Cost – APC Cries Out http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236948 2015 Guber Election: Nigeria Governors Warn Security Agencies Against Bias; ask Nigerians to. . . .You Need To See This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236950 A MUST READ!!! “whirlwind of opportunistic defections” to APC May Dilute Change – TMG http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236957 2015 Guber Election Predictions: Who Is Likely To Win in Lagos State...Unbelievable! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236969 2015 Guber Election Predictions: Most Likely Winner Of Governorship Election In Ogun State — SHOCKING!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236963 #‎Guber‬ Poll Live Update 7: Busted! Jonathan Storms Lagos With N10bn To Rig Polls...This Details Will Shock You http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236991 #‎Guber‬ Poll Live Update 8: Beware of Those Defecting to APC Now, Justice Abdullahi Warns Buhari http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237015 #Guber Poll Live Update: OMG!!! INEC Shifts Polls in Eight Constituencies in Bayelsa....See Where http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237025 #Guber Poll Live Update: BREAKING NEWS!!! Amaechi’s aide Raises Alarm, Says Policemen Cart Away With. . .OMG! Shocking Details!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237115 #Guber Poll Live Update: Fayose Impeachment: You Won't Believe What Factional Speaker tells Ekiti CJ to do to APC lawmakers|| Fayose Must Not Hear This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237114 #‎Guber‬ Poll Live Update: BIG Tension Grips Warri People as PDP, APC Fight Over....OMG!! You Need To See This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237133 #Guber Poll Live Update: B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G!!! Military Helicopter Crashes in Lagos, CAS Orders Probe||A MUST READ http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237154 #GuberPoll Live Update: HAPPENING NOW!!! Mammot Crowds Turnout in Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina To Vote...AMAZING||A MUST SEE http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237156 2015 Governorship & House of Assembly elections [Live Update]: Lagos INEC Dispels Reports of Poll Shift http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237178 Busted! APC Decries PDP-instigated Violence, Voting Disruptions In Lagos, Rivers, Ondo...See What Happened http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237155 #GuberPoll [Live Update]: SHOCKING NEWS!! Amaechi Cries Out Says My Phone Numbers Have Been Cloned By..... http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237159

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lamido, Alhaji Ado Sani Kiri, Jigawa Deputy Governor; 2 ex-Govs, other PDP heavyweights defect to APC, ex-Jigawa governors, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, Ali Saad Birnin-Kudu, Ex-Senator Bello Maitama, Governor Sule Lamido’s deputy, Alhaji Ahmad Mahmud, EXPOSED! Why Jigawa Deputy Gov.; 2 ex-Govs; other PDP defect to APC

GuberPoll: Card Readers for Saturday’s election - INEC insists

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday announced that Card Readers would be used for Saturday’s governorship and houses of assembly elections across the country. “The Independent National Electoral Commission wishes to inform all Nigerians that Card Readers will be used for the April 11, 2015 Elections,” Augusta Ogakwu, Secretary to the Commission, said in a statement Monday morning. Ms. Ogakwu added, “The provision of the Guidelines for the conduct of the 2015 General Elections which outlined what is to be done if a Card Reader fails and cannot be replaced by the Commission within a specified time frame (i.e. Reschedule the election to the next day) will be enforced. “The relaxation of the Guideline on 28th March 2015 was only with respect to the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on that date. “The Commission has reviewed the operation of the Card Reader in the 28th March Elections, identified the challenges and has taken adequate measures to address them.” The Card Readers had malfunctioned in some parts of the country during the March 28 presidential and national assembly elections, forcing INEC to suspend its use in some polling units across the country. INEC later said after the elections that one of the reasons the card readers failed was because its officials failed to remove the protective film on the lens of the equipment. Some of the devices failed to read the biometric data of voters who turned up to perform their civic duties at various polling stations across the country. President Goodluck Jonathan was one of those unable to get accreditation with the electronic device when he turned up at his Unit 13 polling station in his hometown in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, to vote. For more than half an hour the electoral officials at the unit battled unsuccessfully to get the president accredited. Despite about four of the devices deployed to ensure that the president and his wife were accredited, he still ended up being accredited manually to vote during the exercise after being issued the INEC incidence form. But speaking on Sunday, March 29, on a television programme to review the conduct of the exercise, Kayode Idowu, the spokesperson to the INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, said the devices may have failed to function as a result of the non-removal of the protective film on their lenses. Source: PREMIUTIMES

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

When his political opponents had an idea he wanted to be president after three swings, it didn’t take them too long to turn him into a dumping ground of verbal insults and assaults, and an incinerator of disparaging verbiage. He was a prey and a pawn in the chess-game of Nigeria’s brutish political campaign. They said he was too old, too frail, too weak, too unlearned, too sick-in-the-head, and too sick in the body too. He was branded an Islamic fundamentalist, a friend to terrorists, the grandfather of Boko-Haram, a despot and dictator, who is a maddening misfit in a democracy. These mean depictions of General Mohammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the APC, travelled down into the deepest heartlands of Nigeria. The deeper the words journeyed, the deeper the dislike and turn-off against his candidacy in strategic cities. His thin but fortified body swung through the length and breadth of Nigeria with charming chutzpah. From the North to the South, to friendly places and hateful arenas, he campaigned with agility and bravado. Though taciturn and a man of few words, he was still able to convince over 15 million voters in last Saturday’s election that he was the real deal as he pushed to victory against a weakened and bruised sitting President Goodluck Jonathan holding the flag for the PDP. That particular season, however, is now behind us. The new Sheriff-in-town is the retired General; and he is now warming up to report for duty in less than two months because his time has come. There is no stopping a man whose time has come. Buhari was not the only winner in Last Saturday’s election; President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was too. Some of us may have disagreed with the president in many ways politically, but in all of my treatises I have always mentioned him as a good man. His personality obviously may be too nice for the weird and crazy big-stage Nigerian politics, where mischievous, waggish and wicked players have turned governance into an amphitheatre of depravity and degeneracy replete with surreal stratagems. Goodluck may not be in the league of the Nelson Mandelas of this world, but even in defeat, we acknowledge that he has done his best for Nigeria. And the name Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will forever be etched in the spines of the nation’s history. I salute him. I have mentioned severally in my published opinions that the CHANGE movement across this nation is beyond one man. It is beyond a few agenda-driven people, and beyond a political party. This movement is about Nigerians, who are slowly prepping up to hold public officials accountable for their deeds and misdeeds while in office. Last Saturday’s election victory is also beyond Buhari or Vice-President-elect Yemi Osinbajo, it is a triumph for the people, whose dwelling places have for a while been in the path of a killer-cyclone of everything bad and anomic about government in Nigeria. It is a triumph for the people living in the slums of Yenagoa and Oloibiri, and the impoverished people in the hamlet of Imesi-Ile. It is a win for the disease-ravaged Nigerians in the huts of Chibok, the helpless aged men and women in villages of Ebonyi, and the physically handicapped but mentally alert in the caves of Bukuru. Those who now have hearts of expectations of true change that changes lives are the men and women from the hamlet of Ogoni, whose rivers have been polluted, whose lands have been seized, and whose oil is stolen daily and proceeds locked up in the hands of strangers that live miles away. Hope should go aglow for the man from the rustic region of Bayelsa, the woman from slumbering village of Akwa-Ibom, and the young man from the defiled and pillaged townships of Delta. The young man who graduated with a first class from the University, but has to work as a measly chauffeur to unlearned billionaire opportunists, who are hooked up to some big goons in government needs a leg up from his government. The young man, whose friends and loved ones got trampled to death at the Abuja Stadium in search of paltry jobs they had hoped would give them life may now believe that his time is now too. Those hopeless unemployed, who believe that their leaders have driven the country to an ignominious, ominous, and perilous precipice; and those citizens who know that it is the Nigerian genome for our culprit leaders and their privies not to take responsibility for their irresponsibility are also waiting to enjoy the dividends of a true democracy. I will not also leave out hundreds of thousands of Nigerians trapped in the luxury and sophistication of the United States and the United Kingdom but whose lives are ‘hell’ even after forty years of sojourn away from home. These ones too who were driven away from their home lands for different reasons want to come back home that they know is their true home. But they cannot because home front is in a mess. Buhari has his work cut out for him; and it is going to be a lot of work bringing about change. Problems besiege a nation because the people allowed it. Changes will happen only if the people allow it. To many people, Nigeria is like a killer-disease, a sickening bad-breath that will make you disgorge, and a belch from the gastro-intestine of hell. Nigeria shouldn’t be a zoo! Things have to work, and the new work is not just recycling tired hands that are used to gluttony and greed. Hard truth is that there are also many of these greedy characters in the APC, we know them, and many more are on their way. Some of them are already sending way-paving congratulatory messages to Buhari and at the back of their minds is business-as-usual. Buhari must shock them. The new work is more than appointing new ministers and filling vacant positions. It shouldn’t be about positioning cronies in plum seats, who will be reporting back to some crazy godfathers in cash and kind. It must be about fulfilling campaign promises, and helping fulfill the dreams of many of us. What the APC told us they will do, they must do, and what I believe they will do must not be seen as an assignment; but a duty. We are putting our fingers of remembrance on the promises which include fixing the problem of electricity immediately after forming government and promoting economic activities through the setting up of industries and revamping of moribund industries across the country. These must be done. We have also been promised that Buhari will provide 720,000 jobs in its first year. It must be done.They also said that Buhari administration at the center which will be in control of 52% of the revenue will back state governments to employ 20,000 young persons per state as an emergency relief measure that will drastically reduce youth restlessness. It must be done. Many of these promises can only be fulfilled by a leadership that considers governance as a DUTY. I will elaborate on this next Friday. We have seen the epic work done by APC Governors in states it controls across the Southwest and across the nation; we hope they will do more. …to be continued…

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

gs with commas X BREAKING NEWS: FAYOSE'S SAPOLX ADEMOLA BELLO ARRESTED WITH GUNS AND ACIDX Ado EkitiX Demola BelloX 19 APC LawmakersX Femi OgunleyeX Fayose's Special Adviser on Political Affairs Choose from the most

codes for April 8

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: Ministerial: APC sets to ratify Buhari’s ministerial list….see the criteria….Patience Jonathan... Read: SHOCKER! BIG knock on Fayose, as Court refuses to stop his impeachment….DISAPPOINTMENT! Read: ATTENTION! Buhari unfolds APC’s job creation, security master plan Read: WARNING! Fayose courting disaster; Ekiti should not follow him Read: Fayose’s Impeachment Saga: My candid advice to Fayose; before is too late – Falana Read: #GuberPoll2015: Obasanjo, Elechi in secret meeting over Ebonyi gov election Read: Oba Of Lagos Vs. Igbo: Stop The Unbecoming Comments Against Oba Akiolu – OPC Warns Nigerians Read: Mush pressure on ex-gov Kalu; as his mother, brothers join APC….ready to join too?? Read: Oba of Lagos Vs. Igbo: Okorocha sets up committee to meet with the monarch Read: #LagosDecides: In thier fathers’ steps…. A MUST READ Read: Few days to #guberpoll: Patience Jonathan visits Okrika- why?…read to find out Read: Patience Jonathan visits Okrika- why?…read to find out Read: Great earthquake erupts Kaduna PDP, as Osinbajo receives 5,000 party members to APC Read: CONFUSSION: PDP in great dilemma over Jonathan’s abandoned expensive campaign materials Read: Fayose’s Impeachment : Crisis waxes stronger: one feared dead Read: #ObaAkiolu Vs. Lagos Igbo: What Buhari, Tinubu, Fashola have for Igbo…here is their stand Read: #LagosDecides2015: Why Lagosians MUST vote progressive Read: DONT MISS THIS! Important thing you MUST know about Jonathan and Obanikoro ministerial slot Read: Update on Fayose’s impeachment saga…Lawmakers reveal more details Read: #GuberPoll: Expect another woeful performance from us, except…Ondo PDP gives Mimiko conditions Read: #NigeriaDecides: APC wins 214 House of Reps’ seats

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Presidential Campaign Organisation,Senator Esther Nenadi Usman,PDP in dilemma over Jonathan’s abandoned campaign materials, Director of Finance of the Presidential Campaign Organisation- Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, President Goodluck Jonathan, #UPDATE 1 #NigeriaDecides2015: Otuoke Is S-H-A-K-I-N-G!! More Than 15 Minutes Gone And President Goodluck Jonathan Is Yet To Be Accredited || GEJ Masterminds Card Reader Is Failure, CONFUSSION: PDP in great dilemma over Jonathan’s abandoned expensive campaign materials

Fayose's thugs arrested with cham, guns

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Fayose's com. 4works, 6touts arested in a govt hilux wit guns, charms, cutlas, acid. @eggheader @channelstv @TVC_Ent pic.twitter.com/QPyBCXJ1yS
— Ejanafish (@Ejanafish4real) April 8, 2015

Photos: Fayose’s thugs arrested with charm, guns

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Fayose's com. 4works, 6touts arested in a govt hilux wit guns, charms, cutlas, acid. @eggheader @channelstv @TVC_Ent pic.twitter.com/QPyBCXJ1yS
— Ejanafish (@Ejanafish4real) April 8, 2015

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

ags with commas X Oronto DouglasX Breaking: Oronto Douglas succumbs to cancer dies at 49X Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research & Documentation Oronto DouglasX colon cancerX President Goodluck JonathanX Friends mourn Oronto Douglas on social media... reveal what killed President's aide Choose from the mo

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

ags with commas X March 28 electionsX Governor MimikoX Governor Olusegun MimikoX Mimiko Trains Arms Thugs To Disrupt Gov Polls —APCX All Progressives Congress (APC)X 19 All Progressives Congress (APC)X Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo StateX Alhaji Lai Mohammed Choose from the s with commas X March 28 electionsX Governor MimikoX Governor Olusegun MimikoX Mimiko Trains Arms Thugs To Disrupt Gov Polls —APCX All Progressives Congress (APC)X 19 All Progressives Congress (APC)X Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo StateX Alhaji Lai Mohammed Choose from the most used

Codes for April 10

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: The END has finally come! CJ sets to constitute panel over Fayose’s impeachment Read: 8th Assembly! Jibrin also declares interest in speakership race Read: MASSIVE DEFECTION! Buhari Receives Defectors In His Home State Read: Still on #ObaofLagos and Igbo: Here Peter Obi’s stand…Just before #LagosDecides Read: #LagosDecides2015: Nollywood stakeholders drum support for Ambode Read: #BuhariVictory: Ondo APC schemes for Senate principal position Read: Revealed! How Akpabio truncated Buhari’s visit to Akwa Ibom Read: SHOCKER! PDP workers begin strike over unpaid salaries|| Workers reveal why they took this decision Read: Ahead May 29: Here is the CHANGE Nigerians want from Buhari Read: #GuberPoll2015: Why Benue people must embrace change Read: You are on your Own! Ijaw Youth Council goes hot; blasts Dokubo-Asari

#GuberPoll [Live Update]:

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

#GuberPoll [Live Update] 5:

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Voting completed at a polling unit in Jos South Plateau Jos South. P/Unit: Old Govt. House. P/Unit No:023. Ward: 3 Du B ward. Voting ended at 3:05 p.m.

codes for April 12

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: #GuberPollResultUpdate14: Results announced by LGs at the Nasarawa, Kano states collation centres Read: #April11Poll: Caught in the act! What has Babajide Obanikoro done this time?…. shocking revelation Read: #Buhari goes hot; says PDP defectors have no place in his govt Read: #GuberPollResultUpdate10: BIG SLAP! Agbaje, Bode George, others lose at polling units Read: #GuberPollResultUpdate11: Senator makes history, becomes Nigeria’s first elected female governor Read: #GuberPollResultUpdate12: More Results From Katsina State – APC Shakes Katsina State….See Results Reasd: #April11Poll: Jonathan finally opens up; reveals why his wife was absent at polling centre Read: #GuberPollResultUpdate13: Results announced by LGs at the Oyo state collation centre Read: #GuberPollResultUpdate9: More unofficial results emerge from Lagos….see who is leading Read: #GuberPollResultUpdate15: See States Swept By APC Yesterday, OMG!!! Where Is PDP Read: #April11Poll: How unknown persons disfranchised electorates in Rivers….see what they did to Amaechi Read: #April11Poll: Caught pants down! ex-NYSC DG, 10 corpers caught thumb printing ballot papers Read: #April11Poll: Shocking Facts: Why A’Ibom gov poll should be cancelled

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

AMBODE’S VICTORY: FASHOLA THANKS LAGOSIANS FOR KEEPING FAITH WITH MODEL OF WIDESPREAD DEVELOPMENT. DE FASH MAGAZINE The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN on Sunday reacted to the victory of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode as the next elected Governor of the State, thanking residents of the State for keeping faith with the model of common widespread development that gives people the dignity to compete and be the best that they can be rather than be a model of patronage a few days to an election. The Governor who spoke in an interview with State newsmen at the Lagos House, Marina after the formal declaration of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode as the duly elected Governor of the State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), added that the people have chosen service, competition and choice over very banal patronage a few weeks to an election. He reiterated that this is why he is very happy that all the hard work in the last eight years has been vindicated and that he is delighted that the people of Lagos with this mandate to Mr Akinwunmi Ambode have connected with the choice and model of governance and have chosen the accelerated development where one doesn’t need to know anybody before he gets an opportunity. On what advise he has for the newly elected Governor, Mr Fashola said he would not advise the Governor-Elect in the open and that whatever advise he has for him will largely be privately given and that the important thing is that he should stay connected to the people. Earlier in a tweet on the declaration of the results, Governor Fashola had declared; ”Lagos wins. Congrats Ambode. Well done Jimi. Eko Oni Baje ooo”. SOURCE

codes for April 13

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: #LagosDecides2015: #AmbodeVictory: Here is Tinubu’s message to Jimi Agbaje Read: #NigeriaDecides2015: And the real WINNERS are….. Read: #Rivers2015: What really happened? Did Wike really win?….Shocking Revelations leaked Read: #GuberPollResultUpdate19: Severe Beating! APC candidate clears 23 out of 25 LGs in Niger….see... Read: BIG TROUBLE lands Rivers: As International observers call for cancellation of gov & assembly... Read: #LagosDecides: In case you missed it: This is how Ambode dealt with Jimi Agbaje @poll Read: Photo Speaks: Wow! See what Fashola & wife, Ajimobi & wife did as they learn election result of guber poll Read: #LagosDecides2015: Enough-is-Enough! I will not be running for governor again – Jimi Agbaje declares Read: #NigeriaDecides: Amusing tweet from lawyer Festus Keyamo concerning the election

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

ate tags with commas X AMBODE’S VICTORY: FASHOLA THANKS LAGOSIANS FOR KEEPING FAITH WITH MODEL OF WIDESPREAD DEVELOPMENT. DE FASH MAGAZINEX Lagos State GovernorX Mr Babatunde FasholaX Lagos State Governor Mr Babatunde FasholaX Mr Akinwunmi AmbodeX Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)X Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and Rochas OkorochaX #AmbodeVictory: Here is Fashola’s message to Jimi Agbaje Choose from the most used tags Featured Image FASHOLA-AND-AGBAJE Remove featured image

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: Fighting a lost battle: Gov. aspirant takes Tambuwal after being declared winner of the race Read: EXPOSED! Fresh fact emerge: How Patience Jonathan influenced #RiversPoll for Wike Read: @Last! Keshi signs new contract with NFF on Wednesday Read: Ondo Crisis: Thugs set Rep’s house on fire Read: ALARM! Mimiko after my life – deputy cries out Read: EXCLUSIVE: This defining moment Read: Pirates dare filmmakers again, flood streets with fake October 1 movie http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237993 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237992 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237991 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238012 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238013 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237990 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238014

AYO MOGAJI vs JIBOLA DABO

New Editor — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:12:52 +0000

Wonders they say shall never end. If not, how do we retell the tale surrounding the sudden separation between two lovers who are both artistes? I mean Binta Ayo Mogaji and Jibola Dabo-Iku. Until few months back,the two love birds who professed their love openly had a baby named Ademide to crown the union. But about three weeks ago, Binta called it quit with Jibola on the ground that the beared actor was not ready to formalise the union. And before one could say “action”, Ayo legally married her childhood love who just came back from abroad. Jibola on his own went to the police and ordered for the arrest of Ayo, whom she accused of abducting the product of the affair as well as that of his nephew, a young boy living with them. Who wins? Jibola is shouting to who cares to listen that, He is ready to spill the beans. Ayo on the other hand is not ready to return the kids on the ground that Jibola will not take care of them in the proper way.

BIMBO OSHIN IS BACK!

New Editor — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 10:20:50 +0000

Happy New Year you may say aloud and clear to our own evasive actress. Welcome back to our midst Bimbo Osin. Can you still remember how we informed you that Bimbo Osin was nowhere to be found? Thank God for his mercies. As year 2006 was going to fold up, the mother of one came out of the blues looking fresh and lovely. The most surprising aspect of the gist is that, she did not just come out with a new home movie titled. “Temi Ye Mi”. She was able to confirm the rumour of her relationship with her financier and producer, Ola Ibironke (Dudu Heritage). Over the years, Bimbo,a product of Lagos State University who had severally denied the love affair between her and Ibironke, would not let the cat of her bag. Even when she had her baby, which was a carbon copy of Ibironke that the media was agog with the news; Bimbo who wrote “Eji Ewuro” still vehemently denied the union. Well, the latest addition to her maiden which she wrote thus; Bimbo Oshin-Ibironke, has put all rumour to rest.

BREAKING News:

Ademola Iginla — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 01:42:14 +0000

2015 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Official Shortlisted Candidate’s List Updated: Read What The Comptroller-General Has Officially Said According to Mr. David Paradang, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), applicants whose names appeared on the released NIS Recruitment list have been short-listed for computer-based aptitude test which is scheduled to come up on the 20th of April and 25th April, 2015. 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Find Out More As Investigations Commence http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235442 #Buhari’s Victory Update: You Won’t Believe Why Anenih Tells PDP Let’s Concede Defeat Like Jonathan Did — This Will Shock You http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235443 #BuhariVictory Update: Why Jonathan May Be Angry With Cabinet Ministers, Gov. Gabriel Suswam, And Senate President, David Mark -- SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235042 #BuhariVictory Update: How Cabinet Members, PDP Chieftains Betrayed Jonathan In Kaduna State Where VP Namadi Sambo Hails From — SHOCKING Revelation!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235048 #BuhariVictory Update: How Cabinet Members, PDP Chieftains Betrayed Jonathan In Abuja — SHOCKING Update http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235049 #BuhariVictory Update: How Former Governor, PDP Chieftains Betrayed Jonathan In Ogun State — They Finished GEJ http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235052 SHOCKING: APC Wins 214 House Of Reps’ Seats And PDP Manage To Get…. While LP, APGA And AC Get… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236266 SHOCKING News: We’ll Sink The Boat If Gani Adams Shed Blood Again... A Faction of OPC Threatens, Says Gani Adams Doesn't Have The... http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237913 Jonathan Update: Jonathan Shifts Handover Date || See The New Date Jonathan Now Plans To Handover To Buhari — SHOCKING http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238535 SHOCKING News: Sultan of Sokoto “Angrily Slapped” Jonathan, Denies Receiving N12bn For His Re-election http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237680 Analysis: The Difference Between Jonathan Vs Buhari || FFK, Okupe, Asari, Orubebe, Jega, and Fayose Are Also Analyzed Here — SHOCKING Revelation http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236817 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: As Jonathan Leaves ASO ROCK, David Mark Sends This Message To Him http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234659 #NigeriaDecides: Defections? Why David Mark Can No LONGER Be Nigeria’s Senate President || Why GEJ Will Never Stop Crying…OMG! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234828 #‎BuhariVictory‬ UPDATE: Jonathan Sacked From Aso Rock || See Shocking Photo Of Jonathan As He Takes Boat Back TO His Village http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234747 Impeachment: Fayose Sends Royal Fathers To Beg Tinubu || EXPOSED: President Jonathan’s Plan For Ekiti State… SHOCKING!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235710 B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G: SHOCKING!! Jonathan Makes U-Turn… || Unbelievable!! Angry Jonathan Shouted At PDP Gubernatorial Candidates http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235559 #BuhariVictory Update: B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G: SHOCKING!! Read What Jonathan Told Orubebe As He Disrupted INEC Results Collation http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235054 #BuhariVictory Update: I Have Had Enough, Jonathan Says To Sambo, Others In Presidential Villa… No One Is… GEJ Added http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235027 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: Unbelievable! Jonathan Blows Hot! Stops PDP’s Bid To Challenge Buhari’s Victory|| This Is What Really Happened http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234227 BREAKING!! Vice President Namadi Sambo’s Office LOCKED (Where Is SAMBO?) — This Details Will Shock You http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233804 #BuhariVictory Update: Why Jonathan Lost To Buhari – Sanusi Opens Up, Tells Nigerians The Whole Truth — Shocking Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235012 BREAKING!! SHOCKING!! [Leaked] Jonathan Sends This Urgent Message To INEC Chairman, Jega http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235457 SHOCKING!! [Leaked] Read How Jonathan, Family Move Personal Belongings Out Of The Aso Rock — OMG!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234237 After a Closed Door Meeting With Jonathan… This Is What Gen. Danjuma Announced To All Nigerians http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236251 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: See Leaked Picture!! Jonathan Begins Packing Properties Out Of ASO ROCK….Picture? OMG!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234355 BREAKING!! OMG!! Jonathan’s Political godfather, Chief Clark Makes U-Turn, Declares Support For Buhari — SHOCKING Reality http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235775 Presidential Appointment: Bakare Cautions Buhari, says You Must Not Appoint Persons With… That Integrity Is NOT… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235008 Diezani Alison-Madueke Caught Pant down!! Diezani Refunds Stolen Money To Zenith Bank… Sanusi Was… || Okonjo Iwaela, Dame Patience Jonathan SHAKING Heavily?? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238512 Fear Of Jail: Read How Diezani Allison-Madueke Reportedly Masterminded Emefiele’s Appointment As CBN Governor || Jonathan Must NOT Read This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238514 Fear Of Buhari: Diezani Alison Madueke Reportedly Refunds $16million NNPC Stolen Fund || Okonjo-Iweala, Dame Patience Jonathan On HOT Seat? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238507 Missing $20 Billion: House Of Rep SHOCKS Okonjo-Iweala, Alison-Madueke || Jonathan, Dame Patience On HOT Seat? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238424 $20 Billion, $1.48billion Oil Money Scandal: Lawmaker Slams Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Diezani Madueke || SHOCKING!! Jonathan Ordered The Release Of… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238246 SHOCKING News: Diezani Alison-Madueke "Stole" N1.3 Trillion Oil Subsidy Payments From Central Bank || Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Jonathan May NOT.... http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238235 SHOCKING News: Diezani Alison-Madueke, Flown Abroad For Medical Attention || Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dame Patience Jonathan Will Be…? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238231 Fear Of Buhari: [Fresh US$ 1 Trillion Missing?] Diezani Alison-Madueke’s, PDP Elders, Jonathan’s Ministers On The Run || Okonjo-Iweala, Dame Patience? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238196 SHOCKING News: Six Countries Turn Down Diezani Alison-Madueke’s Asylum Request…. NO Country Left To Hide!! || Okonjo-Iweala, Patience Jonathan In BIG Trouble As Buhari…. http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238184 HEAVY Tension In Abuja As Buhari Slams Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala For… Says Oil Block Ownership Will… || Oil Minister, Diezani Must Be SHOCKED By… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237862 SHOCKING News: Buhari Set To Sack Diezani Alison-Madueke, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Others || World Bank Backs Buhari — OMG!! A New Nigeria Has Come!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237856 The Fear Of Buhari Is The End Of… Diezani Alison-Madueke Flees To London… Feigns Sickness As Cover To Escape || Patience Jonathan Too? SHOCKING Details!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236718 EXPOSED!! $700 Million Raw Cash Found In Petroleum Minister’s Home || SHOCKING, GEJ Covers Up For Her…. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Must NOT See This Picture http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236518 Caught Pant Down!! [Leaked Picture] $700million Raw Cash Found In Diezani Alison-Madueke's House || Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Must NOT See This Picture http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236431 B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G News: 20 Owners Of Richest Oil Blocks In Nigeria – Their Names Will Shock You! || #Jonathan Failed To… But Experienced #Buhari Will… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235215 BREAKING News: OMG!! Ifeanyi Uba, Capital Oil Boss Arrested Over N22.4 Billion Subsidy Fraud — GEJ, Diezani Alison-Madueke Must NOT Read This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235902 BREAKING!! Major Sponsor of TAN And The Man Who Desperately Wants To Install Jimi Agbaje As Lagos Governor Arrest Over Fraudulent Deals http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235908 B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G News: Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Finally Opens Up: Why My Wife Is Divorcing Me … SHOCKING Confession!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236736 SHOCKING: APC Wins 214 House Of Reps’ Seats And PDP Manage To Get…. While LP, APGA And AC Get… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236266 #BuhariVictory Update: Just In: Read How APC Claims Senate President And Speaker Of The House of Representatives || PDP, David Mark In BIG Trouble http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234856 #NigeriaDecides: Meet Nigeria’s New 107 Senators-elect || The Number Of Seats Taken By APC And PDP http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234819 Chibok Girls Nigeria: You Won’t Believe What Sani Abacha’s Daughter Is Planning To Do… This Will SHOCK You http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238379 #‎BringBackOurGirls‬: B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G News: Chibok Girls Seen Alive… Where Are They Now? || SHOCKING!! Read What BBC News EXPOSED http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238145 B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G: SHOCKING!! Chibok Girls May Have Been Slaughtered in Bama || Why UNHCR Believes That… #BringBackOurGirls http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235461 Buhari Update: “Buhari Walks Comptroller-General of Customs And Civil Defence (NSCDC) Out Of His House” — Read What Buhari Says Himself http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238548 Buhari’s Cabinet Emerges...: Names Of Ministers? || Presidential Appointments http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238560 Presidential Appointments Update: Buhari Rejects Bribe, Sacks Comptroller-General of Customs — A Must Read http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238500 BREAKING News: Buhari Embarrasses Customs, NSCDC Boss, Walks Them Out Of His House… SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238497 BREAKING News!! OMG!! Jonathan Storm National Assembly With Red Eye… Says You Must Do It Before I Live Aso Rock…. SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238454 SHOCKING News: Buhari Set To Sack Criminals For Life Pensions By Governors || Okonjo Iweala, Diezani A. Madueke, Dame Patience Jonathan Must NOT…?? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238338 War Against Corruption/Indiscipline: Open Letter To The President-elect General Buhari http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238326 Presidential Appointments On…: Buhari, Tunde Bakare….? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238289 Presidential Appointments: (Opinion) Ministerial Recommendation For Aviation Industry http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238211 Presidential Appointments Update: Buhari’s Ministerial Prediction For Oby Ezekwesili http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238101 Presidential Appointments Update: Ministerial Prediction For Governor Babatunde Fashola http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238100 Presidential Appointments Update: [Prediction] Most Likely Ministerial Appointee For Agriculture http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238099 How Buhari’s Certificate Saga Tore The Army Apart || The Certificate Has Been Reportedly Found — SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237905 Presidential Appointments Update: Tunde Bakare Gets Buhari’s Appointment… Names Of Those Nominated Will… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237890 Presidential Appointments Update: Buhari SHOCKS Politicians… Says New Ministers MUST Be Ready To…. Otherwise? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237868 Presidential Appointments: Buhari’s Ministerial List, New Details Emerge http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237783 Presidential Appointments: Buhari’s Ministers List Update http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237762 You Can’t Believe What 9-year-old Girl Said To Buhari At A Political Gathering in Lagos… Everybody Was Stunned || Tinubu, Fashola, Ambode Gazed With Open Mouth — See Picture http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236974 B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G News: Former Minister of Commerce and Tourism Jailed In The UK http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236726 Presidential Appointments: APC Set To Approve Buhari’s Ministerial List || In This New Era, The First Lady Can NOT Dictate Who…. SHOCKING Details!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236723 Presidential Appointment: Buhari’s Official List Update http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236427 Presidential Appointments: Buhari’s Ministerial List Update http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236234 BREAKING: Buhari Sets To Sack Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, Others http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236106 SHOCKING: APC Wins 214 House Of Reps’ Seats And PDP Manage To Get…. While LP, APGA And AC Get… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236266 Unbelievable!! History Repeats Itself: Within 48hrs Of Buhari’s Victory He Did What MKO Abiola Did In 1975 — SHOCKING http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235737 Why Buhari And Obasanjo Hold Secret Meeting in Lagos http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235859 Update: Do You Know The Venue Buhari And Obasanjo Used For Their Secret Meeting In Lagos? … OMG!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235911 Just In: What President-elect Will Do In First 100 Days In Office — GMG Letter To Nigerians http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233715 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: SHOCKING Analysis!! Painful!! How VP Sambo Failed Jonathan, Made Him Lost The Election http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234652 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: What We Want Buhari To Do For Us || Nigerians Sends Buhari This List — A MUST READ http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234577 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: SHOCKING!! Jonathan’s Aide, Okupe Makes U-Turn, Faces Buhari, Tinubu, Others…. Read What He Says http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234566 #BuhariVictory Update: Lagos Lawyer Satisfies Buhari’s Agenda For Nigeria… Says With This Agenda, Nigeria Will Experience GREAT Change Soonest — Read The Agenda Yourself http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235063 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: Realignment, Painful Defections As APC, PDP Battle For 29 States — SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234665 #Buhari’s Victory UPDATE: Presidential Appointment — Who Is Currently Topping The List As Buhari’s NSA? See His Picture http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234454 Updated: List Of Top Politicians That Dumped PDP For APC After Buhari’s Victory http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236741 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: Presidential Appointment — Do You Know Who APC Tips For Buhari’s NSA? He Was Buhari’s SchoolMate… Guess Who? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234436 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: Why Ekiti Lawmakers Serve Fayose, Deputy Impeachment Notice || At Last, Fayose WIll NOT… (Just Read The List Of His Offences) http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234668 #BuhariVictory Update: I Told Jonathan He Would Lose And He….? -– TB Joshua EXPOSED http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234912 Heroes Of Democracy: Top 5 Incumbent African Presidents Who Conceded Defeat After An Election [View List] http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235464 (Update) 2015 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) List of Shortlisted Candidates Released http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236634 Patience #BuhariVictory UPDATE: [Leaked] Jonathan Refused To Eat Dame Patience’s Food….Patience Begs, Begins To Cry…See SHOCKING Picture http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234308 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G: SHOCKING!! Patience Jonathan On The Run, Commences Packing Out Of Aso Villa http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234679 B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G New: Patience Jonathan On The Run!! Flees To UK… || Presidency Silent On Patience Jonathan’s Whereabouts http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235493 The Fear Of Buhari?: Patience Jonathan Re-appears… || You Won’t Believe Where She Was Sighted — This Will SHOCK You!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236055 #‎BuhariVictory‬ UPDATE: Painful LOST!! How Ministers, Cabinet Members, PDP Governors Betrayed Jonathan — SHOCKING Revelation!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234655 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: Delta BIG Pity!! PDP Leader Calls For Orubebe’s Arrest As Party Members Defect| Big Trouble For Orubebe http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234203 TROUBLE OUTBURST!!! Asari Dokubo Unleash Fresh Threat… OMG!! What Did He…? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234187 Aisha Buhari: Why President-elect’s Wife Might Not Be Nigeria’s Next First Lady http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234159 #BuhariVictory Update: OPEN SECRET!! Why Jonathan Lost The Election — A MUST Read http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234630 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: President Buhari’s Agenda For Nigeria….? Wow!! Truly Change Has Come!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234491 Just in: Buhari Receives Another Letter — Read What The Masses Are Asking Buhari To Do http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235033 BuhariVictory Update: Asari Dokubo In Big Trouble As Yoruba Forum Tackles Him… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234250 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: Jonathan, Buhari Hold First Meeting After Election || Guess What They Talked About? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234144 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: Just In, Jonathan Speaks Up After…. Says He WIll BREAK… This Will SHOCK YOU http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234145 #BabaNowThatYouAreThere: Buhari Receives The FIRST Open Letter From Nigerians — SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233901 SHOCKING!! 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Buhari — A Must Read http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233743 #BuhariVictory UPDATE: Fayose Again? What Has He Done That Everyone Is…? OMG!! A MUST Read http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234517 SHOCKING VIDEO: How President Jonathan Reacted The Moment He Lost Election – Reuben Abati EXPOSED (#NigeriaDecides) http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233755 OPEN Secret! How Jonathan, PDP Governors Met Behind Closed Door Exposed||What Are They Planning? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233783 Just In: You Can’t Believe Why Mimiko Stopped Dep. Gov Aides’ Salaries — SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234672 Fayose Ekiti Update: Read How Governor Fayose “Mistakenly” Called Jonathan, “That Stupid President” And What Jonathan Has Decided To Do To Him http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238070 Fayose sent Emissaries To Beg Tinubu…. Says He Is Ready To Defect To APC If…. || Jonathan, Fani-Kayode Must NOT Read This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237883 #EkitiDecides: SHOCKING News: Fayose Reportedly Forged His Academic Certificates || Fayose May Pack Out Ekiti Govt House If… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237873 (Update) Fayose Packing Out Of Ekiti Govt House: Jonathan Refuses To Speak With Him After Fayose Called Him “That Stupid President” [ See Photos] http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237875 #EkitiGate: CAUGHT PANTS DOWN!! At Last, Fayose Confesses To Partaking In Ekiti Poll Rigging [Listen To Tape Yourself] http://www.osundefender.org/?p=237039 Fayose Angrily Called Jonathan ‘That Stupid President’ On Tape… He Didn’t Know He Was Being Recorded…. GEJ Got The Tape, Vows To Finish Fayose… SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236941 B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G News: Fayose On the Run, Packing Out Of Ekiti State House… See Pictures || Do Fani-Kayose, Mimiko Know Of Fayose’s Whereabouts? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236942 Impeachment Saga: Governor Fayose Contradicted Himself…. Lo Ba Tan!! || Fani-Kayode Must NOT Read This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236866 B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G News: SHOCKING!! Ekiti APC Lawmakers Discontinue Suit Against Fayose http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236844 Impeachment Sags: APC Taunts Fayose, Expresses Surprise That Fayose Is So Scared That He Ran To Lagos Begging For Help From…. SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236859 Going… Going… Going: Chief Judge Set To Raise Fayose’s Impeachment Panel || Is This NOT What GEJ Wanted? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236748 Impeachment: Fayose’s Removal Proceedings Hits State Chief Judge’s Office || See This Document On Fayose’s Impeachment — SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236572 B-R-E-A-KI-N-G NEWS – Impeachment Saga: President Jonathan Makes SHOCKING U-Turn, Tells Fayose To Resign… Says Time Of Impunity Is Over http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236492 Impeachment Saga: Lawyer Advised Governor Ayo Fayose… OMG!! At Last… Fayose!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236276 Just In: SHOCKING!! Ekiti Senator Dumps PDP For APC || Gov. Ayodele Fayose “Collapsed”?? Unbelievable!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235918 Impeachment Saga: Ekiti Lawmakers Direct Chief Judge To Probe Fayose || Did Fayose Collapse? http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236485 Fayose’s Impeachment Goes Spiritual, OMG!!: Fayose’s Commissioner, Aides, Others Arrested With Weapons And “Juju” (Charms) — SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235930 EXPOSED!! Why Court Refused To Stop Fayose’s Impeachment http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236222 Top Secret! Why Lamido, Aliyu, Shema, Mimiko, Fayose Ignores Meeting With Jonathan Reveled||S-H-O-C-K-I-N-G http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233771 #Buhari’s Victory Update: BREAKING News: Drama!! How Fayose’s Supporters Blocked Assembly To Prevent Impeachment http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235417 #Ekitigate Scandal: Why Speaker Drums Support For Fayose’s Impeachment || (Reasons) Why We Want Fayose Out… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235439 Gov. Fayose On The Run? The Whereabouts Of Fayose, Unknown || Why President Jonathan Refused To Pick Fayose’s Call — SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235719 UNBELIEVABLE!! SHOCKING!! Mimiko, Fayose, Others Make U-Turn, Slam President Jonathan || Tinubu Must NOT Read This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233816 Exposed! You Won’t Believe Why Fani-Kayode Accepted Defeat…This Will Amaze You www.osundefender.org/?p=233796 #Buhari’s Victory: Read What Tinubu Declares To All Nigerians||A MUST READ http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233794 Bitter Truth! How Jonathan Was Defeated By Buhari||Things Every Nigerians Should Know http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233875 AT LAST!!! Fani-Kayode Confesses His Attacks Against Buhari| You Won’t Believe What He Said http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233876 Patience At It Again! You Won’t Believe What She Is Saying About Aso-Rock. . .FFK Must Not See This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233872 #BuhariVictory Update: How Cabinet Members, PDP Chieftains Betrayed Jonathan In Ondo State — SHOCKING Revelation!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235036 #Adamawa Guber Contest: PDP Lost All Senatorial Seats To APC || Read How New Permutations Favour APC For Governorship Poll http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235352 DEFECTION? NO WAY!! Gov Obiano Is Not Welcomed In APC || Why? What Did He Do? Is It Because He…. -– SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=235388 BREAKING News: OMG!! You Won’t Which PDP Guber Candidate Begs INEC To Dump Card Readers — This Will SHOCK You http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233835 Exposed! Fayose Is About To Attack Us Again || Why? What Happened? Ah..This Is Bad Oooo..!! http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234191 #BuhariVictory Update: “Fani-Kayode blasts Jonathan” Again FFK Changes Gear…Says He Still Holds Jonathan… That Jonathan Is… http://www.osundefender.org/?p=234952 OMG!! Aso Rock SHAKES!! First Lady Patience Jonathan’s Office Locked || Fani-Kayode MUST NOT Read This http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233802 #BuhariVictory Update: Tinubu Wants Bode George To Read This Over His Intention To Run To Exile http://www.osundefender.org/?p=233688 National Assembly: Eight APC, PDP Reps Jostle For Tambuwal’s Job || Their Names And Geo-political Zone Will SHOCK You http://www.osundefender.org/?p=236932 Governorship And House of Assembly Elections: PDP Chieftain Flees And Abandons Agbada, Jumps Fence Evading Arrest — SHOCKING Details http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238344

codes for April 14

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: #ChibokGirlsAnniversary: Why I cannot guarantee the rescue of the girls – Buhari reveals Read: SHOCKING BAD NEWS: No woman governor for Nigeria yet as APC’s ‘Mama Taraba’ is defeated Read: WARNING! Dont shed blood again, else….prepare for war in your hometown – A faction of OPC... Read: Despite EU advice to cancel Rivers, Akwa Ibom results –INEC refuses….says it cannot cancel the.. Read: All Hopes NOT Lost! “Mama Taraba” still in race as INEC declares Taraba governorship poll... Rea: INEC declared Taraba guber poll inclusive; state placed under curfew Read: #EKITI CRISIS: Anxiety in the state as Supreme Court decides Fayose’s fate today Read: BAD NEWS! Iweala, Madueke in BIG TROUBLE as World Bank backs Buhari to probe NNPC, others Read: #PostElectionViolence: Lagos residents panic as election death toll rises….see areas affected Read: Aftermath of #polls: Prominient APC chieftain wants Lagos party chair to resign….you wont... Read: #PostElectionViolence: Residents flee as fighting rages in Ife Read: The Fall Of The Giant: How Jang was brought down in Plateau Read: Fighting a lost battle: Gov. aspirant takes Tambuwal after being declared winner of the race Read: EXPOSED! Fresh fact emerge: How Patience Jonathan influenced #RiversPoll for Wike Read: Ondo Crisis: Thugs set Rep’s house on fire Read: ALARM! Mimiko after my life – deputy cries out Read: EXCLUSIVE: This defining moment Read: Pirates dare filmmakers again, flood streets with fake October 1 movie Amaju PinnickX Super EaglesX 1994 Super EaglesX Keshi to sign contract Friday – NFFX Coach Stephen KeshiX Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)X Dr. Sanusi MohammedX SPORT: Keshi signs contract Friday – NFF confirms Choose from the most use

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: #OYOGuberPoll: Ladoja heads for tribunal Read: CONFESSION: Teslim Folarin opens up on what really happened about removal of donated transformer Read: Nigeria Immigration Service Recruitment Exercise: Have you seen your name? here is the latest UPDATED shortlisted candidates and CBT Exam date Read: Is Drogba really going on retirement? -Chelsea veteran opens up on future Read: FLASH BACK: From Tinubu to Fashola; now is Amobode…certain things you MUST know|| Details of how Ambode won Read: SHOCKING: Why all PDP leaders should resign now; else….– PDP chieftain- ex. gov. aspirant... http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238255 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238262 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238278 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238279 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238280 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238306

Victory @last! This how Orekoyas welcomed their kids back home

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

There was joy on the Orekoyas’ Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos home yesterday following the return of their kidnapped children. The children Ademola (6), Adedamola (4) and Aderomola (11 months) were released by their abductors on Tuesday night; they reunited with their parents around 9p.m. It was learnt that the family paid a ransom for the boys’ release. The undisclosed amount was paid into a bank in Sagamu, Ogun State, before the children were released in Shasha, Egbeda, Lagos. Their parents were told to where to pick them up. On realising that the Orekoyas could not afford the initial N13 million ransom, the kidnappers, it was learnt reduced the sum and told them of how to make it available. A source told The Nation that the search for the kids climaxed on Tuesday, with their father, Adeleke Orekoya, going to Sagamu to pay the ransom. The family, the source said, met the toddlers unclad at the address given by the kidnappers later that night. But, the police are claiming to have outgunned the kidnappers to rescue the boys. The kidnappers, police spokesman Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), claimed fled under police superior fire power, and abandoned the children. The police, he said, swooped on the abductors following detailed intelligence and cutting edge technology. Nwosu said no one was killed or injured in the encounter. No arrest was also made. Reliving how the kids were found, their aunt, Mrs Adesumbo Alabi said: ‘’It was after they called the family on (Tuesday night), I can’t be specific about the time but it was in the night that they found the children. They were all naked on the road. They were asked to go and pay some money at a bank in Sagamu. After paying the money, in the night they now called them (Orekoyas) and told them to go to Egbeda. They described the place for them. ‘’So they went there in the night and found the children. They were all naked and alone. Immediately they got there and saw the children, they took them to the hospital, (Cottage Hospital/Comprehensive Health College, inside Police College, Ikeja). ‘’The kids were not well fed by their abductors. They looked malnourished, traumatised with rashes and mosquito bites on their bodies. They were left bare footed but we thank God that they are alive.’’ The children’s grandfather, Apostle Adegoke Adekunle while jubilating over the safe return of the boys, claimed that the police initially frustrated rescue efforts. He said but for the intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, who ordered the Divisional Police Officer, Itire to act swiftly, policemen were unwilling to take the kids’ mother’s complaint. ‘’I am happy today because I know I have not done evil to anybody. God whom I serve has rescued my grandchildren for me. When I was called that they have been kidnapped, I did not know what to do but I knew I have God. I went to churches to pray and I thank God today that they are safe. ‘’We did many things with police. The commissioner came here. He was the one who called the DPO demanding an investigation into the case. The Investigating Police Officer (IPO) who recorded my daughter’s statement just dropped the paper until the commissioner called the DPO about the matter. ‘’After the commissioner’s call, both the DPO and station officer came to the house and I scolded the IPO who took the first statement for his unprofessional attitude. So, another policeman was sent to come and take statement and a police team was sent from Alausa as well,’’ he said. In the morning yesterday, it was celebration galore at the Orekoyas’ home as well-wishers gathered to thank God. The Orekoyas in a Thank You message posted on social media around midnight gave God the glory. The message reads: “We give God all the glory. Our Orekoya missing kids have been found. Thank you so much everyone for your prayers, moral and financial support all along. The list is endless, of awesome mothers, sisters, colleagues, business partners; father’s and even kids too. You have been amazing! May God grant all your hearts’ desires too? Much love always. You will not lose your children.” Shouts of congratulations! “Thank you, God,” rang out at the Orekoyas’ home during the jubilation. “God has answered our prayers. He did not disappoint us with the rescue of the children. This, we pray, will be the beginning of uncountable good things from God to this family,” an in-law of the Orekoyas said. There were praise songs and worship; some had theirs in the sitting room; the kids’ grandparents and few family members stayed in a bedroom. Adekunle thanked The Nation for its consistency on the reports, saying, the paper did well. The Nation observed that the children have shortly after their return home yesterday, the children promptly got back to their routine and were happy to be home. Ademola, who opened the door for our reporters, was busy playing with an IPAD on the dining table with his brother, Michael; Adedamola jumped from one part of the house to the other. Ademola, a Basic one pupil, told our reporters that their abductors did not torture them but removed their clothes. Mr Orekoya addled 11-month-old Aderomola and declined interviews because he is still bonding with his children so as to “observe changes in them”. Source: THENATION

Ademola Iginla — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 19:19:59 +0000

Imo Guber Election Results from April 11 APC – 385,671 PDP – 306,142 Total Votes expected today – 144,715

codes for April 26

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

May 29, President Goodluck Jonathan, SIMON UTEBOR, Federal University, OtuokeX Jonathan’s Otuoke home, WOW! See where Jonathan is heading to after May 29...luxury island villa Choose from the mo

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Wukari, Donga, TakumX Sardauna, Senator Alhassan will not accept Taraba governorship election result, All Progressives Congress, Taraba State, Ishaku Darius, Peoples Democratic Party, A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

We hear United Nations may appoint Pres. Jonathan as Global Crisis Envoy, United States, France, UK, China, Russia, WOW! UN Sets To Appoint Jonathan as Global Crisis Envoy, Tony Blair, WOW! Like Tony Blair; Like Jonathan: UN Sets To Appoint Jonathan as Global Crisis Envoy

codes fro April 28

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Read: BIG wahala for NNPC: As audit report exposes double subsidy payments|| Diezani Allison will not.. Read: EXCLUSIVE: Controversial sacking of police IG….shocking secrets emerge Read: SHOCKING CONFESSION! Jonathan fianally opens up on ‘Missing’ $20bn oil money, says he has…… Read: SHOCKER: Ondo deputy gov’s impeachment, expensive joke of the week Read: Buhari goes hot again, says B’Haram is…… Read: SHOCKING! See the full text of NNPC forensic audit report Read: Why FG wants court to stop N’ Assembly on propose constitution amendment http://www.osundefender.org/?p=239006 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=239005 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238991 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238990 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238989 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238993 http://www.osundefender.org/?p=238992

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Odigie-Oyegun, North-Central, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Rabiu Kwankwanso, South-West APC, South-West, Senator George Akume, Senator Ahmed Lawan from Yobe State, Femi Gbajabiamila, Buhari; Odigie-Oyegun to meet as fresh intrigues cloud zoning, Fresh intrigues cloud zoning of principal offices : Buhari; Oyegun in a crucial meeting, Fresh intrigues cloud zoning of principal offices : Buhari; Oyegun in a crucial meeting ...see Buhari stand

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Saraki Clears Air On Fat Pay For NASS Members By: Olufemi Samuel 1:29 Am, June 24, 2015 Headlines, News The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, said the media reports on huge allocation of wardrobe allowances for National Assembly members are fictitious and baseless. Saraki said what the media had reported about staggering amounts allocated to Senators as allowances, were far from the truth and at variance with the facts presented by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC). There has been instant public outcry against media reports that each member of the House of Representatives had been allocated the sum of N17.5 million as wardrobe allowance, while each of 109 senators will get the sum of N21.5million. Since the past two weeks when reports on the issue hit the airwaves, the different civil society groups had been taking turn to stage protests at the premises of the National Assembly, each appealing to the management to shelve the idea of allocating huge sums for legislators Saraki said he had met with officials of RMAFC on the issue and came to a conclusion that a Committee of the Senate would be set up, to re-appraise the structure of the National Assembly, and in particular, ensure that the allowances due to members are in tandem with the present reality on national economy and the mood of the nation. He said, however, that the outcry on the issue of legislators’ allowances was a wake-up call for Senators to be more transparent in their conduct while dedicating themselves to the task of nation building. The 8th Senate, he said, has the responsibility to minimise crises in Nigeria, while directing its energy on the task of generating more revenue for the country, and at the same time ensuring reduction in revenue leaking points in Nigeria. Related Story : Why Jonathan Declined Assent to Constitution Amendment Bill Against this background, Saraki announced the composition of an 18-man Ad-hoc Committee with three members to be drawn from each of the geo-political zones of the federation, all to draw a legislative agenda for the current Senate. The new legislative agenda, he told his colleagues, will enable the Senate to be more focused and be able to face the challenges that are already facing Nigeria. The challenges, he opined are avenues for the Senate to finding solutions to the common problems of Nigeria, as he urged Senators to work in unison for the task of making Nigeria a greater country. The Senate President, while welcoming his colleagues back to work from their two weeks recess, urged them to accept that the challenges of dwindling revenue for Nigeria are enormous and that they are the ones to offer solutions. He reminded the Senators that Nigerians, during the last general election, voted for change of government, with expectations that those elected have the sole responsibility of working to improve the quality of governance. He listed the immediate challenges of the present government as the falling national revenue, non-payment of salaries of workers and the rise in the cost of operating business in Nigeria. He said, since all the problems require immediate answers, Senators could not turn their blind eyes to them, stressing that the 8th National Assembly must live above board if they are to earn respect in the course of performing their oversight functions over the executive arm of government.

LASG clears tankers off Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

Ademola Iginla — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Finally, the Lagos State Government has cleared all the illegally parked tankers, on the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway. LASG clears tankers off Apapa-Oshodi Expressway JUNE 30, 2015 : SESAN OLUFOWOBI 2 COMMENTS print KAI and LASTMA officials The Lagos State Government has cleared tankers, which were illegally parked or abandoned, on the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway. The government, in a statement by the spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority on Monday, Mrs. Bola Ajao, explained that the decision would ensure the safety of Lagosians and free flow of traffic in the area. The General Manager, LASTMA, Babatunde Edu, who led the team of operatives of the agency in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy and the police on Sunday, said over 50 trailers were removed from the area in accordance with the government’s zero tolerance for gridlocks and indiscipline. He added that the exercise was to checkmate the excesses of tanker drivers and restore sanity to the area. Edu said, “The state government, being a responsible and responsive one, will ensure that every citizen has a right to Apapa, and not only the tankers or trucks carrying containers.” He said efforts had been made in the past to restore sanity and bring back the glory of Apapa, which had been truncated by the tanker drivers. He added that the enlightenment and enforcement exercise would be a continuous one as the agency would not relent until tanker drivers complied with the directive of the government. He said, “Series of meetings have been held with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers to educate their members and ensure that tanker drivers desist from indiscriminate parking and indiscipline attitude on the road. “All tanker drivers are advised to adhere strictly to the new directive, as the government will not hesitate to enforce traffic rules and regulations to the latter.” Edu called on the public to take possession of the road and not hesitate to inform LASTMA of any broken down or abandoned tankers and trucks on the Apapa – Oshodi Expressway, saying the agency had been empowered to respond promptly to distress calls. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

OONI: Sijuwade’s son weds today

Amina Adams — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The families of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, and the former National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA boss, Mrs Remi Olowu, will, today, join their son and daughter in holy matrimony in Lagos despite the rumoured death of the paramount ruler. Sunday Vanguard learnt that the two families resolved to proceed with the wedding programme after due consultations with friends and relations. Meanwhile, there was disagreement between residents of Ile-Ife yesterday on the reason behind the on-going Oro festival in the town which entered its third day today. Many people of the ancient town, who spoke to our correspondent , believed the announcement of the festival may have been preparatory to the formal announcement of the passage of Ooni. But some residents insisted that the festival had been scheduled to hold long before Sijuwade’s reported demise. Media attention has been on the town since the reported demise of the Ooni on Tuesday in a London hospital. Speaking to newsmen in Ile-Ife, a traditional title holder, who preferred anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, listed Oro, Olojo, Orunmila, Edi, Oranmiyan, Esu, Obatala among others as some of the festivals celebrated in the town annually. The chief insisted that the ongoing Oro festival had nothing to do with the “rumoured death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade.” According to him, the ongoing festival will end on Thursday. He explained that while it lasts, there will be no restriction of movement, except for young and old females that must not see the procession of Oro adherents. However, the door at the back of the Ooni’s palace, that normally should open at the death of the monarch, remained shut yesterday. But a palace source explained that “since the door remains permanently closed, it means the monarch is alive. “The closure of markets for business and ringing of a special gong to announce the death of an Ooni are two major significant signs to indicate that the monarch has joined his ancestors and these are yet to be done”. “These have not taken place and so our belief is that our Oba is still very much alive”, he added. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/ooni-sijuwades-son-weds-today/#sthash.7zf8bGzA.dpuf By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo

Nikita Bikita — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Culled from: EMPOWEREDNEWSWIRE

Nikita Bikita — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Culled from: EMPOWEREDNEWSWIRE

Osun PDP, we are sorry to disappoint you today...Dem go get alert ‪#‎GODWIN‬. God bless Aregbesola

Amina Adams — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Breast Milk Elixir

Amina Adams — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

LUCKNOW, India — What if there were a remedy that could save more children’s lives in the developing world than are claimed by malaria and AIDS combined? A miracle substance that reduces ear infections while seeming to raise scores on I.Q. tests by several points? Available even in the most remote villages, requiring no electricity or refrigeration? Oh, and as long as we’re dreaming, let’s make it free. This miracle substance already exists. It’s breast milk. Current estimates backed by the World Health Organization and Unicef are that optimal breast-feeding would save 800,000 children’s lives a year in developing countries. That would amount to a 12 percent drop in child mortality, a huge gain. I’m on my annual win-a-trip journey, in which I take a student with me to the developing world to look at neglected issues. The student, Austin Meyer of Stanford University, and I have been reporting in India, where 1.2 million children under the age of 5 die annually — and where nutritionists say that improved breast-feeding practices could save many. Exclusive breast-feeding for six months, as strongly recommended by the World Health Organization, is practiced by just 46 percent of women in India, 17 percent in Nigeria, and 10 percent in Yemen, according to the latest Global Nutrition Report. (In the U.S., the figure is about 22 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) Let me get this out of the way: It’s awkward for men to hail breast-feeding, and it risks sounding patronizing because we’re not the ones doing the work. And this: Sometimes promotion of breast-feeding carries an unfortunate edge of reproach for women who can’t breast-feed or choose not to, and that’s counterproductive. In America, there’s tension about these issues; an essay in The Times on Sunday warned that promotion efforts can degenerate into shaming women. That’s a fair caution. In any case, where this is a life-or-death issue is not the West but in developing countries, where water is often contaminated and child mortality is high. Infants who are not breast-fed are 14 times more likely to die than those who are exclusively breast-fed, according to a major metastudy just published by Acta Paediatrica, a pediatrics journal. Here in northern India, Austin and I met a mother, Maher Bano, whose daughter had been born at home just hours earlier. The baby was underweight and in danger of dying. The best medicine in this context is breast milk: Studies from India, Nepal and Ghana show that prompt breast-feeding reduces neonatal mortality by 44 percent. But Maher Bano said that for the first 24 hours, the baby would be given only tea with honey. “I’ll breast-feed the baby tomorrow, or the next day,” she said, explaining that she was following the guidance of the traditional birth attendant who had helped her deliver the baby and cut the cord. This is common: Worldwide, only 43 percent of babies are put to the breast within an hour of birth, as recommended by the World Health Organization. One reason for delays is suspicion of colostrum, the first, yellowish milk, which doesn’t look quite like milk but is packed with nutrients and antibodies; it’s sometimes called the “first immunization.” Another big challenge: In hot countries, villagers also often give infants water on hot days, or start them on food before six months. Water both displaces milk and also is often contaminated. (Breast milk, in contrast, is safe even when the mom drinks contaminated water.) Western companies are also to blame. Manufacturers of infant formula face stagnant growth in Western countries, so they aggressively pursue poorer countries. Researchers found that 85 percent of recently discharged mothers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, had seen advertising for formula. Some also believe that Western entertainment has sexualized the breast in ways that reduce breast-feeding. While the clearest benefits of breast-feeding have to do with saving lives, there is also some evidence of other health and cognitive gains. In Belarus, children of women randomly assigned to exclusive breast-feeding promotion scored six points higher on I.Q. tests than controls. A few studies haven’t found a tie to cognitive capacity, but most have. Over all, a new review of 17 studies found a mean gain of three I.Q. points for children who were breast-fed. Global health experts focus on breast-feeding partly because efforts to support moms in this area pay off surprisingly well. A recent survey by Acta Paediatrica of 130 estimates found that breast-feeding promotion on average increased exclusive breast-feeding by an astonishing 44 percent.

BETWEEN IBINABO AND FRED AMATA

New Editor — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:46:06 +0000

Truly, there is no smoke without fire. And also, there is no fire without smoke. If not, how do we describe the hot romance between the producer cum actor, Fred Amata and ex-beauty queen turned night club owner, Ibinabo Fiberesima. In the past, tongues wagged and tales told, but as usual it was denial upon denial. Even when Fred Amata’s marriage packed up due to irreconcilable differences between him and his wife; he was not ready to say anything. Last week, the half caste actress celebrated her birthday. As usual, her friends were waiting to either make it a beach party or Owambe affair; but our delectable actress sprang up a surprise. A surprise? You may ask. Yes, a big and an unusual one for that matter. She and Fred Amata locked themselves up in a room. And don’t bother to ask me what they were doing, but if you can remember late Fela’s “na Poi” or Femi’s Bang! Bang!! Bang!!! ; then you don’t need an interpreter to guide you.

Next Week:- Single but searching ladies in entertainment news.

BABA SUWE OUT AT LAST

New Editor — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:49:04 +0000

Thank God for his mercies, Baba Suwe has finally come out at last to reveal his true identity off camera. Not that the Ikorodu born actor who is married to Omoladun, an actress debunked the rumours of alleged dealing in hard drugs, he made people realise that he is 100 per cent opposite the roles he plays. A comedian, a successful and accepted one for that matter, Babatunde Omidina has been in the trade for so long. Accepted by his fans, but his inability to shed light on the rumour of his alleged separation from Suwe, his first wife has refused to go down with his fans. So, Baba Suwe, you are loved. And thanks for letting us into your real life character. We also know that you love Omoladun who is mixing comedy with love for you, but won’t you tell us what is going on between you and your first love?

IK DAIRO’S SON FULFILS DREAM

New Editor — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:55:10 +0000

Paul Play Dairo, (IK Dairo’s son) has finally fulfilled his childhood ambition to act one day. And the rave of the moment actress, Bukky Wright is making this possible by featuring him in her new movie. Feran Mi, a new flick from the Economics graduate of the prestigious University of Lagos, has Paul Play Dairo taking the major role. Though not much is known about the whole scenes in the movie, the few scenes promoted on air allowed us to know Paul was Bukky’s heartthrob in the flick. Flashing back, Paul Play whose late father was one of the foremost pillars of musical entertainment in Nigeria, was set to study Dramatic Arts in 1986 at the then University of Ife now OAU, but the ambition was short lived due to some reasons. Rather than stay at home doing nothing, he ventured into Engineering and worked as a contract staff with an oil company in Lagos. The successful outing of his first album jerked him up, making him to become the toast of entertainment lovers especially the youths. Paul does not play same music with his father, but he was able to remix some of old hits as well as inject new tracks into it. This is one of the tricks the Ijesa born artiste is using to gather both old and young together.

HOPE AT SIGHT FOR WUNMI

New Editor — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:58:33 +0000

Yeah, there seems to be a new hope for Wunmi Yetunde who is standing trial for allegedly being in possesion of hard substance called cocaine. Few days ago, Wunmi who refused to change her clothes, an Ankara fabric print, which she has been wearing since her trial, and always in sober mood pleaded guilty to the charges against her. Initially, she was not ready to plead guilty, but when another accused, Rev. King, was sentenced to death on the alleged accusation of burning some members of his church, which led to the death of one of them; Wunmi was so scared that she pleaded guilty. Available information revealed that her case is totally different from that of Rev. King, which could only see her going to prison; however, pleading guilty as well as her lever of sobriety may tilt the pendulum of judge toward her which may make her spend few years in jail. Succor is coming to her both from the prison guards and her lawyer. There was a new trend last week when one of her films which she shot before her arrest was promoted on air. Before this time, she was like a black sheep among her peers as she was rejected. But Elesho who is a co-artiste was the first person bold enough to mention Wunmi’s name in his own new movie. If you could recollect, the president of the Association of Nigerian Theater Practitioners , Prince Jide Kosoko placed a definite ban on the light skinned actress immediately her arrest was confirmed. And mum was the words from her colleagues. It was either they were afraid of being linked with her or trying not to step on their president’s toes. Support. Enough support is what Wunmi needs at the moment. And a change of heart from her colleagues is the major tonic needed to be offered.

SINGLE LADIES IN THE NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

New Editor — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:01:43 +0000

Hi guys are you single and searching? You wanna seek for a hot romance hotter than what you see on the screen among our star actresses? No qualms, as OSUN DEFENDER brings you the list of beautiful, but single damsels in the entertainment industry, who are not just single but rich and well connected. Come inside as we don’t want to bore you with too much talk. MUMA GEE: Real name Gift. Muma Gee is the only hot but single and popular entertainer in the South-South area that is making waves. Though her debut album was not impressive, due to perseverance and eagerness to learn, Muma Gee is one of the leading entertainers in Nigeria currently. She is rich, outgoing and beautiful. ARA: Real name Aralola, the Ondo State female drummer cum singer started her career by singing Afro beat. But inability to make her voice heard among the multitude forced her to create her own identity titled “ARA”. Thanks to a chance meeting with “ATUNDA Entertainment House” which re-groomed her. Today, Ara has performed for Queen Elizabeth, President Obasanjo, President Bill Clinton, etc. Few months ago, she adopted a child at an orphanage. Ara is single, well connected and accessible. WEIRD MC: Real name Sola Idowu, her latest album titled Ijo Ya is causing ripples worldwide. Even the so called “born again” are dancing to the music because of its rich lyrics. Years back, she was involved in lesbianism, but she has since openly repented. Weird who is based in U.K is not only internationally connected, she is well educated and outspoken. Don’t be drawn back with her no nonsense appearance, she is meek inside. Ability to take you to cloud fifteen is guaranteed. NIKE PELLER: All hail our light skinned actress who just came back from Mecca. The daughter of the late world-acclaimed magician is single. Often, she tells who cares to listen that there is a guy for her in one corner; latest research showed that it was a ruse. Well behaved and jovial, Nike is 100 per cent single. Her numerous appearances in home movies reveal that she has come to stay. A good cook, any man who marries to her will surely enjoy the homefront. BISI IBIDAPO-OBE: Ikorodu based Olabisi aka Omo Logba-Logba, is one of the youngest ladies in theatre circle, but not a child in the profession of make-believe. Bisi who has featured in many movies has romantically linked with many men in the past; but none has ever been lucky to tie her down. Good-looking and inviting appearance, any daring lad will surely melt her heart. LIZ BENSON: Mother of them all and a queen in her own right. Since she was widowed many years back, the Calabar born actress who schooled in Lagos and USA respectively is single. Like other ladies in her own shoes, many men have been romantically linked with her. Some she agreed with; but no permanent man in her life. This makes her qualified to be fully single. But watch out! Check the value of your pocket before making any move. FUNKE AKINDELE: The law graduate of University of Lagos is one of scandal free artiste in our midst. Funke started acting in I Need to Know, a television serial drama sponsored by UNFPA during her secondary school days. To really test her feet in the hot water of show-biz, she has recently teamed up with Odunfa caucaus of the duo of Yinka Quadri and Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo); where she is making waves in Yoruba home movies. Naturally beautiful, her sexy eye balls are one of the sexiest thing about her. Single, friendly and humble. Make a quick dash for her. GENEVIEVE NNAJI: Genevieve grew up in Lagos and had a child while in secondary school. But this actress who is the face of Lux Soap refused to allow the mistake of the past to dwindle her talent. She is one of the highest paid actresses in Africa today. Another feather to her cap was the release of a musical album in 2006. This she waxed while still under the axe of home movies marketers, who banned her and some colleagues from acting. Though she denied ever dating the vice president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, nonetheless she is single. COSSY ORJIAKOR: Years back, any man would have just walked up to Cossy, the queen of boobs for an affair. But Cossy who has two degrees to her credit is so hardworking, that she just moved to her own house in Lekki. Single and talented, don’t seek for her hand if you are too jealous or local. Cossy is an Americana in African garb.

‘Felix Awofisayo Is My Mentor’

New Editor — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 19:03:18 +0000

Dele Omoluwabi and his Juju Band started from his love for music, especially for music blood that runs in his family. He had his primary and post primary education in Oyo and Osun states respectively. Though his parents live in Ife, he is from Ilesa in Osun State. “Apart from the fact that I have music running in my family, my devotion as a choir member of Celestial Church of Christ, Moore, Ile-Ife offered me an opportunity to develop more in music and it brings out the innate talent in me,” he stated. “More so, all talents without a motivator or actualiser could make such a dream to die off but with the help of my mentor and godfather, Chief Felix Awofisayo, I am what I am today” he added. Though, Dele Omoluwabi is the leader of a popular juju band in Ile-Ife and Ilesa, especially among the elites, he adduced the reason to the composition and the touch of his music, which made him to be admired especially by students of higher institutions. He thereby solicits for sponsors as its he’s abvout to wax his first elpee."If anyone is in love with juju music and has not had the taste of Dele Omoluwabi, he is yet to taste the best,” he concluded.

BUDDING MUSICIAN TASKS PROMOTERS

New Editor — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 19:04:47 +0000

Nigerian music promoters have been called upon to organize healthy competitions among upcoming musicians with a view to projecting them to the outside world. In a chat with OSUN DEFENDER, Mr. Leye Williams, a Gbongan musician said music is the best language people understand, saying without music the world couldn’t exit. Williams, who has been making waves in and around Gbongan stated that Nigerian promoters are in the habit of promoting those that have made it in their career instead of the upcoming ones. “We have new stars that are not yet discovered, it’s only if the Nigerian promoters could focus their searchlight on them because there is nobody to promote them,” he said. While speaking on his styles of music, he stated that it was the combination of Fuji, juju and highlife that made his music unique from those of others. Leye further revealed that the name of his musical band is Leye-Willy and his Golden Voices band also known as “OGURO,” saying he started his musical career from his teens.The talented musician also maintained that he and his band have played in different parts of Yorubaland, adding that he would use his music to project Osun State. Oguro also stated that he now believes in music than any other job in life, saying he will not do engage in any other jobs except music. “We still have problems with promoters because they look down on us; this is because they don’t know the value of music in a society,” Leye said. He said: “Let people like King Sunny Ade, and some other well known musicians who have reached the peak of their career join hands together to organise something like talent hunt for us upcoming artistes. “I am still young and talented, anybody that hears my music will never be disappointed. I am ready to showcase my culture, my state and my nation to the outside world. All need is a promoter that will believe in me”, he said.

ILESANMI IDENTIFIES BANE OF MUSIC INDUSTRY

New Editor — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 19:06:01 +0000

“The absence of good promoter and marketers is the greatest factor that inhibits the development of traditional music”. This were the words of Mr Gbenga Ilesanmi while chatting with OSUN DEFENDER’s entertainment crew. Ilesanmi who has been the leader of the Fuji musical group called “Atawewe Alasela” for the past ten years said he would never stop the musical career because it has become part of his life. Atawewe who is currently making waves in and around Ilesa, stated that he has been to more than 40 outings where he played in Osogbo, Ilesa and environs and also in Yoruba community of the northern part of Nigeria. Ilesanmi who is in his early fifties further disclosed that he is experienced in this musical career and also that he is ready to improve in all because he seeks knowledge all around. “The problem we are having in the music industry is that the big cocks will not allow the little ones to crow,” Ilesanmi said. He further stated that the music industry in the state would have been the most developed but this is not so, because some see themselves as the leaders who won’t allow young ones to grow.He also stated that he is just a primary six-certificate holder, saying he pulled out of school because he believes in his musical career, saying he loves music more than his life. Atawewe hinted he has a cordial relationship with some of the well-known artistes and musicians like Koledowo, Fatai Alade and Remison Aluko, a well known Fuji musician.He emphasised that he and his band would always engage in lots of practice and rehearsal sessions before going for any outing to play their kind of fuji music. He said: “What differentiates my type of music from that of others is that my music fills the vaccum between the young and the old. “I can play anywhere with my kind of music, the old are ready to listen to my music because of my experience and the youths also, because I can blend with the new style of fuji music”, he told OSUN DEFENDER. He further stated that his parents were not in support of his decision to drop out of school to be a musician before but when he started making waves in it, they gave him their blessings.He advised parents to give their children the opportunity to choose any career for themselves saying parents should only guide them through.

EASY KABAKA COUNSELS MUSICIANS

New Editor — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 11:28:08 +0000

“New arrivals and up-coming artistes in the music profession should try to carve special identities for themselves rather than imitating the styles of other musicians “Further, since music is a profession for the serious and creative minds, musicians should steer clear of any acts that are capable of tarnishing their image.” This piece of advice was given by Alhaji Isiaka Ayinla aka Easy Kabaka at his Ita-Ogunbo, Ilorin residence during an interview recently. According to Alhaji Kabaka, musicians should also display honesty of purpose with their business partners. Kabaka the Grandcommander of Fuji music in Kwara State and the National Treasurer of Fuji Musician Association of Nigeria started his music career in the 60’s and has many fuji records and awards to his credit.

ALADAMO IJESA ESCAPES DEATH

New Editor — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:18:45 +0000

Thank God for his mercies, if not, Chief Niyi Ajetunmobi, Adamo Exponent, would have been a dead man by now. Recounting his experience in the hands of hoodlums who attacked him at Ilaje, in outskirt of Ilesha, few days to Christmas festival; Niyi who claims to modernise Adamo type of music said that, the timely intervention of Police saved his neck from being twisted out of his body. “I had gone to Ilaje, very close to Ilesa to play my brand of music, Adamo. This was not the first time of going there to play. I was acknowledge as usual. As the music was going on and people dancing in appreciation of a well performance; some hoodlums totaling thirteen in numbers emerged from nowhere and descended on me. Initialy, I thought they had come for “Owo Ile”, which I was ready to part with. To my surprise, they had another motive”. Niyi who just came back from European Tour where he dished out Adamo music to different nationals, revealed further that the hoodlums beat him to a state of coma that he could not even shout for help again. They beat me and my band boys to a state of emergency. The party folded up immediately. They also damaged my car, the bus which we used to load instrument as well as other personal belongings like handsets, wrist watches etc.”

MIMIKO PROMISES MORE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

New Editor — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 17:21:19 +0000

The Labour Party governorship candidate in Ondo State. Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, have promised to implement programmes that would lead to more employment opportunities for the people of the state if elected as governor. Dr. Mimiko gave this promise at Araromi Oba, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state during his campaign tour of the areas. According to him, the resources available in the state, if well tapped and utilised were enough to generate employment to the people of the state and also increase its internally generated revenue. He also said apart from direct efforts at eradicating poverty among the people with direct employments, steps would be taken by the LP government to improve the standard of living of the people of the state. The former Minister of Housing and Urban Development said towards eradicating poverty and hunger among people, his administration would provide enough soft loans at minimum interest rates to market women and medium scale industrialists to assist them in becoming self sufficient. Mimiko also said poverty would be eradicated through strategies that would be mapped out with the aim of resuscitating all the moribund industries owned by the state within the first year in office.

OYINLOLA IS NOT SINCERE WITH UNIOSUN – AREGBE

New Editor — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 20:24:09 +0000

OSUN State Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola has alerted the people of the state not to take the incumbent Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola serious on the establishment of the state university, saying it is an act of deceit.

Aregbesola who was answering questions on a programme organized by the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osogbo on Tuesday noted that it was unthinkable for Oyinlola to lure the people of the state with the establishment of a university when his administration was already on its way out. His words: “How can a responsible administration start a university at the twilight of its tenure? It is a deceit. He (Oyinlola) knows that what he cannot do. I, Rauf Aregbesola will do it. I will build a virile and functional university while all the tertiary institutions in the state will become degree awarding institutions. “I went to school and I was never taught an art of deception. It is only at the Defence Academy that deception is being taught. Whoever does not pass it will not be allowed to graduate. They are professionals in the art of deception. It is only the military that put on camouflage, civilians don’t”, Aregbesola said. The AC governorship candidate who hinted that currently Osun State ranks third from the bottom in public examinations pledged that his administration would introduce functional education in the state. He said all dilapidated public school structures would be rebuilt within two years of his assumption of office, adding that “as from August 1, 2007, three teachers would be appointed tutors-general (equivalent of permanent secretary) in the state”. Aregbesola, who said he was supremely comfortable with the incoming election, lamented drought of visionary leaders in the state since its creation. He said: “It is true that my being a commissioner in Lagos State has exposed me to the nitty-gritty of politics. It is painful that Osun State has not have effective governance for quite some time now, except during the leadership of Chief Bisi Akande and the late Chief Bola Ige and the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the old Oyo State and old Western Region respectively. He recalled the fact that Oyinlola is not resourceful, disclosing that his internally generated revenue when he was Lagos State administrator was N200m monthly; which Marwa, his successor raised to N600 million, adding that “Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu raised it to N6 billion. “No administration has ever succeeded in doing what we have done in Lagos State. We have done more than 15 major roads among others. We are rebuilding the entire roads in the business central district of Lagos. We remain the only government that can challenge some myopic and egocentric national leaders who don’t have the interest of the people at heart”, he said. The candidate who accused Oyinlola’s government of being lethargic and puerile, challenged the government to a street walk contest in any part of the state including Okuku, his town and see whose crowd would be larger. His words: “Oyinlola ruled Lagos for three years, were he to have performed well he would have attracted meaningful people to himself. Oyinlola is simply unpopular. “Hunger will be banished and life will be more abundant. If I stand in front of your establishment (NUJ Council) for 10 minutes, there will be a traffic hold-up because I radiate love and my personality generates love”, he said. Aregbesola hinted that President Olusegun Obasanjo has retrenched over 3,000 workers within the last one year. “In May 1, 2006 I made a declaration to employ 20,000 workers. Oyinlola absorbed only 1,000 retrenched staff. I will absorb the remaining and convert their period of retrenchment to leave. “How can Oyinlola account for billions of naria he collected from Abuja from 2003 to date? Chief Bisi Akande did not collect up to one quarter of the revenue collected by Oyinlola so far,” he explained. The AC candidate said the present leaders of this nation were self-serving, adding that “we know those who are building hotels, mansions and petrol filing stations across the state. The bane of this nation today is that we have misfits as our leaders. People are the deciders of their own fate”. He promised that he would create more jobs for the people of the state saying, “I, Rauf Aregbesola, I am not a job snatcher, I am a job creator”. Setting the record straight over an allegation in some quarters that he was a religious fundamentalist, he said: “I am a devout Muslim and I don’t joke with it. I am, however, against religious bigotry”. The AC flagbearer who also spoke on sports and sporting activities said: “We shall have football viewing centres. We shall build a befitting stadium in the state with establishment of miniature stadia across the state. Callisthenic will return to the state within the first six months of our administration,” he promised.

Comments (28)

... written by Wale Adewumi, March 14, 2007

Many cheers to gubernatorial candidate Raufu Aregbesola and his vision of a better Osun State. As for the incumbent governor, there is little to show for four years of tenure in our state. Speaking of which: Didn't Oyinlola promise to build a University of Osogbo when he campaigned for the post in 2003? No sooner had he assumed office than he began to find excuses for why a univeristy could not be built in Osogbo. Sure, we all know it takes money to establish a virile institution of higher learning, but if Pa Awolowo could build the University of Ife (now OAU) with such meagre fair, why couldn't Oyinlola build one with all the excess allocations coming to the state. What he failed to accomplish in four years, he is now promising to do in the remaining three weeks of his tenure. What we have seen in Osun state in the last four years has been nothing but an erosion of the gains made by Oyinlola's predecessor in office. To put it in the words of our great legal luminary, Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) following the shooting to death of Kunle Adepeju by the Nigeria Police Force back in the late sixties, Oyinlola's administratition, like that of the then UnIbadan Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lambo, is "guilty of adminstrative inertia." This man has brought Osun state to a standstill and because of his "baba n'gbejo" his assets are yet to be probed by EFCC. Abeg, time for a change. Oyinlola must be voted out. Osun indigenes will use the power of the ballot to boot out corruption and gross ineptitude in the state. Let's all turn out on election day to cast our vote in favor of change and progress in Osun state by voting for a man with integrity, vive and experience, Engr Raufu Aregbosola. Osun A Gbe Wa O!

Aregbesola Dun Jo Oyinlo written by Akano M. Ademola, March 14, 2007

The fact about Aregbesola as acandidate is that he is adequately qualify to become the governor. He has all that it tke to perform excellently well having been tutored by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for good eight years.

I have been in Lagos before 1999 but now I can see the difference in the road construction and reconstruction. Aregbesola has been in charge of this wonderful work in Lagos state. I have been following his Campaign he discusses issues but not person. He is up to the task of defeat Oyinlola in the coming April election.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! written by Prince Akinjide Akinyooye (08028275739), March 15, 2007

It is very disappointing that Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola failed to sell his own programmes to the people of Osun State. Instead, he was critising laudable establishment of Osun State University, at Osogbo... An attempt which no other government has initiated since creation of our state. Mr. Aregbesola should remember that his party leader (Chief Adebisi Akande) had opportunity of governing our state with constant song of "impossibility" when it comes to establishment of University by the State Government.

If Mr. Aregbesola doubt the possibility, reality and successful implimentation of the new University. He should conjoin the people of Osun State by declaring support for Oyinlola`s return for second term. Hence, we shall all have opportunity to re-assess Prince Olagunsoye at the end of his second term. Importantly, we have genuine confidence in capability of our performing Governor. Indeed, Aregbesola and his team should limit thier politics of grudges and biterness to Lagos State, where they shall return after democratic rejection through gubernatorial election.

... written by Alejo, March 15, 2007

It seems to me you are not being objective with this issue. YOu are clearly being biased towards "your" Governor. You should remember though, your Governor was forced to start the UNIOSUN project by the "people and the opposition" .

OYINLOLA'S SECOND TERM WILL BE A TOTAL WASTE written by Richard, March 18, 2007

I can frankly tell you that there hasnt been any development since the beginning of this present administration. Why that programmes used in 2003 to lure the people of Osun State was just a month to the end of this current dispensation been embarked upon? It was never done like that. The Uni of Osogbo, the dualisation of Gbongan Road are all a case. Isnt this same state with Kogi, Abia and Anambra created same year. They all built an ultra mordern university as well as a good dualization of major roads in there respective states within a dispensation. This same project the PDP assured us about during the former campaign and failed and now having the guts to re-schedule it again this year as campaign strategics. Im telling you the people of Osun State, other states will be very sorry for you. I see no reason why if come to think of it, if a party fail that another party can't be make do with the next time whether going to serve you well or not. The people of osun state, please lets be wise. Thank you.

a new begining written by harlex, March 25, 2007

We can not continue to deceive ourselves, i am a citizen of Nigeria fron Osun State, in past years i have been visiting the state and my local government, and still have not seen any changes in the way of life of the people of the state, talk of good roads,education system, standard of living, security, the issue of security is so bad that the citizen provide for themselves security, our Osun state is not bringing towards itself profitable investors, every secondary school student wants to leave the state, because they can't even get a part time job even at the completion of their waec examination. PDP! why must it be this time! your educational reforms, trying to provide us an unrealistic 10,000MW of electricity, why this time?if u had tought all this couldbe possible in less than a year, then why have you waited till the end of your tenure, maybe, they are all for campaign purposes. People deceiving people. Its about time we began to see new tings happening in the state, living should be made easy for people, sure i love the introduction of the Osun state university, but, should it have been at this time? why not 2003,2004,2005, why is it coming at the end, and the verge of election, what's the probability that it will even be completed if the present government is being re-elected to office come may2007, because, its as if the government is giving out something, and expecting something in return. Nigeria is blessed, Osun state is blessed, and i pray for a new and a better Osunstate, Osun is our home, i don't have to be in power to lift my state, am proud of Osun and proud to be who i am. I love Osun state.

Stop those Rubbish Mr Alejo........................... written by Ayo, March 29, 2007

Ohhh Mr Alejo as regards to what you said, nobody is being baised here. No one force the governor in 2003 to make the university as one of the campaign promises. So now that we have another dispensation that the governor is using this same strategic to campaign that he was being froced. Probably may be you are one of those the governor has dashed some wherewithal in order to be on his side. And why wont you say we re being biased. Isnt this so easily seen that its all for campaign sake in which thereafter the university project will be abandom. Better lets all say no to Oyinlola's comeback or else you will be no 1 on the list of those who will fall victim of the governor's trap.

Prince and Ayo your consciences are there to............................. written by Akano M. Ademola, March 29, 2007

People are saying the truth and you are saying another thing. Is it not clear that this government is not and can't do anything. Prince said in one of his write up that he came from Orolu-Ifon and that no state government impact is felt in the area and he is aware that the same happened in Irepodun-Ilobu nothing to point to.

Why can't we be honest to ourselves has Oyinlola done anything tangible with all the money he has collected on behalf of the state?. April poll will justify us because people are now wise. The thugs that this people are now engaging in attacking opponents at their rallies cannot stop the wish of God and the people. "AREGBESOLA DUN JU OYIN LO"

U got me wrong! written by Alejo, March 31, 2007

I am with the progressives and the agent of positive change. My statement was addressed to the apparently biased (partial) position of Prince Akinjide Akinyooye's post.

Stop deceiving Osun state people PDP written by Taye Adesoye, April 02, 2007

I was schooling in Lagos State when Oyinlola was controlling the State and very sure to say he did nothing. I told my people when he was to be elected in 2003 that he will fail Osun State people and I know he has leave to my expectation. Please for God sake if you go to Lagos and see what Engineer Rauf Aregbesola has done as far as roads is concern during the time he worked with Tinubu then people will accept with me that he is our best candidate in Osun for now. Please oyinlola leave Osun State alone we are tied of your deceit, enough is enough periods. I am from Odo-Otin Local Government Area and I can say it loud and clear that Oyinlola is a failure let us try Aregbesole.Osun people don't allow anybody to use religion to deceive us ooo.

Insincerity from Oyin's Face written by Engr. Akano M. Ademola, April 02, 2007

Wait gentle men have you tried to look straight at Oyin's face while talking to the people?. Please what do you normally see?. Honestly speaking I always see insincerity but I have not discussed it with anybody until this weekend when friend from Abuja asked me this above question. The guy said he always sees insincerity in Oyin's face in fact I was short of words because we have never discussed it before.

My friend tried to justify this claim and again the same with my view of Oyin's promises in 2003. You can also hear this:Where is dualization of Gbongan/Okuku/Konta road? Where is the aerodrome? Where is the Central Bank? Where is the Federal Secretariat? Where is the free edecation when we buy everything after paying school fees? Where is the State University after four years? Did you notice one thing again that he used federal projects to campaign can't he think of meaningful state projects. This man lack the required capabilities to move Osun state forward. The differece is clear between Aregbesola and Oyin. Aregbesola is visionary while Oyinlola is not. This is why people have resolved that, come April 14th, they are going to vote enmass for a change symbolised by Aregbesola. "AREGBESOLA DUN JU OYIN LO"

Beware written by Ajayi, April 04, 2007

I feel sorry if there are no other crediable people in Osun state expect the two Elephant fighters.Beware of sugar quoted promises. Ajayi

PDP.GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO written by otunba s.o faleye, April 04, 2007

We are tired of you oyinlola ....we need to make a change,pls go and sit down and see what our man AREGBE will do.........Our osun and your osun will be a paradise!

STOP THESE DECEPTIONS written by Omolangidi Gabriel, April 05, 2007

I wonder when these politicians like Oyinloa etc will stop deciving the gullible population of Osun state. This state need a selfless, incorruptible governor to make things work. I visited Osogbo and the nearby Ilesa where my parents hail from recently and all I can see is the same dust covered rusted rows of buildings that I knew as a child 50 years ago. God save the people of Nigeria from themselves! Omolangidi.

Oyinlola again! written by Joseph Zakari, April 10, 2007

Don't u think is high time u go and rest after a fruitless effort during your present tenure,it's obvious that ur tenure was a gross failure , judging by the sufferings of the people of the state .I suppose u give credible people the chance to take the people to the promise land.Enough is enough for ur deceit.i look forward to a change person solong that u have fail on your part.

oyinlola ile to lo written by adefiranye tolu, April 12, 2007

its high time we know the differences between a boy and a man and seperate the wheat from shaft.the people of osun state can now identify clearly who is an achiever and a proclaimer.we've seen the extent oyinlola has taken the state so far but its a pity .... he has NOTHING to show for it and he has NOTHING good to offer us again because he has done his best and should PLEASE leave the rest for Aregbesola to do the transformation and reconstruction of osun state,we are all tired of the deadly stings from you (oyin).

PDP and Her Thugs. written by Engr. Akano M. Ademola, April 12, 2007

Usually when an election is about to happen the incumbent government is more confortable than any other party in a democratic system. This is because it must have envisage the election challenges and give the people the best during its administration.

In Osun state and Nigeria as a whole PDP has failled and it is unconfortable any more. The president said "it is a do or die afairs" and true to his word he has done a lot to achieve this by wanting to ban Atiku at all cost he declear two days holiday not minding what it will cost our economy, expelling Ararume and decided not to presenting any candidate for governorship in Imo state, protect a rouge like Alao-Akala in Oyo state, promoting Ribadu to AIG, sending EFCC to Mimiko etc. In Osun state PDP has been threating people not come out and vote if their are going to vote for any other party and not PDP is this the type people we want to lead us again. A party that is ready to kill those they intend to govern if they (people)decide not to vote for it. A party and people that are full of deceits and propagandas. When you kill people today because they don't want your candidate who will vote for you next time and this is why many people are leaving the party because people now know the party is more dangerious to them than any other party in the country. All over Osun state today people want Aregbesola and they have done this to Oyinlola in 2003 why can't Oyinlola remember that these same Osun citizens can call on him tomorrow for another thing instead of him resulting into killing of anybody that decided not to vote for him now. I have listen to Oyin several times and I have found out that he did not love Osun state and her citizens but he should remember that only God make leaders and the voice of the people is the voice of God. As at this coming election Aregbesola is the man and God will answer the prayers and yearnings of Osun state people. "AREGBESOLA DUN JU OYIN LO"

"oyinlola is an ingrate L G Chairmen " written by adewale razaq, April 13, 2007

what can gov. oyinlola say about thls..... THERE is serious battle of wits going on in Osun State over an alleged bid by the local government chairmen in the state to have their tenure extended beyond the March 31st terminal date we the chairmen took the case to the state governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, for consideration. But the governor, he told us to take the case to the state House of Assembly.

youths : we are tired of your cunny personality - Oyinlola written by adewale razaq, April 13, 2007

Gov Oyinlola promised to build a University of Osogbo when he campaigned for the post in 2003? but when he assumed office he began to find excuses for why a univeristy could not be built in Osogbo . and later along the way swallowed his words in a publication on politics by the Nigeria Tribune which goes thus :

Question " Your critics said the university established by your administration was an afterthought. How true is this? Answer That insinuation is false. It was part of our priority all along though it was at the bottom of the scale. And now, this administration has fully attended to it. " How can the construction of a standard state university be at the bottom scale of a government who really wants to establish a university at the end of her tenure (a duration of 4(four) years in office)... isn't this priority an illusion , a fiction , a fallacy .... people of osun state dont let us fold our arms and keep mute its time for a new beginning , a new era , a new turn around , a new government , a new osun state . vote wisely .... Aregbesola ni jooo

OYIN IS TIME FOR YOU TO LEAVE ABERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! written by Teslim Adewale, April 13, 2007

No time for randanranda in this state again look at this man heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnn when he was elected in 2003, he promised safe environment, revolution in the agriculture, pipe-borne water and many more. and he refused to delivered on all these counts. In education, he promised to re-absorb all the teachers sacked by Bisi Akande he did not.

Also, he said that he will opened up rural roads to enhance movement of agricultural products. my people he did not.he said he will invested in rural electrification to boost the state’s economy, nothing. So on the university, my people of Osun state he want to use this university to win his vote in osun especially in Osogbo also he if we look at this plan we will realize that he did not like osogbo he take management courses to his own town where he know that management student are more plenty than science students please my people don't let us wasted our time especially our future let us vote for someone that can capable, that can changed all this, even though like me i wish to school in my city. ma/sir please don't forget that we are the leader of the tomorrow. oyin is time (Ileyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa)

oyin oleeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! written by Akanmu taorid, April 13, 2007

oyin oleeeee ni ema dibo fun ole moje omo ilu Ada ni agbole atanda ni oja oja oba ilu ada moje omo odun metadinlogorin mi ole ko mi ole ka amo mo le gbo dada mo si leri. Ibanuje oni bawa le kan si eyin agba ewoooooo boyin se n pa awon omo wa kilode to ri ibo to ri owo ejeka se pele kale fe ro lori oron ro ka mo eni toye kagbade bolori to ri to ba do jo iwaju ka won oma wa le yan ki won le sure fun wa eyin obi ejowo emi oni ba won je ije kuje Aregbe daaaaaaaa lopolopo te ba gbagbe ni i bere oro mi mo ni mi ole ko mi oleka amo mo gbo mo le so. ni odun meta seyin ni ti mo lo se eko ile ogbon mo ri bebe koda to ba fo na koya lori gada gbigbe ni mo be re wipe ta lotun se eleyin won ni omo kan ni to ruko ren je Aregbesola Adesoji Rauf ni mo bi won lere wipe omo ilu wo ni ninu ipinle eko won lailai omo eko ko omo ipinle osun ni eru ba mi mo ni ipinle osun ilu ti mo tiwa tabi mi si oju timi lojoyi. mo wa gbojusoke mo gbe olorun oba. Oba to laye tolorun to le se ohun gbogbo mope pelu omije loju wipe iru eniyan ba yi olorun wa fun wa ni ipinle osun wa yi .haaaaaaa adura ngba amo kole gba dada eje ka dibo wa fun adesoji rauf omo dada ni ewo igba kan ti awon akeeko omo ile iwe giga ti Esa-Oke tan ba nkan je tan ni kan sanwo Aregbe se tan ati san owo na amo kogba opolopo ni omo ti kole tesiwaju nigba na. ewo eyin eniyan mi emi oni ba won je nkan ti oda motiloyin mo ti layo eje kin wo Aregbe naaaaaaaa. Eyin Alade esora fun ije kuje ije wobia......... eranti ori ade eranti wipe eyin lolorun gbe ilu le lowo ema gbagbe wipe olorun nwo yin esssssseeeeeerrrreeeeeeeeeeeee......

People Deceive People written by adefirany tolu, April 13, 2007

People Deceive People

Papa Deceive Pikin People Deceptive Party Power Drunk People

Osun peoples should have leaned by now written by tony olaiya, April 15, 2007

I have been to osun state several times before i left the country and i know oyinlola and aregbesola,,there is no way you can compare the two ,aregbesola is visionary and atticulate while yoinlola is just trying to save face,,,The time is up for him to go,

oyinlola is a successor written by olawale, April 30, 2007

the fact that he is able to provide you people a university is enough to praise him. do you know how long you had suffer for this? and he is the only governor to deem it fit since the creation of the state.kudos to you oyin.

OYINLOLA IS A ROGUE written by adeolu adegbola, May 09, 2007

DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE HAS BEEN DECLARED WINNER AS THE GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE,WE IMPLORE THAT ROGUE TO GO OR ELSE HE WILL NOT LIVE TO ENJOY THAT SECOND TERM.GO!!!

ADEOLU ADEGBOLA OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNI ILE/IFE DEPT OF ECONOMICS

questions written by k.o.g, July 25, 2007

i just want to know when the post ume for uni osun will be.anyway we have no choice than to manage oyinlola for the main time.thanks

let us quote the bible written by oluwaseun immanuel, July 26, 2007

we scientist discover that how you appear shows your manner.In the case of oyinlola, how he appears shows his manner.the bible says they that sows in tears shall reap in joy meanwhile aregbe has sows in tears therefore he is going to reap in everlasting joy.And the bible says that they that sows sparingly shall reap sparingly and they that sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. No more democracy in nigeria and record shows that democracy is a trial in nigeria.

Oyinlola Baba isale awon Oleeee!!!!!!!!!!! written by okola taofeekl, August 21, 2007

those article being writting there is a fantastic word because mr Oyinlola dessarve to be calling mr thief ole and his father obasanjo onikun elede to fi owo Nigeria ra Air condition si ogba elede ni abeokuta ni ogun state .

UNIOSUN AS A VOODOO

New Editor — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 20:16:50 +0000

“You can fool all the people sometime You can fool some people all the time But you cannot fool all the people all the time”

All the while, I decided to keep mute on the foto finish called the University of Osun State touted and celebrated by the State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola since last year. The celebration draws my melancholy because it is a theatre of absurd scripted and acted by the political a o merinjobas (meaning the political artful dodgers) who are out to deceive the unsuspecting people of Osun State. But last week, I was invited to give a lecture by Rotary International, Osogbo and National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS), Osun State College of Education, Ilesa Chapter pari passu and the quest for knowledge on topical issues demonstrated by the distinguished Rotarians who asked me to speak on ‘The Media and Sustenance of This Nascent Democracy’ coupled with messages and telephone calls from fans of this column compelled me to join an issue with Oyinlola’s government on the voodoo called UNIOSUN. If you don’t know, let me quickly remind you that the creation of the university was intentionally shoddy, structurally illogical and technically imbalance and I will prove it. In the first place, it was only the people of Osogbo cosmopolitan city that conceived the idea of having a university, for the reason that the ivory tower would jerk the population up and give the economy of the state capital a boost and when the former Governor Bisi Akande who ruled between 1999 and 2003 could not be forthcoming on the idea based on the relatively low revenue base and poor allocation from the federal coffer, Osogbo people openly fraternised with this rival People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that drafted an unwilling candidate, Oyinlola into the governorship race. So, in order to win, the then newly-retired Brigadier General Oyinlola kept on promising every Tom, Dick and Harry without considering the economic implications. So, by the time the ruling party won and the governor settled down in office, Oyinlola was confronted with the reality on ground. But as God would have it, the price of crude oil went up in the international market and the allocation of each state was reviewed upward, but there was a lot of commitments on ground: the governor himself wanted to buy a mansion in Ikoyi, Lagos, he has to smart up with some business interests abroad and that would require choice properties and some other things before he services the interests of his political jobber who facilitated his election or selection into the office. It got to a time, the governor came up with the home truth that he could not establish this university and that drew the ire of Osogbo people which obviously manifested at the last Oroki Day which was crisis-ridden. Gradually, the Osogbo people were rebelling against Oyinlola who reneged his promise and that could cause a political death of some political gladiators of Osogbo extraction in the PDP. So, a prominent commissioner from the city went on his knees asking the governor to just pronounce the university even if he would not construct a single structure and in the process he burst into tears and drew emotion of His Excellency and that eventually led to the pronouncement of the UNIOSUN in the first place. So, the intention was not genuine, it was diabolical and shoddy. In another development, the governor was confronted by disquiet in Ile-Ife, another powerful voting bloc in the state as a result of governorship ambition of Senator Iyiola Omisore. He woke up to another deception when some people in Osogbo led by their leader, Alhaji Ajadi Badmus danced to the Bola Ige House at Okepupa-Abere to thank His Excellency. He was forced to conceive an idea of structure to convince people further but two interests must be taken into cognizance; one, the homefront, two, the political interest, especially the re-election bid. So, the university has to take a multi-campus dimension as used during the creation of The Polytechnic, Ibadan where all political gladiators went away with a satellite campus each and Osogbo, the troublesome, entity must have eleven structures in the new arrangement that will comprise an administrative block, Senate building and facilities that would accommodate trado-medicine (of course, Osogbo people are synonymous with “agunmu and aporo epa ijebu”) and medicals because of LAUTECH and School of Nursing which are on ground. Okuku, the governor’s home town would go with management courses and ten structures and the rest towns will have three structures each for a school or the other. Is this a university of a dream? Is this the best university you and I canvassed for as a collective heritage in the state? If not, then, why are we paying homage to ignorance?

I know that some would be hinging their argument on the calibre of people that formed the committee that worked out modality for the university, especially, a man like Professor Peter Okebukola, the immediate past Executive Secretary of National University Commission (NUC). Of course, I don’t dispute your argument, but I want you to find out why the same Okebukola ordered all universities with outreach and satellite campuses to close shops while he was calling shot at the NUC and what he said then. If I may recall, the don put up an argument that technically, the idea was wrong because it would defeat the mission of a university education. So, why partaking in the voodoo called UNIOSUN? The answer could be found in the case of a monumental fraud that characterized education vote in the last leg of Okebukola’s tenure at NUC. That case that flushed out Senator Adolphus Wabara out of the exalted seat of Senate presidency. So, technically the creation of UNIOSUN is imbalance. With this, I hope you have been better informed that the governor and his power frick friends are only deceiving the people with their university bait and that is why I called it a voodoo. What is voodoo? It is a religious practice in West Indies. The practice involves witchcraft and magic. Everything about voodoo is done in secrecy. The priests like Oyinlola is supreme and their commands are automatic laws. Any member of the sect that asks questions does so at his own risk. Dissension is a cheap compromise of personal security. It is the common belief of the priests that any explanation of their practices done to the people is an affront to whom they represent. So, the people of Osun State should acknowledge that this university is a voodoo, a fluke, a ruse and a fluke. Oh! You want to know more? Ask the governor who has just expended millions of naira from our collective wealth to pick an award from his alma matter, the Buckingham University in the United Kingdom, whether the university that honoured him is scattered all over the state? Ask him whether he was admitted before the structures of the great university were put in place like what will happen in September 2007 to UNIOSUN that has not been given placement in Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) as at the time of reading this piece? Do you know why we are not courageous enough to ask questions? It is because of blind trust and agony of poverty. And you can see that the last ‘Open Forum,’ the propaganda network programme on OSBC radio and television was lifeless because the Chief Priest like a voodoo master was absent. Do you care to know why each question must be preceded with praise singing? Then, let us listen if Odunjo is now turning in his grave for the life drama of A O merinjoba in Osun State). In his ‘Alawiye’ Odunjo, the literary giant revealed a lot, but ‘A O merin joba’ (we shall crown the elephant) is very instructive. In the story, the elephant aspires to be king at all cost like the second term syndrome of the governor. All the other animals see the ambition of the elephant as an avoidable risk, the elephant has been unnecessarily obsessed with naked power and can only be likened to a drunken bull in a China shop. The animals know that if they tell the elephant that it is no longer wanted, then all of them might be dealt with (like stealing in the local governments would be stopped, contracts to cronies would be stopped, unfettered access to public fund would be curtailed and that could affect their expensive automobiles in town). They (animals) resolved to encourage the power frick elephant dubiously. A ditch was dug. On that day of the fake coronation, the surface of the ditch was covered with beautiful dressings to deceive the undiscerning elephant so as to slip into the ditch, in unison, the animals sang ‘A o merin joba Ewekun ewele (2ce) And that was the last praise sing of the elephant. How I wish these people in the corridor of power drop their choice cars at their various homes and start boarding commercial vehicles and listen to the yearnings of the masses, probably that would further give them the better pictorial representation of the condition of the people. Eh! I do not say with my weak words that Oyinlola, like any other governorship candidates out there does not have a chance in the forthcoming elections, but I am only thinking in limbo that people may want to say: that this man promised us a full-fledged airport at Ido-Osun, double lane from Akoda to Orita Olaiya for nine months only to still be battling with it for three years despite the fact that it is a federal project, that this man promised us employment, only to start merry-gorounding, that this man promised us water, only to start commissioning boreholes without water in the 21st century, that this man promised us that he would not draw salary but he ended up drawing rebate on all contracts. So, how do we trust him with this university bait that was splitted like a private nursery school? You know what, the former Governor Bisi Akande was criticised because he sacked workers, but he built an unrivalled state secretariat that housed all ministries without borrowing a dime from the bank. Meanwhile, Oyinlola with more than N200 billion allocation plus oil windfall is worse because the money only reflected from the purses of the few. Truly, “if a nagging wife does not try two husbands, she would not know the better one” My greetings to His Excellency, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola over his recent award from his alma matter, Buckingham University, United Kingdom, Oga, we go wash am o. *************** CORRIGENDUM It was written in the last edition of this column titled: Hypocrisy of OSUN INEC that Ribadu delivered a paper at the late Prof G.O Olawoyin lecture series. I want to tell you that Professor Olawoyin (SAN) is not late, I saw him, alive kicking. It was a printer’s devil at work and the error is regretted. See you next week.

Comments (5)

Recent happenings on so-called guber election in Osun state written by BASIRU ADEBAYOWA, April 25, 2007

Goo day, an i know the recent happenings or moves made by Oramiyan campaigning group about the fraudulent acts of Osun state governor and his political fraudsters.

About the school written by Olaewe Babatunde Samson, May 17, 2007

i just to know more information about the school, maybe the are going to use the recent jamb or not. The school is a good ideal governor oyinlola is doing. so keep it up.please i will need a quick reply on the issue i state first.

yours faithfully Olaewe Babatunde

About the school written by Olaewe Babatunde Samson, May 17, 2007

i just want to know more information about the school, maybe the are going to use the recent jamb or not. The school is a good ideal governor oyinlola is doing. so keep it up.please i will need a quick reply on the issue i state first.

yours faithfully Olaewe Babatunde

About The UNIOSUN written by Akintayo, May 29, 2007

Gud day, I want to give an opinion that, the school accredited courses suppose to be pasted online so that every body who is willing to obtain the form can be able to check.

Thanks.

Fool u are written by penny, August 18, 2007

why do u collect our money and without no result pls do something in the case.i dont think this exam is going to take place again on the 23 of this month bcos the way am looking at thing .i just want u to do something to it .goodbye for now o ye fools.

THE SLAVE BOY WHO TURNED BISHOP - Samuel Ajayi Crowther

New Editor — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 20:17:11 +0000

Those whom God love, so a saying goes, He leaves His mark on them before they are born. Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a Yoruba son, later to become Bishop of Western Equatorial Africa, and the first African to be so honoured, was one such man. There came an expedition in 1841, which over-riding purpose was to bring Christianity to our shores and remove the evils of slave trade from our midst, that a stalwart Yoruba son, himself having been miraculously rescued from the hands of a slave dealer who had taken him as far as the territorial waters of Sierra Leone, was to make not only his presence felt, but leave his name as a monument in the history of Nigeria, West Africa and the world. The name, Samuel Ajayi Crowther continues to ring like a bell today, not only in Christian churches and homes, but throughout our society. We came across it in Sunday school lessons, and drank in the written words about him in text books during very young age at school. Having thus been removed from the hands of a slave merchant in 1822, and because of his discernable high intelligence by missionaries in Sierra Leone, he was sent to the local C.M.S. School in Freetown, for what was to become his first step in the acquisition of knowledge. This was only the beginning of things to come. Little Ajayi, who quickly demonstrated that he would not be found wanting as far as intelligence and academic baptized and given the significant biblical name of Samuel. He however shrewdly for one so young kept his Yoruba name of Ajayi. It soon became obvious to the group of missionaries who were his benefactors that to educate young Samuel Ajayi only in Sierra Leone would be doing the lad an injustice, as it wouldn’t be enough. For to properly educate him was outside the scope of the then West Africa teachers and institutions. And so, he was dispatched to a parochial school in Arlington, London, where the surname, Crowther, the name of notable Church Missionary Society member was added to his other two names. From then on, he became known as Samuel Ajayi Crowther. At the completion of his education in Britain he returned to Sierra Leone, the very place he had been taken to off a slave ship. And it was from there that the most turning point of his life and career began. For he found himself given pride of place among English missionaries and some Africans, setting out on the already mentioned expedition with the two-fold mission – bringing Christianity, and the abolition of slave trade. Although Christianity had already taken hold in Liberia, and in the then Gold Coast, (now Ghana) and of course is Sierra Leone, it had not at all found any footing in Nigeria. Islamism and paganism were then the practiced religious. To remedy this oversight, and largely seek converts particularly among the pagans, was actually necessary among members of the expedition. To go a step further, the inclusion and the presence of Samuel Ajayi Crowther among these enterprising gentlemen, it was hoped, would help to convert the Nigerian masses. And it came about that in the July of the same year after having weathered sea-sickness and various other discomforts, that they reached the Niger, and began their work in earnest, and with feverish zeal. While expounding the merits of Christianity with natural rulers, they at the same time, signed treaties on the abolition of slave trade, and in its place substituted more palatable trade agreements on the supply of legitimate goods in order that slave dealers would not incur trade deficits since their once lucrative source of livelihood, the sale of their fellow country men to foreign entrepreneurs must be made to cease perpetually. On and on they went, in villages and hamlets until June 1842, when they felt their mission was accomplished, and the expedition therefore came to and end. The English members were instructed to return home, while the Africans among them were to be disembarked at Cape Coast in the then Gold Coast, also in Sierra Leone, and Cape Palmas. The fruit of the labour of the distinguished Crowther, and other little known African members among the expedition were soon realized by Mr. Henry Venn, who was then the general secretary of the Church Missionary Society. What the inclusion of Africans, particularly Crowther in the expedition Christianity would be better served if African clergy played a more prominent role since they spoke the language of the people. Not only that Henry Venn also knew that only the African clergy would understand the true African mind as well as their behaviour. And with this line of reasoning, he at once realized that in Samuel Ajayi Crowther, he had found the right man for the right job. It therefore fell into the scheme of things that Crowther was made the head of the Anglican Church in Western Equatorial Africa. Bur before this came to pass, he was ordained a priest in London at the end of which he delivered to the congregation who had watched him so ordained such a moving sermon, that they could not help but impressed. The result was that when the Yoruba Mission was founded at Abeokuta by Mr. Henry Townsend, Crowther was naturally included. Crowther’s task however, was not allowed to end at Abeokuta. It spread father afield into the Niger delta. As he went along, the spreading of Christianity gained the upper hand, while the sale of his fellow Africans to foreigners diminished before his very eyes. Not a man happy to sit on his laurels, he marched on, making friends and bringing them to the fold. Thus, it was. That Samuel Ajayi Crowther, whom God smiled upon, and who for his part, demonstrated equally through sheer handwork, that smile was not wasted on him found himself proposed by the same Mr. Henry Venn as Bishop of Western Equatorial Africa. Typical of Crowther, he refused the honour, while Henry Venn insisted much to the anger of Henry Townsend who felt that he was better equipped and more importantly, deserved that honour better than Crowther, and bitterly opposed it. The handwriting was however already on the wall, and the moving finger having written that Crowther should be made Bishop, had moved on, And Samuel Ajayi Crowther according to the handwriting on the wall, was in 1864, ordained Bishop in the ancient and magnificent historic Canterbury cathedral in Kent, South East England. Nevertheless, to soothe the jealousy and ruffled feelings of European missionaries, the missions of Abeokuta, Lagos and Freetown, Sierra Leone were excluded from Crowther’s diocese. But these, were the least of Crowther’s worries as he went from strength to strength, expended, and brought more and more souls into the fold of Christian doctrine. •Culled from Headlines.

CRISIS THAT ROCKED A CATHEDRAL

New Editor — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:49:05 +0000

When the Very Reverend Festus Oluwole Segun, the then provost of the Christ Church Cathedral, Marina, Lagos, was consecrated the Bishop of the Northern (Anglican) Dioceses in 1970, he was succeeded by the Very Rev. Sope Johnson, formerly the Director of religious programmes, Nigeria broadcasting Corporation (NBC). After five years as the Bishop of the North, based in Kaduna, the Rt. Rev. Segun came back to Lagos, and was enthroned in February 1975 as the Bishop of Lagos Dioceses. He had his seat at the Christ Church Cathedral, Marina. However, while he was away in the North, the new provost had introduced the modern form of worship as was used in England. He brought in a new communal service with the introduction of “Series II” a book of shortened “Common Prayers”. This, the bishop did not approve of. On April 7, three months after he was enthroned, Bishop Segun issued a decree which banned provost Johnson’s method. In the new directive, he ordered that only the book of “Common Prayers”, shall be used in conducting morning and evening services, the administration of sacraments, and other occasional service. Also that there should no longer be celebration of the Holy Communion at funerals except with his permission. He also forbade the use of the “Missal” a book of worship containing a mode of worship. All rites and forms, having relationship, or similarity to the Roman Catholic form were also proscribed. Bishop Segun also wanted the third altar, erected at the foot of the chancery steps (an eastern part of the church reserved for the clergy), and in the cathedral removed. The altar in every church in the Diocese of Lagos was to revert to its statutory position, while the dresses worn by the priests for Holy Communion Services should be made optional. The congregation rejected this changes, and denied learning towards Catholicism. They said, “We have neither burnt incense nor tinkle bells, and if there should be any change, it must receive the blessing of the church before it becomes law”. These directives brought a cold war between the Bishop and the Congregation, with the Provost in the centre. The crisis came into the open on May 6 1975, while Bishop Segun was addressing the 19th Synod. He re-stated his decree, and charged that Roman Catholic terms like Mass”, and “requiem” were forbidden. He said that morning and evening services should be conducted from the scribed it as a Vicar’s provost’s stall, and that there should be no celebration of the Holy Communion at funerals, unless approved by the Bishop. A faction of church elders dissociated themselves from these charges, and departure from the normal practice of the diocese. The situation got out of hand how-ever, when on May 15, 1975, and during a ceremonial service conducted by the provost, the Bishop put off the candle. He did this to back his opposition to “all tendency towards Anglo Catholicism or Roman Catholicism in the Diocese of Lagos”. This action was condemned by a faction of church leaders, and they promptly held an emergency meeting at the end of the service, to decide what steps to take. They appointed an eight-member team, to join the church’s standing committee in a peace meeting. Members of the congregation chosen were Chief Dr. Akinola Maja, Chief Dr. E. N.O. Sodeinde, Mr. N.O.A Morgan, Mr. J.B. Daramola and Chief Mrs. Way, were also chosen to attend the proposed meeting. The congregation team was mandated to request for a meeting with the Bishop, and to also demand that the chancellor, Mr. Justice John Adefarasin be present. The Bishop, however, maintained that the mode of worship, up to April 6, - 1975, be changed. At a meeting of the executive body of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos – the Diocesan Board, passed a vote of implicit confidence in the leadership and administration of Bishop Segun, for steps taken regarding the two-month old crisis. Copies of the resolution, sent to Synod members and which were pasted on notice boards of all Anglican churches in Lagos, affirmed that the Bishop had acted properly, in accordance with both the constitution of the diocese, and that of the Church of the Province of West Africa. The resolution signed by the Lagos Synod Secretary, Mr. Femi Oyewole, expressed grave concern over the crisis, and assured all, “Gods people”, that the matter was well under control. The board expressed disapproval on the happenings in the Cathedral, and the Lagos Diocese in general. But this did not quell the crisis. The congregation accused the Bishop of betraying a trust placed in him. It was said that prior to the Bishop’s Conference held in Lagos in 1975, the Rt. Rev. Segun was given a letter to the Archbishop of West Africa, The Most rev. M.N.C.O. Scott, who also attended. In the letter, the Bishops at the conference had been asked to find time to deliberate on the mode of worship crisis raging in the cathedral. The bishop was also copied. However, it was discovered that the letter was never handed to the Archbishop. Suspecting that their letter was not delivered, members of the “chapter House” personally took a copy of the letter to him. Their suspicion was confirmed by the reply of the Archbishop. It was on the basis of, “this is a reply to the letter dated 4th August; which you handed to me last Sunday” that members of the chapter house brought up the accusation of the “Great Betrayal”. During the 20th Synod meeting in May 1976, Bishop Segun defended himself over the 12-month-old liturgical controversy. He stated that there had been no betrayal in his action as claimed by the agitators. He told participants that the church was, “facing a trying period, and never in its history”, he added, “has there been such and inside hob of church demolition as is evident today”. “Evil forces are not merely living up against the church, they are forming a church. And evil seems to triumph, when good men do nothing. But sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, truth will prevail in the end, and justice will have its way”. He lamented that since the crisis began a lot of libelous articles, fraught with great deal of untruth had been published on the subject of churchmanship in the Cathedral, but because the Diocesan board decided not to engage in any Press controversy, the public did not have facts of the matter. In his voluminous address to the Synod the bulk of which contained a separate 27point, strongly worded statement subtitled “Very Rev. Sope Johnson”, Bishop Segun denounced the churchmanship or the traditional mode of worship in the entire diocese, and lashed at the intransigence of Rev. Johnson over it. He said that beside the mode of worship being evangelical, it is also a constitutional issue. “That is why the constitution requires every clergyman to make and subscribe to and sign an oath”, he added. The Bishop spoke of the opposition on the retired Bishop, the Rt. Rev S.I. Kale towards Rev. Johnson’s tendency to Anglo-Catholicism, adding that when he notice same, he opposed it, and gave his directives on April 17, 1975. calling for a return to the Constitutional and traditional mode of worship in the entire diocese. In March 1976, the congregation called on the Bishop and Provost to revert to the pre-April 7, 1975, mode of worship or quit. The call was also extended to other priests in the diocese. Copies of the letter containing this request was given to the Provost and the priests. The call was made when Provost Johnson declared he was bound to obey Bishop Segun’s directives. They asked provost and the Diocesan priests to choose between them (standing committee), and Bishop Segun. The letter dated March 15, 1976, stated, “for ten months, patience has been exercised, until at the Annual vestry meeting, held on February 29, 1976. A resolution was passed by a show of hands (162 in favour, one against with seven abstentions), that the pre-7th of April, 1975, mode of worship in the cathedral, be restored with immediate effect”. “We the accredited members of the Cathedral church, elected into the standing committee Diocesan Clergy, that they are obliged to carry out the wish of the congregation. If any members of the Clergy is not disposed to carry out the wishes of the congregation, in connection with the mode of worship mentioned above, we would urge them to make their exit, or be replaced by other Clergy, who are prepared to carry out our wishes”. The letter concluded “we entertain every hope that good counsel will prevail, and that the Clergy will give the fullest consideration of this matter, in the interest of church unity”. As the crisis went on to the eleventh month, Bishop Segun reacted and instituted an ecclesiastical court against the Provost. He also suspended the Very Rev. Sope Johnson from office, until the case against him was cleared. The Bishop transferred the two Clergymen helping the Provost, Rev. S.O.M. Adebola, and Rev. J. K. Adekanye, from the parish to Iwaya, and Onigbagno circuits respectively. The court action which contained a seven-count charge of breach of ecclesiastical order and disobedience of lawful order, given by the Very Rev. Sope Johnson. The court was to start trial on April 28, 1978, at the Bishop’s court, Marina. Members would have been the Bishop or Chancellor of the Diocese, Mr. Justice J. Adefarasin, as the president, the Rt. Rev. J.S. Adeniyi (assistant Bishop), Rev. canon J.T. Idowu and Rev. Ayo Odukoya. There would also have been a lawyer and secretary to take note of proceedings. Under the church’s constitution, the Bishop has the power to set up the court to try any Clergyman accused of false doctrine, or unauthorized ritual, or breach of ecclesiastical order, but should furnish the defendants and court members with copies of the charges, but if there was no charge, the reason for constituting the count must be stated within 21 days. The defendants had the right to call witnesses before the court, and a legal representation who should be a communicant member, and in respect of whom the Bishop’s prior consent should have been obtained in writing. The defendant could also challenge in writing, the presence of the two Clergyman appointed by the bishop to be on the bench. The constitution stated that findings of the court, where there should be an acquittal or sentence (usually by recommending defrocking or transferring a Clergyman) should be in a nature of confidential report, which should be laid before the Bishop, who in turn should place it before the Diocesan Board, after which the defendant should be informed in writing by the Bishop. It also pointed that sentence in all the cases hall be final, except in the case of conviction of teaching false doctrine, when an appeal, if notified to the Bishop within 28 days after the reading of the sentence before the Diocesan Board, should be allowed to the provincial Synod, but the execution of the sentence should not be suspended pending the appeal. With the institution of the ecclesiastical court against him, Provost Sope Johnson went to the Lagos High Court. In the civil suit against Bishop Segun and three others, the Very Rev. Johnson, asked the court to stop them from trying him. Joined in the suit against Bishop Segun were, Rt. Rev. J.S. Adeniyi, Rev. Canon Idowu and rev. Ayo Odukoya. In his ruling of April 1976, Mr. Justice Boonyamin Kazeem ordered the ecclesiastical court to stop proceedings. He also ordered the Provost to continue his duties, until the case is determined by the Lagos High Court. As the matter went to the Judiciary, the Anglican Archbishop of West Africa, the Most Rev. M.N.C.O. Scott, called for a ceasefire, his message was brought to delegation, sent to effect a settlement. They pleaded with Rev. Johnson to withdraw his court action, to lay a sound foundation for effecting peaceful solution to the problem. Oba Oyekan II of Lagos, expressed disgust over the matter and told the Synod to do, “What you can, to keep the church going”. The Alake of Abeokuta, Oba Lipede also intervened. The call for peace fell on deaf ears. Instead, Bishop Segun and three others, brought another application, asking that the court set aside the order of April 13, 1976, which stated that Rev. Johnson should continue his duties, until the determination of their grievances. The application was brought by Mr. Afolabi Lardner, the counsel who represented the Bishop and three others. However, when the court resumed sitting on May 11, 1976, it received letter, written by Bishop Segun, informing the provost that all the actions taken against him had been withdrawn. The letter was read by Chief Rotimi Williams, leading counsel for Provost Johnson. It read, “in view of the appeal of my brother bishops, I have decided to, and do hereby discontinue the ecclesiastical court, which was contemplated in my letter under reference together with order of suspension, which is herby withdrawn. It is my prayer and hope, that you will on your part, uphold the provisions of the constitution of this Diocese, and the oath which you took”. After reading the letter however, Chief Williams, told the court that Provost Johnson should have been consulted before the letter was sent to court, so that both parties could have met, to set out the terms of settlement. He stated that the Bishop had no power to have suspended the provost, adding that the constitution of the Diocesan Synod, on which Bishop Segun based his actions was illegal. He submitted that there were many issues for the court to resolve, adding, for instance, that the constitution of the Diocesan of West Africa did not permit the Bishop to be a member of the ecclesiastical court, let alone allowing him prefer charges as he done. He told the court that legal representation by an aggrieved person, did not need the approval of the Bishop as he had claimed. He told the court that the case should go on, that it should not come to an end because of the letter. In his ruling, on may 17, 1976, Mr. Justice Kazeem, said the matter must continue despite the letter. The judge noted the motion filed Bishop Segun and three others, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to deal with the matter. He also held that Provost Johnson had legal right to seek prohibition order, at the time he instituted the action, adding that the order would exist until such order had been set aside, or the prohibition proceedings had been substituted by a new procedure. The judge held that the case could not be unilaterally terminated by the act of the Bishop, as contained in his letter. Moreover, he went on, setting up of the court was questioned in the prohibition proceedings on constitutional grounds, which were yet to be determined, secondly, the suspension of the applicant by the Bishop, had been stayed by the court, pending the final determination of the matter. “And it seems to me that unless that order of stay has been discharged, the suspension order by the Bishop cannot in my view be withdrawn by him”, Mr. Justice Kazeem ruled. After three adjournments however, the case was both withdrawn from the court because both parties had agreed to settle the dispute out of court. This agreement was made with the intervention of other Bishops. But not until Bishop Segun had agreed to compromise with the congregation. The agreement was that the controversial mode of worship should not be stopped entirely. Up to the moment, the book said to be “Akin” to “Roman Catholicism” is now used twice in a month as part of the agreement between the Bishop and the congregation. •Culled from HEADLINE.

MAY 29: MY HEART BLEEDS FOR OBASANJO'S CHICKENS

Kola — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:51:26 +0000

President Olusegun Obasanjo has returned to his farm in Ota, Ogun State, after the inauguration of Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua, as his successor. The curtain was drawn on Obasanjo's eight-year almost uneventful occupation of the office of president. For sure, Nigerians will not miss him; but whether the chickens in the farm will be happy about their master's final return home to roost is a different matter entirely. That President Obasanjo has left Nigerians worse than he met them in 1999 is rather sad. It is not that the Obasanjo years were completely hopeless, but he performed far below expectations, especially considering the quantum of money at his disposal.

•Culled from The NATION.

Yet, President Obasanjo had everything going for him at the beginning. I remember vividly how millions of Nigerians watched his historic inauguration at the Eagle Square in Abuja on television that fateful May 29, 1999. Even as a Yoruba man who did not support his candidacy then, I was still touched by the aura of the moment because it was infectious. There was tremendous goodwill, with so much hope and expectations from the government. This was not unexpected, considering where we were coming from. Sixteen consecutive years under the jackboot of military dictators, many of whom were corrupt and inept could not have elicited anything less. Nigerians had despondency hung on their necks like a necklace of stone. They wore mournful looks like someone who is bemoaning the loss of his mother. We were in dire need of a comforter; someone who would wipe off our tears and in whose arms we could find comfort. President Obasanjo seemed to understand their plight. His speech after he got the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to run for the party, as well as his inauguration speech, captured the mood of the nation. "I understand the clear message of the Nigerian people. In giving me the mandate, they have asked me to lead this country by example. They want me to lead them aright. They want me to restore the dignity of our country. They want me to revitalise our political institution and reinvigorate the economy. They want me to alleviate their poverty and to reduce corruption. They want me to ensure the security of their lives and property. They want justice and equity in a country they can truly call their own". These were excerpts from President Obasanjo's acceptance speech shortly after he was declared president in 1999. Great words on marble! But, eight years after, how many of these promises did the president succeed in fulfilling? Space will not permit any sector-by-sector analysis here. Suffice it to say however, that President Obasanjo is leaving the stage a bundle of disappointment. He did not do quite well in the first term. So, in line with the recommendation of the father of one of our governors, we gave him a second chance in 2003. His scorecard this time, unfortunately, is even far worse than that of 2003. Indeed, it would have been more honourable for the president to have quit the stage then. When there was still some ovation left. At least, in 2003, even if he had not touched our lives much, he would have repeated the feat he performed in 1979 when he voluntarily relinquished power, in spite of the sit-tight syndrome that was then the vogue among many African leaders. But for our eternal vigilance, the president even wanted a third shot that would have enabled him to stay beyond May 29. But, where on earth is that done? A student that fails a class twice is shown the way out. That was what we did last year when we said a resounding 'no' to third term. Now, the same President Obasanjo wants us to believe that he was never interested in tenure elongation. This shows how unrepentant he is, even in these dying moments of his administration. Certain problems effectively constituted impediments on the president's way to success. Chief of these was that he virtually wasted his first four years in office. He himself admitted this much on an Ogun State Television (OGTV) programme shortly after his re-election in 2003. He said then that he had spent the first term learning the ropes. I almost wept for this country when he said this and what came to my mind were the trillions that had gone into the experimentation by way of annual budgets. Then, he spent the last four years pursuing third term. When that failed, he began to run after the real and imaginary enemies that he believed worked against this inordinate ambition. Governance took the back stage. The result could not have been better than what the president is now leaving behind, with the critical sectors of the country lying prostrate, in most cases despite the committal of huge sums of money to make them work. As they say, 'garbage in, garbage out'. If I am harsh on the outgoing president, people should understand my frustrations. Firstly, failed governments have socio-economic ramifications on the people since we all have limited time to live. Secondly, I am a Yoruba man and I cannot be happy that what President Obasanjo has achieved is the best that the best of Yoruba brains can offer. Yet, he was not the choice of the Yoruba; he was foisted on this illustrious race by the rest of Nigeria. Proof? Twice of the three times that elections had been held in the country since 1999, he lost right in his own ward. Even though I do not have any apology to offer for criticising the president, it has not always been so. Indeed, I have had cause to praise him in the past despite the misgivings I have about his government. In an article in my column in ThisDayof September 14, 1999 titled "Obasanjo: The rejected stone", I had said of his administration, inter alia: " If truly morning shows the day, one may safely predict that by the time Obasanjo clocks one year in government, there would be reasons for Nigerians to rejoice…. That is, assuming he does not allow himself to be distracted by enemies who pose as friends, whether within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or from outside". Nothing could be further off the mark! As Nigerians rejoice over President Obasanjo's impending exit from the political scene, the animal kingdom in Ota Farm must brace up for a hard time since the president is finally returning to their midst. If human beings dread and resent their president this much, the fate of the animals in the farm could better be imagined. These hapless creatures are in trouble. Sooner than later, the birds may start committing suicide by submitting cheaply to bird flu! Sometimes, it pays to be dead than be alive! Nigerians' gain with President Obasanjo's exit from the political scene might be the chickens' loss! But the prevalent dull atmosphere in the country is like a befitting epithet for a president who went perpetually in search of disgrace and never looked back until he was almost thoroughly disgraced.

50 GOLDEN CHEERS TO THE SYMBOL

Kola — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:49:41 +0000

It is pristine debate whether leaders are born or made. Those who take the first position argue that a leader is destined by the gods to be so and no matter his or her circumstances, that leader must emerge. They strengthened their argument with the notion that a leader is actually sent by the gods to deliver his or her people. A typical example was Moses in the Bible whom God sent to deliver the Hebrews but which circumstances conspired against to frustrate but which still emerged and overcame tremendous challenges and opposition before him to fulfil his mission. Of course, history is strewn with personages whose emergence on the terrestrial level could only have been divinely ordained. The converse would be argued that leaders are made through hardwork vision and discipline. It has been canvassed that every human being has the potential to be a leader, the difference being the circumstances of birth and the individual's discipline in the pursuit of purpose. Both positions are right. Leadership is a divine appointment nurtured to fruition. This is perhaps well illustrated in the life of Engineer Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, the governorship candidate of Action Congress (AC) in Osun State in the April 14 election. When he launched Oranmiyan, the political association that managed his governorship campaign in 2005, it was like a Moses has come to his own. Engineer Aregbesola was born exactly 50 years ago to Ijesa parents in Ikare in Ondo State where he also had his primary and secondary education. His leadership potentials began to emerge at The Polytechnic Ibadan as a student of Mechanical Engineering when he was elected Speaker of the Students' Parliament in the 1977/78 session. Between 1978-1980, he was also the president of the Black Nationalist Movement. This was the period he cut his ideological teeth in the political economic school. Undoubtedly, this school exposed him to the role of an individual in political emancipation and mass mobilisation for group locomotion. Secondly, it equipped him with the tools for en effective praxis. It is a daunting task that could weary the faint hearted. Perhaps this is where the divine enabling leadership theory becomes relevant in his case. Articulating his conception of power to an audience which included this writer during his election campaign, he argued that political power in society must be acquired for certain noble purposes. He states further that the full potentials of power can only be attained when it is used to develop the human condition. For him, power becomes corrupted if it is not used for the purpose of human emancipation and stands the risk of throwing society into chaos. He believes that the elite and the custodians of political power stand the grave risk of neglecting the human component of society by converting power for personal use, since the underprivileged and victims of personalised power are veritable sources of threats that will turn round to haunt their oppressors. This is deep. It sets him apart as a philosopher aspiring to be king, thereby approximating Plato's recommendation for the ideal society. Our society is in trouble largely because we are ruled by brutes who exercise power devoid of philosophy, making their conception of power close to that of the caveman. Aregbesola's adoption of the Oranmiyan concept is apposite here. Oranmiyan was a philosopher king, an intrepid warrior, a man of valour and a true leader. These are the traits Aregbesola has been exhibiting since his foray into public leadership. As a pro-democracy activist in the heady days of the military, he held his own at Alimoso area of Lagos where he functioned as an authentic political leader. Till this moment, he is still regarded as their leader. Likes will always attract as he took up a directorate in the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Organisation. He was one of the pillars of the election of governor Tinubu in 1999 as his Alimoso division delivered one of the largest votes that took the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate to the Government House in Alausa. Governor Tinubu must have seen the leadership potentials in him by giving him the headship of the Works Ministry. It will be recalled that the military bequeathed a massive public works and infrastructure liability to the incoming civilian administration. This makes the ministry a pivotal agency of governance. It is conceded that the entire administration takes glory for all the achievements; nevertheless credit should be given to the headship of the supervising ministry that midwifed a particular project. Those that are familiar with Lagos would find it difficult to believe that places like the Lagos Central Business District, Oregun's Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikorodu's Ipakodo bye-pass, Alimoso's Ikotun-Igando Road, Itire-Lawanson-Yaba Road, Awolowo Road, South West Ikoyi and Adeola Odeku Road in Victoria Island have been reconstructed in a most befitting way. These roads will for a long time remain a glorious epitaph to visionary leadership of Asiwaju and his executioner, Aregbesola. This commissioner rehabilitated 841 roads (as at the last count) through the Public Works Operation Tax Payers Money in Action and over 600 roads through the Works Ministry Operation Patch it Well. It is also interesting to note that his ministry pioneered the Independent Power Project that produced and added 270 megawatts to the national grip long before other states' eyes opened to the idea. There is no doubting that he was an integral part of the Tinubu's success story in Lagos. Just like the legendary Oranmiyan, his governorship aspiration in Osun State, his place of origin, was meant to be a replication of his success story in Lagos. This is in contrast with the outgoing governor and his opponent in the election whose tenure as the military administrator in the same Lagos State was adjudged to be a dismal failure, perhaps the worst in the history of the state. Aregbesola's emergence in the politics of Osun State was to the people a fresh taste of wine after crossing the desert. They've had their fill and want more. To them, he is the symbol of true leadership and progressive governance that has eluded them in the past four years. They gave him their maximum support. They trooped out on April 14 to vote for him. They braced murderous army of occupation and conscienceless brigandage to assert their liberty and reclaim their mandate. Their resolve to follow him till the end is unflinching, solid like the rock of Gibraltar. INEC has spoken. The people have also spoken. Fifty is for gold, ride on and claim the victory due to you at the tribunal. Dele Giwa is inimitable – the triumph of evil over good can only be temporary.

OYINLOLA IS A LIAR

New Editor — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 10:15:25 +0000

It is a very big surprise that the Osun State Governor, Mr. Olagunsoye Oyinlola continues to deceive Osogbo indigenes and the good people of Osun State. Before coming to power in 2003, the governor promised the people of Osun State many things including Osun State University to be located in Osogbo, the state capital. After three years, the same governor said Osogbo indigenes should provide N26 million. Later, the same governor of Osun State said the university was not going to be created again and if Osogbo people did not vote for him, they could vote for another person they like. Later, he begged that people provoked him to say so. After the incident of Oroki Day, when their (PDP) plan failed, a secret meeting was held, and at the meeting, Tajudeen Oladipo, the Commissioner for Finance and four other commissioners and a leader of PDP in Osogbo Local Government told the governor that he should prepare for N2 million. That they are going to use the money to deceive people of Osogbo and the entire people of Osun State in general that they are going to create the university to get their votes. Oyinlola replied them at the meeting that there was no money but Taju Oladipo said the amount was not too much to get the vote of Osogbo people. Oladipo said after the election, they would stop the project and tell Osogbo people that the state capital cannot have two universities. Because NASFAT has located its university at Osogbo. The governor approved the plan. The question now is as follows: have they (the Oyinlola Government) collected the two billion naira from Osogbo people? Where did he get the N2 billion? Can this man continue to deceive us? The election is approaching now, it remains only 90 days, can PDP and Oyinlola finished the university before the elections? The Aregbesola Victory Group will not like the Osogbo indigene and the whole Osun State people to deceive themselves. This Oyinlola government can not do anything better again. The PDP government knows that they have failed. On January 6, 2007 at an Open and Close Forum, Oyinlola said Aregbesola wanted to come from Lagos to rule Osun State. Has he forgotten that he also came from Lagos to rule us? The Lagos people know and call him GOVERNOR NO BITUMEN. He used the Lagos government money to build 13 petrol-stations for himself. All the Petrol Stations was located at ALIMOSHO and AGEGE Local Government areas. PDP is a good for nothing party. If you can remember, Oyinlola is a former soldier, and soldiers are not born to rule. They are born to destroy, sorry some of them are good about 20 per cent. The Governor said at the same last Open Forum that he knew that he had made a mistake by disgracing some of their members out of the party, people like Pa Shuaib Oyedokun, former leader of AC and others and he has gone to beg them. These people are the founders of PDP and they (Obasanjo and Oyinlola) have hijacked the party from them. We, the Aregbesola Victory Group appeal to the good people of Osun State to come together and SWEEP the PDP out of Abere and Government House in this coming election. ADEMOLA is AVG State chairman, Osogbo.

YAR’ADUA: CONFIRMATION OF NORTH-SOUTH ZONING PACT

New Editor — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 18:40:38 +0000

The gimmicks being used by political parties to achieve their selfish goals may continue to transcend the knowledge of the ordinary citizen as long as ethnic and religious sentiments and number-game remain inevitable determinants of electoral success or failure in Nigeria. One of such gimmicks was the choice of the Katisna State Governor, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua, as the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2007 presidential election. His allegedly premeditated election at the party’s primary in Abuja on December 16 beat the imagination of the common citizens who did not expect the presidency to rotate back to the North so soon without any of the South eastern zones having its own turn. Before the party’s presidential primary, there was a bitter controversy over an alleged pact on the zoning of the presidency between the North and South. Protagonists of the North-South zoning system claimed that the presidency should be the turn of the North after the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007. The controversy came at the wake of the agitations by political leaders in the South-East and South-South zones of the country for their own turn of the presidency after the expiration of the South-West’s turn in 2007. The agitators attracted supports from all Nigerians that believed in political equity, natural justice and fair play. Governors Peter Odili of Rivers State, Donald Duke of Cross River State and Goodluck Jonathan of Beyelsa State were among the favourites. Political and economic marginalisation was, according to political observers, the bane of national unity and political harmony in Nigeria. They therefore suggested the rotation of the number one political office in the country among the three former regions in order to douse political tension in the country. The fact also remains that three distinct and independent regions with different tribal and cultural heritage were amalgamated in 1914 to become a nation called Nigeria, with the understanding that they had common interests and equal opportunities in the federal set up. But the political maladies of the First Republic, the incursion of the military into national polity and the 30-month fratricidal civil war betrayed the lofty objectives of the amalgamation! Specifically, the political face-off between the Yoruba’s of the West and the Hausa/Fulani of the North led to political annihilations in the Western region in 1965. The first military coup of 1966 led to counter-coups that compelled a prolonged civil war. These events caused distrust and suspicion among the three integral parts of Nigeria and jeopardized national unity and political harmony in the country! The northern politicians were scared by the strong political mechanism of the Yoruba in the West and the secession bid of the Igbo in the East and felt that any moment the power slipped to West or East, the North would be politically doomed. Hence some coup plotters in the Nigerian Army monopolised powers in trust for the Northern politicians for more than 30 years at the expense of democracy. The twelve-two-thirds mathematical joker was allegedly adopted in 1979 to decide the winner of the presidential election in favour of Alhaji Shehu Shagari while annulment of the June 12, 1993. presidential election was also adopted to deny Basorun M.K.O Abiola of the presidency! In the opinion of some Nigerians, Obasanjo was picked up from Gen. Sani Abacha’s dungeon by the PDP-controlled by the Hausa-Fulani oligarchy to contest the 1999 presidential election in order to douse the political tension caused by the June 12 annulment and Abiola’s controversial death in Abacha’s dungeon. He was allegedly expected to execute the Northern agenda that included the shifting of power back to the North immediately after his tenure. Therefore, it is not unlikely that the Caliphate still dictates the political tunes in the country; or else the PDP would not have zoned the presidency back to the North so soon without the East having their own turn immediately after the West. The allegedly premeditated outcome of the party’s presidential primary apparently vindicated the northern politicians over their claim on the North-South zoning conditionality that gave the South-West a chance to taste the presidency in 1999, just as the sudden assassination of Gen. Murtala Mohammed allegedly enabled Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo to taste power in 1975. In defence of the party’s action, some political observers claimed that the choice of Yar’adua was aimed at sustaining the supports of the northerners for the 2007 presidential election that it could not afford to loose. More so that the recent North-South zoning controversy and the current Obasanjo-Atiku face-off allegedly generated disaffection within the party especially in the North. It was also claimed that the decision of as many as possible northerners to contest the presidential election on the party’s platform was a ploy to compel the return of the presidency to the North in 2007. Aspirants either withdraw from the race or stepped aside when they saw the handwriting on the wall that a fellow northerner had been favoured by the party’s hierarchy. Or else they would have deflected to another political party to enhance their presidential ambition or throw their supports behind another political party that picked a northerner as its presidential candidate. And the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) or Action Congress (AC) that chose Gen. Muhammad Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as their flagbearers respectively may have been favoured. Nevertheless, the South-East and South-South zones have consolation in the choice of Governor Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential running mate. More so that half bread is better than nothing. But the fact remains that much as the vice-president ticket was given to the zones in order to restore normalcy to the Delta Region, the sincerity of the Igbo, Ibibio and Ijaw on national unity and federalism remained indicted by the atrocities of the militant youth that continued to rampage oil installations in the Delta Region. In order to reassure the rest of the country that they are integral pasts of Nigeria that they are actually entitled to the presidency by rotation, they should be advised to jettison their secessionist tendency and give peace and industrial harmony a chance in the Delta Region. Or else, they will continue to play the second or third fiddle at the mercy of the Caliphate. Omisore wrote in from Ile-Ife.

OUR LEADERS SHOULD LEARN FROM HISTORY

New Editor — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 19:50:23 +0000

It was exactly four decades since the first coup took place in Nigeria under the aegis of the five majors led by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu. Among the remote causes of the coup were power tussle between political gladiators, misuse of power, the census dispute and the ineptitude of the Federal Government to handle sensitive political issues with dispatch. The immediate cause, however, was the breakdown of law and order in the Western Region occasioned by the October 1965 elections which deepened the cleavages in the region. Lives were lost, properties destroyed and people lived in palpable fear yet the central government did not show enough concern. In an attempt to redress the issues, the five majors executed a coup which resulted in the assassination of top political figures, including the Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Northern Premier, and the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and the Premier of Western Region and the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola. The region earned the sobriquet ‘Wild, Wild West’ due to the inferno that gulped the region as a result of the Action Group (AG) crisis which pitched Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the leader with his enstranged deputy, Chief Akintola. It was the Nzegwu coup that brought the crisis to an end. Events in the Fourth Republic especially at this terminal point gives room for much concern. Besides the unending and unnecessary dispute between the President and his vice, the situation in Oyo State deserves every patriotic Nigerian’s concern. There is striking similarity between the 1966 crisis and what is happending four decades after. The dramatis personae involved in the 1966 crisis were from the same party, the AG; the leader and his deputy. In the case of the present scenario, even though they are from the same party, one is elected, Governor Rasidi Ladoja, while the other, a political godfather, Chief Lamidi Adedibu is only a “political garrison commander”. Chief Adedibu, the Ekarun of Ibadanland instigated the illegal impeachment of the governor by the state House of Assembly which eventually nullified by the Appeal Court and confirmed by the Supreme Court. Even after the courts’ verdicts, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unelected chieftain threatened that it was over his dead body that Governor Ladoja would be reinstated. Attempts were made to frustrate his reinstatement by going to a High Court in Ibadan after the Supreme Court pronouncement but that also failed. Now the Ibadan chief with the convince of the police is frustrating the governor by turning the hallow chambers of the House of Assembly into their house by moving in there in the morning and leaving in the evening. The pro- Adedibu legislators with the assistance of the police, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have declared the seats of the pro-Ladoja legislators vacant even when there is a subsisting court order. PDP has become irredeemably lawless and selective in their attitude to issues in the country. But for the judiciary, the situation in the good book of the Abuja powers would be dealt with summarily. Besides the desecration of the House of Assembly, the legislators have proved to be a pawn in the hands of the Ibadan chief. The situation raises some pertinent questions. Can’t our leaders learn from the mistakes of the past, especially the episode in Western Region? Is the whole episode not meant to get through the back door, the rejected third term project? By now candidates should be getting ready to campaign on issues that will positively affect the lives of Nigerians. By now the Nigerians should be abreast of what party flagbearers plan to do. But rather, what has taken the centre stage is the altecation between the President the PDP, from every indication, is scheming for a state of emergency in Oyo State so that they will install a stooge to do their bidding. Can the center of the South-West, Oyo state afford any crisis now? As a Yoruba man what has the president done to ensure constitutionality. Nobody is asking the President to do anything extraordinary but to ensure constitutionalism. The National Assembly should thwart any effort at declaring any state of emergency in any part of the country. Our leaders should know that power is transient and regardless of whatever position anybody holds today will become history. It will be a dangerous precedent for this government to encourage and condone thuggery and lawlessness. Governor Ladoja should be allowed to run the full course of his tenure because he was elected by the electorate. AGBOOLA is on the staff of OSUN DEFENDER.

EFCC Swoop On Osun

Kola — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:11:28 +0000

If there ever was a link between illegitimacy and corruption, Osun State was it. The Oyinlola government is unknown to the electorate that it claimed voted it into power. A stranger in power, especially a brazen one who stole the people’s vote killing and maiming along the way, feels no compunction about willfully gobbling the people’s resources. This is the correct but unfortunate profile of Olagunsoye Oyinlola as governor. That is why the swoop of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the state is highly welcome. But the swoop is coming too late, even if it is better late than never. The very fact that the EFCC has invited top officials of the administration to answer to petitions against them has proved a great release in this state, held prostrate for five years now by an unconscionable band sworn wholly to greed. Almost all the opposition parties have risen in unison, asking for the EFCC to move in and save Osun State from further plunder. The Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP), in a joint petition dated August 11, 2008 to Mrs. Farida Waziri, the EFCC chairman, spoke of areas where Oyinlola and his aides have allegedly stolen the state blind. These areas include the alleged scam that the school feeding programme, a UNICEF scheme with pilot in Osun, but which the government has allegedly turned into an illicit cow, constituency projects at the local government level that has allegedly become a huge racket and alleged illegal deductions from local councils under the guise of contributions to running the new Osun State University (Uniosun), among others. The constituency projects, the ACPP alleged, were a cream-off through and through. “Between 2003 and 2005 in the local government system, constituency development projects funds were paid directly to selected councillors,” the ACPP alleged of something the Oyinlola government is fast attaining notoriety, given that a similar attempt was made to corrupt state legislators. “Cheques were issued in the names of elected chairmen and councillors to execute constituency projects as against the rule.” Given that these so-called “elected” council officials were also rigged into office in a laughable but murderous sham that Oyinlola staged as “election”, it is easy to see why they feel no qualms feeding fat on the people and worsening the under-development problems of Osun State. Between them, the 322 council officials allegedly blew N995 million! Aside from the constituency project scam, the ACPP also alleged illegal N360 million monthly deductions over 12 months from council funds to fund the development of a state website that has ceased to see the daylight. “We believe this is a fraud,” ACPP charged, “and we implore your commission to investigate this deduction.” Then there is the security vote racket – and again, the fishing pond would appear the inexhaustible council funds. The 30 councils have allegedly been induced to pool 1.1 per cent of their earnings from the federation account for “general security”, aside from another N75 million as equity for “small-scale industries that do not exist anywhere.” Besides, there is the Spring Finance Limited, an alleged profit-making venture in which the councils were not shareholders, and yet were allegedly made to cough out N30 million monthly to run. On the school feeding pilot projects, the councils are also alleged to have been forced to cough out N42 million monthly, even if in the Unicef-Federal Government project, Osun was picked as one of the pilot states, before expanding the project nationwide. Another alleged scam rocking the state, which OSUN DEFENDER had had to write a previous editorial, is the Uniosun alleged scam, in which the councils have also been compelled to pool funds as their own counterpart funding for the running of the school. Much as no one would oppose such state-council cooperation toward a common good as the education of the citizens (as we stated in our previous editorial), it is reprehensible that such a citizen-benefit could have been mere veneer for unconscionable graft now being alleged. Now that the EFCC has intervened to investigate these allegations, it should put all its crack investigative skills to use to save this state from the alleged greed of its rulers – those who never won elections to rule, but now allegedly plunder the public till, maybe as revenge for their massive rejection by the people. Should anyone be found complicit in these alleged scams, we trust the anti-sleaze body will bring such characters to justice – and fast too. That is the only way to save this state, which though has little money, even that little is being willfully drained.

Ooni Shuns Oyinlola Again

Kola — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:39:33 +0000

IN what many considered the unimaginable, Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola was recently shocked to his bone marrow as his political god-father, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade told him point–blank, of his (Ooni) decision to withdraw from partisan politics. Recent investigations conducted by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the embattled governor had earlier gone to the monarch’s palace to intimate him on efforts made so far in validating Justice Thomas Damar Naron – led tribunal’s verdict. According to impeccable sources, Oyinlola had, earlier in the week, made several contacts across the country on ways to swing the pendulum of justice in his favour. Sources further revealed that in the course of his consultations, the governor was informed of the monarch’s influence and capability of getting things done in Oyinlola’s favour. On hearing this, Oyinlola was reported to have smiled, confident of having Oba Sijuwade’s ears at all times and instantly headed towards the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife without any previous appointment, on his arrival in the state from Australia. The medium further gathered from sources that in his traditional way of visiting the first-class traditional ruler, Oyinlola had gone to the palace with his usual large entourage, without the slightest premonition of what awaited them. However, the governor reportedly suffered his first jolt as he was disallowed from going beyond the palace’s first gate with his whole entourage, based on an earlier instruction from the monarch. After much noise and phone calls, the governor eventually bowed to the wishes of the palace security and went into the palace’s expansive court-yard with only his ADC and the driver. The embattled pro-third term governor then found his way into the monarch’s visitors’ room, where Oba Sijuwade traditionally attends to his visitors and not the inner –chamber, where he had held several closed –door meetings with Oyinlola in the past. Oyinlola was then subjected to about three agonizing hours of waiting where efforts were being made by some palace chiefs to persuade the monarch to spare few minutes for the governor. The medium further gathered that all efforts to get the monarch’s listening hear to attend to his political god-son proved abortive as Oba Sijuade remained adamant in his resolve to have nothing to do with Oyinlola or partisan politics in Osun State again. The monarch, sources further revealed, had reportedly taken the decision in accordance with his subjects’ advice on his past roles in the political development of the state so far. Other reason behind Oba Sijuade’s action is reported not to be unconnected with an earlier prophesy in a church in Osogbo, predicting that unless the monarch does away with partisan politics, fatal calamities await him and his remaining days, with a trusted high chief in attendance.

EFCC Moves Against Osun Election Riggers

Kola — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:54:39 +0000

POLITICAL office holders in Osun State are currently running helter skelter over the new dimension the controversial election petitions tribunal that sat in Osogbo has assumed, as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has moved in. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the anti – graft agency led by the retired Assistant Inspector – General of Police (AIG), (Mrs) Farida Waziri decided to unearth the content of the nocturnal conversations between the governor’s counsel, Mr. Kunle Kalejaiye and the controversial tribunal chairman, Justice Thomas Naron and one other judge, in order to uncover the monetary inducement involved. It would be recalled that top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Fatai Akinbade are currently answering questions at the Abuja Office of EFCC, concerning the administration of state funds, as touching the petitions of the opposition. Findings revealed that the EFCC had earlier received a strongly worded petition from the state Chapter of Action Congress (AC) signed by its scribe, Prince Gboyega Famodun, charging the commission to investigate the plausible financial crimes involved in the web of compromise. According to the petition: “We know that judicial compromises have always been linked with bribery, corruption and some other forms of economic crimes and we strongly believe that a thorough investigation of the aforementioned persons is necessary in the light of the said revelations. Investigations further revealed that the names of Kunle Kalejaiye, with MTN line 08037035105, Naron with mobile line 08073160534, Justice Ekanem, 08034105705, Niyi Owolade, the State Attorney – General and Commissioner for Justice with line 08034037521 and Miss Sade Alaba Adewumi, an interpreter to the tribunal, were specifically mentioned for investigation. OSUN DEFENDER authoritatively gathered that the EFCC operatives in charge of the matter had earlier carried out a legwork on the matter, a situation that revealed the coded conversation between Kalejaiye and the two judges in a mouth agape. But, to formally give it official zeal, the leadership of the EFCC then asked the MTN management to show up with the script of the published conversation. However, the telecommunication company then sent its lawyers to the commission, with the aim of sorting out the issue at stake with legal consideration, but operatives turned the lawyers back, demanding to see the top management and technical staff, noting that the issue at stake is more of technical than legal. Meanwhile, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has started its own investigation, preparing to get to the root of the matter that involved the five-man-tribunal led by Naron and Kalejaiye, in order to save judiciary from the ridicule the Naron tribunal had brought to it. It would be recalled that the National Executive Council, (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in its recent meeting in Onitsha, Anambra State had expressed its readiness to make use of the findings of the NJC to determine the fate of Kalejaiye, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as touching his professional misconduct in the matter. Besides, a source within the agency said that the EFCC chairman turned back the lawyers when they appeared to hold brief for MTN at a critical stage of the investigations. “Waziri insisted that the management of the MTN must report to the commission unfailingly next week. The allegations are about conversations transcripts, and other technical details. The MTN is not on trial but the EFCC is expecting it to clarify a few things.” As a result of the EFCC’s dimension, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the embattled governor and his lawyers have allegedly stepped up their lobby to kill the investigations, a situation that has sent jitters down the spines of the political office holders in the state, who are still watching helplessly their fate dangling in the balance. BY KAYODE AGBAJE

Osun AC Wants Further Probe Of Constituency Projects

Kola — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:21:06 +0000

OSUN State Chapter of the Action Congress (AC) has said that it is still expecting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to unravel more of the mysteries behind the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s controversial constituency project through the state lawmakers, describing it (constituency project) as a constituency fraud. Lauding the statement credited to the former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Honourable Eziuche Ubani that lawmakers are not involved in the execution of constituency project, the party stated that the duty of the legislators was to identify where such projects should be cited and ensure that the projects were executed according to the laid down rules and standard. Quoting Ubani: “Nobody gives any member any money to execute any project, as it is not our duty to do so. We do not participate either in the process of the award or execution of such contracts”. However, in a statement signed by the AC Director Of Research and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere and made available to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo on Monday, the party stated that it is not against citing and execution of constituency projects in the state, saying that its stand was that it’s against the financial rules and Appropriation Act for any state lawmaker to usurp the duty of executive by dabbling into project construction and abandon their constitutionally approved responsibilities. Osun AC stated further that Oyinlola’s administration had made matters worse by paying the controversial project’s fund directly to the personal accounts of individual lawmakers in the state, saying that the move was an attempt to corruptly enrich them, so as to make them neglect their duties of putting the executive in check and maintain their autonomy. The statement further commended the governor for taking a bold step of writing a petition to the EFCC requesting the anti-graft commission to ask questions from the opposition lawmakers in the state on how they got money with which they paid back amount deducted by the bank from the funds to service their individual loans, adding that the step which acted as a clue to show that the planning and initiation of the whole project was meant to corruptly influence the legislators would help in reducing the EFCC job. The statement read: “If the bank does not know that the amount earmarked for the project has been padded for self benefit, how then did they have the effrontery to deduct the money meant for the project to serve the people for the repayment of personal loans? “The Oyinlola-led PDP administration in Osun State would have earned itself a lot of respect if it admits its ignorance and apologize to the people, instead of continually exhibiting its naivety and dubious intent by claiming to be right when it knows it is doing a wrong thing. “Constituency projects execution by our honourable members in Osun State since 2003 has served no purpose other than self-aggrandizement, as only gargantuan personal edifice like hotels, petrol stations offices and shopping complexes are the only things we can point to across the state, while schools, hospitals, boreholes and more meant for the people have remained desolate, non-functional, dilapidated and an outright eyesore”, AC stated. The party then threatened that it will not keep quiet and watch the PDP-led government in the state to plant a land mine that would not allow its governorship candidate, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola to have a peaceful reign when he eventually takes over the mantle of leadership in the state. BY KAZEEM MOHAMMED

Alleged Rape: Justice At Last?

Kola — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:29:14 +0000

The well earned trial of Gani Oladiran, alleged rape mastermind and Osun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, should be a lesson to the other criminally minded in that party, who have for too long lived with the illusion that, for being party thugs or thug managers, they are above the law. Oladiran, a defector from the Action Congress (AC) to the PDP, was fingered as the alleged mastermind in the violent violation of a 17-year old school girl, just to settle partisan scores. Thugs, alleged to be loyal to the PDP, had in Ilesa seized the girl and gang-raped her in the house of Oladiran. Not only that they, with a broken bottle, shaved her pubic air and forced the screaming, terrified girl to swallow the stuff! The poor victim was thereafter rushed to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, before being transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, for treatment. She lives now to bear her psychological scars, after the physical trauma of the rape. Aside from the rape victim, however, the same alleged PDP thugs literally hunted down youths they knew to be AC activists and dealt them matchet blows, causing them bodily injuries that could have resulted in death but for timely medical intervention. This crime was again traced to the alleged PDP thugs, of which Oladiran was the alleged mastermind. But all through the period of the commission of the crime, Oladiran and his thugs acted as though they were above the law. As part of the shameful ensemble, the Police in Osun State went through the motion of arrests and quiet release; to the extent that the suspects openly bragged that no power on earth could bring them to justice for the holy crime in the name of their great party. Even Oladiran himself clung to the sickening legalese that nobody could pin any rape offence on him since, he claimed, he was not at the scene, even if the offence took place in his house; and he was known to have close connection with the felons that carried out the deed. Not even Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as governor, expressed any outrage at the barbarity. Mum was the word from his end. Mum was the word from his spouse, who parades herself as First Lady and mother. And mum was the word from another mother, Deputy Governor, Erelu Olusola Obada! It appeared therefore, despite the tomes of petition on this crime to the powers-that-be, that justice would be subverted – until, from a report, President Umaru Yar’adua went abroad, only to be confronted at the mockery of his rule of law policy: the un-apprehended rape of a 17-year old in 21st century Nigeria! That was when the president read the riot act to the inspector-general of Police (IGP), and the IGP read his own riot act to the Osun State Police commissioner, who in turn had no choice, but to arrest and charge the suspects. That then was the background to the docking of Oladiran at an Osogbo magistrate’s court on Monday, August 18. Osun Defender reported how bewildered and distraught Oladiran was; and how bowed, ruffled and unkempt he was in the dock. That was the making of a fall guy and scapegoat – and, frankly, his ordeal serves him right! His would be a clear example to other rascals who nourish the illusion that because they commit illegality in the name of a sitting government, they are immune from the law. So, let Oladiran and co stew in their own evil juice! Still, it is not yet time to celebrate. For one, a suspect is held until proven guilty. For another, the Oyinlola government is notorious for always subverting other arms of government in the conduct of their constitutionally stipulated duty. Both the Osun Magistracy and the Police have been serially compromised by this notorious government to miscarry justice, especially in political cases. That is why both the magistrate handling the case and the prosecuting police officer must be wary of the Oyinlola agents of subversion. This is a case, we must add, that has assumed an international dimension. Let, for once, every public officer involved do his or her duty to the glory of their institutions. That is the only way civility and decency can re-enter the Osun political space. But let us part with this sword of Damocles: should there be any hanky-panky, the forces that compelled this trial in the first case are not about falling asleep. Let justice be done in this horrific rape. A word is enough for the wise!

PDP'S CRUMBLING HOUSE OF FRAUD

Kola — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 07:38:16 +0000

Predictably, the many Houses of Fraud erected by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have begun to collapse like stacks of inelegantly assembled cards that they were. However, only the shameless votes-stealing PDP and its rigging arm a.k.a the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would feign surprise at the turn of developments. Given the promises and the resolve of the judiciary to cleanse the electoral Augean stable, we are not in the least surprised. Only those with incredibly bad sensory organs would fail to anticipate that the Houses of Fraud would not endure. With two of PDP’s Houses of Fraud — in Kogi and Kebbi — already demolished by the tribunals, and with a dozen more likely to cave in to judicial hammers, the chicken is finally coming home to roost for the humpty-dumpty electoral machine, whose final disintegration is imminent. Even in Rivers State where the PDP hatched its trade mark agenda of impunity in substituting a validly nominated candidate for another that did not even feature in party primaries, it has earned itself an ignoble thumbs down from the highest court in the land; the apex court sacked the usurper, Celestine Omehia and went ahead to order the swearing in of the lawful candidate, Rotimi Amaechi. The nation, it appears, is finally set on the course of coming to terms with the grand electoral heist of April; the enterprise to dismantle the appurtenances and the symbols of that ugly experience in electoral brigandage, may have reached the point of no return. What the vote robbers took away on April 14 and 22, the courageous electoral petition panels are beginning to restore, even if, piecemeal. Those whose specialty is stealing the people’s votes with added desperation in keeping the loot must have reckoned by now that their days of revelries are soon to be replaced with moments of melancholy. The masterminds of violence and the apostles of intolerance in political contestation, have a lot to worry about now with the clocks ticking by- with justice only around the corner. The Nigerian electorate should consider themselves clear winners from the developments. The PDP should bury its head in shame for putting the country through the odium. Back home in Osun State, we have no reasons to waver in our conviction that the good people will soon breathe a fresh breath of air from the suffocating grips of the emperor currently lording over them. Most likely, the emperor and his cohorts will continue in their brazen acts of repression against people that they claim to serve. They have done well in their pastime of pillaging scarce resources that would have otherwise gone into the development of the land and its people. There cannot be any question about it: the dawn of every new day brings the people closer to the fulfillment of their yearning for the leadership of their choice, and the disrobing of this emperor and his subalterns in the market square. The people have made it clear that this cabal means nothing to them; it neither has their mandate nor does it enjoy their confidence. In short the people say that they are tired of them because they did not elect them. We cannot accept that the people deserve the imposition. It is only condoned because the people have one last mile to go to reassert their freedom and dignity, that is, the electoral tribunals. While we urge patience, faith and courage on the part of the people in the testy days ahead, the usurpers are well advised to brace up for the shock treatment as the Judgment Day draws near. Surely, the judiciary has given the people fresh hope.

OSUN DEFENDER'S DAY OF GLORY

Kola — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:50:07 +0000

It was for this newspaper, a defining moment, a moment to relish. An opportunity to salute the vision that brought the medium into being, a great moment to validate what we stood for all these years by the very people on whose behalf we took on the mission to inform, educate, and edify- in the enterprise to wrest the state from the deadly afflictions of incompetence, mediocrity, and electoral banditry. A newspaper conceived in the crucible of battle couldn't have chosen a better time to do its launch as was the case on February 26, 2007 at the MUSON Centre in Lagos, when the world literally stood still for Osun Defender. It was a moment of celebrations and stock-taking. From Osogbo to Ila-Orangun; from Ikire to Gbongan; from Ile-Ife to Okuku extending to every corner of our dear state, they came. It was humbling to see the rich and the poor alike troop out in their numbers to make our day: the ordinary folks - our fellow foot soldiers with whom we have marched shoulder-to-shoulder in battle - to confront evil currently preying in our dear state. It was touching to hear from these worthy citizens that Osun Defender has lived to its billings as the authentic voice of the people. To you all, we owe a debt of gratitude; without your invaluable contributions and support, our message would never have amounted to anything. It is only natural to acknowledge what became the icing on the cake of epochal event- the brilliant lecture delivered by the erudite scholar and Professor of Law, Itse Sagay SAN, chaired by an equally distinguished scholar and professor of International Law, Akin Oyebode on the subject "Election Tribunals and the Survival of Democracy"? It was our modest contribution to the debate on our democratic future. Coincidentally, two interrelated events would render the historic launch truly historic. The first is that the launch was coming against the background of the ruling by Justice Naron-led tribunal in the petition between the Action Congress (AC) gubernatorial candidate, Rauf Aregbesola and his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in which the tribunal hatched a classic Jud-el-ex coup (apologies to the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo) - when it decided, contrary to expectations, to shut out vital forensic evidence in the matter before it. The other development was the ruling on the consolidated petitions of former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar challenging the election of President Umaru Yar'Adua. Both events, both for their timing could have overshadowed the launch; that this was far from being the case says a lot about the relevance of our theme and the timeliness of our gospel. The two developments would also remind that the battle is still a long way ahead. On our honour, we pledge never to be bystanders in the unfolding events in our potentially great country. We will continue to do battle with the forces holding the people down even as we point the way forward for our people. This is the struggle that has endeared us to the people. We appreciate that the large turnout of the people at the launch couldn't be anything other than a testimonial to our unassailable integrity as well as the relevance and the timeliness of our message; we would continue to speak truth to power no matter what it costs. In return for standing by Osun Defender when the powers-that-be were sworn to hound us out of town, we can only restate our solemn pledge to remain their authentic voice.

OYINLOLA WAS REJECTED IN APRIL ELECTION – PROF. ADEYEYE

Kola — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:56:54 +0000

OSUN DEFENDER man, Bunmi Akintayo last week had a chance meet with Professor Sola Adeyeye who spoke on sundry topical issues concerning the nation at large and Osun State in particular. Adeyeye is the senatorial candidate under the aegis of Action Congress (AC) in the election which result is being contested at the Election Petitions Tribunal, Osogbo. It is two months now that elections were held and results announced. But peace remained elusive in Osun State. Why is this so Prof?

The absence of peace in any society is directly correlated with the absence of justice. What we saw in April 2007 was a naked abuse of federal might to subvert the mandate of the people in Nigeria, particularly in Osun State. The people are severe prodding of terror and tyranny. And the tyrants are doing everything to break the spirit of the people. But we thank God that they will not succeed.

Only recently, the PDP too started to place paid advertorials in the media to portray the AC as the masterminds of political crisis in Osun State. All along it had been the AC accusing the Governor-Oyinlola-led PDP as the architect of oppression and terrorism as well as the aggressor. How do you view this latest twist?

I pray to God that very soon in His omnipotent, he will expose the lies of the PDP. The truth of the matter is that, the AC did not and presently does not have the apparatus of power in Osun State. So the AC is in no means positioned to terrorize the PDP. What we have had before, during and after the election has been the use of the apparatus of State to intimidate, harass and hound our people all over the place. People who are innocent are being arrested over concocted charges. People are even being locked up before they are charged. People are being wounded physically and the truth of the matter is that the PDP knows that its members are the aggressors. The party knows that it is the terrorists. It knows that its members are breaking the laws of God and man. And by the grace of God, it would not be long that God will recompense them in full measure.

In 2003 when Oyinlola was declared the winner of the gubernatorial election to unseat Chief Bisi Akande, there was no noise. Why do we have so much noise and rejection from the people in 2007, four years after because Oyinlola is returned to office?

The truth of the matter is that there is a pattern throughout the Yoruba land. In our history as a people, it has become the norm that if you rig elections the first time, the people are usually taciturn; they usually give the system that benefit of the doubt to self-correction. But when you go further to inflict the same pain on the people a second or third time, it a natural human tendency to say, we have had enough.

Particularly, the people of Osun State have had the opportunity to compare four years of the administration of Akande with the four years of Oyinlola. And quite frankly, the people, throughout the length and breadth of Osun, have found Oyinlola to be very wanting.

And therefore with their thumbs, overwhelmingly, the people rejected continuation of Oyinlola in office. They trooped to the polling booths, they voted for the AC gubernatorial flag bearer, Aregbesola and other candidates. But unfortunately, the PDP used the apparatus of incumbency to pervert and thwart the election process.

But we are confident in God and in the process, that the election petition tribunal will soon do that which is right. So, personally, it is easy for me to understand why the cup of iniquity of the PDP, having run over, makes our people to boil with righteous indignation.

And yet despite that, our people have maintained a posture of peace, believing that it is in our own interest to allow peace to reign, except that the PDP forgets that peace never reigned in a society that is run on the platform of injustice.

The PDP is predominantly conservative and the Yoruba South-west has all along being the base of the progressives. But in 2003, the conservatives made an inroad into the South-west politics. Many believed that the tide would change in April 2007, but the PDP held on to all the states in the zone except Lagos. What is responsible for this? Can we conclude that the Yoruba have bidden progressive politics the final bye?

Absolutely no. What we have right now is a fraud. What we have right now is an imposition and quite frankly, what we have is a civilian coup. It is the use of the instrument of terror to subvert the electoral wish of the people. But I don’t think it will stand. And I have always told my people to be patient and allow the tribunal to run full course. But I am confident that the overwhelming lesson of history is that on the long run, no matter how tortuous the journey may be, the tyrants always meet their waterloo.

You see, there is something in man, an indefatigable spirit that makes him the image of his creator. The spirit will always attract itself, always rise to challenge and triumph over all forces of tyranny and oppression. That is why I am not entertaining any doubt that when this process would run full course, the PDP would have found itself the loser, not only in Osun State, I believe, in the vast majority of the South western states.

The leadership of the security agencies in Osun State had come under severe criticism of members of the AC. Specifically, the leadership of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Police was often accused of aiding and abetting the Oyinlola administration to victimize the opposition. In two quick successions, both the SSS director and the Police Commissioner were moved. What does their exit portend for Osun State?

I hope it is the beginning of a ray of hope, though it is too early to say. But as for the removal of the Commissioner of Police, all I can say is that it is good riddance to bad rubbish. While he was in Osun State, the Commissioner of Police reduced the Ngerian police to PDP police. For four years, I have the pleasure and with responsibility of representing the people of Ila/Ifedayo/Boluwaduro Federal Constituency and I can tell numerous tales of the harassment of the opposition.

In effect, the Commissioner of Police tried to reduce Osun to a one-party state. of course, he would give you a semblance of not being partisan, but when the chips were down, there was no question that the Police Commissioner in Osun State was partisan and was far from being fair to the people of Osun State, especially to members of the Action Congress.

Almost every member of your party is relying on the election petition tribunal for justice. What gives you the confidence that what the INEC denied you through the ballot would be given to you in the court of the tribunal?

My confidence is that in the last 18 months, we have seen ray and beams of hope from the nation’s judiciary that it cannot be teleguided. That it cannot be turned into engine of victimization and harassment. That it cannot be turned into an appendage of the executive to impose the will of a cabal on the nation. I am praying to God that the judiciary will live up to this most glorious and inspiring trend that we have seen of late. That’s what gives me the confidence. But how long will this struggle go? Won’t the expectations of the people wane? It would go for as long as it will take. John F. Kennedy long ago said that those who made peaceful change impossible will make violent change inevitable. I subscribe to the doctrine of the Prince of peace, my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I am a good student of the Great Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. who preached social change through non-violence struggle. But I am also a student of history, and I know that dialectical processes can never be circumvented. So if these power mongers, the cabal that hoisting their evil machinations throughout the length and breadth of our republic continue to do so, it is a matter of time, before they will create a vortex that will carry them to their own doom.

BASTARDISING RELIGION AT OYINLOLA'S 57TH BIRTHDAY

Kola — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:10:41 +0000

Monday, 10 March 2008

God really blessed Osun State with worthy spiritual and temporal fathers. We have prominent obas and clerics that can rub shoulders with their counterparts the world over. The reactions of these our spiritual fathers to political events in the state should be of concern to all and sundry because the survival of the state would be dependent majorly on the sound and Godly spiritual guidance from these our spiritual fathers.

That Obas, clerics etc. attend government functions all the times is not a misnormal and that prayers were offered at such occasions were not out of place, but political comments that were always "erroneously' credited to them might cast aspersions on such spiritual father vis-a-vis the spiritual positions they occupy in the nation. In fact, there are places that one would not expect such spiritual fathers to be, even through it is in such abominable places that we find many spiritual fathers often and not only being there, they make statements that belittle the spiritual positions they occupy.

We must remind ourselves of some salient facts. Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola or any other indigene of Osun State has every right to aspire to govern the state and that spiritual fathers should not turn themselves into instruments of oppression of oppositions and suppression of decent voice of oppositions. The oppositions are not enemies as erroneously proclaimed by the tune of prayers from spiritual fathers, but they (opposition) are check and balance organs of the society to forestall the excessive activities of the brigands that temporarily rule Osun State.

Why are obas and clerics against the voices of oppositions when they have every right to tilt to any side of their choice. The clerics can shed their cassocks for political garment, while the obas are free to put aside their beaded crowns for political caps, as such steps would give them more honour and respect than hiding under the cassocks and beaded crowns while swimming in dirty waters of politics. Why can't these spiritual fathers and obas realize that they would outlive these political office holders and as such, should not allow them to rubbish the exalted spiritual sit they occupy?

The prayers offered by two prominent clerics at Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola's 57th birthday ceremony, as reported by Nigerian Tribune of 8th February 2008, page 7, was pleasant and appealing to Oyinlola's hearing but spiritually bankrupt as the prayers were politically motivated and directed by "Ghana-Must-Go" spiritual force. Since when has it become a crime for one to legally seek to reclaim the stolen mandate through an election tribunal even at the risk of one's life? Why must a legitimate demand of stolen mandate be misconstrued as "the activities of those who see nothing good?" Must Engr. Rauf Aregbesola allow the mandate armed robbers to go unchallenged as if armed robbery is entrenched in the Holy Bible and Holy Koran?

It is a pity that one cleric even equated elections with wars and battles. Hear him: "His creator has destined him to be victorious in wars and battles". If a "respectable" cleric can refer to elections as "wars and battles", one can see how "Ghana-Must-Go" can change a respectable cleric to disrespectable cleric. The prayers of the "respectable" cleric have exposed their (clerics) hidden agenda of a one party state.

Listen to him: "It is time for his challengers to see the war they are fighting as one against God's designs. It is time for them to surrender." According to the cleric, the designs of his (cleric) 'god' is that there should be no challenger and as such, we must end up with one party Osun State. The cleric also claimed it was a sin against their 'god' for anybody to challenge Governor Oyinlola as they were not engaging in electoral process but 'war' against 'god's design. No wonder the clerics had flambuoyant thanksgiving services, for Oyinlola, to their "gods' that maimed and killed innocent citizens of Osun State, to steal Engr. Rauf Aregbesola's mandate at gunpoint for Governor Oyinlola. No wonder, there were showers of blessings, cars, jeeps, etc for clerics from Governor Oyinlola and plenty of "Ghana Must Go" to appease the "gods" that stole mandate at gunpoint.

No wonder, the house of God have been turned into merchandising houses where prayers are readily purchased by "Ghana-Must-Go to force the challenger to surrender. Thank God, for God! God cannot be mocked! The respectable" cleric also described Governor Oyinlola as "a man created to build, remould and reform masses".

The cleric should explain to the whole world, what Governor Oyinlola was building, after stealing the mandate of Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola by maiming and killing innocent souls at Igbajo, Ikirun, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Ede etc. It was indeed a fact that Governor Oyinlola remoulded and deformed the wasted citizens of Osun State from mortality to immortality. Governor Oyinlola has also remoulded the JOY of the berieved families into eternal melancholy.

The Bible says: " I (God) am coming soon and my reward is with me to give to everybody according to his due". Honestly, I always feel terribly sad, when I hear or see clerics, singing praises of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and I always wonder which book of authority the clerics use as reference, as the doctrine being preached by such clerics are outside the Holy Bible and the Holy Koran. How can the clerics sing praises of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a man, who stubbornly refused to accept the practice and culture of democracy, which entails equal right of all members of the society to have a free and fair elections. A man, who believes in stealing mandate of the people of maiming and killing citizens of Osun State; a man, who brought soldiers to waste lives in Ilesa; a man, who has the devil reincarnated human being, Olusegun Obasajo as his mentor; a man whose only training has been on the foundation of deceit etc.

The clerics whether honourable of dishonourable must know that, today, ordinary citizens of Osun State, look at Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the PDP government of Osun State and the sympathizers of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, be they obas and clerics, as a den of arsonists, assassins, armed robbers, blood suckers and mandate snatchers. that is exactly what they are and with the prayers of the saint to God/Allah, they would be brought to justice soonest. Amen.

OYAGBILE wrote in from Ward 5, Odo-Otin LG, Osun State

OYINLOLA IS NOT FAIR TO LECTURERS

Kola — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:14:33 +0000

I am a fan of OSUN DEFENDER, to the extent that it has become my tonic. I must confess to you that your tabloid has been very instrumental towards the ongoing efforts of the progressive elements to liberate the people of the South West particularly Osun State. In the light of this, I shall crave your indulgence into the raging crisis between the teachers in Osun State higher institutions of learning and Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. I could recollect that Oyinlola in one of the interviews granted to a daily newspaper recently on the high school fees of University of Osun State said that his government wanted to give the lecturers the best motivation, so as to get the output from them. I am compelled to ask whether the same condition does not attach to the lecturers of the existing schools. Or is he saying that the best could not be obtained from them? From the look of things, Mr Governor appears to have lost touch with real governance, because I could not figure out why a man who claims to be in charge would be begging the traditional rulers to settle his case for him. Honestly, the salary scale structure presented by the lecturers is obviously low to what their counterparts in other states are earning. And they patronize the same market; where their counterparts' go. So, why must their case be different? Lo and behold, the peculiar case of Osun State lecturers has succeeded in telling us that the UNIOSUN project is a mere lip service, because the state of the existing higher institutions would have informed us about the UNIOSUN project. With all intents and purposes, our lecturers in the state deserve honour and accolade not knocks from the governor. I mean, how can their best be obtained if we don't motivate them. Meanwhile, I do not blame Mr Governor, he knows that he was not voted-for in the 2007 election but only wriggled himself in, as a result he did not plan for real governance, but to quarrel with his workers. We all know that it is only a bad workman that quarrels with his tools.

Lukman Akinsola, Esa-Oke.

FOR THE SAKE OF JUSTICE

Kola — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 06:23:22 +0000

Being pragmatic, I would get necessary facts to back up my claims so that I would not be guilty of feeding my people with fallacies. This definitely will enable the little efforts I put into writing to pay off and encourage my people to still put little confidence in what they get by the helped of God. This will also motivate me not to flounder but I will naturally have the push to gather more facts that will compliment those of others in bettering the society at large and make Osun State conducive to live in. This message ought to have come earlier but for the simple reason given above. The first day I read on the pages of the newspaper that is at, the vanguard of emancipating the people of Osun (OSUN DEFENDER) that, in conformity with the general timetable of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), there will be election in December, I yelled out in holy anger. This is not because I wanted our maturing democracy to crumble or be truncated but because I felt the atmosphere was still charged. Palpable fear was rife and it seemed to me that the another of such postulate must seek divine assistance to be free from one mild insanity. I have my reason: from the time the election tribunal swing into action in Osun people felt the political debacle would vamoose just within a month or two and the more the case lingers, the more despicable and despondent people are. One thing that keeps soothing my people is the event of adjudications from other states of the federation. The aphorism, “THE CHIEFTAINCY THAT BECAME CONDITIONED TO IWO INDIGENS WILL SOON INFILTRATE EDE PEOPLE” becomes the commonest adage in vogue. Anytime and anywhere there is such pronouncement you see hope like dew descending. And the anxiety accompanying long period of waiting and expectation would mellow. I did a little research, my findings are really overwhelming because an average of 80 per cent of the populace are involved. Whenever you remind this portion of the people in Osun of April 14, there are gloomy looks all round you. It is like one should become air that can neither be seen nor held escape inching. It is that bad. And this seems to be ubiquitous from Owena Ijesa to Ikire, from Ifetedo to Okuku or from Orile Owu to Ora Igbomina. The signs are really ominous. In the midst of all these, some people somewhere feel it is high time elections to usher I functionaries to the third tier of government were help. What an insensitivity of the highest order can’t people for once be considerate. If people are not dying because of the strength of hope that God has given through His mercy and grace, must their lives be compulsorily stifled out of them through cancerous policies or moves so that a few people can continue to rule and survive? Abba! The cadence in the actions of our people should in no way be misinterpreted. Let whoever cares to know, know that the timidity of a tiger is not due to its cowardice. What we are sitting on in Osun is more fragile and more dangerous than the keg of gun power. To say the least, the atmosphere is extraordinarily huminous but inflammable. A spark would do for the whole system to be razed to the ground. God forbid! My duty is not to comment on the suitability or otherwise of the electoral umpire in Osun- but the desirability of his action should be a major concern to every same person who wishes that systemic continuity be ensured. I know Justice Adedotun Sijuwade as a man who knows his onions. He is not just a retired judge. He is indeed a retired Chief Justice of Osun State whom I believe must have created a landmark, albeit carved out a niche in the legal profession. Just as I am a social engineer, I doff my hat for him as a legal engineer who must have put in at least 32 years in the service of his father land. May I also remind you readers that this man for whose sake I am digressing is from the source- The cradle of the Yorubas home and abroad. I bother less about what happened in the year 2004 under his supervision because I pray premium on currency. But I am particularly curious about what is about to happen under his supervision in 2007 because the situation in which he operated in the former is quite different from that of the latter. That is actually why I am risking my neck. There was an election in Osun, as in other states of the country in April 14.That was to have been conducted freely and fairly going by the rules of the game history by ensuring a civilian to civilian rule. Having done it before way back in 1979 through as a military head of state, people expected that eight years of civil rule should energize him enough to bring his experience to bear and keep military incursions at bay. The event of some innovations (remember GSM?) instilled confidence in people that he was really out to deliver, up to the time of bowing out. People were praying down the hands of God for deliverance and for a moment, I realized how visible the dear love that Nigerians have for their fatherland as people was, they were spontaneous in their responses at calls for God’s intervention and at the same time they showed enthusiastic epiphany toward massive participation in political activities. Even when at a moment the seat of Power-Aso Rock- was rumbling and the number one and number two citizens were scuffing the corridor of governance due to betrayed of trusts and confidence, people were still hopeful. Even at a time that desperation heightened beyond mount Everest and the do-or-die dimension set in, the faith of the people in God was unflinching. Oh what a people! People were resolute to keep a date with destiny and defy all manipulation that is often engendered through incumbency and aimed at a renaissance that was to bring sophistication in ridding malpractices and unconventional methods which over the years, have marred out nationhood and humanhood. Osun was not an exception and people were mobilized to rise up to their civic duty which was to bring freedom that will endure for a foreseeable future civilization was exploited and inventions were made that were unprecedented in the history of Nigerian evolution. All these in an attempt to move the country forward and liberate it forever from the debacle often employed by the conservative few to perpetrate selves in power and subject perpetually the majority to deliberating servitude. Even when they answered divine call over which they have no power and go to the greet beyond, cycling and recycling have always been the order of the day resulting in the Osuntokuns, Fanikayodes, Ironsis and now Obasanjos, towering over others as of right of ascendancy. God answered people’s cry and He decided to rescue the oppressed majority. He aroused in us the consciousness for total freedom and this materialized on April 14 to the chagrin and bewilderment of the bourgeoisie. Here in Osun, the governor momentarily forgot that he was no longer in Mogadishu when he carelessly said that “if it means bringing a whole battalion to Osun to silence opposition, he would do that.” This he said in Ilesa in the presence of G.O.C 2 Mechanized Division, Ibadan after he had been harshly humiliated at the polls on April14. There was covert and overt subjugation of majority will. And people would not let go this time around. All accessible facts to substantiate claims were brought together and the genuineness of these are being proved currently at tribunal and the finality is not yet to sight. Should there then be piling up of jumbles especially in same society to dispense with the case of April 14 before another election comes up. I think the umpire should take to the path of honour by letting the dust raised on April 14 settle so that we can clearly see what is before us and fashion out ways of managing it so that we do not give room for the situation to degenerate. If it happened somewhere like in Kwara) and there was no problem, the case in Osun may be different. Let us not call for anarchy. I think we have had enough of such as ripple effects of April 14. I am aware the opposition parties with which the ruling party will engage in a contest have spoken with one voice that they are not ready for election. The challenger of April 14 election results, Alhaji Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has also disagreed to the ripeness of another election especially as he is till faced with the need to substantiate his claims at tribunal which I agree with him into to needs total, unalloyed concentration. Let the umpire advise the actors wisely so that together we may move Osun State forward. Let justice be done and be seen to have been done. A word is enough for the wise. I have confidence in the tribunal as to its ability to do justice. While we are expecting that, let us continue to be forward-looking. Let us also be inward-looking so that we are not caught in the web of pranks and treachery. We should open wide our eyes and our sense. If my plea is not taken, all compatriots should arise. We should defend this legacy called democracy. If my advice is defied and there is a drum of desperation rolled out for election, let us go massively out and vote out the villains from amongst us. Let us have a populist government that will impact positively on ourselves and our dear state. Ile yi o ni baje lagbara Olorun. A o segun, ao bori lagbara Edumare.

Pastor AJANI wrote in from Osogbo.

STILL ON UNIOSUN

Kola — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 06:44:32 +0000

The people of Osun State held Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to his electoral promise in his first tenure on the establishment of a university in the state. I remember a man was verbally and physically abused for daring to ask the governor of his promise at Osogbo. When the governor suddenly announced his readiness to float a university only few people were surprised since announcement came few weeks from his second term election. Being a clever one, he enlisted Professor Peter Okebukola, the former Executive Secretary of the National University Commission (NUC) as the chairman, implementation committee in order to use him and his connection and make him an errand boy who will facilitate the approval of the university. With the speed of lightening, all necessary documents were given to the governor last December by the current NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okogie. The governor was beaming with smiles on the mission accomplished. It would be recalled that Professor Okebukola championed the stoppage of some courses at various universities across the country including the law programme at the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University, among other universities, claiming they lack facilities and manpower. Now he surrendered himself to be used by a politician seeking for a second time. Quickly, he jumped at the offer placed before him and he started lobbying his former colleagues at NUC.

Immediately, sales of forms began with fees as high as N350,000. Coaching centres across the country were giving forms to sell, at the end of which more than N300, million was realised. No clear information was given to the candidates on the cut-off mark; the only information was that candidates must also collect JAMB form. Being a newly established university, they thought it would be less difficult to secure UNIOSUN’s admission so they rushed its forms as the management kept on printing the forms for hapless candidates. Professor Okebukola is not a rank and file member of his church, The Apostolic Faith. He knows that all unrighteousness is a sin but he chose to be part of the dirty politics going on in Osun State by letting academic excellence, probity, sincerity and faithfulness to be offered on the altar of dirty politics. It was after the candidates wrote UNIOSUN post-UME that they knew that those scoring below 200 would not be able to check their post-UME scores.That an example former NUC secretary and governor Oyinlola have laid down for us in Nigeria?

Adeyemi Oluwole, Ilorin, Kwara State

AN OPINION: UNIOSUN

Kola — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 06:47:20 +0000

The National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS) is the umbrella body that represents the interest of the entire students of Osun State origin studying in Nigeria and Diaspora. The association operates on two fronts namely; i) The indigenous/township students association in towns and local Government areas in Osun State; ii) The school chapters on campuses across the country and beyond. Overview of the university: On October 1, 2006, the state governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola announced the creation of UNIOSUN through his deputy, Mrs Erelu Obada. The National Executive Council of NAOSS and some stakeholders of the association reciprocated this monumental project by paying a Thank you Visit to the Governor on Tuesday, October 31, 2006. Following the creation of UNIOSUN was the inauguration of the Implementation Committee, headed by ex-Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola and some notable individuals within and outside the state. People’s expectation was high, as the governor had always reiterated his intention to bring education to their reach at affordable fees. The Implementation Committee further corroborated this by promising us a university that will compete perfectly with its peers around the world, but we are confused. Funding of the university: The governor purportedly declared the commitment of N2 billion to the commencement of this project from the state’s cover. Also, the Osun State House of Assembly mandated in February 2007, the 30 local government areas in the state to invest 5 per cent of their monthly allocation on the project. It is on record that since then, average monthly allocation to all local government areas in Osun State from federation account is about N1.6314 billion, excluding oil booms. Till date, about N0.75billion accrued from the local government area covers alone to the university. Also, the sale of over 124,000 application forms at N3,000 each, scratch cards at N500 each and about 42,000 pre-degree forms at N5,000 each would have translated to N644million and by implication, the committee would have realized over N3.394billion for the project. We hope this threshold amount is far enough for a committee that pays zero kobo for land acquisition to start with. Shortcomings of the committee and state government: At this junction, it is important to re-emphasize that establishment of a university should not be premised on political inclinations nor for money-making purpose but a step towards sky-rocketing the educational potentials of a state. We strongly believe that this purpose has been defeated. Per capital income in Osun State: Throughout the country, Osun State Government adopts the least salary scale for her workers with a minimum wage of N6,500 monthly. The standard of living is low as people are wallowing in abject poverty except the political class that flash around with exotic cars. Government spends more on volatile projects rather than investing in the people. We wonder how a top class worker could sponsor just one child to this university with a fee of over N220,000.It is a sheer error on the part of government and the committee to have underestimated people’s average income before jumping into conclusion over the fees. We therefore condemn in clear terms, this uncomplimentary attempt to frustrate helpless people of Osun State. Screening exercise/admission: After series of classical exploitation, inconsistencies and optimal irregularities surrounding the imaginary screening exercise, Prof. Olu Aina, chairman admission committee came out with a submission on partial resumption of some successful candidates this year while the bulk of them resume next year for the same academic session. Please, our amiable professor, we are not bunch of fools. This epileptic starts is nothing but 419.If the university cannot take off this year, next year is not too late. Physical structures: The essence of screening exercises for staff and students are not yet known when classrooms and offices are not in place. September 21 seems impracticable for resumption. Student records are not safe. Maybe, they will be kept inside their cars. What about the lectures, practical and other academic activities? We hope to see whether they will commence under trees or arboreal. The exalted office of the Vice Chancellor is yet undefined in term of structures, portfolio and other paraphernalia. This is absolutely unprecedented in the history of any university. School fees: For this university project if purpose-driven, there should be at least relative correlation between people’s income and the tuition fees. Sincerely speaking, it is unfair for government that pays least salary to overcharge its citizens. No civil servant, irrespective of his level could afford payment of N225.000 fee for just one child talkless of the helpless masses that dominate the state. The fact is that Prince Oyinlola and His kitchen committee designed the project only for their acolytes with a private structure. Even the fee is incomparable with that of some private universities like BOWEN, MADONNA, and others that pay less. Babcock University and those in its category pay a comparable fees with UNIOSUN that is a public school. Our fear is the brutal extensive effect this would confer on other higher institutions in the states and beyond. Definitely, their school fees will rise exponentially to unbearable level come session. Priority for Osun indigenes: That Osun indigenes deserve 95 per cent quota in students’ admission and staff recruitment is nonnegotiable. It is an acceptable norm all over the world. We urge the committee to follow this trend to the letter in order not to defeat the purpose of UNIOSUN’s creation. Victimisation of students’ leaders and infringement on their fundamental human rights: It is on record that Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola has always launched brutal attack on innocent students’ leaders who defend the right interest of their fellow students. We cannot afford to forget the suspension of Alofe Babatunde (Agbakoba) former students’ union President, OSCOTECH, ESA-OKE and other stakeholders for two academic sessions. The ugly experience of Comrade Government (Former Secretary General of the students’ union OSUNPOLY Iree) is not different. While merciless matcheting of innocent students of Osunpoly Iree towards April polls still poses physical challenges on the affected individuals. The proscription of students’ union government in Esa-oke is another landmark achievements of Oyinlola’s administration while undue intervention in students’ election has become part of Oyinlola’s packages to students. Oyinlola’s overwhelming influence in reducing student bodies particularly, National Association of Osun State Students to government appendage is no news. We urge His Excellency to mind his business and desist from strangulating students’ activities in the state. Bursary award: We seize this avenue to appeal to our amiable governor to reverse our local government bursary back to base. The ongoing central system of payment has denied students’ access to this ridiculous N2000 annual bursary. The snatching of the payment from Local Government has paralyzed activities of our association at local levels. We have always discussed with His Excellency, the inconsistencies, irregularities and non-payment in many schools. It is unfortunate that Oyinlola is an unyielding leader. Since year 2005, each of the 30 local governments in the state has contributed N3 million annually to the state purse in the name of local government bursary for Osun students. This has accrued to N270million and obviously, there is nothing to show for it. It is on record that since 2005 Oyinlola has paid the bursary just once stretching from year 2005 till date. Your Excellency, where is our money? The state bursary for final year students is another means by which Oyinlola loot the state’s treasury. For the sake of clarification, we urge His Excellency to publish and make available to our association, the record of his ghost beneficiaries and how much he has spent so far. We called on the Osun Sate House of Assembly, EFCC and ICPC to investigate this matter thoroughly.

Our demands:

•Immediate removal of Prof. Peter Okebukola and total dissolution of his committee for gross misconduct, breach of trust, inconsistencies and misapplication of public funds.

•Instant Reversal of UNIOSUN tuition fees to N7800 per student. This represents the mean annual income of an average Osun worker. •Refund of unduly collected application fees to unjustly disqualified candidates. •Completion of all primary physical projects before the commencement of any academic work. •Stoppage of infiltrations into students’ activities by Oyinlola and further victimization of student leaders. •Payment of outstanding 2005 and withheld 2006 and 2007 bursary to all schools especially, OSCOTECH, Esa-Oke, OSCOED Ila-Orangun, Adeyemi College Of Education, Ondo, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife and many other denied schools. •Implementation of UNESCO prescribed 26 per cent of the revenue allocation on education Conclusion: We call on His Excellency, Prince (Dr) Olagunsoye Oyinlola to respond to this matter promptly by coming out in clear terms on the viability of this university. We advise him and his kitchen cabinet to tread the path of his Yobe State counterpart if the project is not feasible, than beating around the bush as UNIOSUN is not a private project. We seek the prompt intervention of our revered royal fathers, religious leaders, political parties, and other stakeholders. While we commend the enduring passion of our parents at home, we salute the courage of our members who at one instance or the other, have fallen victim of Oyinlola-Okebukola-UNIOSUN’s syndrome. To you all, sky is the limit. by: Jimoh muhali adekilekun

Adekilekun is the National President, National Association of Osun State Students (national body).

EDUCATION AS COMMERCE: THE OSUN EXAMPLE

Kola — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 06:51:34 +0000

It sounds so imponderable, almost unconscionable, that the man who today prides himself as the philosopher king of the Obasanjo concept of education as an item of trade is none other than Professor Peter Okebukola, an otherwise highly regarded academic. He is today the greatest theoretician, indeed, a zealot of those that see education-ala the Breton Wood institutions-not as a social service but one that must be paid for through the nose, even by those who have, and be completely taken beyond the reach of the children of the poor. It is such a cruel irony that those who should facilitate access to higher education for the greater majority of our youth are the very ones now snatching it from the reach of the children of the poor. It reminds one of Margaret Thatcher, the milk snatcher, who thought nothing of denying little kids of that essential product. Of course, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola has proved time, and again, that he is not a great fan of the under privileged. But nothing can compare with the fees regime he has now approved for his Nobel prize-targeting university, one which ranges between N150,000 and N200,000.00k, depending on where you come from and what course of study. Even without conducing a series of open-ended interviews or having the privilege of access for an intensive study of their executive memos which must have sought of justify these totally unreasonable fees in a so-called state university, it is only too obvious that the Osun publics, like the parents whose wards were unconscionably fleeced of their hard earned money, are today not offering Oyinlola any roses. Whatever their claims to expertise in this area, both in its multi-campus structure and the punishing fee regime, the Osun State University as conceptualized by its Implementation Committee is a study in how not to run a university especially in a largely agrarian and preponderantly poor environment. It would have made more sense if Professor Okebukola, as Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, had partnered with Governor Oyinlola to obtain a license from the Obasanjo government to own a private university even if it would be sited in Osun State. Look around the entire country, nothing compares to this man’s inhumanity to man, the one germinating in Osun State where the sing-song for the governor’s first four years was that there was no money to establish a university. At the Osun State University, students shall, in addition to the excessive fees, also pay for games (can you imagine), ICT, library, examination, hand-book and damage, in what would essentially be an off-campus institution. I think Prince Oyinlola must get these people to invent more ways of making a bank of a university. Writing in her EDUTALK column in The Nation of 6 September, 2007, Kofoworola Belo-Osagie has the following to say “Thousands of potential students are weeping, weeping that after making so much effort to gain admission into the newly created Osun State University, Osogbo, they are back to square one and the poorer for it’ She went on to describe how what looks to me like a typical 419 scam was hatched. A university whose Implementation Committee must have programmed to admit less than 6000 students in all the way to sell application forms to close to 100,000 candidates at a princely sum of N3,000.00k. If ever there was a scam, this was it. And since the NCC would not have allowed this to pass if committed by any of Communications companies, I think the NUC must get Osun State to vomit and refund this unearned bonanza. It is stealing by style. On top of this, each candidate was made to pay N500.00k for a scratch card which hardly guaranteed access to their website and as if these were not enough indignities, many of the candidates had to bribe lower cadre staff to finally obtain application forms that had been paid for in the first instance. On top of all these too, the candidates hadn’t the slightest idea of what type of fees the university would inflict on them. If they do not know it yet, these people have succeeded in giving Osun State a bad name. But the worst was yet to come. It came in the form of a you-can-go-to-hell admonition on their website where they insulted the poor candidates and their parents as follows: ‘APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT SHARE OUR VISION OF A WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITY through payment of our published fees are NOT compelled to enroll in UNIOSUN. This, coming from a people who lay claims to being educated is a big shame indeed. They now went on to give some 419-like psyching: “After few months of pioneering experience from September 21, you will hold your head high anywhere in the world as a student of Osun State University’ and in 25 years, they would have produced a Nobel prize winner. Pray, how much did Professor Soyinka pay at the University of Ibadan? What exactly are they going to do here that Covenant University to which Professor Okebukola gets routinely invited has not done thousand times over? Is he going to replicate his state of the art facilities in every town and village where they have their campus? If yes, can they not see the unnecessary duplication in men and materials? And if they were going to charge these fees why not have one campus? Before I get lectured on dividends of democracy, what exactly has Ire gained from its Polytechnic apart from tears, blood and mayhem? What manner of administrators are these? I lay no claims to any expertise here, but I have been privileged to drink at the feet of the very best and this is no ego tripping: Oluwasanmi at Ife and Akinkugbe at Ilorin. These are academic giants and administrators with whom I worked directly. One thing I came away with from each of them was their total commitment to the cause and welfare of their students. Even with a punishing back-ache, Oluwasanmi would ensure they had the best and as pioneer Vice-Chancellor (Principal, University College, Ilorin), Professor Akinkugbe spared no effort in ensuring the comfort of the young men and women under his care. Not for them a take-it or leave-it, heaven-may-care pronouncements as they now gleefully tell us in Osogbo. And lest they be carried away by fancy, these Osun people should not be led into thinking that they’re going to replicate Covenant or the Redeemer universities in Osogbo. Or are they also going to pay a professor in excess of N13m as Covenant does? These are institutions the Holy Spirit laid on the hearts of the men pioneering them and for them there is a clear vision. Academics, I know, go to certain universities, not for money, but for the incomparable academic standing of that particular university’s leadership. There in Osun, I cannot see any of that for now nor would a serious academic not think twice before taking up an appointment with a government that recently treated medical doctors like filth. So where are their Nobel Laureates coming from? After all this is a state institution with all its predilection to cult related and partisan political activities, adept as the proprietors are, at manipulating these young minds. For all that I can glimpse of UNIOSUN for now, it is nothing more than the brainwave of an experiment-loving academic who successfully sold his pet idea of a university to less than calculating political office holder with the prospective students no better than guinea pigs. To make any significant impact therefore, the university, its structure and its underpinning philosophy, must be completely reworked. One hopes their large egos would permit. By: femi orebe

Culled from THE NATION.

ON THE OUTRAGEOUS FEES AT THE OSUN STATE UNIVERSITY

Kola — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 06:53:58 +0000

The outrageous schedule of payable fees recently rolled out by the management of Osun State ‘Universities’ has only brought to the fore, once more, the earlier suspected deceitful and ill conceived intention of the Governor Oyinlola government in setting up the university in the first instance. It will be recalled that the governor, perhaps acting in good faith then, by alleging financial insufficiency, had earlier resisted all entreaties calling upon him to honour his campaign promises by establishing the university . All of a sudden, however, financial ‘sufficiency’ appeared from the blue and the governor, in one fell swoop, established the university just few weeks away from the governorship election of April 14, 2007. Hence, the apparently deceitful after thought decision did not only strike many as a surprise but also attracted fierce criticisms, arising from the reasonableness or otherwise of the six multi campuses nature of the university. Ever since the ‘establishment’, however, the unsuspecting and helpless Nigerian students have become the victims of extortions for which the processes of getting admission into the university have become. The first avoidable extortion was to make over a hundred thousands of students obtain the application forms for not more than five thousand vacancies. Following this was the compulsory sale of N500 scratch card to the same students in their thousands at the screening centre for the purpose of subsequently checking the result of the applications they had earlier paid N3000 each for. As if these were not enough, the management has just rolled out a schedule of school fees ranging from N182, 500 to N192, 500 per academic session depending on course of study and indigeneship status of the student. This, to say the least, is outrageous, callous and quite contemptuous of the economic reality of Nigeria in general and Osun State in particular. After all, the university is a state-owned institution where ready subsidy and good will are already presumed. Even in Lagos State, the economic hub of the entire country, the Lagos State University only charges as far less as ranging from N20,000-N30,000 only for both the indigene and non indigene students respectively. As a matter of fact, there is no any other state-owned university in Nigeria today that charges as outrageous as it is proposed at the ‘universities’ of Osun State. Even at the states-owned Ladoke Akintola University , Ogbomoso, where Osun State is a managing partner, they charge as less as between N20- N30, 000 per academic session. These UNIOSUN fees can, in fact, compete favourably with those at some of the private universities in the country. Meanwhile, the craze for funds by all means and in all manners by the Osun State Government via its agent/management of UNIOSUN can be attributed to the fact that the university obviously had neither structural facilities (save its six landed sites) whatsoever nor certified funds for its take-off as at the time license was hurriedly obtained for it. This, has no doubt, called into question the integrity of such people as Professor Peter Okebukola amongst other promoters of the ‘Universities’ of Osun State. All the above therefore have given rise to some salient questions the Osun State Government must honestly answer now. Did or does Osun State have the financial wherewithal to establish a mono campus not to even talk of a multi-campus university? If the governor’s answer is positive, then, why would the state make the helpless admission hungry Nigerian students and their impoverished parents to outrageously bear the burden of establishing the university? Of what purpose is the mandatory monthly deduction of five per cent from each of the 30 local governments in the state for the singular purpose of the same university? Honest answers to these questions amongst others, will no doubt, shed some lights on the raised issues.

LATEEF, Misbau Alamu, Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

OSUN ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL: A WITNESS TO HISTORY

Kola — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:23:50 +0000

BY LATEEF DARE RAJI Since the setting up of the various Election Petition Tribunals across the country following protest over the April Elections, the Judiciary has been getting raving accolades as the tribunals delivered judgments. To the people, at least the judiciary is helping to clear the Augean stable of political confusion created by the combination of the Independent National Electoral Commission under Maurice Iwu and the Peoples Democratic Party led Federal Government under the imperial ruler, General Olusegun Obasanjo. However, this is not the case in the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal under Justice Thomas Naron. The judgment denying us the presentation of the forensic reports conducted by Mr. Adrian Forty, a witness in our petition is in bad faith. The tribunal betrayed its prejudice when it took it upon itself to advance the position of the defense counsel rather than concern itself to the issue raised in the report which it was well aware has been pleaded. Disconcerting in the ruling was the submission that a witness lied that he was present at the inspection. It has been argued that the Tribunal over-reached itself in this regard but in view of such posit, it is only appropriate to give an eye witness account of the whole exercise because I am involved. I am involved because Engr. Rauf Aregbesola and the Action Congress are essential part of my functionality as a politician and a Nigerian who craves a better life for the generality of our people. I am convinced that the duo could bring these virtues to bear on the polity in Osun State. For what it is worth, like the good people of Osun State, without any doubt in my mind, I believe the Action Congress represented by Engr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola won the April 14 Governorship Election home and dry. The defendants know this and the good people of Osun State too do. Even while the intimidations and harassments by the combination of the military drafted from the Garrison Headquarters in Ibadan in collaboration with the police hierarchy in Osun State Command were very intense, a team was set up to start work on the petition and physical inspection of materials used in the elections. Under this very tense and unfriendly state of affairs, we went about our work as diligently as we could. In our team were, Mr. Basiru Ajibola, an activist legal practitioner who is fast acquiring repute in the profession and a member of our legal team leading other lawyers. Mr. Wale Afolabi, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and AC lawyer based in Oshogbo, leading others in his chambers. Bayo Badmus, a lawyer in our legal team at the tribunal. There is also Mr. Bayo Ojo, a renowned author, critic and activist, Mr. Abiodun Kolawole (Arole), veteran activist and intellectual, Mr. Adeola Olayiwola, political activist, Mr. Richard Tinubu, project consultant, Mr. Dele Ogunshakin an astute politician. There was also Tunde Yadeka, representative of Mr. Adrian Forty, who led a team of software experts and the members of the Youth Solidarity (YS), a ten thousand-membership organization that includes, Mr. Akindele Omowunmi, Abeeb Lawal, Owolanwi Luqman, Olaore Fatai, Busari Rasaq, Adegbile Adiru and Wasiu Tiamiyu. They represent the foot soldiers of our campaigns in Osun State and the subsequent victories we recorded in the elections but for the conspiracy between INEC and the PDP clique who colluded to rob the people of their votes by allocating votes unmeritoriously to the sinking Oyinlola and his gang of revelers. There was also a formidable team in Lagos that backed up the storage facilities and kept detailed records and requirements for the eventual biometrics. The Lagos office was manned by Mr. Bayo Ojo and he worked with arrays of young talented men that include, Efe Brume, Niyi, Niran, Pastor Gbenga, Jide, Fred, Lanre, Jude, Pastor Favour, Chrstianah, Joy, Tayo, Bolaji, Segun, Akin, Michael, Gold, Emmanuel, Mojeed, Kingsley and the two twins who both answer Taiwo. Our findings at the physical inspection stage would interest Nigerians. Howbeit, it is important to let Nigerians into few of the shockers. First, considering the fact that the election were held in April, by the time we commenced work in May, ballot papers used in Ife South were so lumped that it was difficult to determine particularly where the ballot papers were used. Your guess that it was to create confusion is as good as mine is. In Odo-Otin, where General Oyinlola came from, all Form EC8A presented were written on pieces of paper! Like you, dear reader, we know what this means, no election in the true sense of the word took place in Odo-Otin. Generally, in all the Local Governments we are contesting, there were huge numerical differences in the number of ballot papers presented for inspection and the figures recorded for the elections. Figures were merely allotted and to the piper. The revelation that ballot papers meant for Ondo State were found in Osun State should not surprise you. While we waited for April 14 to cast our votes, some people had actually voted two weeks earlier. To prove beyond all shades of doubts that Oyinlola and the PDP actually rigged the elections through collusion with INEC, we listed in the petition an expert witness Mr. Adrian Forty, a world acclaimed forensic expert, to clarify scientifically details of the nature of each ballot paper and if it qualifies as a valid vote. The tribunal granted our relief to scan the ballot papers for forensic analysis. That now is its cross. Could it be that the tribunal in granting the relief does not anticipate the level of rots that would be unearthed or it simply does not understand the process and procedure involved? It would be tragic! Once again, the team went back to work. It is important to mention that to facilitate our work at the INEC office and ensure safety of the materials, which are essentially the ballot papers used in the election; INEC attached one of its senior officers, Mr. Musa Abdullahi. Precisely, Musa's job was to lead groups of our junior staff to accompany the EO's to the store in bringing out those sensitive election materials for inspection and scanning. In the course of this exercise, our junior staff signs attendance and this we understand is for the purpose of security. I challenge INEC to produce similar attendance list signed by any of our senior officers or even any of the respondents. It is curious Ojo Williams's name does not appear on the register even for the few days he was there. Howbeit, I want to believe Musa was coerced one way or the other to swear to the affidavit he deposed to. In addition, the State Security Service also kept two of its men permanently on the job to keep vigil. They watch and follow events keenly. They never keep any open records but one would be naïve to think they do not send their reports to the appropriate offices. The position of the tribunal is worrisome that the forensic analysis took place in the United Kingdom. Pray, what does it take from the facts it represents? I see it merely as a ploy to ridicule the entire country because there is no record of any functional forensic laboratory in Nigeria yet. I expect our learned judges to know this. On the other hand, could the judges be techno phobic? Forensic analysis had come to form an integral part of knowledge in the day-to-day explanation of life in such diverse areas as medicine and Computers and we cannot claim to be an exception in this regard. What we did was to scan all the ballot papers, stored them in high capacity storage facility and sent same for forensic analysis. For a clearer understanding, scanning a document simply means converting the image into digital or electronic form for further storage, retrieval, and transmission. It does not add or remove the original value from the document. In medicine, rather than undergoing the rigor of surgery, scanning comes handy. It is also important to point out that as soon as the court granted us the relief to scan the materials, the respondent in absolute disregard to the Tribunal insisted that they would be part of it. Mr. Ojo Williams advanced this argument, an Osogbo based lawyer in the defense team and since we had nothing to hide, we accepted the extra-judicial interpretation of the Administrative Secretary of INEC. Mr. Ojo Williams apparently after consultation, sent a team of seven PDP members to start recording the serial numbers on each of the ballot papers we scanned with a view to discover if what we are scanning are genuine and to understudy us with the likely hints to know what exactly we were doing. Nevertheless, these people failed woefully. They just could not comprehend what was going on. Mildly put, they know these things type words and figures but thoroughly lost on its current operation. The job they were given was also very overwhelming. There is no way any human being could cope with the work at the pace the machine was working. Nearly two weeks on the job, their frustration was apparent and they quit. I suspected after the first three days, their boss was no longer interested even Ojo Williams stopped coming and nobody really cared about them. In my usual nature, I made friends with them throwing banters at them. More than once, I offered them each a bottle of Coca-Cola and baked flour, which they never rejected. At a point, they expressed their frustration that they do not know why they were there. Poor people I concluded. Further, for every copy of ballot paper we scanned, we paid INEC N10.00 to obtain the Certified True Copy. Typical of the Nigerian System, we went there with our scanning machines, which included high resolutions Notebooks totaling twelve, printers of the same number with special features to print both sides of the paper automatically, our papers and our sets of generators all to ensure that we did our work within the period set by the Tribunal. The noise of a combination of three generating sets was too much for INEC very senior officers, after almost two weeks, they volunteered the use of the INEC generating set provided we could buy 150 liters of diesel daily. A colleague on the job told me these people could not afford to buy diesel because only one man keeps the purse, Resident Electoral Commissioner. We accepted and did this for eleven days before we rounded up. It is important to mention that the assignment was not as easy as narrated. We suffered lots of set backs with malfunctioning equipment that at critical moments we had to place order for new imports. In more than five occasions, the Sharp Nigeria Engineer had to travel to Oshogbo when the local sales shop could not offer us necessary technical advice to look over the machines with little successes. To overcome the adversity, we resorted to using large numbers of smaller devices. In fixing the machines, we had to stay overnight to strengthen the engineer. With these graphic and minute details of what happened, it is easier to conclude who is paying the piper at the Tribunal. Our experiences at the Thomas Naron led Tribunal prepared us for this judgment. It is disheartening though, but the Tribunal has been swimming in contradictions since it resumed. At a point the Tribunal granted a subpoena that EO's appear in court and produce election materials but refused that the EO's be sworn-in and cross examined. In another instance, the Electoral Act 2006 conferred the power to inspect election materials for the purpose of instituting a case and maintaining a case but each time we sought to present our report on same, Justice Naron will reject it despite the fact that his tribunal granted the relief in the first place. In another instance, the tribunal insists that we attach the witness statement of EO's to our application when the EO's are our adversaries. Pray, have you ever heard a thief admit he stole without forcing him to tell the truth? This has been our lot in the Thomas Naron led Tribunal but this would not shake our belief in the Nigerian judiciary. We have absolute faith in the ray of light shown on Election Petition at the Appeal Court and believing our cause is just, we would get justice.

AREGBESOLA ADVISES ON NAIRA POLICY

Kola — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:14:45 +0000

Osun State Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in the April election, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, has enjoined the Federal Government to ensure that the new naira redenomination policy made is beneficial to Nigerians.According to him, the only way by which this can be achieved is for the government to quickly arrest the disquieting specter of mass poverty, unemployment, rising crime wave, urban decay, insecurity, threat to democracy and the rule of law, that the present administration inherited. Aregbesola, who gave the admonition in a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Mr Gbenga Fayemiwo, said though the desire of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo, was patriotic and well intentioned, various unintended consequences should have been attended to from the beginning. He said: “The policy, however attractive it may be, should have been preceded by a decisive revival of the nation’s comatose macro-economic fabrics. The Federal Government ought to have ensured that the local industries are producing at full capacity.” Aregbesola expressed regret that till date, the commercial banks have not supported small and medium scale enterprises up to a level that could guarantee the economic security of Nigeria. “Already, the existing inter-bank rates are outrageously high; the cost of funds, sorting of currencies for commercial banks, interest rates are still too high. Worse still, the nation’s foreign exchange market is over-subscribed thereby making Nigeria an import-driven economy”, he said. The engineer urged the government to do a careful study of various cases of the now repealed Exchange Control Anti-sabotage Decree, adding that “Nigeria should not return to a situation that led to the ignominious importation of 53 suitcases of loads of naira notes during the military era in 1984.”

ANOTHER REPUBLIC OF BASHORUN GAA

Kola — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:31:47 +0000

“A whiteman who is bound to vacate office, would definitely defecate on the chair before leaving.” A trustworthy person is like an immaculate white which has no space for stain, while a liar represents a filthy rag. According to a satire written and produced by Muyiwa Ademola, a popular modern day playwright, a story of one man called ‘Arike Ariyo’ was very instructive. According to the character, Ariyo is an embodiment of deceit lies, shortchanging and ‘abracadabra’. He was an artful dodger and pretender of no mean magnitude. One day, Ariyo on the expectation of his intermediary between him and his new found love, took his chair outside, enjoying himself with chicken leg.When his friend, an intermediary came visiting, he saw Ariyo in a bright mood with a biscuit bone of chicken in his hand and he (intermediary) expressed his pleasure for the jollification of his friend, demanding an equally delicious meal from him. Ariyo, in a fake opulence, told his friend that he was late. Arike, as his moniker said he ordered his neighbour to prepare pounded yam and roasted chicken vegetable soup for him and that after eating to his satisfaction, he asked his neighbour to go with the left-over, saying he could not eat such a staple the next day. While the discussion was on, a woman led his child to Arike’s house to demand for the reason that made him seize a chicken leg from her child. Ariyo was overwhelmed with shame and consequentially lost a friend, a marriage intermediary and finally a wife. Now, let us relate the story to what is happening in Osun State . The occupier of the Okefia Government House as the character who claimed that he had the peoples’ mandate. The mandate is just like the roasted chicken vegetable soup. And that he was voted for massively in the last electoral fluke called general elections because of his five-star performance, only to be disowned by the same people. Just like that, the Election Petition Tribunal threw Oyinlola’s application out and people were jubilating in all parts of the state. Mind you, just like Ariyo, the Okefia tenant has lost eight out of nine prayers already. This is significant, very very significant.Please, cast your mind out of the story, let’s come back to this week discourse. Have you seen how the Osun State chapter of Action Congress(AC) chieftains were summarily thrown into prison by style, for the charges that have catapulted hundreds of people in and out of prisons for weeks and months? Do you call that victimization of political opponents? Did you see the difference between the two magistrates handling the case? Now, open your mind. Let it be known that the whole scenario is a desperation cum terrorism against the political opponents of the Okuku heir apparent from the beginning and the ongoing clampdown cannot be divorced from it. On the decision of Magistrate Jide Falola to hear the substantive case in October, it is a pity I am not a lawyer, let alone being part of the legal team that is representing AC leaders. If I were one, I would have settled for magistrate Ayo Ajeigbe, the courageous woman who was to handle the case ab initio. I know Ajeigbe a bit and my investigations revealed that she is so principled that nobody including her husband, who is a PDP stalwart could influence her decision for whatever price, unlike a magistrate elsewhere. I had watched a proceeding in her court some years back, where some people suspected to be members of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) were dragged to her court by the police. Then, it was an unpardonable sin to be a member of OPC. So, government was interested in keeping the men. Against all odds, Ajeigbe heard the fundamental human rights. But, the deed is done, the magistrate with finesse has disqualified herself from the case and thank God, the ‘real’ man has done it again and to the AC leaders, journey mercy to the prison, at least till the bail application is heard. I must confess to you that if democracy, according to Abraham Lincoln, is a government of the people, by the people and for the people, I make bold to say: it is lacking in Osun State . But if what we are currently experimenting is monarchical where the king or queen rules the people as subjects? Then, it is a bit close. Why? The reason is not far fetched, the Okefia Government House tenant is a prince and he was so fricked that he titled the inauguration address he read at the State House of Assembly as: “The message from the Throne.” But, in an honest appraisal, the current regime has also failed the litmus test of monarchical rule because nobody dares query the king or queen for any wrongdoing in a monarchical rule and that is not the case now because the opponent has picked the gaunlet in form of petition to the Election Petitions Tribunal to retrieve the controversial mandate of ‘Olori Oko’. So, looking inward about the clampdown on imaginary and real enemies, infringement on the press freedom as currently being experienced by OSUN DEFENDER newspaper in the hands of the State Security Service (SSS), killings, maiming intimidation and harassment by the retired General Olagunsoye Oyinlola government, the current administration in the State of the Living Spring could be likened to ‘Bashorun Gaa Republic .’ For a good Yoruba man, the story of Bashorun Gaa of the old Oyo Kingdom is not new; for the sake of those who are not familiar with the story, I shall briefly tell it. Bashorun Gaa of sad memory was the head of ‘Oyomesi’, the legislative arm of the kingdom, but he was so extra-ordinarily powerful with supernatural powers of fetish. History has it that Gaa had the power to change from human-being to any wild animal of his choice. Intoxicated with awesome power, Gaa was removing and installing kings at will. He would reel out orders side by side with the king and any king that wanted to assert his authority would be dealt with by Gaa’s Army. There was a time a king in Oyo was said to have beheaded his father-in-law for the ‘mouth diarrhoea’ committed by his daughter, the wife of the tyrant king. Cashing in on the wrongdoing, Gaa, in conjunction with other kingmakers, forced the monarch to the evil forest to embark on the journey of no return. In order to appease Gaa, the new king thereafter gave his precious daughter in marriage to Gaa, but when Gaa was in need of an animal called ‘Agbonrin’ (deer) and he couldn’t’ find one on time, he ordered that the daughter of a king who bore the similar name, Agbonrin be slaughtered instead, and that climaxed his atrocities. A petition in form of a plea was filed by Alaafin, the great king before the powerful Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) known as ‘Generalismo’ Aare Ona Kakanfo. There was a civil strife between the two powerful men, but Gaa caved in by decoy. He changed to an inanimate object in a bid to escape the wrath of the people he had traumatised. Aare Onakankanfo through his mystical power, uncovered the decoy, reverted Gaa back to a human being and disarmed him completely. The Generalissimo handed Gaa back to Alaafin for appropriate sanction and the king who was still bitter about the misconduct and abuse of office and power of Gaa, recommended that Gaa be sentenced into instalmental killing. See what is happening now, political office has been abused; people were killed, maimed, harassed. Political opponents were run out of town, jailed, name it. Recently, the government, through its trigger-happy security men has launched a massive manhunt against the only newspaper (OSUN DEFENDER) that is speaking for the poor. With OSUN DEFENDER newspaper, the woman who sells pepper at Igbotente Village in the state or a hewer of firewood in Iyanfoworogi, another village, is assured of adequate and balanced information. But the modern day Gaa is saying no. What more? God who arrested Gaa (The Power drunk) with His Mighty power is alive! by Lukman Suomi

Osun Defender,I know even in a twist of time things can be change but God is your strenght.Do not relent the selfless services even if Aregbesola comes inn which we are all praying for and behave insimilar manner.Please for God sake,do not hesitate to expose him. As for the Basorun Gaa of our time,he will soon face the music when God gave back the power to the appropriate person.Do u remember,Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu?(Anti corruption watchdog)he will be the Generalismo in this battle and recover all our stolen money for us.Let just be prayerfull and be hopefull as well.

kudos by Tunde Ayoade,

good work. keep on this.

God shall pay him back .. by service to the people

He, Bashorun Gaa of osun State will sure reap all he sowed in the course of wanting to hold on to power. God will surely pay him back in his own coin... it is a matter of time..

STUDENTS PELT OYINLOLA OVER WAEC EXAM

Kola — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 20:06:03 +0000

BY ISAAC OLUSESI

The convoy of Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola was last week held hostage in Osogbo by students in the state secondary schools.The incident which occurred some metres after Odo-Osun bridge, Gbongan-Ibadan Road, Osogbo, while Oyinlola was returning home on his only familiar route after the day in the office, had students in a large number calling the governor unprintable names. Sachets of ‘pure water’ were also rained as missiles on the convoy.The students accused the governor of playing politics with the state qualifying exams for the West African School Certificate (WASC) examination due for the 2006/2007 academic year.

They claimed that sitting for the qualifying exams annually organized by the state government is the government’s standard for a student to become a registered candidate and beneficiary of its payment for the actual WASC exams.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that the qualifying exams in out-going school year was scheduled to hold in the daylight in the respective schools but the state government deliberately chose to extend the exams timetable to the dusk without notice to the affected students vide their school authorities. According to the students, the untoward attitude of the government was to deprive many students the opportunity of sitting for the qualifying exams that ended last week in order to reduce the government expenses on the registered candidates for the WASC exams.The differential in the amount of money which the government earmarked for WASC exams and what is actually paid on the WASC exams, the students reasoned, “would be embezzled by a few within the corrupt-ridden PDP government in the state.”

Further investigations by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that question papers arrived late to the examination centre at Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Osogbo due to paucity of fund.The more reason the examination which was slated for 8.am could not be made available until 5.00pm after majority of the students had left the centre. It was learnt that while the aggrieved students were ruminating over their plight at a spot close to Osun River., Oyinlola’s convoy was coming from Abere, the seat of power.

A source close to the scene explained that the aggrieved students started calling the governor unprintable names and pelted his convoy with satchets of ‘pure water’. “It was at this juncture that security operatives in the convoy of the governor arrested some of the students, carried them to Abere where they were beaten to stupor,” he said.Further investigations also revealed that the three principals of three secondary schools within the premises of Fakunle were quizzed over the incident. It was also learnt that the government was planning to demote the affected principals with a threat that the Oyinlola administration won’t pay for NECO examination of the affected schools as he pledged during his campaign. Meanwhile, the government, last week, hastily invented pre-degree programmes to be run in the University of Osun (UNIOSUN) and put the cost of admission forms at five thousand, one hundred naira only (N5,100).Students in the state and beyond prospecting for admission have expressed that the cost of the pre-degree forms is outrageously on high side and threatened to vandalize the pre-degree forms advert banner hung on a commercial bank opposite Fakunle Comprehensive High School I, Osogbo, remarking that the governor is only interested in extricating further the economically depleted prospective students of the university that is structurally yet to take off.

Investigations revealed that the government had earlier collected three thousand naira (N3,000:00) from well over 100,000 prospective students who already obtained the UNIOSUN entry forms besides the cost of JAMB form which was also borne by the cursory prospective students unsuspicious of the cupidity of the state government. It would be recalled that this newspaper recently reported that UNIOSUN was taking off fraudulently to enable the government repay the much publicized N2bn allegedly borrowed from a commercial bank for the university project.

The huge loan, OSUN DEFENDER learnt, was allegedly divested to railroad Oyinlola back in the Bola Ige House, Osogbo, through the April 14 election that is still being contested at election petitions tribunal currently sitting in Osogbo.

Comments (3)

i need my result in 2007 written by kweku banahene, August 09, 2007

please i am justice from tarkwa and i want you please to inform me when the result is in please SCHOOL NAME GOLDEN AGE SCHOOL COMPLEX IN TARKWA PLEASE CANDIDATE NUMBER 404073076 SCHOOL NUMBER 404073 PLEASE HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU AS SOON AS THE RESULT IS IN PLEASE HELP ME.

Attension please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! written by penny, August 18, 2007

what the hell of u doing about osun state university.i have been checking my result for a long time ago and i can't check it.pls do something to it.

PLS HELP US OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO written by damola, August 19, 2007

pls help us do something to your website we have not been able to access our results.

OSUN GOVT SETS DEBT TRAP FOR SUCCESSOR

Kola — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 20:11:35 +0000

By KAYODE AGBAJE

Confronted by a possible defeat of Osun State incumbent Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola by the Action Congress Aregbesola at Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo, the state capital, the state government has embarked on antics to frustrate incoming administration when eventually sworn into office.

This forms part of an extensive investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER on the plans of the current administration in the state if eventually ordered to vacate office by the Election Petitions Tribunal.

A senior political functionary who spoke to the medium on strict condition of anonymity revealed that the administration would comply with the tribunal's pronouncement but certainly not without a fight.

According to the source, the fight has already started as the administration is currently engaged in discussion with management of some commercial banks with a view to securing loans to finance some phoney development projects across the state.

The loans, the source further revealed, run into several billions of naira and the primary purpose for seeking it is never for any meaningful developmental project but as a means of putting any in-coming administration into a financial mess on its assumption of office.

Discussions on the said loans with the concerned commercial banks have reached advanced stages as money may be released to the state government any time from now.

These loans are in addition to the ones already being serviced by the State Government under Oyinlola which sources say also run into billions of naira.

The state's allocation from the Federation Accounts and some of its landed properties in Lagos, Abuja and Osogbo have been tendered to serve as collateral for the loans, the state's political functionary stated.

To cover its tracks and avoid being accused of financial mismanagement by the opposition in the state, the Oyinlola administration has decided to expend all the money on the newly–established Osun State University (UNIOSUN), and some other minor projects, the source emphasized.

The administration was emboldened to embark on this reckless financial venture by a recent report exposing some immediate past state governors, leaving mountain of debts for their individual successors to contend with, the source maintained.

In addition to this, Osun State Government has also concluded plans to present its list of candidates for the posts of commissioners to the State House of Assembly where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lacks the mandatory two-thirds majority required for the passage of the list.

Since the elected AC members have refused to attend any of the House sittings in protest of arrest and detention of their colleagues by the Oyinlola administration, no major decision has been taken by the House.

Despite this short-coming, the state government is still reported to have resolved to go ahead with the presentation and ensure its passage by the legislature without the required two-third majority.

Comments (3)

MR. written by OLAOLU BABALOLA, July 09, 2007

Let the interim Governor continue squandering the peoples money, it is sure that he will cough it out.

all oyinlola(ole osun)secret will soon expose written by mandela, July 09, 2007

I bellieve he will caugh one day with all his bad developer including commissioner of police,some bad oba's e.t.c

Oyinlola Is A Rogue written by Engr. Akano M. Ademola, July 09, 2007

I have always been saying it that mere looking at Oyinlola's face you will be able to read a lot of his characters. He IS A ROGUE. In 2006 my Cousin and a friend (OSIEC-EO) who are a prominent PDP members have told me what Oyinlola promised them to do for opposition especially Aregbesola that he is going to make use of all his 30 years millitary experience to suppress them and this is a man that will go on TV and be saying he is peace maker. If he likes let him go and borrow from IMF and World Bank Aregbesola will still perform because his vision transcient monetry limitations.

Ilesa AC Leader Lambasts PDP

Kola — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:46:25 +0000

A 73-year-old former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilesa West Local Government Council Area of Osun State, Alhaji Isah Agunbiade has lamented that he left the party for the Action Congress (AC), because the party has no respect for cool-headed persons but for hoodlums and hooligans. Speaking to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo on Monday, Agunbiade who is the Ilesa chapter chairman, Union of Nigerian Herbalists said that he was a founding member of the PDP in Ilesa, but he quit when he could no longer adapt and engage in dirty politics being operated in the party. A member of the defunct National Council of Nigeria and Cameroun (NCNC) and National Party of Nigeria (NPN) stated that the way and manner which the PDP operates in the country has shown that the party is purely anti-people. While recalling how PDP thugs unleashed terror on the people of Osun State especially in Ilesa before, during and after the April 2007 elections, the AC chieftain stated that the PDP-led government in the state has made up its mind to rule the people of the state by force, despite being rejected at the election. The herbalist also condemned how the PDP leaders were engaging in series of unholy attitude like looting of public funds at both the local and state government levels, insisting that he regretted ever working with the PDP. Speaking on the April 2007 polls, Agunbiade condemned how the election was rigged by the PDP-led government and how the Justice Thomas Damar Naron election petitions tribunal that sat in the state was manipulated by the people at the corridor of power. While condemning how the tribunal wrongfully rejected the report of the forensic inspection and the testimonies of the forensic expert, Adrian Forty, the AC leader recommended that such technological means should be allowed completely and if possible included in the Electoral Act to prevent future rigging of polls. Expressing confidence in the judiciary, Agunbiade hoped that the appeal court would right the wrongs of the Naron tribunal, calling on the people to remain calm and firm for a better life would soon come. BY KAZEEM MOHAMMED

PDP Thug Harasses OSUN DEFENDER Cameraman At Iwopopo Procession

Kola — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:01:27 +0000

ONE Mr. Kola Olomide, a suspected political thug from Olorunda Local Government Council Area of Osogbo was thoroughly dusted on Monday, as his empty boast to arrest OSUN DEFENDER photo-journalist Mr. Gbenga Adeniyi was quickly deflated by the men of the State Security Service (SSS) at Iwopopo celebration. The venue was road match ritual performed annually as part of a week-long celebration of Osun Osogbo Festival witnessed by legions of worshippers, foreign tourists, dignitaries from far and near and a galaxy of journalists, struggling to catch the side of their stories. Olomide, who was at the event as one of the on-lookers reportedly spotted OSUN DEFENDER photographer and rose from the obscurity where he was struggling to watch the colourful performance of the traditional dancers to challenge the right of our photo-journalist to cover the spectacular event. Like a Rambo on the loose, he quickly ran to the SSSmen, begging them to arrest our man; but was asked to identify himself and what gave him the audacity, but information has it that he quickly cog his tail within his bottom flap when Adeniyi brought out his identity card, saying that he was a journalist. While OSUN DEFENDER man won and forged on with his statutory duty, Olomide, who could not identify himself identify himself disappeared into the thicken crowd; but with a promise that he would personally deal with our man. Kola Olomide, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a notable political thug had run a moribund printing press at Kola Balogun Area of Osogbo before he finally sought refuge in politics for survival. By GOKE BUTIKA

Constituency Allowance Fraud: Osun AC Lawmakers Drag PDP Legislators To Conduct Tribunal

Kola — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:09:16 +0000

THE era of collective corruption, where the executive would be treating the State House of Assembly as an annex appears to be over in Osun State, as the 11 lawmakers on the platform of the Action Congress (AC) have petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau on the N75 million the state government allegedly lodged into the private salary accounts of the 15 lawmakers on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to the petition signed by the AC lawmakers’ lawyer, Mr Tope Adebayo, the action of the PDP lawmakers, in collecting the N5 million largesse each, under the guise of Constituency Development Fund, was contrary to the provisions of items 1,6, and 9 of the fifth schedule of the 1999 constitution. The AC parliamentarians then charged the bureau to set a machinery in motion, saying that the only way to halt arbitrary spending of public fund by the people in the position of authority, is to prosecute those who are converting the public money into their private use; noting that PDP lawmakers have violated some sections of the code. They claimed that the PDP lawmakers took the second tranch of the controversial CDF fund, making N10 million each for individual lawmakers, only to show off at their constituencies as if they were performing. “The respondents acted arbitrarily when they received N5 million each into their private accounts to perform the duties of execution of projects for their constituencies when they knew that they do not have the constitutional duties to execute projects,” the petition read. It would be recalled that the 11 AC lawmakers on the instruction of their party quickly refunded the N55 million reportedly lodged into their personal salary accounts as CDF, a situation that compelled them to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the questionable lodgment. The petition was signed by Timothy Owoeye (Ilesa West), Ademola Ajiboye (Ila), Tope Oyedele (Irepodun.Orolu) Salami Najeem (Ejigbo), Binuyo Ipoola (Ife North), Akintunde Adegboye (Osogbo), Fafowora Abiodun (Ilesa East), Awolola Abiodun (Egbedore), Salisile Ayobami (Iwo), Samson Fafiyebi (Obokun) Ajibola Olaide (Olorunda). The AC lawmakers further stated that: “By accepting public funds into their private accounts to execute projects for their constituencies, we submit that each of the respondents (PDP lawmakers) have put themselves in a position, where their personal interest conflict with their duties and responsibilities.” Reacting on the development, Honourable Oguntola Toogun, a chieftain of AC in the state said that the Code of Conduct Tribunal has the right to investigate and declare the seats of the guilty vacant before the prosecution. “I think our lawmakers took the step rightly to correct the iniquities raging on in the State House of Assembly. If the Code of Conduct does its job right, it is capable of declaring the seats of the offenders vacant; which the EFCC cannot do and later prosecution will follow”, said Toogun. By GOKE BUTIKA

Play No Politics With Oladiran, Other’s, Group Tells Owolade

Kola — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:25:59 +0000

Osun State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney – General, Mr Niyi Owolade has been warned against playing politics with the arrest and prosecution of Mr Gani Oladiran and his co – travellers being accused of raping a seventeen – year old secondary school girl, Miss Tosin Ajakaiye. This warning was handed down by a youth group based in the state, Youth Democratic Initiative (YDI) in a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency general meeting held in Osogbo, the state capital and made available to OSUN DEFENDER. The YDI emergency meeting, according to the communiqué, has become necessary in view of recent development in the state bordering on social security and political development. The group, as contained in the communiqué, warned that the action of the accused rapists, among whom was included, a man, Gani Oladiran, old enough to be a grand-father to the innocent girl, Tosin Ajakaye, the victim, should not be swept under the carpet like all past cases involving Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members. “Responsible citizens of the country should speak with one voice at this material time to prevail on the ruling – PDP not to venture sweep the rape case under the carpet as it had done on cases involving its members in the past,” the group observed. While condemning the action of the alleged rapists, the youth group lamented the involvement of Oladiran, a man considered to be old enough to be Tosin’s grandfather in such an inhuman act, the YDI then advised the state ministry of justice to use the accused as scape goats and further serve as deterrent to other would-be rapists. According to the group, the involvement of an old man in such dastardly act is a reflection of the kind of individuals making up the ruling PDP, which is believed in some quarters to have in its fold a nest of killers. On the state of security in Osun State, the YDI as a group admonished the state embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to concentrate his efforts on ensuring safely for lives and properties in the state. The YDI further reminded the governor on the need to be less extravagant in running the affairs as his days in office become numbered with every passing second. By KAYODE AGBAJE

OAU To Re-introduce Students’ Unionism

Kola — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:04:58 +0000

The authority of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State has completed plans to lift ban on students’ unionism on the campus, OSUN DEFENDER investigation has revealed. It was learnt that the institution has put in place a committee saddled with the responsibility of conducting a credible election into various offices of the students’ union, which is headed by a 300-level clinical student, Mr Gbenga Awosusi. It was also gathered that the university authority has given a nod to the budget of N117.000 demanded by the electoral committee for the conduct of the election. Some of the students who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER on the campus expressed dismay at the 2.5 Cumulative Gross Point Aggregate CGPA required by the institution as one of the criteria that should be met by those who are vying for any post in the students’ unionism. According to some of them who expressed worry at the management’s criterion for the contestants into the various offices of the students’ unionism contended that, the institution’s demand is to scare genuine students who were interested in the students’ affairs of the institution. Others were pessimistic about the genuine intention of the vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Michael Faborode to put up a vibrant student’s government, but rather to impose student leaders of his choice on the students. Speaking on the de-proscription of the students’ unionism in the institution, a suspended student leader, Mr Akinola Saburi explained that he was not against the institution’s intention to return the students unionism back to the campus, only that it must not be a puppet government in the hands of the institution’s authority. He lamented that since the proscription of the students’ unionism government in the institution, students’ welfare had being neglected and they have no means of expressing their feelings as the university had used state instrument of oppression called “security operatives” on the campus to coerce the students. He therefore called on the students to resist the attempt of the authority to impose a puppet students’ government that will only serve the bidding of the institution’s authority against the well-being and welfare of the entire students of the hospital. By Sola Jacobs

Petition Against 15 Osun PDP Lawmakers At The Code Of Conduct Bureau, By 11 AC Lawmakers On Constituency Project Fraud

Kola — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:17:10 +0000

27th May, 2008. Code of Conduct Bureau, Federal Secretariat Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, FCT, Abuja, Dear Sir, Petition Brought Pursuant To Item 12, Part 1, Fifth Schedule To The Constitution Of Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999 Which Prescribes as follows: ‘Any allegation that a public Officer has committed a breach of or has not complied with the provisions of this Code shall be made to the Code of Conduct Bureau’ IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION AGAINST CONTRAVENTIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS BETWEEN: 1. HON. TIMOTHEW OWOEYE – ILESA WEST 2. HON. AJIBOYE ADEMOLA - ILA 3. HON. OYEDELE KAMIL TOPE - IREPODUN/OROLU 4. HON. SALAMI NAJEEM F. - EJIGBO 5. HON. BINUYO IPOOLA A. - IFE NORTH 6. HON. AKINTUNDE ADEGBOYE - OSOGBO 7. HON. FAFOWORA A. ABIODUN - ILESA WEST 8. HON. AWOLOLA A. ABIODUN - EGBEDORE 9. HON. SALENSILE R. AYOBAMI - IWO 10. HON. SAMSON FAFIYEBI - OBOKUN 11. HON. AJIBOLA OLAIDE K. - OLORUNDA AND 1. HON. ADEJARE BELLO (SPEAKER) - EDE NORTH 2. HON. ROPO OYEWOLE ( D. SPEAKER) - IFE CENTRAL 3. HON. TAJUDEEN ADEYEMI (MAJORITY LEADER,) - IFELODUN 4. HON. ADEMOLA OGUNDEJI - BORIPE BOLUWADURO 5. HON. IDIAT BABALOLA - EDE SOUTH 6. HON. FEMI FAROUNBI - AYEDAADE 7. HON. SIKIRU ARAOYE - OLAOLUWA 8. HON. DIRAN AYANBEKUN - IFE SOUTH 9. HON. JOSHUA OGUNLEYE - ATAKUNMOSA EAST AND WEST 10. HON. OGUNLEYE OLATUNJI - ORIADE 11. HON. SAMUEL ABIODUN IDOWU - IFEDAYO 12. HON. ‘KUNLE OMOLOLA - AYEDIRE 13. HON. GBADEBO OYEJIDE - IREWOLE 1/ISOKAN 14. HON. DEGBOLA OYEKUNLE - ODO OTIN 15. HON. OLAJIDE ADEYEYE - IFE EAST INTRODUCTION 1.1 We are counsel retained by the Petitioners to bring the contraventions and/ or non-compliance with the provisions of Items 1, 6 and 9, Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic, 1999 by the Respondents to the notice of this Code of Conduct Bureau with a view to assisting you to investigate and recommend the Respondents for prosecution before the Code of Conduct Tribunal. 1.2 Your Petitioners are the honourable members of the Osun State House of Assembly who were elected under the platform of the Action Congress to represent the state constituencies appearing opposite their respective names. Your petitioners swore to uphold and observe the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 1.3 The Respondents are also the honourable members of the Osun State House of Assembly who were elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party to represent the state constituencies appearing opposite their respective names. The Respondents also swore to uphold and observe the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 1.4 This Petition is brought against the Respondents for contravening Items 1, 6 and 9, Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution. 2.0 Contraventions Underlying This Petition 2.1 The Respondents received public funds into their private purses to execute constituencies projects and thereby put themselves in a position where their personal interest to show off to their constituencies that they are performing as elected representatives conflict with their duties and responsibilities as law makers and persons meant to investigate and inquire into the proprietary or otherwise of the activities of the executives. 2.2 The Respondents used their positions as members of the Osun State House of Assembly to receive N5 Million each as benefits for their respective constituencies even when the Constitution does not empower them to directly confer such benefits on the people. 2.3 The Respondents acted arbitrarily when they received N5 Million each into their private accounts to perform the duties of execution of projects for their constituencies when they knew that it is not their constitutional duties to execute projects and when due process was and could never have been followed by them in the execution of such projects. 2.4 Since the arbitrary acts referred to in Para 2.3 above will affect the commonwealth i.e. the public funds belonging to the entire people of Osun State, the arbitrary act has affected the rights/obligations of the Petitioners, and even the Respondents to deliver on their electoral promises. 2.5 By collecting the said sum of N5Million each, the Respondents have also violated the conscience of the electorate who placed them in their sacred duty of watching over the executives in their execution of the law and public projects. 3.0 Background Facts 3.1 As part of the numerous steps to fulfil their electoral promises to their individual constituencies, members of the Osun State House of Assembly recently passed resolutions directing the executives to undertake projects in each of the 26 Constituencies in the state (otherwise referred to as “Constituency projects’’). 3.2 It was further agreed that a dedicated consolidated accounts would be opened to allow for an equitable execution of the projects and ensure accountability, sound planning and execution of the projects and rid the projects of vices. 3.3 Rather strangely, on the 9th day of April, 2008, the Government of Osun State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, directed the payments of the sums of N5Million Naira each into the private accounts of the 26 legislators in the Osun State House of Assembly to enable them use the money to execute projects which they individually desired for their respective constituencies. 3.4 Particularly, the Petitioners informed us that they received credit alerts from their banks showing that their respective bank accounts had been credited with the sum of N5Milllion each by the Osun State Government on the said 9th of April, 2008. It is however instructive to note that these lodgements were made without obtaining the consents of the Petitioners. 3.5 Convinced that their constitutional duties are broadly limited to law making and performance of the functions of overseeing the activities of other arms of government i.e. the executive and the judiciary, the Petitioners promptly returned the monies paid into their respective bank accounts to the Osun State Government through their letter dated 24-04-08, addressed to the 1st Respondent and jointly signed by your Petitioners. They also persuaded their PDP counterparts to follow suit by returning the N5Million Naira of the Osun State Government fund paid into their private accounts but they have refused to do so till date. Photocopies of the letter of 24-04-08, Cheques, deposit slips and transfer forms with which Osun State Government paid N5Million Naira into the Petitioners’ private accounts are herein attached as Schedules A to L. 5.0 How The Facts Stated Above Constitute Contraventions And/ Or Non- Compliance With The Provisions Of the Code Of Conduct For Public Officers Contravention of Item 1, Part 1, Fifth Schedule To the 1999 Constitution. 5.1 From the documents attached to this petition and the facts stated hereinbefore, it is put beyond question that the Respondents accepted N5Million Naira paid into their private accounts by the Government of Osun State for the purpose of executing constituencies’ projects. 5.2 It is also undisputable that it is the personal interest of each of the Respondents to show their constituencies that they are working or performing. In so far as the execution of projects is not the duty of the Respondents, accepting public monies to execute projects amount to pursuing their personal interest. In other words, if the Constitution which the Respondents swore to uphold did not authorise them to do an act, doing the acts will be pursuing their personal interests and agenda. 5.3 Rather than show how well they represent their respective constituencies by concentrating on law making and performing the functions of oversights, they overstepped their boundaries by accepting public funds into their private accounts to execute projects. 5.4 By Section 4(7) of the 1999 Constitution, the duties of the members of the House of Assembly of a state is to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the State. Also, while section 5(2)(a) vests the executive powers of a state in the Governor of the state, section 5(2)(b) of the same Constitution states that the executive powers of a state:

“shall extend to the execution and maintenance of this Constitution, all laws made by the House of Assembly of the State, and to all matters with respect to which the House of Assembly has for the time being powers to make laws.’’ 5.5. As a corollary to the law making powers of the House of Assembly of a state, Section 128 vests the House with oversight functions in the following words: (1) subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a House of Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the official Gazette of the Government of the State to direct or cause to be directed an inquiry or investigation into-

a.) any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws; and b.) the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, Ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged with the duty of or responsibility for-

i. executing or administering laws enacted by the House of Assembly; and ii. disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by such House. (2) The powers conferred on a House of Assembly under the provisions of this section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling the House to-

a.) make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence and correct any defects in existing laws; and b.) expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it (Underlining ours) 5.6. Part of the law which the House of Assembly is empowered to make is the Appropriation Act. The law making powers of the House of Assembly is so vast that until the House passes the appropriation bill into law, the government’s capacity to spend will be seriously hampered. 5.7. We submit that apart from their duties and responsibilities to make laws, the House of Assembly is empowered to investigate or inquire into the execution of projects and contracts awards with a view to using the words of Section 128(2), expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it. 5.8. Therefore, the conclusion that it is not the duties and/or responsibilities of the Respondents to execute projects but that of the executives is very apposite. 5.9. Now Item 1, Part 1, 5th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution provides as follows: “a public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities’’ 5.10. By accepting public funds into their private accounts to execute projects for their constituencies, we submit that each of the Respondents have put themselves in a position where their personal interests (not public interest since the act is unconstitutional) conflict with their duties and responsibilities. 5.11. Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution is clear on the oversight functions of the legislature, including the Respondents herein, and the ends the oversight function is designed to achieve. Since the ends are to expose corruption, inefficiency and waste, how can the Respondents achieve this when they are the dramatis personae whose activities are to be investigated? Put in another way, does it not amount to the Respondents putting themselves in a position where they are judges in their own cause if they execute projects and investigate whether same was carried out under an atmosphere devoid of waste, inefficiency and corruption?. We therefore submit that by accepting to execute projects, the Respondents have put themselves in a position where their personal interests conflict with their duties and responsibilities under Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution. Contravention of Item 6(1), Part 1, Fifth Schedule To the 1999 Constitution. 5.12. Item 6(1) provides that: "A public officer shall not ask for or accept property or benefits of any kind for himself or any other person on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the discharge of his duties". 5.13. We rely on the statement of facts and the submission made hereinbefore. 5.14. From the background facts, the followings points are not in dispute: 5.14.1.1 that the Respondents are legislators; 5.14.1.2 that the Respondents were paid N5Million each to execute constituencies’ projects because they are legislators; 5.14.1.3 that the N5Million amounts to benefits meant to be conferred on the people of the individual constituencies of the Respondents; 5.14.1.4 that the act of the Respondents in accepting to execute projects clearly violates the provisions of Section 4 and 5 of the 1999 Constitution, amongst others; 5.14.1.5 that the Respondents received the N5Million Naira each personally. 5.15 We therefore submit that the acts of the Respondents contravene the provisions of Item 6(1), Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution. Contravention of Item 9, Part 1, Fifth Schedule To the 1999 Constitution 5.16 Item 9 provides that : a public officer shall not do or direct to be done, in abuse of his office, any arbitrary acts prejudicial to the rights of any other person knowing that such act is unlawful or contrary to any government policy. 5.17 We rely on our submissions above and the background facts to urge you to decide that the acts of the Respondents amount to a contravention of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. 5.18 We submit that the Item 9 is designed to punish acts which amount to arbitrariness on the part of Public Officers. An act will be arbitrary if done in flagrant disregard of due process and the Constitution. 5.19 As demonstrated above, the Respondents are not the officers charged with the responsibilities of executing projects but the executives. The people of Nigeria in general and Osun State, in this case, deserve a government which rule according to the law and not according to whims and caprices. The right of the people to a decent government has therefore been breached. Also, the Petitioners, as well as the Respondents, equally swore to defend the Constitution and deliver the goods to their constituencies. This arbitrariness therefore amounts to a violation of the conscience of the electorate who placed them in their sacred duty of watching over the executives in their execution of the law and public projects. 5.20 Further, we urge you to hold that the acts of the Respondents make nonsense of Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution which empowers the legislators to investigate and inquire into the execution of projects for which they have appropriated money. 5.21 As clearly stated in Section 128(2)(b), the essence of the legislative investigation and inquiry is to expose corruption, inefficiency and waste. We contend that anything that hampers the Respondents duties under Section 128 will be giving an unbridled license to waste, corruption and inefficiency. 6.0 Reliefs Sought By The Petitioners 6.1 In view of the foregoing, we respectfully pray this Bureau as follows: 6.1.1.1 that the allegations of non-compliance and/or contraventions of Items 1, 6 and 9, Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution brought against the Respondents be investigated by the Code of Conduct Bureau; 6.1.1.2 that the Respondents be recommended for prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal pursuant to Item 15(1), Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution. 6.2 While pledging our co-operation in the investigation and prosecution of the Respondents herein, we urge that you do your part in making our system work, given that the problems of Nigeria is not in the scarcity of laws to sanitise our systems but rather it is in the implementation of these laws. 6.3 This petition presents to you another valuable opportunity in history. Thank you. Yours faithfully, TOPE ADEBAYO ESQ.

Petition Against His Excellency Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola At The Code Of Conduct Bureau, By 11 AC Lawmakers On Constituency Project Fraud

Kola — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:48:06 +0000

27th May, 2008. Code of Conduct Bureau, Federal Secretariat Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, FCT, Abuja. Dear Sir, Petition Brought Pursuant To Item 12, Part 1, Fifth Schedule To The Constitution Of Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999 Which Prescribes as follows: ‘Any allegation that a public Officer has committed a breach of or has not complied with the provisions of this Code shall be made to the Code of Conduct Bureau’ IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION AGAINST CONTRAVENTIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS BETWEEN: 1. HON. TIMOTHEW OWOEYE – ILESA WEST 2. HON. AJIBOYE ADEMOLA - ILA 3. HON. OYEDELE KAMIL TOPE - IREPODUN / OROLU 4. HON. SALAMI NAJEEM F. - EJIGBO 5. HON. BINUYO IPOOLA A. - IFE NORTH 6. HON. AKINTUNDE ADEGBOYE - OSOGBO 7. HON. FAFOWORA A. ABIODUN - ILESA WEST 8. HON. AWOLOLA A. ABIODUN - EGBEDORE 9. HON. SALENSILE R. AYOBAMI - IWO 10. HON. SAMSON FAFIYEBI - OBOKUN 11. HON. AJIBOLA OLAIDE K. - OLORUNDA AND HIS EXCELLENCY, PRINCE OLAGUNSOYE OYINLOLA (The Executive Governor Osun State) 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 We are counsel retained by the Petitioners to bring the contravention and/ or non compliance with the provisions of Item 9, Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic, 1999 by the Respondent to the notice of this Code of Conduct Bureau to assist you to investigate and recommend the Respondent for prosecution before the Code of Conduct Tribunal. 1.2 Your Petitioners are the honourable members of the Osun State House of Assembly who were elected under the platform of the Action Congress to represent the state constituencies appearing opposite their respective names. Your petitioners swore to uphold and observe the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 1.3 The Respondent is the incumbent Governor of Osun State, South West Nigeria, who was elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and who also swore to uphold and observe the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 1.4 This Petition is brought against the Respondent for contravention of Items 9, Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution. 2.0 CONTRAVENTIONS UNDERLYING THIS PETITION 2.1 The Respondent directed the payments of public funds into the private accounts of the 26 legislators in the Osun State House of Assembly to execute constituencies’ projects and thereby acted arbitrarily in contravention of the Constitution he swore to uphold and in clear abuse of powers. 2.2 Since the arbitrary acts referred to in Para. 2.1 above will affect the commonwealth i.e. the public funds belonging to the entire people of Osun State; the arbitrary act has affected the rights of the Petitioners to deliver on their electoral promises. 3.0 BACKGROUND FACTS 3.1 As part of the numerous steps to fulfil their electoral promises to their individual constituencies, members of Osun State House of Assembly recently passed resolutions directing the executives to undertake projects in each of the 26 Constituencies in the state (otherwise referred to as “Constituency projects’’). 3.2 It was further agreed that a dedicated consolidated accounts would be opened to allow for an equitable execution of the projects and ensure accountability, sound planning and execution of the projects and rid the projects of vices. 3.3 Rather strangely, on the 9th day of April, 2008, the Government of Osun State, under the leadership of the Respondent, His Excellency, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, directed the payments of the sum of N5Million each into the private accounts of the 26 legislators in the Osun State House of Assembly to enable them use the money to execute projects which they individually desired for their respective constituencies. 3.4 Particularly, the Petitioners informed us that they received credit alerts from their banks showing that their respective bank accounts had been credited with the sum of N5Milllion each by the Osun State Government on the said 9th day of April, 2008. It is however instructive to note that these lodgements were made without obtaining the consent of the Petitioners. 3.5 Convinced that their constitutional duties are broadly limited to law making and performance of the functions of overseeing the activities of other arms of government i.e. the executive and the judiciary, the Petitioners promptly returned the monies paid into their respective bank accounts to the Osun State Government through their letter dated 24-04-08, addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly and jointly signed by your Petitioners. They also persuaded their PDP counterparts to follow suit by returning the N5Million of the Osun State Government fund paid into their private accounts but they have refused to do so till date. Photocopies of the letter of 24-04-08, cheques, deposit slips and transfer forms with which Osun State Government paid N5Million into the Petitioners’ private accounts are herein attached as Schedules A to L. 4.0. HOW THE FACTS STATED ABOVE CONSTITUTE CONTRAVENTIONS AND/OR NON- COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS Contravention of Item 9, Part 1, Fifth Schedule To the 1999 Constitution. 4.1 Item 9 provides that : ‘’a public officer shall not do or direct to be done, in abuse of his office, any arbitrary acts prejudicial to the rights of any other person knowing that such act is unlawful or contrary to any government policy.’’ 4.2 We rely on the background facts to urge you to decide that the acts of the Respondents amount to a contravention of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. 4.3 We submit that Item 9 reproduced above is designed to punish acts which amount to arbitrariness on the part of Public Officers. An act would be arbitrary if done in flagrant disregard of due process and the Constitution. 4.4 By Section 4(7) of the 1999 Constitution, the duties of the members of the House of Assembly of a state is to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the State. Also, while section 5(2)(a) vests the executive powers of a state in the Governor of the state, section 5(2)(b) of the same Constitution states that the executive powers of a state: “ shall extend to the execution and maintenance of this Constitution, all laws made by the House of Assembly of the State, and to all matters with respect to which the House of Assembly has for the time being powers to make laws.’’ 4.5 As a corollary to the law making powers of the House of Assembly of a state, Section 128 vests the House with oversight functions in the following words: (1) subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a House of Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the official Gazette of the Government of the State to direct or cause to be directed an inquiry or investigation into- a.) any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws; and b.) the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, Ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged with the duty of or responsibility for- i. executing or administering laws enacted by the House of Assembly; and ii. disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by such House. (2) The powers conferred on a House of Assembly under the provisions of this section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling the House to- a.) make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence and correct any defects in existing laws; and b.) expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it. (Underlining ours) 4.6 Part of the law which the House of Assembly is empowered to make is the Appropriation Act. The law making powers of the House of Assembly is so vast that until the House passes the appropriation bill into law, the government’s capacity to spend will be seriously hampered. 4.7 We submit that apart from their duties and responsibilities to make laws, the House of Assembly is empowered to investigate or inquire into the execution of projects and contract awards with a view to achieving the aims of Section 128(2), expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it. 4.8 Therefore, the conclusion that it is not the duties and/ or responsibilities of the Respondents to execute projects but that of the executives is very apposite. 4.9 Thus, the legislators are not the public officers charged with the responsibilities of executing projects but the executives. The people of Nigeria in general and Osun State, in this case, deserve a government which rule according to the law and not according to whims and caprices. The right of the people to a decent government has therefore been breached. Also, the Petitioners, as well as the Respondent, equally swore to defend the Constitution and deliver on their electoral promises to their constituencies. This arbitrariness therefore amounts to a violation of the conscience of the electorate who placed them in their sacred duty of watching over the executives in their execution of the law and public projects. 4.10 Further, we urge you to consider the fact that the acts of the Respondent make nonsense of Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution which empowers the legislators to investigate and inquire into the execution of projects for which they have appropriated money. 4.11 Given that the Respondent knows or is presumed to know the extent of the constitutional functions of the legislators but went ahead to arbitrarily direct the payments of public funds into their private accounts to execute projects, he has done acts prejudicial to the rights to the petitioners and the people they represent. Since the acts are unconstitutional and arbitrary, we submit that they squarely fall within the ambit of acts punishable under the Code of Conducts for Public Officers. 4.12 As clearly stated in Section 128(2)(b), the essence of the legislative investigation and inquiry is to expose corruption, inefficiency and waste. We contend that what the Respondent has done has hampered or is capable of hampering the duties of the legislators under Section 128 of the Constitution and is tantamount to giving an unbridled license to waste, corruption and inefficiency. 5.0 RELIEFS SOUGHT BY THE PETITIONERS 5.1 In view of the foregoing, we respectfully pray this Code of Conduct Bureau as follows: 5.2 that the allegations of non-compliance and/or contraventions of Items 9, Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution brought against the Respondent be investigated by the Code of Conduct Bureau; 5.3 that the Respondent be recommended for prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal pursuant to Item 15(1), Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution. 5.4 While pledging our co-operation in the investigation and prosecution of the Respondent herein, we urge that you do your part in making our system work, given that the problem of Nigeria is not in the scarcity of laws to sanitise our systems, but rather in the implementation of these laws. 5.5 This petition presents to you another valuable opportunity in history. Thank you. Yours faithfully, TOPE ADEBAYO ESQ

It's Time For Presidency To Act

Kola — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:04:52 +0000

When the world shows in all ramifications that it is fast going to an end, it’s not likely that this phenomenon affects Nigeria alone because Nigeria alone is not and does not make the world. If Nigeria alone does not make the world then it stands to reason that the average fair life being enjoyed by people in the other parts of the world should also have a breeze of that comfort blown on Nigeria and Nigerians. Or is the saying of one of the writers for OSUN DEFENDER, that there are only three classes of people in the universe viz: the white, the black and Nigerians to be taken as a gospel truth? No, this should not be true but indications point to near-truth of that assertion and which patriots of this vast and giant country of Africa should wake up to falsify. Or how can one explain the conspiratorial silence of action since the pre-delivery of July 15 Naron verdict in Osun State that the character involved in the fraud saga are not seen to be called to question or brought to answer for the charges against them by the Nigerian Judicial Council NJC, the Nigerian Bar Association NBA except the non-governmental bodies’ voices we hear speaking on the despicable state of things. Is Nigeria cursed? Is it that the wrongs perpetrated from the top are preventing the relevant agents concerned in bringing the culprits to book from acting. Indeed? Nigeria is sitting on a keg of powder should this conspiracy continue to stalk action. The first Republic fell when Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in spite of the roof-fire in the West, refused to see the need to act positively. In the wake of that fracas, he (Balewa) was not spared. What happened then was hardly different from what is being experienced in Osun and some other states in Nigeria today. I know that it’s not easy to be impartial when the air bier in a case is also a victim of electoral manipulation to power? What’s on ground calls for patriotism and boldness even at the detriment of the kind of elections that brought the Presidency to office because Nigerian nation transcends any individual and his office. The smoke should not be allowed to inflame before a decisive step is taken on the petitions the AC and other parties’ candidates have in the kitty of the NJC, NBA etc. It may sound funny to the beneficiaries of the largesse of governance that a plea such as this is being made – the few of them – but a veritable measuring rod of the situation of things is the level of poverty that pervades the state and where a fresh oil, windfall of N9 billion has just again been allocated to the thirty and one LGAs in the state, why should and must the common people be pauperized in the midst of plenty? For purpose of reference, that Nigeria is calm is no sign that all is well but that she does not engage in violence for all and any slightest provocations. The late Gen Sani Abacha did not see the signs on the wall that the people were not at ease, and when the peoples anger exploded, he could not contain it until he too was consumed. Even with armoury at his disposal - small. Issues consume the powerful – he got perished with it. It may not be counted against any leader who got to power via illegality or by fraudulent elections if only he, as a person has his own integrity as Nigerians currently concede to President Umar Yar’Adua, can think of the consequences of imposition of leaders on free citizens that earn retired Olusegun Obasanjo the kind of banters being thrown at him today. Voices of reason speak and it will be the greatest disservice to the citizenry of Nigeria if these voices that speak do not have allowance for thought by our leaders especially the President. The message should not be lost on us that we have a duty and that duty to shape up or allow the not – very – distant future to shore on us with ignominy. Mr President Sir, I love this country Nigeria and would love you equally if you can put ineptitude to shame, come off the sloth of inaction, shake off the dull sloth and allow the three arms of government their independence of reasoning and action in matters like we have on hand in some states of Nigeria. Your decision to let Bakassi Peninsula go is one of the right steps in the right direction. Should you allow the sycophants to sway you off, they would have caused you the wrath of the International Community and, you know, (where their wigs, are) before you know it, they would have vamoosed to neighbouring countries in the event of war. What is left of Nigeria today is more than enough for you to administer without Bakassi. This same courage is necessary in matters of foot-dragging of Election Petitions tribunals on the 2007 elections. A word is enough for the wise. God save our country and us. • KOLAWOLE SAMUEL, Osogbo.

Osun Tribunal: Myriad of Litigations

Kola — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:22:44 +0000

IT is ironic that after seven months of legal fireworks at the Osun Governorship Elections Tribunal, the petitioner and the respondent are seeking God’s intervention in the case. Tension had gripped Osogbo, the Osun State capital, 24 hours to the pronouncement of judgment even as offices; schools, shops and markets hurriedly closed on Monday, A bald-headed riot policeman reportedly attached to MOPOL 39 Unit, Stadium Area and identified as Wale, heightened tension in Ayetoro area of Osogbo on Monday evening when he shot into the air Pedestrians and traders scampered for safety when the apparently inebriated cop shrieked hysterically as he playfully chased a colleague about, shooting into the air. Police vehicles had paraded Osogbo major roads on Monday - in a show to highlight preparedness for any eventuality. The message was not lost on the citizenry most of whom stayed indoors on Tuesday. Aregbesola, who is contesting the victory of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in the April 14, 2007 governorship election in Osun State, opened his 1004-page petition on October 3, 2007, and closed it on May 15, 2008, after calling 102 witnesses and tendering 171 exhibits. Aregbesola sought nullification of election results in 12 of the 30 local government councils of the state. But the tribunal upheld the election in all the Councils just as it-retuned all AC and PDP legislators in the state and federal parliaments. Events leading to the discrediting of the five-member tribunal led by Justice Thomas Naron, began with an allegation that the panel was deliberately shutting out evidence against the opposition. But the panel cited practice direction of the Electoral Act as the basis of its rulings, saying that petitions not frontloaded could not be heard. This position on Practice Direction, the tribunal said, informed its decision to reject admitting the forensic evidence it granted the Action Congress governorship candidate and petitioner, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, an order to perform. Various counsels to the opposition, however, opposed the adherence to Practice Direction theory of the tribunal, saying that substantive (evidential) nature of law should supersede its technical aspect. The opposition, in essence, was saying that the tribunal was upholding the technical aspect of law and relegating the evidential aspect. Events turned messier when AC lead counsel, Mr. Kola Awodehin (SAN), during the closing day of the tribunal, looked at the tribunal members in the face and pointedly accused them of colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party governor and respondent, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to pervert justice. This followed the rejection of Awodehin’s prayer, which urged the tribunal to subpoena the Managing Director of telecommunications firm, MTN, to appear before the panel. Awodehin’s prayer came on the heels of the publication by a national magazine, TheNews, which accused the Chairman of the tribunal, Naron, and Justice Ekanem, of having surreptitious contacts with a counsel to Oyinlola, Chief Kunle Kalejaye (SAN). TheNews, in its July edition, published a telephone call log, which allegedly transpired between Kalejaye and the two members of the tribunal. Awodehin said the rejection of his prayer was a rape of judicial process, stressing that the action underscored the allegations of comprise levelled against the tribunal. He said the petitioner was justified to call on the tribunal members to disqualify themselves from the petition. “The judiciary is on trial. Why can’t MTN be compelled to come and show proof of the claim that the call logs did not emanate from it? The judiciary will be best served if the tribunal members disqualify themselves from the petition,” he said. He stormed out of the court even before the tribunal pronounced judgment on his prayers and later delivered judgment. In this light, the AC sought the dissolution of the tribunal on the basis of the allegations of compromise but the PDP lead counsel, Chief Nathaniel Oke (SAN), described the call as an ambush of the judiciary. He maintained that the call was an attempt to arrest judgment. The PDP said the AC wanted a reconstitution of the tribunal so as to remedy the mistakes it made while filing the governorship petition. As expected - going by various counsels’ submissions and the pronouncements of the tribunal during the trial period - the panel, in a judgment that lasted three hours, threw out the petition of Aregbesola on July 15, 2008. The fallouts of the call log accusation, no doubt, took its toll on all members of the tribunal which included Justices Naron, Joe Ekanen, whose integrity and image were grossly impugned. All members of the panel received a deluge of phone calls and texts messages from relatives, colleagues, friends and associates - seeking clarification on the allegation even as they offered their sympathies. They also received many threatening phone calls and text messages, which poured invectives on their persons - from those in sympathy with the opposition. Kalejaye was not left out of verbal threats over the phone and abusive text messages. The police stepped up security around Royal Hotel, Ilobu, where the tribunal members were lodged. Extra protection was also provided for Kalejaye’s family. In the case of an allegation of corruption against an election petition tribunal, the National Judicial Counsel, upon receipt of a petition by the complaining party, will set up a three- member judicial panel, which will comprise s two judges and one lawyer, who must be a 2 SAN. The panel will conduct a close-door (investigation by telling the judges) accused to state their side of the case. The panel will later forward its findings and recommendations to the NJC. On the strength of the findings and recommendation, the NJC shall thus take action - either in favour or in disfavour of the petitioner and, or those accused. If found guilty of the allegation, the NJC will recommend sanctions for the erring judges - and Kalejaye just as it would recommend the inauguration of another tribunal to hear the case afresh. Criminal charges await the publishers of TheNews if the published call logs were found to be untrue. It is believed in both the AC and PDP circles that the NJC is judiciously conducting its investigation into the allegation of corruption. However, the recourse to nemesis has been highlighted by both the AC and the PDP. The National Vice Chairman of the PDP, South-West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, the state Deputy Chairman of the party, Mr Ojo Williams, state Secretary, Chief Yinka Adeojo, and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Chief Oluwole Oke, has described the AC as a party of the godless and the wicked, invoking God to punish the party for telling lies against Oyinlola, tribunal members and Kalejaye. Oyinlola, popularly called Omoluabi (good-natured man) in many public gathering had said that he would never do anything to bring disrepute to the legacy and good name his late father, Oba Moses Oyinlola, left behind. But Aregbesola, who is referred to, by his supporters, as an embodiment of Oranmiyan - the Yoruba warrior prince that later became the king of Old Benin kingdom, in a statement which repudiated the judgment of the tribunal, said nobody steals from Oranmiyan! He maintained that the wrath of God would be on any individual or group that allegedly plotted to deny the masses their electoral wish through rigging and judicial collusion. Although the Secretary to the tribunal, Mr Anthony Ezike, absolved the tribunal of compromise, the inability of the judges to seek legal redress, is a great hindrance on the individual rights of the judges. The accusing opposition party might have taken advantage of this inhibition to rubbish the integrity of the judges. The tribunal chairman, while delivering judgment in the governorship petition, said the panel was unfazed about the hoopla generated by media publications, stressing that his panel only considered the merits of the petition. Both Kalejaye and TheNews have threatened to go to court over allegations of libel. Kalejaye, who feels strongly about the damage done to his reputation by TheNews publication, is reportedly gearing to do battle against magazine. But Kalejaye is yet to make good his threat as he is yet to file a summons in court to challenge the alleged libel. However, TheNews, which, accused Kalejaye and the Special Adviser and Chief Press Secretary to Oyinlola, Mr. Lasisi Olagunju, of libel, has written to the two personalities, through its lawyer, Prof Yemi Osibajo (SAN), seeking a public apology in national news dailies and demanding N200 million from them within seven days. Specifically, Osibajo, who addressed the letter to Kalejaye and Olagunju, requested them to apologise for the series of publications which refuted TheNews publication on the call log and impugned the integrity of the magazine. The new phase of litigation is expected to be backed by media hype and robust legal fees that would be charged by representing legal counsels. The state Deputy Chairman of PDP refused to disclose the amount spent by the party in prosecuting the governorship petition, saying that, “The PDP will disclose the amount it has spent on the governorship election petition if the AC makes public how much it has spent on the process.” Stalwarts of the AC declined to reveal the cost of the governorship petition. The hearing of governorship election petition was widely given publicity in the media - so would the next stage of the unfolding libel litigation. Pray, in what way would the verdict of God be delivered? Is the answer located in the bowel of time? • Culled from SUNDAY PUNCH

Osun State Cock And Bull Legacy

Kola — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:46:37 +0000

MY heart bleeds, and my bravery is taken away from me. As I consider the toiling of the nationalists who sacrificed all there were to let go, including their lives and essence. As the legacies of their doggedness are allowed to decay as if our past has been annilulated, and the antimacassar of our historic chairs are being removed so that the set will not only be dirtied by the liquid of perspiration but also to be defaced into shreds for no senses to benefit from. I begin to wonder if this is truly our nature as ordained by God, or if it is a concoction that the ingenuity of man which is strange to God has brought about. Why do we suddenly have accursed land? Why the patience to put on a toga of wasted generation? Why do we appear, now to have come from a neutral planet? Why should we wait until what we are destined to prey upon suddenly become the predator to consume us? Where is the future? Where is the posterity? I never contemplate being a politician. I have seen men get rich quickly and like the dew in a sunny day, the wealth disappeared unnoticed. I have seen people (male and female alike) dubbed as of timber and calibre and sooner than envisaged they turned paper –serviette ment for men to squeeze after fulfilling the mop up duty, though they are mollified with such soothing statement as “God will do it again”, only to be mocked behind them because the panoply of fine linen that decorates their skeletons, is abrupthy removed. This is life for you and I think it is not an experience to relish though such is incubated on our style of charade called politics in this part of the world, albeit in the state of the living spring. No wonder, all attempts to give it human face by new entrants at the arena are being rebuffed, and discouraged through all methods and styles. Your guess is as good as mine. It was a day in July 2008; a day that shook me off my sterling equilibrium, a day that my sternness utterly betrayed me. It was indeed a day not to savour. On that day, the following dialogue ensued: Host:- Good morning my friend Self:- Good morning. Host:- It is quite an age. Self: Actually, it is because you people in the political circle have decided to abandon us in our state of economic uncertainly; after all you (politicians) are in control of economic power. Host:- You can also join us if you are interested in the cake-sharing process. Self: I will join you when the terror is clearer. THIS conversation took place in the atmosphere of jokes and jesting but my host suddenly became more frank and painstaking when he interjected thus: “I know you from your youth days as a gentle and easy=going guy and I am sure there is no correlation between your nature and what obtains in the political arena”. He intended to end the conversation by honestly asking a question: “Can you carry gun and cutlass? Even if you can, can you kill? I was gazing at him in bewilderment when hurriedly he asked me for permission to attend to a political associate. I got more confused the more I tried to unsettle the riddle and I was in this state when a statement filtered into my ears that lives had been wasted in Okuku, the home town of the Chief Security Officer of Osun State earlier in April. This quickly unsettled the riddle as the case was like the replica of an hunter who came into the town of the primitives and trampled under his feet ten chickens. He told those who shuddered at this act to be calm, as he was only demonstrating was used to happen in the bush. It became clearer the message my politician friend was trying to pass across: The emblem of politics is violence. It is chaos. It is desperation and it is crudity. That explains why we have to revisit what were considered archaic before we resorted to the so-called modern day politics. If what is modern becomes dangerous, if it is dehumanizing, if it is heart-aching, we then must hold on to the archaic since it was not retrogressive and heart rendering as we have it today. Before what our politicians call modern day politics consumes us, we must be a little proactive. We must repudiate “khakitocratic” politics that is already sending an obliterating signal. Or how else can we explain a situation whereby the home base of the state’s Chief Security Officer is being ravaged by violence. I can recall that many lives were lost in Igbaye in March this year during PDP intra-party fracas. I bared my soul on this great issue and a friend asked me to throw in the towel as he has done. According to him, Nigeria is not worth dying for because those who were at the fore front of freedom struggle in the past are now forgotten heroes with their dependants paying dearly for it; as they are often abandoned by the direct beneficiaries of the struggle. I however believe to the contrary. I see the government of the day igniting a flame that will be difficult to manage. Flame of violence consumes faster than a molten magma in that while the fragments of its rubbles can still be worked upon to serve useful purposes for the survival of mankind, the flame of violence can wipe out a whole race from the surface of the earth. THE agents of socialization can only do one of two things: To orientate for the purpose of being reformed so that personal efforts and contributions will impact on the society for the advancement of its course. Every mortal therein will fashion our meaningful ways of living and this is not in jeopardy of other people’s quests for survival. The environment aids creativity and all, except the indolent make the best out of personal ingenuity. The second is to disorientate with the resultant effect of debasing all that is decorous. Jungle laws become predominantly operational. No value is placed on hard work and everybody is expected to be skilled in peek-a-boo that will fetch no same a legacy of reward and benefits. A view for reform that will translate to societal good will be regarded as a malarkey, and this will attract a great obloquy. We a jumble of the two elucidated above in our dear country, though this is predominant in the State of the Living Spring where for the first time we have a blue-blooded ex-serviceman in the Nigerian Army is at the helm of affairs. From all that I have seen happen, I have been dazed to my greatest imagination. His dutches has fondly taken affluence to the highest level of human operations, pomping merriment to an unimaginable volume and souching all women that matter in affluence obduracy. The duo are full of charisma, strong enough to catapult any stubbornly moribund economy out of doldrums because they have touched all places around the globe that engender influence of greatness. I am sure anybody who knows them will count us lucky for the grace to access objects of prosperity and I think I would have been inebriated by reason of potential facts to be bought over without overtures for apology. The turn of events has betrayed me, as the Amazonian appearance seems eclipsed in want of conviction that some empirical evaluation can unfold. It will actually take a critical and closer look to fathom the true picture of the state of events as people are not divorced from news of deceit and the truth that is spoken is not heard because there is no medium of dissemination, and people are utterly helpless as the operational option is the blockade of their hearing device. Whatever anybody’s idiosyncrasies are, what is important is the way such impact on the organized social structure. If it is beneficial, the society progresses and minds are at rest even if there is scarcity because this will be considered to be naturally conditional and that the passage of time will see to its extinction. If it is dysfunctional and counter-productive, everybody will appear bored with life as the situation is most likely to be chaotic and frustrating and it is the disappearance of it or lack of it that will prompt the ebullience that will radiate the faces of creatures that are morose and gloomy. IF the present legacy is maintained, the life expectancy of our people will dwindle, so much that the absence of diseases and epidemics will no longer guarantee longevity, both of lives and of structure. Values will not endure and human identity will lose its essence, and the linkage between the past and the future will become extinct: The implication of this is that there will be no continuity as only logs of wood will be trailing our streets while men of substance and valour would have gone into oblivion. Thuggery and hooliganism are today’s Osun State political emblem and they stand condemnable in their entirety. Assassination, victimization, framing and other vices will not blow us any good and these and other evil concupiscence that are prevalent in our political arena will only succeed in eroding succession principle which is paramount to national survival. Condemnation awaits those who derive joy in the condemnable. God cannot in any way be fooled as it is people’s reaction to His testaments that will determine the nature of His attitude; whether it will be judgment or justification. Nobody owns his or her body and soul and they are accountable to their owner who will come in due season to give His verdict. Evil doers are today called to repentance and it is God that is showing us His mercy. God has the discretional power to determine our fate including what happens to us hereafter. By Samuel Ajani

Oyinlola’s Latest Fraudulent Transaction

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:36:44 +0000

IF Osun State still had anything resembling a state legislature, by now articles of impeachment would have been submitted. Just as one is tempted to think it cant get worse for the long suffering people of Osun State, another of all scams pops up! Even in the theatre of the absurd, which Osun State has become, it is difficult to work out any connection between Olagunsoye Oyinlola, pretender ‘governor’ of Osun State and matters relating to culture. However, in the constant search for misfortune, the halpless governor has put his inglorious foot in again. Nigeria’s greatly cherished Nobel Laureat the inestimable patriot Prof Wole Soyinka has threatened to sue former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his presidential library’s alleged appropriation of the personal archives of German arts scholar Ulli Biere and wife Georgina as part of its collections. As Professor Soyinka has pointed out, impostor ‘governor’ Olagunsoye Oyinlola, giving scant regards to the interest of Osun State as usual, has with reckless abandon appropriated intellectual property which belongs to the people of Osun State to the Obasanjo library. This is of course in line with the irresponsible and cow-a-liar-attitude to public property associated with the Okuku-born prince and the court of jesters over whom he presides. It will be recalled that in the recent past, Oyinlola’s wife suddenly became the ‘owner’ of her pet projects property financed with a N50 million donation from the state in addition to sundry donations from the state’s local governments and a myraid of the beneficiaries of inflated Osun State government contracts. Inspite of justified public outcry, they think they have gotten away with this heinous crime, so the serial looters have moved on to another looting project. Thank God, the eagle-eyed, Prof Soyinka is adamant that they wont get away with the latest scam. Qnite rightly too! In the words of the Nobel Laureate: “If there is justice left in this country, some should be in the dock, it is the property of Osun State, Oyinlola has no right to donate. “Oyinlola will have cause sooner rather than later to explain his role in this unsavoury business. The funds of the people of Osun State were used to obtain the papers and articfact. The proper abode for them is in Osogbo the Osun State Capital. Oyinlola does not have the moral, political or legal right to transfer them to Obasanjo’s personal library. This is a fraudulent transaction and it must be reversed immediately! To butters the point, Prof Soyinka has pointed out that the paper before the UNESCO on the transfer of the archives had been manipulated to reflect the Obasanjo Library as the institute to house them. This is a grotesque misrepresentation of the truth. This is because the original Memorandum of Understanding between Ulli Biere, his wife and the Federal Tourism Ministry never mentioned transferring the archives to Obasanjo. This being the case, what we are witnessing is a fraud, for as Prof Soyinka has pointed out the MOU between Bierre and the government is that the archives would be housed at a new centre in Osogbo called the Ulli Bierre Foundation, which should be managed by a board made up of representatives from Osun State government, the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and the University of Ibadan. Prof Soyinka has confirmed that Ulli Biere has confirmed that there was no time he gave his ascent to a transfer to the Obasanjo Library project. The people of Osun State must rise up and use every constitutional means to checkmate this fraudulent attempt to transfer a key state asset. For one, tourism funds will be lost forever if the artifacts are transferred out of Osun State. Surely Osun State needs every source of internally generated revenue. If Olagunsoye Oyinlola wants to express his gratitude to Obasanjo for foisting him on the hapless people of Osun State, there is a lot of ways he can do this. He can transfer his family’s personal assets artifacts. He will however not be allowed to play Father Christmas with Osun State assets. Enough of this nonsense!

Okiro Shuns Secret Talks With Oyinlola

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:52:59 +0000

EFFORTS by the embattled Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to hold a secret talk with the top echelon of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) met a brickwall during the week, as the Inspector – General of Police (IGP), Mr Mike Okiro turned down the governor’s request politely. According to an investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER during a retreat for top police officers hosted by Osun State Government, held at Miccom Golf Resort, Ada, Boripe Local Government Council Area of the State, the governor reportedly sent one of his men to the IG, with the aim of informing him on the need to hold a clandestine meeting with the governor on certain raging issues in the state. Findings further revealed that the super cop reportedly informed the governor’s men that he would see to it before the end of the retreat, premising his delay on the need to confer with his (Okiro) men on some pertinent security issues. It was gathered from a tipster that Okiro called on a stop ranking police officer, who had earlier-on manned the zone 11 to brief him about the plausible matters that could be put to him by the governor. OSUN DEFENDER was hinted that the senior cop reportedly informed the number one policeman to do everything possible to avoid the clandestine talks with the governor, arguing that the opposition in the state has its ears on the ground. It was learnt that the super cop reportedly received a telephone call from the governor when the discussion was on, but his (Okiro) response was sharp and complimentary. When he ended the phone call, according to the source, the super cop further asked his man to brief him the more on the development in the state, he (Okiro) was mouth-agaped to hear about the painstaking efforts of opposition and eagle-eyed journalists in pinning down the nocturnal conversations between the judges of the election petitions tribunal and a lawyer to the governor. Pleading with IG to shelve the secret meeting, the senior police officer further reiterated that the police institution may be dragged into the murky water of politics in the state, should Okiro allow the meeting to take place. Information has it that the super cop then tasked the State Commissioner of Police (CP) John Moronike to speak with the governor on his behalf, saying that he would be too engaged at the retreat. A source close to the Oke-Fia Government House said that the governor reportedly waved the matter aside when the CP spoke with him, saying that he only wanted to have a courtesy company with the super cop. When the CP reportedly fed the IG back on the development, information further has it that Okiro expressed his reservation and soliloquizing something suggestive of 'Thank God, I would have walked myself into a web'. Findings exclusively revealed that the governor chose to host the police retreat in order to curry favour from the police authority with aim of nailing the opposition that is stifling his government with petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It would be recalled that opposition political parties and the 11 members of the Action Congress (AC) in the House of Assembly have petitioned the EFCC about some alleged fraudulent practices of the state government, as touching the deduction of local government funds and the illegal lodgment. A political pundit, who spoke on the matter said that the embattled state helmsman has a lot to cover, saying that he (governor) is still looking for a way to subdue the rampaging opposition of the state. “Remember, the governor could not substantiate his concorted bomb blast drama and the whole thing faded away; he came up with other drama series, his antic were discovered. So, he would want to explore any means possible, the secret talks with IG inclusive,” said the pundit. Meanwhile, the Inspector – General has said that the police authority would do everything to eliminate check-point corruptions, saying that it was insulting that men of Nigeria police are still collecting N20 from motorists. “We will check corruption in the police force and eliminate N20 collection at check points. It is an insult that our men are still harassing motorists over N20,” said Okiro. In another development, the impact of the retreat was felt in town, as Osogbo, the State Capital was filled with men of Nigeria Police, traffic section, controlling vehicular movements.

OSUN DEFENDER Promotes Two, Appoints One

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:43:43 +0000

IN order to reward steadfastness, efficiency, hardwork and commitment to work, the management of the people oriented OSUN DEFENDER newspaper has moved up two of its staff with the appointment of a new one. In the new arrangement, Mr. Kola Olabisi, who was the pioneer Editor of the newspaper is now its Managing Editor, while Mr. Kayode Agbaje, former senior reporter in the establishment is now the Editor with Mr. Kola Odepeju’s appointment as Lagos Editor. The promotions and appointment are with immediate effect. According to a statement from the newspaper’s management in Osogbo on Tuesday, the management of the newspaper was not unmindful of the unalloyed commitment and maximum exhibition of professional wherewithal to ensure the establishment and sustainability of the newspaper which Olabisi demonstrated during the period of his editorship from foundation to date. “One good turn deserved another. The management of OSUN DEFENDER Newspaper is not unmindful of your unflinching commitment laced with demonstration of professional expertise to ensure the foundation and continuous existence of the newspaper which today in Osun and beyond, is the darling of progressive-minded people. “It’s simply irresistibly necessary to reward you with the hope that you will continue to provide your leadership role for the establishment which you staked everything you have, including life, to ensure its existence,” the management told the immediate past editor. The management also enjoined the new Editor and the Lagos Editor to work in tandem in the overall interest of the newspaper. Olabisi who cut his journalism teeth at the defunct Concord Press of Nigeria in 1988 as a sub-Editor and Daily Times of Nigeria PLC was at various times a proof reader, reporter, features writer, senior sub Editor, production Editor and State Editor. The pioneer Managing Editor of OSUN DEFENDER who is a product of Thomson Foundation of Great Britain, possesses a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Book Publishing from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Diploma in Journalism from Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos and Advanced Diploma In Journalism from Times Journalism Institute, Lagos. Olabisi attended Saint John’s Grammar School, Oke-Atan, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Agbaje, the new Editor attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State and Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta where he bagged National Diploma and a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communications respectively also a product of Gbongan/Odeomu Anglican Grammar School, Gbongan Osun State. He had worked with various newspapers. Odepeju newly appointed as Lagos Editor of Osun Defender holds a Bachelor in Arts degree in linguistics from Ondo State University Ado-Ekiti now University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD) in 1994 and, currently on a master is degree programme in international Relations at Lagos State University. He has had several articles and write-ups published in several prominent Nigerian and foreign newspapers and magazines. The Lagos Editor is also an Author and a poet with two books and numerous poems to his credit. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

Ilesa PDP Chieftain Arraigned For Rape

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:47:40 +0000

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilesa, Osun state, Chief Gani Oladiran, who was fingered as a mastermind in the rape of one teenage girl, Miss. Tosin Ajakaye and others have been finally arraigned before an Osogbo magistrate court on Monday. The rattled politician, who was turned-in by the state government after a hide-and-seek game employed by the PDP controlled government, looked thoroughly dejected, a situation that suggested that he has been caught in the political intrigue of those who he might be trying to impress. Oladiran, appeared in court ruffled and unkempt, standing in the dock, downcast, while the proceedings lasted, suggestive of a sacrificial lamb of the PDP controlled State Government, that has no hiding place on the matter again. OSUN DEFENDER further gathered that the pressure that finally compelled the state government to turn the former auto dealer turned politician in emanated from some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that have taken the rape issue to an international dimension. It would be recalled that some PDP thugs, aftermath of the crisis- ridden last year’s general elections pounced on 17-year old Ajakaye, who was on errand for her poor mother, taking her to Oladiran’s residence before she was reportedly violated. It was said that the suspected political thugs loyal to Oladiran were using a broken bottle to shave her (Ajakaye’s) pubic hair, asking her to swallow by force, before they reportedly descended on her one after the other; she lost her virginity in the process. Besides, some perceived members of the opposition Action Congress (AC) were waylaid on the street, brutalized and made to pass through torture of various degrees in the same residence of Oladiran, who had just defected to PDP at the wake of the controversial elections. Ajakaye was rushed to the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun state capital, before she was referred to the Lagos state teaching hospital for further treatment. By GOKE BUTIKA

Prostitute Found Dead In Ife

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:50:23 +0000

A middle-aged single mother, simply identified as Adenike in Gbodo area, of Ife East Local Government Area of Osun State was found gruesomely murdered by unknown assailants in her home early this week. OSUN DEFENDERinvestigation revealed that the woman of easy virtue might be murdered by one of her customers who had taken to his heels after committing the dastardly act. While speaking with residents of Gbodo area about the ugly incident, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Adenike, a mother of three children and an only daughter of her parents had for several years converted her father’s residence into a brothel. It was also gathered that the deceased had her three children for different fathers and that recently the first husband to the deceased came to claim his 21 year old son, which she had for him, only to be told that the boy belonged to another man. Living in the same house with the deceased as at the time of her murder were other single mothers and free girls, who were gathered to be selling their bodies for financial gains, but immediately after the ugly incident, all in the house took to her heels for fear of police arrest. Adenike, who was allegedly hit on the head with an object suspected to be a big stone while sleeping on Monday night by unknown assailants, according to OSUN DEFENDER investigation earlier went to bed with in unknown customer on Monday night without any premonition of her death. It was also gathered that none of her other colleagues in the illicit trade could ascertain the identity of her suspected killer, as at the time of her murder. Investigation also revealed that the big stone which the deceased always used to roll at the back of her room door was used to smashed her head, before the unknown assailant took to his heels having accomplished his mission. A relation of the deceased, who prefer anonymity said the death of Adenike will rid the compound of sex-hawkers and undesirable elements who had made life unbearable for other residents of the area. Meanwhile, the remain of the prostitute had since been deposited at Obafemi Awolowo Teaching hospital by men of Nigeria police from “Division C” Agbanaun Ile-Ife. A police source confirmed the incident and claimed that the men of Nigeria policemen were on the heels of the unknown assailant of the deceased and that Adenike’s corpse was yet to be released to her relations. By SOLA JACOBS

Don Carpets Partisan Monarchs

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:34:32 +0000

A university don, Dr. Tayo Alegbeleye has carpeted the ignoble role of traditional rulers in the current political dispensation, saying that they have deviated from the role of custodians of culture and values of their domains. Tracing the history of the traditional institution pre and post-Nigeria independence, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) lecturer said that the natural fathers of the past had contributed meaningfully to the development of their respective towns and villages. Frowning at the way and manner the revered traditional institution was dragged in the mud for monetary gains, Alegbeleye said that traditional rulers now have become part of the problems for their subjects. “Our traditional forbears had contributed meaningfully well to the development of their nations and tribes, demanding for the collective benefits of the communities; but things have changed now, our traditional rulers could be passed for brief-case contractors, who are only chasing few crumbs on the table of politicians for their personal interests,” said the don. The academic however charged the traditional rulers to retrace their steps, arguing that the era of an obaship should matter to them, not monetary gains. It would be recalled that the Osun State Council of traditional rulers and chiefs was dragged into political fray during the last year electioneering campaign, where they reportedly pitched their tent with the incumbent Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Alegbeleye then submitted that the only way the nation could attain her greatness is to administer a surgical operation to the societal decadence. Calling on the government and the traditional institutions to reprioritize the development of the nation, the don said that the resultant effect of long neglect was the violence in the Niger-Delta. By SOLA JACOBS

How Atitebi Sold Dummy To Commissioner

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:43:33 +0000

IN a bid to cover its ineptitude, the Area Administrator of Ife East Area office in Modakeke, Osun State, Alhaji Rasaq Atitebi has commissioned a fish pond project which was said to have been renovated instead of construction of a road project which was supposed to be constructed at the area office, which he claimed cost N2.5 million, OSUN DEFENDER investigation had revealed. The investigation further revealed that the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affair, who also doubles as the chairman of committee set up by the state government to monitor road construction projects in the state, visited the Area Office so as to inspect the Alapata road construction, which is one of the roads approved by the Osun State government. It was also learnt that the Alapata road, which the visiting commissioner had gone to inspect though had been abandoned and not much had been done before the contractor abandoned the road project. OSUN DEFENDER, also revealed that during the visit of the commissioner, he and the Area Officer visited the abandoned road project, where he expressed his dismay at the level of the work done so far, after which the Area Administrator led him to the fish pond situated close to the area office secretariat. It was also revealed that Atitebi told the visiting commissioner that he constructed the fish-pond, as part of his efforts to provide food for the people of Modakeke. OSUN DEFENDER’s investigation also revealed that the fish pond was also renovated during the tenure of Mr. Ade Adegbite, former administrator of the area office which Atitebi also claimed to have constructed with N2.5 million. It was also revealed, to OSUN DEFENDER in Modakeke that the administrator had been using projects in the local government as a conduit pipe to siphon money from the treasury of the Area Office. It was learnt that the administrator used the opportunity of the commissioner’s visit to placate the state government over his squandering of allocations meant for developing the ancient town including repairs of the Alapata road. Sources close to the Area Office disclosed that Atitebi is so reckless in spending public funds to the extent that he (Area Administrator) has incurred multi-million debt for incoming administration in the Area Office. By SOLA JACOBS

PDP Sets To Influence Future Polling Units

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:17:33 +0000

THE Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) chairmen for Ilesa East and West Local Government Councils in Osun State have concluded plans to have the proposed polling units where registered voters are expected to cast their future votes restructured to stand in front of houses of party stalwarts in the council areas, OSUN DEFENDER can now inform. In a memo to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state and signed by the council chairmen, Isaac Komolafe and Ibukun Fadipe, requested for the creation of Ijesa Central Federal Constituency from the existing Ijesa South Federal Constituency said to be the most populated in the state and about the largest geographically going by the last population census. The memo which stated that the Ijesa South Federal Constituency was made up of the two councils in Ilesa and the Atakumosa East and West Local governments in the adjourning Ijesaland, however dictated which wards to be split and where the proposed polling units in the constituency to be sited. The duo of Komolafe and Fadipe applied for the breaking up of ward 2, Imo into two , ward 9 Anaye into two and ward 10 Isare into three, to serve the party’s parochial political interest. They demanded in the memo that the proposed polling booths should be erected in the immediate vicinity of the leaders of the party in the affected areas. One of the proposed polling units, Olukanni House Frontage, Isona Street, faces directly beside the house of Col. Wole Olukanni (retired), a PDP chieftain and chairman of the Governing Council of Osun State College Education Ilesa. Another polling unit, Makinwa Model Primary School, Oke-Iyanu, is said to be in the neighbourhood of the extended family house of the Ilesa East council chairman, while fingers are pointing at the Barakuda shop frontage polling unit, Okesa, said to be owned by Chief Olori Omo, a PDP tin god. By FEMI OLUSESI

NBC Slams OSBC Again

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:46:22 +0000

OSUN State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) is no longer at ease as its partisan information dissemination has run it into trouble lately before the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). It was gathered that the State-owned broadcasting outfit may be heavily sanctioned, if it remains adamant in its style of denying members of the opposition fair hearing in its political news reporting. OSUN DEFENDER further learnt that the controversial radio and television station had earlier been slammed with various fines of N200,000, N250,000 and N70,000 respectively lately for not conforming with the laid down ethical standard. Our source inside the government-controlled station revealed that NBC had in recent past slammed N200,000 against OSBC, when the regulating body investigated a petition alleging bias and favoritism in its news reporting and found the station guilty. According to our source, the management of the station was specifically warned against. Partisan stand on any sensitive issue, reiterating that the commission would not hesitate to close down any erring station. Besides, findings revealed that another N250,000 was recently slammed on the station with a strongly worded letter to the management to ensuring professionalism, instead of being used as a political weapon. Information has it that the station authority could not fault a detailed petition before the commission on its political broadcast, arguing that the payer of the piper is hell bent in calling the tune. OSUN DEFENDER has it on good authority that another N70,000 fine from NBC to OSBC lapsed on Wednesday, for another bias and unethical standard. Speaking on the development, a Chieftain of Action Congress (AC) Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede who had earlier petitioned NBC on the bias political coverage of OSBC, said that the station could not change, saying that they (staff and management) have tied their apron to the strong of the politicians on the corridor of power. “Leopard cannot change its spot, the management of OSBC are politicians, not men of pen profession. They will continue to be bias in their responsibilities, no doubt about that, because they have tied their apron to the string of the oppressors in power. By GOKE BUTIKA

TRIBUNAL SCANDAL LATEST: Lawyer Faults Kalejaiye’s Silence

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:17:44 +0000

THE Vice-chairman, Osogbo chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Barrister Abiodun Olaide has lambasted the counsel to the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola at the Justice Thomas Naron-led Election Petitions Tribunal that sat in the state, Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN), for not having sued The NEWS magazine, despite all his mouth-making to sue the media over the alleged secret telephone conversations between the tribunal chairman and the counsel. Speaking to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo on Tuesday, the Attorney, who left the position of magistrate in the state, said that he was disappointed to see the senior counsel still keeping mute over the matter despite the seriousness of the allegations. According to him, for a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to have kept quiet on such a sensitive issue, it shows that the allegations may be the true story of the matter, saying that he would be more disappointed if the allegations eventually turned out to be true. He said: “As young as I am in the bar, if such a thing happened and I knew that it was a lie, I would have taken the matter to court on the following day, but for a SAN, who has lawyers in his chamber to have kept quiet on such a sensitive issue, it shows that the allegations may be true. “I am not saying that it is true, but if it is eventually confirmed that the allegation is true, it is an aberration and a damnable happening, because it will affect the law profession and the SAN himself, which may even relief him of his SANship. “Though, they claimed that the allegation was not true and the call logs of both the tribunal chairman and the involved senior counsel were obtained illegally, but that is not the issue, because illegally obtained evidence is admissible. Even if you go to police custody and steal a document, you may be charged for stealing later, but court will admit it once it is relevant to the matter at hand”, Olaide explained. “I think the fear of the SAN not to have gone to court may be that if eventually he goes to court and the matter turns out to be true, he may be in more trouble”, predicted. While declining the rumour milling the rounds among politicians of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) extraction that the national secretariat of the NBA has discountenance the petitions on the allegation of the telephone conversation between Justice Naron and Kalejaiye, Olaide insisted that the information is total falsehood. The Attorney then cleared the air that the NBA only stepped down its action to await the result of investigations of the National Judicial Council (NJC), calling on the NJC to speed up action on the allegations and ensure that the culprits are brought to book. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

Olokuku Palace Raid: Police Parade Suspects

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:29:04 +0000

BARELY one month after palace raid that stripped the palace of Olokuku of Okuku, Oba Oyebode Oluronke the home-town of the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola naked of its paraphernalia by some unknown gunmen, the Osun State Police Commands has on Wednesday paraded five suspects allegedly believed to have carried out the unholy act. It would be recalled that unknown gunmen recently ransacked the palace, subjected the monarch to torture and carted away crowns, staff of office, traditional horse tail, beads and the first ancestral regalia and others including cars and valuables, a situation that had been traced to the cold war that had been raging among the royal houses allegedly orchestrated by Oyinlola’s family. An information has it then that Oyinlola’s family had started lobbying the six powerful kingmakers (Iwefa mefa) in Okuku, the headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government Council Area, to cooperate with their plot to ensure the carving out of a separate Oyinlola’s ruling house with a view to facilitating Governor Oyinlola’s plan to mount the throne if eventually defeated by the Action Congress (AC) Governorship candidate, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola at the Appeal Court. However, the paraded suspects comprising two Senegalese and three Nigerians have claimed that they were sculptors and painters making crowns for sale, arguing that they knew nothing about what they were accused of. The three Nigerians – Solomon Adebayo, Ganiyu Adeyemi, Kola Adeola and the two Senegalese – Tanko Adrian and Musa Coulibaly claimed that they were framed-up in the act. While insisting that no ancient beaded crown was found in their custody, the suspects maintained that they only made traditional crowns and shoes for commercial purpose, during their parade by the police. But the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr. Joshua Olayemi who spoke to journalists stated that the arrest was informed by a tip-off. Olayemi said that one of the suspects, Adeyemi is an indigene of Okuku with filial relationship with Olokuku. He said: “Adeyemi show up after his wife was arrested in Osogbo. He led us to Ibadan where we arrested three of the suspects’’ Meanwhile it was gathered that security officers have invited the monarch to come and check if any of the materials retrieved from the suspects belongs to him. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

“No Osun Lawyer Spoke At Onitsha NBA Meeting” – Osogbo NBA Vice-Chair

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:39:38 +0000

Barrister Abiodun Olaide is a practicing legal practitioner in Osogbo, Osun State Capital. In this interview with OSUN DEFENDER man KAZEEM MOHAMMED, he spoke extensively on the controversial proceedings of Justice Thomas Damar Naron–led Election Petitions Tribunal that sat in the state, general situation of judiciary, as well as some related issues affecting the judiciary among others. Excerpt:- OSDF: Can we meet you sir? Olaide: I am Barrister Biodun Olaide, I was a former magistrate in Osun State. I am currently a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. I am also a practicing legal practitioner having resigned from my former appointment. Osdf: Can you tell us a little about your educational background? Olaide: I attended St. John Primary School Oba-Ile, Aderounmu Grammar School, Oba-Ile and St. Andrews College, Oyo, I also attended Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife where I read law and I passed out in 1997. I later went to the Nigerian Law School and concluded in 1998 and I was called to bar in 1999. I have done my mastes degree in the same University (OAU) and I am currently pursuing my PhD at the same university where I am a lecturer too. Osdf: Why did you leave the bench for the bar? Olaide: Well, the bench is good and for those who are there, I wish them good luck. But, I read law, because of the joy of advocacy and when you go to the bench, advocacy is no more possible. Also, if you want to go to the bench and you go there at the early stage of your practice, you would not enjoy the beauty of law, because the beauty of law is in the practice. So, I went into magistracy because of the employment then and I enjoyed it at that time, but after five years, I felt the urge to pursue further education and to be in practice for sometimes. Meanwhile, I have no quarrel with the judiciary, because it is still my workshop and I go there everyday. I left the place peacefully because I gave them 30 days notice. I left the bench to enjoy the taste of the practice and I am there now enjoying it. Osdf: What were the challenges when you were on the bench? Olaide: There were a lot of challenges when I was on the bench and I am still having it now. One of the challenges is that at the bench, we were being treated as a judiciary official and we are not. So to say, magistracy is like a restrictive job. You can not really do what other colleagues could do, because you are under watch of the state government. When I was a magistrate, if I have any ceremony, I don’t invite lawyers because, if they come they would give you money, while some of them have cases before you. So, I don’t take any gift from any lawyer because I know that through the gift, you may not be free to deliver your responsibility as expected. Also, the government was there preventing you from carrying out your responsibility with fairness. In some case you may receive phone calls from different government officials showing their interest but I took some courage to do the right things at that time. As a result of these, we were able to react and sometimes we fired petition that we would go on strike for the first time which made them to call us militant magistrates which was not really normal. This is so because, as a magistrate you can not be heard but then we made some move and we did not relent from it as we stood by our struggle. There was a time when they brought a chief registrar of the State High Court from outside, but we the magistrate kicked against it, we wrote a petition and the governor removed him about five or six month after. So, it was not easy for us then because a lot of us who were in the forefront of the struggle were tagged rebels, but one must have courage. Just make sure that there is no skeleton in your cupboard. If you have a clean record, you have nothing to fear since you know what you are fighting and make sure that you don’t fight an unjust course. Osdf: Justice Thomas Naron tribunal has come to Osun State and gone back, but its verdict has generated a lot of controversies. What is your appraisal of the sitting of the panel? Olaide: I was privileged to be part of the team. Though, I was not directly involved in the governorship petition but I handled some of the house of assembly petitions. The proceedings started well and when it started, a lot of applications were presented by the petitioners and granted by the tribunal and people were happy that the tribunal was impartial because it treated each party equally then. That was what the second panel of Hamma Barka did just as he treated all parties equally, he accepted documents once it is relevant and he hardly referred to practice direction, but guided majorly by justice and relevance. But in the Naron tribunal, suddenly we discovered that there was a change as a lot of relevant documents tendered were rejected. For instance on the issue of the overall result of the governorship that was omitted, everybody knew that it was an omission and it can happen to anybody especially when you have so many things cumbersome to attend to. So, the result can not be ordinarily omitted, because it is part of the pleading and as a result, an impartial judge will take it without problems, he may even ask for it on his own that, you have not tendered the result, go and bring it. The tribunal also rejected the ballot papers. There is no where you can handle the election petition matter without considering the ballot papers. Even if they don’t tender it, as a judge, you can ask for them that 'look I want to see the ballot papers'. In Ondo State for instance, elections were recounted in the open court and the same thing also happened at the second tribunal of Barka in Osogbo here, where we recounted the votes in some of the senatorial petitions. Though we did not win the case but at least we have a good trial and we had reasonable things to work on. At the Naron tribunal, the whole thing was so bastardized and muddled up because so many evidence were rejected. For example subpoenas were filed and when a subpoena is filed it is usually done on the order of a court. Subpoena is an application by the court and not by any of the litigants. You subpoena somebody that you can not call or that cannot voluntarily answer your call as your witness. INEC officials are respondents in our case and there is no way we can call them personally to give evidence for us but when we discovered that there were some things for them to explain on the elections materials used for the election, we subpoenaed them to come and explain some certain issues. They did the same thing in Edo, Ondo and some other states, where INEC officials were ordered to enter into the witness box, but in Osun State here the reverse was the case. Even in the judgment, the tribunal even referred to it that the documents we tendered were just dropped and no witness was called to interpret them, whereas it was the same tribunal that disallowed the INEC official from explaining them. Can you see the contradiction? If there should be any witness to explain those documents it should be the INEC official because it is the INEC documents. They were tendered really, but there was nothing they could do about it without explanation. Though some documents are self-explanatory but not in an election matter, because if there is any discrepancies or omission you need to ask the officer in charge of the document. These are the way you can get to the roots of the matter. Let me tell you, the petitioners in the governorship election matter has the best legal team in Nigeria. At least I can mention Kola Awodein, Professor Osipitan, Akeredolu, Edosonwan, Akintola and they are all SAN’s and they had won many cases. They are all very good lawyers but the case was muddled up that even there is no best lawyer that can succeed before a difficult judge. However brilliant you are, as a lawyer, you would be frustrated. Another example is on the Adrian Forty forensic evidence. The same evidence was accepted in Ondo, Ekiti and some other states but reverse was the case before the Naron tribunal in Osun State. The same tribunal gave us the order to go and inspect but when we got to the INEC office in Osogbo, they said that we would not be allowed to scan and we got back to the court for another order and they gave us another order to scan and we did the scanning. After the scanning and the physical inspection, it was the scanned material that was taken to UK for laboratory test because they are not doing it in Nigeria here, but only for the tribunal to reject both the forensic and physical inspection. The question is why giving the order? The maxim is that, “Equity does nothing in vain.” You can’t give order in vain. Why the order to scan and inspect? Is it for fun? These are the things that made the whole thing complicated. At this we knew that we had a problem. So, there are so many contradictions in the rulings of the tribunal. If the respondents in that matter brings and application it would scale through but if we bring a similar application, the tribunal would have to depart from the previous ruling and that show that there are a lot of problems with that tribunal. Osdf: There are insinuations from the respondents that the petitions were not well prepared. Assuming there is a mistake, can the tribunal makes some corrections or not, Just to ensure that justice is done? Olaide: There was no any mistake anywhere: The petitions were prepared the way they should be prepared. Anybody who want to say that there was a mistake should go and bring Edo State petition, Ondo State petition and tell where our petition affect admission of evidence. That was the rumour they are making. How can you tell me that the lawyers did not do well when the judges of the tribunal are biased? The judges of the tribunal said that we call party supervisors as witnesses and they are not recognized by law. What tells you that Electoral Act did not recognize supervisors? There is nothing like that, there is no provision for witnesses. Anybody who witnesses the election can come and testify, it may be a voter and those that testified for us are also voters in their units but they only said that they moved round polling units. Even if you don’t want to believe the other units, what about the units where they voted. And if you supervise, you can gather information, you can testify and you can tender documents and that does not amount to hearsay. Hearsay is when you are giving evidence on what you don’t know, but in this situation the witnesses were on the field and they witnessed what happened. Also, oral evidence can not treat the election matter alone, but why was the tribunal now hammering on the oral evidence alone? If the tribunal had accepted all our evidence including the security report, they would not be saying that the petitions were not well prepared. They said that the police report, which is so damaging to the respondents is not a public document because it is marked ‘secret’, whereas whatever report that comes from police is a public document once it is received officially. If it is not a public document the police would not release the Certified True Copy (CTC) to us. It is because the police report is damnable, it affects all the areas that we are contesting as if they knew where we are going, but the tribunal said that it is marked secret. There is no law that says that. The issue is that the tribunal had made up its mind. You can see that out of about 34 petitions filed in Osun State, no one scaled through. There is no where it happened across the country where so many petitions were filed including House of Assembly, House of Representatives and no one scaled through. Osdf: Are you saying that the tribunal was bias? Olaide: Yes, the Osun tribunal was biased. Towards the end of the proceedings, the final outcry and the revelation of The News magazine confirmed the fear that there must be some thing gone wrong in the middle of the way. The tribunal decided to play a dirty role by doing the whole work for the respondents. You can even see it in their faces that everything that the respondents’ lawyers say would be answer. Osdf: What do you think could be the consequences of the verdict of the tribunal especially on governorship matter? Olaide: I can tell you with all sense of responsibility that that case would be retried. Note that, the case would be retried. We can not fight it on merit. Although we know that the Appeal Court will cancel the judgment, but they can not do it without calling witnesses that have been disallowed by the tribunal. That is our first prayer at the court of appeal that the case should be remitted back for retrial before a fresh panel that would be set up by the President, Court of Appeal. That is the only way the matter could be handled. Osdf: But there was this belief from the government corners in the state that the case can not be re-opened. What do you see to that? Olaide: It is not so, in fact this is not a matter of re-opening but for the appeal court to remit it back for retrial. If it is only on documentary evidence like the report of Adrian Forty, the appeal can even admit them. Appeal Court can admit document that are illegally rejected but the witnesses like INEC officials that we want to call are vital. We want them to come in and talk, but if the appeal court sees that they can look at the documents and do justice, they may act on it. They can admit documents that are unlawfully rejected by the lower court. Osdf: Is it true that each counsel would address the appeal court for just 30 minutes? Olaide: Yes, that is rule. Normally in the appeal, you don’t talk too much but you file your brief and we call it brief of argument which is even better. In your chamber, you compile all the exhibits and every other thing. All you need to do before the appeal is just to summarize your brief that had already been compiled and the court would just adjourn for judgment. Osdf: What is your comment on the allegation of telephone conversation between Justice Naron and Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN), counsel to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola? Olaide: Well, my comment may be very scanty now, because the matter is still under investigation and there is need to verify the veracity of the report on the alleged secret conversation, because the suspects are also claiming that the allegation was not true. Although they said that the call log was obtained illegally, but that is not the issue because the illegally obtained evidence is admissible. If you go to the police custody and steal a document, they may charge you for stealing or whatever later, but court will admit it once it is relevant to the matter at hand. If eventually it is confirmed that the judges and the lawyer involved did what they were alleged of, it is a terrible thing. So, we are still waiting for the confirmation from the MTN and MTN would have to release the call logs of those involved officially. Meanwhile, as young as I am in the bar, if such a thing happened and I knew that it was a lie, I would have taken the matter to the court in the following day, but for SAN who has lawyers in his chamber to have kept quiet on such a sensitive issue, it shows that the allegations may be true. So, he should have gone to court, but if eventually he goes to the court and the allegation eventually turned to be the true story of what happened, he may be in trouble. I think that is the fear of the senior lawyer. As at now, the SAN is not sueing and the judges are not talking, but if it is eventually confirmed, it is an aberration and a damnable happening, because it will affect the law profession and the SAN himself which may even relief him of his SANship. So, since the matter is before the National Judicial Council (NJC), after the investigation when MTN may have released all the necessary documents, we may now talk more on the issue. Osdf: There was rumour milling the rounds and it was even sponsored on the state radio that the NBA has discountenanced the complaints from different angles on the matter at its national meeting in Onitsha recently. How true is the rumour? Olaide: I was at Onitsha, I was even present at the meeting and nothing of such ever happened there. For such misinformation sponsored on the radio, I have written a letter to the management of OSBC to retract the said information. The mischievous information was actually sponsored on the Osun radio (OSBC) it was paid for and I learnt that the wrong information was sponsored by Gani Ola-oluwa, the chairman of Olorunda Local Government. Neither Ola-oluwa nor OSBC is a lawyer and even if they are, they were not at the meeting in Onitsha. I was at Onitsha and I can say it anywhere that nothing like discountenance was discussed. It was true that when we were discussing corruption on the bench generally, one of the senior lawyers from Lagos raised the issue on Osun State tribunal and he said that the gathering must take some positions on it, but the National President, Olisah Agbakoba said that they should keep the matter for now, because it is already before the NJC. Since we can not try judges but we can try our lawyers and the matter is already before NJC, the result of the NJC trial will determine our own action and that was all. In fact there was no any Osun lawyer that talks at that meeting throughout and anybody can come and confront me on that. So, I don’t see any reason why anybody could have sponsored such misinformation on the radio just to drag the NBA Osogbo into politics, as if we were fighting with Lagos NBA and whoever that sponsored it has sponsored falsehood. On behalf of myself, I wrote to the radio station to retract the wrong information. At our last meeting of Osogbo NBA on the 5th of August, I raised the issue that we should write a rejoinder, but it is as if some people at that meeting are serving a particular interest and they did not allow the issue to reign. But as a vice-chairman of the Osogbo NBA, I wrote a letter to OSBC on my behalf and not on behalf of NBA to correct the information. I wrote them to retract the information or else, I will sue both the radio and the sponsor of the mischievous information. Osdf: What is your comment on Osun Judiciary generally? Olaide: I would not want to talk too much on that and in another word it is my former constituency and I have to say one or two things. The judiciary in Osun is okay. We have some judges who are above board and you can be proud of them anywhere in the world. Some of our judges went for election petitions matters in another states and they did very well. Some of the judges in Osun are worst and in Osun judiciary there are some happenings that should not happen in a normal setting. For instance, a chief magistrate of Ilesa district was arrested and detained and nobody uttered a single statement including the NBA which I am a member, either to condemn or to ask any question on why such a thing happened. In a normal setting, it should be an internal issue that should be settled administratively before embarrassing the man openly. It is the first time in the history of Osun State that a chief magistrate was detained over an issue that has no stand. The most baffling thing was that he was arraigned before a junior magistrate, which is very wrong as far as that position is concerned. On that same issue up till now nothing was raised to confirm that the man did what he was detained for. These are some of the things that should not be allowed, but already we are in the system and we need to endure, meanwhile, I am not comfortable with such things. Also, a lawyer, Gbenga Akano was arrested and detained on the same issue of bomb blast and up till now there is no further information on the matter, which is very unfair. Osdf: There was a case involving one Prince Sunday Laoye on the same bomb blast issue of which you were a counsel. The man rejected to be tried at the magistrate court of Olapoju Akintayo but at the High Court and his case was adjourned sinedi, only for him to be bungled back to that same court from where he was sent to prison. Looking at that procedure, is it an appropriate thing to do? Olaide: I was in the court throughout the day of his first arraignment and I appeared in the case. On the day he was re-arraigned illegally and I can say it boldly that he was arraigned illegally, I told the magistrate that the arraignment was illegal. The man had pleaded not to be tried at that court but at the High Court. Even at the high court since then up till date, there is no case against the man and despite the fact that the man pleaded not to be tried at the magistrate court, he was re-arraigned illegally. The issue was that the magistrate adjourned ‘sinedi’ which means indefinitely and you can recall the same matter pending the arraignment of that person at a proper court. The only thing you can do is to write a letter to that effect that you want to try him again and then you can summon him, but anything outside that is illegal. What we saw was that the man was just summoned and I know that some people must have done that behind the door. In fact all the lawyers in that court on that day seriously condemned it, even those who were not involved in the case said that it is not proper and it is illegal, since the case has been adjourned ‘sinedi’. Probably they thought that the man would be killed at the SARS office but reverse was the case which must have been the basis for the illegal summon by the magistrate. It is quite pathetic, because it is still on that same issue of bomb blast and up till today nothing has been filed in that case against the man because there is no any evidence. What we should know is that this state is for all of us and record is there for whatever we do. When eventually you see your record and you now begin to say that I am sorry, my hands are tight, it would be embarrassing. The issue is that there some courts in Osun State that even if the offence is just N1 fine, they would not give you bail on the same day once they know that you belong to the opposition simply because they are acting a prepared script. That is the instructions given to them. It is not because they want peace but just because there is an outstanding instruction. Osdf: There is a rumour miling the rounds that the Osogbo NBA has been bought over by Oyinlola. What do you see to that? Olaide: If they say that Osogbo NBA has been bought over I don’t know about that, but all I know is that if you are talking about the bus given to us by the governor recently with the inscription ‘Oyin ni o’ boldly written on it, that is one of the things that made me to write a letter on the falsehood sponsored on OSBC, because I see it as one of the things they want to use to say that we have been bought over which is not so. Though we have politicians among us and at our last meeting, one of them said that PDP is in his blood but that is personal to him and he even condemned the issue of writing ‘Oyin ni o’ on the bus. I have even made up my mind that I will never enter into that bus again not until they remove the inscription and not because I hated anybody. So, they can’t buy NBA, but the problem we have now is that the current chairman is a government staff and that is why they are saying that we have been bought over. That is also one of the reasons you don’t see NBA coming out with a single statement, either to condemn or commend, but no matter what the government may give us, we will still not compromise because one of our duty is to checkmate. If they give us anything we will take it because it is our money and not their money but we will still checkmate the government. Osdf: It is observed that throughout Osun State, there is no a single SAN residing in the state. What could have caused it? Olaide: There are conditions before you can become a SAN. Firstly you must be ten years at the bar and we have many lawyers that can fulfill that in Osun, but you must have a standard chamber of at least a duplex with about four or five junior lawyers working in that chamber. If you go round the length and breadth of Osun the highest is a rented room and parlour apartment which is not enough for a standard chamber. The cost of standard chamber is very high and there is no enough money in this state, meanwhile, if you don’t have enough money you can not be given a SANship. There are lawyers that can do better in Osun but because people’s beliefs in outsiders is the problem. There are some of them that have cases at the appeal and Supreme Court and they have won. Some of them have tackled SANs and defeated them. Also before you could be given a SANship, you must have a standard library with enough books. So, these are some of the criteria. Politics is also there too. Osdf: What is your advice to the Government, other lawyers and the people of Osun State in general? Olaide: My advice is that government should play the game in accordance with the rule of law. They should know that people have right to comment on government activities or programmes and any government that does not allow that is a psychopath. Government goes government comes, but when you leave, what will be in record is what matters most. The government should leave room for criticism, condemnations and commendations. Also, rule of law should be allowed to prevail, don’t push people to the wall so that they would not turn back and result to self-help. To the lawyers, our work is not just to advocate and make money alone, but we should also put the government to order. Though we need money, but if you have good name, you will have money. If you see a judge that is corrupt, we should fight him to a stand-still. Lawyers should play by the rules and make sure that government is cautioned. To the people of Osun State, they should keep calm, better life would soon come and they will all enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Our Leaders’ Responsibilities

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:38:38 +0000

It is not only disheartening but also irks the collective psyche of the generality of the people over the unsatisfactory treatment running up against some Nigerians living abroad most especially, in some African countries. The recent sickening incidents in Gabon, where a Nigerian had been brutalized by Gabonese police and the xenophobia in South Africa as reported, had confirmed the continued living in fear and trembling of Nigerians in some neighbouring countries. When the news of pathetic misery of Nigerians in the hands of Gabonese police and that of xenophobia in South Africa were reported, it not only sends bad signal to us here at home about the excruciating pain the Nigerians are undergoing in those countries but also acquaints us with the fact of undisclosed same meeting with by Nigerians in some other countries of the world. This certainly contends that the topmost hospitality Nigeria as a country, extends to aliens here has been diametrically opposed to Nigerians in other countries on this noble earth. Despite a hostile attitude towards Nigerians’ in foreign lands, Nigerians could still be ready and willing to seek refuge in those countries. To my understanding, the appalling economic condition of our country believed to have been the major factor forcing people to seek economic refuge in other countries where hopefully, their living standards could be ameliorated. The truth is that our leaders should take cognizance of the fact that it is their responsibilities with a view to taking dauntless step to address the critical issues at hand regarding our ghastly economic condition. At least, our leaders are going abroad and they do see things themselves. They should imitate good things by using our endowed human and material resources judiciously so as to better the lots of Nigerians. As a mater of fact, the way and manner Nigerians are being slapped around in those countries is not fascinating taking into consideration the recent exasperating happenings in Gabon, where a Nigerian could only be exposed to brutal violation of human rights and that of xenophobia in South Africa. It has become perpetual news in our National Dailies the can of worms confronting Nigerians without necessary papers in other countries. For instance, a reported case in United Kingdom when a little girl mistook some firemen who knocked on the door for Immigration police, the ugly situation that led her father perhaps without required documents to have jumped from eighth floor apartment and died instantly. There are avalanche of reported experiences of Nigerians in those countries in their mission to seek economic refuge in other lands. Upon the odium, Nigerians could still be in the zeal to go to other countries in other to improve their living standards not minding inauspicious consequences of their actions in the hostile countries. To make matters worse, a situation where some Nigerians prefer to be jailed abroad than to be a free man here at home calls for serious efforts on the parts of our leaders to urgently do something to put a stop to this trend. And truly, when we talk of the zeal of the people to go abroad, we should realize the fact that people are able to be on easy street in those countries because their leaders have managed the resources of their respected countries judiciously. Of course, until we are prepared to allow competent and serious minded people to manage the affairs of our dear nation and if only genuine efforts are seen to be made by the government to considerably reduce the present high level of hunger and grinding poverty in the country and most especially, the creation of job opportunities for young graduates, it is doubtful whether those who are eager to travel to other countries in a state of some trepidation for their daily breads could be effectively stopped. FOLARIN LAWAL, Folalawa12004@yahoo.com 08038095912, lIe Ife, Osun State.

The Rauf Electoral Revolution

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:45:00 +0000

The name RAUF Symbolizes charting a new course for democracy in Nigeria, as RAUF to me means – Rare gem Advancing the course of democracy to the ultimate height in Nigeria with the fear of God \Allah, through advanced technology. Honestly, people like Engr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola are very rare and probably such rare gems appear on this planet once in a century. The most regrettable thing about their existence on this planet is that, the mission of such rare gems are always frustrated by the agent of darkness, and it is after departure; that they are eulogized with grammatical expressions, such as “The Best president we never had”. The thrilling aspect of the whole thing is, that the same set of people that lamented the departure of such gems, are the agents of devil, frustrating the mission of the rare gem of our time –Engr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola. Worst Still, the demonic forces are the least expected the Obas, Clerics, Judges, Law enforcement Agencies just to mention but a few. We are sending a very serious warning Signal to all these agents of devil, who care to heed this call to reason, that the mission of the rare gem of our time – Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola is different and unique, This is because, the mission was conceived in heaven by Almighty God\Allah Himself, received on the Holly land – Mecca and is being exhibited here in Osun State in particular and Nigeria in general. The point is, the mission conceived by God/Allah’s can never be defeated by agents of Mr devil as the devil (satan) himself is powerless of over God/Allah missions on earth. Sooner than later, All these demonic agents will go to perdition! Amen. The genesis of Rauf Electoral Revolution started long ago, but manifestation started on the day when the Oranmiyan Organizations was to be launched in Osogbo. The desperate move by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola to frustrate this launching, making use of security outfit in Osun State, was dwarfed by the rare gem of our time, Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, who came, launched and left unhurt. The second manifestation of the mission of the Rare gem of our time is the strategic location of the Revolution Site- The Oranmiyan Organization Office in Osogbo. You are bound to have a look, once you pass through that way and there is no way you will not pass by that office as it is the most popular road and only road leading to Abere from the town now. All these agents of devil pass through the road on daily basis, forced to have a look on the symbol on daily basis, feeling and they are happy or sad on daily basis and are tormented by the spirit of this God/Allah sent electoral in Osun State on daily basis. At time, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola is seen covering his face, pretending to be reading newspapers when he passes through this road to Abere, his (Oyinlolas) temporary office. Many, avoid this road entirely now for the fear of call logs, they opined, is the beginning of wisdom! The third manifestation of the mission of the rare gem of our time is the evolution of the name, the logo and the managerial organization of The Oranmiyan group in Osun State. The logo is ancestral, the name – Oranmiyan is symbolic, as the Arole Oodua himself, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade confirmed in one of his many speeches that, Oranmiyan did not loose any battle throughout his life time. This statement was corroborated by the speech of Chief Ebenezer Babatope, while warning his PDP stalwarts, that Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has never lost anything he sets his mind on right from school days till date. The words of Oba Okunade Sijuwade here, are words of wisdom and reason. The fourth manifestation of this revolution in Osun State is the unprecedented grass-roots revolution brought about by the advent of Oranmiyan group in Osun State. The revolution was final, as there is no city, town, village or settlement in Osun State where that revolution has not reached. The Oranmiyan revolution was received and accepted all over the state by all and sundry, even by the opposition group. It is this Oranmiyan revolution in Osun State that propelled the image of Action Congress (AC) to great height in Osun State. It was the good will foundation firmly laid in the grassroots by Oranmiyan group that was extended to and established in the AC which was then young before the April 2007 elections. The fifth manifestation is the advent of technological revolution, which is, the first of its kind in the democratic history of Nigeria. The rare gem of our time, Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, has proved beyond reasonable doubt that wits is mightier than booming of gun. The following are good examples which are no longer news to all and sundry in Osun State in particular and the whole world in general, as the video clips are watched on the internets all over the world. a. The Oroki-Day episode. The target was to cow the symbol of Oranmiyan, but were caught pant down, when technology stepped in and the barbaric action of sponsored assassins, in the glare of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was presented to the whole world in video clips. b. The campaign strategy: This was the first of its kind in Osun State as supporters watched the campaign train throughout the state on the screen outside the campaign office on daily basis. This was also being supported by European soccer which made the whole campaign office jampacked far into the early morning of the following day. This continued to the admiration of supporters who kept increasing daily until the Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s arsonists came to destroy, vandalized and carted the gadgets and projectors away. Up till today no single culprit was arrested by the police who were then partners in Prince Oyinlola’s destructive outfits. c. The image/voice capturing device during voting process was another technological revolution brought about by the rare gem of our time-Engr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola. This was the first of its kind in Osun State and to put it mildly in the whole country. It is on record that Engr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola is the only Advocate of one man one vote known all over the country since the advent of voting during elections in Nigeria. It was this image/voice capturing technological device that exposed the massacre in Ilesa, when the military was let loose on harmless citizens by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. The sixth manifestation of the mission of the rare gem of our time- Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola was the introduction of Forensic Analysis of fingerprints on ballot papers. Hitherto, nobody in Nigeria ever thought of why thumb printing was used in voting a candidate of choice. In fact the Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s PDP were so barbaric to the extend of using objects, such as palm kernel, cashew seed etc instead of thumb-printing. Where thumb printing was used, it was done in multiples. A single voter thumb printed as many as two hundred (200) ballot papers and stuffed them into ballot boxes. With the Forensic analysis of ballot papers, all these atrocities were technologically exposed, and valid votes clearly identified. Honestly, this is, so far, the greatest electoral revolution in Nigeria, as it has proved beyond reasonable doubt, that this technological device can expose multiple votes and thereby scientifically sort out valid votes. For this singular electoral revolution of Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, he (Rauf) deserves the greatest honour of the land, as this device is the only thing needed to bring sanity into electoral manipulations in Nigeria, which has been the bone of mistrust in all our past and present electoral bodies in Nigeria. The seventh electoral revolution of Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, is as significant as figure seven is significant in the Holy Bible. God created the world in seven days, which eventually becomes the number of days in a week. Israelites were asked to sing round the wall of jerico which eventually fell down flat after the seventh time. This seventh electoral revolution of the rare gem of our time Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, If carefully, honestly and patriotically utilized in all the facets of life in Nigeria, will definitely bring sanctity into the entire polity of the nation. The seventh electoral revolution of Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, if honestly and patriotically used by our security outfits, could easily bring fraudsters, 419ners, assassins, Armed robbers and all other evil minds to justice in the country. The seventh electoral revolution, which is the last but the greatest, is the call log technological revolution. We strongly believe that this revolution will definitely sanitize the Judiciary; the Nigerian Bar Association; the INEC; the Police, the church/Mosque, the Houses of Assemblies (national, states and Local Governments) and the entire nation. Going through the Rauf Electoral Revolutions (RER) as so stated, we hereby recommends as follows: 1. That RER should form major part of our new electoral reforms 2. That RER should automatically be entrenched in the new constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria and finally 3. That Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola be declared a National hero and that the mandate stolen at gun-point by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola be retrieved and given to the rightful owner of the mandate – Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola at the Appellate Court without further delay. By OYAGBILE ISRAEL

This Bait Can Kill!

Kola — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:06:07 +0000

Power is both sweet and, toxic. Retired Gen. Babangida in his governmental hey – days was severally nicknamed ‘Maradona,’ ‘Evil genius’ in a bid to portray him ‘exacurately’; cloning mine, I fuse exactly and accurately together, as being antithetic to the basic principles of good governance in transparency and uprightness while his praise was being sung inadvertently as a smart dribbler or deceiver in the handling of sensitive national issues. He enjoyed the celebration of his pallidness from certain quarters of his cohorts. He wasn’t repentant because his absolute display of power was giving him gains of psychic and affluent obsessions for a passing moment of his rule. Shortly after, toxin, which is a harmful system deposit of his misrule took over with its poisonous characteristics of destruction of his pos-governmental legacy. Partakers of this odious Babangida’s style cashed-in on his bait of security assurance and superfluous acquisition and thus, entered a trap of political and social morbidity, from which the likes of INEC’s Prof. Nwosu made a desperate attempt to escape, but further plunged into the seemingly bottomless abyss of cursed memory. The above has consistently described the experience of the helpless Nigerians in their swelling capacity of the majority. It is sad, however, that the present psycho-social political imbroglio’ befalling Osun State has at its apex, one of the surrogates of yet another tyrannical ruler, Abacha, that succeeded Babangida, who had its own share of its toxin in a beautiful and mouth-watering apple. Like Abuja, like Lagos; Like Gen. Abacha, like Col. Oyinlola. Quite peculiar of the Yoruba trait, one would have expected the now retired Brigadier-General Oyinlola to shed the garb of ‘powerflex’ and adorn himself with the humble pursuit of sanctity in polity, by the virtues of good name and non-acidic legacy of a typical princehood redemption. In my quietness, I watch with utmost dismay, the governmental failure of Osun State in the handling and approach to various monumental evidence of electoral – bloodshed, overt and covert multiple voting, insinuated and corroborated tribunal scam by which it latches on to power. Rather than going intellectual and convincing, the ruling party, and the present government employ intimidation and baseless propaganda against a perceived enemy in the opposition. Governmental press in the state are paid to be sharply lopsided in their reporting. The state judiciary is now known for its impatience for the opposition and anything contrary to the standpoint of the alleged PDP and its government. Imagine the many incarcerated AC chieftains and its ever-increasing supporters. Even the human right activists were locked up as I watched the prosecuting governmental prosecutors in want of evidence, fell, by substantial reasoning, before the Adegoke Alfred – lead solicitors of vibrant and rising legal profile, just because of an undisclosed, underneath, and obviously imperial directive. All these executive harangues are condensable into the fact that ‘the monkey has been trapped’ and I have one advice for the power-that-be as the only way out by the Latin-American jungle intelligence: They have a monkey-catching methodology by securing a transparent bottle with a narrow beck. Inside the bottle, they place an irresistible nut for the monkeys. No sooner, the victim monkey comes around. It slips its hand into the bottle, and lay hold on the nut, clenching its fingers around the nut for a firm grip. The clenched fingers cant come out of the bottle. For the fear of impending danger, the releases the nuts and its hand can come out, regaining its freedom. The greed for the desired nut will always keep the monkey coming back, still wanting to take away the nut at all cost. This repeated scenario continues until the catcher comes around, maims it and takes it away. Lesson: the nut is symbolic of Osun State electoral mandate. The only wise thing to do for those contentiously clinging to it at the stunning face of bizarre irregularities is to drop it, and if only for a while, a sign of relief and go for a healing and soothing experience of penitence before their God and restitute with the families of their slain brothers and sisters, who were murdered because of the transient and fading benefit of bitter governance of no repute. As the Islamic faith pertinence period approaches, let their monkey drop the nut, and be free, before the dangling, punitive, sledge hammer of the spiritual, legal, emotional and posterity knocks hard on the guilty and unrepentant. We need to sanctity our dear state from the stains and curse of bloodshed as a fundamental requirement for the evolution of our utopian state where everything works for the benefit of all. In sober reflection of the one and a half years of debauchery in Osun State, I could vividly see at play the image of the Latin American monkey at the bait. Surely, this bait can kill! By OJO ISRAEL CHARLES, President of IFS.

Kalejaye gate Is An Albatross On Oyinlola’s Neck

Kola — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:17:51 +0000

IT is surprising that in spite of the revelation of criminal manipulation of the Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal particularly the one headed by the controversial Justice Thomas Damar Naron, allegedly carried out by Otunba Kunle Kalejaye (SAN), Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has neither shown remorse nor repentance. The call logs of Governor Oyinlola, Kalejaye and Justice Thomas Naron published by TheNews magazine last month are too revealing and damning to the integrity of any administration. For Oyinlola to be pretending and carrying on as if nothing happened shows that his conscience is either dead or he lacks moral scruple to realise that the game is over for his inept administration. In a twist of fate that Oyinlola is complaining that the Action Congress (AC) petitioned against the sleaze he committed. The unavoidable interpretation of Kalejayegate scandal leaves all rational thinkers with the conclusion that it was after the Justice Naron was obviously compromised by Oyinlola’s legal team towards the end of last year that it rejected our application that the world renowned forensic expert, Mr. Adrian Forty be allowed to testify and give evidence in support of the scanning of ballot papers used for the last governorship poll. IT remained the pattern since the end of last year till the compromised Tribunal refused to disqualify itself and ruled unjustly in favour of Oyinlola against Rauf Aregbesola without considering the mountain of evidence we presented before it. Governor Oyinlola should realise that it is no longer possible for him to execute his agenda of compromising the judiciary as he did to that of Justice Thomas Naron. As we await the Court of Appeal to decisively deliver its verdict on the electoral malfeasance, vote robbery, murder of AC polling agents by agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on April 14, 2007 elections day, we challenge Oyinlola to explain the source(s) of the following ballot papers used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rob Engineer Rauf Aregbesola of victory. The ballot papers are in the following categories: a. 41 per cent of the 224,695 ballot papers used to declare Governor Oyinlola as winner by INEC were product of incontestable multiple thumb-printing; b. Ballot papers meant for Ondo State not only questionably found their ways into Osun State but were indeed part of the 426,669 votes credited for the stolen Governor of Osun State; c. 113,311 ballot papers used to declare Oyinlola by INEC in 10 Local Governments were not supplied by INEC on the Schedule of Distribution of Ballot Papers (Form EC40c/EC25 it release officially. They were completely alien to Osun State; d. 88,092 ballot papers used to declare Oyinlola were those obtained from split ballot papers used in clear contravention of the Electoral Law, 2006; e. The forensic examination also revealed that 117,439 ballot papers from the 10 Local Governments that we are challenging were product of ballot box stuffing; f. Why was Kalejaye, the lead Counsel to Governor Oyinlola calling the Chairman of the Tribunal and other panel members in clear violation of the law? OSUN Tribunal has been the only one all over the country to reject the scientifically proven forensic evidence which it had earlier ordered to be carried out. No one needs any soothsayer to deduce that a lot of water passed under the bridge of the Tribunal when it became hostile to the course of justice and waged a decisive war on evidence and facts. Has Governor Oyinlola forgotten that throughout the sittings of the Naron Tribunal, his legal team objected to the subpoena issued on INEC to testify on the elections it conducted? Once the subpoena was brought before the Tribunal, Kalejaye and his comrades in judicial pervertion would object and the Tribunal will rule in their favour. Kalejayegate scandal has established for posterity that when a Tribunal hides under legal technicality to reject vital evidences as Justice Naron has done in Osun State, the wheel of jurisprudence can no longer grind towards the final point of justice. WHAT Governor Oyinlola secured on July 15, 2007 was judgement without justice. Kalejayegate scandal has confirmed our suspicion that the Tribunal was compromised and could not have been relied upon to do justice. Governor Oyinlola must stop laying claims to his blood-soaked mandate and tell the whole world how he won his election in clear contravention of the Nigerian laws and universally accepted democratic practices. The people of Osun State voted for Rauf Aregbesola on April 14, 2007 as their Governor. The impostor should stop complaining that the people of Osun State are demanding justice which Oyinlola’s criminal car gifts have not been able to avert. Equally, we must let the whole world know that our witnesses have testified on how Governor Oyinlola personally snatched ballot boxes assisted by his aides in Oyan town, Odo-Otin Local Government on April 14, 2007 in clear violation of the Electoral Law, 2006 while his Commissioners including the incumbent Attorney-General, Mr. Niyi Owolade led thugs to disrupt the poll. For Oyinlola to pretend and carry on as if all is well smacks of treason and commission of crimes against humanity. He must be checked and stopped in his track immediately. He must know that the Kalejayegate scandal; the totality of which proves that Oyinlola lost the 2007 election woefully is an albatross that cannot lead him to victory. He must prepare to face justice that cannot be procured as he did at the Osun Tribunal. By GBENGA FAYEMIWO

Memo To Body Of Benchers

Kola — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:35:39 +0000

While we welcome the National Judicial Council (NJC)’s attempt to probe the disturbing subtexts of the unfolding drama of subversion of the judiciary by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its judicial allies in Osun State, we must point out that this effort must be complemented by a thorough investigation of the role of Mr. Kunle Kalejaiye SAN, Governor Oyinlola’s lead counsel, the other principal figure in the illicit liaisons saga. We do not need to emphasise how important it is that Mr Kalejaiye, the central figure in the “midnight calls saga” be brought in for questioning. Clearly, we do not see any sense in probing Justice Naron and company without extending the same treatment to the other figure, alleged to be complicit. We consider it fair that the nation is availed of the full facts on which institutions so charged, could mete their punishment at the point this becomes necessary. This is where the role of the Body of Benchers, the body statutorily charged with disciplining members of the bar found to have crossed ethical boundaries, comes in. Away from the hair-splitting legalisms and puerile denials by the foot soldiers of Oyinlola and Kalejaiye, both of which have hardly touched on the substance of the weighty allegations, the eminent Body of Benchers ought to be alarmed that a senior member of the bar, a Learned Silk for that matter, has taken refuge in shibboleths in attempting to obfuscate issues. Here, we want to remind all that the Body of Benchers is not an inquisition for which anyone should be afraid. Rather, it is an institution established to allow legal practitioners accused of sundry misdemeanours to prove their innocence. Innocence, in the case of Kalejaiye is as simple as establishing that the phone logs attributed to him never took place, or/and, that the outgoing/incoming calls attributed to Justice Naron were not made at all. Far from being gratuitous, we can even go as far as advising Kalejaiye to assist the Body of Benchers by voluntarily authorising the telecommunications company- MTN- to release his call logs since he has denied that those logs did not belong to him. As a minister in the temple of justice, and a privileged one, honour and responsibility, we daresay, demands no less. Here, we believe that the Body of Benchers has its work well cut out. The investigations must preclude allowing the defendants to take shelter behind technicalities to dodge answering to weighty issues raised by The News magazine. While the justice of the matter recommends an open inquiry, the national mood would hardly tolerate any variant of ambush or judicial subterfuge. While the traditional pre-occupations with technicalities at the expense of justice has rendered many a quest for justice unrealisable, the Body of Benchers, perhaps more than any other group in the polity, appreciate that the specie of jurisprudence which sacrifices justice on the altar of technical expediency, has never been, and can never be justice. Such can only prolong the agony of the victims and ultimately stultify the process of evolving a just society. Clearly, only when an accuser is made to face his accusers in an open and free environment satisfies the requirement of justice. Mr. Kalejaiye SAN must be availed of the opportunity to state his defence as opposed to granting him licence to thwart the inquiry into the specific allegations of improper liaisons levelled against him and the members of the Osun State gubernatorial election petitions tribunal. This tendency has since been decried by the highest judicial authorities in the land. We continue to insist that only access to the call logs will make or mar his case. We shudder to believe that the newsmagazine has by the revelations supplied the missing parts in the puzzle to help explain the disposition of Justice Naron and company to the petition by the Action Congress candidate Rauf Aregbesola. When a tribunal established to render justice to parties in an electoral contest betrays an unfathomable aversion to iron-clad, scientific evidence and would go as far as showing off a lack of fidelity to truth and rigour, as was demonstrated by Justice Naron’s panel, the prospects of peace and stability appear bleak indeed. The Body of Benchers would need to act wisely and swiftly as the Osun matter has become a reference case.

Plot To Kill Tinubu: PDP South-West Govs Set N1b Aside For Plot?

Kola — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:57:42 +0000

FRESH facts have emerged on the plot to exterminate the former Governor of Lagos State and the national leader of Action Congress (AC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the five South-West governors purportedly elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Investigation has revealed that after series of long nocturnal meetings of the embattled governors, it was concluded that Tinubu must be given a ‘Bola Ige treatment’ if the party (PDP) must maintain its stronghold in the Area. It would be recalled that the South-West chairman of the party, Mr. Tajudeen Oladipo has been saying it repeatedly all around that the party was trying hard to bring Tinubu and Fashola into the fold. Findings revealed that the first meeting of the embattled PDP governors on the matter was reportedly held at the Ota-Farm-house of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at the instance of the embattled chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), where the issue of fierce opposition reportedly being championed by Tinubu’s camp, was tabled for discussion. It was gathered from a source close to the meeting that each of the governor spoke extensively on the problems they were facing with the opposition in their respective states. OSUN DEFENDER was hinted that the story of Olagunsoye Oyinlola interested the participants reportedly that they maintained a pin-drop silence, when he was revealing how the AC torch-bearer in the state, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola was stifling him with media propaganda from Lagos. The rattled Osun State helmsman then attributed his problems to Tinubu, arguing that he (Tinubu) is using his deep pocket to suffocate him. No sooner he concluded his speech, than his Ekiti Counterpart picked his gauntlet against Tinubu, claiming that the AC governorship candidate in the state, according to the source, could not have mustered the financial strength to choke his government, if not for the deep-pocket of the Tinubu’s camp. Information has it that one way or the other, all the governors reportedly fingered Tinubu in the grinding opposition against them. The source said that Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu premised the alleged bad press he received over the election tribunal verdict that annulled his victory on Tinubu’s camp, arguing that he had it on good authority that Tinubu was the financial backer of the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. It was learnt that Otunba Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State stated that he had an intelligence report made that Tinubu bankrolled the crisis that led to the removal of Mrs. Titi Oseni as the state Assembly’s speaker. Also, findings revealed that Alao Akala of Oyo State allegedly whipped sentiments in his own argument, expressing his disgust about the negative media heat against the former president Olsuegun Obasanjo, which he reportedly said was waged by Tinubu’s camp, saying that the antics of the AC strongman was to dislodge Obasanjo from the leadership position; so as to occupy it, citing the cold war between himself and the former governor, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, as a brainchild of Tinubu. Investigation did not show that Obasanjo said anything incriminatory, as he was said to have counseled the rattled governors to deal with the situation, telling them, “that the boy is like any one of you, nothing special about him.” A tentative source related to OSUN DEFENDER that the governors have concluded an arrangement to eliminate Tinubu with a pool resources of N1 billion. According to the intelligence report, the security aides of the former Lagos State helmsman has been for compromise, so that assailants could have an easy penetration into the Tinubu’s intrinery and closet. Checks however revealed that the coup-scare propped up by the PDP leadership lately was part of the onslaught against the strong politician, according to the party’s inner caucus’s source, it was to break the robust relationship between President Umar Yar'Adua and Tinubu, so as to prune down the latter’s network in the presidency. In another development, a political pundit said that the embattled governors might be thinking that Tinubu’s camp must be uprooted if PDP’s rigging machine must continue to operate, reiterating that the only available solution left for them (governors) now is to remove Tinubu, having failed to woo him into the PDP fold. All efforts to speak with Tinubu’s spokesman proved abortive, as nobody responded to his ringing mobile phone. By GOKE BUTIKA

Exposed: Council Boss Indicted Over CDF

Kola — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:48:59 +0000

THE brain behind the illegal nomination of the embattled chairman of Ede North Local Government Council Area of Osun State, Honourable Akinleye Kazeem and his Vice, Mr. Adeleke Sikiru under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the controversial December 15, 2007 local council elections in the state and their efforts to thwart the wheel of justice at the local government election tribunal has eventually been uncovered. If the information at the disposal of OSUN DEFENDER is anything to go by, the controversial chairman would not have been qualified to apply to contest for the election talkless of being nominated, just because he had earlier been indicted of financial impropriety when he was a councilor representing Alusekere ward 5 of the local council under the administration of Honourable Tajudeen Adisa as the chairman, of which he was yet to be cleared by an appropriate court or panel. Further investigation revealed to OSUN DEFENDER that the chairman who was then a councillor representing Alusekere ward 5 of the council area had written a proposal of N1 million to the then chairman of the area for the building of a Block of two classrooms in his ward and the same was approved. His letter addressed to the office of the then chairman and dated March 30, 2005, read: “The decision to build the classroom was reached at a general meeting of my ward held on March 13, 2005, where it was unanimously agreed that a block of two classrooms be built for the use of the community”. Akinleye reportedly wrote another proposal of N1 million dated May 15, 2006 to the then chairman requesting to sink a bore hole in the same ward, arguing that the project was part of his electioneering campaign promises to bring the development to the ward, the proposal which was subsequently approved by the appropriate officers of the council area. An on-the-spot assessment to the said ward by OSUN DEFENDER showed that none of the projects approved and paid-for to Akinleye as the then councillor was executed. Meanwhile, a subsequent report from the office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments in the state however indicted Akinleye when he was a councilor for not executing the projects for which he had been paid. The report of the audit investigations dated April 4, 2007, and addressed to the office of the Director of Personnel Management (DPM), Director of Finance (DF) and the then chairman of the local council revealed that Akinleye and some other councillors had neither executed nor completed any of the constituency projects for which they have been paid. The report read: “Detailed of Audit observation will be forwarded to you soon. Meanwhile the payment of salaries and/or other entitlement of the affected officers should be suspended forthwith until clearance is obtained from the Auditor-General for local government”. However, when Akinleye lunched ambition to vie for the chairmanship position of Ede North local council area in 2007, a petition was filed against his ambition, revealing how he was indicted as a councilor. The petition was filed by Alhaji Ibrahim, Alhaja Afusat and Alhaji Alani Bankole and addressed to the office of the chairman, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Justice Adedotun Sijuade copies of which were sent to the Director of SSS in the state, OSSIEC Screening Committee, PDP chairman, the governor and the SSS in the local government council area. The petitioners claimed that Akinleye was of a questionable character and educational backward, saying that he only attended a Quranic school in Ilorin, Kwara State. Besides, the current vice-chairman in the council area Adeleke Sikiru was also accused of illegal forgery of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voters’ card with registration number 30901703689. In a petition filed against him dated November 21, 2007 and addressed to the OSSIEC chairman, copies of which were sent to the office of the state chairman and the SSS, it was stated that Sikiru was not qualified to contest for the position. When OSUN DEFENDER perused the voters register for Unit 002 (Talafia Imam) of Asunmo ward in the local council area, where Adeleke claimed to have registered, to confirm the forgery, it was discovered that neither his name nor number on his voter’s card was on the register, a situation that had confirmed the alleged forgery of voter’s card. However, it was further gathered that both the chairman and his vice were imposed on the people, through a violent intervention of a controversial senator, despite their indictments, following an agreement among the three that part of local council fund would go to his (Senator) personal account a gesture that was voluntarily concurred. Since both the embattled chairman and his vice assumed office, it was learnt that a large part of the council fund are being diverted to the account of the senator, a situation that has been thwarting the development of the council area, just as the administration performs below-the-line. On the local government election tribunal in the state where the embattled chairman and his vice are still being challenged, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that both the senator and the duo of the chairman and his vice have been making frantic efforts to upturn the proceedings of the tribunal sitting in the state High Court of Osogbo as done with the Justice Thomas Naron-led tribunal that sat in Osogbo. OSUN DEFENDER was reliably informed that they have all been making frantic efforts to tamper with the documentary evidence in the custody of the tribunal. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

Rauf Aregbesola Speaks

Kola — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:23:14 +0000

"I Have Experienced Ruthlessness In The Hands Of Oyinlola..."-Aregbesola "I’ve Only Visited Osun State Three Times Since Governorship" Rauf Aregbesola, the Osun State gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in the April 2007 general election, has been in the throes of protracted legal tango with Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, over his disputed mandate well over one year now. Listening to him speak on the Yoruba politics is like sitting in a brainstorming session with a class of intellectuals charting a way out of a particular quagmire. In this chat with DADA ALADELOKUN, MUSBAU RASAK and OMONIYI SAIAUDEEN, he reminiscences on the experience of violence visited on his supporters since he formally declared his interest in the number one seat in the state and the intrigues over his alleged involvement in a bomb blast. Excerpts: NEWS STAR: Recently, you were in Abuja as a guest of the Inspector General of Police at the force headquarters over the bomb blast incident in Osun. What was the interaction like? RAUF AREGBESOLA: It was normal; it was not an interrogation. I didn’t go as a suspect. I went as a responsible Nigerian to express my position on the petition written to the police authority. I was only invited through a letter, from the force headquarters in Abuja to come and tell them what I know about the bomb blast. When I got there, I was made to believe that the petition came from the Osun State government through the presidency on the matter. And I was asked to give my own side of the matter which I did. I did not only tell them what I had experienced during the course of my political activities in the state since 2005, the highlights of which most of you know, but also direct brutal experience I have had from the incumbent. Since April 2005 when I started the quest for the gubernatorial seat of the state, I have faced so many life threatening acts of violence, the most notable of which was the Oroki saga where my life was threatened physically through gun shots. Apart from other surreptitious plans made to eliminate me, some of which we reported to the police and the Nigerian public, there were also triple attacks on my campaign headquarters on April? I equally denied any knowledge about the bomb blast. I told the police that in all my political activities I have never employed violence to canvass support or coerce support. I made it clear that I am a democrat with a strong commitment to meaningful, engagement of the people for whatever political end that I want for myself or my people. I equally told the police that there couldn’t have been any motivation for violence since I am the petitioner at the tribunal because what it means is that I had chosen to proof the criminal manipulation of the April 14 election by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the court of law, rather than resorting to self help. So, if I had gone to the court prior to the bomb blast, if I had obtained an 'order' from the court to. inspect all the materials used for the election with enthusiasm that I would be able to get all I would need to proof my case beyond reasonable doubt, if at that time I had on the INEC premises over 30 people working for me, how would anybody see the justification for wanting to bomb the INEC? Of what benefit will assassination of Oyinlola be to me? These are issues we must properly situate in our quest to get to the root of the matter. I equally told the police that on the day of the incident I was with the IG of police. As a matter of fact, the news was broken to me in the waiting room of the IGP because I was there in company of Dr. Kayode Fayemi on a courtesy visit and to also make request for police protection. The facts are documented. So, we must all understand this as a diversionary tactic by Oyinlola to sway our attention from the tribunal: But I am happy that we are in a democracy, there is no way they call, get all of us sucked to their narrow, reactionary and bestial view. We will not be cowed, we will not be intimidated, and we will not be repressed. We will keep on doing what is best for the polity, what is in the best interest of our people and what will ensure good governance, rule of law, justice and progress. NEWS STAR: I guess you wouldn’t have expected this storm. What then is your perception of the Nigerian politics bearing in mind your experience so far? RAUF AREGBESOLA: I did expect it. From the outset, I knew we were going to be dealing with animals, sub-human being. If I had not known that those we were dealing with are sub-human in their understanding of issues involved in the society, perhaps I would have disappointed my supporters. I know they are not fully in formed when it comes to thorough understanding of what should be the relationship between divergent interest groups in terms of social or political economy in any sane society. And from their utterances, you can simply know this. Don’t forget that this man had branded us terrorist’s right from our advent into Osun State politics. First, he, called us Oranmiran. He left from there to say that we are not from Osun. At a point, he called me a refridgerator mechanic. In’ fact, he made so many uncoordinated statements that a developed mind wouldn’t ordinarily dare say. And we told him to show us any aspect of our constitution that says a refridgerator mechanic or anybody whatsoever cannot aspire for any elective office. And the irony of it is that they say all these things as if they are saying reasonable things. To a man whose period in Lagos as an administrator can only be remembered for lack of performance and total mediocre maladministration. Again, he had a second chance in Osun there is nothing to sign-post his tenure other than mere jamboree. Yet he keeps celebrating ‘his relationship' with an Oba who earned his own respect through responsible decent bebaviour. So, back to your question as to whether I had anticipated the sort of ruthlessness I had experienced before I launched my ambition into the power politics in Osun State, the answer is yes, I did. I knew it would be this tough before I took the decision. I have read several of his write-ups fruitlessly defending our allegation against him of being a bully; let him tell the world how he left his secondary school. He was a bully right from his secondary school. He was suspended from school for bullying other fellow students. NEWS STAR: Did you attend the same school with him (Oyinlola)? RAUF AREGBESOLA: Not necessarily. But you can take it up with him. What we are saying about his military background is that at every point in time, his insolence and lack of respect for human rights and human dignity have always be the cause of avoidable tragedy and disasters. Yoruba has an adage that says, “If you are given a slave assignment, you discharge it with utmost nobility.” In other words, Oyinlola had had a reputation of bestiality and ruthlessness and that characteristic is what is informing his mal-administration of Osun State and his hostile attitude to all opposition. It takes a ruthless person to always want to destroy whosoever that stands up against him in a democratic challenge or contest. The law of Nigeria permits democratic challenge. Why then should, democratic challenge lead to absolute declaration of war? This man sitting by me was in a meeting with him when he told all the chairmen of boards in Osun in August 2006 that they should attack me wherever they saw me. He told me he would want me dead. The question we are asking is this: why should democratic contest lead to bloodbath? Why should democratic contest lead to such a high level of hatred? Are we in a fascist state? This is no longer a military state. We are in a civil society where respect must be given to the rights and privileges of the individuals which is what we are asking for. We traded ideas and our people preferred our own ideas to theirs. The people freely gave us their mandate and you callously stole it but rather than admit the fact that you’ stole the mandate, you are gallivanting all-over the place, throwing your weight around, threatening fire and brimestone, harassing us, persecuting us, hounding us, fabricating lies against us and clamping us into jail we never underrated them; we knew their capacity for evil. But then, you must give it to us that we have appropriately squared up with them in exposing their evil machinations and diabolical tendencies. So, I want to give it to myself that we have tried to strip Oyinlola naked in front of the whole world as a brutal, ruthless and a conscienceless personality that will not shy away from anything that would make him a small god before the people. NEWS STAR: As a follow up to all you have said, why are you always being accused of violence? RAUF AREGBESOLA: The answer to that is left to you as a purview of news. On April 16, 2005, the entire state was sealed up that we shouldn’t enter. We beat them to it by using train to enter. And the Nigerian Police has not devised any means of holding up the train. Starting from that, you can now begin to find an answer within yourself who is a ruthless person. Is it the person who sealed up the state for the normal political event which was widely advertised? Or the one who, knowing the capacity of his opponent to use force for selfish end, and, therefore, resorted to using train which the police authority in Nigeria has not devised the means of stopping? And we launched our political and cultural movement - Oranmiyan - without any untoward incidence. There and then we set the pace. Again, how do you accuse a person who went peaceful to a gathering, Osogbo Progressive Union, on an invitation for community development fund-raising only to be denied his seat in the full glare of the public with the presence of the governor and his executive council and consequently intimidated out of the event by gun shots? My head was targeted; what saved me was the fact that I went with an armoured vehicle. And to cover up their shame and their sordid acts, the police arrested me, kept me in their custody for three weeks and arraigned me for violence. Subsequently, I sued the police and I got N5 million compensation for illegal arrest. NEWS STAR: Were you paid? RAUF AREGBESOLA: (Cuts in) They have not paid me. After all that, we embarked on the most glorious campaign anybody could imagine. If you watch the footages of our campaign rally, I doubt if Osun had witnessed any event as glorious as that. Exactly a month after we had launched Oranmiyan, my financier, Alhaji Alabi Hassan Olajokun, was assassinated in the broad day light at Gbongan junction. Up till date, his killers are still at large. Hon. Babajide Omoworare, our senatorial candidate for Osun East Senatorial District, was abducted. He was then the majority leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly. On May 26, 2006, my entourage to a rally organised by my supporters in llesa was waylaid by the current Chairman of the PDP, Wale Oni, and attacked. The guy was arrested, but nothing happened thereafter. He is today the current Chairman of the PDP in llesa East Local Government. Every movement we made was visited with venom attack by the PDP. My father’s house was vandalised, so also those of our members. All this happened before the election. The house of Engineer Akintunde, the honourable member of the Osun State House of Assembly representing Osogbo, was razed to the ground. The same thing happened to the house of his colleague representing Olorunda. In his own case, he was physically assaulted and his head smashed. It took us several thousands of Naira to save his life because it almost resulted in mental derangement. On the day of the election, no fewer than 12 of our agents were killed. The perpetrators of these acts were apprehended by the police and the acts documented. So, we are not saying anything fictitious. What we are saying is what we have witnessed. I was forced out of the town by the ruthless state power. I returned to Osun on the eve of the election, Friday, April 13, 2007 around 10.30 p.m. only to leave by 1 p.m. And ever since then, I have only visited the state thrice. First on May 11, 2007 to submit my petition. I went back again when the palace of Owa Obokun was razed down to commiserate with my people. The third time I went was when I announced to the whole world that I was going to re-engage my people in political activities. It was that event they saw that made them grim with envy sighting the uproarious reception that greeted me. And that is the basis for the latest attempt to intimidate me unjustifiably, divert my attention from the tribunal and demonise me. So, they are the devils who do not enjoy the popular support of the people. Interestingly, they did not limit their violence to the opposition. They also fought from within. Senator Kola Ogunwale from Iragbiji had his own taste of brutality when he ventured into the gubernatorial ticket with Oyinlola. The woman leader of the party (PDP) that defected to ANPP, Madam Jeunkogbadun, was killed by armed men. Alhaji Shuiabu Oyedokun’s house was invaded by hoodlum when he attempted to stand against them in Osun. He lost his brother to that attack. These are the ones we can recollect. Let them tell us our acts of violence. The only one they have always been repeating was the spontaneous reaction of the people to the electoral robbery of April 14, 2007 a day after. I say spontaneous because not a single person out of our members they arrested for the violence has been convicted. It is not a question of grandstanding; we are the most popular party in Osun State. Our acceptance in Osun is beyond any repression. We are simply the party of popular choice. And I challenge whoever cares to go to conduct a political survey in Osun if the result will be different from what I have said. NEWS STAR: During the last hearing of your petition at the Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal, your counsel was said to have been denied the submission of some documents which were considered to be vital to your victory. What is your feeling about this? RAUF AREGBESOLA: Your question is in response to newspaper report which is inaccurate. The motion has been filed long before that day for us to reopen our case. The motion was argued that day and the tribunal reserved ruling on that day. So, the question of denial was out. Let’s even assume it was denied, the case doesn’t end there. What matters is the fact that the issue has been raised. The question now is: what is my feeling? I am upbeat; I am quite confident that I will win. The reason for my confidence is simple: Justice is about ensuring that the wish of the people is done. Democracy and justice are twins and one cannot really exist without the other. And the essence of democracy is the promotion of the view, the will and the desire of the majority. I do not entertain any fear; our victory is almost guaranteed. This is based on the fact that the electoral fraud committed by the PDP is blatant and unhidden. It is too open and flagrant. I give you some examples; Awolowo Hall at the Obafemi Awolowo University had a polling station. It was closed down in February and was reopened in July. The election took place on April 14. And from that polling station with a register voter of 265 voters, the PDP returned for itself 2003 votes, whereas, in the register, only 200 voters were accredited. Looking at the implication, for 2003 voters to vote at the rate of one minute per voter, it simply means that the entire voting process will last for 2,300 minutes. If you divide 2300 minutes by 60, you will get 38 hours. And the maximum voting hour according to the INEC’s regulation is 10 hours, which implicitly meant that the voting process at the polling centre would have lasted for four days and consequently spilled over to Tuesday, beginning from Saturday. That is one of the greatest evidence of the criminality committed by the PDP in Osun State during the election. And it was so bad that in Ife-Central and Ife-East, there was no polling station at all. But we are not worried; we have confidence in s the Nigerian judiciary that we will win, considering the evidence before the tribunal. And, of course, for those who would do justice, it does not take any extraordinary effort to establish the truth and do justice. Let it go as they wish. But as far as I am concerned, I have implicit confidence in the Nigerian Judiciary to do justice to the issues of gubernatorial and several other legislative elections in Osun” State. NEWS STAR: But you have had to disagree on some occasions with the decision of the tribunal in the past. RAUF AREGBESOLA: (Cuts in) Confidence has nothing to do with whether you agree or disagree. You disagree to agree. You are not a robot, if there are issues you disagree with at any point in time, you don’t just say you concur. You must debate it and that you debate an issue does not mean you lack confidence in the process. Every sane human relationship must throw up challenges of debate and conflict before resolution. So, our disagreement with rulings and statements made by anybody in the tribunal cannot necessarily be interpreted to mean that we lack faith or confidence in the judicial process. I have said it over and over again, judiciary is an institution. It is not an individual. Let’s even assume a set of individuals within the judiciary is not representing the institution very well, will that mean that the entire judiciary is bad? So, what we have been saying must not be misunderstood because the judiciary has earned its respect and won public confidence for itself. Today, I believe that the judiciary that had the courage to declare the Abacha administration as illegal through the landmark judgment of Justice Akinsanya, the judiciary that aligned with the Nigerian people to tell Obasanjo that so many of his acts were illegal, the judiciary that stood up against fascism and several undemocratic acts of some past Nigerian leaders deserve my confidence. • Culled from NEWS STAR

Oyinlola Shelves China Trip For EFCC

Kola — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:18:25 +0000

AVALANCHE of petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seems to be working wonder, as the development has compelled the embattled Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to shelve his globetrotting lately. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the governor was billed to travel to China last week, but hurriedly called it off in order to pull the strings that could possibly save necks of some top political functionaries that have been interrogated. It would be recalled that Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, the State Accountant-General, Commissioners for Finance and his Local Government Counterpart were just released from the EFCC custody. Eleven members of Osun State House of Assembly on the platform of Action Congress (AC) opened the floor for the opposition, when they petitioned the anti-corruption agency about the illegal lodgment of N5 million each into their personal salary accounts. The development generated a political heat, when the House Speaker, Mr Adejare Bello rose in a stout defence of the governor, who paid the money, saying that it was a collective decision. It was gathered that the dust had not settled, when Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) led by Alhaji Sule Alao fired another petition to the EFCC on the what it called illegal deduction from Local Government funds. OSUN DEFENDER authoritatively gathered that the fear of unknown so gripped the embattled governor that he quickly cancelled his trip to China last week. Besides, a reliable source within the Government House hinted OSUN DEFENDER that another letter of invitation has just been sent to the Chief of staff to the governor, Elder Peter Babalola. Babalola is reported to be out of the country throughout last week for an undisclosable reason, but he will return to the country to answer some questions at the EFCC. It was learnt that the governor has been very weighed down about the development these days, as the outcome of the anti-corruption agency is still doubtful to the establishment. By GOKE BUTIKA

EFCC: Oyinlola And Breeze-shooting

Kola — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:55:28 +0000

Like a piercing beam in the pit of sleaze, the oft-touted crack shot and veteran of many infamous battles can only shoot breeze. That is the lot of Olagunsoye Oyinlola, military bully and embattled “governor” of Osun State , in the aftermath of the swoop of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on his graft-soaked government. As at the last count, it had been a tsunami all over. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) was holed up in Abuja, in the EFCC grilling room. So were two errant commissioners, which petitions to the commission alleged had some cases to answers. Back at Osogbo, it has been fleeing galore for many others, who like common criminals have taken to their heels, now convinced that they have, as Chinua Achebe said in 'A Man of the People', stolen too much for the owner to notice. But for the immunity attached to a noble office occupied by a power cad, the controversial governor too would probably have been on the run! Like darkness before light, the general has watched his troop of alleged scammers vamoose before the anti-graft agency and he cannot do a thing. It has been a chastening experience indeed! So, many would naturally sympathise with the embattled but impotent chief executive, condemned sooner than later to ending up in ignominy. Still though many sympathise, hardly does the brazen vote-stealer possess the dignity to realise how his electoral steal has so rubbished the high office of governor. A more introspective character would just have quietly licked his wound, hoping that the disgrace would quickly blow over. Not this proud and unrepentant scion of ruinous military rule in Nigeria, now back to infect the current democracy with the greed and steal that have turned millions of Nigerians into beggars in their own country! So, instead of keeping a dignified quiet, he has resorted to shooting breeze – with his outlandish statement concerning the Action Congress (AC) lawmakers who blew the whistle on his corrupt practice of purporting to pay funds for constituency projects into personal accounts. By the classical Oyinlola corruptive strategy, the unwritten code was perhaps for everyone to quaff the money, leave the project undone and none the wiser. That way, the beneficiaries would have been morally and fatally weakened to be deaf, dumb and blind when the professional scammers in the Osun government go on, as they are wont to do, with their jumbo stealing. So, by a mess of pottage worth a measly N5 million or N10 million as the case might have been, they would have been compromised and shut up forever when billions start developing wings and zooming out of government till. Could there have been a more complete but stupider blackmail? Well, it didn’t exactly work out – to Oyinlola’s chagrin. When the EFCC swooped on the state and the allegations were found to be not without foundation, the corrupter-in-chief has attempted to shift the goal post just to be seen to be saying something – isn’t silence ever golden? He has now come up with a supposition that suggests that the legislators who ab initio blew the whistle on his graft empire had actually spent the money – or, in any case, part of it. His reason? That they had allegedly started implementing the projects before the scandal blew and therefore had made some withdrawals from the cursed lodgements. So, the fecund mind (a monumental disgrace to the high office of governor) posited that some imaginary sources from elsewhere had helped to reimburse the amount. As usual, his programmed mind pointed to “aliens” in Lagos , who in his usually overwrought imagination, have been trying to do his government in. Perhaps these were the same forces that helped him to steal the vote so brazenly in April 2007? They were the same forces that mobilised the military to mow down innocent people in Ilesa and Osogbo during the crisis that greeted the stolen vote? Those were the same forces that make him such a character without vision, who did everything to steal power but after realised he had absolutely no idea what to do with that power, except blind hedonism and crony corruption! This embattled governor, for the very short period that his doomed reign remains, had better face his problem like a man that he often brags he is. He had better have sound explanations for his reckless corruption of the Osun system. Otherwise, he would just find himself in the cold, as helpless as his scammer cabinet now in disarray, when eventually the courts throw him out of his stolen gubernatorial cocoon. But then, that would be excellent news for our long suffering people of Osun State , would it not?

Sleaze Over Osogbo Centre For Culture

Kola — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:47:14 +0000

•Oyinlola Showcases Pilgrim Board’s Building For Site •Exchanges Project For OBJ’s Support At Tribunal WHILE the Nobel Laureate is pounding the embattled Osun State Governor Olagunsoye on the sharp practices trailing the establishment of Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, investigating has revealed that the whole deal was a dirty affair from the beginning. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the governor, who is at the centre of the storm, chose to negotiate Osogbo, the designated city for the project away, in order to enlist the support of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his legal battle at the election petitions tribunal. Findings revealed that Oyinlola truly opened bid for the collection of arts and cultural artifacts of Professor Ulli Beier and his wife, Georgina, with a view to attracting the international recognition to the newly established University of Osun State (UNIOSUN) that will enjoy the affiliation of the centre. It was reported that the governor penetrated the heart of Beier, when he (Oyinlola) relieved the relationship between the renowned artefacts collector and his late father; soliciting the assistance of the don cum cultural ambassador on the need to help him stock the proposed centre that would further enhance the world status of Osun Osogbo and UNIOSUN. Information has it that Beier then agreed in principle, premising his contentment with his long-established relationship with Osogbo and the governor’s father. Findings revealed that when the former president inaugurated his controversial presidential library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the board members approached him (Obasanjo) to pull the strings that would bring the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding and FESTAC archive to the library so that funding would not be the problem. Obasanjo, then as the president, tasked the nation’s representative at the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO), Professor Omolewa to get in touch with Beier, in order to discuss terms for the movement of his artefacts from Sydney, Australia’s national headquarters to Nigeria. During the negotiation, the then Minister of Culture, a long tume friend of Obasanjo, Prof. Babalola Borishade and another ally, Honsd’ Orville, were told that Osun state governor had come earlier for the same purpose. Investigation showed that Obasanjo then invited Oyinlola to Aso Rock, where he reportedly sought his help in facilitating the centre to his library, a move that could not be turned down by the embattled governor who still needed Obasanjo’s protection from the electoral heist that gave him victory in the last year’s general election in face of opposition legal fireworks. Meanwhile, OSUN DEFENDER has it on good authority that the governor had paid part of the needed fund for the project abinitio from the state coffers, a situation that has not been addressed by then Obasanjo’s government, that had signed an agreement to pay the balance of the fund for the project. When the shady deal caught the attention of the Nobel laureate, Soyinka wrote his friend, Beier, demanding to know the position of things, to which he (Beier) replied immediately. However, Soyinka’s letter to Beier served as an eye-opener to the cultural icon and his wife, a situation that propelled their anger against the State Deputy Governor Erelu Olusola Obada, who was earlier sent to Australia by the governor to further discussed the terms for movement of the artefacts and other cultural items. It was learnt that they, Beier and his wife, Georgina insisted on speaking with the governor alone, a scenario that made Obada to return home without having anything to show for the trip. Soyinka further related the close door meeting to the press, exposing how Oyinlola was upbraided like an errant royal scion, according to him, the Okuku-born governor emerged from the meeting thoroughly humbled, only to start twisting the contents of the meeting-outside. In a related development, Oyinlola recently threw caution to the winds, castigating the renowned professor emeritus for exposing the messy deal that he was reportedly using to tie his string to the apron of Obasanjo on the war at the tribunal. The governor reportedly caused his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to quickly plant the work-in-progress building that would house the Ulli and Georgina Beier Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo in some newspapers, as a face saving passage. However, OSUN DEFENDER’s investigation has shown that the uncompleted building actually belong to the state Pilgrim Welfare Board, as nothing was on ground at the original site of the centre. Reacting on the development, the State chairman of Alliance of Collaborating political parties (ACPP), Alhaji Sule Alao said that Oyinlola’s government could not be trusted, saying that the whole sectors stink badly. “Corruption walks on its four legs in Osun State, and an example could be drawn from the EFCC saga, a situation that has made some of the commissioners and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to be passing through serious interrogations. So, we cannot trust him (governor) on this issue and we have to trust Prof. Soyinka because he’s not from Osun,” said Alao. In another development, the state chapter of National Conscience Party (NCP) has said that the party has started its own investigation, threatening to drag the governor to court, if Osogbo is made to lose out of the project; arguing that effort to shortchange would be further thwarted. “We are still studying the situation and we are gathering facts and figures. We shall soon contact professor Soyinka for further investigation, and we can assure the people of Osun State that any sharp practices would be answered for,” said Waheed Lawal, the NCP chairman. By OUR REPORTER

Osun PDP Plans Mass Arrest Of AC Lawmakers, Leaders

Kola — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:25:05 +0000

If information at the disposal of OSUN DEFENDER is anything to go by, the eleven Action Congress (AC) lawmakers in the Osun State House of Assembly and opposition leaders may be subjected to another round of arrest, no thanks to the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains in the state over various petitions against Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led administration before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that a notorious chieftain of the PDP from Osun West senatorial district of the state has taken the hatchet job upon himself mapping out strategies to be employed in carrying out the evil-oriented assignment, just to ensure that the lawmakers and leaders of major opposition political parties in the state are caged in prison custody. One of the proposed strategies as mapped out by the leader, who had been known for such act, according to the source, was to commission some thugs that would plant some incriminating substances like Indian hemp and cannabis in the houses of the lawmakers and selected major opposition leaders in the state. After the illegal substances might have been planted, the same notorious leader of the PDP has also reportedly concluded plans to inform the security agencies and direct them to where exactly the illegal substances might have been hidden. The alleged plots of the ruling party, according to an impeccable source, was based on the endless disturbing petitions to the anti-graft commissions by the opposition lawmakers in the house and their leaders, which had reportedly sent jitters down the spines of the leaders of the PDP across the state. It was also gathered that at the series of nocturnal meetings held at various locations across the state by leaders of the ruling party on how to stop the AC lawmakers and opposition leaders from further writing of their petitions to the anti-graft commission, several options were identified before they eventually arrived at the decision to adopt the notorious chieftain’s option. During one of the meetings, a high-ranking PDP lawmaker in the state allegedly expressed his fear about the current position of the AC lawmakers, saying that it is no more business as usual, as the opposition lawmakers might have made up their minds to reveal all secret transactions of the House. The source further revealed to OSUN DEFENDER that after thorough deliberations on how to stop the opposition lawmakers from pursuing their petitions before the anti-graft commission, the said notorious leader of the party allegedly told them not to worry, saying that he knew how to deal with the lawmakers. When the said party leader disclosed his proposed strategy to the gathering, majority of them approved it and gave the leader the go-ahead to carry out the hatchet job. It would be recalled that the AC lawmakers in the state had recently petitioned the EFCC over the Constituency Development Project Fund (CDPF) paid into the individual accounts of each lawmaker in the state by Governor Oyinlola and subsequently returned the money to the government, saying that the payment to the accounts was illegal and unconstitutional. Also, a similar petition was forwarded to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by the opposition lawmakers, upon which some of the house officials like the Speaker, House Accountant and the Clerk of the House, have been summoned for interrogation by the EFCC. Meanwhile, based on the petitions from different angles in the state to the anti-graft commission, some high-ranking government officials including the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade; Vice-chancellor, Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Sola Akinrinade among others have been summoned and also interrogated by the EFCC. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

OSUN TRIBUNAL SCANDAL: Reps Trade Tackles Over Osun Tribunal’s Investigation

Kola — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:35:54 +0000

OSUN State people have reacted to the comments made by Honourables Ismail Kolawole and Kayode Idowu on the desirability of the House of Representatives to summon the Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC) over the scandal that rocked the state first poll tribunal. In separate interviews with OSUN DEFENDER, the people condemned the stance of the duo of Kolawole and Idowu, both members of the lower chamber of the National Assembly from the state, as unpatriotic and a disservice to the people of the state of Osun on whose back they rose to become lawmakers. Hon Henry Dickson, Chairman of the House Committee on Justice until Thursday August 7, 2008 had said the scandal; was a gully erosion that could wash away public confidence in the nation’s judiciary, and promised that the House would look into the allegation. A Lagos – base weekly tabloid THE NEWS had in successive editions recently revealed gory details of alleged telephone conversations and textual messages between Kunle Kalejaiye, lead counsel to Oyinlola and the tribunal chairman, Justice Thomas Naron and another member of the panel, Justice Joe Ekanem. The lawmakers from the state, however said the scandal that shook the tribunal to its very foundation and quacken the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Olagunsoye Oyinlola, governor of the state and a contestant in the governorship claim, was not deserving of the attention of the House as the arch – contestant and governorship candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in the state, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola had taken the case further to the Appeal Court. In Osun East senatorial district, Prince Jibade Onibokun, a chieftain of AC described the comments of the two lawmakers as unguided outburst of Oyinlola’s distant sympathizers in the garb of sycophancy. Onibokun, who spoke on phone from Lagos noted that the weeping lawmakers needed to be abreast of the illicit exchanges between the tribunal chairman and Oyinlola through his counsel while the case lasted. Comrades Kunle Alao and Christopher Okunade, from Iragbiji and Okuku in Osun Central Senatorial district of the state called for a National Patriotism Commission and said the lawmakers should be made liable to the commission, to explain the role of the tribunal proceedings that eventuated the widely discredited judgment. Lecturers in the tertiary institutions of learning across the state, who preferred not to have their names in print noted the legislators were barely educated to be able to do a content analysis of the wishes and aspirations of the majority of the people of the state. They questioned the lawmaker’s representation in the hollowed chamber. By ISAAC OLUSESI

ICPC Quizzes Osun Discipline Corps Chief

Kola — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:35:59 +0000

COMMANDANT of Osun State Discipline Corps, Sola Oyedeji has been asked to shut up his mouth and make his appearance before the Independent Corruption Practices Commission (ICPC) comes next month. Members of the corps had earlier petitioned that anti-graft agency over non-payment of their salaries since May 2007, while the corps chief, in his defence tendered salary payment vouchers to the commission, but the ICPC spokesman Folu Olamiti in a statement made public, described the vouchers as “fake and doctored vouchers.” The discipline corps is a non-governmental organization (NGO) contracted by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) government of Olagunsoye Oyinlola in the state, to instil discipline in the state secondary schools. Findings showed that the corps collects N3.5 million as contract sum per term, from the state treasury. Meanwhile the State Security Service (SSS) and the police in the state had quizzed Oyedeji on the petition allegedly written by members of the organization. The ICPC told the discipline corps, chief to report for further questioning on Tuesday September 2, 2008. Reactions from the people of the state however showed that Oyedeji should make himself available to ICPC. The corps chief described as a disciplinarian of old, is now said to be an apostle of corruption as revealed by recent allegations. According to our sources, Oyedeji has allegedly been said to be heavily saturated with the known vices of his paymasters in the Bola Ige House, the seat of government in Osogbo. Oyedeji, now a familiar guest of all anti-graft agencies is said to be perpetrating wastefulness, graft, and misappropriation of funds. However the corps chief has attributed his present travails in the hands of the ICPC to the handiwork of the opposition parties in the state, whom he accused of wanting to destroy his integrity at all costs. By OUR REPORTER

Osogbo Explosion: Police May Use MTN Call Log

Kola — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:51:32 +0000

POLICE crack team, investigating last year’s June Osogbo explosion has reported that nothing incriminating was found in the apartment of the prime suspect, who was at large. According to the report of the investigation in the possession of OSUN DEFENDER, only campaign materials of Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State were found in the Ondo residence of the prime suspect, Mr Gboyega Olasogba. It would be recalled that the explosion rocked Osun State Secretariat at the height of the violent crisis that greeted the controversial general elections that were conducted in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pointed accusing finger at the state chapter of the Action Congress (AC), whereby some chieftains of the party were arrested, remanded in prison custody and later released on bail. The police crack team, according to findings reportedly found the 80 year old father of the suspect-at-large, Pa Olasogba in his residence, but could not explain whereabout of his son. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the report suggested the need to bring MTN into the loop, so as to trace the location, where the suspect might be hiding. It would be recalled that the embattled State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola had earlier claimed to have been in possession of a diary belonging to the suspect-at-large, where names of AC leaders, who were alleged to have been implicated in the plot to kill him (Oyinlola) featured. Reacting on the development, Osogbo AC chieftain in Olorunda Local Government Council Area of the State, Elder Sunday Laoye, who has just been released from prison as touching the matter, said that the story of the explosion was mischievously woven around the opposition in a desperate move to cage them (opposition). “I am a victim of the political “bomb” blast; I was detained for so long both in the police custody and prison for having no connection with the blast. I want the matter investigated, so that I can be vindicated in the end,” said Laoye. Besides, the AC director of Research, Mr. Sunday Akere has challenged the state governor to make the diary available for the police and the media, for public scrutiny. By GOKE BUTIKA

Assassins On Prowl In Ile-Ife

Kola — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:15:57 +0000

WITHIN a spate of two months, some men believed to be hired assassins have reportedly gunned down their second victim, Engineer Adewale Akobi, in the ancient city of Ile-Ife. The assassination of Engineer Akobi, by men suspected to be hired assassin at Fajuyi area before his wife and children was described as a gruesome experience by the wife of the deceased while speaking with journalists in Ile-Ife, narrating her experience in the hands of the hired assassins. According to her, while recalling her experience, she stated that on Wednesday night around 2.00a.m, she heard strange movements in their compound, which they initially suspected to be men of the underworld. She further stated that the strange movement alerted their neighbours as well, but no one knew which of the flats the unwanted visitors wanted to enter at such unholy hour. She then revealed that though her husband was fast sleep, she came out of her bedroom to alert him of the strange movements in their yard. “By this time, other neighbours were awake, but no one was courageous enough to shout and I did not know the number to dial to call in the police.” “Suddenly the assassins turned the knob of the door leading to our apartment and within the twinkling of an eyes, they gained entrance into the flat.” Her husband then asked of their mission and they told him they came to our flat, specifically, and that they were there to take his life. Mrs Akobi stated that her husband gave them the keys to his brand new jeep and all the money at home which they refused, adding that someone had paid for his life. In the presence of his wife and children they shot the husband and ensured that he died before they took their leave, she narrated amidst tears. OSUN DEFENDER investigation revealed in the neigbourhood, no one heard the gun-shot of the assassins, an indication that the assassins must have used a hand-gun with silencer attached as confirmed by the wife of the deceased during the interactive session with journalists in Ile-ife. The police source, confirmed the incident and added that those who perpetuated the crime were armed with sophisticated weapons as they were able to cut the gate leading to the house with relative case. Meanwhile, the remains of Engineer Wale Akobi had been deposited at Obafemi Awolowo university Teaching hospital mortuary, while the police is battling with the mystery concerning his death. It would be recalled that Engineer Dotun Layode also an Ife indigene was killed by men suspected to be hired killers, barely two months ago at Iwaraja area, along Iloko/Ilesa road By SOLA JACOBS

Osun People Defend Professor Wole Soyinka

Kola — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:34:44 +0000

OSUN State people last weekend lambasted Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the state governor, for the invectives poured on the highly revered Professor Wole Soyinka. In a survey conducted by OSUN DEFENDER, the people said Oyinlola had come out of his shell to declare that he has no modicum of respect for respositors of education and knowledge. The people stated that Oyinlola had shot himself in the foot for deprecating the Nobel Laureate's international title for academic excellence in literature bestowed on Soyinka decades ago. Oyinlola had in a press statement last weekend called Soyinka a “Nobel Liar,” accusing him of misinforming the Nigeria public of the political happenings in the state of Osun. Osun governor by default of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had blasted Soyinka of taking sides on the poll tribunal’s verdict on the governorship claims in the state. Respondents in Okuku, the country home of Oyinlola went down the memory lane and revealed that “Oyinlola has absolute respect for only the traditional institution just because his father late Oba Moses Oyinlola was part of the institution, but the man has no respect for gurus of education and knowledge. Oyinlola himself only had three credits is his school certification which he had from our grammar school here, Odo-Otin Grammar School, Okuku. “The law degree which he now flaunts, was obtained after his retirement on the Brigadier-General rank in the Nigeria army, and the degree everyone knows, was obtained on a platter of financial inducement, naira trickled out of so much he amassed as Lagos State Administrator. “Good enough, he has said he would be leaving the government house to become a cleric. But we know, he would resume his auto dealership business full time. He cannot practice as a lawyer, let him try it and see the emptiness of his claim to a law degree,” our Okuku respondents, said Other respondents made a quick re-assessment of Nigeria military of Oyinlola’ time and said he belonged to the era, when corps discipline and respect for the authorities had disappeared, describing Soyinka as a distinguished authority with undiminished clouts and status across the globe. Stories By ISAAC OLUSESI

Ola-Oluwa PDP Leaders Accuse SSG Of High-handedness

Kola — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:56:12 +0000

WITH the lack of honesty and integrity openly demonstrated all the time by the chieftains of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, the party members have expressed their dissatisfaction and threaten to rock the boat. The PDP chapter in Ola-Oluwa local government council area last weekend made known, at a forum in Ogbagba the council headquarters, expressed their disgust at the manners the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Fatai Akinbade who is also from the council area run the affairs of the council from Bola Ige House, the seat of government, in Osogbo the state capital. Physical projects to be embarked upon by the council and the contract costs for the projects are said to be determined and dictated by the SSG, while the lot to prioritize the welfare packages for staff as occasions demand also falls on Akinbade. Party chieftains in the area are said to be particularly irked by the unbounded interference in the political patronages, and horse-tradings immediately after the charade local government council elections held last December. The SSG is accused of having everything in the party at the council level, all to himself and nothing for any other person within the party, and the signals presently are that party leaders and elders in the area have vowed to begin to work at cross purpose with the party. “Let me tell you that major policy decisions that affect or may affect our local government, its staff or the grassroot people in the council jurisdiction are taken by Fatai Akinbade together with a handful of bootlickers within the party, and we see this development as anti – democracy. “Honestly we have passed the stage when one person, who erroneously sees himself as a tin-god would identify an option and alternative options, process them and arrive at final option or options which he considers good for the rest of us,” a party chieftain who would not have his name in prints, told OSUN DEFENDER. Efforts made to speak on phone with the SSG on the mater did not pay off, as he was said to be too busy with the backlog of files on his table due to his long absence from office. It would be recalled that Akinbade had been the guest of the Economic Finance Crime Commission (EFCC) recently in Abuja.

PDP Accuses LG Officials Of Govt Secret Leakage

Kola — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:08:26 +0000

PRINCIPAL officers in the local government service of Osun State recently had the brunts of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Olagunsoye Oyinlola, governor of the state, OSUN DEFENDER can authoritatively inform. At a reported meeting of the chairmen of the thirty local governments in the state including Modakeke area Office, Ile-Ife, held at the PDP State Secretariat Iwo Road, Osogbo, the party state chairman Mr Ademola Rasaki a.k.a Landero, reportedly informed the council bosses of the worry of the state helmsman over the slipping of the government’s classified documents into the hands of the opposition newspapers. Apparently conveying the official restiveness in the Bola Ige House, the seat of government in Osogbo resulting from the OSUN DEFENDER news stories on the government activities, to the meeting, the PDP state chief accused the council chairmen of leaking the official and unofficial secrets of the party and government in the state to the rank and file of the opposition political parties and newspapers. The meeting, which featured fire spitting, hot arguments and counter-argument and irreversible curses, however laid the blame for the incessant leakages of the official conducts in the corridors of power, at the doorsteps of the councils’ principal bureaucrats. The political bosses in the councils alleged their directors have been caught playing double dealings, pointing at them as conduits, for what they all called “unholy passage of information to the most undesired quarters.” Some of the council chairmen who spoke after the meeting bluntly knocked the departmental directors in the councils on the heads, and accused them of secret romances with the Action Congress (AC) party.

Why The Delay of National Judicial Council (NJC) To Investigate Naron?

Kola — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:21:47 +0000

BE kind enough to spare me a space in your medium to comment briefly on the delay of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the much-publicized compromise of the Justice Thomas Damar Naron and other members of his election petitions tribunal that sat in Osun State and the lawyer involved, Mr. Kunle Kalejaiye. Though, we have heard from the NJC, which is the highest authority of the nation judiciary that investigation would commence on the matter, we have not heard why the council has been delaying the investigation. The NJC should remember that the matter is not only of paramount interest to Osun State alone but of national and international interest. The council should also be aware that the delay in its investigation has been preventing many organizations or agencies from carrying out their investigations, which would actually unravel the brain behind the compromise of the tribunal, as some of the agencies would want to base their investigations on the outcome of the NJC’s. Every Nigerian who read or heard about the matter was disappointed and most of them have the impression that all judges in Nigeria do act alike in the same direction with justice Naron, the impression, which the NJC should find a way to correct as soon as possible as it is not in the best interest of the judiciary. I am not saying that the council is not working on the issue, but the question is that why the delay after the NJC has made pronouncement in the media that it would beam its searchlight to the matter and make the culprits to face the wrath of the law. What can actually help the matter is to make sure that the investigation is hastened and ensure that the judges and Kalejaiye, if found guilty should be punished without any delay whatsoever, because people of Osun State, Nigeria and the whole world are watching and expecting the result of the NJC’s investigation. If the NJC still refuse to hasten its investigations, definitely people would be made to suffer and would completely lose confidence in the judiciary. NJC, please, we are still waiting for the report of your investigation. From ABDUL-RASHEED ADESINA, Ile-Ogbo, Osun State

Why We Petitioned Appeal Court President - CACOL Chair

Kola — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:04:57 +0000

Comrade Debo Adeniran is the chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) and was among the 24-members of the coalition that were arrested within the premises of the state High Court, Osogbo, Osun State while peacefully protesting the alleged compromise of the Justice Thomas Naron-led Election Petitions Tribunal by the police team led by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Moronike and later remanded in Ilesa prison Custody by Magistrate Olapoju Akintayo of an Osogbo magistrate court. In this interview with the Editor, Kayode Agbaje and Kazeem Mohammed, he spoke extensively on the CACOL members’ arrest, remand and their experience in prison custody. Excerpt:- OSDF: What informed your decision to form CACOL? Adeniran:- CACOL is a coalition of organizations of which my primary organization is one. My primary organization is Child Help, which is in defence to the right to education in Nigerian otherwise known as Children Project. It was at one of the fora of the organization that we analyzed the situation in the different sectors of the economy and we discovered that all the problems can be traced to corruption at one level or the other. We discovered that corrupt practices at the lower level based on the corruption at the upper level of government or organization, where you find heads of parastatals, institutions, ministries perpetrating high level of corrupt activities by embezzling funds that should be used for the ordinary people in the country. Meanwhile, the livelihood of these ordinary person are being jeopardized due to non-availability of infrastructure and some other amenities because they would have to spend so much to get little which means that their regular earnings cannot meet up with their lifestyle. As a result of this, they turns to another means which is beyond the conventional means of getting money by turning towards criminal ways like bribery, stealing and perpetrating all other vices. So, when we discovered that this corruption affects virtually all aspects of life and economy, we resolved to find a way to tackle the monster once and for all by at least reduce it, if we cannot destroy it completely. During our analysis we discovered that Children Projects which I primarily belong to could not do it alone and we had to invite other organizations and at our meeting we agreed to pursue a minimum agenda on corruption. Also we said that we are going to tackle corrupt leaders in public and private sectors, that if we could tackle corruption at the higher level, to tackle the ones at the lower levels would not be difficult. That was what actually informed us to found CACOL and we started CACOL in August 2007. OSDF: What are the laid down objectives of the coalition? Adeniran: The main objectives is to garner enough strength both human and materials to engage the state actors in providing wherewithal with which corrupt practice in public and private sectors will be brought under perpetual check. We design programmes that will pamper the anti-graft agencies to do their works accurately that nobody would be treated as sacred cow, be it the head of any public or private institutions. As such, we tried to pressure the anti-graft agencies to do their work without fear or favour. Also, we help the anti-graft agencies to engage in research with which we can provide them with facts and figures on situation of corruption for them to have materials to work with. We also intend to discourage corrupt practices by exposing ‘corruptionist’ and make sure that their community do not welcome them by deceit. We persuade the communities to warn their sons and daughters that if they engage in corrupt practice, they will find a way of shunning them. So, our motor in CACOL is ‘Name, nail, shame and shun corrupt leaders’ anywhere, everywhere and that is one of our activities that we should identify them, petition against them and make sure that the petition is followed up to a logical conclusion; that they are investigated by officials of anti-corruption agencies and make sure that they are prosecuted. If eventually they are prosecuted we want to ensure that they are not welcomed back by their communities so that people would be discouraged to engage in corruption. OSDF: Looking at your objectives, how have you been able to succeed in bringing these corrupt leaders into justice? Adeniran: If you go back to the history of Olusegun Obasanjo-led government, many people thought that anti-corruption agencies would not do anything that will halt them and you will realize that the need to prosecute Obasanjo started around the time we started CACOL. We took the bull by the horn by writing to the EFCC. We did a procession to the Lagos zonal office of the EFCC-where we submitted the petition in November 12, 2007. Then, we compiled another one and was submitted in December 14, 2007 to ICPC and since then we have been doing follow up. The EFCC has invited us several times to give them more information and to help them into the investigation of the petitions submitted to them. We have also met ICPC a couple of time. Though they have not shown us that they are doing something, but their pronouncements in the media show us that they are investigating the matter. Also, the Director of Investigation, Umar Sauda declared in Lagos that Obasanjo was under their investigation which was the first time they make categorical statement on the issue. Also, we went to the National Assembly to submit the same petition and follow-up letters that we have written. We also met the chairman, Anti-corruption Committee, Alhaji Naduku who represented the Speaker of the House of Representatives and we are expecting result from the Assembly of which we will know where to base our agitation. But beyond that, a number of organizations have been gingered up to pick up activities that are directed towards anti-graft activities. All these activities might have led to what the National Assembly is working on, when they set up a probe panel even at the senate when they have to investigate the allocation of properties at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and some other scandals that have been exposed. Although, we don’t have the illusion that the present administration will probe the past because with all sincerity, the election that brought a lot of them, including the president to power was full of irregularities. That was the basis of forming the electoral reform committee by President Umar Musa Yar’adua which we believe is not likely to reform anything. Also, the so-called 7-point agenda of Yar’adua has been sabotaged even before it began. In the whole agenda, there is nothing that is working. Basically we don’t have so much hope but we want to put so many things on record that these petitions are against those people, while it will be on record and the atrocities they have committed will be in the history book of this country. We also support the probe panels that were set up by the National Assembly, even if they were not going to do anything. They said they don’t have prosecutorial power in the Assembly but we told them that they can invite anybody in this country and that they have not invited Obasanjo to defend himself from the power probe sittings and that is a big minus to whatever that might have come up from that power probe thing. So, if they don’t invite him, they have not done up to 50% of what we expects them to do. But for those ones they have been exposed so far, we believe that government does not do anything about it and we challenge the government to do something about that particular issue. A lot of other petitions have also been written like that of the way police commissioner in Osun State behaved to us when we staged a procession to the State High Court. So, as for achievement, apart from the fact that we have brought some of these issues to the front burner in the media or elsewhere, we may not be able to say that we have reached a conclusion, but we are not daunted yet and we are still on the move. We have been moving round to do the protest against those corrupt leaders. We were in Jos, in Benin where people are working parri-passu with CACOL agenda. OSDF: How have you been able to finance your activities in CACOL? Adeniran: I must tell you that we don’t need much money to do all those things, but the little we have, come from over 30 organizations that come together and in every meeting, all the organizations fund their way to the meeting and to our activities. We have people on the ground anywhere we go in Nigeria, where we stage our activities. We have not engaged in any expensive activities than to write letter and take it to where it should go. Meanwhile some of our members are ready to contribute their skill and finances to ensure that we are succeeded in our programmes. For instance, for now, we are using ‘Children Project’ secretariat for CACOL and some of our members even contributed to some of the publications that we have gotten. OSDF: What brought about your interest on Osun State? Adeniran: What actually attracts our interest on Osun State was when we read in the newspaper that the legislators were given N5 million in the state and eleven of them returned the said money. When we read it, we see it as part of corruption because legislators are supposed to checkmate the executive arm of government. For the legislators to now begin to execute projects, it means that their functions have been overlapped. If their functions are now being overlapped, definitely checks and balances would be in jeopardy. It means that the people of the state would now be on their own and the state would be turned to a banana republic, whereby, only might would be right. So, we addressed press conference and said the fact that legislators have no right to execute any constituency project. If they see that there is need for any development in their constituencies, they can inform the executive arm to include it into the budget estimate and make sure that the projects are executed in their constituencies. So, that was what brought us to Osun State and that was where we discovered the judicial corruption as reported in TheNEWS magazine. That was where we discovered that one of the lawyers, Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN) had secret access to the judges of the first election petitions tribunal led by Justice Thomas Naron’s concerning the secret phone conversations between them. When we saw that, we discovered that it was an aberration, unethical and it was against the rules that govern the profession. We have professionals among us who did the analysis of the alleged call logs and we crosschecked with the evidence in the magazine. We even liaised with the publisher of the magazine and they showed us more evidence than what they actually published. On that we now put petition together to the president, Court of Appeal who actually set up the election tribunal. Though, we don’t have enough funds to take the petition to Abuja to go and present it, but we sent it through the Federal Court of Appeal in Ibadan. That is another area where we have dabbled into Osun State. So, it was at the level of presenting the copy of the same petition to the Chief Judge of the Osun State that we ran into the malady that pervades the governance in Osun State where a peaceful procession was turned to opportunity to brutalize ordinary citizens of the state. We have submitted the petition to the Chief Registrar and we were about signing the acknowledgement copy when we saw the policemen in about five vehicles with two cars following them, where we discovered that the policemen were led by commissioner of police in the state. Even the first set of police that came saw no reason to arrest us because of our peaceful conduct. Because they did not see us engaging in any violence, they even led us to the office of the registrar of the high court of Osogbo, where we submitted the petition until the CP and his team came. The Chief Registrar even told the CP that everything was under control and he should leave us alone, but the CP even threatened to harass her, which made her to leave us to our fate and kept quiet. So, they arrested us and two-gatemen of the High Court for allowing us to go into the premises of the court. Meanwhile, the gatemen knew that we were harmless before they allowed us in and even on that day, two courts were sitting and they did not complain that we were disturbing their proceedings on that day, neither were we charged for any offence. We were taken to the police headquarters from where we were also taken to the state CID where we were psychologically brutalized and they (police) even threatened to make any one of us loose part of his body. Twenty six of us were cramped into ten by six room and even the two policemen that were assigned to the court were also arrested. Five days later, we were arraigned at the magistrate court 2 and our lawyer argued our bail applications, where a couple of authorities that were cited by our lawyers were opposed by the police prosecutor, Adekunle Ayuba, after which the magistrate said that he would have to go through all the authorities cited. With that, he said that he would rule on the bail application ten days after and we should be remanded in Ilesa prisons after which we were granted bail and we are still on bail now. OSDF: What were your experiences in prison custody? Adeniran: When you talk of personnel, it was better but talking of facilities and social amenities, they are in short supply. Ilesa prison does not witness prison congestion as we have been experiencing in Nigeria. The fact is that the warders and even the prisoners are well behaved, but the conditions of living in that place are nothing to write home about. As a result of that, we met the head of prison and complained about all the shortage that we discovered. Also, there are some cells that are called single cell, they are nothing but a torture cage and whatever the case, we don’t believe that prison should be a torture centre, but should be a correctional centre. It should be a place, where prisoners could see at least a minimum comfort and they should have access to recreation and some other things. Talking about logistics, we discovered that there were no enough vehicles and the ones that are available are not being regularly maintained and even in some occasions the prison officers misses the court proceedings, where they are supposed to present the accused persons. As a result of that, several people spend a long time in prison awaiting trial. I was surprise, when the Minister for Justice and Attorney–General said that nobody was detained for more than one year without trial, because we discovered that so many people have spent over 8-years in the prison without being tried. Whereas, if they eventually get convicted, they would not have spent one-tenth of what they have spent. You will also discover that the governor and even the Chief Judge are not visiting the prison to see what happens there and even if they pass through the place, they don’t seek the opinion of the prisoners to know what they are short of. Due to the long time they have spent, some of them have been tortured that they could not even recognize their sanity. Some of them have contracted diseases, while some of them have developed pneumonia, because of the bad living condition. We believe that there would be improvement if the head of the prison improve on the care of the prisoner as promised. OSDF: What is your message to our leaders and even the followers? Adeniran: The message is that our leaders should shun corruption because whatever they do will surely be on record. To the people, the corrupt leaders should not be welcomed to their communities, so that they would be discouraged from such act, they should shame and shun the corrupt leaders after they might have been identified.

Needless Delay

Kola — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:19:26 +0000

THE judiciary still remains the last hope of the common man in a democracy. Whether the Action Congress, AC, would agree with this popularly held notion, however, is a different ball game altogether. Six weeks after submitting a petition to the National Judicial Council, NJC, and the Economic and financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alleging corrupt practices against the first Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal members, not much has been heard about the matter. Worse still, this magazine reliably gathered that the EFCC that rose up to the challenge of looking into the petition is being urged to hands off the matter, as it is not within its jurisdiction. Information available to this magazine shows that the anti-corruption agency, penultimate week, invited the MTN directors to avail the agency of the official call logs, record of voice calls as well as text or SMS messages of Chief Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, counsel to the Osun State Governor, and the Osun State Election Tribunal members headed by Justice Thomas Naron. Rather than respond accordingly, this magazine reliably gathered that the communication network last week sent its lawers without the EFCC requirements, to have a ‘talk’ with the commission’s Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri. “But the infuriated Chairman chose not to have anything to do with the lawyers, more so that they did not come with the call list and SMS messages of the accused as requested,” a source offered. “Our letter was definite,” Mrs. Farida was said to have told the lawyers. “It (the letter) stated unambiguously that we want to see the directors with the call logs and SMS messages of the accused. Tell them that they are not the target, we just want to establish the truth, to know if indeed the allegation of corruption as contained in a petition sent to us has any merit,” the Chairman was said to have admonished the lawyers who visited her last week. But as at the time this magazine was going to press last week, the directors had still not complied with the EFCC directive. Mrs. Waziri, we further gathered, swore to get to the root of the matter. “She reiterated her resolve to step on toes, no matter whose ox is gored. To this end, the directors may be compelled to release the documents which will aid the investigation of the allegations contained in the petition,” the source said last week. A twist was, however, introduced into this corruption saga when the NJC was alleged to have directed the EFCC to hands off the investigation. A source at the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi, who is the Chairman of the council, told TheNEWS that the NJC, and not the EFCC, is constitutionally empowered to investigate such allegation. The source said EFCC was overstepping its bounds when it indicated interest in investigating the petition. But an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Max Ogar, speaking on the controversy, told TheNEWS that, inasmuch as the NJC is the constitutionally empowered body to look into allegations against judicial officers, “there is nothing wrong if the EFCC is also investigating the corruption allegation as contained in a petition sent to them. To us lawyers, we want to see how this case will be resolved, and soon too. Corruption is corruption. Was the fraud in the National Judicial Institute, NJI, not investigated by EFCC? I pray that politics should not be introduced into this case because it means so much to the Nigerian judiciary, as the allegation is so weighty. It is also in the interest of the accused to help in the investigation so that they can clear their names which has been tar-brushed going by the allegations contained in that publication by TheNEWS”. Mr. Femi Babafemi, EFCC’s spokesman, was not available when this magazine called at his office last week. He was said to have traveled to Osun State to attend a retreat organised by the Police Service Commission, PSC. It would be recalled that the AC, in a petition dated 7 July 2008, signed by Prince Gboyega Famodun, alleged that Chief Kalejaiye had many telephone conversations with the Tribunal members, especially the chairman, during hearing in the petition filed by the AC Governorship candidate, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, challenging Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s victory at the April 2007 polls lasted. Part of the petition reads: “We believe that it is unusual for a lawyer and a judge to be in constant and regular telephone conversation with each other when the lawyer has pending matters before the said judge.” Attempts by the petitioner to halt the judgment of the Tribunal pending the determination of the petition of corruption against the election Tribunal Justices failed, as the Tribunal went ahead to deliver judgment. Interestingly, despite his grandstanding and threats of court action days after TheNEWS hit town with the story, Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN), Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s lawyer, perhaps unwilling to face an embarrassment in court over a story that in his heart of hearts he know is true, has refused to live up to his threat to drag TheNEWS to court for libel over the story. When the petition was filed before the NJC, the chairman was said to have traveled out of the country. TheNEWS findings however showed that the chairman has since returned to the country. Yet, six weeks after, not much is seen to have been achieved Nigerians are watching. •Culled from TheNEWS Magazine

A Misgoverned Governor - By Prof. Wole Soyinka

Kola — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:40:46 +0000

WHAT a pity that some individuals, especially in leadership positions, have never learnt to leave well alone! Oyinlola, embattled governor of Osun State on multiple fronts, raced to Sydney, Australia, to seek audience with Ulli Beier, seeking a way out of the unsavory dilemma into which he had been thrust by his former military boss to whom his allegiance remains fixated over and above the claims of truth, culture, decency, and the people of Osun state over whom he was presumably ‘elected’; to preside. His mission: to seek a facesaving formula from the Beiers. Ever his gracious, Yoruba acculturated self, Ulli Beier consented to receive him but alone, without his entourage. There and I do not speculate he was duly scolded like the errant scion of a royal house he is, called to order, reminded by his elderly host of a long cultural collaboration with his late father. Oyinlola emerged duly chastened, knowing that he had no choice but to revert to the path of honour. However, does he leave well alone? No, he had to present the nation with his own version of that closed-door session, laying the seeds of further distractions and/or new ways to pursue a tenacious agenda. It is not by accident that the FESTAC collection has been mentioned in documents connected to this saga of acquisitive obsession. We had better start screaming right now, even before ‘facts’ become facts, and a national acquisition ends in the bowels of presidential Laundromats. Now, what are these ‘facts’ that Oyinlola advises his betters to verify before exercising their ‘elder statesman’ interventionist compulsion. It is a demeaning exercise, but I must try public patience with a reiteration of some already stated facts as in factual, without the inverted commas. The following are excerpts from a letter of 4 July 2007 to Mr. Koichiro Matsura, Director-General of UNESCO, by Ambassador Michael Omolewa, the Nigerian Permanent Delegate to UNESCO: “Permit me to present to you formally my Government’s proposal: the Government of Nigeria has decided that the Institute shall be established on the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State……” Now, turn to page 3 of that letter, under “Explanatory Note” and see the guaranteed contents of this Institute. I quote: “Ulli and Georgina Beier have signed an agreement with the Government in which they agreed to transfer their archive and collection of some 10,000 items of books, articles, photographs, negatives and albums, films, videos, audio cassettes, record CDs, ephemera about concerts and exhibitions and other cultural items and material pertaining to Nigerian and in particular Yoruba culture .....” Will Prince Oyinlola kindly tell the nation to which Institute, according to Omolewa’s letter, this collection was to be transferred? In the immediately preceding paragraph, Ambassador Omolewa actually assures the Director-General that sub-branches of the Obasanjo Library-based Institute will be created, the first of which shall be the ‘ULLI AND GEORGINA BEIER CENTRE FOR BLACK CULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING”. This was the picture presented to Ulli Beier, only for this laudable recognition to be appropriated by the Olusegun Obasanjo Library, on behalf of which the UNESCO Category II accreditation was to be sought. It is a tedious, ignoble affair, and I have already laid out the heart of the matter in my earlier article that alerted UNESCO to the danger of it being turned into a Laundromat for failed Rulers. So let me cut straight though the brambles of deceit, manipulation and confusionist tactics at ambassadorial level. Here is the title of the actual petition that went before the Executive Board - Document 177 Ex/69) of 17 September 2007 - for presentation to the General Assembly: “PROPOSAL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INSTITUTE FOR AFRICAN CULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AT THE OLUSEGUN OBASANJO LIBRARY IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE NIGERIA, AS A CATEGORY 2 CENTRE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF UNESCO” Lo and behold, the ULLI AND GEORGINA BEIER CENTRE FOR BLACK CULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING, on the basis of which the archives were bought, presented to the Director-General for endorsement in July 2007 by the Nigerian Government through her Ambassador Omolewa, had become, by September of the same year, the OLUSEGUN OBASANJO INSTITUTE. Based on what credentials? The ability to swallow, intact, the Ulli and Georgina collection, salted and spiced by public funds. This was the Grand Larceny that would have become a fait accompli in April this year, but for the naturally resented intervention of those who are now advised to get their ‘facts’ straight. The shameless posturing of Oyinlola takes one’s breath away. More facts? In the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Babalola Borishade, Minister of Culture, on behalf of the Nigerian Government, and dated l0th May, 2007, the honorable Minister provides the genesis of the conspiracy to appropriate the Beier archives in paragraph 5 (Background). In the Minister’s words: "Subsequently President Olusegun Obasanjo requested Professor Borisade, Professor Omolewa, and Hans d’Orville to explore and negotiate with Mr. and Mrs. Beier the terms and arrangements of a transfer of the archive from Sydney in a newly to be created centre in Oshogbo, as part of a new Institute for Black Culture and International Understanding being established under UNESCO’s auspices at the Olusegun Obasanjo Library” Put all those ‘facts’ together, and all they form is a crooked line. As it happens however, a substantive issue has been raised that must be confronted by UNESCO. Now that Oyinlola’s authoritative voice has been raised to assure the nation, and the people of Osun State, that the archives will now go where they were originally designated, what does that make of the earlier aspirant, now thwarted custodian, the Obasanjo Library? In cultural terms, a korofo isana. An empty matchbox and I consider it my duty to pass on this development, and its implications, formally to UNESCO in my capacity as Goodwill Ambassador, among other hats I occasionally put on my head. My prolonged collaboration with that institution indicates quite plainly that it endorses actualities, be they of Nature or man’s intelligence Angkor Wat, Osun Grove, Sintra, Abu Simbel, the Alhambra, active programmes with records to show for their existence, specialised institutions etc. etc. I have yet to learn that ‘yet-to-be-created’ notions, expectations and intentions, even when backed by five-star hotels and promissory notes and government subsidies qualify for UNESCO designations. Functioning is the ultimate criteria, not simply a building, or complex. Those who want to pursue illusions are free to do so. It is when attempts are made to stuff such illusions with the palpable life labour of others as credentials that we are forced to bring the House of Cards crashing down on their heads. Facts, Prince Oyiniola? There are plenty more, but we’ll reserve them for the effective time and place. My advice to you is that you stick to the guardianship and preservation of those archives when they arrive in Oshogbo at least, while you’re still governor. For the unfinished part of this tawdry business, the dateline is October/November, UNESCO, Paris. We’ll see you there, with your entourage or whoever is governor. In the meantime, let the appropriate ministry and public take stock of all the bits and pieces the nation has managed to salvage from FESTAC. A Press conference, foreign architects in attendance, has already bragged of building a museum in the Library complex. New functions for a Presidential Library are being touted that were not canvassed during the extortionist exercise that launched the five star hotel and yet-to-be-created Institutes. Experts, scholars and diplomats are already under recruitment. Tracks are being laid to ease the passage of FESTAC archives into the baskets of the Presidential Laundromat. Upon whose porous containers the UNESCO recognition as a cultural estate will now be based. Mischief is yet afoot, Jet no one be deceived. There are some guests, when they leave the house, you have to count the forks and knives. • Culled from TheNEWS

The Nemesis Plunge

Kola — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:21:18 +0000

I had hardly left the stage of a toddler when I became psychical with that Yoruba aphorism that a twenty year-old pounded yam can still tickle the hand. As a journalist, I began to think that probably that adage has no meaning afterall as my ascension to the stage of puberty seems not to have lent credence to this ubiquitous fact. My mind became stranded as I began to think that probably our stage actors have turned prissy (after all if people say you are bad and wicked and you are behaving to the contrary, it only means that you have taken their proof to the arena of corrigenda) and certain scenarios started unfolding. The military incursion into our political experiment of post-independence era in 1966 dealt a great blow to our political maturity and that we are still grappling with even today. Since then, it is only the military apologists that hold sway. It does not matter whether they are doing it right or wrong; so long as they tilt their opinions to the side of their skewed hegemony, they will always get away with their atrocious acts. The anti-graft agencies are conscious of the fact that attempt by their dragnets to be active within this terrain will have them shredded. There were rays of hope beginning from 2003 when the then president put in place some bodies that will bring to book those with questionable character, It was then the slogan of due process became popular. The veracity of certain statements that onion will not germinate to bring forth ordinary vegetable or yam to germinate and bring forth potatoes will for ever hold water. Olusegun Obasanjo’s insincerity remained the bane of those efforts. He is corrupt and any efforts towards incorruption were bound to fail, and that woefully. Tax payers’ money was only wasted for four solid years to pay the salaries and allowances of the civil and public servants in the anti-graft bodies as their efforts ended in the thrash can. Those who were indicted never smelt prosecution because they were connected with the powers that be. THE exception was in the opposition. These had caused a huge mountain of filth and dirt to pile, so the time had ripped to rid the terrain of exasperating deluge of socio-political Nausea when the incumbent president got the mantle of leadership in 2007. He met us like Augeas, the mythological king of Elis in Greece, whose numerous stables that have been left uncleaned for a long time of the excreta of his great herd of oxen became dangerous and hazardous. We need the bravery of Hercules, the man of courage with extraordinary know how and power who would not sit and watch the king die or allow for the obliteration of a people through outbreak of epidemics. He cleaned up the stables by diverting the course of a river through the stables and the Augean stables were redeemed. We need such efforts to get out of our peculiar mess. We would have remained in our despondent and hopeless state if the men of vision amongst us have gone to sleep. If they have derived contentment in the reward of their sweat, great enough to afford them needed comfort. These are men who have really used their energy and talent to seal means of livelihood. The opulence around them is enough for them to be complacent but they have chosen never to be self centred. They are of the opinion that not all efforts are rewarding and so the not-so-fortunate should be prevented from destructive and debilitating squalor. They have staked their pride, their integrity and often times their lives, just as Hercules did in Greece. Though they have no effrontery, like Jerry Rawlings, one time Ghanaian head of state who decided that some of Ghana’s heads of government were “Jonahs” who should be dropped in the sea so that fishes can eat them up. He lined them up in a public square in Ghana and asked that they be shot. They were executed and their blood was used to cleanse Ghana’s Augean stable. Since then Ghana has not remained the same. Ghana can only be affected today by global economic trend, not self inflicted economic epilepsy that is ravaging our country presently, with political instability as the hallmark, while mismanagement and corruption remain our handmaidens. These appear alien to today’s Ghana. The elimination of destructive albatross that is domiciled with us is no mean task because those who profit from it are usually desperately ready to prolong its life at all cost, as doing so will simultaneously prolong their own tenure as beneficiaries. It would have been possible some years back to want to feel that constructing a viable replacement would be a difficult task to accomplish, as a result of negative orientation associated with junta rule. TODAY, the story is different because The Soyinkas, The Enahoros, The Gani Fawehinmis, The Akinrinades et cetera have exigently been replicated. The consternation of systemic continuity is thus non existent, though an elixir is no cheap find: A lot goes into it. As bad as the last regime was, there were The Iwealas, the Akunyilis and a host of others, who though were partly forced out of the system, rekindled some hope in the despairing tomorrow leaders. We descried some things in their efforts and actions which will remain compasses to get solutions to the myriads of problems that may confront us in the foreseeable future. These are revealing enough to give us the fury of a river that will be directed towards the messy junks of our past political leaders to clean our Augean stable. The process must start from somewhere. And I believe it has started. Whatever the size of a conspiracy, it is possible for it to be alloyed. As a matter of fact, the bigger it is, the greater the prospect of its infiltration. So, the fact that PDP today, is the biggest party in Nigeria (if not in Africa as claimed) does not mean that something good which is against the aspiration of its majority members, cannot be fashioned out through the activities of the minority that have infiltrated it. That may account for the purging process that has just begun. It was unimaginable to suggest that personalities like Olabode George and those in his shoes could be invited for questioning. Not to talk of keeping them in detention for a number of days. They indeed held sway earlier in this century but the misused opportunity of those past years will forever hunt them. If it were to be the likes of Obafemi Awolowo, Bola Ige and Bisi Akande that had the chance they got, Nigeria will, by now be a paradise on earth. The opportunities they got were squandered. They did not only fail to build enduring structure but the little laudable legacy they met on ground was made to crumble, with nothing left to bequeath to the future generations. It is also heart boggling to know that the gentle man in Oyinlola’s government has been squeezed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). It is however an admixture of sorrow and joy: It is sorrowful because Osun deserves no humiliation in the public parlance. We have all it takes to attain unto greatness but the squander maniacs in power are all out to make this impossible. They are grossly specious, so much that there is no reliable information emanating, from the seat of power anymore. It is all lies. It is on the other hand a thing of joy that if the SSG in Osun can be called for interrogation and the facts against him are so weighty as to detain him for this so long a period, Oyinlola must be warming up for his own turn, because immunity is not forever. THOUGH any drive for food sufficiency, industrial raw materials and exportation now is about four decades too late, there is no orientation towards that direction. All we are fed with is propaganda, and despite the fact that emerging facts always debunk such, our Governor is not wise enough to have a rethink and initiate some measures that will redeem government’s battered image. It is only those who are feeding fat on the state that will see anything good in it. Any laudable programme that is launched is doomed from the onset because every of such moves is to bundle out some bales of currency to fulfill the course of profligacy. Some local government chairmen under Oyinlola have been squeezed. Many more are yet joining. Now that the secretary to the State government (SSG) has also been invited for a seemingly endless chat, other accomplices of Oyinlola in the plunder business of Osun resources are advised to brace up for their own bitter pills when they will also be plunged in their nemesis of governance incongruity. Meanwhile, let us continue to search for political and economic analgesic with varying doses of efficacy that will cure this “BEELARIA” that Oyinlola’s political and socio-economic climate has exposed us to. The end shall surely justify the means because the pounded yam that has survived two decades today still irritates the hand and the dragnets are fulfilling their lawful acts.

Wanted: A Truly Distinguished Royalty

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:07:24 +0000

This has not been the best of times for the traditional institutions. At this difficult period in their history, the Yorubas urgently now more than at any other time, require a truly distinguished royalty. Why is this so important? One might be tempted to ask, afterall, this is a modern democratic republic and so forth. It is obvious of course, that there will always be the question of the compatibility of traditional institutions with modern society. There will always be contradictions and fault-lines. However, within the culture, orientation and organization of Yoruba society, the institutions will always have a central-role to play. As we have already stated, in this period, the Yourbas are at a low ebb. On every front of activity the Yoruba nationality is slipping behind and losing its once wanted and envied place of pride. The race that produced the nation’s first lawyers, doctors, engineers and sundry professionals, is now operating a clapped out educational system at a time when access to education is the determining-ground for success in the modern economy. The debilitations wrought on the Yorubas by an incoherent leadership is particularly worrisome. Economically, unless it is been deceived by the property values in the Lagos metropolis and a handful of other centres, the race is lagging behind. Access to credit is hampered with the loss of such key financial institutions such as National Bank, Cooperative Bank amongst others. The government institutions which once provided long-term financial assistance such as the Western Nigeria Finance Corporation have long been defunct. To add insult to self-inflicted injury, a recent Central Bank directive, specifically called for the inclusion of three directors from outside the Southwest to carry out the reorganization of Wema Bank- a venerable – old Odua institution which had started out as Agbonmagbe Bank. In this difficult time, the response of the royalty in Yorubaland has been below par. They simply do not appear to grasp the seriousness of the issue. What is at stake is the future prosperity of the entire Yoruba-speaking nationality. This is a time for sobriety. The response required from the royalty is how to recognize priorities and reinvigorate all of our institutions. They are expected to show the light and move the race forward. In the past, revered rulers such as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, a host of distinguished Alake of Egbaland, the Olowo of Owo and so on would have provided the much needed leadership and be at the forefront of a fight back. Today, we indulge in nostalgia and miss these titans because of the perceived inadequacy of the present crop of rulers. During the harrowing days of the Abacha interregnum, only a handful stood out as been principled. Many played an inglorious even treacherous role in an era that is better forgotten. However, we must learn lessons from transient power and temporary advantage is. The present situation in which traditional rulers fail to speak out against injustice is untenable, demeaning and cannot stand the test of time. The injustices being meted out to the Yoruba at this moment are terrible and the people have suffered in silence with enviable patience. It cannot be an edifying moment for the Yoruba that our traditional rulers cannot speak when the right of the Yoruba to freely elect their own representatives and leadership is been violated with reckless abandon. It cannot be edifying that a 17-year-old girl is gang-raped and no one speaks out against such injustice. What have our traditional institutions done against the assault on Yoruba culture, society and economy perpetrated during the ignominious rule of Olusegun Obasanjo and his henchmen and collaborators, such as the late, unlamented Lamidi Adedibu? A rebirth of the Yoruba is currently under way. Everyone will have to take a stand. It with be to either be a part of the problem or be a part of the solution. There is no middle way. There is every need to ensure that the royalty is part of the solution. To do this, they will have to make atonement for their inglorious role in the recent past. The Yoruba seek truly distinguished royalty today more than ever. Great men, who will not be tempted or swayed by temporary advantage and pecuniary gain. It will require fighting on behalf of the welfare, enhancement and the rights of the people. It will mean recognizing that the Yourba must move in tandem with the requirements of the time. The institution of royalty is too central to the Yoruba for it to be wantonly abused and desecrated. There must be a positive move in the right direction now!

MTN Investigation Latest: Regular Feasts At Osun Govt House Cancelled

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:28:58 +0000

•PDP Plans To Beg Aregbe

AS the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) commences investigations into the financial commitment to the alleged compromise of the first tribunal that sat over the governorship petition filed by the Action Congress (AC) torch-bearer, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo, Osun State capital, fear of the unknown seems to have gripped the Oke-fia Government House tenant, his cabinet and hangers-on, as the regular night feast have been cancelled lately. It was gathered that top political officials, political jobbers and their easy-virtued ladies have suddenly evaporated from the sprawling premises of the Oke-Fia Government House, the venue of the unofficial dinner, as the governor and his team have lost appetite to the overwhelming challenges before them. It would be recalled that the AC petitioned the Farida Waziri led anti-corruption agency about the indicted story as touching the judges of the embattled tribunal and the defence counsel, Mr Kunle Kalejaiye’s (SAN) secret conversations published by The NEWS magazine, urging the EFCC to probe the plausible a financial commitment to the alleged compromise. In a petition signed by the party scribe in the state, Prince Gboyega Famodun and made available to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo, it reads: ‘Such a compromise resulting from familiarly but secret conversations between the tribunal judges and the defence counsel, has the possibility of a financial crime. Besides, the spokesperson for the Commission, Mr. Femi Babafemi, had last week, clarified the grey areas in the investigation, saying that the MTN management, that was summoned was not on trial, disclosing that the anti-graft agency only needed the detailed conversations of the published call logs. However, it is no longer at ease at the Oke-Fia Government House, Osogbo, as the top political players in the embattled ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state have seen the body language of the governor, who, according to our source within the Government House, has reached the crossroads over the multi-faceted problems facing him. OSUN DEFENDER gathered tentatively that the embattled lawyer concerned, Kalejaiye is currently hibernating at the state house, using the state government security vehicle to cruise around, for fear of being molested by the people, who have read about his alleged professional misconduct. It was learnt that the outcome of the EFCC’s investigations has become another source of concern to the governor and his lawyer, who are not sparing any flank in working out a soft landing for the likely fall-person. It was reported recently that the embattled tribunal chairman, Justice Thomas Naron had spoken to a senior counsel, who he thought might plead his case before the petitioner to cease fire, in order to save his career. Besides, it was learnt that the judges in question had allegedly owned up to some of their confidants that the allegation of the telephone conversation was real, expressing their fear that the outcome of the National Judicial Council (NJC), may alter their number of years on the bench. An unconfirmed information has it that the leadership of the PDP has lobbied some prominent traditional rulers in the state to broker peace between the governor and the opposition leaders, so that the raging political fire could be quenched. Speaking to OSUN DEFENDER under a strict confidentiality, a political top notcher of PDP extraction disclosed that it is no longer at ease with the governor and his men, particularly the EFCC issues and unceasing legal firework at the tribunal, saying that the problems have actually cancelled the regular feasts at the Government House. “This opposition has really chocked ‘oga’. In fact, it has affected him greatly and I cannot totally disagree with you that it has affected our ‘faaji’ (merrymaking) these days,” said the politician.

AC Lawmaker Escapes Assassination!

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:49:16 +0000

OSUN State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) threats of death on members of the opposition political parties could have been made good recently but for the mother luck. In Iwo state constituency, assassination attempts by the party’s political juggernaut on Honourable Razak Ayobami Salinsile, Action Congress (AC) lawmaker representing the constituency in the state House of Assembly have been revealed. The tribal-marked political juggernaut known for his latent thuggery and brigandage, and said to be the financier of the alleged assassination attempt has been reported lately to have dispatched a killer – gang after the AC legislator. Salinsile, according to sources, has been placed under static surveillance for extermination for what was authoritatively attributed to the larger-than-life political clout of the AC legislator in the constituency, which the PDP chieftain in the area has considered as growing wings, that must be clipped. In the poll ward of the killer-gang chief, Salinsile’s political party won landslide in the last year’s general elections in the area, a development that has continued to give the PDP in the constituency thorough political headache. According to sources within the PDP caucus in the state, the failure of the party chieftain to deliver his ward, adversely affected the amount of patronage the chief is reportedly getting in the political horse –trading to fill then existing political posts after the last year’s general elections. The AC parliamentarian escaped the last assassination attempt on him, said to be the third in the last two months, and was also reported to have been well planned and executed but the legislator escaped death by the whiskers. Based on the development, Salinsile does not sleep in his legislators’ quarters as assassins had visited the place twice within the last two months. Assassination became a familiar turf of the PDP in the state in the electioneering campaigns that preceded the last year’s general polls. The objective has been to ensure the ruling PDP government in the state cling on to power at all costs against the popular wishes of the people in the state. By ISAAC OLUSESI

Rauf Aregbesola Flays Ekiti Tribunal’s Verdict

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:25:07 +0000

THE Action Congress (AC) gubernatorial candidate of Osun State Engineer Rauf Aregbesola has condemned the recent judgment of the Ekiti State gubernatorial election petitions tribunal under the chairmanship of Justice Bukar Bwala, which upheld the election of Mr Segun Oni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor of the state regarding it as being intellectually deficient. The Action Congress flag-bearer stated this in a press statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER, that “the judgment is dubious, unacceptable and therefore it is rejected by the general public, who had keenly followed the trial.” According to him, a closer look at the tribunal judgment while throwing out the petition filed by the AC candidate in the state, Mr Kayode Fayemi revealed outright miscarriage of justice. The Osun State AC gubernatorial candidate also questioned the decision to disregard the clear and unambiguous computer analysis of Tunde Yadeka, the software expert, who clearly revealed the irregular use of ballots, away from the allocated polling stations. He further added that even to those who are unfamiliar with the trends of the proceedings before the Ekiti tribunal, that the judgment could appear straight forward and untainted with injustice but for plain and truthful analyst, it is absolute injustice. Aregbesola therefore urged the party supporters both in Osun and Ekiti states to remain calm saying, “we have witnessed the conclusion of a part of a process and we are committed to the final conclusion of this process”. He also added that the people should still look up to the Nigerian judiciary, saying it has the capacity to salvage its credible image, dented through the chicanery of Osun and Ekiti states election petitions tribunals.

UAD REACTS...

Also reacting to the judgment, Comrade Abiodun Aremu of the United Action for Democracy (UAD) stated that the judiciary has failed their expectations to redress all the stolen mandates of the April 14, 21 and 29 2007 electoral heist across the country. According to him the UAD had its fear of spate of perverted justice and bad judgments by the PDP incumbency- induced election petition tribunals across the country, which have been confirmed once again by the judgment, which returned Mr Segun Oni of Ekiti State as duly elected. He also added that the refusal of the tribunal at the ruling stage to admit the evidence of the forensic expert-Adrian Forty and its flimsy excuses that the petitioner, Dr Fayemi and his Action Congress (AC) did not plead certain punishment for agreed electoral law violations show that the judgment is biased. He also condemned the delay in the judgment of Appeal Court in confirming Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s resounding victory in Edo State gubernatorial election which has been delayed for up to five months now. By DAPO AJISEGIRI

Ekiti Tribunal Verdict: Fayemi Disagrees -No Jubilation For Victory

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:45:21 +0000

THE Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has disagreed with the Thursday verdict of the Justice Bukar Bwala state Election Petitions Tribunal upholding the controversial election of Governor Segun Oni, saying that he would appeal the judgment. Fayemi, who addressed journalists few hours after the judgment in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital described the judgment as a travesty of justice, saying that he was disappointed and surprised about the verdict of the tribunal. According to him: “The judgment of the tribunal marked the end of first phase of the struggle and the beginning of transition to the second phase and final phase of the struggles” hoping that the appellate court would do justice to the matter. He said: “With the plethora of evidence presented at the tribunal, the tribunal still shoved them aside and ruled in favour of PDP which did not make a single attempt at clearing the baggage of electoral accusations laid at its doorstep. “The judgment was not based on facts and evidences before the tribunal; we are going ahead to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, where we believe that ultimate justice would be done and we still believe that the judiciary harbours respectable men and women that would right the wrongs”, he stated. Fayemi had challenged the controversial April 14, 2007 election of Oni before the tribunal, claiming that the election was marred with widespread irregularities and prayed the tribunal to upturn the election and declare him winner of the said election. There was a low key jubilation in the state capital, as majority of the people of the state capital were observed not to be comfortable with the verdict of the tribunal. Apart from the governor, who rode in a motorcade in company of members of his kitchen cabinet and PDP supporters and moved round the state capital, majority of the people of the state were observed to have felt dis-satisfied with the judgment as they were heard hissing at the convoy of the governor. Though, the tribunal agreed that the irregularities and malpractices characterized the result of the election as there was over-voting in the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but ruled that the irregularities did not affect the said election. Meanwhile, the State Chairman of AC, Mr. Jide Awe, who also addressed journalists immediately after the judgment flayed the verdict, saying that the decision of the tribunal was not in the best interest of Ekiti people, who were allegedly robbed of their votes. While stating that the tribunal has done its best by dismissing the petition, Awe vowed that AC and its governorship candidate would appeal the judgment, adding that the first chapter of getting justice has just been closed and the next phase would be opened soonest. He also flayed the tribunal for identifying that there were a lot of discrepancies in the result of the election, but went ahead to uphold the declaration of the governor, saying that the calculations of the tribunal had shown that many things are wrong with the election. The INEC declared 177,780 votes for Oni and 108,305 for Fayemi in the April 14, 2007 governorship poll, but the tribunal nullified some of the votes declared by the electoral commission unlawful, which were unanimously deducted by the tribunal from the result declared by INEC. The tribunal having identified that there were irregularities in the result announced by INEC and deducted the unlawful votes from the result, the final figure indicated that Oni polled 135,400 votes, while Fayemi polled 74, 306 votes. In the verdict, Bwala admitted that many things were wrong with the election but held that the petitioner could not prove most of the allegations of electoral malpractices beyond reasonable doubt. Also, the tribunal discountenanced the evidences of the forensic experts called by the petitioner and respondents (Mr. Adrian Forty, John Lazaretto, Tunde Yadeka and Foluso Aluko) respectively, saying that none of the witnesses demonstrated absolute neutrality. The panel held that the evidence of the forensic experts of the petitioners and the respondents was at cross-edge and attached no value to their evidences. Meanwhile, an investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the state governor and his team were in the know of what the decision of the tribunal would be, as the deputy governor, Dr Sikiru Lawal had reportedly told some selected people a day to the judgment that they would move round the town in jubilation convoy immediately after the tribunal’s verdict. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED IN ADO-EKITI

Randy Senator Tricks Call Girls

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:15:25 +0000

IT is believed that a senatorial seat in the upper chamber of the highest lawmaking body attracts the word, 'distinguished’ because the occupant of the seat is seen as above the board; contrary to this, a senator from one of the South-Western states of Nigeria, has been found wanting, as he reportedly ordered his “bouncers” to beat some club girls he had earlier picked, for his weekend ‘sauce’, into pulp over an allegation of theft. OSUN DEFENDER impeccably gathered that the fun-loving senator, who had earlier served as a governor of his state, fairly tall, fair complexion and known for his flam buoyant dressing habit; while coming home from Abuja picked some night girls of easy virtue to spice-up his weekend in his country home. Having enjoyed their (girls) bossom till Sunday from Friday night, the prodigal politician allegedly devised an antic that would make the fair-weathered ladies lose their pay and that worked like magic. According to a source within the premises of the sprawling country home, the ‘randy’ senator declared his money missing coincidentally when the ladies had kithed up in their bare-it-all bikini, mini skirts and hot pants, in anticipation to smile out with their pay. It was learnt that the senator, who had played nice suddenly lost his cool, reportedly ordered his bouncers to strip the girls naked in order to find out what made his purported stolen money to develop wings. Before the ‘rock-bottom’ ladies could decipher what befell them, the bouncers had pounced on them, tore their pint-size dresses into rags, frisking them to the public ‘hallow chamber’. Information has it that, the bouncers at the instance of the extravagant politicians could not find anything, but that did not persuade the senator, who further asked them (bouncers) to throw them (girls) outside the premises. It was further found out that the fun-fricked senator has the habit of drinking to a state of stupor, flirting around with ladies of easy virtue and living a reckless life. OSUN DEFENDER has also observed that the senator had always been very reluctant in engaging in any intellectual task in and out of the chamber, a situation that made him a mere bench-warmer in the National Assembly. -By GOKE BUTIKA

Why Obas Support Oyinlola

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:11:03 +0000

UNDERGROUND threats of disgraceful seizure of staff of office from any uncooperative traditional ruler in Osun State are factors responsible for the monarchs’ seeming support for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in the state, OSUN DEFENDER can now authoritatively reveal. A prominent traditional ruler from Osun East Senatorial district, who was also in the public glare some years ago, did a psycho-analysis of the support of the state council of Obas and Chiefs and stated that the public would be agaped to hear that less than twenty percent of the traditional rulers in the state are truly pro-the ruling party. The monarch who was addressing the conference of traditional and honourary chiefs in his domain, disclosed that the military countenance of Oyinlola, which he claimed is noted in the wickedness of late General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s maxim dictator, daily conveys to the Obas in the state an omen of brutality that could be unleashed in the direction of open royal confrontation. He stated that monarchs are concerned about the security of their tenure and dignity of their offices, adding that traditional rulers in the state under the present political dispensation feign loyalty to the ruling party and governor “to avoid harassment from the state political jobbers and eventual dethronement. “If you are not pretending support for them, then know that you cannot move around freely without fear of sudden harassment and attack from the PDP official thugs and brigands. One or two traditional rulers that people know as anti-Oyinlola government have cultivated self-restriction to their jurisdiction and it is their subjects that erect a protective fort around them,” the monarch revealed. The monarch noted that the pretension of the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs has made over sixty percent of the council members willing collaborators in the perpetration of the official oppression and intimidation of the opposition political parties is the state. He said the wanton political interference in the traditional affairs in the form of creation and upgrading of traditional rulers, control of chieftaincy affairs and resolution of chieftaincy disputes by Oyinlola, had reportedly made the monarchs in the state chicken-hearted, unable to insulate themselves from partisan political activities of the state. - By ISAAC OLUSESI

Oranmiyan Elders Condole Olobu Over Wife’s Death

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:21:55 +0000

THE Elders Forum of Oranmiyan Group, an arm of Osun State Action Congress (AC) last Wednesday paid a condolence visit to the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Asiru Olatoye Olaniyan on the demise of his eldest wife. According to the leader of the team, Alhaji Sulaimon Alaka said it is imperative for the group to pay such visit to the monarch because of his love for the ordinary citizens and his belief in the masses. Though, the team did not meet the monarch as at the time of the visit, but at hand was the Baba-Kekere of Ilobu, Alhaji Raufu Oyedokun with other immediate members of the monarch’s family to receive the visiting Action Congress members. During the visit, prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of the deceased and also for the protection of God over the entire household of the monarch. The prayer session was attended by the Iya-Oba of Ilobu, Madam Awanat Olaniyan, Olori Bola Olaniyan, Mr Nasiru Olaniyan and Mr Sheu Olaniyan. Responding to the condolence visit, the Babakekere of Ilobu, commended the goodwill of the Action Congress members and pray for the protection of all and sundry. Present with the visiting team was Chief (Mrs) Aduke Adewale an Action Congress member and a socialite in the town. In a similar development, the Action Congress members in Ofatedo’s belief in the potency of prayer was put into action, when its members gathered for a prayer session in the town to pray for the success of the party’s governorship candidate Engineer Rauf Aregbesola at the court of Appeal billed to sit in Ibadan. According to the chairman of the Action Congress in Ofatedo, Alhaji Rauf Babatunde Ajani, the prayer is needed in time like this, as the members of the party believe in divine intervention for true justice to prevail. The interdenominational prayer session was attended by all members of the party including well-wishers of the party in Egbedore local Government area of Osun State. BY SOLA JACOBS

Stop Playing Politics With Our Culture, Monarchs Told

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:30:02 +0000

OSUN State traditional rulers have been told to be prepared to contend with the wrath of the gods of the land if they would not stop playing politics with the arts and culture of their subjects in their respective domains. The charge forms part of the reaction of the people of the state to the much flaunted Festival of Yoruba Arts and Culture (WOFEYAC) being packaged to re-position the place of the arts and culture of the black people of the Yoruba nation in the world’s cultural collections. WOFEYAC which has held meetings in some major cities in the south-west of the country is however said to be playing to the gallery of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the government party in the Yoruba states, save Lagos State. Fingers are pointing at the party’s tactical hijack of the arts and culture platform to launder the image of the ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, which sources said, explain why non-partisan but critical traditional rulers, stakeholders and former and serving governors in the south-west have avoided the Yoruba arts and culture festival at the global level. In a survey conducted by OSUN DEFENDER, the people of the state of Osun took a swipe at the politicization of the arts and culture considered as the heritage of the people, and flayed the philosophy of the organizers of WOFEYAC. The people decried the various meetings that have been held towards organizing the arts and culture festival, and said “the meetings are put in place to perpetuate the interest of the PDP,” warning that the bank-rolling of the much publicized WOFEYAC by the rattled governor of the state Olagunsoye Oyinlola carries with it the anger of the gods of the land that could be visited on the collaborating partisan traditional rulers. Meanwhile, arrangements to have this year’s Osun Osogbo festival are in top gear, as the 14–day festivities are billed to take off in the last week of the month. By ISAAC OLUSESI

The Need For Justice In Nigeria

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:40:35 +0000

KINDLY permit me to talk of the system of justice as it affects our political engineering in Nigeria. Truth and justice are two weapons needed in any society to ensure growth and development. Without justice, the society would be worse off. Some of our political leaders who ought to serve as role models are themselves deficient in morals and character. Our point is that some political jobbers hijack voter registration, hoard them and use them during the election proper and those who get into power to rule us. Examples abound of such people who kill or maim all to either get into power or retain it at all cost. Unfortunately, for the society, the extant laws places a great burden on litigants to prove their cases beyond reasonable doubt. In the end, the present system favours charlatans, cheats and criminals who commit heinous crimes to get to power while using the state resources to defend themselves. Laws are made by the society and the aim is to ensure there is impartiality in the dispensation of justice. If justice is dispensed with, without fear or favour, both the litigant and the respondent will be satisfied at the end of the day. Some judges have displayed uncommon courage to handle cases while others have just given judgment either for pecuniary purpose or to satisfy a selfish end. The society would be the ultimate loser if people lose confidence in the judicial system. The alternative is to resort to jungle justice which would not be in our interest. The example of Kenyan readily comes to mind. There are some states where criminals who committed crime during election got away with it. The criminals with the connivance of the law enforcement agents had a field day. In the interest of the future of Nigeria, we should all work towards justice in the country. If justice is carried out, people who are voted for will form government and do the wishes of the people. The danger of getting people who rig themselves into power is that their interest is against the overall interest of the larger society. They are not responsive to the yearning of the people neither are they responsible to the people since they did not get their mandate in the first place. We cannot build our fledgling democracy on falsehood. There is a need to encourage the younger ones to believe that truth and not falsehood or lies pays. It would help to inculcate in the younger ones the culture of hard work and truth. The vices such as cultism, terrorism, graft and armed robbery are what the youths learn from the elders who are not punished but rather eulogized. • LEKAN PETINRIN, Ipetu-Ijesa

Soyinka And Oyinlola: Between A Patriot And A Profligate Governor

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:04:38 +0000

QUITE interesting reading through page 18 of a prominent National Daily-the Punch Newspaper of Sunday August 24, 2008 wherein the response of a political cum administrative liliputian was published alongside the article of a literary ‘Quinbus flestrin’. Without attempting to do a review of that great literary work-Gulliver’s Travels by the great satirist, Jonathan Swift and for the purpose of those who are not familiar with the book, liliputians are the extremely small creatures who inhabit the land of Liliput (in Jonathan Swift’s Gullivers Travels) while a ‘Quinbus flestrin’ is ‘a great man mountain’ who found himself in the midst of liliputians in the course of life adventure. Ever since the publication of that great book, the word ‘liliputian’ has become the English vocabulary to describe extraordinarily small people. The usage is not however limited to human size alone. It is also employed to describe ‘smallness’ in all ramifications. In the world of animals, the word liliputian is best to describe rat while the elephant will be the animal form of a human ‘Quinbus flestrin’. The brief explanations above simply summarises the difference between Professor Wole Soyinka and ‘Governor’ Olagunsoye Oyinlola whose stories were read on page 18 of the Sunday August 24, 2008 edition of the Punch Newspaper. But for the fact that each time Professor Wole Soyinka has an issue to grind with anybody on the pages of Newspapers, the reading public is the better for it. One would have told our revered Noble Laureate to stop joining issues with a human fry like Oyinlola. Yes, the reading public is better for it in a situation like this because we stand to gain more from his (Soyinka)‘s reservoir of knowledge as an erudite scholar. I recall here the media war period between the Noble Laureate and the father of ‘do or die’ politics in Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, some eminent Nigerians had called on the duo to sheathe their swords then. But a top Nigerian writer-perhaps Mike Awoyinfa (not really sure now) had written an article then that Soyinka should continue to fire Obasanjo because Nigerians were adding to their vocabularies each time he responded to the mere watery but more empty speeches from Obasanjo then. At last, the latter was dwarfed by the more powerful pen of the former. Thus, in the unfolding media war between our literary ‘Quinbus flestrin’ and the political cum administrative liliputian who is currently occupying a seat that emits the odour of illegitimacy in Osun State, the Nigerian public may want to be interested in a protracted ‘pen war’ between the two and watch to see who will first exhaust his basket of vocabularies. But really, you and I need no soothsayer to tell us who will bow for the other between Soyinka and Oyinlola except, of course, where futile ego is involved. It is like a race between a tortoise and a horse. But Oyinlola, like the proverbial cunning tortoise, he is a crafty person indeed. Because he lacks the intellectual savvy to confront Soyinka, all he has to do his to tell his Chief Press Secretary, Lasisi Olagunju or engage the service of a hack writer to respond to Soyinka and just put his (Oyinlola) name underneath as if he is the one who actually wrote it so as to give the impression that he is also up to the task intellectually-just like he did in the August 24, 2008 edition of the Punch newspaper. But in an elitist society like ours, it is not difficult for the people to differentiate the hands of Esau from the voice of Jacob. Thus, like I said, the reading public is waiting to see how a Rtd. Brigadier General who had only two credits in his WASC examinations in 1968 is going to withstand the intellectual power of a world acclaimed scholar. Is it not when a statue wants to engage in Russian roulette that it will make attempt to swim? As for Lasisi Olagunju, Oyinlola’s spokesman, I must say unequivocally at this juncture that I really pity him a lot. I pity him because, being the only one in Oyinlola’s cabinet with a semblance of intellectual capacity, he is being saddled with too much intellectually tasking responsibilities such that one only prays for him so he doesn’t burn himself out defending Oyinlola’s inept and corrupt administration. The general belief among the people of the South West today is that once you remove Lasisi Olagunju from Oyinlola’s cabinet, ‘’ katakata don sele be dat ‘’ because the rest are just a bunch of intellectual dwarfs-people of no ideas and substance which also accounts for the reason why Oyinlola’s performance in that state is at the ebb. Kudos to Kongi for exposing another planned fraudulent transaction between a god son and his god father. Rather than expressing gratitude to Kongi for given him a useful advice, Oyinlola prefers to haul insults on an elderstateman on the pages of Newspapers. His action is basically antithetical to his claim of being a cultured yoruba son who has respect for elders. The insolent Okuku prince who has no achievement to showcase other than his late father’s needs be reminded that a kid who has the effrontery to say that the mouth of an elder smells, he should be looking forward to the day he too will be so accused by his junior. This write-up will not complete without commending Professor Ulli Beier and his wife for their painstaking and legendary efforts for coming all the way from far away Sidney, Australia, not only to collect our artefacts but also to preserve them for generations yet unborn. A white man preserved our artefacts, a black man wants to trade them away to satisfy the selfish wish of his boss. What an irony? A highly condemnable act of prodigality indeed. Black man, here you are? To conclude this piece, I like to echo the prayer of a prominent yoruba scholar, Professor Adeyeye in one of his recent articles to which I implore my readers to say Amen-May God save our souls. By KOLA ODEPEJU

The Honour Of The Honourables, The Excellence Of His Excellencies

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:23:26 +0000

'I pledge to Nigeria my country To be faithful, loyal and honest To serve Nigeria with all my strength To defend her unity, And uphold her honour and glory, So, help me God.' The pledge above, is the summary of the expectation from those who are committed to serve the government of Nigeria, in whatever capacities they are found. In it, allegiance to the country is clearly stated, the character of honesty and accountability is recommended in the course of service that will bring honour and glory to this amalgam, River Niger area, Nigeria. Of course, the writer in his salient thought expresses the fact that man cannot achieve this onerous task without recourse to God, the almighty, for divine-induced ability. I perceive the writer of the pledge in the light of uprightness and morality for dignity. How I wish the writer automatically takes up the executive leadership! to direct the governance, if possible. However, the more important is the transmission of his good motive to those who will constitute the rein of project – Nigeria. A supposed point of baptism for good governance is at the oath-taking. The oath-takers are given the symbols of their faith, the Bible, Quoran, and …. the oracle? What I see at the inadequacy in this process is the obvious absence of the masters of the anointed ones to interpret the Bible, Quoran, and so on to the intending leader. Reference is made to the constitution as the main declaration of the oath and the word of God would simply be carried without reading any passage or a single quote from it, as the implication of their misdeed in case they flagrantly err in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities. Though the constitution bears the law and regulations but the word of God carries the anointing, which is the divine help being sought at the conclusion of the National pledge, which is overwhelmingly needed to do the right. I still don’t understand why the symbols of the individuals faith are not being represented by the clergy alongside the chief Justice or Judge as the case may be. My opinion is that the men of God’s duty shouldn’t be limited to ‘come and pray for us’ but be extended to ‘let’s chart the enduring course together’ so that prayers can be speedily answered. We should not have the mentality of going ahead of God, only to wait for Him at crossroads. I am yet to find out if this error is by omission or commission. How clever Nigerians may be cannot be underestimated in their bid to circumvent any trap, be it legal or spiritual, though, I’ve still refrained to draw up conclusion. Benefiting from the loophole of the absence of spiritual commitment are the occupiers of the seat of power, who now see themselves as solely at the helm of affairs to the extent that you’ll need a magnifying glass to see the presence of God, if any, in their policy formulation and execution. Having lost the spiritual compass, everyone back to his own familiar spirit with the peculiarity of arm-twisting the Laws and regulations for personnel advantage. The honourability of the Honourables, in essence, resides in the provision of the constitution, which commits then to their constituencies. These constituencies are always at the receiving end, being neglected. Their elected leaders become hermits to them. Two conflicting schools of thought are evolving as determinants of the glitter of honour being ascribed to the honourables. One, the superlative parade of outstanding wealth acquisitions, denoted by the gleam and plurality of their S.U.V or jeeps, automobile state of art, display of opulence, social delineation, new class belonged to; the summation of which is physical and material imposition on the psyche of their subjects, which is fast becoming proponderous in Africa and in particular, the heart has been discovered to be very sick, meant for the “surgical theatre” of purpose and intent re-determination. Nigeria, the heart of Africa, we hail thee. Our Honourables, we hail thee, and I hail thee, not because of superfluous indices, but by the second school of though expressed in the following paragraph. Second, which is the desirable and enduring, is the Honourables role in the transformation of their subjects in their constituencies. on this, I give my own mark, pas or fail, honourable or dishonourable. The wealth or rather the good welfare of the average citizen of the country is actually displaying the wealth of their representatives in government. So, if the citizens are wretched, their representatives in government are wretched, no matter their wealth being displayed. Rather, the source of their wealth and the formular of zoning wealth for themselves at the expense of the masses are subjected – to public query. My submission is, if the average of the people are honourable and dignified wherever they are, then, indeed, their voted representaives are honourable. Without being immodest, I shaked my head in pity when I pass through the market of the artisans and labourers in Nigeria, in general, and in particular, my state capital, Osogbo, at the old garage, and they swoop out on me, ready to go anywhere and do any job, even for no price, if only their daily food can be guaranteed. On one occasion, along with a friend, the army of daily job or meal seekers rushed out, this time, and a flash of thought ran through me saying, ‘If these people can know, I am as hungry as they are’, the only difference between me and them is my faith in God, and absolute conviction that the future will be bright. These class of hungry people have voted, and their vote is the majority, where is the honour of their voted honourbales? and where is the excellence of their noised excellencies? If the answer can be provided, my dear reader, let me know, we are in a class of lessons together, I need to know more. Wait a bit I can hear the siren of the excellencies and of the honourables driving past as shout and I wave my hand.. The honourbale! Yes, no…. Your Excellency! • OJO ISRAEL C, is the President, IFS, Intercessory Fire Squad.

Fani-Kayode: The Collapse Of Reason

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:59:09 +0000

AMONG those Nigerians whose words or actions hardly thrill me is Femi Fani-Kayode who, until last year, was former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s garrulous Minister of Transport (Aviation). For record purposes, Fani-Kayode is one of Nigeria’s failed politicians who was not only rehabilitated and elevated by former President Obasanjo but also became one of his ‘bread and butter’ foot-soldiers, especially, during his (Obasanjo’s) self-destructive 3rd-Term and allied antics. Expectedly, Femi never failed Olusegun, his master. Then, so pointed and pungent were Fani-Kayode’s attacks that he was ever prepared not only to cry more than the bereaved but also to fight with his diarrhoea-infested mouth anybody – and everybody - all in the defence of his master’s policies, however draconian; and his ambitions, however undemocratic. A man of many words but, certainly, not a man of his words, I got to know Fani-Kayode in the 1990’s during his vitriolic press wars with Fr. Matthew Hassan Kukah; and, since then, the man has never disappointed those of us who know what havocs he can wreak, especially, with his mouth. Only the likes of Wole Soyinka and Abubakar Umar can relive their vituperative ordeals in the hands of a desperate Special Adviser. But time and tide have changed: the arrester of yesterday has suddenly become the arrested and the talker of our immediate past is now (afraid of) being talked about. Well, the aim of this piece is not to comment on the whats, the whys, the wheres, or the hows of Fani-Kayode’s arrest and subsequent arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on corruption-related charges; more so as it would be prejudicial to comment on an issue that is already before a court of competent jurisdiction. Not that alone, since everybody is entitled to his or her own opinion, however genuine, or germane, or obtuse, or opaque, it would be unnecessary to take seriously an issue concerning Fani-Kayode’s history, in self-defence; or story, in self-adulation. Nonetheless, my duty here is to, among other things, alert Nigerians on the ethnic colouration being peddled by Fani-Kayode to paint his well-deserved trial. In my own view, since corruption as an ailment transcends the bounds of religion, creed or race, its treatment should of necessity rise above racial, religious or cultural interests. Now to the meat of this piece! A few weeks ago, Fani-Kayode was at the palace of Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the ‘Ooni of Ife’ on a ‘Thank you’ visit. In the “fulsome synopsis” of his speech at the Ooni’s palace, exclusively reported in ‘New Focus’ an Ile-Ife, Osun State-based newspaper, Fani-Kayode allegedly remarked that his arrest by the EFCC was ethnically motivated. According to him, the new occupants of - or tenants in - ‘Aso Rock’ were after the Yoruba race and that was why they have, in recent times, been ‘victimising’ one Yoruba leader after the other. Hear him: “Why is it that all started with a Yoruba woman who was arrested and arraigned? Why is it that they moved on to Iyabo Obasanjo, arrested and detained her? Why is it that they arrested former President Obasanjo’s in-law next … and Femi Fani-Kayode? Who is next?” He did not even stop there: “They have seen eight years of President Obasanjo in office, as a Yoruba man; … but now … it will be the turn of other tribes and that they are going to treat Yoruba race badly.” He then warned his erstwhile colleagues in power to treat “Yorubas as a race with the respect they deserve.” As I have stated earlier, everybody is entitled to his or her own opinion, however disconnected or disjointed. So, nobody can crucify Fani-Kayode for being what he has chosen to be. The only caveat is that such an opinion should not be injurious to others; or capable of igniting distrust among the people. And that is where the problem in Fani-Kayode’s vitupeations, or campaigns, lies. In all sincerity, gone should be those days when some ethnic and religious irredentists would capitalize on the gullibility, or insensitivity, or perceived weakness of the people to script relevance, court attention, or win onto themselves undue recognition or undeserved sympathy. From all intent, what has race got to do with the prosecution of a public office holder who was alleged to have betrayed the trust reposed in him by the people? I have argued in one of my previous interventions that Nigeria’s dilemma as a nation state is primarily her clashing contradictions. Her other undoing is that the memory of her people is short; indeed, too short! In other words, since we tend to forgive and forget the past so easily, it has become difficult for the sinners of, especially, our immediate past to either repent or be treated to the real wages of sin. For instance, Yakubu Gowon, with all his geo-political absurdities and socio-economic silliness is now Nigeria’s chief prayer merchant. The same Murtala Muhammed who, in addition to disrespect for constituted authority, once declared that there was basically no need for a Nigeria where the component nationalities could live together as a people bound together by a common destiny, is the same man who has eventually become Nigeria’s hero extraordinaire. Theophilus Danjuma who murdered Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi and Adekunle Fajuyi for no reason other than secessionist tendencies is the same elder-statesman that Nigerians now worship. The duo of Mohammadu Buhari who once so derided democracy that he clamped into detention its practitioners and Ibrahim Babangida who, apart from banning, unbanning, and rebanning politicians, annulled a free and fair election, are now the voices of democrats in a democracy, where democrats have willingly mortgaged their voices. and, Sani Abacha, the maximum dictator, is now better celebrated in death than Obasanjo, the maximum democrat; while the maximum democrat is already comparing his place in history to Abraham Lincoln’s. Even, Emeka Ojukwu, who had allowed personal ambitions to dwarf national pursuits, was the same man who eventually became “the voice of the injury of the Easterners” during the program of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. And, Alfred Diete-Spiff, that military governor, who once humiliated professionalism, is the one whose voice now sounds and serves as the ‘beacon of hope’ for the oppressed, the repressed and the depressed people of the Niger Delta. Fani-Kayode’s assertion that “Yoruba race is not corrupt” is practically escapist in nature, particularly empty in content and pathetically ridiculous in context. It is nothing other than the disconnected excuse of an unfocussed mind. Of course, if we have forgotten so soon the era of the ten percenters, is Tafa Balogun, that former Inspector General of Police, not a Yorubaman? Should Peter Obasa, Folorunso Kila, the late Sunday Afolabi, Julius Makanjuola, Ayodele Fayose, Adenike Grange and Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello forgo their Yorubaness because of their embarrassing acts against motherland? Or, can this latter-day ‘defender’ of Yoruba race tell Nigerians that he truly supported the late Lamidi Adedibu’s kind of politics? Further, I knew of one or two prominent people of Yoruba descent who, on the eve of the Year 2003 elections, were financially induced in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, just to vote for a particular candidate who still sits in power as if he is on the people’s true mandate. I know of a highly-respected traditional ruler in Yorubaland who in the same year made [of] himself the campaign officer for the party at the centre. Siemens and Schneider scandals are also still fresh in our minds! And, does corruption have any other name by which it is called? I think otherwise! Further, that “Yorubas still have fathers” is incontestable and that “Obasanjo tried his best” is indisputable. But, when did Fani-Kayode transmute into a spiritualist to be invoking “the spirits of God, the earth, winds, water and the fire … and all that lives to stand up and defend the Yoruba race”? For God’s sake, who made him [a] prophet over us? True! Obafemi Awolowo and Oba Adesoji Aderemi we knew; but who is Obasanjo and what are his antecedents? Indeed, what are his legacies? Who are the others mentioned in his off-the-track sermon? Without doubt, the Yorubas know who their fathers are. Yoruba as a race associates with leaders with sound minds whose policies are encapsulated in an optimistic vision of Nigeria’s future, certainly not those sartorial gladiators, unrepentant propagandists, mere thinkers and rapacious riggers who mortgage the interests of their people for pecuniary innuendoes. On Obasanjo’s performance, at least, we are all living witnesses to how the former president ‘developed’ his home-front and his state of origin! We can recall the ‘development’ in the Bakassi Peninsula, the ‘stability’ in power supply and the ‘thriving’ of the industrial sector. Indeed, we can see with our very eyes how Obasanjo has so ‘tamed’ corruption that, less than one year after leaving office, the hen is sooner than later coming home to roost. The seizure of local govt Funds to Lagos State, in spite of Supreme Court’s ruling to the contrary, was it not (as a result of) a Yorubaman’s ‘benevolence’ to a Yoruba State? For God’s sake, if this is the kind of ‘development’ which Fani-Kayode wants to bear as governor on Osun State, a project that has turned him into an unrepentant desperado, then, he is already on a failed mission. Interestingly, I am from his senatorial zone and I am yet to see any meaningful development he has either brought or influenced into the zone all through his sojourn in power. Surely, we know the antics of Fani-Kayode’s ilk: they religionize the absurd and ethnicize the spiritual. They set men against men, brothers against brothers, and nations against nations. And, in this they joy! Thank God, Femi did not invoke on Yoruba race the spirit of Remi, or Fani Power, his father. Else, the Yoruba nation in particular and indeed the Nigerian nation in general had better prepare for tougher and rougher times. Though it may be too early in the day to talk about the Year 2011 and the impact it will have on Nigeria, we need to appropriately situate the past. We need to know where we are coming from and what we need to do to get out of where we are in order to get to where we are headed. We need to formulate policies that can stand the test of time as well as properly put in place alternative measures, should our cherished policies disappoint us. Doomsday prophecy apart, who says Pakistan or Sudan cannot happen in Nigeria? Who says Abacha cannot resurrect and again enlist the consciences of gladiators, meanderers and clappers like Ojo Madueke, Ibrahim Mantu, Ebenezer Babatope and, of course, Fani-Kayode in another orgy of ‘One Million Man March’? Who is that man who declares that Nigeria has survived the resurgence of Mobutu Sese Seko, Ferdinand Marcos, Robert Mugabe, or even our own Obasanjo? In truth, if Nigeria will want to forget her sad past, Nigerians should be prepared for a big treat, a kind of revolution that may practically have nothing to do with arms struggle, but certainly one that will help in confining the Fani-Kayodes of this world to where they appropriately belong. In other words, Nigerians, irrespective or their affiliations, must be ready to work together as a people or be ready to perish as fools. They must be prepared to see and treat governance, not as the politics for the next elections, but as the governance for the next generation. After all, “wherever self-government has worked out, it is because men have fought for it and valued it as a thing they had won for themselves, feeling it to be the true remedy for misgovernment.” • ABIODUN KOMOLAFE wrote in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State.

Osun And The Lying Governor

Kola — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:29:34 +0000

DEAR loyal readers, take a close look at this photograph. It was taken in the palace of the late Timi of Ede, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Shehu) Tijani Oladokun Oyewusi, Agboran II on Tuesday February 20, 2007. On the left side of the photograph was Senator Adebayo Ayoade Salami and on the right side was the governorship candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in Osun State, Engineer Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola. It was taken during the 2007 electioneering campaign in Ede, Osun State. Also on the team was Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, the gubernatorial running mate to Aregbesola and a daughter of Osogbo. Alhaji Fatai Diekola Abidemi Oyedele from Olaniyan royal family, Osogbo, Pa. Sunday Laoye (Temak), Alhaji Oduola Baruwa, Alhaji Braimoh Adeniyi, Chief Kayode Idowu Esuleke and a host of other well-meaning Osogbo indigenes were there at the palace of the Timi of Ede. As soon as we got there, Aregbesola addressed the late Timi on his six-point programme of banishing poverty, creating employment with 20,000 jobs in 100 days of his coming to office as governor of Osun State. He told the Timi of Ede that if the incumbent Governor Oyinlola had measured up to standard of people’s expectation for development, he would not have bothered himself with running for the office of governor. DURING the courtesy visit to Oba Oyewusi, the AC standard bearer submitted that he was challenged by the unbelievable level of poverty currently ravaging the people of Osun State, stressing that if Oyinlola had been able to solve the myriad of problems confronting the people of Osun State since May 29, 2003, he would not have entered the governorship race. When he was replying, the Timi of Ede urged all politicians “to shun violence because power belong to God who gives it to whoever he desires”. Prophetically, it was the late Timi of Ede who ensured that the PDP marauders did not dare snatch the ballot box at the polling units located in the palace square on April 14, 2007 during the gubernatorial and House of Assembly poll. Oba Agbonran was said to have been so annoyed at the brazen use of guns by people he had earlier regarded as gentlemen including a lawmaker (name withheld) who allegedly threatened the electorate with dangerous weapons of death to snatch ballot boxes across Ede North and Ede South local governments. As soon as we left the palace of the Timi, Aregbesola’s convoy went to the campaign ground to address thousands of Ede sons and daughters who came to hear his message of hope. The AC flagbearer challenged Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to explain why he refused to pay end of the year bonus to workers in Osun State public service for four years to justify his claim that he loved them. If elected, the AC candidate promised to pay workers their thirteenth month salary at the end of every year. He also insisted that he would see to it that workers in Osun State public service would be the best paid among their colleagues in Osun State public service if elected the governor at the polls. Addressing a large crowd of AC supporters at Agip junction in Ede where a serving member of House of Representatives, Hon. Mudashir Debo Ayinde dumped his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Action Congress, Aregbesola stressed that he was pained to know that across the six states of the South West geo-political zone, workers in Osun State public service were the least remunerated. It is necessary to quote him verbatim as he said it: “I am pained at heart to know that workers of Osun State earn the least minimum wage in Yorubaland. If Oyinlola is truly a friend of workers, why did he refuse to pay them end of the year bonus since he became governor in 2003? It is painful to know that Oyinlola has been shortchanging workers in real terms, while pretending that he is their friend. We shall do everything to reverse this trend as soon as I become the governor of Osun State on May 29, 2007”. He described as pretentious, the smooth relationship that Oyinlola claimed to have with workers, when he should have demonstrated this by a singular gesture of appreciation for the workers’ commitment to the good of Osun State. Furthermore, he assured that “as a firm believer in the welfare of working class people with an unbeatable welfare package for workers, an annual bonus that will become their thirteenth salary in a year, would be paid to them as motivation for higher level of performance when I become the governor in May, 2007”. He hinged his assurances on the fact that workers in the public service of any nation deserve the best treatment from the government which they spend their entire lifetime to serve. He decried the policies and conduct of Oyinlola and officials of his regime for unleashing a regime of poverty and misery on the people of Osun State since coming to office in 2003. The AC candidate also noted that the only campaign issue which Oyinlola and his PDP busied themselves with was that his predecessor, Chief Bisi Akande sacked workers which Aregbesola described as a ploy by the incumbent governor to use as a blackmail tool to excuse Oyinlola’s poor performance since 2003. He lashed out at his rival for running a routine government of minimum welfare for the people and maximum enjoyment for few influential people connected to the governor’s lodge. OCCUPIERS of public offices are expected to live a life of altruistic honesty, patriotic commitment to public good and truth in its pristine state. That is why when public officers are coming into office, they are made to swear to oaths of office and that of allegiance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have gone this far to refresh the mind of our dear readers on the lie that is Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Pardon me for my harsh use of words in this coloumn. The embattled Governor Oyinlola has proven to be lying personified. When we visited the late Timi of Ede in his palace, the entire scene was captured on a video camera. Men of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Police were there. They must have written their reports and filed it in their archives. It was shocking to hear Oyinlola in his unconscionable lying element saying that Aregbesola went to the Timi to promise that he was going to return to Ede community, the land which he alleged, was acquired for Osogbo. Oyinlola said this on his clownish but monthly phone-in Gbagede-Oro on the channels of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC). This futile attempt was to incite Osogbo against Aregbesola in view of the unprecedented popularity of the AC candidate among indigenes and residents of the state capital. Oyinlola is simply loathed for his lies, untruth and abysmally poor performance in office. The people of Osogbo and Olorunda local governments are the closest to any Osun State administration. When the government is on track, they will hail the governor but when it is otherwise, the chief executive would be shunned like a leper as it happened on April 14, 2007. Aregbesola did not say anything about land matters in the palace of the Timi of Ede. Prominent Osogbo indigenes whose names I mentioned above would have kicked against such statements. He would rather promote those issues that engender communal peace, amity and concord between the people of Osogbo and their neighbours in Ede. Oyinlola had similarly lied in 2005 on the same propaganda broadcast programme that Aregbesola took his posters to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II. Desperately, Oyinlola told this lie so as to hoodwink the public and prevent the predictable crushing defeat he suffered at the poll last year. At the time he said this, we had not even printed a flier not to talk of posters. We presented the monarch with his life size portrait on canvass dignifying his position as the Ooni of the Source. That was what Oyinlola referred to as Aregbesola’s campaign posters. What do you call a man like this? A bare-faced liar! Governors are expected to be role models for the coming generation. Chief Bola Ige inscripted his name in our minds by his qualities of trustworthiness and believability when he was Oyo State governor between 1979 and 1983. He was the Uncle of all youths. He gave us reasons to be proud of our heritage. We drew from him our inspiration for higher heights. He challenged us to live honestly. He did not suffer fools gladly. If I was too young to share the Awolowo golden era, I can beat my chest and say it aloud that Bola Ige, his protégé led us honestly and truthfully. In spite of what his traducers did to soil his name, he triumphed and bestrode the land like colossus. After the demise of Awolowo, Ige became the moral voice of the over 60 million Yoruba race at home and in the diaspora because of his truthfulness and trustworthiness. Oyinlola is not moving along this line of honour and I cannot vouch for his place in history. Liars have always ended in the dustbin of history. That is the place of Herman Goebbel and his boss, Adolf Herr Hitler. They were ruthless and rowdy; standing logic on its head and running roughshod on the aching toes of the defenceless. WITH the photograph displayed here, one can only advise that the people of Osun State should take whatever Oyinlola says with the pinch of salt. He appears to be at war with the truth. From Oroki day, 2006 to the Abere explosion saga, his stock in trade has been to lie against his opponents and blame all crimes on those who refuse to keep quiet in the face of his jackboot terror. Happily, Oyinlola’s attempt to incite the people against their choice as governor of Osun State failed woefully. They have simply shown that liars have no place among decent humanity. I challenge Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to provide evidence that can convince the public that what he said about Aregbesola’s visit to the late Timi of Ede was believable. Available records and eye witness accounts are contrary to Oyinlola’s claims. Simply, the governor lied against Aregbesola, his arch-rival. This is unacceptable. One is however, not surprised that a man whose professional training was principally based on deception, camouflage and subterfuge cannot depart from his mould and regimentation. We must however issue a caveat emptor on him for unwary buyers of his deceptive candy to beware. It is a violation of the ethos of Yoruba culture and tradition, a sacrilege frowned at by the spirit of Yoruba evolution for any man or woman to spit on the grave of the dead. What Oyinlola has done is to stand and spat on the royal sepulchre of Oba Tijani Oladokun Oyewusi, Agbonran II. There is always a day of reckoning and accounting. If you doubt what I am talking about, I recommend the ace Yoruba soap opera “AYE-YE-WON-TAN” to you. A word is simply enough for the wise. By GBENGA FAYEMIWO

The Desecration Of Royalty

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:58:26 +0000

That the Olokuku of Okuku, Oba Samuel Oluronke exaped death by whiskers from an armed robbery attack, cannot possibly be pleasing to any Yorubaman. The traditional institutions are far too deeply engrained in the Yoruba psyche for alarm bells not to ring when such a desecration of the institution happens. The recent attack on the Olokuku represents a continuation of the state of armed robbery siege in Yorubaland. We may care to painfully recall that the palaces of the Owa of Igbajo and the Olobaagun of Obaagun in Boluwaduro and Boripe Local Government Councils area of the State were recently burgled, with crowns and other traditional antiquities been carted away. This wan seating act striken at the very heart of the Yoruba ethos and is therefore deeply offensive to all Yoruba’s wherever they may be at home or abroad. We of course commiserate with all the traditional rulers involved and in the case of the most worthy Olokuku, wish him speedy recovery from the minor injuries sustained during the robbery attack. In this instance no injury can be minor, for what we are seeing is a grotesque insult and assault on a pandamental focus – of Yorubaland. This attacks represent a grave and persistent danger. In a graphic sort of way, they provide unambiguous evidence of a society in disequilibrium. Things have never before gotten to this outrageous state. Condemnable and unacceptable as this attacks are it should provide an opportunity for deeper such search. If society is in a state of dysfunction, we must seek to know why. All these unacceptable acts and mode of anti-social behavior did not spring up in one day. On the contrary the acts are the end result of a contrived process. Those who make peaceful change impossible should at least own up and have the good sense to accept responsibility. We are aware of the process through which thugs were armed as a way of enforcing the mind boggling rigging of the last set of ‘elections’ in Osun State and elsewhere. Now unfortunately the chickens have come home to roost. The miscreants armed to rig in Osun State are not going to voluntarily hand over their weapons now that the elections are over. Frankly it would be funny sort of workman who voluntarily hands over the tools of his trade. The PDP politicians who resort to violence as a way of subverting the expressed whish of the people must accept responsibility. The elections year conveniently over, they have shut out those who helped them to rig from sharing the booty of office. What do they expect this unfortunate souls to do for sustenance? If they had any brains at all, they should have provided a retraining scheme encompancing skills acquisition, provision of micro-credits, and so forth. However being self centred, they did not do this, with predictably disastrous results. To state the obvious once again only good, focused government can save Osun State. We have seen what sensible diligent governance can do in Lagos State. In Lagos state they are simply following in the potsteps of the avatar, Chief Obafemi Awolowo with predictably good, positive results. When succor comes from the court of Appeal, Osun State will see the difference good governance can make. Until then, we will have to grin and bear, the unfocussed, unprincipled and indolent contraption which Oyinlola absurdly calls his administration.

Politics Cripples 2008 Oroki Day!

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:22:56 +0000

•Poor Turn-Out Jolts Oyinlola •Governor, Taju Oladipo Disagree ONCE beaten, twice shy’, that was the graphical presentation of this year’s (2008) Oroki Day, an annual festival of Osogbo indigenes, as the embattled Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Oba Oyewale Matanmi, the Ataoja of Osogbo, were heralded into an empty Osogbo City Stadium, the venue of the event. It would be recalled that the last Oroki Day, held at Osogbo City Hall penultimate year, was crisis ridden, as the governorship candidate of Osun State Action Congress (AC), Engineer Rauf Aregbeosla, who was a Special Guest at the occasion nearly got killed in the presence of the embattled state helmsman and the monarch. It was reported that Aregbesola escaped death by the whiskers, but hundreds of his supporters and his campaign vehicles were not that lucky, as supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reportedly unleashed terror on them (Aregbesola and his tourage). Aftermath, Osogbo Progressive union (OPU), then headed by the elder brother of the Asiwaju Adeen of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, Alhaji Ajadi Badmus was ambushed with criticisms from some political office holders on the platform of the ruling PDP. The onslaught finally sounded a death knell on the vibrancy of the union, as the selection of the caretaker committee for the union was said to have politically tilted to the PDP, against election of an independent-minded Chief Adetoyese Olayanju-led executive committee. Our reporter observed that the number of security operatives surpassed the number of guests and indigenes. Our reporter who arrived the venue of the flopped occasion earlier reported that the indigenes at home and abroad largely expressed their satisfaction with this year’s arrangement, by massively shunning the occasion. Besides, less than 300 people were recorded, peopled by the governor and his entourage, security operatives, political office holders, political hangers-on and hawkers, who were at the occasion to make brisk business. OSUN DEFENDER further observed that prominent political leaders like multimillionaire businessmen, the duo of Tunde Badmus and Ahmed Omidiran, the international labour leader, Hassan Sunmonu, Dr. Olu Alabi and the scores of others were conspicuously absent. However, prominent political leaders of AC from Osogbo reportedly shunned the occasion, for the duo of Honourables Akintunde Adegboye and Laide Ajibola, the two lawmakers representing Osogbo and Olorunda state constituencies; Senator Bayo Salami, Alhaji Fatai Oyedele, popularly known as ‘Diekola’ could not be sighted. Report has it that the people on the podium cladded in the same ‘Aso-ebi’ were mouth agaped to have been confronted with handy indigenes, who formed the audience. Speaking with an emotion-laden voice, suggestive of bitter reality of unpopularity within the Osogbo folk, Oyinlola expressed his let-down at the poor turn-out, lamenting that it was an embarrassment in all its ramifications. “I must say that this turn-out is disappointing, because those who ought to be here are not here; I can’t find the prominent indigenes that I know here. I think, politics has eaten deep into the fibrics of the organizers and I urge our elders to do something about it before the next Oroki Day” said the governor. However, an Osogbo AC chieftain, Oyedele has observed that as long as the politically-biased officers of the OPU are still holding forte, unity among the indigenes would continue to be a mirage. He then implored the Ataoja-in-council to start maintaining political neutrality, saying that it is the only panacea for the all encompassing Oroki Day. “The people on the caretaker committee of the OPU cannot be trusted, we suspected that they are PDP stooges and we are the mobilizers of the people. I advise ‘Baba’ Ataoja to start playing his fatherly role by maintaining a political neutrality. That is the only way out,” said Oyedele. In a related development, OSUN DEFENDER learnt that some members of the organizing committee of Oroki Day, kicked against the invitation of the five PDP governors if Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on the platform of AC would not be invited. Some of the representatives of the OPU branches who spoke to the medium expressed their disappointment at the poor arrangement, which led to the zero turn-out. OSUN DEFENDER further learnt from sources close to the Government House that the statement credited to the governor became a bone of contention between him (governor) and the Osogbo-born National Vice-chairman of the PDP, South West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo. It was gathered that the latter expressed his disagreement with the governor on the statement, but the former was said to have insisted on his words, saying that if the opportunity repeated itself, he would say it again. By GOKE BUTIKA

PDP Is After My Life, Osun NCP Boss

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:46:19 +0000

THE Chairman, Osun State Chapter of the National Conscience Party (NCP) and Campaign For Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR), Alhaji Waheed Lawal has petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone XI Headquarters, Osogbo and the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) over an alleged threat to his life by a notable Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in the state. The petition dated August 28, 2008, which was addressed to the AIG and SSS office in Osogbo through the chamber of Barrister Alfred Adegoke identified the PDP chairman of Iwo Local Government Council Area of the state, Mr. Debo Badru as one of the ruling party leaders that had been threatening to deal ruthlessly with Lawal for putting pressure on the Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led administration in the state. In the petition, headlined: “Re: Threat to Life of Our Client, Alhaji Waheed Lawal by Mr. Debo Badru”, the NCP boss stated that he decided not to direct the petition to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Moronike because he does not have confidence in the ability of the state police boss to do justice to the matter. Lawal is one of the major opposition leaders, who had been putting pressure on the state government over its inhuman activities. He also led 24 members of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), who were arrested by Moronike-led police team during their protest against the revelations made about the compromise of the Justice Thomas Naron-led Election Petitions Tribunal that sat in the state and subsequently remanded in Ilesa prison custody. Badru was also known to be a close associate and performs sundry duties in the 90’s for Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who is currently representing Osun West Senatorial District at the Senate. According to the petition: “This is to report a case of a threat to the life of our client by Mr. Debo Badru, who is the PDP chairman in Iwo local government. The incident took place at the office premises of the Osun State Investment Company Ltd., Old Governor Office, Osogbo on August 27, 2008 at about 3:50pm. “On that day, our client went to the said office for an official transaction and while our client was waiting to be attended to, Mr. Debo Badru came and started to threaten out client, saying that ‘you are opposing the government. I know you very well and I will show you. I will deal with you. There is nothing we can not do. “Our client was utterly discomfited and embarrassed by this unwarranted attack. He became threatened and apprehensive of the safety of his dear life giving the do-or-die posture of the PDP leadership and the general insecurity of lives and properties under the PDP reign at both the national, state and local government levels as well as series of politically-motivated murders and unresolved assassinations and gun attacks linked to the PDP”, the petition claimed. “Ordinarily, we would have directed this letter to the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, but our client does not have confidence in the ability of the commissioner to do justice and be fair in the matter because out client believes that the commissioner is biased against him. “The reason is not unconnected with the arrest and detention of our client alongside 23 others for staging a peaceful procession to deliver a petition over allegation of judicial corruption in exercise of their fundamental rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression at the High Court premises, Osogbo on Friday, July 11, 2008”. The NCP boss then urged the AIG to investigate the allegation to protect his life and properties from what he termed hoodlums and criminals parading themselves as politicians. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

Your Integrity Is In Doubt - Group Tells Oyedokun

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:50:06 +0000

THE Coordinator, Peoples Welfare League (PWL), Mr. Biodun Agboola has challenged the Inisa-born Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun to tell the whole world the truth about his political criss-crossing, saying that people are tired of his innuendoes. Speaking in Osogbo, Osun State capital last week, while addressing some Action Congress members, who were deliberating on the 17th anniversary of the state’s creation, Agboola disclosed that he knew more than the explanations offered by the member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BOT). It would be recalled that Oyedokun was, penultimate year, frustrated out of the PDP by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was desperate to control the lever of the party. The Inisa-born politician then quickly hibernated with some progressives and aggrieved conservatives, who formed the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD). Using the platform of launch some political salvos against the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State, whose committee recommended the dissolution of the then National Working Committee, where Oyedokun was the Deputy National Chairman ’South’, Oyedokun pointed out the areas of poor performance of the embattled governor at a well-attended press conference at Osogbo City Hall. Agboola further challenged the controversial politician to explain the circumstances that changed his mind, when the then president promised to settle certain scores with him, if only he returned into the PDP fold. The PWL coordinator also wanted the septuagenarian politician to disclose how the embattled Oyinlola compromised him, despite his early resolve to maintain his integrity, by not returning to his proverbial vomit. “I read it recently and I have listened to him on radio and television interviews also, where Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedoking was busy castigating the party he early wanted to lead, saying that it lacks internal democracy. Let him, tell us the decision that was made in his house in Inisa, Odo-Otin Local Government Council Area, that he was not a party to,” Agboola queried. According to the PWL boss: “I was with him till the last day, he could not even summon a modicum of courage to tell his followers that he was moving back to where he rightly belonged. I knew how he was compromised and the carrots. So, let no one be deceived about it, ‘Baba’ Oyedokun has something more to say.” Speaking on the 17th anniversary of the creation of Osun State, Agboola expressed his disgust about the slow pace of development in the state, saying that Osun is no match to the sister states that were created at the same time. Citing Ekiti State, the PWL chief said that despite the fact that the state was created after Osun, the roads and some other sectors there are working, saying that he chose Ekiti, because she is being ruled by a PDP governor too. It is appalling that this promising state, having grown moustache and beard could not be metamorphosed from the infancy to the state of early adolescence. It is a pity we could still find ourselves in this condition,” Agboola lamented. He therefore, submitted that only a good leadership with mind of service could drive the state to its promising future. By GOKE BUTIKA

PDP Chieftains Escape Mob Action

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:01:10 +0000

LIKE a house divided against itself, the Peoples Democratic Party in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State, experienced another round of crisis recently when some of its party executive members were beaten into a pulp in front of Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife. OSUN DEFENDER’s investigation revealed that Honourable Remi Arogundade, Alhaji Aremu and Mr Mayowa Olafare barely escaped death as they were reported to be receiving treatments at different private hospitals within the ancient town, the source disclosed. Impeccable sources revealed further that just after the last year April polls, new party executives were put in place as Hon. Akin Famuyide was nominated as the Party Chairman for Ife South local Government Area, an action that did not go down well with Hon Remi Arogundade, who happened to be the former chairman of the party in the council area. It was also gathered that a group, believed to be consisting of Ife indigenes, decided to have their own Chairman in person of Mr Oluwole Omirefa, while other factions of the party were also reported to be supporting him. OSUN DEFENDER learnt that the Vice Chairman of the Local Government Council, Honourable Bola Famoroyo also pictched his tent against the chairmanship of Akin Famuyide’s candidature, which eventually resulted into a not-too- cordial relationship between him and the chairman of the local Government Council Honourable Yinusa Adebisi, OSUN DEFENDERfurther learnt from authoritative sources, that before the outbreak of violence in the party, the Council’s Vice-Chairman in group of other members of the party, had sought Oba Okunade Sijuwade’s attention to intimate him on recent development in the party, since he must be briefed about all the goings-on within the party in the whole of Ife area. It was gathered that at the meeting with the monarch, Oba Sijuwade directed the complainants to forward their grievances to the Chairman of the Party in the State, Alhaji Rasaq Ademola, a directive which some of the complainants observed to be efforts in futility. It was also revealed to OSUN DEFENDER that few hours after the meeting with Ooni, violence reported broke out among the party members which resulted into a free-for-all fight, in front of Ooni’s palace where cudgels, broken bottles, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons were freely used. Three prominent members of the party were reported injured, while several others were wounded and taken to a private hospital. Police source revealed to the medium that the party did not report the ugly incident to the police, as such crisis has become part of the PDP’s norm in Ife land. Some of the PDP members from the council area, who spoke with the medium under strict anonymity stated that the crisis was orchestrated by Honourbale Niyi Owolade, Osun State Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, who happens to be an Ifetedo indigene. The source disclosed that the decision to attack those the commissioner considered as being dangerous to his ambition within the party set-up were those reportedly attacked by the hoodlums. It was further revealed that the commissioner had earlier promised one Ifetedo indigene, a business magnate, who currently resides in Ondo state, the post of the party chairman in the local government area with a view to having the business–guru sponsor his governorship ambition come 2011 election, the source authoritatively informed OSUN DEFENDER. By SOLA JACOBS

Oyinlola Deducts N4.5b LG Fund Again

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:20:49 +0000

THE illegal deduction from the 30 Local Government Council Areas of Osun State by the Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led administration has taken another dimension, just as the governor has allegedly diverted N4.5 billion Excess Crude Oil allocations from the federation account to the local council area to finance the moribund Airport Project in the state. The governor, who was yet to respond to series of petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the illegal deduction from the local government allocations by the state government, has allegedly directed the 30 council chairmen to donate the money to finance the project. However, the opposition political parties in the state under the aegis of Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) has said that Oyinlola has chosen to use the airport project as another drain-pipe of his profligate regime after the federal government has branded it ‘unviable’. In a statement signed by its Secretary and Assistant Secretary, Comrade Rufus Oyatoro and Comrade Waheed Lawal respectively, ACPP challenged the governor to attend to many projects that are crying for attention rather than grinding the local government treasury to dubiously punish the people of the state. The statement read: “There appears to be no bestial infraction against the Nigeria Laws under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-controlled administration in the state, as Oyinlola administration decided to divert the N4.5 billion excess crude oil allocation paid to the 30 local council areas from the federation account. “As soon as this huge sum of money meant for the development of the grassroots administration was prepared, Oyinlola had dubiously directed chairmen of the council areas to jointly donate the money to finance a moribund project. “The governor, who has not answered the posers we raised in a petition to the EFCC over illegal deductions of council funds has in clear disregard for the Nigerian Law, ordered that the 30 councils areas should donate their revenues from the federation account to finance the white elephant project of an airport solely owned by the federal government. “This project was branded “unviable” by the federal government a long time ago and abandoned it in view of the non-profitability of similar project in Akure, Ilorin and Ibadan. “It was this project which the almighty federal government was discouraged from executing that Governor Oyinlola has chosen to serve as another drain-pipe of his profligate regime”, ACPP revealed. “Up till now, the N2.4 billion criminally diverted to the execution of the failed “Honey-Comb” project has not been accounted for. All the 30 council areas in the state were made to pay for this untenable and unrealized 90-kilometre road project. “If Osun State is in need of an airport, it is criminal to compel local government to fund a federal government project. “Within the state capital and other major towns and villages, there is complete absence of government, but Oyinlola wants to have the luxury of an airport so that when he is returning from his unprecedented globe-trotting, he would be landing in Osogbo without undergoing the agony of travelling by road from his destinations”, ACPP lamented. The opposition parties then called on the anti-graft commission to investigate the illegal appropriation and diversion of the local council funds and correct the inhuman activities and lootings by the PDP-led administration in the state. BY KAZEEM MOHAMMED

Kalejaiye Sighted In Osun Official Car

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:32:25 +0000

IT seems that the rattled Counsel of the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State, Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN) has not learnt his lesson despite the revelations made on his unholy action of illegally influencing the Justice Thomas Naron-led Election Petitions Tribunal in the state, as he still cruises around with Osun State government vehicles. Kalejaiye was last week sighted within the premises of Ekiti State High Court during the judgment of the state election petitions tribunal, with a Peugeot 406 (Green Coloured Car) with Osun State government registration number OSGH 85. While leaving the court premises, Kalejaiye was also seeing sitting in front seat of the green Peugeot car. The embattled lawyer and Naron-led tribunal members that sat in the state, who are still battling with the investigation by the National Judicial Council (NJC), were exposed by TheNEWS magazine of their unholy conversations to subvert justice in the petition filed against the controversial April 14, 2007 election of Governor Oyinlola. Kalejaiye was among the legal team of Governor Segun Oni of the state, whose election was recently upheld by Justice Bukar Bwala-led election petitions tribunal. Besides, immediately after the tribunal’s judgment, Kalejaiye was heard making telephone conversations, discussing the forensic inspection’s result that was rejected by the tribunal. The embattled senior counsel was further heard saying that he had again succeeded in thrashing out the forensic inspection which was carried out by the renowned British Forensic Expert, Mr. Adrian Forty as done in Osun State. While reacting, the Action Congress (AC) Director of Research and Strategy in Osun State, Mr. Sunday Akere stated that the embattled lawyer has again demonstrated his unholy act by freely driving the official vehicle belonging to Osun State. He said: “Barely 2-months after the controversial decision of the Osun tribunal, I wonder why Kalejaiye could still be riding the vehicle belonging to Osun State, just because he is a lawyer to the governor and not the state itself. “Kalejaiye should know that he is not working for Osun State, he is only working for Oyinlola and his co-travellers alone and as a result of that he should return the state government’s car, which was bought by the taxpayers’ money and let it be used for what it is meant for. “The conduct of Kalejaiye has now shown that he has not learnt his lesson and that has indirectly suggested that Kalejaiye is taking himself to be above the law”. “On forensic issue, Kalejaiye should not forget that the issue of forensic result is still in the appellate court and we are very sure that the forensic inspection will still do its job. So, Kalejaiye should not rest his mind that he had succeeded over Osun matter. Akere then called on the NJC to speed up its investigation on the alleged secret conversations between Kalejaiye and the tribunal members in the state to make them serve as a big lesson for those likely to take them. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

Ifa Devotees Shun Ooni

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:21:16 +0000

AT the end of the recently concluded Agbonniregun festival, which is annually held in Ile-Ife, the location of the ancient temple of Agbonniregun, Ifa devotes from Cuba and other countries, across the world reported turned down the plan to visit Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni of Ife for his royal blessing because of the monarch’s involvement in partisan politics; a source hinted OSUN DEFENDER. It was also revealed to the medium that some of the devotees were reported to have openly expressed their dissatisfaction about the political development in Ile-Ife which has polarized the people of the ancient city, and further step down the development of the town. The source continued that the lackadaisical attitude of the monarch against traditional festivals is also condemned by some of the devotees, being the one sitting on the “sacred stool” of Oduduwa, he is expected to be a true worshiper of Ifa, the true link with Olodumare. Some of Ifa devotees from Cuba, Jamaica, United States of America and other African countries lamented the dilapidated structures and decadence of infrastructures in Ile-Ife which they traced to the division that the monarch’s involvement in partisan politics of the state had inflicted on the ancient city. Some of the devotees were also said to be unhappy at the decision of the monarch’s wife to suddenly erect, a Christian worship centre inside the palace, where the 401 deities of the black race reside, as act of “sacrilege” by the practitioners of African traditional religion. OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that the Ifa devotees said the yearly “Agboniregun temple would have been declared as one of the “heritage sites” by the United National Education Socio-Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as it has adopted Osun Osogbo festival, but for the nonchalant attitude and monarch’s involvement in partisan politics has robbed “the source of the black race,” its lofty position, as same also affected the annual Ogun Festival, popularly known as Olojo festival, which commemorates, the celebration of carious deities in Yoruba mythology. In a similar development, some of the devotees have decried the sudden demise of “Eedi festival” from the festival stable in the ancient city due to the care-free attitude of the monarch to the development of African culture. They therefore called on the monarch to have a rethink on the issues that relate with the blacks in the world, especially the development and promotion of African culture and tradition, over which he serves as Chief Custodian. They also advised him to desist and refrain from being partisan, as he is the father of all blacks in diaspora, the status he must jealously guide, they counseled. By SOLA JACOBS

Crisis Looms: Osun Govt, OSCOED Show Strength Over Staff Recruitment

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:46:49 +0000

UNTIDINESS, hallmark of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) way of administering the affairs of Osun State has infiltrated the management of the tertiary institutions of learning in the state. Checks by OSUN DEFENDER at the management activities of Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, showed that new lecturers are employed and deployed to the departments where to teach without the knowledge of the affected departmental heads. Findings in the office of the college’s Provost indicated that the Chief Executive of the institution has had lecturers employed and told to report in the Provost office to the chagrin of the Provost himself, who sources said, has openly expressed displeasure over the development. While Heads of Departments (HODS) who have had new lecturers imposed on them, have renewed their vows to wait for the management at the point of accreditation, when the HODs would be expected to scout for suitable lecturers from sister schools in a bid to meet up with the accreditation requirements. Impeccable sources disclosed that lecturers employed in recent times were “dispatched” to the College from Bola Ige House, seat of government in Osogbo, without employment letters, adding also that their Heads of Departments are thoroughly shocked and embarrassed each time the news lecturers assume duty. The sources said that the staff recruitment system in the college, was what is obtainable in all scheduled organizations, before the government of Oyinlola appointed members of the Governing Council for the college. “Corruption and mismanagement, characteristic of Oyinlola government are the mental constitution of the college council members and this has continued to affect all facets of the college including employment,” the source volunteered. It is also found out that basic education facilities in the college are malfunctioning, with the dearth of lecturers in all the departments in the college. “Here in the college, there are some departments with just three substantive lecturers to over two hundred students,” the sources said.

Police Sergeant Goes Beserk - Kills Plank Seller In Modakeke

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:58:28 +0000

A police sergeant attached to Division B police station Modakeke, Osun State simply identified as Sogbamu, was recently reported to have gone berserk as he allegedly opened fire on Master Mustapha Ibrahim and killed him at Iraye area of Modakeke. OSUN DEFENDER’s investigation revealed that Mustapha, an Hausa–man, who was into timber business on the fateful day, had just returned from his daily work, after which he reportedly observed his Sallat (Muslim prayer) and sat in front of his father’s residence located at Iraye area of the ancient town. It was also revealed that the late Mustapha was still in company of his other brothers at around 7.00pm when Sogbamu came in a police van with other members of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Ile-Ife unit, attached to the Area Commander’s office during their normal patrol exercise to Iraye area. OSUN DEFENDER further gathered that since Mustapha did not have any premonition of his imminent death, as police patrol is not strange to the residents of Iraye community, which also housed the Hausa community in the neighbourhood, he therefore had no cause to run from the police officers. An eye witness at Iraye, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under anonymity stated that Sogbamu suddenly pointed his gun at Mustapha, and opened fired while his other brothers were watching helplessly, the ugly incident, while others fled for their lives. It was also revealed to OSUN DEFENDER that immediately Sogbamu committed the dastardly act, one of his colleagues who was also present with him at the scene of the crime, called him and asked him if he had realized that he had suddenly killed somebody the source hinted OSUN DEFENDER. The source also revealed that with immediate effect other members of the team got into their vehicle and hurriedly left to avert the anger of the youths in the area, who had started gathering at the scene. It took the intervention of the leaders of the Modakeke community to pacify the angry youths who are hell-bent on protesting to Oke-Otubu police station, to forestall breakdown of law and order and possibly further loss of lives. OSUN DEFENDER also learnt that the policemen from Division B unit led by a sergeant later come to the scene of the crime to collect the lifeless body of the deceased, which was later deposited at Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital mortuary Ile-Ife. A police source, who also prefer anonymity confirmed the incident at Division B police station Oke-Otubu, Modakeke. It was also discovered that the killer police officer was deadly-drunk as at the time he committed the crime. Meanwhile the corpse of the slained Mustapha had been released to the family, and he had since been buried according to Islamic rites. Meanwhile the police Sergeants and other members of the Special Anti robbery Squad who committed the crime had since been moved and detained at the State CID, Osogbo, where they were being investigated in connection with the crime. All efforts to speak with the state police Spokesman proved abortive as his mobile phone could not be reached.

Osun State: A Toddler At 17

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:19:28 +0000

I was born into a conglomerate of three neighbouring communities: Ife, Ijesa and Osun in the year Nineteen hundred and ninety-one. My location is between longitude 04 00E and latitude 05 558N and bounded by Ogun in the South, Kwara in the North, Oyo in the West, and Ondo in the east. It covers an area of approximately 14,875 square kilometers. From conception to birth, I was nurtured with a promising vision of stardom, self- sustenance and virility. Since my birth, I have been struggling under the guardianship and governorship of various soldiers and civilians to fulfill the basic dreams and reasons of my being procreated. Like a ‘gigolo’ on American streets, who dances publicly for the reward of a peanut or dime, I am being made to dance on international streets global show-biz. Unlike an American gigolo, who is free to take the lean reward of his absurd display, I’ve been under continuous tutelage of my guardians, who obtain whatever accrues as stipend. My guardians have been playing the role of brokers in most cases; I do the dancing and they collect the pay. The amount they sift down to me have always not been enough to keep me healthy and strong to match my expectations. The result of this shortchanging manifests as protein-deficiency kwashiorkor, vitamins deficiency beri-beri and scurvy. This physical depletion is obvious in the stunted growth of mine. Is this not an advanced form of child labour? On the occasion of each outing, I’m being clad in gorgeous attire which is resplendent of our culturally rich costume. Underneath this façade, is a rickety-framed pauper who is famous, well advertised to woo investors from various continents of the world. My brothers and sisters, I am shedding tears to say: I am hungry! What more! my masters parade me as a benefactor of their largesse, informing the foreigners how well taken care of I am until they come here, see me inside out and the intelligent ones among them shake their heads in dismay. There are so many luxurious vehicles influx that the masters point to the outside world as an index of my good living. Though, the reality is that the vehicles are only used to glamorize me when indeed, they are not my own. How I desire that these vehicles are sold and the proceeds from their sales used to fend for my balanced daily meal, and healthy living basics. Afterall, our sages traditionally posit that “health is wealth”, but I tend to be experiencing its reverse: the erroneous “wealth is health.” Gargantuan, white elephant projects have been promised from time to time. An example is the much publicized free trade zones, for industrial leap. Heavy money and resources are going into it on medium-long term basis of return, but I desire to live well from now till I’m mature and have saved enough to plough into my future. My intellect seems to fathom that they have turned my future to their future. Rather than me allowed to design my future according to my pace, yearnings, skills and desire, the masters are imposing on me a future and vision that do not reflect my humane nature, endowment and dexterity. In spite of these, I’ve been exposed internationally and therefore have friends in China, Australia and United Kingdom. Whilst my guardians are busy marketeering, I choose to learn a lot from my international friends, who an ideal seventeen year-old should be like. My foreign peers hide nothing from me about their mental-intellect state. Their own seventeen years old is most likely a sophomore that is, a second year student of a university or its equivalent, who has gone beyond the ordinary basic of his academic career, and is into the indepth exposition and analysis of his chosen course of study. Their other seventeen-year olds who may not be in strict academics would be high-school graduates who have discerned their area of skills and are engrossed in it, building a future for themselves consciously, healthily, willingly and happily. In case of the old, when the jobless are found among the comity of my friends in Europe, China and Australia, their social security guarantee them some amount for the basic necessities of life among which daily meal ranks top in priority. Suffice to say, my friends yonder are not hungry, they are sound in their state of mind, having the pride of being alive and belonging to their nationality. Whenever I am interacting with my foreign friends, I feel some inferiority complex. Why? I can not bring them into my people’s home because of the fear of embarrassment which may be generated due to social and infrastructural backwardness that is conspicuous in my home. Therefore, I’d always take them to hotels, take them to golf course and parks and sites which are the havens for the few capital opportunists, in a bid for them to experience the pleasure that they are used to which can’t be obtained in my people’s natural or traditional homes. I am sorry. In my supplication to God, a divine injection called 'Raufism' which means an ideology of the people for the people, as being midwifed by Rauf Aregbesola for the people” was given for my economic healing. This was hindered. I sought the face of God, and I was told to read from the holy bible, the book of Daniel, Chapter Ten, verse thirteen, how a prince hindered Daniel’s answer to his prayer and the intervention of Archangel Michael to release Daniel’s fulfillment. I was told in my own case, too, that one prince of a kingdom is struggling to obstruct the enthronement of the will of the majority of my people but the good news is, a divine help has been sent to puncture the obstructive plight of the prince of that kingdom. Praise God. Do I need to tell you my name? I think you have known that I am Osun State of Nigeria. I am celebrating my seventeenth year birthday amidst mixed feelings. Please, pray for me as though it is a birthday gift. • OJO–ISRAEL is the President, IFS.

Need For Proper Courtship In Politics

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:54:21 +0000

COURTSHIP is usually and more particularly associated with marriages and it’s defined as a period of time (long enough) for people to study each other or of animals that would mate the other to study, understand and attract each other and one another. It also, in the Longman’s Dictionary of Contemporary English, goes to mention special behaviour, dancing or activity used by the animals to attract one to the other. This period must also have in mind the allowance to peruse, observe the idiosyncrasies of the animals in question before deciding to mate the other. Attraction is equally essential for birds of the same feather need be to flock together. Aside from mating, courtship carried to politics, brings people of like minds, ideals and ideas together to form or become members of the same and or different political parties. The Nigerian example is that these ingredients are not sincerely determinant to bringing people together in political party(ies) belonging. People in various parties in Nigeria are not in parties because of unanimity of ideas, ideals and ideologies but where the wealth-syphoners’ preponderate. It’s the thinking of political ‘party joiners’ that by so doing when what is the syndrome of vote-rigging facilitated by bags of money bring their party to power, they would benefit materially. Unfortunately, not all these expectations came into being for the joiners of parties in this country when the money-bags come to power because the contribution of each donor to the party so formed take advantage thus leaving the poor ones who join for benefiting sake in the cold after elections. Before the 2007 elections, there were candidates who surfaced showing interest in one political office or the other. Some showed interest in assembly, governorship, national assembly, presidency in Nigeria. I will want to seal down to Osun State where the gubernatorial seats state assembly national assembly, seats as relevant to here were contested. In the days of the Action Group/Unity Party of Nigeria were criticized for not allowing fresh joiners to contest elections but those tried, tested and proven candidates. No place for political irredentism. Illiberal as this system looked, when antagonists posed it to be seen as gagging, it’s necessary to allow courtship in political parties so as to allow stability in the polity. It’s not palatable to allow fresher to join and take office without going through the ranks or else such new comers unused to the party’s policies can fumble, be indisciplined and unwary. Among the “Feeding bottler” Governorship candidate was one who called himself Imole De. He was said to be floating a doctorate degree certificate as a Medical doctor but which later became invisible to present as demanded. We later discovered that the doctorate degree certificate was just for demonstration sake and not for perusal feasible hence the Action Congress, with its cards of credibility and integrity and tenacity to fielding people who had kept their faiths with the policies of the party, could not give him its gubernatorial flag-bearing ticket. That’s the crux of the matter. The refusal of the Action Congress to give Dr Oladimeji its ticket marked the beginning of the parting of ways between the “doctor” and the AC and consequently the exfoliation of the characters of the erstwhile doctorate degree certificate holder in his own true colours – thuggery. We were lucky that events that led to the exit of “Dr” Oladimeji brought the state face-to–face with what could have become another ‘diogenising’ or “folabising” of Osun State polity in the democrats’ clothing. Thank God that, for merely ‘being refused the governorship ticket, a candidate could no sooner be refused candidature than he shed his “democratic ideals for the reactionary, then Osun State could have had the same kind of governor we now have in the AC candidature or even worse a governor than the incumbent. For the polity to be sane and stable, it’s advisable that political parties should adopt the progressive policies in fielding candidates for political offices. Courtship will allow the parties to have tested, proven candidates in place as marriages for which courtship is mostly ascribed, would not last if proper one is not given a chance as is needed in politics, too. Stay together, pontificate together, study one another, experiment, disagree to agree if need be before coming into your parties of choice. It’s in this stratification that the polity will last and people of like minds stratify together. God save us.

Osun State Crawling At 17

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:01:30 +0000

KINDLY allow me the rare privilege to express my opinion on Osun State at 17. Osun State was one of the nine states created by the General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) in 1991. Paramount among the reasons for the creation of the state was to bring development to the geographical area called Osun State and to a lesser extent to exterminate the rivalry between the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo. At 17 years, has the state achieved the set – target by the founding fathers? In the south-west geo- political zone, it was only Ekiti State that was created after Osun, yet Ekiti has achieved a lot in terms of infrastructural development. Osun State boasts of skilled manpower in every facet of life yet those who rule us are persons of dubious character. They lack vision and therefore have no mission in government house. Osun has witnessed three civilian governments including the present occupant. Apart from Chief Bisi Akande who built the modern secretariat complex, Osogbo arguably the best in Africa with the least costs, nothing substantial has been done by the others. Neither the Isiaka Adeleke nor the Olagunsoye Oyinlola regimes have done something the state can be proud of. The Osun Osogbo Groove is UNESCO-recognized. How much has the state generated in terms of revenue? It is not enough to say the annual festival brings in many tourists but what benefit has it brought to the people? The dualisation of Gbongan-Osogbo road has been on for the past three years without any date yet for it’s completion. The major road in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital is dualised just as many roads in the state capital. There is general feeling of disenchantment and frustration in the State because there is inertia. This government lacks direction and only prides itself in propaganda. If we are lagging behind Ekiti which was created later, than something is fundamentally wrong. • EBUNLOMO IFATUROTI, Araromi Oke-Odo, Ife South.

Opportunities And Opportunists

Kola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:43:03 +0000

IF a stubborn fellow, who desires a considerable height could not find his way, as nature would have it, he says, he is a short man devil with an indomitable spirit. Before I launch the salvo for this week, I shall greet the Muslim brethren all over the world in the most pleasantly complimentary way of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), may the peace of Allah be upon Him and His households; Asalam Alay kun Waramotulahi, Wabaraka tuhu! I celebrate the new moon with my people, the people of Nigeria, the people of the South-Western states and particularly, the good people of Osun State. Ramadan, according to Islamic teachings, promises to be educative, for it teaches perseverance, fruitful relationship, the metamorphoses of life from poverty to riches, between the lowly and the highly. It closes the doors of hell and opens the windows of paradise. It teaches us to live and let live. In this month of Ramadan, God revealed Himself to Prophet Mohammad (SAW) through the Holy Quran, the great book. Allah bequeathed the night of destiny (Lailaitul Qudar) to mankind. Faith and submission to the will of Allah seem to enjoy a space in the hearts of men and women this time. Why would I not extol the virtue of Ramadan, when I know that an irresponsible drunk will suddenly turn a responsible husband, the night crawlers would go on holiday, a source of joy to their households, and nasty wives would have cause to live in peace with their husbands. If I have my way, I shall appeal to Allah to please allow Ramadan to be living with us permanently. It is a pity, it is a one-month ritual. Having appraised the gains of Ramadan in brevity, we shall look into our community and find out why some people cannot quit their disgusting habits, despite the master qualities of Ramadan fasting. This week, I intend to speak on the opportunity and the opportunists. My elderly friend and comrade fellow, Barrister Segun Sango, while we were discussing recently about characters of our politicians said: “You will not know an opportunity". He made me to understand that most people in the corridors of power are mere opportunists, who are out to cash in on the opportunities. One opportunist that readily came to mind, when I was reflecting over the pregnant phrase of Sango is Mr Niyi Owolade, Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. The onus of proof lies on me. Owolade, a lawyer born in Ifetedo, Ife-South Local Government Council Area of Osun State never ceased to amaze me with his crass opportunism, and he garnishes it with sheer arrogance. Leave it to him, the commissioner deserves a propaganda commission, where ministry of sycophancy could fit in properly. Owolade granted an interview with one unknown journal in Ile-Ife. Out of the 50 copies the journal published, an avid reader of OSUN DEFENDER got one and sent it to our office in Osogbo. Though, it was poorly written, riddled with unpardonable errors, lack of aesthetics standard and suggestive of yellow journalism, the meat of the interview nevertheless ran Owolade into a press war, strictly between him and OSUN DEFENDER. While we shall expect more salvos from him, we promised to give him back in his dose. For the sake of fair hearing, I shall reecho Owolade’s diatribe against us and I promise equally to be modest with him in my response. Owolade reportedly said that OSUN DEFENDER wrote trashes about him, citing the embarrassment he suffered in court, when one of the Action Congress (AC) witnesses pointed at him during the proceedings, that he led a horde of thugs that snatched ballot boxes in Ifetedo violently; denying the reality of the situation. Owolade denied that he kept some money in the account of his deceased brother in South Africa, saying that we did not even respect his deceased brother. The lawyer without a law chamber to the best of my knowledge, crowned his goof with an utter insinuation that could only be attributed to Al-Capone in the Hollywood movie, saying that OSUN DEFENDER has no address, meaning we are not traceable. I shall dignify the honourable Attorney –General with some answers at the risk of being immodest: One, the tribunal scene, Owolade has forgotten so soon that the proceedings were conducted in the full glare of the battery my lord’s tantrum of lawyers in court. I am pleased, he said, that he had gone to court with the tribunal proceedings to prove his innocence, but let no one tells me he was referring to the morally bankrupt Thomas Naron tribunal’s proceedings, because heaven knew that the tribunal lacked integrity. On Owolade’s deceased brother and the alleged money trapped in South Africa, he could not even offer an explanation that could pooh-pooh the said story in OSUN DEFENDER. In his ignorance, he did not decipher that we did not mention names or attribute the story to him. So, how did he arrive at the ignorant conclusion that the story was for him and his deceased brother? The laughable point of no specific address for OSUN DEFENDER which was insinuated by the political whore called Owolade stirred some puzzles in me. I was compelled to ask myself some questions: Has Owolade ever practiced as a lawyer before he was appointed the political commissioner for justice? Does he relate to people at all aside from his friends at drinking joints? Because he ought to have found out our address the editorial page. Better still, he could have spoken to us on our telephone numbers boldly written in the pages of our newspaper. I am amazed at the level of his hypocrisy, because we, (Owolade and I) met at the rally of the Electricity Workers Union in May. I could still recollect that my brother, Goke Omigbodun, Special Adviser to Osun State Government introduced me to him (Owolade) and he honestly expressed his disgust about our reports, but I could not figure out any sign of seriousness from him that day. One more thing , he never asked for our address; but I am sure he can always get it from Omigbodun. Omigbodun is a brother and friend, he has been our guest for a number of times, he had been interviewed in our office and I recalled that he duly informed us in OSUN DEFENDER’s office, when he was heading for his new-found party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It was also reported that Owolade and the former OSUN DEFENDER editor , Mr Kola Olabisi now managing editor had a shouting-match at the premises of the Osun State High Court in Osogbo, the venue of the first election petitions tribunal, when the former was trying to throw a jibe, the latter returned it with audacious salvo. So, let no one be deceived about the anonymity of OSUN DEFENDER being peddled around by Owolade. Oh! Are we still discussing the opportunity and opportunists? One day, a script writer will want to write a play on the above title, I suggest the character of Mr Niyi Owolade should be used, especially on his political merry-go- rounding and his verbal diarrhoea.

Stalled Development In Osun

Kola — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:02:34 +0000

To say that the imposition of a do-nothing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration on Osun State has been a calamity is to state the obvious. The opportunity cost has been unacceptably high. Indolence best personified by the helmsman, Olagunsoye Oyinlola has led to a loss of opportunity for greater investments in schools, healthcare, roads, social and community development and so forth. To buttress what is a well accepted truism, an NGO, the Peoples Welfare League (PWL) has lamented the state of underdevelopment in Osun State. A spokesman for the NGO, Mr. Biodun Agboola succinctly stated this as he decried the poor state of infrastructural facilities in the state, saying that “the essence of creating the state has been negated.” Very well stated. The state government has simply gone to sleep, while every aspect of economic development and social enterprise is in an alarming state of decay. This cannot be entirely surprising. The PDP had neither a mass support base nor any discernible programme of social and economic regeneration when they muzzled their way into power. Indolence, sloth, high living and cavorting with those of easy virtues had hardly helped. The overall lack of focus based on the absence of even a rudimentary programme of action has left the state comatose. ‘Politics’ has now replaced administration as the sole purpose of governance. To make matters worse is the insufferable posturing of the ‘governor’, the remarkably indolent Olagunsoye Oyinlola. It is a well stated truism that when the fish is about to spoil the rot starts from the head. Not much is to be expected from the fun-loving retired brigadier-general. Morning, after all harbingers the day. In his days as governor of Lagos State, he simply made a mess of the job. Now, if the fellow cannot get his act together in superlatively endowed Lagos, what is he supposed to do in poor Osun State? By the time he left, Lagosians had no option than to heave a collective sigh of relief at the departure of the worst administrator in the history of the state. The problem, of course, is that Oyinlola simply does not have a rudimentary grasp of what administration entails. This is strange, for afterall, the man rose to become a brigadier-general in an admittedly derailed Nigerian Army. The avatar, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, once said that it takes the deep to call upon the deep. This is true. This is why Oyinlola cannot assemble a sensible team. Lacking both intellectual depth and resources, he cannot but surround himself with loafers, the indolents and the opportunists. Even with a programme the team presently assembled cannot possibly impart good governance on the state. What we are seeing in Osun State is a tragedy. The lives of millions of people are being toyed with. So are the prospects of another generation. In the last ‘election’, the good long-suffering people of the state were denied the right to vote in the candidate of their choice. That candidate being, the superbly prepared Engr. Rauf Aregbesola campaigned on the basis of a meticulously prepared programme and the people warmed up to it. There was great expectation in the air. For like his counterpart, Dr. Fayemi in Ekiti State, Aregbesola knew that a sensible diagnosis should precede treatment. The duo represent a throwback to an earlier glorious period. An epoch when programmes and manifestoes mattered. A period when the welfare of the people was the main reason for political activity and involvement. It was that golden era which produced the ‘can-do’ governments of the fifties and sixties and the effective governors of the LOOBO states between 1979 and 1983. We can still recreate that era. To do so will mean that the sanctity of the ballot box must be respected. This is for a reason. It is not likely that the people will entrust a mandate to the incompetent and ill-prepared. The electorate have an instinctive feel as to what is good for them. To get Osun State out of the rot it is stuck in, a period of seriousness as well as circumspection is called for. The state needs a man with plan who is blessed with a vision. Engr. Rauf Aregbesola is such a man. He will, without an iota of doubt, move Osun State. He has demonstrated in previous assignments an enviable tenacity of purpose as well as the capacity for hardwork. The people of Osun state have every reason to demand that the mandate which they freely gave to Aregbesola should be restored to him. They cannot with a sensible solid alternative to misgovernance and maladministration continue to suffer misrule and incompetence.

Osun CDF Scam: EFCC Begins Oyinlola’s Probe

Kola — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:14:05 +0000

•Governor Receives Letter Of Notification •Speaker, 25 Lawmakers Summoned DESPITE all the grandstanding and boasting that there is transparency in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration in Osun State, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigation of the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola over alleged mismanagement of the state funds, as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Adejare Bello and the 25 lawmakers in the state House of Assembly have also been summoned for interrogation. OSUN DEFENDER gathered from a reliable source that the governor has received a letter of notification for investigation from the anti-graft commission, notifying him that he would be investigated along-side the state lawmakers and senior government officials who had appeared before the commission for interrogation over the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) and some other alleged lootings. It was gathered that the letter to the governor with reference number EMS/FCT/CFT/EFCC/16, which was addressed to the governor arrived the state on Wednesday and was confirmed to have been received by the governor. A reliable source from the commission’s headquarters in Abuja informed OSUN DEFENDER that the EFCC also notified the governor that it understands that he (governor) has immunity from prosecution, saying that this would be put on hold if found wanton. The commission reportedly indicated in the letter that despite the fact that the governor enjoys immunity, he is still being investigated as directed by section 308 of the Nigerian Constitution, which identified that a sitting governor could be investigated, but cannot be prosecuted. However, the state lawmakers have been directed to show up at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday. It would be recalled that series of letters of invitation for interrogation have been received by many senior government officials including the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, the state Commissioner For Finance, Mr. Toyese Ojo and the state Commissioner for Local Government and chieftancy Affairs, Professor Muib Opeloye. Other government officials, who had received similar letters from the anti-graft commission are the Accountant-General of the State, Mr. G. Babatunde, the Clerk of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Festus Omisakin and the Chief Accountant of the House. Subsequent to the letters received by the government officials, some of them have appeared before the commission and interrogated on their individual roles as contained in the various petitions written against them. Meanwhile, OSUN DEFENDER has gathered that the governor, in one of the PDP caucus meetings before receiving his letter had boasted that there was nothing the EFCC could do to him, as he has a long-standing relationship with the commission’s boss, Mrs. Farida Waziri. An unconfirmed source revealed to this medium that the governor allegedly stated at the meeting that he enjoyed a personal relationship with the EFCC boss when he was the Military Administrator (MILAD) of Lagos State and Waziri was an Military Administrator (MILAD) of Lagos State, assuring all the government officials involved not to worry. He was also said to have boasted that he would use his influence with the commission’s boss and compel her to ignore any intending investigations of the state government’s activities. It would be recalled that the Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) recently petitioned the EFCC, inviting the commission to investigate the illegal deductions from the local government council allocations by the state government and some other suspected lootings of the state treasury. Speaking on the development, the state Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Alhaji Waheed Lawal said that more government officials in the state are still expected to be invited, interrogated and prosecuted by the commission for the lootings that have allegedly characterized the Oyinlola-led administration. He then threatened to continue helping the Commission in its on-going investigations and promised to shed more light to the lootings of public funds by the present administration in the state before the EFCC, calling on the commission make its investigations thorough and make the looters to face the wrath of the law. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

In The Beginning…The Yoruba Origin Revisited

Kola — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:38:45 +0000

The Yoruba cover an area of about 70,000 sq. miles between the two rivers, Niger in the East and Mono in the West. They occupy land between latitude 60 and 90 North, and longitude 20 3’ and 60 30’ East. They constitute one of the largest homogeneous groups in Africa. Popularly referred to as ‘Anago’ and ‘Olukumi’ in the extant past, the Yoruba speak language that is mutually intelligible with various dialects. The geography of the area is characterized by variation of climate and topography. The weather of the area varies from raining season to dry season. The landscape of the Yorubaland is dotted with rivers which flow in the North-south direction, as well as forests and hills which serve as bulwark against the infiltration of the interior by the external aggressors. They were predominantly agriculturists and hunters. The Yoruba were also famous for their local industries and artistic work, particularly bronze and brass casting. The origin of the Yoruba is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps, no aspect of the Yoruba history is more controversial or ambiguous than their origin as there are many versions of oral traditions dedicated to this. Two versions are particularly popular. The first version collected by Captain Clapperton from Sultan Bello in the 1820’s speaks of the migration of the Yoruba into their present habitat from outside. This version was later popularized by Rev. Samuel Johnson and the first crops of Nigerian historians. According to this version, the Yoruba migrated from the North-Eastern part of Africa which has been variously interpreted as Arabia, Egypt, Yemen and Meroe. This group of immigrants was said to have been led by Oduduwa who utilized his superior force to overwhelm the autochthonous people that met in the area and consequently established a new dynasty. The second version of the tradition was derived from the Yoruba mythology. This tradition speaks of the ‘the beginning of time’ probably the pluvial period when Eledumare (Supreme Being) sent messengers (immortals) to the surface of the earth to create the world. At the head of this party was Obatala. In their possession were pieces of iron, lump of sand and a chicken with which they were to create the world. While Obatala in his drunkenness (for he was alleged to have taken palm wine on the way) lost his paraphernalia of leadership, Oduduwa took the opportunity to lead the party on. Before their landing, the pieces of iron and lump of sand were set down, and chicken was placed to spread the sand. Thus began the creation of the world from Ile-Ife where the immortals landed. The reference to the name Oduduwa Afewonro that is “Oduduwa, the man who descended through chain” which local historians hold tenaciously to even in contemporary times could not be divorced from the story of creation beginning from Ile-Ife. Some pertinent questions arise here: where did the Oduduwa party land when they arrived at a place later known as Ile-Ife as everywhere was reportedly filled with water? From where did Obatala get the palm wine that he drank? Significantly however, the triumph of the Oduduwa group over the Obatala group which is re-enacted in a mock battle during the celebration of Edi festival is an eloquent testimony to the conquering influence of the Oduduwa group, an influence that is still pervasive till the modern time. It would appear that the first version of the oral tradition was invented. In the first instance, what has been variously called ‘East’ may not be farther than the Niger-Benue Confluence of Nigeria. This became evident from the comparison of the archaeological remains of Ife and Nok culture. The style of the Nok terracotta of Jos-Plateau which belonged to the second half of two millennium ago is strikingly similar to that of Ile-Ife. Also, a number of large bronze figures (Tsoede’s bronzes) kept at Jebba, Tedda and Jinaga villages resemble those of Ile-Ife. These Tsoede’s bronzes were probably the craft work of the Yoruba who probably occupied the region before they were displaced from the region presumably, the Nupe. It might also have been that these bronzes reached the area through long-distance trade. But the claim of Arabian or Egyptian origin is not more than an attempt to associate the Yoruba with a more popular civilization of the Near East as done by the Kanuri to Ibn Yazan or the Igbo to the Jews. The second version of oral tradition represents an attempt to establish the divine origin of the Yoruba people. This is not peculiar to the Yoruba nation alone as other African nations have their own traditions of either falling from the sky or erupting from the ground. Nevertheless, the two versions of oral tradition are not irreconcilable. Put together therefore, the two oral traditions have identified the personality of Oduduwa as the father of the Yoruba nation. The arrival of Oduduwa in Ile-Ife can be interpreted as the period of revolution in the Yoruba history. It would also appear that the advent of Oduduwa represented the emergence of a new dynasty in Ile-Ife and the unification of the autochthonous peoples who hitherto were scattered and non-unified. It can therefore be concluded that the coming of Oduduwa rather than being seen as the beginning of a race can be interpreted as epochal revolution which symbolized the beginning of the consciousness of the Yoruba as a people.

The NJC; After The Recess

Kola — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:22:44 +0000

The annual recess in the judicial calendar starts end of July and ends first week September. Just before this year’s break, a scandal of overwhelming proportions was alleged against one Justice Thomas Naron, Chairman of the Osun State Gubernatorial Election Petitions Tribunal, who allegedly engaged in illegal and unethical secret telephone conversations with one Kunle Kalejaiye, counsel representing the respondent to the petition, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. The petitioner, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, AC Osun State gubernatorial candidate in the April 2007 elections, through his counsel promptly petitioned the National Judicial Council, exhibiting TheNEWS magazine which contains details of the call log indicating time and duration of the several calls an sms messages exchanged between Naron and Kalejaiye. While awaiting the response from this August body, the courts went on vacation. It is not clear whether the fact of the vacation is cogent enough to vitiate a purposeful and expeditious dispensation of a matter of such grave implications as that contained in the petition. Nonetheless, who can deny the fact that our judicial officers deserve a well-deserved rest from the rigours of dispensing adjudication in the most stressful of terrains? The danger here is that avenues of redress laid down by the law for obtaining redress are often rubbished, not necessarily due to compromise on the part of the responsible temples of redress, but because of lapses such as that experienced in these petitions gathering dust on NJC shelves since July. During this year’s recess, subversive tendencies and their cohorts had began to thump their rotten chests, creating further distrust and suspicion of the judiciary by suggesting that it is a ‘closed matter’. But is it? We certainly hope not, if the antecedents of the Chief Justice of Nigeria is anything to go by. Honourable Justice Idris L. Kutigi is a man noted to be upright and just, and would never, under any circumstance, be drawn into any untoward favouritism. Still, the apparently casual handling of the petitions relating to this issue is unbelievable as it is shocking. Happily, the recess is over, and His Lordship, the CJN is back, refreshed and reloaded. Prominent on the front burner should be this singular issue that threatens to disparage his cherished constituency; a veritable nuisance that cries for abatement. An irritant. A renewed opportunity is being presented to His Lordship and his team in the NJC to restore confidence in the judiciary whose reputation is being impugned across the nation by the indiscretion and unethical conduct of some of its members such as that reported against Thomas Naron. The time to act is not when another recess is in the horizon, nor after the forthcoming October first and Eid extended public holidays. The time is NOW! OSUN DEFENDER welcomes their lordships back from vacation.

Government Should Be Serious About Health Facilities

Kola — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:09:44 +0000

Kindly permit me to write on the health situation in Osun State. Health, according to philosophers, is wealth. Without a sound health nothing can be done by any human being. It is in view of this that proper health facilities should be provided by the society to cater for the needs of the people. In the developed states of the western world where citizens earn steady ad reasonable income, individuals can easily and conveniently afford their health bills. In Nigeria, it is always lip–service with slogans. It used to be health -for -all by the year 2000. Eight years down the line, the impact of health- for -all by 2000 is yet to be realised. In most public hospitals in Osun State, there are dearth of required personnel and the necessary and essential drugs. Most of the unavailability of the necessary drugs. In most cases, patients are turned away from hospitals since they do not have the essential drugs. There are instances where hospitals improve where the needed drugs are not readily available. The government should do something fast in that direction because it is only health that can create wealth. The government should take the issue of health seriously. General hospitals should be established, equipped and staffed accordingly, public revenue should be judiciously expanded on issues that give meaning to life rather than primitive acquisition of wealth which most government officials are busy doing now. Government officials claim there is insufficient fund in the public purse yet, they have enough to build filling stations and mansions all over the places. The Osun State Drug Manufacturing Company is yet to be completed five years after the Olagunsoye Oyinlola came into power. One wonders why such a sensitive company should still be on the drawing board. I am making a clarion call to the Oyinlola administration to do something very fast about health facilities in the state. Children and the aged should have access to free medical facilities •HIKMOT OMOTARA, Odeyinka , Irewole LG.

EFCC In Osun State

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:55:21 +0000

ABOUT two months ago, when the news of the invitation of Osun State senior political functionaries by the EFCC, filtered out, I was not moved at all, as I was of the view that unless Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola is in short of “Ghana Must Go” that the EFCC and even ICPC put together can make any impact in Osun State. As long as about N4billion Federal Allocations, due to both the Osun State government and all the local governments get to Oyinlola’s hand monthly, I was pessimistic that there would not be any meaningful impact from both the EFCC and ICPC. This pessimistic stand was not as a result of my being ignorant of what the anti-graft outfits stand for, but was borne out of the fact that the EFCC and ICPC are the products of Mr. 'Do-or-Die', demonic genius, Olusegun Obasanjo, who before leaving the office for Otta Farm, assured the imposed PDP governors in the South West, that their prospective states were no go areas for the EFCC and ICPC. If not so, Nuhu Ribadu, who was in Ibadan to condemn everything Alao-Akala stood for, only to put on his (Ribadu) wig and gown to defend the same Alao-Akala during screening exercise, for the April 2007 general elections. Olusegun Obasanjo, announced publicly that, he (Obasanjo) would set the EFCC and ICPC against Mimiko. Here is Osun State, the adopted child of the devil reincarnate, Olusegun Obasanjo, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola has said repeatedly on air and in print media said that, Osun State remains a No-Go-Area for both the ICPC and EFCC. He was found boasting with confidence on each occasion that, Osun State citizens including myself, lost every hope of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola being brought to justice, despite the recklessness with which he (Oyinlola) squanders funds meant for Osun State. Honestly, Oyinlola has bought scorpions with our money to chastice us, without recourse to reason and fear of God. I had no change of mind about the EFCC and ICPC, even after the change of baton from Olusegun Obasanjo to Alhaji Umaru Yar’ Adua. I maintained my rigid stand as Alhaji Yar’Adua was imposed on the nation by Do-or-Die, demon-possessed Obasanjo and was supposed to do the biddings of Obasanjo. The confidence reposed in the demonic ability of Obasanjo by Oyinlola, was the major reason why he (Oyinlola) was boasting of pocketing the EFCC and the ICPC. Initially, the boasting paid off, as there was no action from the EFCC and ICPC despite series of petitions flooding their offices almost on daily basis. Honestly, the inaction of the EFCC and ICPC initially, on these barrage of petitions from Osun State to their offices, made me thought of the probability of the efficacy of “Ghana Must Go” in caging these anti-graft outfits. Sincerely, I took all the action plans of the new EFCC boss, Mrs Farida Waziri, as regards fighting corruption to a standstill, with a pinch of salt as, we have heard many of such in the past, after assuming office newly. Now that the EFCC has taken the step of inviting government officials, such as the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG,) the Accountant General, commissioners and recently the 26 House of Assembly Members, to Abuja for questioning on their past fraudulent activities, I have my fingers crossed, to see if the now hot aluminium fry pan will not be chilly cold soonest as usual. Having expressed my misgivings, as regards the seriousness of the EFCC trying to rid Osun State of corruption, I will give some tips, all the same, to the EFCC, which would definitely be of help, as they move to do a clean up of this corrupt, fraudulent government of Oyinlola. It is a pity that the EFCC focuses on workers in both public and private offices and also on government functionaries, that is governors, commissioners, local government chairmen etc but has not deemed it fit to dig deep into the lives of emergency billionaires in our mist. It will be a right step in the right direction. If these people go unpunished, then the battle against corruption is almost lost, as these emergency billionaires are the formidable forces behind these government functionaries. In Osun State, the EFCC should unravel the mystery behind their sudden wealth. There are people in our mist today that are stupendously rich to the extent of buying almost all petrol filling stations in the state, some have up to ten fantastic buildings, spread all over the state, all built within a period of four to five years. These people were nobody before the year 2003 when they pitched their tent with the fraudulent government of Oyinlola. These emergency billionaires include Imams, Pastors, Obas and law enforcement agencies. The society is rotten and I only hope the EFCC and ICPC will now come above board by, doing a neat job in Osun State devoid of the snares of ‘Ghana Must Go’ always set by Oyinlola. This “Ghana Must Go” snare has caught both the wise and the foolish, it has trapped judges, police commissioners, NURTW leaders etc. Not until when these emergency billionaires are brought to justice, there will be no meaningful impact of the EFCC and ICPC in Osun State. To do a thorough cleansing job in Osun State, the EFCC must start from the councilors as their own constituency project fund was paid directly into their private accounts. There is need to investigate the unbudgeted stipends being paid to the spouses of councillors, local government chairmen and the Obas. The huge amount spent on vehicles for Obas must also come under the searchlight of the EFCC, as the project was not budgeted for. We need to know how much was budgeted for globetrotting of the governor and that brings us to budget implementation. The budget implementation of Oyinlola’s wasteful government must interest the EFCC as this is the crux of the matter, as all the financial scandals are traceable to it. If the "Ghana Must Go” virus of Oyinlola has not infested the EFCC, then the listed projects below must interest them. Ejigbo Water Project – Oyinlola claimed in his speech, while commissioning the fraud called Ejigbo water project, that he (Oyinlola) spent N55m on this Water Project and that he (Oyinlola) broke the jinx behind Ejigbo Water Project, which had been neglected by several administrations in the past. The fact of the matter is that, there is nothing like Ejigbo Water Project. The project was a window dressing project, as findings confirmed that water was indeed pumped to Ejigbo from Erinle Dam in Ede a day to the commissioning and water stopped flowing few hours after commissioning that same day. According to an indepth research conducted by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) called Peoples Welfare League (PWL), based in Osogbo Osun State, in their World Press Conference, sometimes in 2006, water is yet to flow in Ejigbo. The PWL press conference which was widely published by about 10 national dailies is yet to be debunked by Oyinlola’s government. Up till today, there is no single water pipe, either standing or laid in Ilesa town. The Iresi Water Scheme is more or less a curse to Boluwaduro Local Government. The Dagbolu Water Scheme, which is a bore-hole, is dry even during raining season. The Kuta Mini Scheme, which is also a bore hole is nothing but a curse to Ayedire Local Government etc. From the listed examples, the EFCC must find out the justification of N100m budgeted for water projects in 2005; N164.8m budgeted in 2006; N190m in 2007 and N250m budgeted in 2008, for water treatment chemicals alone. What a scandal! The Akoda-Osogbo Road Project – This is a Federal Project which has gulped N1.2 billion till date without progress. Prince Oyinlola said that Federal Government had paid Osun State N400m and that his “jegudu-ragudu” PDP government had spent N800m on the road project, which he started since 2004 and promised to complete in 2005. The EFCC, must assess the progress so far vis-à-vis the amount Prince Oyinlola, himself confirmed to have been spent. The rehabilitation of Osogbo –Iwo Road Project, N200m was budgeted for this 2006; N45m budgeted in 2007 and N100m budgeted in 2008. If about N0.5 billion was budgeted for rehabilitation of the road, how much would the construction Cost? With this huge amount spent already, the road is the worst in Osun State as confirmed by Oyinlola himself in his last Open Forum on 6th September 2008. The bridge between Agbeye and Oore in Odo-Otin Local Government area of Osun State, for which N250m was budgeted is still there untouched till date. The quality of the Odo-Otin road project vis-à-vis the huge amount spent should be ascertained. The tractors purchased; the tricycles purchased; the buses, ambulances, graders etc forced on local government areas. a lot of petitions had been written on these to the efcc and icpc with nothing done on them so far. Lastly, I will call the attention of the EFCC to a statement credited to Barrister Abiodun on page 5 of OSUN DEFENDER, of Friday 22nd August 2008, ‘that for such misinformation (emphasis mine) sponsored on the radio, I have written a letter to the management of OSBC to retract the said information. The mischievous information was actually sponsored on the Osun radio (OSBC), it was paid for and I learnt that the wrong information was sponsored by Gani Ola-Oluwa, the chairman of Olorunda Local Government.” So many things are wrong here. Gani Olaluwa, the chairman of Olorunda Local Government, using public funds, illegally, to misinform the whole nation, using public radio station, OSBC is the height of criminality, that deserves the attention of the EFCC and ICPC. For a public radio station, OSBC, managed by erudite professionals, to have allowed itself, to be so fraudulently used, is another criminality which deserves the attention of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) must also see the actions of Gani Ola-Oluwa, colluding with the management of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) and the PDP government of Oyinlola, as a dirty slap on the NBA and a ploy to bring the integrity of the NBA in general into disrepute. If the actions of these evil collaborators, Gani Ola-Oluwa, OSBC and PDP government of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is allowed to be swept under the carpet, after its world wide exposition, then, all the reputation associated with the NBA are already in the mud. The irresponsible and fraudulent intensions of these evil collaboration of the trio – Gani Ola-Oluwa, OSBC and Oyinlola must not be allowed to rubbish the NBA. I wish the EFCC a fruitful operation in Osun State, as that only will rekindle the hope of the people in the EFCC, as an outfit actually out to stamp out corruption in the federation. God bless Nigeria! • OYAGBILE wrote in from Ward 5, Odo-Otin LG Osun State.

Osun @ 17: State Without A Soul

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:36:12 +0000

At the creation of the State of the Living Spring seventeen years ago, the people must have been exultant in that their yearning for development had hit the home run; they probably assumed that the struggles which saw to the creation of their dear Osun State would coalesce into giant strides in all round development, the stuff of which made the old Western Region under the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, the toast in the republic. As one of the legacies of the old free education states in the region, such optimism could not have been misplaced: the state had a head start in the reservoir of high quality manpower, unlike a lot many created about the same time; it could also boast of a rich tradition in progressive politics, a vibrant population willing to be led, provided that the leadership was credible and transparent. Added to these were the great potentials in agriculture and commerce that the state possessed in abundance. It must be seen as one of the tragedies of our time that a state which boasted of so much potentials way back had easily become one of the backbenchers in development-reduced to a soulless drifting entity by inept leadership that it has been afflicted with. Like most of those states sired in the heat of passion to bring development closer to the people, with the imperative to galvanise the latent energies of the people as its driving motif, it must be seen as the ultimate tragedy that the state is counted among the bottom rung- in run down institutions, in collapsed infrastructure, of corruption and mismanagement and a leadership simply gone berserk. Osun today presents a lamentable picture of a vision gone awry, a dream aborted and where anomie looms large. All told, it is a miniature of Nigerian tale of missed opportunities, of tragic failures of leadership, of planlessness and of the rule of a vile, opportunistic cabal. While the years of military adventurism in the political life of the country and the culture of non-accountability that it bred may have taken its own toll on psyche of the people, the sad fact is that the years of civil rule, have hardly punctuated the decadence. The first advent of civil rule in the state was marred by phenomenal trivialisation of governance. If there was any redeeming grace, it was the relatively short administration of Chief Bisi Akande, from 1999-2003. During this time, valiant attempts were made to truly define the essence of governance by laying the building blocks for people-government partnership in the delivery of public good. Today, we have a farcical government in place personified by Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Under him, the state has witnessed the most comprehensive regression and meltdown ever in the history of the young state, particularly the undoing of the worthy foundations laid by his predecessor, Chief Akande. What does anyone expect of a man who came into office with his garment dripping with the blood in the mindless rage of violence, vote-stealing, mayhem and murder that attenuated his bid for power? Bullet, more bullets, of course! With his martial rule, he has driven every semblance of opposition to his arbitrary rule out of town. In his desperation to cling to office, he has subverted every institution in the land, subjecting even the judiciary to his odious influence. He does not even pretend to govern; he prefers to see the state as his fiefdom, an instrument of patronage for his soldiers of fortune in the PDP. Under Oyinlola, hedonism has been promoted over and above the delivery of the public good. That is the tragedy of Osun under Oyinlola’s inept rule. At 17, the heartfelt cry of the people of Osun is for leadership and development. A progressive administration steeped in the finer traditions of public service and popular participation is a sine qua non to galvanising the people to harness the rich endowments that nature has blessed the state with. That was what the vote robbers denied the people in April 2007. What has become an imperative is how to consign the evil cabal into the dustbin of history by relieving the people of its needless burden; only after, would the yearnings of the people for effective leadership and development be conceivable.

Osun Dep Gov, PDP Chair Escape Death At Okuku

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:52:28 +0000

Drama Of Death: • 9 Hospitalised • Oyinlola’s Aide Leads Thugs

IT was a typical drama of death at Okuku, the hometown of the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Odo-Otin Local Government Council Area of Osun State, as the immediate past council chairman, Mr Gani Lawal, popularly known as ‘Femo’ reportedly chartered armed hoodlums to the council secretariat on Wednesday to unleash terror on the state deputy governor and the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Erelu Olusola Obada and Alhaji Ademola Razak respectively at a function last weekend. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that while the Deputy Governor escaped from the bloody scene, Razaq’s driver proved a great asset, as he rushed him out, after cheating death by the whiskers. Almost nine victims with various degrees of injuries are currently receiving treatment at different private hospitals in the ancient town. According to an eye witness account, the council under the leadership of Mr. Adeniyi Adenle was scheduled to give PDP supporters and some chieftains some food items as Ramadan gift, a gesture he eventually turned into a political festival. It was learnt that the council boss, in a bid to achieve evenness in the distribution of the largesse, elected to share each ward of the 15 with six bags of rice. The occasion which took place within the premises of the secretariat was graced by the deputy governor who stood-in for the governor and the party chairman in the state coupled with scores of other PDP gladiators and supporters, who were cheering them (top political functionaries) up. The event was progressing smoothly, when a lorry-load of suspected matchete-wielding thugs stormed the venue and pounced on the guests and indigenes that were seated. The council chairman and workers who were at the occasion dialogued with their feet while the unlucky ones were treated with serious beating and matchete cuts; a situation that landed them in the hospital. According to the eye witness account, the hoodlums were led by the ex-council boss, who is now the executive Assistant to the governor on Tourism, saying that he was heard saying loudly that his supporters were marginalized from the sharing of the largesse. OSUN DEFENDER further gathered that the lorry brought to the venue was loaded with 60 bags of rice, after the suspected thugs had successfully dispersed the guests and crowd. Our reporter, who raced to the scene of the incident reported that people were gathering in groups to discuss the ugly scene in the ancient town throughout the day. It was also learnt from dependable authority that the rattled PDP chairman had appealed to the governor to remove Lawal from his cabinet, subtly threatened not to attend any political function in Odo-Otin Local Government Council Area again. Speaking on the development, the state chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Sule Alao said that violence has become the trade mark of the PDP in the state, saying that the police would look away because it involves the ruling party. “We have known for long that PDP is synonymous with violence, but the disturbing aspect of it is the compromise of the state police command on the issues,” said Alao. Checks however revealed that the Oyinlola’s aide, who reportedly led the horde of thugs has been arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigations Bureau (CID) Osogbo, Osun State capital and if political solution is not administered, he may be arraigned before a magistrate court on Monday.

EFCC Picks Ex-Ife Central Council Boss

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:01:04 +0000

MEN of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested career officers of Ife Central Local Government Council over petitions earlier written to the anti-graft body in connection with misappropriation of public funds associated with the administration of the immediate past administration led by Honourable Akin Adetunmbi. According to OSUN DEFENDER’s information, the EFCC men had earlier called at the council secretariat at Ajebamidele area, leaving a note, inviting two council directors to come to EFCC’s office in Ilesa. The investigation also revealed that on Tuesday, the two officers invited went to the EFCC’s office as instructed, where they were queried about some alleged financial misappropriation levelled against the immediate past chairman of the local government, Adetunmbi. OSUN DEFENDERalso reliably gathered that vouchers and receipts that were used to transact businesses in the local Government during the tenure under investigation was also tendered to the career officers to support the claims of financial misappropriation levelled against the former chairman. Authoritative sources also stated that the officers were queried about the abandoned road construction work of Igboya/ Fajuyi road. Responding to the allegations, the career officers testified on the documents shown to them by their interrogators, but added that the frauds were committed, when they had not assumed offices in the council. OSUN DEFENDER was reliably informed that the EFCC men took the address of the former chairman of the local government, as well as the location of the former career officers who worked under him, after which they were released later in the evening of the same day. A source close to one of the officers interrogated by the EFCC revealed to OSUN DEFENDER that the officers were thoroughly drilled and as their handsets were taken away from them throughout the time spent with the EFCC men. The source also confided in the medium that the officers claimed that the invitation by the men of the EFCC is “an eye opener not to collaborate with politicians to steal public funds as one may pay for it, even after one had left government service.

Tribunal Interpreter Goes Berserk

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:12:07 +0000

NEMESIS has started catching up with some Election Petitions Tribunals that compromised to uphold controversial elections as a controversial female interpreter to an equally controversial Election Petitions Tribunal in one of the states in the South-West geo-political zone of the country, has reportedly gone mad. OSUN DEFENDER authoritatively gathered that the said interpreter developed the mental illness in her apartment in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Thursday from where she was rushed to a private hospital along Ilobu road in Osogbo. OSUN DEFENDER’svisit the hospital where the insane female interpreter was admitted on Thursday confirmed the incident, as the woman was sighted on the hospital bed, behaving strangely like that of an agelong mad person. At the hospital, our correspondent who visited the place sighted some senior political functionaries in the state visiting the hospital in a depressed mood. Subsequent investigation as to the cause of the incident revealed that one of the jeeps purchased by the interpreter from the money accrued in the course of engaging in unholy acts while the tribunal she worked for was sitting in the state was reportedly snatched by armed robbers. It was learnt that the interpreter’s younger brother drove out the jeep without the knownledge of her sister where it was snatched by robbers. The source informed this medium further that immediately the woman got hint of the robbery, she suddenly developed a severe headache which later resulted into madness and was later rushed to the hospital. As at the time of filing this report on Friday, a reliable source at the hospital revealed that the insane interpreter might be referred to a psychiatric hospital, should her condition worsens. The source stated that the controversial woman was responding to treatment, as injections and drugs have been administered on her. It was also learnt that the insane woman was suffering from asthma cough when the incident occurred, which worsened her situation before she was brought to the hospital. Meanwhile, OSUN DEFENDER has reliably gathered that some of the senior political functionaries have rallied round the woman as they do not want to become an ingrate for what the woman had done in their favour when the tribunal was sitting in the state. An unconfirmed source further revealed that the government officials that visited the hospital the order of the governor of the state were the ones that are taking care of the hospital on expenses. However, the controversial interpreter was alleged to have colluded with a party in an election petition matter in the state to have destroyed some of the evidence that were brought before the tribunal.

Police, Robbers Clash

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:23:15 +0000

• One Dead, 2 Injured

THE police authorities in Osun State on Friday killed an armed robbery suspect in a gun duel that lasted for 30 minutes at Kola Balogun area of Osogbo, the state capital. An impeccable police source, who craved anonymity, disclosed that two accomplices of the late armed robbery suspect fled with gun shot wounds inflicted on them by the anti-crime patrol team from Dugbe Police Station. According to the source, the suspected armed robbers had laid siege on the Kola Balogun Street at about 11:30pm of Thursday. He stressed further that the suspects burgled DOF Supermarket, opposite Presidential Hotel, located in the area, adding that they also disposed some residents of their possessions. It was gathered that the residents of the area, who sensed something was amiss called the police authorities to save their lives, when the operation was still on. The reliable police source added that when the police arrived at the scene, the bandits opened fire on them, which resulted into a gun-battle between the police and the dare-devil armed robbery suspects. “At last, police were able to gun down one of the bandits, while the others fled with gun wounds,” said the police source. The wounded suspect was rushed to Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, in order to save his life and help the police in arresting the others, the source added, but the police efforts to save the suspect’s life proved futile as the suspect eventually gave up the ghost before medical help could be rendered. According to the police source, a dane-guni, cartridges, handsets, jewelries and the sum of N170,000 were recovered from the suspects. He, however, disclosed that the police were investigating some phone numbers contained in the late suspect’s mobile phone, adding that very soon, the police will apprehend the other suspects. All efforts by OSUN DEFENDER to confirm the information from the Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, Mr Joshua Olayemi, proved abortive, as he was not around in his office and his phone was switched off. The remains of the suspect have since been deposited at the LAUTECH mortuary. It wouldl be recalled that few days ago, some armed robbers reportedly laid siege on Ayetoro Street, while they burgled Boorepo supermarket in the area.

Residents Fault LG On No-Parking Order

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:29:36 +0000

THE people of Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State have faulted the no-parking order and indiscriminate impounding of vehicles by the task force of the council. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the relocation order of motorparks and the impounding of vehicles along major roads in the council area reportedly took-off simultaneously, as a special task force was inaugurated to implement the order. Some commuters and private vehicle owners have been complaining bitterly about the order. A civil servant in the council who pleaded anonymity said that the order was a good one but lacks proper and thorough planning, adding that if the council intends to introduce a law or order, it ought to have had an adequate publicity, which would enable the people to know what is expected of them. One Mr Joseph Olajide, an engineer whose car was impounded at Bishop Street beside Igbona said that he could not imagine as only two out of about ten cars on the street were impounded, wondering whether it was a selective treatment or just the way it should be done. OSUN DEFENDER learnt that the staff of the council met with the manager of a new generation bank, requesting that the bank payed some certain amount of money to the council with a view to providing a parking space for the bank’s staff and customers within the council secretariat premises. Another source close to the council revealed that the task force was created to compensate the hoodlums who helped them perpetrate atrocities during the last council elections. He further wondered how one would expect a tout who uses violence for survival to properly implement such laws. The medium further learnt that vehicles that were impounded were charged between a thousand Naira and two thousand five hundred Naira (N1,000 - N2,5000), depending on their offences. “Someone must remind the Council chairman that even when he is imposed on us by his boss (Oyinlola) he cannot just flout the law, we are aware that the State House of Assembly has not passed the law he is implementing. He must remember that the council is not a road union secretariat, the source added. Another commuter who claimed to be a graduate, said he appreciated what they wanted to do, as he believed it would enhance traffic flow but they were not doing it right. “If they do not want us to park indiscriminately, they should provide a parking space or bus stops at specific spots, where they want us to park. But the way they are doing it now, would definitely turn into a problem they would not be able to handle,” he further stated. “If the local government chairman intended to find job for his touts, it should not be at the expense of the people of Olorunda, as he should know that Olorunda is not just any local council, it is within the city and any attempt to play politics with it would be seriously rejected.” said a source. - By SINA ABUBAKAR

Flood Renders Many Homeless In Ile-Ife

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:40:23 +0000

THE people of Ifesowapo area in Ife Central Local Government of the state had lost properties worth millions of Naira to the flood that recently occurred in the area. OSUN DEFENDER learnt that more than 100 houses were affected by the flood disaster that destroyed houses of the residents in the area. Visiting the affected people in the area, the General Manager of Osun State Emergency Management Agency, Engineer Segun Ajayi with the chairman of Ife Central Local Government, Engineer Obawole Tunji, at the scene of the disaster, decried the reckless spate at which people dumped refuse into the drainages which caused the flooding. Though they both sympathized with the victims of the flood, but however enjoined the resident to find alternative ways of disposing their wastes without dumping them along water ways which led to the flooding problem. Mr Adeolaju, one of the landlords in the area while reacting to the statement by Ajayi, said that the flood disaster that occurred in Ifesowapo was due to the poor drainage system in the area. He added that the community had tried to resolve the problem through communal effort but little could they realize because of the huge money that is needed to channel the course of the stream, which had been wreaking havoc on the residents of the community. He therefore called on the Osun State government to come to their rescue by channeling the course of Agbara stream, so as to forestall the incessant flooding of the area. In a similar development, the chairman has been advised to embark on mass orientation of his people on proper waste management. According to a health worker, Mr Oyasope Johnson, the orientation became necessary because of attitude of the people towards waste disposal. A visit to Ogboku/Oduduwa street in the ancient city by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the Ogboku Water Course had been turned into a dumping site and also serves as toilets for the residents which may have been responsible for flooding in the area. A visit to Oja-titun in Ile-Ife, the only major market in the city, revealed that the market people were also using the stream channels as their “dumping site.” OSUN DEFENDER’s further findings revealed that the market women chose to dump their wastes into the water course, as they attributed the fact to irregular collection of refuse by the waste management unit, of Ife Central Local Government, saddled with the responsibility. They therefore advised the state government to task its health unit and its works department with the duty of effective and efficient waste management as it is being done in Lagos and Oyo states as a dirty environment would bring bad state of health, they concluded. - By SOLA JACOBS

Bizarre: School Proprietor Nabbed Over Ritual

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:49:03 +0000

A continuing education centre’s proprietor (name withheld) in Ile-Ife, who has his school located at Idi Omo area of the ancient town, has been arrested and detained by the police for allegedly sucking the private organs of his male students for what many believe was for a ritual purpose. According to OSUN DEFENDER’sinvestigation, the parent of one of the victims reported the ugly incident which transpired between his son and the proprietor to the police authority after the proprietor allegedly sucked the male organ of one Demola Awotide, a student of the centre. Further investigations also revealed that the proprietor was in the habit of inviting the unsuspecting students to his house, for extra-lessons and delayed them purposely till night, so as to carry out his illicit act. On the day of the incident, Mr Adeoye Awotide told OSUN DEFENDER that his son was invited by the proprietor to his house in company of other boys and they had their lesson till late in the night. Continuing, Awotide further stated that his son informed him later at night, that the proprietor, who was a middle aged man allegedly sneaked into the rooms where the boys were sleeping and stripped his victim of his trouser and put in his mouth his manhood, the parent alleged. OSUN DEFENDER investigation at Division A police station in Ile-Ife revealed that the matter had been incidented at the station. More so, other victims of the school proprietor’s act, who were male students taking remedial course to reseat for the NECO or WAEC examination corroborated the claims of Demola. Awotide’s (Jnr) report about the proprietor’s act to his parents was trigged by the state of his health, since the ugly incident with the randy proprietor. According to investigation, it was revealed that the proprietor sucked his semen which he later discharged in a bottle, it was alleged. The police source said the alleged proprietor confirmed that it was true that he sucked the manhood of the students but he only did so, to prevent them from flirting around with female students. OSUN DEFENDER investigation also revealed that since other affected students had testified to the gay proprietor’s act, he had since denied ever having oral sex with the male students. The matter had been charged to the magistrate court in Ile-Ife and the date for hearing had not been fixed, OSUN DEFENDER was reliably informed.

Go To Court, Osun AC Dares Kalejaiye

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:00:47 +0000

THE Osun State Chapter of the Action Congress (AC) has challenged Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN), counsel to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to sue the management of TheNEWS magazine for libel rather than discussing his unholy interaction with some members of Osun State election petition tribunal on the pages of newspapers. A statement by the party’s Director of Research and Strategy Hon. Sunday Akere, said for Kalejaiye to keep silent on such criminal issue amount to tacit admittance of guilt. Referring to a story carried by a national daily last Friday, on the possibility of using GSM line to send SMS messages that reflect the phone number of another person, the AC said it was only a gimmick aimed at providing an alibi for those accused by TheNEWS magazine of complicity in mishandling the petition filed by its gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola. The release said: “The national daily which has turned into the mouthpiece of the Oyinlola-led administration tried to convince without success that it is possible to use one’s GSM number to send message to the same number or other phone number without the owner knowing how it was done. “Although the false disposition has been debunked as technically impossible by the Head, Public, Legislative and Governmental Affairs of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Mr. Dave Imoko, Osun AC still feels it is necessary to comment because this is nothing but another attempt by the Oyinlola administration to fool Nigerians about the widely reported collusion between his lead counsel, Mr Kunle Kalejaiye, and the five members of the discredited Thomas Naron Election Petitions Tribunal.” Action Congress said after being taken aback the public outcry that trailed the “exposure of the corrupt and unholy conduct of the judges and the counsel, the Oyinlola government is now sponsoring imaginary and dubious stories in some national dailies on how GSM lines can be manipulated by fraudster in order to confuse the panel that will try the accused when the Nigerian Judicial Council probe begins. “Such fabricated stories that have no beginning nor an end will achieve no goal as Nigerians are wiser than the corrupt patrons of the said newspaper. Listing so many names as those of people that filed stories from fictitious locations is enough to show Nigerians that the story is nothing other than another fiction from the house of Osun rabble-rousters and warlords.” The party further condemned rumours that the NJC intends to advise the EFCC to hands off the case. “Let us reiterate that what we intend to achieve by sending our petition to the two bodies are different in all ramifications. Our petition to the NJC is meant to expose the connivance of the accused to pervert the course of justice, and our target is for the body to mete out appropriate punishment for such crime as contained in its statute. “The petition to the EFCC was intended to unravel the corruption involved in the matter because we know the panel of judges will not agree to collude with the Oyinlola-led administration and his counsel if financial inducement is not involved.” “The goal of this (EFCC) petition therefore, is to unravel how much was given, who the third party that assisted in collecting the money was, which bank was it paid to; and eventually assist the citizenry of Osun State in getting back the amount allegedly used to bribe the panel and parrel justice. “Finally, Osun AC’s ultimate goal is to help sustain the integrity of our judicial system, resolve and re-establish the confidence of the citizenry in the judiciary, curb financial recklessness and corruption, and energize our fledgling democratic system. “We know that with careful handling of this petition, Nigerians will again believe in the much orchestrated rule of law and order of the present federal administration. “Nigerians will not be forced to the street or resort to self-help because we know the judiciary is there to give a free, fair, undiluted, untainted and unmutilated judgments in all matters that seem clumsy and confusing to us the unlearned,” the statement concluded.

Rauf Aregbesola Urges CDS To Investigate Military Deployment To Osun

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:09:42 +0000

ACTION Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola has called on the new service chiefs in the country to order the probe into the deployment of soldiers of the 2nd Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Armed Forces under Major-General Mohammed Saleh into the state before, during and after the April 2007 elections sequel to the request of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of the state, saying that the invitation led to death, rape and torture of the citizens. In a press statement signed by Aregbesola’s media aide, Mr Gbenga Fayemiwo and made available to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo on Friday, the AC candidate recalled how the innocent people of Osogbo, Ilesa and some other major towns of the state suffered from the deployed soldiers. The statement read: “The soldiers were not withdrawn from the state until a rape victim courageously spoke to the press on her nasty experience as she was defiled in the state capital”. “At the height of the military progrom in Ilesa, Oyinlola boasted on camera with the presence of General Saleh, threatening that if he had to bring a whole division of the Nigerian Army to crush Ijesa people of the state, he would do it. “He then ordered that his main challenger for the governorship seat of the state, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola be declared wanted as if we were still under the military dispensation where he bestrode the land lawlessly and unquestionably. “With this order, the soldier went into operation in peace time and mowed down harmless civilians in their numbers. It is hoped that the new service chiefs will see through the Facade of Oyinlola Trojan visit and refuse to be used as tools of repression against the opposition in Yorubaland,” he said. Aregbesola also advised the service chiefs and the entire Nigerian Armed Forces to beware of what he termed undemocratic credentials and antics of Brigadier-General Olagunsoye Oyinlola. He said: “We are happy to note that the military careers of those gentlemen officers have blossomed under the current but nascent civilian dispensation arising from their patriotism and commitment to Nigeria. “The new service chiefs have become glowing examples of how military officers should submit to civil authority to provide the best defence and security shields for our fatherland. “It must be noted that before he was retired for being a political soldier, Governor Oyinlola served under a jackboot military regime that hunted down pro-democracy groups and repressed individuals whose commitments to the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria contributed to the peace in our country today. “A peep into the career records of the new service chiefs shows that they are unblemished in their service to Nigeria and have distinguished themselves without political colouration”, Aregbesola insisted. While wishing the service chiefs a successful and peaceful tenure, he advised them to keep a safe distance from what he termed “erstwhile superiors who may want to exploit their current statuses to unleash terror on political opponents as Governor Oyinlola did in Osun State last year against Osogbo and Ilesa people”.

The Ka-n-Das In Laudable Steps

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:59:24 +0000

EXCEPT that man is not God. As man, any romance with any of those past cheats or sorry, leaders is unfortunate. Unfortunately, they failed to reduce the burden on the heads of the masses of this poverty-stricken country. I, for one, find it difficult to imagine how the affluent fed, when millions of Nigerians die on the streets, some on the verge of death from hunger, starvation and deprivations. Except that these affluents do not relate with the masses who trek to death. Or how does one explain what the Rivers boys experience inspite of the huge resources ‘harvested’ from their areas. To bring my argument home, the Federal Government–borne free treatment of people with eye-defects tickles my imagination, when the news got to this writer that somewhere along the line, these poverty-robbed patients were made to cough out N300 – three hundred naira per head for whatever. My concern is that of the implication of the unanticipated N300 these people were asked to pay which resulted in some of these prospects, who did not have that money to pay or be paid for by their children, apology to those who have no child among them, to withdraw. The executive president has very good intentions for the blind or partially blind citizens in Osun State like other states. But the Osun State Government must investigate this detail that went by way of fraud in concept and deed. Fraud in concept and deed because the victims were issued receipts ostensibly to show approval of authorities in the state but however, the victims were tricked to submit the receipts already issued, tucked same into a cabinet drawer. For the purpose of investigations, who issued or originated the issuance of the receipts? What’s the beginning point of the issuance of the receipts and the terminal of same? Where did the N300 collected from about 40 patients go to? Was the issuance a state Government affair or her middlemen or opportunists who saw that they could slot in some tricks on the people? The state government must look into this issue and bring those responsible for the brisk business cornered in the exercise otherwise the cheats will be regarded as state-sponsored. There’s no amount too big to recover one’s sight but such is the impecuniousness of the patients that the loss of their sights to that token N300 is an option. Have you ever heard that some patients ask to be turned back home when whopping charges are slammed on their wards by the hospital authorities? Is it not interesting that our custom of old forbids putting relations into debt after they might have departed this world? Rather than being referred to as the one who put the family into debt, after death, our people in this part of the world prefer to die and give the survivors a sigh of relief? To confirm the need for investigations of those responsible for extorting N300 from these pitiable patients, some of the prospective patients withdrew from the treatment there and then which means that those who withdrew from going further would die either blind or partially blind on account of this N300. This is more so that one does not know when such opportunities will come again. Even if tomorrow, another such opportunity is not far-fetched, how many of these patients can one say are alive as at the time the writer is writing this report? If another opportunity is today, those of them who died yesterday cannot benefit again. So it’s not the smallness of the amount asked of these patients that matters but the consequence. If able-bodied, working class of people could be so heartless as to extort money from the grave-going people/patients, is it any different from those searching the pockets of motor accident victims? God must be God and not man to keep watching these things happening without some instant judgment descending, if only as deterrent.

ISSUES

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:07:52 +0000

POLITICS in Osun State, the state of the Living Spring is a different ball game. While election petition tribunals of other states were breaking ground, the two tribunals that were previously stationed in Osun ended with controversies, compounding the legal tussle that was begging for genuine resolution. While the judges of other tribunals left with their integrity intact or partially battered, the justice Thomas Damar Naron-led five man panel left the state with no dignity, and their problems are so multifaceted that the judges will have to stand akimbo before the National Judicial Council (NJC) to defend allegations of bias and compromise leveled against them. While lawyers from both the petitioners and respondents were hugging one another, exchanging notes on each court ruling, a senior lawyer to the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Mr. Kunle Kalejaye, appearing for the second respondent in a petition filed by the state Action Congress (AC) flagbearer in the last year’s controversial election, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola; was allegedly found to be engaging in a nocturnal conversations with the judges in his case. In the same Spirit, people of the state has been treated with different stories about the Appeal Court hearing over the local government polls that took place on 15 December 2007 in the state. Given the genesis of controversy surrounding the polls; it is very normal to fray nerves over the outcome of legal battle that trails. Before the controversial council election, there was no love lost between the opposition parties and the embattled state Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC). OSUN DEFENDER gathered that it was an hatred at first sight. At the first stakeholders’ meeting organized by SIEC, the party leaders, except the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disagreed with the way they were invited to the meeting and they collectively demanded an apology from the commission, for inviting them to the meeting via the radio announcement. The chairman of the Commission, Justice Sijuwade Adedokun (retired) clearly over-stepped his bound, as an unbias umpire, by displaying a magisterial arrogance, adamant that he could not offer apology for the SIEC’s shortcoming, and the party leaders walked out on him. Instead of giving room to a peace, the jurist went through his planned polls, organized election, but the polls was massively boycotted by the other parties except PDP, a scenario that gave all the 30 local council to the ruling party (PDP) on a platter of controversy. Meanwhile, the opposition party led by AC had earlier gone to court to seek redress; but could not get judgment, until a day before the controversial polls. Naturally, the case ought to have been directed beyond suspicion on several grounds; it was handled by the chief judge (CJ) of the state judiciary, and it was perceived from the opposition point of view that the (CJ) was doing the bidding of the embattled governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who was still smarting from the still fight the opposition gave him during the last governorship polls. So, when the judgment was given, it did not come to the opposition parties as a surprise, rather they had prepared for a fresh onslaught at the court of Appeal. The only surprise that sent shocker to the air wave, was the resolution of the opposition parties to boycott the election, and it reflected a picture of a flawed election. Ever since the litigation has moved to the Appeal court, people have been waiting eagerly for the outcome; relying on the permutations of their opinion holders; depending on the party affiliation. Since last two weeks, rumour mongers and pepper soup joint debaters have been giving different version of stories of what to expect on Monday at the Court of Appeal, as touching the case. However, checks at the Appeal court in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital revealed that it is the hearing of the case that is expected on Monday not a judgment, as being spread round. OSUN DEFENDER man, who was at the Court of Appeal, when the case was mentioned last reported that only the opposition parties were represented by their lawyer from Femi Falana Chamber; the state or SIEC, even the embattled council chairmen were not represented; a situation that compelled the court to advise he Appellant’s counsel to move to the next stage. Findings revealed that the next stage will be a prayer in form of motion on notice from the appellant’s counsel to the court to hear his prayers alone, once the respondents have failed to meet up with 15o day ultimatum to file its statement of defence. It is expected that the motion has been filed and the hearing proper will begin on Monday. Speaking on the development, a party to the suit, the state chapter of Labour Party (LP) noted that people are anxious for judgment, because they have no link with present constituted government. The state chairman, comrade Rufus Oyatoro said that the council chairmen on seats are usurpers, who are obviously not popular to smell the council exalted chairs. “I notice also that people want a change, they want a clear departure from this kangaroo arrangement called PDP local government and I know that sooner than latter, justice shall be obtained.

Oyinlola Was Not Sent By God To Serve The People - AVG Chairman

Kola — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:31:36 +0000

Alhaji Wahab Ademola is the Chairman, Aregbesola Victory Group (AVG) in Osun State and a chieftain of Action Congress (AC) in the state. In this interview with OSUN DEFENDERman KAZEEM MOHAMMED, he appraised the performance of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led administration in the state and spoke on some other sundry issues in the state. Excerpt:- Osdf: Can we meet you sir Ademola: I am Alhaji Wahab Ademola, the chairman, Aregbesola Victory group (AVG) in Osun State. Osdf: Being the AVG Chairman, what is the aim of your Group? Ademola: The initial aim of this group is to look for a right person that would rule as a governor of our dear state, the governor, whom everybody in the state will enjoy and the one that would bring development to Osun State. When we looked at it that among all the governorship candidates before the April 14, 2007 election, it was only Aregbesola we found out that could do it and that was the basis of forming the group, even before he left the executive cabinet in Lagos State. We were of the view that he had done a lot in Lagos State and he would be able to do more than that in his own state of origin. That was the basis of forming the group mainly to support his political ambition. Osdf: Why do you think that it was Aregbesola that could do it better among other candidates that contested for the position? Ademola: Personally, I know him as a God-fearing person. He is not coming to Osun to embezzle our money. If he is after money, he is already comfortable in Lagos where he was a commissioner. If the man eventually takes the mantle of leadership in Osun, all everybody will enjoy him unlike what we are having today. We knew and we hear what he had done in Lagos. Even the people of Lagos did not want to leave him for us in Osun for all he had done for them. Our focus in AVG is to pray and ensure that Aregbesola retrieves his stolen mandate. We, in AVG, want a change for Osun State. If you go round the towns in Osun, you will realize that people are suffering. Everything in Osun is below standard, commercial activities are too dull, farmers are suffering, and the youths are suffering to get jobs. Those are the things Aregbesola has the intention of rectifying, which made us to support him fully. We are still praying that God should retrieve his stolen mandate for him. Osdf: What has AVG achieved so far? Ademola: This group was founded in February 2005 and we received the support of God to the extent that Aregbesola was nominated as the governorship candidate to represent his party, Action Congress (AC). After his nomination, we started our campaign alongside with other groups and people of Osun who love him so much, which translated into the massive votes he received ahead of Oyinlola during the election. If you look at all the results of the election, you will discover that people voted massively for him in those areas that we touched and even across Osun State generally. Secondly, before the December 15, 2007 Local Government Election, the AVG was able to settle some of the grievances within the party and we were able to make some recommendations that eventually worked out. Up till now, we have not relaxed in our efforts to settle grievances among the party with success stories. Grievances are not strange in a political party, but being a progressive party, we have been able to settle some of the bickerings. Our focus is to retrieve our stolen mandate and we are very sure that the mandate is ours. Osdf: What is your appraisal of Governor Oyinlola-led government since 2003? Ademola: What I know is that if one is sent on an errand by God, definitely such a person would do it perfectly. Oyinlola was not sent by God to serve the people of this state. They are only in power to misappropriate embezzle the money of the taxpayers in the state. That is why people hate the government and the people in the government under the umbrella of PDP. If you go to the market and call yourself a PDP member, it is either you are booed or stoned. They have not done anything tangible since their assumption of office, except what Chief Bisi Akande administration had done, which they are now capitalizing on. There are many bad roads in the state without being attended to. For instance, they had started the dualisation of Osogbo–Akoda road since 2005 or thereabout, but up till now, there is no success story on it. As a result, I have not seen what Oyinlola has done. What I know is that a military man like Oyinlola was never trained to serve the people; otherwise, we would have allowed the military men to continue ruling us. If a military man pull off his uniform and wears agenda as done by Oyinlola, the military mentality would still be in him and there is no way it could be ignored. I may not be able to tell them what to do, but what I know is that they cannot do more than what they have done. They have done their worst. the people of Osun State hate the PDP government to the extent that they massively voted against Oyinlola in the election, before they were robbed of their votes. Oyinlola’s government in Osun today is a disaster and nothing more. Our prayer is that Aregbesola should retrieve his mandate and we are very sure that when he retrieves his mandate, within 24 hours, there will be changes and the people of Osun will enjoy his government. Within a short time, everybody would see it that Aregbesola is truly a man of God who has the intention of serving the people. He had done it in Lagos as a commissioner and what he had done in Lagos are there for the people to see. We did not consult any herbalist before we supported him, but his achievements in Lagos State speak louder for him than any other thing. Osdf: You have been hammering on the fact that the present administration has not done anything, what about the traditional rulers and government officials that are riding cars and building mansions? Ademola: Is that an achievement for a government that claims to have the interest of the people at heart? When the people of the state are in hunger, suffering to feed themselves and Oyinlola is busy distributing cars to Obas and political office holders, will you call that an achievement? I cannot blame the traditional rulers because they are not working and the government should be able to take a good care of them, but the way Oyinlola is doing it amounts to what could be termed an extravagant spending. Why the traditional rulers and political office holders alone? Political colour has been added to the distribution of the cars to the monarchs because some of the monarchs have been side-lined. He is doing that to get the unalloyed support of the traditional rulers, forgetting that the people of the state need to be taken a good care of. He is only giving cars to the traditional rulers that support his administration and they will all suffer for it when the time comes. On the political office holders, it is glaring that those that are being given cars are partners in fraud. If you look at it very well, you will discover that Oyinlola has no good intention for his action, except for personal interest. Even among the PDP members, some of them are suffering, while their leaders are serving their personal interest. Even the civil servants are suffering but they cannot say it, because they are the ones that supported the governor in 2003. If any of them could say it, that person is playing with his job. So, they have no option than to take it as it is. Osdf: Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal has come and gone, but the conduct of the tribunal has generated a lot of controversies. What is your appraisal of the tribunal’s proceedings? Ademola: When they arrived the state initially, things were going on smoothly, not until they were compromised. We discovered that they had compromised when they started rejecting the results of the inspection ordered by them, which put their credibility in doubt. Eventually our fear was established when TheNEWS magazine exposed the secret telephone conversations between Oyinlola’s lawyer, Kunle Kalejaye and the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Thomas Naron. All the evidence that were rejected by the tribunal were accepted in some other states of the federation. What I know is that God is there watching each and every one of us and He will soon judge. That is the worst they could do and we believe that the Appeal Court would return our mandate. We believe that the truth will prevail. Osdf: What is your comment over the alleged conversation between Kalejaiye and the tribunal members as revealed by TheNEWS magazine? Ademola: The revelation is a work of God because nobody knew that such revelation would be made. I expect Kalejaiye to have sued the magazine, if truly the allegation is false. Definitely, for Kalejaiye to have kept mum and failed to have sued the magazine, definitely, the allegation is true. Let me tell you, TheNEWS has the facts of the matter to the extent that they challenged Kalejaiye to sue the medium. So, it is the work of God and the truth will eventually prevail. Osdf: As a prominent indigene of Osogbo, what is your comment about this year’s Oroki Day celebration? Ademola: What we have in this year’s Oroki Day celebration is purely political. The PDP has dominated the OPU that championed the whole thing and that was the basis for the flop we had this year. Ever before the PDP hijacked the union, things were going on smoothly and there was nothing like what we are having today. If you look at the number of the people at the event, you will discover that they were all PDP leaders and members. So, you don’t expect less than what you saw, because those who dominated the event are enemies of the people in the town and the state general. Osdf: What is your advice to the people of Osun State? Ademola: People should remain cool and calm. They should hope that their stolen mandate would be retrieved through the Appeal Court. They should remain steadfast and continue to pray for the retrieval of the mandate. They should also not take laws to their hands.

EFCC And Osun State; A Call For Caution

Kola — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:12:25 +0000

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs Farida Waziri is, without any doubt, in the spotlight. What with the controversy that trailed her appointment to that high profile office. There are those who consider her unworthy of the position of the nation’s number one crime buster, for a number of reasons, chief of which is the allegation of antecedent liaisons with some of the most culpably corrupt public officers whose cases were on the front burner in the work schedule of her predecessor, Nuhu Ribadu. Such viewpoint is reinforced by wide allegations that it is this powerful cabal of transgressors that were responsible not only for her ascension to the throne of Crime Czarina which she now occupies, but also the dramatic sack of her predecessor. The veracity or otherwise of these claims would appear to be academic, and fit only for historians in future reviewing a turbulent past. Mrs Waziri came out smoking hot as she scaled through the screening at the National Assembly in flying colours, at the end of which, as if to assuage doubting minds, she made the historic statement that she will STEP ON TOES. For a people severely inundated with allegations of selective application of the apparati of investigation and surveillance on perceived and real opponents of Olusegun Obasanjo, the timing and delivery of Farida’s statement was impeccable. Therefore, the task that lay before her right from the moment she stepped down from the venue of the screening, was to match her words with action; a task which she has strived to execute through a few high profile arrests here and there. However, if the TOE-STEPPING mantra was designed to rubbish her predecessor, then she should be well advised to beware of those who must reduce her steely resolve to hot air. This brings to mind the theatre of shame called Osun State, where slimy TOES abound and may have listed her amongst their “conquests”. At least, if the crude boasting of the comical cast of provincial jesters that crudely appropriate that stage is anything to go by. It would be recalled that the 11 Action Congress party members of the Osun State House of Assembly suddenly found certain sums of money paid into their accounts by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led government of the state, branded as “constituency development funds”. These honourable members did what is expected of any law-abiding and responsible citizen, by returning the funds, and reporting the matter to the EFCC, because such disbursements violated due process both in the manner of its distribution and its intended appropriation. The petition of the AC lawmen embodying their complaints to the EFCC was filed April 2008, whilst the PDP members of the same house did nothing, but continued to enjoy the spoils of this crude departure from due process even as the AC lawmen patiently awaited the response of the EFCC. Suddenly, the Osun State government in August 2008 (last month) sent their own petition to the EFCC, asking it to investigate the source from which the AC lawmen got the funds they returned to the state coffers some of them having, as alleged, first withdrawn and/or spent all or part of it. Whilst conceding to the author of the governor’s petition his unfettered liberty to exhibit primitive ignorance and crass buffoonery, it is the sudden awakening of the EFCC, five months after the AC petition, by inviting the entire house for interrogation that we find completely awkward. It is not intended to dictate or prescribe a modus operandi upon the EFCC, or to ascribe merit, or lack of it, to the governor’s subsequent petition, but there is abundance of logic in the proposition that the complaint that came five months ago ought to have been given priority. Lumping all the members together in a widely publicised, mass invitation to EFCC office in Abuja, apart from constituting total absenteeism from legislative duties, also creates the impression that all the members are culpable and smacks of an attempt to trivialise the issue. This is capable of doing a grave harm to the reputation which Mrs. Waziri is carefully nurturing. The EFCC chairman is advised to thread the path of caution in the slippery terrain that Osun State has become, and to carry out her assignment fearlessly and impartially Some members of her profession who have in the past traversed this terrain who trampled with the sacred truth and sanctity of the citizens’ freedom by compromising their neutrality eventually suffered the consequences, not necessarily due to any ingenuity on the part of the harassed opposition and oppressed citizenry, but because we have a President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is sensitive to issues of due process and the Rule of Law.

Abuse Of Office: Ayedire Council Boss In Contract Scandal!

Kola — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:16:10 +0000

• Uses Aides As Front AYEDIRE Local Government Council Area of Osun State will continue to wallow in sprawling poverty and under-development as long as the current, chairman Muraina Adetoyese Ogungboyega is still calling the shots with his appetite for amassing wealth. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the council boss, right there in Ile – Ogbo, the headquarters of the council area, has cornered all the juicy contracts for himself through his Personal Assistant, Mr. Sulaiman Okunola. Checks at the council revealed that millions of naira have changed hands in the process, all to the advantage of the chairman, who sees the council as a honey pot of his private estate. According to available documents at the disposal of OSUN DEFENDER, Ogungboyega was the contractor at the council before he became a chairman, a situation that made him to be more familiar with the working in the council. The medium gathered that the Personal Assistant to the chairman has reportedly cornered some contracts running into several millions of naira on behalf of the chairman under different company names and addresses. The Personal Assistant, Okunola was allegedly used to collect retention fee on a contract over purchasing of asphalt for tarring Idi – Epe to Gada junction in Ile – Ogbo before the time lapsed. Findings revealed that N2.4million was retained as retention fee in the contract worth of N47.5 million, when Ogungboyega was a contractor with a company called Cabtome Nigeria Limited, situated in Abuja. Before the six – month ultimatum scheduled for the retention fee could expire, Ogungboyega had become the council chairman and he got the money approved for himself, via his aide, Okunola on April 25, 2008; signed by one J.O. Yusuff on behalf of the chairman. It was learnt that the approval was allegedly signed for the chairman by Yusuff in order to hood-wink unsuspecting people of Ayedire council area. Another contract that was allegedly cornered by the chairman, through his personal aide, Okunola was the wiring of legislative house at the rate of 431,205.00, under the company name JOADEX Technical and Electrical Engineering Limited, situated at M.A.C.O House in Ibadan. The embattled council boss got an approval for payment on the contract on 31 July, 2008 with a reference number ALG 183/T/70A, in a letter signed by B.T. Smith for the chairman. Ogungboyega also has a question to answer on another contract over the tarring of the secretarial complex located in Ile-Ogbo at the sum of 5million. The contract was approved on 28 April, 2008 under the company name Yekrab Nigeria Limited, Lagos in a letter signed by one Mrs. M.A. Olajide for the chairman, with a reference number ALG.680/106. OSUN DEFENDER found out that despite the fact that different company names, dates, addresses were used as a make-belief, Okunola still remains the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the aforementioned three companies. It was also learnt that the council chairman allegedly skipped his signature over the three contracts deliberately in order to save face in case his antics are discovered. According to an impeccable source within the council secretariat, Ogungboyega is a paragon of abuse of office, as he is milking the sleepy council dry through phoney contracts. Checks revealed that some groups in the council area are compiling the various dubious contracts awarded by Ogungboyega into a petition that would be sent to anti–graft agencies for action. Speaking to OSUN DEFENDER in confidence, one of the council workers, said that the chairman would definitely have his ass smoked if his case is referred to any of the anti –graft agencies. “Oga knows how to play pranks with council funds. May be, because he was a contractor before getting here. But, I know that he has eaten fat from the council, he awards anything including supply of stationeries to himself, he alleged.

Opposition Mounts Against Hike Of Osun Tertiary Institutions’ Fees

Kola — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:24:18 +0000

OPPOSITION political parties and human rights groups in Osun State have flayed the decision of the Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led administration in the state to effect a hike in the school fees of students of tertiary institutions in the state, saying that the policy was aimed at OPPOSITION political parties. The policy was described as one of the tactics usually employed by the conservatives to continually keep their subjects in control by making it impossible for them to have easy access to education that can widen their horizon and make it possible for them to know their rights. The state chapter of the Action Congress (AC), National Conscience Party (NCP), Joint Action Forum (JAF) and Democratic Socialists Movement (DSM) made the condemnations against the backdrop of the recent hike in the school fees of the tertiary institutions in the state. It would be recalled that students of tertiary institutions across the state embarked on a peaceful protest in Osogbo, the state capital on Monday, where they expressed their dissatisfaction with the increment in their tuition fees. In a statement issued by the AC Director of Research and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere and made available to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo on Thursday, the party cited the decision to fix the tuition fees by the state government that are beyond the reach of the poor, for the recently established Osun State University (UNIOSUN), saying that the decision was what made other tertiary institutions within the state to arbitrarily increase their fees. The statement read: “Osun State as it were is predominantly a civil service state which economy cannot sustain such high fees being charged by the state university and other tertiary institutions; but Oyinlola will do himself a lot of good if he reverts his anti-people policies of increasing the fees today. “Since fixing the roof-top fees for Osun University, which even surpasses amounts charged by some notable private universities, almost all other tertiary institutions in the country have taken a cue from this evil policy and increased their fees, leading to several students dropping out of schools or turning to negative tendencies like prostitution, armed robbery and political thuggery. “Governor Oyinlola should request for the list of students admitted to Osun State University and crosscheck to find out how many of them are from families residing in Osun State. If the government’s policy is to establish an elite school, it must be clearly stated that the schools are not made for the generality of the people of the state as it ought to have been. “The peaceful protest by the students of the affected state’s higher institutions should be taken by the authorities concerned as a way of obtaining justice and as such, quick and immediate solution should be found to the problem”, AC insisted. Osun AC then urged the Oyinlola-led administration to allocate sufficient funds that will help sustain the tertiary institutions, instead of wasting state funds on what it called endless globe-trotting, political appointments which an brought negative effects on the standard of living of an average Osun citizen. Also, the NCP state secretary, Comrade Ademola Bankole said that the decision of the Oyinlola-led administration to increase the fees is a way to directly punishing the parents who have children in the state-owned tertiary institutions. He then threatened that his party would make moves in ensuring that the increment in the school fees is reverted in order to allow the younger ones have access to bearable tuition fees. In their separate reaction to the increment, the state Chairman of JAF, Mr. Aderemi Ayanlade and the DSM Coordinator, Barrister Alfred Adegoke said that the state government has acted against the will of the people and the development of the state. They stated that the decision of the Oyinlola-led administration has suggested that the current administration in the state has made up its mind to ensure that the people of their state are made to suffer, saying that the increment is purely anti-people and it should be reverted. The activists then threatened to join force with the students of higher institutions in the state if the government refuses to revert its decision, insisting that if the increment is allowed to stay, it would surely increase the level of illiteracy and poverty in the state.

Untold Story Of Kingibe’s Connection In Osun Tribunals’ Compromise - Investigation

Kola — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:30:34 +0000

OSUN State politics and its sting seem to have assumed a venomous dimension, as fresh facts about the compromise of Justice Hamman Barka-led second election petitions tribunal that sat in Osogbo, the state capital, have emerged. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the sacked recently Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe was fingered in the last-minute compromise of the electoral dispute panel. It was also unveiled that one of the senators from the state, who has a long political relationship with Kingibe pulled the strings that eventually intimidated the brilliant panel to cavein for the wish of the embattled ruling party. According to an investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER, the Barka tribunal had weighed all the evidence presented by the three senatorial candidates of the state Action Congress (AC), who happened to be the petitioners and had determined to do justice according to the evidence. Feelers from the tribunal disclosed that the judgment written and already type-set for delivery was allegedly turned to the dissenting judgment overnight, according to him, in order to save their (judges) career. It was learnt that the obviously rattled senators had already run from pillar to post, in search of rescue from the looming verdict before one of them, who is close to the former Federal Government scribe sought an intervention of his political leader (Kingibe). OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Kingibe then invited the rattled senators to Abuja for a nocturnal meeting in the State House, where he offered to help them at the tribunal on the condition that, they would support his presidential bid. It was learnt that Kingibe had fixed so many tribunal cases for his political loyalists all over the country, but that of Osun proved to be a nightmare that could not allow him a good sleep, as his interference was reverberating in the presidency; when TheNEWS magazine published the secret conversations between the first tribunal judges and a respondent lawyer, Mr Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN). It was reliably revealed to OSUN DEFENDER that the Kingibe interference in Osun State and some other states with a condition of his presidential aspiration, burst up his disloyalty to the ailing President Umar Yar’adua and which eventually culminated into his sudden removal from office. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the hawks from Osun State had started pushing for Kingibe’s intervention at the Court of Appeal, so as to maintain a status quo till 2011, when according to them, the political structure would be made available for his presidential ambition on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

State Of The Roads In Osun

Kola — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:07:27 +0000

In the maladministration gone mad that is Osun State , wonders never end. To say that Osun State has never had it so bad, is to understate the case. ‘Calamity Oyinlola’ has proved beyond any iota of doubt that he is the past master in how not to govern a state. The complete collapse of Osun State’s infrastructure is in itself a wonder to behold. The collapse is total, ‘school buildings’ that are inhospitable, hospitals that are malfunctioning and so forth. These are terrible times for the long suffering citizens of Osun State. Going through the pictures of dilapidated classrooms and collapsing roofs and buildings carried in this newspaper on the 3rd of September, 2008 , reveals just how callous the Oyinlola administration is. It is all very convenient for Oyinlola and his kleptocracy. They can put their own children in private schools or send them abroad. Presumably, the rest of the population can go hang. If the pathetic state of the educational infrastructure scares some people, how will they react to the state of the roads? The state of Osun State roads simply beggars belief. Death traps and not roads will be a more sensible description. In a developed democratic polity, the Osun State Government will by now have been deluged with a barrage of ‘class-action’ law suits by accident victims. The constant frolicking by Oyinlola’s do-nothing administration means that the alarming number of accidents do not mean anything to this insensitive do nothing government. All the township roads are in a pathetic state of disrepair. Pictures of the state of the roads in major townships such as Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Iwo , Igbajo, and so forth tell the same story. Oyinlola’s maladministration certainly does not think that any sort of social contract exists between it and the people of the state. This might have something to do with Oyinlola’s lack of electoral legitimacy. It has everything to do with the impostor governor’s lack of preparation for office. Learning on the job in such a serious post is always self-defeating. Given Oyinlola’s previous disastrous outing in Lagos State, we can see that the man simply does not have the intellectual preparation, let alone the administrative acumen for office. It is unfortunate that all this is happening at a time when the state’s coffers are very buoyant. Subvention from the federation account has made the state very comfortable. If Oyinlola doesn’t have the wherewithal in terms of initiative to beef up Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), at least, he can drink from the federation account. He has certainly been milking the state dry, but he is clearly impervious to creative thinking otherwise, there are proving viable options to use infrastructural development. When he was governor of Lagos State , Alhaji Lateef Jakande initiated and used the direct labour agency to good effect. The intervention of the agency helped to create a cost-effective mechanism for infrastructural development while also creating much needed employment. Oyinlola does not have to re-invent the wheel he only has to dust up the books and look at what Jakande had done in the past. In addition, today, we have new initiatives in terms of the creative use of public-private partnerships as a tool for infrastructural development. Lagos State and some other states such as Akwa Ibom are exploring this new area. Certainly, the legitimate governor-in-waiting, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola would have repeated the can-do attitude he brought into infrastructural development in Lagos State. It is a shame that Aregbesola is not there already with the magic wand. Oyinlola does not have the focus, the inclination or the capacity for sustained hard work needed to fix the crumbling infrastructure of Osun State . The sooner he gets out and let someone with a mission blessed with a vision take over, the better for Osun State.

Osun LG Polls Appeal Latest: ‘You’re On Your Own’

Kola — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:12:37 +0000

•Oyinlola Tells Jittery Council Bosses

A gulf in the relationship between the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State and the 30 local government council areas’ chairmen in the state, seems to be widening, just as the former has reportedly shunned the latter, over their cases at the Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State. Association of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON) members in Osun State were reported to have consulted the governor on the need to help them out at the Appeal Court over their controversial December 15 local council elections in the state, being challenged by the opposition political parties. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the council chairmen allegedly appealed to the governor to give them a similar treatment to that of the Election Petitions Tribunal that sat in the state, since the appellate court has commenced hearing on the appeal of the local government elections, for them to retain their seats. Having foreseen failure at the appellate court, the chairmen also reportedly appealed to the governor that Should the Appeal Court upturn their elections and orders fresh local government elections in the state, the governor should give them the same 2007 treatment for them to win the elections by hook or crook means. The source then revealed to this medium that after the council chairmen had made their request known to the governor, they were disappointed with the response of the embattled state helmsman, as they reportedly received a negative response and were allegedly lambasted for their low performances in their various council area. According to the source, Oyinlola reportedly tongue-lashed the council chairmen, stating that he was so disappointed about their performances and he would not hesitate to turn down their offer, just because their administrations have performed below average. The governor then left the council chairmen to their fate, warning them not to approach him with such matter again, unless he changes his mind over his decision not to help them out on the case at the appeal court. He was reported to have stated that up till the time he was approached for help by the council chairmen, he was still battling with the problem arising from his own controversial victory at the April 14, 2007 governorship election, especially on the controversies that arose from the Justice Thomas Naron-led tribunal that sat in the state, saying that nobody ever helped him out of his problem too. It was also gathered that the governor reportedly stated that in case the court orders a fresh local council election, he would only concentrate on the few of the 30 council areas that impressed him a bit in terms of performance, in spite of huge amount of money deducted from their allocations. With the countenance of the governor to their requests, the council chairmen have reportedly bounced back on the council funds, as they have allegedly come to a conclusion not to carry out any developmental projects in their domains for them to have so much to fall back on, in case they are eventually sacked by the appellate court. As part of their moves to illegally acquire wealth, the council chairmen have allegedly reduced the number of pilgrims to Mecca from each council area and the amount to be given to each of them, as directed by the state government. It would be recalled that opposition political parties in the state are challenging the controversial December 15, 2007 council polls at the appellate court and the hearing on the matter has commenced. The hearing of the case at the Appeal Court has however sent jitters down the spines of the council chairmen and their councillors across the state, which makes them to be running from pillar to post to ensure that they retain their controversial seats.

Osun PDP Scribe, Thugs Clash Over Ramadan Gifts

Kola — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:17:09 +0000

TWO factions loyal to the Osun State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Yinka Adeoja, and Kehinde Orisaguna, a chieftain of the same party respectively recently clashed in Iree, in Boripe Local Government over Ramadan’s gifts, given to the members of the party in the community by a ward councilor. The ancient town was on last Sunday turned into a battle field when loyalists Adeojo and Orisaguna violently confronted each other, which resulted into a free-for-all fight. Investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER in the ancient town revealed that Orisaguna’s group, which comprises of some chieftains of the party, were challenging the sharing of Ramadan’s gifts, given to the party by a ward councilor. The gifts, given to the members of the party by ward 10 councilor of the council, Mr Idowu Adeyemo comprised of two bags of rice, beans and other foodstuffs, to stem the lingering food crisis in the party. Other gifts distributed by the councilor were 20 standing fans, about 25 handsets, stoves and other kitchen materials, which were to be shared without favouritism. It was gathered that Adeojo, a political godfather in the community, brought nepotism to the sharing of the grains and other items, which was resisted by the aggrieved group. For having the audacity to challenge the authority of Adeojo, his loyalists were furious and puzzled just as they unleashed terror on the opposing group. According to an impeccable source in the party, Adeojo ordered his political thugs to wreck havoc on the group which, he (Adeojo) described as intruders. While executing the order of the sponsor (Adeojo) the thugs, reportedly armed with cutlasses, axes, charms and other weapons with which they carried-out their operation. The source disclosed that the thugs inflicted grievous harm on some members of the group, adding that the fracas has deepened the crisis between the two groups. “Adeoja promised to deal with the group and he did because men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad’, on the order of Adeojo arrested the opposition group, just as they were detained for 24- hours” the source added. He further stressed that the group members arrested on Monday had promised to pay Adeojo’s faction, the result of which, the source said ill likely pollute the peaceful atmosphere of the community. The said meeting of the party ended-up in an impassed as the fracas ensured and people started running helter-skelter. It would be recalled that violence also ensured in Okuku Headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government Council, in which the State Deputy Governor, Erelu Obada, narrowly escaped death. Investigation by OSUN DEFENDER showed that those members of the party, who were arrested by the police in connection with the crisis, have since been released. a police source at the State Criminal Investigation Department, said the state chairman of the party, Mr Ademola Rasak, has stepped into the case for settlement.

The Ember Months

Kola — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:26:56 +0000

There is a unique Nigerian-ness in the restiveness associated with the last quarter of any passing year. Some call it the ember- months-something that conjures imageries of accidents and avoidable mishaps. The months of September through December comes racy among others in the calendar. It is the period when the social barometer is at its highest point on the measuring scale. The countless festivities it stokes make it a unique experience for the common folk as families look forward to re-union with long-separated members. Needlessly too, it can come at great cost to many families. Whether at home or abroad, our people surely know how to relive the pleasures the season brings. Osun people, being a hardworking lot, are entitled to their rest after months of enterprise. That is why long travels are planned to reunite with folks. Elaborate preparations are made for social events that take a huge chunk of savings, and commitments which task men’s souls are entered into. More than anything, the period affords the opportunity to bond with the community. It is what makes living in our part of the world truly interesting. We hardly need to warn that it is a period that requires great care and caution. Caution, not necessarily because there is anything mystical about the ember months, but more on the simple score of our penchant as a people to overdo things, and our singular characteristic to misplace our priorities, when what is called for is sobriety and reason. Care because of the usual tendencies, to lower our guards in moments of excitement and celebration. For our readers, we owe a duty to warn early, and to plead that we make this year’s celebrations different, if not entirely low-key. We say this because this is hardly the time to be careless about anything. Carelessness, of course, comes in various forms. It could be in needless and avoidable trips undertaken. Oftentimes, it manifests in mindless revelries that end up in avoidable tragedies with tears and sorrows in tow. They could come in commitments that do not add value to our lives and the lives of those who are close to us. Or, in wastefulness, through profligate spendings in loud announcement of some new-found wealth, with endings in denial of responsibility for actions or even failure to plan adequately for the next day. The issue is that they come in various shades and colours. The essence of our message is to call for moderation as the season berths in earnest. It is a timely message as Year 2008 slowly makes its exit. Our people have made great sacrifices in the current year and they deserve no less than the bounties that the season can bring in the fullness of time. Having waited faithfully, bearing the brunt in the hand of the insensitive government-which they did not vote for and yet pretends to be calling the shots-they must wait to partake in the unfolding dawn of a purposeful government that will capture their dreams and aspirations. Living purposeful lives and staying the course seems therefore an imperative. We, of course, owe a duty to watch and pray in the tumultuous times ahead. Prayers for the state to be rid of vampires-those who claim to be leaders but are sucking the blood of the people for a fresh gale of public-spirited leadership, to usher an era of peace and prosperity. As the season comes, our people must learn to think safety at all times. They must also show demonstrable responsibility in their choices. Being our allies in the struggle to rid the state of the pollution of misbegotten leadership, we cannot but wish our people well.

‘You Can’t Resign Now... We’ll Sink Or Float Together’

Kola — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:32:37 +0000

• Oyinlola Tells Aides

STARRED by the reality of imminent defeat at the yet-to-be-constituted Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Osun State embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has reportedly instructed his commissioners and other members of the state executive arm of government not to bother preparing any letter of resignation, as he (Oyinlola) would not take it from them. OSUN DEFENDER gathered from authoritative sources that the state helmsman’s resolve emanated from reports from certain quarters that some members of his cabinet were toying with the idea of putting in their letters of resignation ahead of the Appeal Court verdict on the guber-natorial petition before it. Sources further revealed that Oyinlola was initially miffed on learning of the plans by some of his aides to abandon his administration ahead of the appellate court’s judgment; but became convinced about the veracity of the reports as prominent chieftains of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met him on the report by confirming it. The medium further gathered that some of those reported to be considering their quitting Oyinlola’s administration hinged their decision on the fear expressed that they are likely to have their political future destroyed, should the judicial pendulum not swing in their party’s favour. The state governor was also reported to have expressed his disappointment on the development to some of his closest aides who prevailed on him on the need to treat the case like a typical PDP family affair. After series of meetings with his trusted aides and party chieftains, Oyinlola reportedly succumbed to his aides’ counsel and decided to treat it like a PDP family affair. Impeccable sources further revealed that the state’s chief executive had, at various informal levels, jocularly informed all political functionaries to forget about the idea of possible resignation from his administration at this crucial period of his five-year old administration. Though, many at some of the occasions were reported to have taken the governor’s statement with a pinch of the salt, regarding it as one of the governor’s usual rib-cracking jokes. However, the medium gathered that those in-the-know of the goings-on at the Oke-Fia Government House have reportedly taken it upon themselves to drum it into the ears of the political functionaries that Oyinlola meant every word of what he said. It would be recalled that a Permanent Secretary overseeing one of the sensitive ministries was recently reported to have tendered his resignation letter only to have it rejected by Oyinlola.

ACPP Gives Oyinlola 21-Day Ultimatum Over Centre For Black Culture

Kola — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:45:37 +0000

THE opposition political parties in Osun State have challenged the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of the state to clarify the ambiguities and inconsistencies in the establishment of Centre for Black Culture And International Understanding in the state. The opposition parties under the aegis of Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) also requested that the governor should explain the secret behind the altercations between him and Professor Wole Soyinka over the acquisition of Ulli Beier’s archives/artifacts. According to ACPP, in a letter addressed to the governor, the request was borne out of the concern on the stupendous amount allegedly expended in acquiring the archives and the secrecy in which the whole deal was shrouded, raising suspicion of the intention of the governor to manipulate its ownership and structure. The parties said that their fear was justified with the manner in which the registration of the centre was manipulated at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja. The letter further reiterated that all efforts were made to inquire from the law firm that placed the advertorial for registration of the centre, but the lawyer whose name and telephone numbers appeared in the advertorial claimed ignorance. “The denial by the solicitor who placed the advertorial in which your name appeared as a biggest stakeholder buttressed our suspicion. We find it demeaning of your status as number one citizen of Osun State to have his name in an anonymous advertorial “We hope this project will not suffer the same fate like the case of Women and Child Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF) which was fraudulently turned to a private Pet Project”, the ACPP queried. Challenging the governor to come up with Proof of payment of 680,000 dollars (more than N80 million Naira) paid to professor Ulli and Georgina Beier, the political parties condemned the method with which the payment was made as it did not pass through due process of being budgeted for a by receiving ratification from the State House of Assembly. “Your failure to follow due process smacks of high level of financial recklessness and utter disregard for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the chairman insisted. The ACPP demanded that Oyinlola should tender his unreserved apology to the Nobel Laureate Soyinka, as the rude attacks on the professor by the governor was objectionable, saying that the timely and patriotic intervention of the professor saved the governor from a ruinous path. The parties demanded a detailed explanation on the true ownership and position of the centre the official address be made to the public. “The initial members who attended the meeting where nomination and election of trustees of the board of centre were determined be made public. “A documented proof of the repeated Ulli Beiers instruction making Governor Oyinlola the life chairman of the board of the centre be made known. “The rationale for payment for the artifacts before their arrival should be clarified. “Your reasons for deceiving the generality of the people that the building earmarked for the State Pilgrims Welfare Board will now be the permanent location of the centre should be clarified,” the ACPP demanded. The opposition parities then threatened that failure of the governor to provide satisfactory explanation and comply with their demands within 21 days would be resisted, “as we have instructed our lawyers to be on standby for possible litigation in the event of your non-compliance with these demands.”

Osun Council Chairmen And Wasteful Foreign Retreat

Kola — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:14:00 +0000

With the recent trip to South Africa by the council bosses in Osun State to have a retreat, there seems to be no end in sight to the cultures of exravagance, financial recklessness and wastage of our commonwealth, for as long as the PDP is still sitting at the helms of affairs in this state. Not a few people were taken aback by the wasteful conduct of these council chairmen who travelled to South Africa recently in the name of retreat, even when their duties are left undone. What is happening in Osun State is a manifestation of the saying that-when the head is bad, the whole body is definitely in shamble. The nitty-gritty concerning the culture of wastage prevalent in the state today is woven round the kind of leadership that the PDP is imposing on the people in the contemporary Nigeria. Leaders who lack vision and who do not posses, even, the modicum idea of good governance can not be expected to deliver the goods. They are absolutely incapable of using power to benefit the people since, ab-initio, they didn’t have a faint idea of what to do with power. From national to state-down to local level, mediocrity characterises leadership as imposed by the PDP through electoral brigandage. This is why it may be tantamount to crying for the moon by expecting any impressive performance from such ‘representatives’. But it is a worst scenario in Osun State where the helmsman is squandering the resources of the state with impunity. The ‘governor’ of the state today in person of Olagunsoye Oyinlola does not care a hoot about the welfare of the people. Neither does he bother about giving the people the deserved dividends of democracy. No wonder, one of the world eminent scholars, Professor Wole Soyinka recently refered to him as ‘ a misgoverned governor’. This is because he is the best example of non-performing governors in the federation today. Oyinlola’s failure to set a good example in governance has provided an alibi for his council chairmen to also put on the garb of non-performance and engage in profligacy. As if their do-nothing postures are not enough, they have started embarking on useless and wasteful foreign trips in the name of retreat as exemplified by their recent trip to South Africa. By this, they have taken after their political god-father, ‘governor’ Oyinlola who revels in junketing arround the world, wasting the state’s resourses in the name of soliciting for foreign investors. Indisputably, embarking on useless foreign trips in the name of searching for investors has been the major achievement of Oyinlola since he came to power through crookery and there is no any investment on the ground to really justify his incessant foreign trips. That the Osun council chairmen have imbibed the culture of wastage from Oyinlola is no supprise. It is no supprise because Oyinlola himself has not been called to order by a higher authority since. While we are not opposed to the chairmen having a retreat - only if such is genuinely aimed at deliberating on issues bothering on the development of their councils, we frown at a situation whereby the chairmen abadon their official duties and responsibilities only to embark on useless trips abroad in the name of any retreat that doesn’t do the state any good. Or of what importance is a retreat in South Africa when those jobs for which they were (un)elected to do suffer negligence? Of what need is a retreat in a foreign land when, of course, there are more than enough comfortable places here where such retreat can take place? The trip, we affirm, is needles. It is basically fruitless. The whole excercise is nothing but part of those gimmicks usually employed by opportunists and squandermaniacs in power to waste our collective resources. It is in the same vein that we also found condemnable, the idea of council executives using the resources meant for the development of the state to send their wives and children on holiday overseas. This level, to which governance has degenerated under the PDP is the worst form of misgovernance in the annals of this state and it is high time these squandermaniacs at the helms of affairs in the state were called to order by higher authorities. So they dont milk the state dry through their recklessness and acts of profligacy. We once again call on the relevant authorities-the ICPC and EFCC especially, not to relent on their new-found commendable courage to rid the state of corruption.

Osun State Is Broke

Kola — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:21:35 +0000

•Govt Functionaries Go Aborrowing • Debts In Geometric Leap

THINGS are no longer at ease with Osun State, as many projects will have to suffer; arrears and entitlements have to be paid piece-meal; for the account of the state is in red. According to investigations conducted by OSUN DEFENDER, the state treasury, is near empty, a situation that has taken toll on the finances of the government and lately the sign of bankruptcy has clearly manifested in all government dealings. Findings revealed that the political intrigues, spend-thrift and debts servicing are the festering sores that have drained the coffers of the state; a situation that has compelled some political functionaries to go aborrowing. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the fear of the unknown over the litigation, resulting from the electoral dispute that greeted the declaration of the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the winner of last year’s controversial governorship election, was an area that a political pundit pointed at; as a cause of reckless spending. It would be recalled that the State Action Congress (AC) standard-bearer, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, last year, dragged Oyinlola, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police to the election petitions tribunal that sat in Osogbo. When it was also reported that one of the respondent’s lawyers, Mr Kunle Kalejaiye was having familiar but secret conversations with the tribunal chairman, Justice Thomas Naron and one other judge, Aregbesola expressed his dissatisfaction with the tribunal’s ruling that further confirmed the victory of Oyinlola and appealed on eleven grounds, why the verdict must be upturned. Information at the disposal of OSUN DEFENDER has it that the heat the reported secret conversations and the attendant hues and cries, which have succeeded in drawing the attention of the bar and National Judicial Council (NJC) into the probe of the matter has reportedly sent jitters down the spine of the ruling class. It was learnt that political functionaries in the state are currently embarking on spending spree, with a view to creating financial quagmire for the successive government. As the governor is contending with the electoral dispute at the Court of Appeal, the 30 local government council chairmen in the state are also negating their fate at the same Court of Appeal. Besides frequent trips of the governor and his deputy abroad have been adopted lately by the council bosses, who have, in turn, added their children and wives to the protocol list, a scenario that has nearly emptied the state and councils’ treasuries. OSUN DEFENDER further gathered the state is so broke that the last trip made by the governor to China was greased with dried palm, as the people on the entourage are yet to receive their estacodes. While it was learnt that mountain of arrears and entitlements are yet to be paid, some members of the last House of Assembly have just collected their severance allowances. Speaking on the development, Osun State House of Assembly, Speaker, Adejare Bello, who granted an interview with OSUN DEFENDER last week; said that the governor should not be held responsible for the hard times, saying that he (Oyinlola) should rather be commended for adhering strictly to the budget. “We are in the House to defend the interest of our people and to be frank, the governor is a man, who is conscious of legal implications of his every step. So, we have not found him wanton, except some critics who are hell-bent in blackmailing the government. However, the State Director of Strategies for AC, Mr. Sunday Akere has aligned with the submissions of the political pundits who attributed the empty treasury to the reckless spending of the political office holders and the misappropriation of priorities of the state. “Osun State has potentials and potentialities to grow and has a fat coffer, but those who are holding forte at our political posts are reckless spenders, self-centred and visionless. So, what do you expect? We condemn their frequent trips aboard in totality. It has no result and of no economic value, but a conduit pipe through which our collective monies are misappropriated;” said Akere. In his reaction, the founder of Campaign for Democracy and Rights of the People (CDRP), Chief Amitolu Shittu expressed his disgust about the lean state of the state treasury; saying that the governor and the council chairmen should submit themselves for scrutiny. “We have an investigation about the state of the treasury and we know how empty it is. This is an unacceptable trend and we are calling for the probe of the expenditure of our governor and council chairmen,” said Shittu.

Osun LG Polls Appeal: Court Adjourns To Oct. 16

Kola — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:29:30 +0000

AN Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital on Monday adjourned till October 16, further hearing on the appeal filed by opposition political parties in Osun State against the controversial December 15, 2007 local government elections in the state. Adoption of the brief of arguments of the appellants and respondents could not be taken on Monday as earlier fixed, as the three-man appeal panel led by Justice John Fabiyi has apparently overworked for the day. It would be recalled that three major opposition political parties in the State, Action Congress (AC), National Conscience Party (NCP), and All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) – had dragged Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) and the State Attorney – General and Commissioner for Justice before the appellate court against the judgement of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Fasasi Ogunsola over the council election. The political parties disagreed with the judgement, which ordered the go-ahead of the elections despite the failure of OSIEC to give 150 days notice to the parties as argued by the appellant. After the judgment of the State High Court, opposition parties in the state boycotted the elections and subsequently filed an appeal against the judgement. When the matter was mentioned on Monday, Justice Fabiyi said that the panel would not be able to go on with the matter because the panel of judges had had enough of election-related cases for the day, asking parties in the case to choose a date for further hearing. Dissatisfied with the position of the panel, counsel to the appellant, Chief Femi Falana said it would be inappropriate for the court not to go on with the matter, reminding the panel that it was an election-related matter. Falana, who led Barrister Wale Afolabi and Kolapo Alimi said: “My lord, don’t forget that on the last adjourned date, you were kind enough to ask us to come back today for the adoption of our brief of argument. Don’t forget that is an election – related matter.” In response, Justice Fabiyi said: “We have had enough of election related matter today and we want to attend to some criminal cases”. We have tried today or have we not tried? But Falana insisted that the court should allow him and the counsel to the respondents, Mr. Remi Abimbola to adopt their brief of argument, saying “My lord I urge you to please allow us, I will not waste the time of the court and my learned friend, counsel to the respondents is also ready to do the same.” “I understand that you have tried today and we appreciate that, but if I may say, let’s just adopt our brief of argument in just one sentence without wasting your time,” Falana insisted. Justice Fabiyi stood on his position, saying, “Lawyers of your stand should know our plight. You should know that we have been dealing with election matters since morning and we are also human beings.” Another Judge in the panel, Justice Istifanus Thomas also buttressed Fabiyi, saying, “You should understand that we are not computers.” The court however fixed further hearing of the matter till October, 16, when the judgment date is expected to be fixed after the appellants and the respondents counsel might have adopted their briefs of argument.

6 Arraigned Over N19m Fraud

Kola — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:54:37 +0000

FIVE Hausa men and a Yoruba woman, who purportedly defrauded a businessman, Alhaji Hammed Dakaya of the sum of N19.4 million, have been arraigned before an Osogbo magistrate’s court, last Friday. According to a three – count charge levelled against the accused persons, they (suspects) obtained the money on the pretence of supplying some bags of fertilizers to the plaintiff. The charge - sheet further alleged that the suspects stole the money and refused to supply the fertilizer to the complainant. The accused persons were: Alhaji Nuhu Ibrahim, Gimba Alhassan, Hassan Mundi, Yakubu Sulaimon, Olarinde Ololade and one other. Pleading not guilty to the three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and pretence, the accused persons prayed the court to admit them to bail, saying that they never committed the crime. Their counsel, Mr, Gbenga Akano and Niyi Kosile, pleaded with the court to be liberal on the bail terms, adding that liberties of the suspects must be protected. The counsel revealed that the accused persons have been detained for three weeks before they were arraigned in court, urging that the court should not be intimidated by the amount of money involved. The charge sheet maintained that the suspects perpetrated the alleged crime on September 18, 2008, in Osogbo, Osun State capital. Opposing the bail application, police prosecution counsel, Sergeant John Idoko, said the suspects came from Kogi State to defraud the plaintiff in Osogbo. Idoko added that there were other suspects who were yet to be arrested by the police, maintaining that the suspects could jump bail. He, however pleaded with the court to remand the accused persons in police custody in order to complete police investigation on the case. The magistrate, Mr Adebayo Ajala, said the accused persons remained innocent on the case, stressing that remanding them would result to injustice on the liberty of the suspects. Ajala upheld the submission of the defence counsel and granted bail to the suspects in the sum of N5m naira and two sureties each. He added that the sureties must have landed property in any state capital in Nigeria, stressing that one of the sureties must be a resident of Osogbo before adjourning the case to October 24, 2008, for hearing.

EFCC Is Investigating Us, Osun Minority Leader

Kola — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:58:30 +0000

THE Minority Leader, Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Timothy Owoeye has stated that the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC) has started working on the statements made by the 26 legislators who were recently invited to Abuja by the commission. Owoeye stated this at Ilare, Obokun Local Government Council Area of Osun State where he attended the burial church service of of the two Action Congress (AC) members, late, Fajuyi who died in a ghastly motor accident recently. According to the minority leader, the 26 legislators were invited by the commission, based on the earlier petition sent to it on the controversial constituency projects fund paid into salary accounts of the 26 legislators, which was said to be alien to due process. He stated that on getting to Abuja, the legislators met the operation manager of the commission to whom the 26 legislators made their statements on constituency projects. Owoeye stated that they were made to sit together irrespective of political affiliations but they were made to signify their political parties, stating that based on the statement of the individual legislators, the commission’s staff have arrived Osun State to verify the claims made in the statements. He said that there was nothing to investigate with the eleven Action Congress legislators, since the money deposited into their private accounts by the embattled governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in collaboration with the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Adejare Bello has been returned to the coffers of the state government.

Osupa Receives Award Of Excellence

Kola — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:04:01 +0000

THE Action Congress (AC) Councillorship Candidate in ward 07 of Olorunda Local Government Council Area of Osun State, Honourable Lateef Adeyanju popularly known as Osupa was last Saturday presented an award of excellence by the Rotaract Club of Osogbo, the state capital. The award according to the club was in connection with Osupa’s outstanding selfless and loyal services to the community in general. Osupa is a qualified Public Accountant with practicing experience as Intern, Ede-Micro Finance Bank; Account Clerk, Aranse-Olu Pharmacy and currently with Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), National Control Centre (NCC), as at the time he was presented the award. Other awardees at the event Mrs. Funke Afolabi, Directress, AFOUNK Ventures, MDS, Osogbo; ASP Joshua Olayemi, PPRO, Osun State Police Command and Sergeant Kehinde Agbolade, Police Traffic Officer, Osun State Police Command were also awarded for their outstanding selfless services in their fields of discipline to the society. Speaking after receiving the award, Osupa commended the club for its efforts to help the helpless people in the society. While appreciating the club for the award, Osupa called on the Rotarians not to relent in their efforts to change the lives of people for better, as he promised to continue helping the club both financially and materially.

PDP House Divided Against Itself

Kola — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:20:08 +0000

Showing great forensic skills, analytical intuition and a gift for clairvoyance, our bearded Prof Wole Soyinka famously described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a nest of vipers. This particular set of vipers don’t take prisoners either. Grim reaper like, the evidence of their bloody intrusion into the Nigerian political terrain is everywhere. The incursion of the PDP into the politics of Nigeria has come at a terrible cost. For one, the party, which has developed a penchant for fouling-up the air, has re-defined politics as a ‘do-or die’ affair. The evidence of this is everywhere. As has been aptly observed by Tatalo Alamu, the cerebrated columnist of the Sunday Nation, the electorate has since been abolished? Many people as well as potential voters now consider it more prudent to stay at home rather than take part in the electoral process. For those who do not want trouble, this is a prudent thing to do. It is one thing, of course, to exercise your civic duty, indeed in a democracy, it is the right thing to do; however under the rule of violence championed by the PDP, the cost could be enormous. The last set of elections was, without a doubt, the bloodiest in the nation’s chequered history. The elections left in its wake broken limbs, unsolved assassinations and a general state of fear and heightened anxiety. The scars, both physical and emotional are still with us. If this country is to make a transition from a ‘semi’ to a full blown democracy, the PDP must be reformed. For the debauchery of the PDP is aided by its access to control of the machinery of the state. Vital here is the vice like grip of the party over the security forces. The PDP in its anxiety to have total and unimpeded dominance over the terrain, has gone all out to subvert the ethos of the security forces. Large swathes of the police now see themselves as not just members of a vital organ of the state’s apparatus, but as adjuncts of the PDP. In Osun State, for example, our own Moronike clearly sees himself as Chief Security Co-ordinator to the PDP. In this, his loyalty is not to the Nigerian Constitution or the Nigeria Police, but to the PDP, a political party. His type and thinking run across the police force. It is for this reason that a dominant segment of the police have become in return for pecuniary gain, willing accomplices in the rape of the constitution and the democratic ethos. The Moronikes abound everywhere and which have to be reformed, if democracy is to make headway in our country. The task will be difficult. For it is akin to asking the PDP to commit political suicide. From its opportunistic hastily cobbled up inception, the PDP appears to know no other route than that of violence and misadventure. To wear it off this path, will be difficult. Yet, it has to be weaned-off if democracy is to survive in our country. There is an important reason for this. The year of the Lord 2011 is menacingly around the corner. All the old certainties are over. Some dangerous fault lines are already developing. For example, the sensible belief in the independence of the nation’s admirable judiciary is being eroded by the day. The PDP appears to be quite happy about this, seeing it as a continuation of the enforcement of its sovereignty. The omens are however not comforting. For, if the belief in the independence of the judiciary is eroded, the country might end up going the way of Kenya. In that East African country, the battle cry was, “We won’t use (President) Kibaki’s courts.” The result was 2,000 people dead and 300,000 displaced, some of them permanently. It must not be allowed to happen here. For the sake of the country, the original founders of the PDP – the Alex Ekwuemes, Solomon Lars, Adamu Ciromas and so forth must be encouraged to take their party. Only an end to the domination of the Obasanjo-led ‘garrison commanders’ will rescue Nigeria’s democracy. The task is urgent, for time is running out!

Water Scarcity Looms In Osun

Kola — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:26:15 +0000

PEOPLE of Osun State should start preserving their streams and well water in anticipation of looming water scarcity in the state, as our investigation has revealed that 250 metric tons of industrial alum earlier supplied is about to be exhausted. OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that the epileptic water supply in some parts of the state may completely go dry, if an urgent step is not taken by the administration of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to halt the looming crisis. Findings revealed that a contractor that was asked to supply the industrial alum, worth 6,000 metric tons could not supply more than 250 metric tons for water treatment at Ede Water Works. It was learnt that the contractor, while scouting for funds to execute the project, was tipped to watch his back; as touching any debt the state could owe him. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the contractor’s contact in government specifically laid emphasis on the litigation over the election of the governor at the Court of Appeal, telling him (contractor) that he might run into a hitch should the judgment turn against the current state helmsman. It would be recalled that the State Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola had dragged Governor Oyinlola to the Court of Appeal, having lost to the alleged bias of the election petitions tribunal that sat in Osogbo, Osun State capital. According to an investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER, 75 per cent of the communities and settlements in the state have no access to potable water; a situation that has compelled some communities to settle for unwholesome well water and streams, while less than 18 per cent that are privileged to have access to pipe-borne water are experiencing epileptic supply. According to a source in the state Ministry of Water Resources, Osun State Government is very broke now, for the state chief executive has committed whopping funds on white elephant projects and automobiles. An expert who confided in OSUN DEFENDER on the development said that 6,000 metric tons could have gone a long way in ensuring regular flow of water for considerable number of months; saying that 250 metric tons could only last for a couple of months if regularly used. However, it was learnt that the ministry top officials had spoken to the senior officials at the State Water Works, Ede, to slow down the rate of pumping in water into circulation, as well as coverage to forestall total dry-up. Going round the state capital, our reporter found out that potable water has become a scarce commodity, a situation that has forced some residents of Osogbo cosmopolitan city, who could not afford privately sunk boreholes to be scouting around for water. If the state capital, Ede, a neighbouring town and certain parts of Egbedore Local Government Council Area of the state could be celebrating running of taps fortnightly, some cities like Ilesa, Ife, Ikire and others spread across the state have permanently contended with unhygienic water. Meanwhile, the boreholes previously sunk by some political office holders in the state as constituency projects have become decorative structures that could not produce water. Speaking on the development, a resident of Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Council Area, Mr Sikiru Oyelami said that the problem of wholesome water in Ilobu has become perennial, as pipe borne water is no longer a right in the ancient town. “We are not even bothered about the tap water again, our people have permanently settled for streams and well water; and let it be known that the boreholes dug by our councillors, chairmen and House of Assembly members are all fake,” said Oyelami.

Osun Police Commissioner Spanked For Representing Oyinlola On Independence Day

Kola — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:34:05 +0000

THE unusual relationship that existed between the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State and the controversial former State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Suleimon Fakai seems to have been revived as the current police boss in the state, Mr. John Moronike has become a political functionary as he now represents the governor at official functions. This allegation was confirmed on Wednesday, as the police boss –stood in for the state governor during the recent Independence Day Anniversary celebration held at Osogbo City Stadium. Oyinlola, who shunned the celebration, OSUN DEFENDER gathered, was the only governor in the South-West of the country to avoid the celebration of the Independence anniversary. It would be recalled that opposition political parties in the state have questioned the independence and neutrality of the state police boss, arguing that the number one police officer in the state has compromised. Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Action Congress (AC) condemned the absence of the governor at the occasion, saying that his representation by the state police boss was appalling and nauseating in a press statement signed by the party’s Director of Research and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere made available to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo on Friday, the party stated that Moronike’s acceptance to represent the the governor at the celebration had completely ridiculed the Nigerian Police. According to the party, Oyinlola has again exhibited his absolute contempt for democracy and lack of dedication to nation building, adding that the state police command under Moronike has chosen to conduct itself as an arm of PDP in the state. The statement read: “Most appalling and nauseating is the profound absence of any of Oyinlola’s so-called senior aides who are supposed to be democrats at the said celebration. “Prince Oyinlola, our noble Nero by his absence, shows his lack of dedication to nation building and absolute disregard for democratic ethos. In other states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), civilians and supposed democratically-elected representatives were represented at the independence celebration by either the vice-president ministers, deputy governors speakers of the house or any of their civilian collaborators. “Bad enough, Prince Oyinlola exhibited his absolute contempt for democracy by deciding to have the Commissioner of Police, Moronike to stand-in for him. “At the time Prince Oyinlola was supposed to attend this special function, he will rather prefer to dance away at a Lagos club where he attended other social function, instead of gracing the event which symbolized the liberty and freedom of the people. “Oyinlola’s absence to us (Osun AC) is nothing but admittance of his rejection by the people and lack of democratic credentials because since stealing the people’s mandate in the April 14, 2007 governorship election, he has made it a point of duty to cleverly avoid public functions that will bring him face-to-face with Osun people. “Moronike’s acceptance to represent the governor ridicules the Nigeria police and calls to question, the supposed independence and neutrality expected of the force. Osun Police Command, as the opposition parties have been saying is compromise, the party stated. Osun AC then advised the state police boss not to take up such responsibility again, warning him to leave the governor also to carry what is called his doomed cross alone.

Learn To Accept Defeat, Osun Speaker Counsels Opposition

Kola — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:42:45 +0000

•We Won’t Negotiate With Usurper -AC

SPEAKER, Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Adejare Bello has acknowledged the essentiality of the opposition in the parliament; saying that it keeps the executive on its toes in every dealing. Speaking to OSUN DEFENDER at his official residence in Osogbo, Osun State Capital on Friday, Adejare said that with the members of the opposition party in the house, the fear of the executive on violations of rule of law is sustained. “There is an advantage in having an opposition members in the house, it goes a long way to keep executive on its toes, and there is always a fear of what the opposition will do in case violations of rules,” said the speaker. Adejare also disclosed that the opposition parties ought to have got some quotas in the formation of unity government earlier proposed by Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola if not for the violent protest that greeded his declaration as the winner of the April 14, 2007 controversial governorship election in the state. “I remember that Mr. Governor called me on telephone, when he was declared the winner of the election and said that he was ready to consider members of the opposition for some commissionership slots; until we found out that the opposition was not ready to play ball through the 2007 April 15 violent crisis, where houses, cars and other properties were burnt,” said the speaker. The Ede-born politician then called on the state chapter of the Action Congress (AC) to eschew violence, saying that politicians should learn to accept defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship. Responding, the state AC, Director of Reaserch and Strategies, Mr. Sunday Akere said that, the speaker goofed on the sharing of potfolios in the state; insisting that AC won the governorship seat and could not have shared its mandate with usurper. “Mr. Speaker is wrong to have said that we should learn to be a good loser, because he knew that the AC won the last year’s controversial elections. He ought to know how the polls were marred with violence orchestrated by his party. “We are bit losers and we cannot sit with a mandate thief to negotiate”, said Akere.

‘Nigerian Politicians Are Self-Centred’ - Don

Kola — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:47:38 +0000

POLITICIANS in Nigeria have been described as being self-centred and lack sense of purposeful leadership. This description was made by a lecturer, Professor Femi Mimiko in the Department of Political Science at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. The university don while reflecting on the state of affairs in Nigeria at 48 stated that politicians in Nigeria have failed the people, claiming that they (politicians) are not purpose-driven. Mimiko also disclosed that Nigerian politicians have failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians since the inception of the fourth republic. He cautioned public office holders to see running the affairs of the country or state as a very serious business, adding that if the level of corruption among the politicians is not checked, it could spell doom for the nation. “We talked of military regimes as being a problem for this country, but politicians have not made things easier almost a decade since the inception of the fourth republic”, he said. He further disclosed that Nigerian democracy should be a model for other African nations, adding that being the most populous black nation in the world, ought to be a strength rather than weakness. He also stressed the need for the Nigerian politicians to learn from the former South-African President Thabo Mbeki, that is it better to give-in to people’s request than leading them against their wish. Corroborating his position, the Vice Chancellor of Babalola Memorial University, Prof. Adeola, said that Nigerian politicians have constituted a nuissance to the development of the country. ‘I don’t know how a group of people, I mean 5 per cent of our population have been enriching themselves to the detriment of the remaining 75 per cent They have become another type of problem for the masses and they don’t realize that they are leaders because the people want them to be and the day the masses take to the street, no weapon can break them”, he added.

Start Packing Your Load, Odeyemi Tells Oyinlola

Kola — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:52:37 +0000

TREASURER, Osun State Chapter of the Action Congress (AC), Chief Kunle Odeyemi has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration under the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to start preparing to leave office, saying that his tenure has expired. Speaking at a prayer session for the victory of the AC governorship candidate, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola at the Appeal Court, organized by the Atakumosa East Local Government Chapter of the party on Thursday at Iperindo, the headquarters of the council area, Odeyemi said that the Oyinlola-led administration has completely been rejected by the people of the state. The AC chieftain said this, just as party members held a marathon inter-denominational prayer service for the victory of Aregbesola and other AC candidates, whose cases are still before the appellate court. At the prayer session, legions of AC leaders, members and sympathizers gathered and prayed for God’s intervention over the cases at the appellate court. The prayer session, which was held in Iperindo Town Hall witnessed the recitation of notable verses of Holy Quran and Bible. Ustaz Jamiu Anifowose and Ustaz Musibaudeen Mokanjuola led the Muslim version of the prayer, while Pastor Festus Oluwatoyin, Pastor Titus Awe and Prophet Topeoluwa Solomon led the Christian version. While rekindling the hope of the party members over the cases at the appeal court, Odeyemi landed their courage for remain steadfast, despite all humiliation and harassment from the ruling party leaders in the state. To confirm his claim that the people at the corridor of power are currently facing the wrath of God, the AC chieftain stated that the ruling party members and leaders are now engaging one another in a rift. He urged the party members in the council area not to stop praying for the quick retrieval of Aregbesola’s stolen mandate, assuring them to be preparing for a colourful inauguration of Aregbesola, after he might have been declared by the appellate court. While lauding the AC governorship candidate for his efforts to free the people of the state from the humiliation and brigandage of Oyinlola-led administration, Odeyemi said that Aregbesola has been spending his fortune to bring a new dawn to the state. Delivering Aregbesola’s message, the AC treasurer said that both young and old in the state would enjoy dividends of democracy when he takes the mantle of leadership in the state. He then called on AC members in the local council area and the state in general to remain firm and calm, urging them not to take laws into their hands no matter the provocation. Also speaking, the party chairman in the council area, Deacon James Oni lauded the party members for their courage to pray for the retrieval of the stolen mandate, at the appeal court. He then rekindled the hope of the people of the state that the judiciary would soon return their stolen mandate to them, urging them to remain calm and firm.

Monarch Wades Into PDP Crisis In Ede

Kola — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:57:31 +0000

THE traditional ruler of Ede, Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal has intervened in the recent face-off between the members of rival factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ede which led to the arrest of three chieftains of the party recently. The three PDP chieftains were arrested by the police and later arraigned before an Ede Magistrate’s Court for allegedly beating some members of the other faction at Olusokun Compound of Ede after a usual party meeting. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the arrested three PDP chieftains are loyalists of the first executive governor of Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, who was said to be out of the country on a national assignment. It was also gathered that those assaulted at the party meeting in Olusokun compound were loyalists of the speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Adejare Bello, who immediately ordered their arrest. Information revealed that trouble started when the speaker gave his supporters a bag of beans to share and the other faction claimed the bag of beans was meant for all PDP members and not a particular faction. The medium further gathered that the speaker’s loyalists insisted on the beans being shared among them alone, which later led to the face-off between the two factions of the party. An investigation conducted by the medium also revealed that more than five people were hospitalized in different private hospitals across the town, while the factional leaders were absent from the scene of the crisis. The three arrested chieftains of the party were later arraigned before Magistrate A. O. Oloyade, who ruled that the\y be remanded in prison custody for what she called the fear of reprisal attack. The investigation also revealed that the faction loyal to Adeleke immediately called him to contact the traditional ruler of the town, so as to settle the issue at the monarch’s palace. Impeccable sources revealed that the monarch allegedly wrote a letter to the magistrate to quickly act on the matter to ensure that the PDP leaders were not remanded in prison custody. The source also revealed that on Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke’s arrival, he reportedly met the monarch, who summoned the two factions to the palace and advised them to allow peace reign in his domain. He also added that the newly-installed monarch advised the two factions to be under one umbrella and settle their political differences with dialogue rather than violence. - By DAPO AJISEGIRI

Husband, Pregnant Wife Remanded Over N1m Fraud

Kola — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:03:03 +0000

FOR allegedly defrauding a pastor, Mr, Fakorede Emmanuel and other business men and women, an Osogbo magistrate’s court has remanded in custody, one Tajudeen Akande and his wife, Idayat. The charge sheet read in court last Friday showed that the duo colluded and defrauded the pastor and other plaintiffs of the sum of N1,118,200, under the pretence that they (suspects) would supply bags of rice, beans and vegetable oil to the complainants. According to the charge sheet: “The suspects between the months of August and September, 2008, in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Council Area of Osun State, collected the sum of N410,000 from one Wumi Okeola, N148,000 from Alhaja Mujidat Afolabi and the sum of N114,000 from one Asiata Babalola”. It maintained that, the accused persons under false pretence collected the sum of N380,000 from Ayobami Otitoola, N127,600 from Pastor Emmanuel; N104, from Oladimeji Kehinde and N75,600 from Folake Mafikoya. The charge sheet also claimed that the husband and the pregnant wife collected N104,000 from Olanike Wahab and N35,000 from Shade Oyeniyi, with an agreement that they would be supplied bags of rice, beans and turkey brand of vegetable oil. Applying for the bail of the suspects, the defence counsel Mr, Wasiu Adebayo, said the litigation against the suspects was a business transaction which later went awry. Adebayo added that the charge against the accused was frivolous, stressing that the suspects remained innocent until contrary is proved in a court of law. He assured the court that reliable sureties would stand for the accused persons, pleading that they should be admitted to bail in the most liberal terms. Assuring that the suspects would not jump bail, Adebayo prayed the court to exercise his discretion in favour of the accused persons. Police prosecutor, Sergeant John Idoko, objected the bail application canvassed by Adebayo, saying that there was tendency that the husband and wife would jump bail. Idoko added that a frontline traditional ruler in Osun State has waded into the matter, stressing that the monarch could not settle the matter. The prosecutor revealed that parents to the suspects were earlier arrested and detained at the Police Head quarters, Oke-fia, Osogbo, in connection with the matter. Idoko maintained that releasing the accused persons on bail could trigger violence between the suspects and the plaintiffs. Ruling on the bail application, the magistrate, Mr, Adebayo Ajala, said the accused persons were liable to be attacked by other plaintiffs who did not show up in court. In view of this, Ajala ordered that the suspects be remanded in police custody till October 11, 2008, when he would rule on the bail application.

Youths Attack Local Govewrnment Council Chairman

Kola — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:06:17 +0000

CONFUSION reportedly broke out in Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Council Area of Osun State when some youths believed to be from ward I, attacked the chairman of the council, Mr. Sarafadeen Awotunde, over the poor state of roads in the council area. OSUN DEFENDER learnt that the youths demonstrations nearly degenerated into a total breakdown of law and order, but for the quick intervention of security operatives, who were on hand to calm frayed nerves at the scene. It was gathered that the chairman, in the company of the Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Abdulrauf Adedeji and a Special Adviser to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Hon. Hassan Adegoke were touring some parts of the town as practised annually as part of the royal visit to all quarters within the ancient town The entourage, OSUN DEFENDER gathered, while passing through the Otoki area of the town witnessed the barricading of the roads by the youths who reportedly started singing song against the chairman. “Tell Sarafa Spain to construct our roads for us, afterall, his boss (Oyinlola) has embezzled the money initially meant for the project,” chorused, the youths. One of the protesters told OSUN DEFENDER that he (the chairman) is a car freak, adding that within a span of ten months of his chairmanship, he has acquired about seven exotic cars, wondering what the number would be at the end of his tenure. “Look, Sarafa has been so self-centred that he once seized the bus meant for the legislators for personal use, until he was reported to Oyinlola, who had to scold him for his actions,” the source added. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the Otiki road project was part of the “honey comb” projects that had been paid-for by the immediate past administration of Prince Bola Ajao. The medium also learnt that some aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the council area are planning to influence their councilors towards impeaching the chairman for what they referred to as maladministration and corrupt practices. Their moves were as a result of the chairman’s unsuccessful defence of how he spent close to N1 billion accrued to the local government since his inauguration early in the year. The party, currently enmeshed in various crisis, is currently finding it very difficult to keep a united house as some members are also threatening to recall some councilors, especially the majority leader, who they believe has become a stooge of the chairman. -By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Partying Duo, Grieving State

Kola — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:11:34 +0000

If you ever wanted a modern-day Roman Nero fiddling with ecstasy while his empire burns, then look no further than Olagunsoye Oyinlola and his deputy, Olusola Obada, as they party to no end, while the state in their charge badly bleeds. After imposing themselves on our helpless people, no thanks to the travesty that were the April 2007 elections, it has been, for both of them rapture unlimited, while like oxen violently ridden, the people gripe in pain and despair. Perhaps, no major party happened in town or even beyond without their excellencies-in-vanity making the show. At the burial of the mother of the fellow vote riggers in the South West, the prince of Okuku broke all protocol, the way he dug it to the tune of the Owambe musical ensemble! The other VIPs, including his gubernatorial colleagues, who swayed it nice and easy, were scandalised! Strictly, it is no crime relaxing once a while – after all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. But it is the Oyinlola penchant to party often and work seldom that makes this disputed governor appears a mere toy, when with the massive problem Osun State has, it is hardly given that a workaholic Jack would make a dent! That this stack reality is beyond the ken of this gubernatorial duo beggars belief indeed. Each day, it is as if this pair has diarised what, in youth-speak, they call “happening places”. Whenever and wherever it happens, they just must be there. To them, Hedonism is one god they can’t afford to toy with! This, to say the least, is bizarre, given the paralysis that Osun State has become. Nothing happens in this state except the huge contract racket of the governor and his cronies, by the governor and his cronies, for the governor and his cronies! No wonder then, the PDP parasites shamelessly exhibit their loot to the anger and consternation of the helpless populace. Former governor, Chief Adebisi Akande, had limited means. In fact, what Oyinlola collected from the Federation Account for his first one year beggared what Chief Akande collected for the whole of his four-year term. Yet, from the little Chief Akande collected, he judiciously spent. The Osun State Secretariat, Abere, and Bola Ige House, the ultra-modern monument all Osun people are today proud of, are testimonies to Chief Akande’s prudence and foresight. But he even did more than that. He attempted to put the state on an irreversible path of sustainable development, by trying to restructure its economy. He also tried to fix the educational system to respond to and deliver on the felt needs of the state. If Governor Akande had been able to complete what he had started, Osun today would have been a completely different place. But alas! Negative and cynical publicity, from the then opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scuttled all that. But what our people have got is this unmitigated disaster: A government that did virtually nothing in its first four years, brazenly stole the vote and thereafter, still continues to do nothing! The roads are in shambles. School buildings are tumbled down. The school feeding project has virtually collapsed simply because this government does not seem to know or care a hoot about the value of education. The local economy is dead – except, of course, the “contract-ocracy” of Oyinlola and Cronies Osun Unlimited. It is the cynical celebration of this illicit fortune, which has turned clear misfortune for the people, that makes Oyinlola and his deputy junket from one party to another. But who would blame them? The people did not vote for them. But they are there, anyway and they would do anything to sneer at the people on the impotence of their so-called votes! All this nonsense must stop. But, of course, it won’t until these vote robbers are uprooted and the sacred mandate of the real winners of the April 2007 elections is reclaimed. Despite the travesty of the Thomas Naron election tribunal, we still fervently believe that the judiciary will do justice in this matter. That, for Osun State, might just be the thin line between prosperity and penury; and between the present retardation and a future progress.

Osun PDP Crisis Deepens: Abuja Court Remands, Releases Fashogbon

Kola — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:14:57 +0000

THE incessant crisis that has held the embattled ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the jugular in the South Western part of the country has finally berthed at the Osun State Chapter of the party, as the erstwhile House of Representatives member representing Ife Federal Constituency on the party’s platform, Honourable John Fashogbon has been thrown into an Abuja prison by some party’s power brokers from Ile-Ilfe. It would be recalled that Fashogbon was having a running battle with the palace of the Ooni of Ife and Senator Iyiola Omisore’s camp, which replaced him with Prince Albert Adeogun in the controversial last year’s general election over the PDP primary election that he (Fashogbon) claimed that he won. In pursuance of his mandate, the Ife controversial politician reportedly followed the result of the party primary to Abuja office of the party, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where he allegedly secured a certificate of endorsement, as the candidate to stand for the PDP in Ife mFederal Constituency for a second term. Contrary to his moves, Fashogbon was prevented from returning to the lower chamber of the federal legislature, by the power brokers, who did not like his face again. According to a reliable source, who knows Ife politics indepth, Fashogbon lost out in a political squabble involving the palace, that is considered a power house of the PDP in the state; and Omisore’s camp that controls the militant arm of the party in the ancient town. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Fashogbon’s political accident started from the palace, that frowned at his alleged tight-fistedness, a situation that was considered a poor delivery of democracy dividends to Ile-ife. According to the source, it was alleged that Fashogbon donated 50 split air-conditioners to the private residence of an Ile-Ife prince when the heir apparent was constructing his country home located along Ede road in Ife sometime ago. It was also learnt that he took care of the palace in some other domestic expenditures, before he fell out of favour, when he could not allegedly meet certain demands from the natural father of the cradle of the Yoruba. According to an eye-witness account, Fashogbon lost out on the day he protested his exclusion from the race to the palace, premising it on his contributions to the royal home; his action reportedly infuriated the Ooni in council and that sealed up his return bid. Investigation, however revealed that Fashogbon actually won the bloody primary election of the party in Ile-Ife, before he was replaced by the power brokers. Findings revealed further that the controversial politician then dragged the party, Adeogun and INEC to court, seeking to regain his ticket, and his prayer was upheld at the Federal Court of Appeal but has since been appealed to the Supreme Court by Adeogun. Further investigations also revealed last week that the embattled ex-lawmaker was arraigned at an Abuja magistrate’s court, situated at Life Camp of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on a three-count charge of perjury, forgery and criminal conspiracy. It was learnt that Fashogbon was accused of forging a primary election result that he claimed to have won; while he lied under oath that he was a candidate of the PDP, instead of Adeogun; he was remanded in Kuje Prison and has since been released. All efforts to get in touch with him (Fashogbon) proved abortive, as all his mobile telephone were switched off when our palace’s contact could not offer further explanation.

Aregbe Condoles Families Of Accident Victims

Kola — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:08:47 +0000

THE Action Congress (AC) gubernatorial candidate in the last general elections in Osun State, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola has promised to take up financial responsibilities of all the children of the late Prince Anthony Adepegba Fajuyi, who died on his way to Lagos to attend an AC meeting last month. An aide to Aregbesola, Mr Olatubosunmomi Oyintiloye disclosed this in a chat with OSUN DEFENDER at the Catholic Church, Ilare venue of the burial ceremony. According to Oyintiloye, Aregbesola has provided two cows, a casket and financial benefits to give the deceased a befitting burial. He further stated that the AC flagbearer should have been at the burial ceremony, but he was away to the Holy land to perform lesser hajj. Oyintiloye revealed that he was briefed by Aregbesola on the need to represent him at the burial ceremony, stating that he was equally directed to provide all logistics that would be necessary at the burial. The Aregbesola aide also condemned a local newspaper’s report that claimed that the party’s flagbearer abandoned the family of the late Fajuyi. He then urged the local newspaper’s reporters to always cross-check their facts before publishing and feeding the public on falsehood about Aregbesola. The local newspaper, according to Oyintiloye, should follow professionalism and ethics of the profession in balanced reporting, stating that the reporter should have checked on the other side of the story by speaking with Aregbesola, and where he was not around, should have cross checked facts from his aides or any member of the AC at Ilare, Obokun local government council area of Osun State. The widow of the deceased Mrs Fajuyi in a chat with OSUN DEFENDER said the bread winner of the family has passed away to the great beyond, stating that she would find it difficult to cope with the children, he left behind. At the Catholic Church, Ilare where the burial ceremony took place was full to capacity by members of the Action Congress across the state, as opposition members were also part of the people who gave the deceased their final respect. The 11 Action Congress members from the State House of Assembly led by the minority leader, Honourable Timothy Owoeye were also present at the church service. However, thousands of people were at the church burial service, as the Catholic Rev. Father who officiated at the burial service urged people to remember their last days on earth. He urged the people to be steadfast in their belief in God, so that people would remember them after passing away.

Remembering The Fallen Heroes!

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:01:36 +0000

Death, the inevitable end of man can, no doubt, be painful, most especially when it occurs at the untimely period. And whenever we lose our loved ones, we definitely feel sad as humans. However, God, as the merciful one do sometimes uses death to protect the deceased. For, who knows, if the deceased were to be alive, an occurrence worse than death might be his lot. This being the reason why the Yorubas do say that ‘to die is better than to live an ignominious life.’ Again, death may be melancholic thought; it becomes enviable when it is glorious. Death becomes glorious when the deceased died for a just and noble cause. The history of man is replete with people who had paid the supreme sacrifice either through willingly laying down their lives or meeting death by accident in the course of defending a right cause. Those who have fallen in this category are never regarded as dead. They live on in the minds of the people. They are never forgotten because they were the valiants the world ever produced. They are ever remembered for their heroic submission while they are being referred to as ‘martyrs’. It is in the light of the above that we remember with deep feelings the passing away of two democrats from Obokun local government who lost their lives recently in a ghastly motor accident on their way to Lagos. We salute their courage in participating in the struggle for the enthronement of justice and true democracy in the state of the Living Spring. As active participants in the change process initiated by the ebullient and visionary democrat, Rauf Aregbesola, our fallen heroes from Obokun will for ever live in the hearts of the people as martyrs of democracy in this state just like the others who fell to PDP’s bullets in the course of performing their civic responsibilities. It is really sad that since this process of change began in Osun State, a lot of people have met their untimely deaths. No thanks to the ‘do-or-die’ policy of the PDP. Retrospectively, the causalties that have been recorded directly or indirectly in Osun State and beyond owing to the introduction of this wicked and anti-human policy of a party that harbours ‘a nest of killers’ are not small in number. We recall the untimely deaths of AC agents brought about by the lethal activities of agents of the thieving swines who bulldozed their ways to power by shedding the blood of patriotic and innocent citizens. The gruesome manner through which Ayo Oni and others were murdered during the last year’s April general elections in the state remains a festering sore. More so, the fact that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes have not been brought to book while the beneficiaries of that electoral banditry are still gallivanting around the corridor of power as leaders of the people. And to add insult to injury, the judges who were in the position to redress the injustice done to the people also compromised their integrity for filthly lucre, making them to torpedoe justice and declared as ‘hearsay’ the massacre of those innocent citizens. All these are a slap in the face for the good people of this state. But we are sure that if men fail to do justice, it is just a matter of time for the wrath of God to come down heavily upon the evil doers. Though the two democrats from Obokun, Titilayo Azeez and Adepegba Fajuyi died in the struggle for the liberation of Osun people from the hands of predators in power, their names do not die and their contributions to the struggle towards the evolvement of a new dawn in the state shall for ever be remembered. They have no doubt entered the list of martyrs of democracy in Osun State and their names will definitely be accorded the deserved honour in the history of the liberation struggle in this state to be read by the coming generations. As we mourn the Obokun two, we are also constrained to urge the bereaved to take solace in the fact that their people died honourably. Theirs were a gallant exit. Rather than dying as cowards, they died as heroes. Cowards, according to Shakespeare, do die many times before their deaths, while the valliants will taste death but once. The Obokun two have contributed their quota to the liberation struggle in the state and God called them for rest at the expiration of their times. May their souls rest in perfect peace. To the thieving swines at the helms of affairs in Osun State who are under the illusion that they are winning now, they will definitely ‘cry last’ because no injustice ever stays unredressed. With our absolute faith in God, we believe that the cause for which the Obokun two died shall soon be achieved. May God give their families the fortitude to bear the loss.

Aregbesola Chides Osun Govt On LG Fund Deduction

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:09:59 +0000

Governorship candidate of Action Congress (AC) in Osun State in the 2007 general elections, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola has raised a fresh alarm over the deduction of funds allocated to the 30 local governments from the federation account by Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led administration. A release signed by Aregbesola’s Media Assistant, Mr Gbenga Fayemiwo and made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Monday expressed worry that despite series of petitions filed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the issue, the deduction still continues unabated. Aregbesola said: “Our findings showed that between 45 and 50 per cent of the revenue accruing to the local government in Osun State are being deducted by the state government under the guise of State Joint Accounts. “The situation has rendered the local governments ineffective to discharge the onerous duties imposed on them by the 1999 Constitution”. He however called on the EFCC to set its apparatus in motion for immediate action on the situation in Osun State, saying this would clear the air that the anti-graft commission is not protecting financial criminals. According to him: “Many of the 30 local governments have now become glorified pay masters that just collect remnants from the state joint accounts and hand it over to their workers. “The situation has become more deplorable to the extent that some of the councils have not been able to fund the running grant accounts of their departments to operate efficiently”. The AC flagbearer noted that in the past, when opposition political parties cried out about the deductions, some chairmen of Local Governments came out with a contrary position and absolved the Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration but “existing facts have however shown that the defence of these chairmen was a lie and a deliberate attempt to protect the state government”. According to him, “Oyinlola has become a car dealer who buys automobiles and other consumables for local governments and then deducts the cost from the source” and that council funds have been diverted to projects that have no relevance with the development aspiration of the people of Osun State”. He expressed surprise that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has not been able to act on the petition earlier sent to it, charging the commission to act urgently on the issue. Aregbesola also lamented the payment of the state constituency project fund to the state legislators, despite the petitions with the EFCC and ICPC on the disbursement of the funds. The AC candidate asked: “Are we being told that once you are a member of the ruling party, you are not required to obey common laws and ethos?” We have vouched for Farida’s integrity and neutrality while her record of service is a testimony to the fact that she is a patriot who will not allow any criminal past acquaintanceship to rubbish her career.

Plan To Compromise Osun Workers Exposed

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:19:09 +0000

•Civil Societies, Opposition Rise Against It

Civil Society and opposition political parties in Osun State have taken Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to the cleaners over the plan to foist new Chinese cars on the senior staff of the state civil service, premising their criticism on poor remuneration package. It would be recalled that a government-sponsored news journal in its recent edition, gave the plan to foist new Geely cars on the workers in form of loan facilities. OSUN DEFENDER’s investigation on the salary structure scale revealed that Osun State civil servants and teachers are the least-paid government workers in the South West axis of the country. Findings further showed that the labour leaders and some leading labour activists in the state have been compromised in such a way that none of them could provide any government policy an objective critique. It was reliably gathered that some labour leaders, who championed workers’ rights during the administration of former Governor Bisi Akande have become full time contractors now; wining and dining with the political functionaries; while some of them, who are privileged to regain their lost jobs, have now developed protruding tummies. Investigations also revealed that the compromised labour leaders are now supplying strategies for the government on how to keep the mouths of the aggrieved workers shut permanently on certain rights and benefits that are being trampled upon. Investigations further showed that part of the plans to stem the unceasing demands for salary increase, supplied to government, by the compromised unionists is giving out of car to some senior civil servants and teachers; while the lowest cadre would be lent facilities for motorcycles, and fairly used cars. It was learnt that with the new cars given to the senior workers and loan facilities for the junior cadre, they would be placed under a compromised position that would afford them no opportunity to demand for more like Oliver Twist. Speaking against the plot, the National Coordinator, United Action for Democracy (UAD), Comrade Abiodun Aremu said that the new car scheme was not in the best interest of the workers, noting that the governor is embarking on the plan with a view to lining some private pockets at the expense of unsuspecting workers. “It is quite pathetic that these people in government are perpetually mischievous and they are busy thinking on how the innocent would be blackmailed into submission to their corrupt enrichment,” Aremu submitted. According to him, “the governor’s automobile interest in China is driving him badly into making Osun State a dumping ground. Workers should be empowered to make choice for themselves, as foisting news cars on them is against the rule, and I know that the beneficiaries of the suspicious loan facilities would not like it at the end of the day”. In the same vein, the state Director of Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), Barrister Alfred Adegoke has counseled the state workers against taking the new Chinese cars from the government, arguing that such a largesse would put off their rights sooner than later. Also speaking, the founder of Campaign for Democracy and the Rights of the People (CDRP), Alhaji Amitolu Shittu has questioned the rationale behind the suspicious scheme, saying that systematic slavery is suspected. “The good workers of the state deserved capacity building and empowerment, not a greek gift that would permanently silence the dissenting voices. An average worker reserves the right to make a choice, including a car of his choice and he should not be made to appear helpless. The new car scheme is a trap and we shall mobilize workers against it,” said Amitolu. Besides, the state chairman, National Conscience Party (NCP), Alhaji Waheed Lawal said that the government should address the issue of living wage first, before thinking of placing debt around the neck of innocent workers. “Workers have right to good life, but it should not be at the expense of their freedom. We have seen the cars given to the political functionaries ,they have no clear effect on governance except that some politicians are flaunting wealth. How would a worker on the peanut salary, maintains his vehicle or is the government ready to make the car maintenance loan available every month?” Lawal puzzled.

Aromolaran Charges LG Chairs On Security

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:26:46 +0000

The Owa Obokun, of Ijesaland Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran has solicited the support of the six local government councils in Ijesaland to make available logistics to the police and vigilance groups to fight the menace of armed robbers in his domain. Oba Aromolaran made the call last Friday at a meeting held at Obokungbusi Town Hall with traditional rulers, chiefs and people of the ancient town and its environments. According to the monarch, it was the responsibilities of chairmen of local government councils to provide necessary tools to the law enforcement agents to ensure security of the citizenry. The Oba who was not happy at the absence of chairmen Ilesa East and West, urged them to provide logistics to the police and vigilance groups to combat armed robbers. He said by doing so, people would be able to sleep with their two eyes closed, while banking operations and other businesses at Ilesa and beyond would get accelerated development. While speaking at the meeting, the new Police Area Commander, Mr Jacob Atunise said he had engaged his Divisional police officers in a 24 hour patrol of Ijesaland, particularly Ilesa which had been the major focus of armed robbers, stating that the task has proved successful as for the past one month he resumed at Ilesa Area command, there had not been any report of armed robbery. He said to maintain the tempo, the police would need support of the local government council chairmen in the area of logistics, as he enjoined the people to always report to the nearest police station information about dubious people in their midst, stating that the police treat such information with confidentiality. Present at the meeting are police officers from the two police stations in Ilesa, representative of Road Safety Commander, Ilesa Unit, traditional rulers, chiefs and numerous indigenes of the ancient town including representatives of companies and banking industry in Ilesa.

Osun LG Bosses Jittery As Assembly Begins Councils’ Probe Probe

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:41:26 +0000

As all the 30 local government council chairmen in Osun State are undergoing interrogation before the state House of Assembly, some of the council bosses are reportedly jittery, as many of them could not withstand the interrogation by the House. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that some of the council bosses could eventually be found guilty of financial misappropriation, as virtually all the chairmen could not properly account for their spendings so far. Among the council chairmen, found wanting was the chairman, Ifelodun local government council area of the state, Honourable Sarafadeen Awotunde, OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered. According to the source, Awotunde was queried on a controversial N550 million, which he reportedly could not account for. It was learnt further that upon enquiry, the embattled chairman allegedly accounted for just N150 million, a situation that compelled the House panel of enquiry to ask him to account for the remaining N400 million naira. Subsequently, the council boss, apparently confused, a situation that compelled him to appeal to the panel of enquiry to allow him go back home to perfect the documents relating to the issue at hand. As at the time of filing this report, the medium gathered that the rattled council boss has not returned to the House with the said documents relating to the alleged misappropriation of funds. It would be recalled that some angry youths recently attacked the council chairman, alleging that Awotunde has been misappropriating the local council funds without any developmental project in the area. The youth accused the chairman of being a car freak, saying that he only purchases exotic cars at the expense of any development in the council area. Besides, some aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the area have been planning to influence some councillors in the council area on the need to impeach the embattled chairman. Meanwhile, this medium gathered further from a reliable source that the ongoing interrogation of all the council bosses in the state was instigated by Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who reportedly expressed dissatisfaction about the performances of the chairmen. It would be recalled that the governor was reported to have left the council bosses to their fate over the appeal filed against their December 15, 2007 election by the opposition political parities in the state. The governor allegedly shunned the council bosses, saying that he was not satisfied with their performances since they assumed office about 10 months ago.

Driver Jailed 5 years For Manslaughter

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:49:35 +0000

An Osogbo magistrate court has sentenced a bus driver to five years imprisonment with an option of N500,000 fine for killing a 35-year-old woman with his bus along Gbongan road in Osogbo. The commercial bus driver, Wasiu Olajide, had earlier pleaded not guilty to the offence. According to the charge sheet, the driver was said to have driven recklessly and caused a fatal accident which left the woman dead and many others injured. The defence counsel, Mr. Tiamiyu Adegboyega, while applying for the bail of the driver said that he had earlier written to the prosecuting officer that they were ready to present sureties and an assurance that his client would not jump bail. He argued that the offence is a bailable one and assured the investigating officer that the client would not in anyway interfere with the police investigation. The prosecuting officer, Corporal Emmanuel Abdullahi argued that the accused should not be granted bail, stating that many drivers drove recklessly around the town, believing that when they get to court, they would be granted bail. He also disclosed that the case at hend was a very fatal one, adding that it claimed the life of a woman, whose family were present in the court. Abudullahi also argued that if every reckless driver is granted bail on the ground of liberal terms, the menace of reckless driving would continue to thrive in the society. He added that the accused (the driver) should not be granted bail on the ground of ignorance of traffic law and for having no regard for human life. The presiding magistrate in his judgment stated that, though the offence was a bailable one but because of the nature of its sensitivity to the public, the driver should be jailed for five years with an option of N500,000 which is payable within a week of the judgment. - By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Fake Immigration Officers Arraigned For Fraud

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:58:21 +0000

The hope of an Osogbo businessman, Chief Joseph Kayode to travel out of Nigeria has been dashed by two suspected fake immigration officers, who purportedly defrauded him of the sum of one million Naira. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the fake immigration officers, having known the intention of Kayode to travel to Jamaica, persuaded him to allow them handle the processing of his visa and other documents. Kayode, after an iron cast of fake evidences from the accused persons, succumbed to their antics and started giving them money which amounted to one million naira. But luck ran out for the suspects when they were arrested by the police, after some days based on complaints by Kayode, to the police. Eventually, the accused persons were arraigned at an Osogbo magistrate’s court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under false pretence. According to the charge sheet, “the accused persons perpetrated the purported crime in July, 2008, at Odi-Olowo. However, when the charge was read to them, they pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge and prayed the court to admit them to bail. Counsel to the suspects, Mr, Wasiu Adebayo, who maintained the innocence of the accused persons on the allegation, said reliable sureties would stand for them. Adebayo added that the suspects were ready to stand their trial and would not jump bail if granted, as he further prayed the court to be liberal on the bail terms. Police prosecutor, Corporal Emmanuel Abdullahi, said bail was at the discretion of the court, maintaining that the presiding judge should exercise his discretion judicially and judiciously. Ruling on the bail application, the presiding magistrate, Mr Adebayo Ajala, granted bail to the suspects in the sum of N500,000 and one surety each. He then adjourned the case to October 10, 2008, for hearing. - By ISMAIL USMAN

Osun Tribunal Scandal Latest: Naron, Others Face NJC’s Trial

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:10:17 +0000

After months of waiting and anxiety by stakeholders and other democrats across the world, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has reportedly succumbed to pressure by setting up a five – man panel to investigate the alleged compromise of the Justice Thomas Naron-led Election Petitions Tribunal that sat in Osun State. The alleged compromise of the tribunal judges was revealed through telephone conversations between the tribunal members and one of the lead counsel to the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN) as published in one of the previous editions of TheNEWS magazine. OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that the affected tribunal judges had earlier been queried by the nation’s Chief Justice, Idris Kutigi, who doubles as the NJC chairman. It was learnt that the five judges of the tribunal have responded to the queries sent to them by the NJC boss. According to the source, the NJC members are expected to meet this week to decide on the mode of the investigation of the tribunal judges. It was further learnt that the council at the meeting was expected to review all the petitions against the panel members, after which the five-man panel of enquiry would commence its job. It would be recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had summoned the Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN), requesting for the call log of the affected tribunal judges and the lawyer (Kalejaiye). The medium further reliably gathered that the council may either base its investigation on the outcome of the EFCC investigation or commence its own investigation afresh. An NJC member said that this would be the first time the council would be handling an issue relating to technological challenges, adding that all the NJC members are curious to establish the fact of the matter. The NJC was petitioned by the Action Congress (AC) in Osun State and its governorship candidate, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola over the alleged romance between the tribunal judges and the tribunal which was unveiled by TheNews magazine few days to the day set aside for judgment by the tribunal. Ever before the revelations of TheNews magazine, the state chapter of the AC had alleged that the tribunal was biased, asking the panel members to disqualify themselves from delivering judgment on the governorship tussle. Despite the revelations by the magazine and the plea of the petitioners that the tribunal should disqualify itself from delivering the judgment, the tribunal shunned all oppositions and delivered judgment on the governorship tussle on July 15, 2008, upholding the election of the embattled governor. An appeal had since been filed against the judgment of the tribunal at the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan. Other members of the tribunal to be investigated by the NJC are Justices Joy Akpugunhum; Justice Joe Ekanem; Justice Sa’adu Mohammed and A.T Badamas.

Ilesa Zone AC Organises Workshop For Candidates, Officials

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:25:55 +0000

The need to ensure that elected and appointed officers are made answerable for their tenure in office was part of the resolutions reached at a leadership training workshop. Tagged “Grassroots Development Approaches and the Challenges of Electoral Politics,” the workshop held on Monday at the Action Congress (AC) party secretariat for Ilesa East local government council Area of Osun State, was designed for the party’s officials and candidates at the ward and local government levels. The one-day workshop had participants drawn from the six local government council areas in Ijesaland, comprising also the councils’ party chairmen, women and youth leaders at the ward and council levels. The first lecture that was delivered on “Grassroots Development Approaches” did insightful dissection of the concept, structure and attributes of governance in Nigeria, and Governance and Millennium Development goals (MDGS), highlighting public accountability, environmental sustainability, place of women and traditional institutions in the contemporary art and science of governance. “Challenges of Electoral Contest”, the second lecture, exhaustively looked at the strategies for mobilization for elections and defence of votes for victory at the polls. Earlier, participants had formed a long queue to register for the workshop, and workshop materials were issued out to them by the Institute for Development and Democratic Studies (IDDS), Lagos, the workshop organizers. The facilitators, Ajayi Popoola and Kolawole Abiodun had hectic time answering question from the participants during the workshop intractive session. The workshop initiated and planned by the Ultimate Group, a wing of the Action Congress in the state was effectively attended by the party State Chairman Alhaji Moshood Adeoti represented by Hon. Adelowo Adebiyi, AC Ife/Ijesa Senatorial leader, AC State Secretary, Hon. Gboyega Famodun parliamentarian for Ilesa East and West, Honourables Timothy Owoeye and Folarin Fafowora and a host of fierce loyalists and supporters of the party. In his keynote address, the Ife-Ijesa senatorial leader redefined dividends of democracy as “accountability, fairness, equity, justice and transparency,” adding also that the workshop was expected to improve the participants’ knowledge, skills in politics and politicking for poll victory and inculcate in them new political attitude. Chief Jumoke Ogunkeyede, Ultimate Group chairman in the state saluted the tenacity of purpose of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, AC governorship candidate in the state and his overall contributions to the continued political development of stalwarts and members of the party. Ogunkeyede described his group as victory enhancer for the party in the state. Chairman at the workshop, Honourable Babatunde Ajilore, a one-time chairman, league of secretaries to the local government councils in Lagos State, set the tone for the conference in his opening remarks. He lauded Aregbesola, describing him as a man of history and scourge of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State. He stated that the workshop has five sessions, with the first session already held on Friday 6, June in Ile-Ife, and the subsequent ones slated for Ikirun Tuesday, 14, Iwo Monday 20, Ede Tuesday 21 and Osogbo Wednesday 22 this month. Abiodun Aremu, the IDDS Executive Coordinator, in a brief remark described the objectives of a political party as a continuing enterprise “that goes beyond just fielding candidates for election”.

Lagos LG Polls: AC Clears All Seats

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:39:45 +0000

It was another great success for the Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress (AC) last Saturday, as the party candidates won in all the 20 Local Governments Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state, during the council polls. Announcing winners of the elections, the Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Fatai Adeyinka (rtd) said the AC swept all the chairmanship and councillorship slots in all the 57 council areas. Amid funfare, the LASIEC boss issue certificate of return to all the chairman-elect, while the zonal LASIEC Commissioner presented similar certificates to the councilor-elects. While the AC members, supporters and sympathizers were jubilating for the success of the party in all the council areas, some protested against the election, alleging that the election was married with irregularities. Presenting certificates to the AC candidates, the LASIEC boss described the outcome of the polls as a monumental success. The AC, led by Otunba Oladele Ajomale hailed the state electoral commission for conducting what it termed a hitch-free exercise, saying that the commission has set another record in the history of electioneering in the country which other states would want to emulate. The party said that all efforts by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to sabotage the polls motivated the ruling AC in the state to go into the contest as if it had formidable opponents. Spokesman of the party, Mr. Joe Igbokwe said that Lagosians voted enmasse for the party’s flagbearers because they were impressed by the achievements of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of the state. Igbokwe said that he elections has triggered some issues which the main opposition party (PDP) sought to use to whip-up sentiment and confuse the public. The party chieftain dismissed the claim of illegality of the polls by the PDP as “baseless,” recalling that all the processes were strictly followed. According to him, Lagosians trooped out to endorse the creation of the additional councils on the poll day, stressing that their response to the electoral call jolted the PDP out of its delusion. Rejecting the claim of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), one of the parties that participated in the election that the election was fraught with irregularities, Igbokwe said that DPA is only existing on the pages of newspapers in Lagos. Meanwhile, an election monitoring group, “Advocacy for Right Governance” observed that the election was largely peaceful, fair and transparent. The president of the organization, Dr. Mike Adewusi said that though there was low turn-out in some local government, there were no malpractices. Adewusi gave LASIEC a pass mark, urging other electoral bodies in the neighbouring state to emulate it.

The Looming Water Scarcity In Osun State

Kola — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:26:19 +0000

The turbulence and life-threatening cause by the ineptitude and maladministration of the Olagunsoye Oyinlola ‘administration’ in Osun State continues unabated. The latest in any increasing saga of nightmares is the deterioration in the water supply situation in Osun State. Water, said the great icon, Afro-beat exponent, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, ‘no get enemy’. Uncharacteristically in this instance, Fela got it wrong. For, as usual, defied the trend and indeed commonsense, the Osun State caretaker government has declared war on water. Those in the know in the state have started to admonish the long-suffering citizens on Osun State to ‘start preserving their streams and well water in anticipation of looming water scarcity in the state’. Amazing is this not? A causative reason for this looming human disaster is that 250 metric tons of industrial alum earlier supplied is about to be exhausted! The main culprit, of course, as usual is the famed administrative ineptitude of the ‘come and chop’, Oyinlola’s maladministration. It is hardly-surprising that a government based on the ethos of ‘paddy-paddy government’ lumbers on, from one disaster to another. In this instance, a contractor who was asked to supply 6,000 metric tons of the industrial alum needed for production, could not supply more than 250 metric tons for water treatment at Ede Water Works. In this instance, the contractor clearly had his wits around him. For, if the Appeal Court rules against Oyinlola in the well-chronicled elections petition tribunal, he could be holding a lot of bad debt. For this reason, 75 per cent of the communities and settlements in the state have no access to potable water. All this return to the stone Age is happening if we care to remember, is happening in the year of the Lord 2008. The sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo must be turning in his gave. The great man’s government had been pivotal in the 1950’s in providing infrastructure to the nooks and crannies of the erstwhile Western region! It is a crying shame that the Oyinlola imposition cannot maintain this simple process. After all, no one is asking them to re-invent the wheel. If the 6,000 metric tons had been supplied, it would have helped to keep things moving for a considerable number of months. 250 metric tons, frankly is a pathetic drop in the ocean of needs. Not surprisingly, the Osun State Ministry of ‘Water Resources’ is flat broke, for funds needed to supply clean safe drinking water has been squandered on white elephant projects, automobiles and undoubtedly wine, women and praise-singers. These have been the nonexclusive of Oyinlola’s bizarre interpretation of the processes of government. This should not surprise us. For the man who could not tar roads in Lagos, can hardly be expected to supply water in less endowed Osun State. Cry the beloved Osun State! With taps running out everywhere, the risk of epidemics is very high. The situation, becomes more bothersome when it is taken into cognizance that Oyinlola’s jammed ineptitude has led to the running down of the state’s healthcare system. This is a very poignant case of double jeopardy, for there is now simply, no healthcare infrastructure in place to cope with what is clearly a looming disaster! This is a disaster foretold. For we are going to witness in the weeks ahead, an upsurge in cases of water borne diseases which could have been prevented. Even in terms of short term expediency, the state government lacks even the rudimentary administrative skills and wherewithal to cope with an emergency. The Federal Government should brace itself up to intervene. For in our considered opinion, there is a terrible healthcare disaster looming in Osun State. Unfortunately, self-help schemes will have to come into play. Once again, a long-suffering people will have to call upon their own resources and ingenuity to get out of the mess created by Oyinlola’s do-nothing maladministration. Cry the beloved Osun State, for they do not deserve this continuous torture. We will continue to pray fervently that the Court of Appeal does what is right and just and get our people out of the misery. In the meantime, we will continue to commend the people of Osun State for their great forbearance in the force of adversity. Our prayer is that the years the Oyinlola locust has eaten an intervention will soon come through the intercession of the infinite grace of the almighty who is always munificent in his benevolence.

New Tribunal Arrives Osun

Kola — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:33:50 +0000

Sequel to the hues and cries that greeted the trial of some petitions at the two controversial election petitions tribunals that sat in Osogbo, Osun State capital, the President, Court of Appeal, Abuja, Justice Umar Abdullahi has reportedly reconstituted another set of tribunals that would reopen certain petitions that were concluded with festering grey areas. Feelers from the Court of Appeal in Abuja hinted OSUN DEFENDER that the decision to reconstitute another set of tribunals that would rove round some states in the South West was borne out of the deliberations by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Body of Benchers (BOB). It was learnt that some judges, with impeccable integrity, openly condemned the way and manners some tribunals handled some petitions in some states, premising their arguments on compromise. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that some former and current judges of the Supreme Court, who were at the crucial meeting, vented their naked anger on some unmentioned tribunals that made themselves pawn in the political chess board. Source at the meeting confided in OSUN DEFENDER that most judges spoke against some of the controversial tribunal chairmen, who, by their action or inaction had succeeded in bringing the immaculate garment of judiciary into ridicule. As a form of panacea, the Court of Appeal leadership, according to the source, was implored to revisit some allegations from some states, with a view to putting a damage control in place. It would be recalled that the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Rotimi Akeredolu has recently criticized the delay in hearing of some Appeal cases; a situation that nearly brought him on a head-on collision course against the Appeal Court President. The legal luminary berated an idea of delaying justice for religious rites, saying that it was not in the best interest of God that justice should be delayed. Meanwhile, OSUN DEFENDER was at the Osun State High Court, Osogbo last week noticed that some judges suspected to be on a tribunal mission had arrived with an administrative man, suspected to be the new tribunal’s secretary. All efforts to speak with the workers, who were busy cleaning an office for the new mission, proved abortive, as they all maintained sealed lips. However, some of the court workers, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under condition of anonymity have expressed fears about the new tribunal, saying that it could attract violence. “We are afraid because people may not want to give peace a second chance this time around and it could breed violence,” said the court workers. Some of the politicians who spoke on the development also expressed fear over the fate of the new tribunal, saying that they could be compromised again. “The Appeal Court president may reconstitute tribunal to hear controversial petitions, but my fear is that, would the judges not be compromised again,” said one of the politicians, who pleaded anonymity. Information has it that some petitions, as touching petitions written by Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), and Action Congress (AC) may be revisited in the new mission.

Don’t Calibrate Your Pumps, Osun Petroleum Task Force Warns Filling Stations

Kola — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:41:38 +0000

Petroleum filing stations across the state have been warned to desist from an act of tampering with their selling pumps and cheating motorists in the state. The warning was given by the chairman of the Task Force on Petroleum Product distribution in the state, Mr. Gbadebo Olasupo. The chairman in a release disclosed that his task force would be going round the state and any filling station caught in the act would be punished. Motorists in the state have been complaining recently that some filling stations have been pumping air into their vehicle tanks knowing full well that they (motorists) would not detect immediately. Investigations revealed that motorists have been complaining bitterly about a filling station at Ita-Olokan area of the state capital. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that attendants of the filling station have devised a means of ensuring that motorists leave the station without detecting that they have been shortchanged. A motorist in Osogbo, Mr Salam Jelili while narrating his ordeal, disclosed that he bought eight litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol from the filling station and could not take him to his destination at Power Line in Osogbo. He added that ordinarily, he only needs two or three litres of fuel to take him round the town on his daily business, adding that the passenger he drove that day when he went to the filling station was astonished at what happened. Another owner of a private vehicle, Mr Azeez Olapade told OSUN DEFENDER that he bought 10 litres of fuel at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation in the state capital a day before the celebration of Eid-el-fitr and went home straight but supringly, the following day on his way to the mosque, his car ran out of fuel. A commercial vehicle driver told OSUN DEFENDER that he only heard people discussing about the issue but it has never happened to him, adding that fuel attendants at filling stations do not treat commercial drivers the way they do to private car owners because they know that we can wreck their business. However, another commercial driver plying Osogbo-Ikirun-Iree road told our reporter at Old Garage in Osogbo that the problem is with almost all the filling stations, adding that probably because there is no longer the problem of fuel scarcity from which the attendants make money, hence, they resolved to other means of short-changing their customers. An attendant at a filling station at Power Line disclosed that some incidents were not always deliberate but as a result of problem with pumps, used in some filing stations. He quickly added that their filling station has never been accused of such acts, stating that the management of the station do carry out routine maintenance on their pumps.

Osun’s Pathetic Public Schools

Kola — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:04:55 +0000

To the vainglorious administration of Olagunsoye Oyinlola – an administration that has patented the art of living in perpetual denial of the obvious, here is another testimonial – from no other than the Bishop of Church of Nigeria, Ife Diocese, (Anglican Communion), the Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun. Osun public schools, says the revered cleric, stink. The roofs are leaking. The walls are broken down. Laboratories are non-existent just as libraries, are unavailable. Even the so-called books claimed to have been supplied by Oyinlola to the schools have remained in the dream shelves of the governor and his appointees. Like every citizen of the state, the leading cleric was only expressing his disappointment with the many lies peddled by the administration, particularly its disgusting claims that it has done something to stem the rot when it has done nothing. The report also quoted the cleric as pleading that Oyinlola returns the schools to their former owners, since, obviously, the government has run out of ideas on how to run them. The current state of the public schools is the familiar story of mediocrity personified by the former brass-hat. The citizens’ disgust, disenchantment and frustration are what the cleric has captured rather succinctly. Beyond the expression of frustration, the cleric is eminently justified as a major stakeholder in the educational project in the state, to be alarmed that the do-nothing government would fritter the remaining legacies of an educationally-advantaged state with its rudderless-ness and ineptitude. Here, we recall the rich legacy, dating back to the ambitious educational programmes of the Western Region under the late sage Obafemi Awolowo, which has remained a reference to this day. For sure, everything Oyinlola’s hands touch, turns to dross. Well, Oyinlola and his cohorts may continue to live in denial; however, we know what the picture of public schools looks like. It is one of neglect. Learning environment remains unfriendly with classrooms either lacking in roofs or sitting materials to motivate pupils. Libraries are non-existent; laboratories are a rarity in a state that is said to be aspiring to join the league of front-liners in education. Equally so is the lot of teachers under Oyinlola: they remain at the bottom rung among the ill-motivated in the entire country. Never in the relatively short history of the state has it witnessed the kind of mismanagement of its aspirations as we have seen under Oyinlola, even at a time that the state revenue has been increasing exponentially. The question all right-thinking citizens of the state should join their voices in asking Oyinlola is what happened to the annual budgetary allocations to rehabilitate the sector? What happened to the contracts awarded to party goons all in the name of restoring school structures? What happened to the proceeds of the harsh levies imposed on parents by the extortionist Oyinlola regime? Where are the schools that the administration claimed it supplied with reading materials? It may not be far fetched to suggest that the huge funds voted to service the critical needs of the sector, may have gone the way of the other funds meant to address other needs of the people – misapplied or worse still, misappropriated by a government which sees service in the narrow prism of self-enrichment. We can hardly make the point enough that Osun people deserve a better fate. The yokes of maladministration and irresponsible governance have become a burden too heavy to bear for the good people of the Living Spring. With the future of children being at stake here, it is hard to know how to even begin with advising a government that appears so impervious to reason and good judgment. Like others join in the state, we can only make the supplication that our dear state be rid of the afflictions of visionless leadership, soon enough. Only then would citizens begin to enjoy the fruits of a new dawn of purposeful leadership. The good news is that the dawn may be here sooner than later. That is why citizens cannot afford to lose hope.

Osun LG Bosses Attacked In Coutonou

Kola — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:13:28 +0000

•DPMs In Shongai For Snail, Grasscutters

IN a manner suggestive of reduction of status, the 30 local government council areas of Osun State have been reduced to the State Ministry of Agriculture, as chairmen, who travelled to far away Coutonou in Republic of Benin to observe rearing of snails and grasscutters, were attacked, robbed and beaten blue-black by suspected armed robbers.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the council bosses embarked on the fire-brigade approach to agricultural sector, when the state embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola allegedly told them in clear terms that they have failed to impress him in their performances.

It would be recalled that the last year’s largely boycotted local government polls has become a subject of litigation, which was instituted by the Action Congress (AC)-led opposition political parties.

It was learnt that the fear of the outcome of the Appeal Court’s suit filed by the aggrieved parties forced the embattled chairmen to seek governorship refuge, but were reportedly spanked for low performance by the state helmsman.

Having been criticized for alleged frivolous spendings on the retreat in far away South Africa and children’s holiday in the United States of America, the council chiefs then resolved to dissipate more energy on agriculture.

To create an easy passage for express approval for another trip outside the country, the council bosses then resolved to include the DPMs in the programme, a situation that made both of them (chairmen and DPMs) to travel to the Republic of Benin.

While the DPMs reportedly had a smooth journey to Shongai, where they were to observe the superlative agricultural method in the country; the 15 chairmen who were billed to visit Coutonu were not that lucky; as men of the underworld served them doses of beatings, ranging from caning with cassava stems to gun-butts.

Speaking on the development, an agricultural scientist, Mr Bode Ogundele said that the chairmen who travelled to Coutonu to learn rearing of snails and grasscutters were not on a serious mission, disclosing that they could learn the animal dairy right here in Nigeria.

“I must tell you that if truly, these council chairmen travelled to Coutonu to learn rearing of snails or grasscutters or both; it was a mere jamboree, with no serious mission, because we have better experts on agriculture right here in this country”, Ogundele argued.

In his reaction, the State Secretary of National Conscience Party (NCP), Mr Ademola Bankole said that the chairmen brought the DPMs into the unnecessary trip in order to make them partners in looting of the council treasuries.

“These politicians in councils are clever by half as, they have misappropriated enough funds, only to be sending the unsuspected DPMs to a jamboree-like trip to Shongai, under the guise of observing how agriculture ought to be practised there; we shall surely get their antics,” said Bankole.

LAUTECH Hospital Workers On Strike Again

Kola — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:17:00 +0000

Indefinite industrial action of the health workers of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State has again threatened the operational profile of the institution. Our reporter, who conducted on the spot assessment round the hospital premises, observed that activities were completely paralyzed, as many departments were under lock and key. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that relations of patients have started moving out their sick persons en masse out of the hospital, while tears were freely flowing at the Emergency and Accident Units, as patients with critical condition were not getting required attention. The health workers under the eagis of Joint Action Committee (JAC) are however adamant on the strike action, maintaining that there would be no retreat, if their delayed salaries and monetized entitlements are not paid by the management. It was observed that both in and out-patients were getting skeletal treatment, as only few consultants on sight were going round the wards. Some of the workers, who, OSUN DEFENDER suspected to be union leaders, were also seen discussing in groups about the development; none of them was willing to speak with newsmen for the reason that could not be divorced from the management’s wrath. One of the union members who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, strictly under condition of anonymity said that the management appears helpless in the face of cat and mouse politics of the two owners’ state, Osun and Oyo. It would be recalled that the health workers and the hospital management had traded tackle over the salary dispute and the controversial monetization policy in the recent past. In one of the press conferences organized by the hospital management headed by Chief Medical Director (CMS), Professor Kola Obisesan last year, the owner-states were indicted as not responding fast enough to the pressing demands of the workers. Besides, the industrial dispute between the management and the workers in the recent past was settled by the Osun State House of Assembly. It was learnt that Oyo State under the leadership of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala has started constructing her own teaching hospital in Oyo township, a project that has gained the attention of the governor more than the crisis-ridden one in Osogbo.

Deconstructing Gbenga Daniel

Kola — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:22:51 +0000

THE true import of a man’s activities becomes clearer many a time with passage of time. For time indeed is a great revealer. With time, we have the benefit of hindsight, with time whatever falsehood that may have been used to encapsulate the truth usually give way; indeed with time a clear verdict can be passed on the activities of any one. One major area that time clearly demonstrates this reality is leadership. Some so called leaders may have been popular for a season in their times but the passage of time revealed some other things that may place a big question mark on their leadership. One clear example of such a leader in the present democratic dispensation is Gbenga Daniel (a.k.a OGD), the incumbent governor of Ogun state. To build our nation, it is this writer’s firm belief that we must develop the capability of x-raying the activities of our leaders, not with standing the propensity of some of them to employ propaganda to cover up their tracks. We can pass a verdict as a pointer and guide to the youths who may yet emerge as future leaders. Late last year, Yinka Odumakin, Publicity Secretary of the pan Yoruba socio- cultural organization, Afenifere treated Nigerians to a salacious revelations of many dishonest conduct of Gbenga Daniel before and after getting elected into public office. Instead of refuting the mind-boggling allegations of dishonesty leveled against him, Daniel, through his attack dog, Wale Adedayo wasted over half a million naira of Ogun tax payers money to denigrate the person of the former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and also use the medium to tell the reading public a “tale by the moon light”. His “tale by the moon light” is a locus classicus of what Williams Shakespeare described as “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and furry, signifying nothing.” It is a gratuitous insult to the reasoning of the reading public! In the light of the foregoing, the question that should readily occur to any discerning mind is: What has Tinubu got to do with the issue at stake? Why did the anti-democratic elements (usurpers), parading themselves as PDP governors in the South West always find it convenient to attribute any problem they have to Asiwaju Tinubu? Why did they always see his shadow in any of the endless troubles into which they drag themselves into in their respective states? Any discerning mind will agree with this writer that the simple answer to this riddle can not be far-fetched: Darkness will always find it uncomfortable to co-habit with light. While they (anti democratic forces symbolized by Obasanjo’s political children in the South West) represent darkness, Asiwaju Tinubu represents light that will drive darkness out of the South West. Another reason why Asiwaju Tinubu has become Daniel’s worst nightmare is his obsession to become Yoruba leader, an ambition in which he sees Tinubu as the only impediment to his realization. “Anjuwon ose wi lejo, ija ilara otan boro”. Gbenga Daniel is suffering from a debilitating grandeur called false delusion. Because of his ill-gotten wealth, he thought the leadership of the Yoruba race is for the highest bidder. Awoism as an ideal and as an ideology has become so bastardized that any one, with some loose money, even though, his integrity account his bankrupt, could be hoisted by some perfidious elders (“Awon agbalagba alatenuje”), for the people to see and follow as an Awoist. Let Gbenga Daniel and his cohorts be told in no unmistaken terms that their campaign of calumny was yet to detract from the integrity and rising political profile of the Asiwaju of Lagos, undisputable Asiwaju of Yoruba land, earned by merit. Where is Daniel during the dark days of the military when the likes of Tinubu put his live on the line to fight for the liberation of the Yoruba nation? Where was Daniel, when Tinubu, then a lone voice in the forest stand up to the dictatorship of the most discredited Obasanjo regime this country have the misfortune of having? Leadership of the Yoruba nation is not like an election that can be manipulated. It is not for cowards and betrayers like Daniel. It is not for vote robbers, scavengers, integrity-deficient characters that can never earn the respect of true Yoruba sons and daughters. Moralist’s David Hume and Albert Camus agreed that a “leader must have the moral ability to influence others and unfailing capacity to exert authority over followers and subordinates. Today, in Yoruba land, we have the comic spectacle of people who occupy public office not through the will of the people but through the electoral abracadabra of 2003 and the outright electoral armed robbery witnessed in 2007. They exhibit and exercise the coercive powers attendant on the offices they occupy but are thoroughly deficient in the legitimizing moral authority that confers meaningful leadership. Today in Yoruba land, Asiwaju Tinubu represents true and visionary leadership. He represents determined leadership that we need in Yoruba land and this country. As a pro-democracy activist and as Lagos state governor for 8 years, some of the ideals of democracy that he fight and demonstrated are still very fresh in the people’s memory. If the leaders that have served in one capacity or the other at the federal, state or local government levels possess such type of quality in the area of governance and administration of the state, definitely many of our people would have been able to realize dividends of democracy. Daniel must be suffering from a delusion worst than that of Alice in wonderland to think incessant Tinubu bashing is what would make the leadership of the Yoruba race to get to his hand. Hundreds of Nigerian Compass and The Westerner are not enough. It is unfortunate that this days any politician with some loose money will just set up his own media outfit for the sole objective of pulling down credible public figures for selfish political reason, without setting minimum standards of qualifications and code of conduct for those manning them. Nigerian Compass, in its unbridle desire to do the bidding of his owner, threw ethics to the wind. The law of libel is alien to the understanding of those editing it. The constitutionally assigned duty of journalist is to inform, educate and serve as watchdog of the society. Need one any proof that journalists at Nigerian Compass has undoubtedly lost touch with the fundamental principle of journalism- check and cross check your facts before publishing. It is unfortunate that many of them are at the pinnacle of their carriers as practicing journalists. Integrity-deficient journalists that constitute Nigerian Compass have proved to be agents of misinformation and disinformation, just to do the bidding of Gbenga Daniel, their pay master. Borrowing the words of Lasisi Olagunju, Oyinlola’s spin doctor, “News papers are market place of ideas, not of lies and half- truths. They are to make the readership better informed. Propaganda has always been an inseparable part of politics, unfortunately, so are lies. While the latter clearly conflict with the basic foundation upon which journalism is built, there is really nothing wrong with politicians employing the art of propaganda to get to their goal. The wise propagandist knows, however, there must be platform of truth for him to place his stuff if he must get it bought consistently by the reading public. Other wise, his propaganda ware will become what those in news paper business called “Unsold”. Every impartial observer of political events in Nigeria and any discerning mind knew the recent report of GSM fraud by Nigerian Compass, where it claimed unauthorized user can use one’s GSM phone to send a text message to him is an hatchet job meant to confuse the NJC and the court of public opinion on the culpability of Justice Naron- led tribunal and Barrister Kalejaiye in the Osun tribunal debacle. In the said report, after claiming that the head of the technical section of the MTN that is directly involved claim the scenario they painted is not possible, it stands to reason that they stil went ahead to sensationalized it. The reason why they took such line of action can not be far-fetched. Any right thinking person knew the integrity- deficient journalist that constitute Nigeria Compass wrote this misleading report for a morsel of bread and in solidarity with one of their “own”. One is indeed worried about this trend of journalism in this 21 st century. One hope that the NUJ, Nigerian press council are watching and will take appropriate steps to ensure that Nigerian journalists agreed with the code of conduct for journalists as enshrined in ASNE code. It stated “Every effort must be made to ensure that the news content (of newspapers) is accurate, free from bias and in context, and that all sides are presented fairly”.

Ekiti AC, Deputy Governor Trade Accusation Over Council Polls

Kola — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:39:26 +0000

Action Congress (AC) in Ekiti State and the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sikiru Lawal on Tuesday engaged in a verbal war over the delay in conducting Local Government Polls in the state. Dr. Lawal disclosed that the People Democratic Party (PDP) would win all 16 Councils whenever the elections are held. While distributing appointments letters in Ado-Ekiti to 808 new Employees of the Local Government He disclosed that the PDP’s victory at the election tribunal had silenced the opposition. Lawal, however, supported a protest by women at the premises of the House of Assembly over the delay in conducting the council poll. He disclosed that PDP would sweep all the Councils and 177 councillorship seats at stake. It would be recalled that Lawal defected from the AC to PDP shortly before the general elections in April 14, 2007. He further disclosed that the Segun Oni-led administration had performed well, since its inauguration on May 29, 2007. Lawal said the governor has been tackling poverty through the provision of micro-credit facilities and employment of 4,000 people. According to him, the government score card will pare the way for PDP’s victory at the election. He urged the people to support the government and not be deceived by the antics of the opposition. While reacting, AC’s spokeman, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu, described Lawal as a “Political comedian the Ekiti people should not take serious having been deluded with the transient allure of power gotten through the stolen mandate of Ekiti people.” He said AC was focused on its appeal filed against the validation of Oni’s election and would not be distracted by what he called the “phantom local government election being pushed by a discredited administration.” He also described Lawal’s comments as a misconception, saying: “PDP is the opposition party in the state by its alleged anti-people policies, lack of vision and misplacement of priorities since stealing its way into the government House in 2007.” He said, Lawal’s boasts that the PDP would sweep the poll was an “admission of the fact that the proposed election had been rigged well in advance.” He also slammed the state government for allegedly sponsoring Monday’s protest by the women. According to him, the PDP-led state government is an “illegitimate government which could not muster enough courage to conduct the local government elections but resorted to hiring women to protest the delay in conducting the election.” Adaramodu said the deputy governor was ignorant to the rule of law by the fact that “he had forgotten that the National Conscience Party (NCP) has gone to court over the recently passed State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) Law” He said Lawal should have kept quiet until the matter was determined by the court.

Don’t Politicise Judges’ Appointment – NBA Chairman Warns Oni

Kola — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:46:30 +0000

Ekiti State Governor Mr. Segun Oni has been warned against politicizing appointment of judges in the state. The warning was given by the chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ado-Ekiti chapter in an address at a special court session to mark the commencement of the legal year in the state. He also warned lawyers against unnecessary attack on judges in the media, especially when they were not satisfied with court verdicts. The special session was presided over by the state’s Acting Chief Judge, Justice Silas Oyewole, while the Sectary to the State Government, (SSG) Chief Dare Bejide, represented the Governor. The state has reduced the number of its judges from 14 to 8, a situation, which made lawyers and magistrate to lobby to be appointed to the bench. Omotoso, advised the members of the bar and bench to desist from unethical behaviour in the discharge of their duties. He added that seniority should be considered in the appointment of judges and that no green-horn should be appointed on account of connection. The NBA Chairman also urged the state government to consider experienced and competent home-based lawyers for appointment as judges. He expressed displeasure at the present composition of the state’s judicial service commission, with just one lawyer. Omotosho also called for the establishment of a Customary Court of Appeal in the state to facilitate effective and quick dispensation of justice. He suggested the publication of the state law books, instead of depending on those produced in the old Ondo State.

After failed assassination bid, Osun Police arrest, release, re-arrest Layi Oyeduntan

Kola — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:34:12 +0000

A few minutes past eight o’clock on the night of Saturday October 18, 2008, gunshots were fired sporadically into Alhaji Layi Oyeduntan’s residence at the Oroki Housing Estate behind the residence of Senator Simeon Oduoye by initially unknown gunmen. In the panic that followed the shooting, Oyeduntan made several save-our-soul calls to his friends and neighbours. One of such calls was made to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola alerting him of the invasion of his residence by unknown gunmen. At this time, Oyeduntan did not know that he was seeking help from the man who ordered his arrest in the first place. These calls led many of the neighbours to gather and decide on what could be done to rescue him. Apparently realising that they have been discovered, the gunmen who were later found to be policemen gained entrance and took Oyeduntan into custody for what was said to be in connection with the June 14, 2007 Abere Explosion saga. The armed policemen believed to have been drawn from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) led by controversial DSP Ayuba Adekunle shot and killed Oyeduntan’s Alsatian dog. We are left with no choice than to conclude that were it not for the courage and vigilance of Oyeduntan’s neighbours who raced to the scene of the incidence, the gunmen had a clear motive of killing the AC chieftain. This would have led to another massive clampdown on the opposition who would have been blamed for the dastardly act. We want to place it on record that top officials of the Osun State Government and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have recently subjected Oyeduntan to intense pressure for him to abandon our great party and defect to the PDP. He was promised several perquisites and benefits if he acceded to their demands for him to join PDP or face dire consequences. A particular PDP chieftain whose names we are keeping secret for now even mocked Oyeduntan for lacking necessary funds to complete his Osogbo Country home pledging that if he crossed over to the PDP, he would be made comfortable and affluent. All these entreaties for Oyeduntan to abandon AC and join the PDP have gone unheeded; a situation that has made him to draw the ire of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s administration and ruling party. The plan appeared to have been hatched in the direction of eliminating Oyeduntan but it is logical to conclude that when DSP Ayuba Adekunle’s team found this task as impossible, the fiercely loyal and bold guard dog was shot and killed. While neighbours gathered to behold the gory spectacle, the former Commissioner for Health and Water Resources was cleverly taken into custody and detained for what police sources linked with the well-beaten Abere Explosion saga. We have advised the Osun State Police Command several times in the past that it should be wary of its association with the ruling party and Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola so as not to soil its garment of neutrality and professionalism. Police investigations have been conducted. Among the discoveries made by the inquiry were the telephone lines of the suspects. Simple logic demands that the call logs of the telephone lines of the suspects were adequate to reveal the identities of those directly or remotely connected with the explosion. Rather than follow the dictates of professional policing, the Osun State Police Command appeared to have been helping the ruling PDP to suppress the opposition by hounding all notable chieftains of the Action Congress (AC) and other political parties into detention and silence. Some have been forced to go underground since the clamp down began. The entire Osun State executive council of the AC has been crippled by DSP Ayuba Adekunle forcing them to go out of reach while those who have not been arrested are only waiting to be picked up at any time. The wave of arrests have moved from the State AC executive members to legislators of the State House of Assembly including the Minority Leader, Hon. Timothy Owoeye who was arrested by DSP Ayuba Adekunle for Abere expolsion after signing a petition to the EFCC on the fraudulent Constituency Project now being investigated. Other top flight leaders of the opposition have not been spared. Those who have not been linked with the Abere Explosion Saga have been branded "Troublemakers" by Governor Oyinlola in his recent letter to the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS). We are now forced to think that the intentions of DSP Ayuba Adekunle and his sponsors in the Government House are to ensure that the opposition is destabilised and rattled into silence so as to discourage further expositions of corrupt and criminal activities of the Oyinlola administration that has become a negative reference point in official sleaze. We demand the immediate unconditionally release of Oyeduntan from untenable detention . Membership of the ruling party should not be secured by the use of brute force and bestial crudity as it is being done now in Osun State. The basis of the 1999 Constitution is being threatened by Oyinlola and his co-travellers in the bus of the unattainable one-party Hobbessian state of nature. We also call on the Inspector-General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro to probe the activities of DSP Ayuba Adekunle and his unholy romance with the ruling PDP before the public image of the force under him is shattered to irretrievable smithereens. By Gbenga Fayemiwo Media Assistant to the Gubernatorial Candidate of Action Congress in Osun State, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola

To The Appeal Faculty

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:41:18 +0000

Justice dates back to the genesis of creation, when God saw or rather adjudicated that all which God created was good. A level was that of creativeness, another level of intellectuality in God’s procedure was adjudication. The act of judgment giving starts from God and ends with God. Man is only privileged to be a factor in God’s procedure of transfer of justice from abstract concept to physical or societal impact. Theologians may prefer the use of spiritual to abstract in this context. Whichever way it goes, it is pertinent to note that justice is of God, from God, to man or society, by Godly character, and report back to God. Being omniscience, or all-knowing, God, all the knowledgeable, learned, Lords in the temple of Justice must re-awaken their fundamental awareness that the finality of their professional discourse belongs to God. in fact, judges are reasoned to be stepping into God’s shoes of righteousness with the sole aim of stamping out any form of default from our societal interactive contracts. Personally, I admire the judges, yet I don’t fancy them; my premium is not on the façade of brazen disposition but on the quality and fairness of their arduous determination, which is done in a transparent and accountable manner. The reason for the appeal is bordered on more of integrity and the character of test and trust. It calls for further probity, demanding the culture of more inclusiveness than exclusiveness, with sole aim arriving at the unalloyed truth, not a fixed caricature of technicalities. Normally, as in any case, there are bound to be intervening variables at play. The variables are always concocted and sponsored by influence, power, sentiments. Therefore, my advice is that the judges should dwell much on concrete documents. There should be no fencing-off of any evidence under whatever guise. The bearing of the whole appeal gamut is towards unearthing the truth. Thank God, the judges faces are no longer hidden in visual transmission, of recent. I always believe that the righteous will always be as bold as alion. The truth is like a living personality which doesn’t die, though may be covered for a time or season, but will always kick until its reality dawns and put to shame every strand of lie and pretence. Nothing should be heard of ‘my hands are tied’ syndrome of our ridiculous judicial past, after the victim was erroneously incarcerated. Certainly, the appeal court job is not for the gold-diggers, but for those yearning after the virility of our nation and the triumph of equity. On this hangs the future of a peaceful Nigeria. Fair justice breeds collective peace and self-consolation for those who lose their case. A wholesome judiciary is always the bedrock of any stable polity. The failure of the judiciary is the failure of any democracy. Actually, the strength of democracy is fostered by egalitarianism. Our past military regimes failed because of the subservience of the judiciary to the commanders-in-chief. The military rulers played their commandeering times and the judiciary danced away its honour for a price. It is too costly for our judiciary to fail in this nick of time, its fall in professional integrity will make every other arm of governance, and indeed, every public sector collapse. The sustenance of Nigerian nation, as well as any other nation, in the world, is based on moral and attitudinal fabric which is upheld as constitutionally stipulated. To the Appeal faculty, here is a case of theft to be brainstormed upon: A litigant approached the court of law seeking a retrieve of what he lays claim to, from a defendant. He equipped himself with a lot of evidences indicating how the thing was stolen, stunning revelations about his ownership of the said matter. In fact, more facts were continuously emerging from all and sundry about the litigant’s ownership. The defendant, in his own case had very limited evidences which upon survey, showed was weak to adequately defend its ownership. Instead of relying on substance to show, he rather was banking on finding a fault in the plaintiff’s filing of case, his inappropriate use of word or nomenclature, proof of alibi and so on. In the period of hearing, the plaintiff dwelt mostly on concrete, visual, vivid physical documents while the defendant adopted no concrete counter-evidence material or document against the plaintiff. Rather than defend himself by producing substance of conviction, he argued on technicalities which can be twisted or always re-interpreted to suit any chosen line of argument. To the presiding judge, the matter before him was that of evidence of daunting proof versus that of suggestive technicalities. The expected norm from a prestigious judge would have been to associate with substance and denounce postulations. He eventually, disappointingly associated with conditional theorems by which he threw away the case of the plaintiff on the ground of no weight, when he has closed his eyes from seeing, let along examining physical depositions of the plaintiff, only to be discovered later that he has inadvertently being bought over. That is what happened in Osun State. Dear compatriots, no matter how brilliant a thief is, a thief is always a thief. No matter how powerful an extortioner is, he is a usurper and a democratic misfit. Let the rightful owner by weak, and imperfect, he remains the owner be sincerity and factuality. By this, the beauty of the judiciary glows in uprightness, and everybody else in the society at large would be threading that narrow path of righteousness, which has been repeatedly said to be exalting a nation. In another perspective, everybody knows his belonging and can always identify same with endless list of evidences, even if the court rules in favour of the alleged. Ownership is by substantiated evidence, not by eloquence or brilliance. By now, Nigerian judiciary should have been written off, but for certain exemplary, outstanding, heartwarming and courageous determinations, as we have them displayed in the cases of Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State, also Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Ondo State tribunal, Edo state tribunal and other few cases. Certain attitudes were noted for the election tribunals of Ondo and Edo States. Their presiding judges allowed in as many evidences as possible. They didn’t bar or refrain any useful evidences that would help them arrive at the truth. They were very practical in their approach. Votes counting and votes verification were their priority; ward by ward, local government by local government. Taking into account, every little detail. You know truth has elements of courage. Their presiding judges boldly announced what they found to be correct facing the zooming camera, as their sheer display of brevity was shown to the whole world to see and tap from. All the people are saying is: ‘Give us our true governor’. The people have voted their candidate. They expressed themselves very well, by overwhelming majority. Will the voice of the masses be silenced, and silenced for ever? There is a question I want to ask our judiciary, especially at the tribunal level. Why is it that most of them are scared of technological devices that expose rigging or any foul-play in electoral matters? I think they should rather be very welcoming to this held-device. All they need to do is to cross-examine the accuracy and the veracity of the machines, and adopt their use. Afterall, there have been cases of theft in social gatherings that were recorded knowingly or unknowingly by the camera. The moment the thieves saw their shame exposed, they quickly returned their loot without allowing them to be taken to court. Justice is the business of fact and truth determination, either in court or out of court. Now that similar technologies have found their way into the Nigerian electoral system, only the guilty are expected to run away. I quite understand the phobia of the defendants whose shame of dirty shows are being exposed. If there is no skeleton in the tribunal’s cupboard, why should they be scared any bit about finger-prints detecting technology? Should our national courts of justice fail, at the senior level of Appeal and or to determine the truth, Supreme, let us be reminded that there is always a superior court of conscience and common-sense, which belongs to the public superior and overwhelming mentality. I hereby remember an uncle who was an illiterate, but with a God-endowed intelligence that is difficult to be matched by our groomed, embellished and contemporary lawyers. Such are many in towns. Not necessarily lawyers. They cut across various disciplines. Those who tried to fool the intelligence of the public in the past, from the law courts ended up as fools themselves. These tasks are therefore placed before our Appeal courts: - Safe-guiding our public morality from collapse. - Ensuring the triumph of truth and the true. - Re-awakening the hope of the common man in our judiciary. - Protecting the young and tender integrity of Nigerian judicial system. - Salvaging our fledging democracy from failure. - Establishing a judicial level-playing ground for all and sundry. - Instilling in the public conscience that future elections will be devoid of all illegality and crime. - Enthroning the peoples mandate. The above could constitute the Appeal Court’s seven-point agenda for a better Nigeria. With the enactment of the above, I could see a reviving country and also, a resuscitating Osun State.

EFCC Probes Oyo Director Of Protocol

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:04:00 +0000

For alleged diversion of public fund for personal use, the Oyo State Director of Protocol (DOP), Mr. T. Dairo is still under the investigation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Dairo and some government officials in the state were arrested sometimes in August for alleged financial impropriety and detained for several hours at the commission’s Lagos Office. The arrested government officials were later released to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Olayiwola Olakojo. However, it was gathered that the EFCC is still investigating Dairo, following a petition written by some officials of the office of the Department of Protocol, Governor’s Office, accusing him of illegal diversion of state’s funds for personal use. Dairo was alleged to have fraudulently enriched himself by approving false travelling documents and allowances. He was said to have owned several buildings within and outside the state in less than two years tenure of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and purchasing many cars among other. However, the EFCC has started investigating Dairo, asking him to defend the allegations of fraud levelled against him. EFCC spokesman, Femi Babafemi said that the commission has invited those alleged upon receiving the petition to defend themselves. He said that, of all the accusations levelled against Dairo, two had been established to be false, while other allegations were being investigated. Until the investigations was concluded, he said, the accused could not be said to be clean. According to him, from investigation so far, Dairo has no power to approve travelling documents and allowances of those on the entourage of the governor and his guests. He said the commission had established that the power to approve such allowances was that of SSG. Babafemi said the EFCC had established that Dairo owes a three-bedroom bungalow as against the allegations that he had many buildings. “He does not have the power to approve travelling documents and allowances; it is the office of SSG that has such power”, he said.

Shed Your Plan To Rig LG Polls –Ekiti AC Warns PDP

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:15:51 +0000

As the people of Ekiti State warms up for local government elections scheduled for December 20, the state chapter of the Action Congress (AC) has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against rigging the elections. Speaking at a function in Ilupeju-Ekiti at the weekend, the deputy speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honorable Saliu Adeoti counseled that the PDP should shed such plan. The AC lawmaker said that people of the state are ready to defend their elections and would not allow a repeat of the alleged massive rigging that characterized the April 2007 general elections. The lawmaker added that Ekiti people would not accept what he called “written and prepared in the Government House” result of council elections. Adeoti said the party was not ready for another battle at the local government election tribunal, judging from its bitter experience at the Election Petition Tribunal that sat in the state. He said: “AC members will give it all it takes to prevent their votes from being stolen this time around”. He also warned against the use of soldiers and anti-riot policemen to intimidate voters or rig the council polls, saying that the recently- passed SIEC law forbids the use of soldiers or MOPOL. He said: “The recently-passed SIEC law forbids the use of soldiers or MOPOL, hence the electorates are at liberty to deal ruthlessly with anybody seen on the election day wearing army or MOPOL uniform. “We are praying that there will be no bloodshed, but they must allow the votes of the people to count on the election day and I am sending our monarch to those people perfecting any plot to rig the election to drop the plan. “This time around, we are defending our votes with the last drop of our blood and anything contrary to a free and fair local government elections will not be acceptable to the AC because we believe, if the forthcoming elections is free and fair, nothing stops our party from winning in 10 local government areas”, Adeoti insisted. Besides, a PDP lawmaker, Hon. Adebayo Morakinyo has said that the House would cooperate with the electoral agency in the state to ensure a free and credible election.

Alake Condemns Poor State Of Roads In Abeokuta

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:23:20 +0000

Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo has condemned the state of roads in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, saying that the roads are embarrassing to the state. The traditional ruler, who spoke in Abeokuta at an occasion called on the state government under the leadership of Governor Gbenga Daniel to expedite action on the rehabilitation of some of the roads in the state capital, whose condition has worsened. He said that it had become imperative for the government to address the problem as soon as possible, so as to save the state capital from the road embarrassment. At the occasion, where Governor Daniel was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Yomi Majekodunmi, the Monarch said “We need to pay special attention to some of the roads right now”. “That is why I seize every opportunity to call the attention of the government to the condition of some of the roads. “Some of the roads that require urgent attention include Totoro road, Adatan road and Ita-Iyalode all in the state capital. “The bridge at the Iyalode has collapsed long time ago and nobody is attending to it. I knew the Adatan road is a Federal Government road, but the state can render its help. “I am aware that the state has a way of getting its money re-imbursed by the Federal Government whenever it (the state) rehabilitates federal roads” the monarch said.

Oshiomhole Counters Osunbor’s Amended Grounds of Appeal

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:35:05 +0000

Against the backdrop of the 82 amended consolidated grounds of appeal filed by Governor Oserheimen Osunbor of Edo State against the judgment of the Election Petitions Tribunal which nullified his election, Comrade Adam Oshiomhole, the Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate has filed an amended briefs against the appeal. Justice Peter Umeadi-led Election Petitions Tribunal had nullified Osunbor election and declared Oshiomhole the validly elected governor of the state during the April 14, 2007 governorship election in the state. Osunbor has subsequently approached the Appeal Court sitting in Benin City, the state capital to set aside the judgment of the tribunal. The Court of Appeal sitting in the state capital commenced hearing of the appeals on September 25, 2008. It would be recalled that on the commencement of hearing, the appellate court granted the appellants application to file and argue two additional grounds of appeal, sequel to the application filed by Osunbor’s counsel, Chief Efe Akpofure (SAN). Beside, the appellate court also granted the appellants leave to amend their briefs and to consolidate their interlocutory appeals with the substantive appeal already before the court. The court also granted the respondents in the appeal, leave to file their consequential brief of arguments within eight days effective from September 25.

Osun State Government Secretariat, A Disgrace

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:36:30 +0000

Kindly permit me in your widely read newspaper to express my opinion on an issue which bothers me. The secretariat is the seat of government in every state. By this, I mean where the governor, his commissioners, political advisers and the civil servants work. The civil service is the engine-room for every government because while politicians go and come, the civil servants are the permanent employees of the government. The Abere secretariat just like the Alausa secretariat in Lagos welcomes a first-time visitor to Osogbo, the state capital. The secretariat constructed by the Chief Bisi Akande government is unarguably one of the best of such edifices in Africa. The complex which was built without any loan is definitely a beauty to behold. The secretariat is now overgrown with weeds. One wonders whether the commissioner for environment and his staff have their offices within the complex. The perimeter fence is overgrown with weeds such that it creates a bad impression of the government and people of Osun State. If the secretariat complex is such untidy from outside, one can just imagine what impression visitors to the state will have. One should not forget the fact that first impression lasts longer. The location of the complex should ordinarily give the government the opportunity to beautify the edifice with state of the art horticulture. But rather than do that, the government needs to be prodded to tidy up the place. Or as somebody jokingly said recently, may be they need the Action Congress to show them the way? The Alausa secretariat which welcomes visitors to Lagos is now beautified with assorted flowers. Our Osun leaders frequent Lagos, they should learn from the Action Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on how to govern a state. There has been a tremendous transformation of Lagos State since 1999 in spite of the erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo’s attempt of strangulating the government. The government should tidy up the secretariat so that they can have the moral courage to discipline citizens when they run foul of the law. •Bayo Atanda, Fagbewesa, Street, Osogbo

The Constitution Is Not To Blame

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:51:26 +0000

Names are identities by which all things created are known and addressed so the Bible, when the world was created, said Adam was privileged to name all things created including you and I long dash homo sapiens. When, therefore a name is given to an object, he/it straightens its/his ears when that name or sign is called. For instance, if the domestic goat is astray somewhere and the name such as “Lanke” given it is mentioned or called, it runs helter skelter to the direction its owner-caller is. That same authority as was given Adam transferred to us his offsprings-white or black. By the time Nigeria got her name from the explorers from the important Rivers Niger and Benue, Niger Area later contracted to Nigeria was given to the geographical enclave. The happenings in that country make us think the name given to us in Nigeria is a misnomer. Don’t say: ‘What’s in a name?’ The import of my illustration springs from the way our governments are run in the number of tiers they are split. Britain colonized the country. She colonized Ghana and some other African countries especially West Africa. Ever since, our British colonialists are reputed for comparative peace, stable governance. No one is in doubt as to her diplomatic posture earning her her economies. She is also very, conservative – living on this conservatism as well. Up to now, there’s no record that Britain has a written constitution and this reason has never resulted in any political upheaval. Convention, which its constitution assumes, has never failed its governance once. Convention means a general agreement accepted and signed by the components making up that nation with regard to social behaviour. Most of these agreements pass from mouth to mouth. Britain has ever never violated these conventions. Why the hues and cries over constitution writing in Nigeria? The number of times that I have heard Nigeria write constitutions are innumerable. So much that lawyers in Nigeria specialize in constitution. Besides, this has not provided us a permanent constitution. Rather than solve our problems, we are more united in the breach of the constitution than its observance. The constitution is never faulty. It’s its operators that have their mental faculties deserving of examinations. The very first pointer to the need for the test of the psychiatry of Nigerians particularly the leaders is the number of years it has taken certain vital issues as ‘Freedom of Information Bill etc crawling, creeping in the National Assembly, It will surprise a mentally upright setting to know that the ‘FOI’ bill has been between the Executive of and the National Assembly since the last nine or ten years. Once, it was said that the National Assembly complained that the copies of the bill did not go round the members. The argument was punctured thereafter by the concerned. How will copies of bill not be available? Unbelievable. All forms of hide-and-seek excuses docked the Bill. The presenter of the Bill, if not a professional journalist, media practitioner, would have long abandoned it I am aware that the Bill seeks to give the media unfettered access to information at both government and civil levels. The deals of the politicians and the allies will no longer be shrouded in secrecy. The bill will enable the media to probe into the secret deals of the people at whatever level. No wonder, there’s more to the excuses our Assemblymen give than meets the eye. The whole truth about the delay of the Bill in the National Assembly is that the members are not representatives of the people but people who galvanize their seats from the power brokers in various political parties. Some of these Assemblymen are foreigners to the people they claim to represent. So, in terms of doing what the constituents badly need, they do what favours their pockets for which they scamper for Assembly seats. Does it surprise you to hear that some of the representatives don’t know which state their constituencies belong! Are you saying Haba! Before you say haa! what’s the difference between a representative who, all his/her life, had never set feet on the soil of his/her home-town and those who know their states of origin only? Freedom of Information Bill, except by divine intervention, will not sail through in the current Assembly. If it ever does, it will be so battered that its bruises will turn ‘Lazarus’ of it. One of the indications of the ‘Lazarus’ bruises the Bill will suffer is what one-time Minister of Information, Chief Tony Momoh-criticized the Assembly for recommending the Bill to pass through – that permission be taken from the judiciary. Why must the judiciary be the approving authority for the Press to operate? Is the Senate President suggesting that the Press is not a respectable enough organ that can manage its censorship? Is the Senate President suggesting that the Assembly is the right arm to say who to consult before the items of the bill are made use of? Methinks that, free as the National Assembly are, the executive and the judiciary have to be dictated to as to what they should do. Each Arm of government should maintain its autonomy. The skeleton of the assembly is not unknown. The kind of elections that brought the executive, the legislature to power in 2007 were enough to read the mind of the assembly. One can read the Senate Presidents’ apprehensions by the time he indicates running another term what adverse effects passage of FOI bill, as contained, will have on “arrange elections” representatives enjoyed to get the office. By now that, after 48 years of ‘countryhood’ – not nationhood, so many wrongs have not been righted in the polity inspite of litigations, one would not but conclude that the name “Nigeria” is’ a misnomer”. So many steps backward at a standstill stance towards progress. Can that name be the cause of so many steps backward our development experiences? God save our souls.

God’s Hand In Project Nigeria

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:59:33 +0000

Nigeria is undoubtedly a blessed country but with majority of her people wallowing in poverty. It has the resources and the potentials to be the greatest country in Africa yet the abundant resources is exploited in favour of a tiny few. In spite of the gargantuan resources people marvel at this great contradiction in Africa ‘s most populous country. The truth of the matter, however, is that while we revel in abundance of human and material resources, we lack quality leadership in the helms of affairs. This has given rise to the saying that Nigeria does not go to a football contest with its “first eleven”. Ordinarily necessity which is the precursor of invention should have pushed us beyond the prevailing level. There are certainly competent, articulate and versatile technocrats who given the opportunity can take the country to higher heights. But the nagging problem is whether these people can find their way to the top. Conversely people who have been ruling us are either “unwilling horses” or people who are put there by the self-style kingmakers to serve a particular parochial interest. Unarguably, the late premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a great manager of human and material resources. He fought assiduously to get to the federal level where he intended to re-enact the achievements he made in them Western Region. All has attempts were frustrated. Besides him, there were and still are other seasoned technocrats who have desired to get to the top. A thorough analysis of the Nigerian situation shows overwhelming presence of God in our critical situations. Lest I be accused of plagiarism, I would have titled this piece God Must Be A Nigerian, a title used by Mr Ray Ekpu, the Chief Executive Officer of New Swatch magazine in an article in Daily Times Newspaper two decades ago. God has always come to our rescue when it mattered most. During the General Ibrahim Babangida’s era, the Igbos left the South-West especially Lagos en-masse for the East for fear of their safety of aftermath the annulment of the landmark, June 12 th 1993 election saying they were going for yam festival ostensibly to escape any calamity that could be fell the country. In their reasoning which was justified by the events then, they were better off being in their enclave in case of any eventuality. God intervened and contrary to our wildest imagination everything went on peacefully. Again during the repressive regime of General Sani Abacha when critical voices were either killed, silenced or hounded out of the country, God intervened and made the situation calm. The situation then was so tensed that when the news first filtered in that the Head of State had expired, the best people could do was to discuss in hushed times which later resulted in open expression of jubilation contrary to Africa culture. At that critical point people were disillusioned and some had even given up that the situation can be put under control. But alas God did it miraculously when we least expected. In the build up to the General Abdusalam Abubakar transition in 1999, General Babangida together with some politicians helped to secure the release of ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo and propped him to power. Babangida did not do it for altruistic purpose. The project was to serve a dual purpose, to test the political water the acceptability of a General in a civilian dispensation which by extension will mean that he could also mount the throne again as a civilian president. Also, it was meant to ensure his own protection against prosecution. God had a different plan against the hidden agenda of the Generals machinations. Obasanjo got to power and turned against his "mentor” Babangida. Though Babangida was not prosecuted against popular demand, his ambition to come back to power was scuttled, like he too did with the ambitions of some people in 1992. One might refer to the scenario as the law of retributive justice which ensures that one reaps whatever he sows. But a critical and deep analysis shows God at work protecting the interest of the weak and the impoverished masses. Ex-President Obasanjo adopted all chicanery and shenanigan in his political armoury to go for third term in office, but he fell heavily. After this failure , he reluctantly endorsed a “green horn” or at best an unwilling candidate one who was not among the leading gladiators in the race for the exalted office of the president in 2007 Obasanjo supported President Umar Musa Yar’Adua ostensibly to ensure the continuity of his policies and more importantly to ensure his protection against whatever misdeameanor he might have committed in office. But at last, as God will have it, the much cherished policies of Obasanjo which he sang gleefully of, are being torn to shreds. President Yar’Adua has decided to do the wish of the people by enunciating and promoting policies that tarry with the wishes of the people. The President did the unthinkable among others by revoking the contract of the sale of refineries to the ex-president’s cronies, Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola. Other unpopular policies of the former leader were done away with by a president that christened himself a servant–leader. People, the president argues is the thrust of his administration. If Obasanjo felt his successor was too gentle and pliable, he must have made the greatest mistake of his life not with the latest expose on his daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello. The clairvoyants see the hand of God in all that is happening where the exploitative tendencies of the few cabal will be a thing of the past objective analysts also see what is happening now as a class struggle among the political elites where the war of attrition will have a debilitating effect on each other. However the final victory will not be won until the masses also support the struggle for God only helps those who help themselves.

•AGBOOLA is on the staff of OSUN DEFENDER. • This piece, first published on Wednesday, 9 January 2008 Edition is repeated due to popular demand.

OSBC Distorts Facts On Appeal Case - Toogun

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:19:50 +0000

Honourable Oguntola Toogun, an erstwhile House of Representatives member on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the aborted Third Republic. He was a former council member, University of Uyo, and now a chieftain of Osun State Action Congress (AC). OSUN DEFENDER reporter, GOKE BUTIKA engaged him on some topical and contemporary issues; ranging from education to politics last week. It promises to keep you at the edge of your seat. Excerpt: ON EDUCATION: Toogun: It is a pity that we have found ourselves in this mess. It is a mess, because what my generation gained from the past qualitative education is no longer visible today. The import of this is that those who had the privilege of realizing their today from the working yesterday, have technically messed up tomorrow of the younger and unborn generations. Let’s start from the elementary education and I will choose Osun as an example, for the sake of proximity. In Osun State, primary and secondary education are nothing to write home about, and it would not be funny to tell you that public school teachers are putting their wards in private schools. Osdf: What about the classrooms being constructed by the lawmakers, as constituency projects? Toogun: Let it be taken that, the standard of education is not limited to construction of empty classrooms. Of course, the initiative is not bad; but generally speaking, the education policy in the state is a lip-service and quite discouraging. Osdf: So, you agree with Professor Niyi Osundare, who once said that universal has been taken off the university? Toogun: The don perfectly spoke my mind. I knew the quality of universities during my days as a student of University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the state of things, when I was a council member of University of Uyo and I know the situation now. Yours truly, education in Nigeria is nothing to write home about as no Nigerian University is mentioned among 100 the best universities in the world nor among the first 50 in Africa. Is there any way to rate better than that. Osdf: What is happening at the Court of Appeal? Toogun: You see, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) and OSUNMAIL did not get their facts right, as touching the Local Government polls’ suit and our petitions at the Court of Appeal in Ibadan. I think the two media platforms overstepped their bounds by that misleading reports, and we have caused our lawyers to present the case before the judges, at least, to warn them against feeding the unsuspected members of the public with false information. What happened at the last court session, about the petitions of Engineer Lasun Yusuff and others was that: there were interlocutory appeals that ought to have been consolidated before the substantive case was heard, which were not and the court directed that those interlocutory appeals be consolidated. So, when the respondent lawyers then demanded for cost over the process, the court granted it. No case was dismissed as insinuated.

On the Local Government Polls Appeal, the progress is commendable and we all appreciate the proceedings.

Osdf: Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Honourable Adejare Bello spoke against “Winner takes all syndrome, but blamed the exclusion of opposition from forming government of unity, saying that a lot of bad politics have been played. What is your reaction on that? Toogun: What does he mean by bad politics? I know that Mr Speaker is only playing with words, because he knows that our eleven lawmakers are passing through what he did not pass through as a Minority Leader. During the period of the former governor, Chief Bisi Akande, the tiny minority then were allowed to exist and heard. But now, the voice of opposition is muffled. Remember, our lawmakers were confronted with police harassment, detention and imprisonment, all on trumped-up charges. If not for unity of these AC legislators, the governor, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the House leadership wanted to cow them. Now, we have eleven member, aside from Ekiti State, where there are 15-15’ lawmakers in the House, Osun is next and for someone to now say that our bad politics cost us our dues in government is unfortunate and nauseating. Let it be known that as far as AC is concerned; we are not ready to share what rightly belongs to us with a thief. Osdf: How true is it that the constituency project palaver is laced with bad politics? Toogun: Let us get the fact of AC lawmakers right. They are not opposing constituency projects, but fund processing and that could be understood. It is very clear, what role is expected of lawmaker and sections 90 to 100 is very clear about it. The primary duty of the House is to make laws and over-see the execution of budgeted projects. So, if a member of State or National Assembly should now turn to a contractor, the case is questionable. I align with the position of the AC lawmakers totally. Let there be a consolidated account, pay the whole of the constituency funds there and allow individual lawmaker to bring a contractor, who will do the job. This will go a long way in ensuring probity and accountability. Meanwhile, this is the position of the National Assembly and we cannot start bending the laws for one excuse or the other. Osdf: But Mr Speaker said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) picks no bone with the process. How about that? Toogun: That is not the point, the point is the way the law should go. EFCC is not a law court and it cannot interprete the law. Ex-Chairman Ribadu was accused of loud-mouth, because he appeared interpreting the law and we know what happened to him now. I appreciate the fact that the 26 members were invited to Abuja office of the Commission; but we are still waiting for the reports of its (EFCC’s) investigation. Osdf: As a former lawmaker, how do you rate Osun Assembly now? Toogun: They (lawmakers) are not doing badly, but I am quite aware that people are still expecting more from them and I urge them (legislators) to drive the executive to work harder for the betterment of Osun State.

Supremacy Tussle Between Osun Electoral Acts And Electoral Act 2006

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:31:44 +0000

RESPONDENTS’ BRIEF OF ARGUMENT 1.00 INTRODUCTION 1.01 This is an appeal against the judgment of the Osun State High Court per F. O. Ogunsola the Chief Judge delivered on the 14th day of December, 2007. 1.02 The Plaintiffs/Appellants are registered political parties challenging the constitutionality of the action of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission in relation to the Local C30vernment election schedule to take place on the 15th December, 2007. 1.03 The Appellant filed an originating summons on the 8th day of November, 2007 where it sought to restrain the 1st Respondent from conducting the Local Government election on the ground that the statutory notice stipulated in the Electoral Act 2006 had not been in the circumstances. 1.04 The Respondents in their counter-affidavit claimed that they had given notice of the election to the representatives of the political parties as far back as May 2007 which was pasted on the office of the 151 Respondents Notice Board. 1.05 The Honourable Chief judge delivered his judgment on the 14th day of December, 2007. Dissatisfied with the judgment, the Appellants filed a Notice of Appeal on the 24th day of December, 2007. 2.00 ISSUES FOR DETERMINATION 2.01 The Respondents hereby respectfully submits for the court’s determination the following issues: 1. Whether the Honourable Chief Judge was right when he held that Section 10 of the Osun State Electoral Law 2002 is not inconsistent with Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2006 (Grounds 1 & 3). 2. Whether the finding of the Lower Court that the notice of election as given by (he 1 st Respondent in May, 2007 can be justified having regard to the evidence led by the parties (Grounds 2 & 4). 3. Whether the dismissal of reliefs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the Originating Summons by the Chief Judge is not against the weight of evidence (Ground 5). 3.00 STATEMENT OF FACTS 3.01 Facts relevant to the determination of this appeal may be summarised thus: 3.02 -The Appellants / Plaintiffs filed an originating summon at the Lower Court on the 8th day of November, 2007. 3.03 The 15t and 3rd Respondents/Defendant filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection on the 20th November, 2007 (page 13 of the Record). 3.04 Also the 2nd Respondent’s / Defendants also filed Notice of Preliminary Objection the 22nd November, 2007 (Page 17 of the Record). 3.05 On the 23rd November, 2007 when the matter came up, the 2nd Defendant/Respondent’s name was struck out based on its preliminary objection which the Plaintiff’s/ Appellant did not oppose (page 58 of the Record). 3.06 By the Honourable Chief Judge ruling dated 30th November, 2007 the Preliminary Objection filed by 1st and 3rd Respondents was struck out. 3.07 The 1st and 3rd Respondents thereafter filed their Counter-Affidavit against the Originating Summons and Written Briefs in opposing the Originating Summons on the in December, 2007. (Pages 30 and 48 of the Record). 3.08 Reply to Counter-Affidavit filed in Court on the 10th day of December, 2007 and same was served in Court before the arguments was taken (Pages 54-55 Record of Proceeding) which Reply contains general denial of the facts as contained in the Counter-Affidavit. 3.09 Argument, on the Originating Summon and against were taken on the 10th December, 2007. 3.10 Judgment delivered by the Learned Chief Judge on the 17th December, 2007 (Page 71-81 of the Record) while the Notice of Appeal was filed on the 24th December, 2007. 4.00 ARGUMENTS ISSUE 1 4.01 Whether the Honourable Chief Judge was right when he held that Section 10 of the Osun State Election Law 2007 is not inconsistent with Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2006 (Grounds 1 & 3). 4.02 We submit that the Honourable Chief Judge was right when he held that Section 10 of the Osun State Electoral Law’ which stipulates 21 days notices before the date specified for the holding of an election was not inconsistent with Electoral Act, 20CJ6 because what is required is notice and not the magic word’ 150 days’ which may even be up to six months as borne out in paragraphs, 7, 10 and 12 of the Counter Affidavit! (Page 79 paragraphs 34’0 - 345), 4.03 As stated in the Appellants brief in paragraph 4.06, the position of the Osun State Electoral Law S, 1 0 is that: 1. Not less than 21 days before the date specified for holding of an election under this Law, the Electoral Commission shall, through the Chief Electoral Officer of the State, publish in the state, a notice (a) Stating the date of the election, and (b) Appointing the place at which nomination papers are to be delivered. 2. The Notice shall be further published in each constituency In respect of which an election is to be held: 4.04 Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2006 provides: “1. The Commission shall not later than 150 days before the day appointed for holding of an election under this Act publish a notice in each State of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. (a) Stating the date of the election; and (b) appointing the place at which nomination papers are to be delivered 2. The notice shall be published in each Constituency In respect of which an election is to be held. 3. In the case of a bye-election, the Commission shall, not later than 14 days before the date appointed for the election, publish a notice stating the date of the election. 11 4.05 Submit that a combine reading of 8.10, Osun State Electoral Law and ~ S.31, Electoral Act, 2006 reveals that both sections were substantially complied with in giving notices to the Petitioner/Appellant. ‘In Mathew Obakpolor V The State (1991) NWLR (Pt 165) page 113 at 198, the Supreme Court reiterated in no unmistakable terms the need to avoid undue technicalities to reading the provisions of statutes when it held that: Hit is the paramount duty of courts to do justice and not to cling to technicalities that will defeat the ends of justice. It is immaterial that the technicalities are those that are from statutory provisions or technicalities inherent in rules of court. So long as the law or rule has been substantially complied with and the object of the provisions of the statute or rule is not defeated, and failure to comply fully has not occasioned a miscarriage of justice, the proceedings will not be nullified ... J1 4.06 We submit that contrary to the arguments and position of the Appellants, the essence of the state Law on this matter is on notice to be given and the operative words as stated is “Not less than 21 days” which apart from dwelling on technicalities, chief judge was right in his findings which with respect, we submit ought not to be tampered or interfered with. 4.07 We also wish to submit with respect that the finding of the chief judge is not perverse by any means, more so the said findings was in line with the evidence before the court and it has not been shown that the said chief judge took into account matters which ought not to have been taken into acount or shut his eyes to the obvious. Having been satisfied that the Respondents had been notified adequately and the publication in the Nigerian Tribune of 5th November, 2007 been made in abundance of caution, the stakeholders havin~1 been notified earlier on (page 80 of the Records paragraphs 360 - 375. 4.08 We further submit that the learned Chief Judge’s findings on the notices given before the election is not perverse as claimed, even more when the appellant have failed to show that it has occasioned a miscarriage of justice. “A findings is said to be perverse when it runs counter to evidence and pleading or when it has been shown that such finding has occasioned a miscarriage of justice’. Per Ogbuagu in Gnu V. Idu (2006) 12 NWLR (Part 995) 657 @ 686 paras. C-F 4.09 We also submit that there were abundant evidence before the court, upon which the findings of fact made by the Honourable Chief Judge relied upon and we humbly submit that the appellate court cannot interfere particularly that the said finding is supported by evidence. Onu V. Idu (2006) 12 NWLR (pt 995) 657 R. 7 @ 673 Para E. 4.10 We further submit that the appellants have failed to show that there was a violation of Law or procedure of such proportion or magnitude that would result in the findings becoming unsustainable or there was a miscarriage of justice. See Ude V. Chinbo (1988) II NWLR (pt 577) 168. Finally on issue No.1, we humbly urge the honourable court to uphold the findings of the Honourable Chief Judge when the said finding is supported by evidence before the Court.

The Oduduwa Factor In Yoruba History And Politics

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:40:30 +0000

Perhaps, no other name has been seriously exploited for economic and political gains by individuals and groups in Yorubaland as that of Oduduwa. Mostly guilty in this respect were the elite both traditional and modern. Where and when the name is not invoked in ordinary daily conversations between and among individuals and groups, prayers are being offered in that name particularly on important occasions. In some extreme cases, concerns are expressed and oaths are taken or administered in that name because of its perceived potency. This seeming veneration notwithstanding, it would seem that rather than inspiring awe, the name has become more of a tool to achieve one’s aim or desire without much questioning, get to one’s promised land without any resistance or opposition and in the recent times get away with glaring acts of injustice without any questioning. Without gainsaying and the negative or selfish use to which it has been put notwithstanding, the emergence of Oduduwa as the acclaimed progenitor of the Yoruba race laid the foundation for the emergence of the Yoruba as a nation. The Oduduwa factor has thus remained a rallying point of unity, or was adopted as such by the elite, in the contemporary period. Despite the acknowledgement of unifying function of Oduduwa factor, there still exists among some Yoruba groups the tendency to lay claim to descent independent of the Oduduwa tradition. A very good example is the claim by the ljebu sub-group of the Yoruba that they migrated from Wadai, somewhere in the present day Sudan. Significantly neither has this claim been substantiated nor proved either in terms of identifying common traits with the people of Wadai nor bringing out clearly the distinguishing traits between the Ijebu on one hand and the rest of the Yoruba on the other hand. Historical findings have however shown that there were communities that developed independent of the-Oduduwa tradition. Three of such communities have been identified. These are Oba-lle near Akure, Oba Igbomina and Igbo Idaisa in the present day Republic of Benin. Their independent tradition notwithstanding, their cultural and language affinity with the other Yoruba groups is not in doubt. Apparently, the re-emergence of Oduduwa factor as a dominant feature in the history and politics of the Yoruba can not be traced further beyond 1940s when it was revived or perhaps contrived by the Yoruba elite to serve one purpose or the other. The emergence of Egbe Omo Oduduwa in the mid 1940s marked the revival of the Oduduwa factor in Yoruba history and politics. Since then, Yoruba history has witnessed emergence of various Pan- Yoruba groups of different sizes and shapes. Among these groups were Egbe Omo Olofin, (Olofin is another name for Oduduwa), Oodua Development council, Oduduwa Assembly, Pan-Yoruba Congress, Yoruba Parapo, Yoruba Leaders Forum, Yoruba Council of Elders (Y.C.E.) and Oodua People’s Congress (O.P.C.) among others. Beginning with Egbe Omo Oduduwa, founded and dominated by the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo among others, it would appear that the elite who constitute the core of these groups see the Oduduwa factor as a launch-pad for involvement or participation in politics. Thus, the metamorphosis of Egbe Omo Oduduwa into the Action Group (A.G.) in Nigeria’s First republic is apposite. Although it has been consistently argued that the Egbe Omo Oduduwa is different from the Action Group, it is clear that distinguishing them amount to an attempt at separating Siamese twins joined particularly in the head. Interestingly and as a further proof of its links with politics, the A.G had since reemerged first as the Unity Patiy of Nigeria in the Second republic and the Alliance for Democracy in the present dispensation. Interestingly, despite its professed goal of providing a rallying point of unity for the Yoruba and using it to secure to a favourable political space in the broader national politics, the history of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa and its successor-organisations have been characterized more by the opposite of what they professed. Thus the split that occurred in the early 1960s which led to the emergence of Egbe Omo Olofin championed by the likes of Sir Adetokunbo Ademola and Dr Adekoyejo Majekodunmi and occasioned by a combination of personal and ideological differences has remained a recurrent decimal in the history of the race. This is evident in the emergence of the Yoruba Council of Elders to rival and perhaps whittle down the influence of the Afenifere beginning from 1999. Of course what could not be divorced from the rivalry was the decision for power position and privileges. The same scenario played itself out with the polarization of the Oodua People’s Congress into two factions headed by Dr. Fredrick Fasehun and Chief Gani Adams respectively. Arguably, the issues of accommodation and exclusion are central to the various splits that characterized the Pan-Yoruba movements since independence. In the process the people labelled as ‘renegades’ or ‘bastards’ often found accommodation in splinter organisations having been excluded from the main organisations. Not only is the Yoruba Nation the worst for it as it lacked credible leaders that command wide acceptance and could speak for it but also because it has been difficult for the race to speak with one voice on pertinent national issues. More importantly it has provided unfettered opportunities for opportunists, charlatans and exploiters to hide under the guise of seeking to protect Yoruba interest to fan their own nest and in the process sell the Yoruba nation for a pot of porridge while still invoking the name of Oduduwa.

Budget Of Conduit Pipe

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:54:43 +0000

HUMAN RIGHT Osun State has the worst human right record through out year 2007. At no time ever from the creation of Osun State have we witnessed a violation of human rights of citizens like now. The political tolerance is completely nil, as perceived opponents were arrested, manhandled, tortured, and even killed. Many were clamped into jail without tried, The climax was in April 2007, during gubernatorial and presidential election. The aftermath crisis that erupted after the election gave the government the opportunity to disregard the rule of law and several human right abuse were recorded. We condemned the Governor for inviting the military into the situation, admission which resulted into. Several human right abuses. Several opposition members were beetting, maimed, and even killed in the process especially at Ilesa, on allegation of arson. It was a terrible sight to see the Chief executive of the state on the state and a senior military officer from lbadan with some soldiers on the state owned Television station chasing innocent youths at Ilesa and even shooting them at close range. Also, during the military occupation of the state especially at Ilesa and Osogbo, several women were raped by the uniform men brought ‘in by the government. Several Okada riders were also illegally arrested and tortured, some died in the process, on the assumption that they have sympathy for the opposition party (Action Congress). During the period many privately groomed party thugs owned by top members ,1' the ruling party with the knowledge of the governor and ably assisted by the former Police commissioner Fakai, embarked on series of attacks on many opposition member., An example of such notorious gangs are, “MopoI 14,” “Uncle Ola boys,” and” lmolede boys” etc. Year 2007 witnessed the worst form of political attack on ORANMIYAN house which serves as the Campaign headquarters of the main opposition gubernatorial candidate of Action congress. Engr. Rauf Aregbesola. Several shots were fired at the people in the building, injuring the editor of Osun Defender in the process. During and after this major attack the police led by Mr. Fakai did not arrest the perpetrators. It was believed that Oyinlola’s government sponsored the attack, as most of the attackers were recognised members of the ruling PDP. Another worse form of human right abuse was carried out by the men of the special Anti Robbery Squared (SARS) of the Nigerian police. The SARS was used by for of the PDP to harass, intimidate and clamp into detention notable opposition without trial. Several arrested opposition members died in the SARS detention camp. Those that were ‘: released after, suffered various degrees of body injuries. A case of gang rape was r carried out by a chieftain of PDP in Ilesa, Alh. Gani Oladiran on a 17-year old girl whose parents belong to the opposition party ACTION CONGRESS. Alh. Oladiran has not been prosecuted by the police, possibly on the intervention of the state government. Although the present police commissioner has promised to reduced violence to the barest minimum, while remaining objectives professional and non partisan in the of his duties in the State; We still however, demand that special investigations should be conducted into all previous cases of human right abuse and extra judicial killings that occurred in Osun State, and the culprits be made to face the wrath of the law. We call on the inspector general of police to launch a panel of enquire into the activities of SARS in Osun State, so as to refocus the unit as a crime combat one military wing of the Peoples Democratic Party. EXTRAVAGANT LIFE STYLE Extravagant life styles of most political appointees under Governor Oyinlola call for questioning, the type of government we have in the State. Political office holders display affluence at will, so many within shortest time they were elected or appointed bought exotic cars, built mighty estates. They threw expensive parties and lavish money at will. A case of the state PDP Chairman who before the advert of the PDP government could not boast of N20,000 in his account, but now claim to have a wrist watch estimated to cost about N450,OOO, is a clear example of high level corruption that persist in Osun State corridor of power. The PWL frowns at the attitude of the governor to this ugly development. The Governor through out the year kept a sealed lip preferring to look the other way. However, we all know the reason for his action. Birds of the same feathers, flocks together. We use this forum to call on the EFCC and ICPC to look critically into the activities of the Osun State government without any fear or favour. We are sure a lot of can of worms will be opened. TRADITIONAL RULERS The fatherly role expected to be played by Traditional Rulers was totally eroded in 2007 by the adverse effect of Governor Oyinlola’s government. The performance of some Traditional rulers did not justify the huge money and respect allocated to the Traditional Institution in the budget speech of Governor Oyinlola. Many Traditional rulers have derailed to the extent of exchanging their fatherly advisory role with that of party boys taking orders from Governor Oyinlola. With all the 5% of the statutory allocations given to them by Local Governments and the benefits from state government, one would not expect them to desecrate the Traditional Institution as many of them are doing. Imagine Traditional rulers dancing at political rallies, taking part in picking of party candidates, these actions are disgraceful to the exalted seat they occupy and an indication that they have exchanged their exalted crowns and beads with pots of filthy porridge. Our advice is that the Traditional rulers involved should purge themselves of these political virus and tow the path of sanity now before it is too late. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION Abnormal Salary Increase for Political Office Holders The public, most especially the civil servant should take a careful look at tbe points stated below. The Osun State House of Assembly has approved an abnormal salary increase for all the political Office holders. In the new salary scale, a Permanent Secretary (PS) now takes a monthly pay packet of about N510,000=00 instead of the previous N145,OOO=00. Whereas, the Director, who is next in ranking to the PS takes a monthly pay packet of about N70,000=00, In the new abnormal salary scale, a Commissioner now takes a monthly pay packet of about N560,000=00. To make the matter worse, the pay packet was approved by the House of Assembly in November 2007, but back dated to February 2007. In a state where the governor always cry of low Federal Government statutory allocation, where poverty is boldly written on the faces of the masses, one is bound to demand explanations from Governor Oyinlola, the rationale behind such an abnormal salary increase and the callous decision to backdate its payment to February 2007. It must be remembered that civil servants demanded for N9,500=00 minimum wage, only for the Osun State Governor to come up with an abracadabra table which was eventually far less than what they demanded for. However the civil servants now know better. Another abnormality to be noted about the government of Governor Oyinlola is that the Permanent Secretaries that are Medical Doctor’s currently in the service of the present government are still receiving Call Duty Allowances just like those in the state Hospitals without being on Duty. What is the rational for such payment? Also there are some serving permanent Secretaries that are above the age of retirement, according to pension act, that are still in the office on the order of Governor Oyinlola. This negates Pensions Act and it is a reckless wasteful spending of scarce resources of the state. We demand an explanation to this developments from Governor Oyinlola. GLOBE TROTTING “It has been confirmed that Governor Oyinlola is the most travelled governor in the Federation. Also it has been confirmed beyond reasonable doubt that Governor Oyinlola has travelled with the largest number of entourage out of the country. It must also be, noted that the Deputy Governor, Chief of staff, SSG etc. are also always out of country with their own entourage too. All these globe trot tings are at the expense of tax payers money. We condemn the wastage spirit of Governor’s Oyinlola’s government on Jamboree travelling. However, it is being speculated that The Governor always use his incessant travelling as a guise to visit his business interest abroad. PWL will definitely dig into this and provide an answer at the right time. INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE - (IGR) The government of Governor Oyinlola based the 2007 budget on N5.1b IGR but was only able to come up with N2.2b IGR representing about 200 million naira monthly. Also -in the 2008 budget speech of Governor Oyinlola, the expected IGR is based on N7.3b which constimte 19.25% of total revenue. PWL is not against having IGR target but we are opposed vehemently to rhetoric’s of Governor Oyinlola by projecting unattainable IGR target. Also PWL is vehemently opposed to the spirit of deceit with which Governor Oyinlola is setting IGR target without working out the modalities to attaining the target set. It must be noted that on paper the budget is balanced in Governor Oyinlola’s 2008 budget speech, but should any negative indices happens to the revenue base, the budget performance would definitely result into deficit. That Governor Oyinlola has not been able to attain the IGR set target shows that he is bereft of ideas. We advise him to take a lesson from lagos and other neighbouring state on the method adopted in increasing their IGR base. CONCLUSION As of now. Osun State is said to have the least budget figure put at N38,009,639,690.00 for the year 2008. A brief analysis of the budget shows an unprecedented high recurrent expenditure put at N21,707,877 130.00. which represent 57.1 % of the total budget, while the total capital expenditure is put at N16,301,762,560.00. representing 42.9%. Economically view, even an illiterate, can easily conclude that year 2008 budget is not only anti people, anti development, but also a calculated fraud. The amount of money earmarked for the current expenditure, part of which will spent on the GOVERNORS NUMEROUS TRIPS ABROAD far out weigh the capital vote THAT IS EXPECTED TORE SPENT ON PROVISION OF BASIC AMENITIES TO THE PEOPLE. You may also wish to know that the entire budget figure is not up to the total capital expenditure of some state, such as Ekiti and Cross River State etc. Obviously, since the capital expenditure figure for 2008 budget is about N1 b. lower than that of 2007, then, Osun State indigenes should better be ready for the worse in terms of developmental projects. Going through the 2008 bud set speech of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and critical study and analysis of the 2008 budget breakdown as presented by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development on 14th January 2008, Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola tagged the budget “Budget of Renewal and Actualisation”.

Ilie: The Dilemma Of A People

Kola — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:07:11 +0000

For Ilie, this is a time when solitude is better than society and when silence is better than speech. I am sure they would not have bargained for what is currently befalling them despite their act of omission or commission. It was only in Ilie that Oyinlola had a “landslide victory” in the controversial April 14, 2007 election but little did they know that the event that became unprecedented would have a bounce back effect on them. It was true that majority of them grumbled that the results released for the ward was not a true reflection of what voters expressed at polling units on April 14, 2007, but the fact that nobody overtly protested against the released results left much to be desired. It was hoped then, that both the state and the local government administrations would for once shift attentions to their direction for the extraordinary feat that was achieved through them. Obviously, this is not a better time for the people. When I read the history of Ilie in the October 1, 2008 edition of OSUN DEFENDER, what came to my mind was that Ilie must have allowed for that political ineptitude because feminine influence has played dominant role in the survival of the ancient town till date. Another factor, in my own perspective would have been the solitariness of the town. There can be no resistance against any ambush on the road that links Ifon Orolu to Ilie and any of such on the ever devastating river between Ore and Ilie is like endorsing personal death sentence that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party is arbitrarily pronouncing on oppositions throughout the country. A few days ago, I joined a colleague, who persuaded me to accompany him to Iregba; a small commercial town in Oyo State with the sole aim of shopping for farm produce which can be bought cheaply there. I tried to convince him that Oko, another border town in Oyo State between Ejigbo and Ogbomoso would be a better place, but my friend refused to be persuaded. It took us about fifty minutes to reach our destination and after a while, we were done with our mission. I wanted to have a fun and that prompted me to demand that we passed through Ilie enroute Ifon Orolu. I am sure my friend did not just want to continue having things his way all the times because his countenance betrayed voluntary approval. We asked for the road that leads to Ilie and off we went with intermittent stop-overs to ascertain our bearing, we eventually got to Ilie. After about two kilometers drive from Ilie, the unusual happened; we got stuck in the mud and it took the efforts of six youngsters from a nearby village to get the car out, although not without a price with a stern warning to turn back and find another route back to our destination. Considering what it would take us to drive back to Iregba again, I insisted we would go but hardly had I stopped to express my obstinacy when three women and two elderly men cautioned that we would be toying with a mission impossible if we tried to advance any further: A taxi cab had been hooked a few metres away. My friend enjoined me to make a treck with him to the scene and since I had no choice than to dance to his tune, I obliged. It took just ten minutes to get there but we had no choice than to put off our shoes, because of their heaviness, occasioned by too much mud. It was a pitiful sight as all the men and women on ground narrated their harrowing ordeal one after the other. A blind person would be able to imagine what trouble they had gone through, trying to salvage the car from the mess. Almost half of the two tyres in the front had gone into the earth, while the two rare tyres were totally submerged. We needed no entreaty anymore, we greeted them with compassion and we went back to our car to meander our way back to Ilie. The people there showed the stuff they were made of as they gave us enough water to wash the car and our defaced, trousers and shoes. We chose to relax before journeying through the only possible route back to Osogbo. We were halfway into our battle against the roasted fishes which the people graciously offered us in furtherance of their hospitality when a young man interjected. Very furious, he started with venom of abuses against the governor and the politicians that had stolen their votes. Nobody seemed to disagree with his view in the crowd that had gathered as if in a campaign rally because one after the other they were venting their spleen. According to one elderly man who could only express himself in Yoruba, “Eni ba moyi wura laa taa fun”. Meaning that precious ornament (gold) must be sold only to that man that values it. His red eyes brought the bitterness out of him and the despondency was conspicuously visible. They were all with the opinion that if their votes were counted and were allowed to count, they would have been out of the woods. Another man also said (as I have translated it to English) that from the cluster of vine comes sweet wine. But foremost, the vine must be bruised, pressed and squeezed many times, while the bruiser’s feet must come down joyfully upon the bunches, though the bunches most times cause drips of blood from the veins and arteries, or else, the juice will not flow. The grapes must be well treated or else, much of the precious liquid will be wasted. According to him, we must tread the cluster of truth, if we would get the wine of consolation there from. “We have wronged Aregbesola for not protesting what the PDP claimed counted for them at the polls”. He said further “they (PDP) love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth to the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From the PDP, we need deliverance”. While these vituperations were going on, I was deep down in thought over the level of psychological agony and torture that fellow citizens in Osun State have been exposed to. No iota of radiance on any faces. Glooms were worn like garments and the whole place was like the ghosts’ habitation. My friend and I almost forgot that we were not part of them because we really felt for them. Not minding the effect it would have on Osun State, my friend offered that the only recipe, was for them to opt for a merger with Oyo State, since whether artificially or nationally, the big Ilie river has cut them off from Osun State and nobody seemed to show any concern for them. I quickly gathered myself together, realizing what danger my friend’s solution portended. I asked them if they really believe in God, and they answered in the affirmative. I then told them they already have the touchstone by which they might try their calling. They might pray to God to quickly get them out of their politically motivated situational quagmire and slavery. They agreed to this and promised to get in touch with their traditional ruler, who has been banished to Osogbo, as he has been denied access to his subjects to whom he constantly paid visitations when the access roads had not suffered neglect. We took Iregba back to Osogbo hoping that a day would come when God’s grace like the sun in the heavens, will shine out resplendent in all-sufficience to rescue Ilie people out of man-imposed “Wahala” as a result of a loss of focus and lack of acumen required to impact positively on the citizenry, who are sorrowfully in need. But what is actually the matter? Whether genuine or counterfeit, if Governor Oyinlola got the full support of a people, the noble course would have been adequate compensation. I am cock-sure; The Ilie-in-council would have supported what transpired in Ilie on the gubernatorial election day irrespective of its incivility. It would have just been noble to afford them access to, at least-two or three neighbouring communities in the state. Ifon-Orolu to Ilie is just a distance of fifteen kilometres. Can’t this be rehabilitated and asphalted? Can’t a bridge be constructed on Ilie River to save the people from imminent boat or canoe mishap? (I leant many people died on the river a few years ago). The people deserve to feel belonged and it will only require a little restraint in the arena of squandermania and profligacy to effect this. I think someone; somewhere is listening, when Ilie people seem to have learnt their lesson in a bitter way for keeping silence when it was not really golden.

Renewed Clampdown On Opposition: Appeal To NSA

Kola — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:20:53 +0000

The fascist regime of Oyinlola is at it again. On Saturday 18th of October 2008, an arrest was made of an AC chieftain, Mr. Lai Oyeduntan who was also a former Commissioner for Health during Chief Bisi Akande’s administration, in the most suspicious manner suggestive of assassination attempt on him. That the arrest was nocturnal and the killing of his dog in the process further justifies this suspicion. And the following day, which was Sunday October 19, Mr. Sunday Akere, AC Director of Research and Strategy was equally arrested. The latest arrest of these two AC chieftains has further exposed the zero tolerance policy of Oyinlola’s administration for opposition. It is really a pity that the situation we are dealing with in Osun State today is a case of a small fascist state existing within a larger entity called Nigeria where, generally, there ought to be respect for all shades of opinions and where no one should be persecuted for his opinion as guaranteed by the constitution. The Osun case, as far as the experience of the opposition is concerned under the ruling PDP, is a travesty of President Yar’Adua’s avowed commitment to the principles of rule of law and social justice. The experience of opposition in the state, especially the AC, has been traumatic, to say the least – being the most vibrant and most critical of Oyinlola’s inept administration. Indiscriminate arrests and detentions of members of opposition on trumped-up charges have been the orders of the day and the deuce of the whole scenario is the way the state apparatus is being employed to oppress and silent the opposition. The way security officials in the state have made themselves willing tools in the hands of the ruling PDP to hound and criminalize opposition leaves much to be desired. It is therefore high time the National Security Adviser waded into Osun matter with a view to calling Oyinlola and the security officials in the state to order. Otherwise, the consequence of the likely maelstrom that may arise as a result of all these acts of criminality on the parts of the government and the security agents may really be difficult to handle. Osun State today, under ‘governor’ Oyinlola, has no doubt, been turned to the Paleolithic state when life was nasty, brutish and short. We see the renewed clampdown on opposition as a condemnable act that has no basis other than a further attempt to continue the harassment and intimidation of opposition elements, especially, those perceived as being very vocal in terms of condemning the anti-people and anti-democratic posturing of ‘governor’ Oyinlola and his co-travellers. We are all aware of how critical Akere has been of Oyinlola’s misgovernance so far, being the strategic spokesman of AC. And for Mr. Lai Oyeduntan, his arrest could not have been unconnected with the interview he granted recently to the Managing Editor of this paper, Mr. Kola Olabisi in which he carpeted seriously the lacklustre performance of the ruling PDP in the state. However, in want of reason upon which to hang their arrest, the state police command had to uproot the June 2007 purported bomb blast case. A case that has gone beyond the realm of Osun State police – already being investigated by the force headquarters in Abuja based on IG’s directive. If we may ask, what moral or constitutional authority does a unit of the Nigeria Police has to overrule or attempt to overrule its parent body? As we condemn in strong term, the callous arrest of the two AC chieftains, we strongly appeal to the National Security Adviser to the presidency, in person of Alhaji Sarki Mukthir to please wade into Osun case urgently in the interest of peace. A vibrant opposition as it exists in Osun State today is a sine qua non to the development of our nascent democracy. A situation whereby the ruling government views opposition as an enemy to crush by all means is barbaric and anti-democratic and it cannot help our march to democratic greatness. Even the Honourable Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adejare Bello affirmed in his recent interview with this paper that opposition helps to keep the government on its toes. While calling on the NSA to wade into Osun matter, we also call for the immediate release of the arrested opposition members and our appeal further goes to all well-meaning Nigerians, human rights groups especially, to rise against the dictatorial and fascist government of Oyinlola in Osun State. Enough is enough.

‘We Are Tired Of You’

Kola — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:25:04 +0000

•Rights Groups, Opposition Parties, Citizens Condemn Osun CP For Compromise

Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Moronike appears to have exhausted his goodwill on the altar of compromise, just as human rights groups, opposition political parties and senior citizens have unanimously passed a vote of no confidence on the state super cop. Findings have shown that the good goodwill earlier enjoyed by the CP, after a disastrous departure of his predecessor, Mr. Suleimon Fakai; got deflated when the stakeholders at the opposite of the divides, started perceiving him as a compromised police officer. It would be recalled that Fakai came to the state after Alhaji Audu Abubakar’s redeployment to another state, and he was driving his men well, until he was allegedly bought over that compensated an untoward role he reportedly played in the last year’s controversial general elections in the state. Investigations conducted by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that Fakai’s earlier determination to give Osun State Police Command an independent role of protecting the lives and properties of the citizens, irrespective of their political affiliation, crumbled when the state establishment which was hell bent at dictating the tune showered him unsolicited Greek gifts. Despite his shortcomings and naked compromise, Fakai still allowed a good sense of judgment to prevail in some of his dealings and one of them was the way he handled the explosion that rocked the state secretariat last year 14 June. The ex-Osun commissioner of police was among the first security officers that spirited to the scene, where a victim was torn into shreds. Fakai, in company of the state deputy governor, Erelu Olusola Obada promised that the police would not allow the raging political upheaval in the state to affect investigation by the ballistic department. Few weeks after a war of words between the warring Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Congress (AC) in the state over the controversial explosion saga, the interim report of the ballistic department of the command reportedly allayed fear of an organized crime, as it attributed the explosion to an accident of rock-blasting explosives device. Several posers were raised on the intention of the victims and suspected perpetrators, as people demanded to know why a man would decide to bomb himself with an explosive device loaded in a car with a registration number. However, when Moronike took over the mantle of leadership of the state police command, he slowed down the oppressive state machine on ground which had hauled a number of AC leaders into prisons, premising his action on the need to follow the rule of law. Recently, the rule of law matter of the leading cop has turned sour in the ears of the right groups and opposition political parties that feel the insincerity in the policing gospel of Moronike, as they have a bone to pick with him. The leadership of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) alleged the embattled CP of flirting with the state establishment with the aim of suppressing the dissenting voice in the state. Hear the national coordinator of the coalition, Comrade Debo Adeniran: “I heard Mr. Moronike telling the press men inside the premises of the state high court, Osogbo, when he personally led a team of armed policemen to arrest us during our peaceful rally, and saying that the press men were the ones writing rubbish about the governor. The import is that the man has sold out to the establishment. CACOL charged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro to redeploy the state police boss, disclosing that the petitions on the atrocities and compromise of police institution under are numerous and powerful to be ignored. Besides, Lagos State chapter of AC has called on the super cop in Abuja to call Moronike to order before he helps reduce the state to rublles. AC in Lagos noted that the recent clampdown on the party leaders, which was effected by Moronike’s men, was a pointer to a wicked compromise. In a statement signed by the Lagos State chairman of the party, Chief Dele Ajomale, the Osun Police boss has declared his partisan stand and he should be allowed to drop his uniform in order to join partisan politics. In the same vein, Osun State chapter of Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) has also called for the head of the embattled police commissioner, maintaining that he has demonstrated enough double-face in his actions and reactions. According to a statement signed by the duo of Messrs Waheed Lawal and Rufus Oyatoro of National Conscience Party (NCP) and Labour Party (LP) respectively and made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Tuesday, the CP should start preparing his bag for his days in Osun State are numbered. “We shall write to the IG about his compromise and the untold brutality of his men against the harmless politicians, and as stakeholders; we shall urge Mr. Mike Okiro to save us from his (Moronike’s) suspicious role lately. Meanwhile, some opinion leaders, who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER under strict condition of anonymity, for security reason, expressed their disappointment in the embattled police boss. They however, expressed their reservations over his relationship with the PDP. Some of them agreed that his imminent career somersault in the state could not be divorced from inducement and irresistible overtures from the state, declaring that his endorsement as touching the creation of ‘Eagle’ Squad for the whims and caprices of the establishment was a clear case of a sell-out. It would be recalled that some armed men, suspected to be policemen stormed the residence of a former commissioner for health, Alhaji Layi Oyeduntan, where they violently killed his Alsatian dog on night guard before taking him away. The same gang waylaid the state AC Director of Research and Strategies, Mr. Sunday Akere along Osogbo West-By-Pass and whsked him to the Eagle Squad in Osogbo. Reacting, the state chairman of the Joint Action Forum (JAF), Comrade Aderemi Ayanlade condemned the uncivilized way of getting the people behind the bar with the unalloyed support of the police, stating that his group had long passed a vote of no confidence on the CP. “We have heard about Mr. Moronike’s habit and how he enjoys the company of the PDP members. It may be true or not, but such a man does not stand for a principle, and he is not fit to lead an institution like police force” Ayanlade.

Scared Tyrant

Kola — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:07:02 +0000

Courageous and forthright students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, scared the Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, from stepping into their campus to present a paper at the Third Emeritus Professor David Ijalaiye Lecture Series. They scared the living daylights out of him. Reports have it that after a student group declared the governor persona non grata if he should step into their campus, students of the institution began to mobilise themselves for a massive protest against recent hike in school fees embarked upon by the Osun State government in line with this declaration. This would have led to a great embarrassment for the governor. Indeed, he had to succumb to the counsel of security operatives in the state who told him point blank that it was inauspicious for him to step into the OAU campus, given the prevailing circumstances. The students’ grouse has to do with the anti-people policies of Governor Oyinlola who recently increased fees payable in the tertiary institutions in the state. In the state’s colleges of education and polytechnics, Oyinlola increased schools fee from N3,500 to N25,000 and N4,000 to N47,000 respectively. This is coming after he established a multi-campus state university which fees are comparable to, if not more expensive, than private universities. Given this trend, Oyinlola is leaving us with no other impression than he is bent on making higher education exclusively elitist. Education is now for the highest bidder in Osun State. The implication is that higher education is being increasingly denied most of the people of the state who are in no position to afford the exorbitant fees charged by higher institutions in the state. OAU students are therefore doing the right thing by expressing their displeasure at this tyrannical policy of the governor. By chickening out, Oyinlola has cleverly prevented history from repeating itself. It will be recalled that the students of University of Ibadan in the early 1990’s embarrassed the then Nigeria’s military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, who had come to attend the institution’s convocation ceremonies but had to be ferreted out by security agents when students started peltering him with stones. It was the height of humiliation for the wily general who had always boasted that he was popular with students and was a skilled negotiator. But it is not yet uhuru for him. Students’ attitude and reaction to a political authority is often the barometer to gauge that authority’s popularity and acceptance by the general populace. After Babangida overthrew the draconian regime of General Muhammadu Buhari, he was reportedly hailed and carried shoulder high by students, but when he derailed, he was humiliated and began a steep descent that culminated in his forced exit in ignominy in 1993. By the same token, Oyinlola has ominously embarked on his own disgraceful exit. It is just a matter of time. It is bad enough that he is usurping someone else’s mandate, but he has made it worse by denying the people of the state the opportunity to acquire higher education. OAU students could have kick-started a groundswell of civil society opposition to the illegitimate government of Oyinlola. It is also an indication that protest is not really dead in Osun State as earlier thought. It is hope that this ferment will catch up in other tertiary institutions in the state, especially in places where school fees have been increased and then extend to the big cities of Osogbo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Iwo, Ede, Gbongan and so on. This, we expect, to also extend to the grassroots in the entire state until the evil policy is reversed. We salute the courage and forthrightness of the OAU students and wish them success in the struggle against evil and tyrannical regimes in our fatherland.

Oyinlola’s Administration, A Fraud –Research

Kola — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:14:10 +0000

· Counts Federal Projects For Achievement •Drug Company, Airport Turn Still Birth

Like a pack of cards, all the projects claimed to have been executed by the six years old of the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s administration have fallen apart, as investigations have revealed the usurpation of federal projects by the state, with the aim of pulling the wool on the eyes of the people of Osun State. OSUN DEFENDER’S investigative team, who went round the projects of Oyinlola, found our that the well-worded billboards with illustrating pictures of monumental achievements of the administration, could but help in projecting tissues of lies, meant to feed the unsuspecting members of the public. While some members of the opposition believe that the governor’s catalogues of achievements are mere propaganda, some political scientists, who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER, submitted that the action of the state governor is an insult on the collective psyche of the people. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the establishment of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega station and Central Bank, currently situated in Osogbo, Osun State capital has no imput of the governor contrary to his claim, as the NNPC had already designed a blueprint to establish a mega station in all state capitals across the federation, so as to neutralize the cultist power of independent markets that were creating artificial scarcity of fuel to exploit members of the public. Information also has it that it is in the Central Bank rule to establish a branch in each of the states of the federation; the same rule that permits the bank to establish a Currency centre; while work is still in progress on the establishment of a branch. Meanwhile, the state chief executive has been boasting around that he was the one who facilitated the establishment of the two federal projects as part of his achievements. OSUN DEFENDER’s searchlight has also exposed the attendant fraud that has characterized the Osogbo-Gbongan federal road, which was undertaken by the state government. It was learnt that the state has allegedly tasked the contractor handling the road to overvalue the cost of construction, with a view to getting more funds from the Federal Government for the dual purpose of the getting the job done and lining certain private pockets. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the state government actually facilitated the contractor to mobilize to the site, but when the Federal Government reimbursed the state, the private interest, according to a source, took the largest chunk of the money; forcing the contractor to reportedly settle for substandard materials. Investigation has shown that the road, which period of comletion was initially billed for nine months has become a still born in its fourth year; worst still, the Osun River bridge, which ought to precede the construction of the road project seems to have become a nightmare; while the already tarred surface along Gbongan Osogbo road has started developing terrible potholes; a situation that suggests that its thickness and texture are questionable. Another area that has become a test-case for fraud is the Ido-Osun Airport, which has become a mantra on the list of Oyinlola’s achievements. Our reporter, who visited the much publicized airport found out that the project started and ended up on the lips of the governor, as the road leading to the airport has remained a complete eyesore; while the airfield, which has some empty newly-renovated structures is in a very bushy environment. Besides, the establishment of a drug manufacturing company in the state has enjoyed three consecutive mentions for three budget years with uniform vote, without a success. It was learnt that the company’s operation was billed to take off in one year, but for five years running, the project is still in the offing; a situation that suggests that millions of naira had gone down the drain. However, the recent announcement of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that the administration headquarters of the Ulli and Georgina Beier Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding be located in Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, has clearly shown that the governor’s politics has robbed off the prized investment of the centre. It was learnt that the state helmsman, via his military and political relationship, technically supported the antics of the former president, who was desperate to get his controversial library an international recognition for the location of the controversial centre. OSUN DEFENDER’s findings further revealed that the government has invested huge public funds on the project, only for the Obasanjo Presidential Library to reap where it did not sow.

Carelessness Causes Road Accidents In Osun - FRSC Boss

Kola — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:23:45 +0000

Over 80 per cent of avoidable road mishaps on the nation’s highways are caused by the carelessness of drivers, Osun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mrs Aderonke Daniel has said. She suggested regular training and retraining of drivers and the promotion of events that can help impact on road users, positive road safety practices with a view to promoting a good driving culture.- Daniel who made the remarks in Osogbo, Osun State, while speaking during the third edition of the Best Driver of the Year 2008 Competition, also said that for sanity to reign on the roads, every road user must be ready to play his role in ensuring safety. Drivers, according to her, had formed the habit of driving recklessly, which has contributed to the high risk on Nigerian roads over the time. She condemned selling of alcoholic drink (paraga) at motor parks in all the nooks and crannies of the state. She admonished commercial drivers to be cautious at all times and realize that they have responsibilities over their passengers, especially during this raining season, adding that motorists should endeavour to maintain their vehicles. “The issue of preventing road traffic accidents deserves the best of our collective efforts more than ever before, especially now that the state capital is fast growing,” she said. Daniel also used the occasion to commend the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade for donating a trophy for the competition. Speaking at the occasion, the state Head of service, Mr Segun Akinwusi who represented the governor said that the state government would always provide necessary support for programmes aimed at reducing road traffic accidents in the state. Akinwusi called on the FRSC to do something about people who use sand to block roads, adding that many lives have been lost as a result of such illegal acts.

Poverty, Bane Of Family Planning In Nigeria – FG

Kola — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:32:58 +0000

Federal Ministry of Health has identified poverty as one of the factors affecting implementation of family planning in the country, which in turn has resulted to high rate of maternal mortality. This was stated at the launching ceremony of the Society for Family Health’s project tagged “Expand Child Spacing Practice and Prevention of Excessive Bleeding After Child Birth”, by Mrs Lilian Bibilari, who represented the Minster of Health, Hassan Lawan, at the occasion recently in Osogbo, Osun State capital. The ministry noted that 800 per 100,000 per cent birth rate recorded death, maintaining that Nigeria has the highest maternal mortality ratio in the world. According to the ministry, “effective family planning service provision can reduce maternal death by 30 per cent, stressing that child-spacing was essential in maintaining good health for a family. “Implementation of family planning in Nigeria is challenged by poverty; poor access to family planning services and commodities, inadequate coordination of programme and social cultural factor. “In order to address these factors, the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with development partners, Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations have been working assiduously to develop strategies that would deplete maternal mortality and attain good health.” Addressing the gathering, Deputy General Manager of SFH, Mr. Chris Eneche, said the objective of the project was to expand the provision of child spacing and the prevention and management of post partum Hemorrhage (bleeding after birth). Eneche noted that “recent evidence has confirmed that lack of child-spacing and incidences of post partum hemorrhage are jointly responsible for half of all maternal deaths in most developing countries.” He added that Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate was reportedly one of the worst health indices among countries in its category. However, Eneche said focusing child-spacing and prevention of post partum hemorrhage would assist the country to achieve Millennium Development Goal target, which included reduction of MMR to a level below 100 deaths per 100,000 births. Eneche, on behalf of SFH, appreciated all partners in private sector, that provided relevant information that were keys in planning and fire turning of the project framework. Launching the project, Osun State Commissioner for Health, Mr Lanre Afolabi, assured SFH of maximum corporation from the state government and commended their (SFH) immense contribution to the growth of the country.

Rewarding Brigandage

Kola — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:24:10 +0000

That Osun State is a theatre of terror and violence is no longer news. That there is also an imbalance of terror that swings precariously to the side of the state is a platitude. As events before, during and after the April 14 2007 ill-fated gubernatorial elections have shown, all manner of psychopathic vagabonds have attained unbelievable prominence in the corridors of the Osun State power apparatus. It would be recalled that a year to the elections, at around may 2005 along an Ilesa main road, notorious Wale Oni, whilst in a state of reckless inebriation, in the company of four other vagabonds of his ilk, riding in a Toyota Tercel station wagon branded with posters of General Oyinlola and his deputy, Erelu Obada, left their own side of the road and smashed almost head-long into the vehicle belonging to a Lagos lawyer and friend of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, who, even at that time had been marked as a potential instrument for the dislodgement of the evil government in place in Osun State. Wale and his gang had been running from a scene where they vandalised the Toyota bus which conveyed friends and associates of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola to mark his birthday at Ilesa. The crude and garrulous demeanour of these miscreants in whose wrecked car was found charms, machetes and some weed, was not out of character for anyone familiar with the Osun State PDP . What will continue to amaze all those who witnessed this ugly incidence was the alacrity and braggadocio displayed by the culprit, Wale Oni, as he boasted in the presence of the police officers at Ijamo Police Station, Ilesa that his invitation for questioning was futile as Erelu Obada would sort him out. The week to the 2007 gubernatorial elections, Wale Oni leading a band of PDP thugs unleashed mayhem on opposition AC candidates in several attacks at Ilesa which left a mobile policeman dead, and the communication equipment mounted upon a campaign vehicle of the opposition AC candidate for a public office in mid-town Ilesha severely damaged A few days before the April 14 elections, unknown gunmen launched a vicious assault on Ayinke House, Osogbo headquarters of Oranmiyan Movement, in which the editor of OSUN DEFENDER, Kola Olabisi narrowly escaped death. The central character fingered in this heinous act was a PDP stalwart who fraudulently parades himself as an American-trained medical doctor. Oroki Day 2006, Osogbo is an unforgettable day in history. That was the day AC gubernatorial candidate, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola missed death by the whiskers when thugs and policemen in uniform opened a staccato of gun fire upon his black vehicle as he hurriedly departed from that hostile environment. In the wake of his departure and that of all his supporters who were chased out of the venue, a Toyota lite-ace branded with Oranmiyan could not be driven out by its terror-stricken driver who had fled for dear life. Footages of the incident telecast on several TV stations showed a hefty woman standing in authoritative akimbo, while supervising the vandalism of the Oranmiyan lite ace vehicle. That woman is none other than Mrs Sade Abon. In Oyinlola’s Osun State, it is impossible not to be noticed if you have such capacity to dispense maximum violence as persons mentioned above. Wale Oni’s propensity for bestial violence is well appreciated in high places. He is now the PDP Chairman for Ilesa East. As for the Amazon of violence, Mrs. Abon whose imposing physique dominated the footage of the Oroki Day saga, she has been rewarded with membership of Osun State Women’s Empowerment Board Perhaps, the most embarrassing of all of Oyinlola’s appointments is that of an Osogbo Islamic cleric, Mallam Lere Yusuf whose house was reportedly used as armoury before and during the gubernatorial elections 2007. He has bagged a position in the governing Board of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa- Oke. The point must be made here that political leaders need to exercise visionary caution in dispensing patronage and positions, more so, with regards to the governing board of learning institutions. Proven track record as an intellectual or educationist. Or as an eminent citizen of impeccable moral credentials should always form the criteria for selection. Children especially adolescents, are very impressionable. They readily emulate and boast of their Parents, next their teacher, and then, the school they attend. And if these do not suffice, they would flaunt the name and credentials of one or two members of the governing board of their school. By appointing such a character as Mallam Lere to participate in governing the affairs of a school, Oyinlola has demonstrated utter disregard for the principle of appropriate mentoring, The students of that school have, due to no making of theirs, become victims of lopsided role modeling It is perhaps, too late to advise ‘the guv’ to reverse these appointments as time is running out for his evil regime as they count the days the people of Osun State can rest assured that such people as Sade Abon and Wale Oni, and even Mallam Lere shall be consigned to the dung heap of history.

• This piece, first published in the Monday August 18 2008 is repeated due to public demand.

Opposition Leaders, Activists Marked For Illegal Arrest In Osun

Kola — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:37:27 +0000

Worried about the growing popularity of the Action Congress (AC) Governorship candidate in the last April 14 2007 election, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, facts have now emerged that the Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is now strategizing on how to render the AC flagbearer politically irrelevant in the state. Information made available to OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the state wing of the PDP has been holding series of meetings on how to silence the AC flagbearer finally and make impossible for him to participate in any other future elections in the state. A source disclosed that at one of the meetings that had the Governor and the chairman of the party in the state Prince Ademola Rasaq, in attendance, the issue of Aregbesola’s growing popularity was raised. Lamenting on the issue. one of the PDP chieftains stated that despite all their antics to destroy Aregbesola’s ambition of becoming the governor in the state, he has remained undaunted growing from strength to strength. The consesus of the opinions at the meeting was therefore that Aregbesola and his party be caged realising that the party has being the major opposition party to the government. It was reliably gathered that the PDP chieftains pleaded Oyinlola to lead the battle against the opposition, believing that he is the only one that can manipulate the government machinery in the state to do and undo. OSUN DEFENDER was also informed that the recent arrest of the two AC leaders, Mr. Layi Oyeduntan, Ex-Commissioner for Health and the state AC Director of Research and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere was part of the concluded arrangement at the meeting to silence the opposition leaders on trumped-up charges. Findings also revealed that the two AC chieftains only topped the list of those to be arrested, as plans are underway to release their onslaught on other leaders of the party both at the state and local levels, over forged allegations like breach of peace and public disturbance. It was also stated that some people have been given a contract to remove all Aregbesola’s bill-boards throughout the state so as to deceive the masses into bellieving that that Aregbesola is no more interested in the Governorship race. It was gathered that while the Oyinlola is awaiting the ruling of the Appeal Court over the last April 14 2007 election, members of his PDP were looking forward to the 2011 polls. Many of the party members interested in the future elections were reported to have put pressure on Oyinlola to take quick and immediate action, as it appears he is only concerned (Oyinlola) about the ruling the appellate court. An impeccable source also revealed that some activists and leaders of some civil liberty groups, have been slated for arrest as is government is believed to have declared total war against opposition in the state.

Facts Behind Compromise Of Osun Police Command

Kola — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:49:20 +0000

Osun State Police Command’s level of rottenness, gross indiscipline and less on integrity, has turned the police institution in the state into an object of manipulation in the hands of politicians, as findings have grossly indicted the force’s leadership in some cases that border on the fundamental rights of the citizens of the state. According to an investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER in conjunction with one Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Committee for Good Governance (CGG), despite the fact that most men in the state command are dutiful, the leadership has not only sold out, but has also cultivated the habit of pushing men and officers to carry out hatchet job for politicians. Findings showed that the disgraceful acts of some officers who have constituted themselves into a cult within the state police command, that has brazenly been abusing human rights and doing dirty jobs for the unscrupulous politicians in the state, it could be traced to the power from the above. Investigations also showed that the State Security Service (SSS) under the watch of the erstwhile director, Mrs. Mary Ombu was cleverly dragged into compromise, before the service redeployed her and warned her successor against partisanship of the service. While the SSS has since maintained its integrity, having smarted from indignity, accidental discharge of Ombu, the state police command under the watch of Commissioner John Moronike has fallen so badly below the line. Findings further revealed that when the Kwara State born police commissioner was newly transferred to Osun State, after a big mess-up of his predecessor, Mr. Suleimon Fakai, he (Moronike) was more determined to save himself from the partisan posture of the police impression by Fakai. Employing his gentle mien and honeymoon of a new posting, the incumbent police boss in the state invited all the political stakeholders to a meeting, intimating them about his plan to adhere strictly to the rule of law and professionalism. It was learnt that the political parties’ leaders poured out their minds, and expressed confidence in the new state super cop, promising to give him unalloyed support. However, Moronike failed the first litmus test, when some big guns of the embattled ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state reportedly started dangling carrot of different sizes and aroma before him. It was gathered that the police commissioner mistook the ‘Greek-gift for appreciation, unknown to him that politicians have a way of luring stubborn police officers, and by the time the establishment reportedly brought him into a grand plan to equip the state command, unsuspecting that the implied import was to call his tune and tie his apron to the strings of Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the embattled state governor, Moronike’s flank had completely blown open. Realizing that Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) notoriety had been exposed to the world by the members of the opposition through media reports, the establishment, tasked the state police boss to create another notorious squad that could help the PDP gladiators do their dirty jobs. Necked-deep in the power brokers’ trap, Moronike could not resist the demand for the creation of Eagle squad, according to the findings, to violate human rights and humanity. Meanwhile, the officer in-charge of operations in the state command is another police chief that wields power of life and death, and the political gladiators in government and the ruling party would always fall over one another to serve his meal, OSUN DEFENDER leant. Information has it that he is so cooperative with the politicians in power that, when he was once transferred, several millions of naira went into lobby to bring him back to the state. Though his closet is closely guarded from the eagle eye of the press, it is understandable that he is in the know of the repression of the opposition in the State. Investigation also indicated that SARS is another dreaded machine in the state command, with the SARS men more interested in domestic political issues, than facing the men of underworld. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that at the Eagle Squad, an average bank would be made to green with envy, as money for bail depends on the level of crime and hour of arrest. It was also gathered that spending a day at the dreaded Squad’s detention, is like spending eternity in hell, as cutlasses, fist gun butts and other dangerous objects are freely used on the naked body of a suspect. Information also has it that another police officer who has fed fat on the police hatchet job for the politicians is one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the state police command. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the skinning police officer has won his relevance through the controversial Osogbo explosion saga, a scenario that has reportedly fetched the Kogi State born police officer, a house in his state and posh cars from his paymasters.

Shun Drug Abuse -Nigerians Urged

Kola — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:55:50 +0000

Members of the public have been cautioned against the practice of indiscriminate use of drugs. This advise was given recently by the Director of Medical Services in Osun State Hospital Management Board and Chairman of the State Drug Abuse Control Committee, Dr. Bosun Awoyemi, at a rally organized by his committee to sensitize the public to the dangers of drug abuse. According to Awoyemi, problems like destruction of kidneys, abnormal resistance to medical treatments and premature deaths are some of the danger inherent in the indiscriminate use of drugs abuse. He stated further that self medication, especially by female teenagers to terminate unwanted pregnancy is another course of untimely death. Awoyemi warned that it was high time all stake holders joined the campaign against the illegal act. He disclosed that earlier in the year, the state was ranked among the highest vulnerable states to drug abuse in the country by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). “The NDLEA has been up and doing in its fight against drug peddles across the country”, adding that it is the duty of every one in the state to tackle the social malaise. It would be recalled that the NDLEA recently swooped on Indian hemp farmers in Ada, a town in Boripe local government area. He stated further that indiscriminate consumption of drugs, self medication and unlicensed drug dispense have degenerating effect on the life expectance of youths and the nation’s work productivity.

Save Us From Rapists, LAUTECH Students Beg Management

Kola — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:08:41 +0000

Female students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State have called on the school management to rescue them from the constant scourges of rape and armed robbery unleashed on them by students of the university. Many of the students who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER disclosed that though they are not victims, many girls have deserted the school, abandoned the academic careers to get away from the stigma of rape.. Jimoh Ronke told our reporter that in her four to five months stay in the school, about five incidents of rapes have occurred with most of them, taking place in the hostels, closest to the school campus. A source close to the newly commissioned Students Union Government (SUG) building disclosed to OSUN DEFENDER that most of the atrocities were committed by male students of the school, adding that they specifically target students who are new on campus. He stated that most times, intention of the criminally minded students was to rob their victims of their money, but when they discovered that the girls are helpless, they forcefully raped them. The source disclosed further that hostels like ‘Emirald’, ‘Adenike’ and ‘Area G’ are some of the buildings that are usually attacked by the criminal students, due to their distance from town and are mostly dominated by girls. He revealed that the act is not perpetrated by indigenes of the town, adding that hostels that are close to areas where indigenes reside are very secured from such attacks. According to the source, student that are returning from night classes always fall victims of being raped or robbed of their handsets and other valuables. He added that a particular male student was robbed of his handset during the day with the school security men on guard. “The school management does not bother itself with the welfare of the students despite the huge amounts of money they collect from the students. They count whatever happen to students, especially outside the school campus as none of their businesses. “There is a particular girl (name withheld) from Osogbo that had to abandon her academics because she was raped as could not stand the humiliation. What would be the gain of her parents, and if the university management choses to be unconcerned, how many students would have to leave the school,” he queried. Last week, OSUN DEFENDER stumbled on a girl that ran into an hostel naked, pleading that she should given cloth to cover her body. She told her host that about three boys blocked her way and forcefully removed her cloth, adding that she hit the one trying to rape her on the lower part of his abdomen while the other two were on guard to stop passers-by from any rescue mission. The lucky girl later left for her parents home in Ibadan, and whether she would return to the school or not is not clear as at the time of filing this report. Efforts to get to the SUG president popularly called ‘legacy’ proved abortive as students at the SUG building disclosed that he might be at the Sabo area of the town, drinking. Aramide Isa a 400 level student of computer science disclosed that the SUG is also guilty of the crime, adding that it is difficult for the students executive to tackle the social malaise. He noted that only the school management is capable of taking care of the students welfare, in and out of campus, but regretted that the management does not bother about the whole problem at all.

FRAUD: Untold Story Of N16m Project Scam In Boripe LG

Kola — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:16:13 +0000

If anti-graft agencies are searching for a candidate, then the chairman, Boripe Local Government Council Area, Osun State, Mr. Bimbo Abimbola Oyedele is a potential one going by magnitude of the fraud allegedly recorded in the street light project that was awarded in June this year. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the council in its schedule of work, approved N16,247, 798.90 as a special vote for street lighting with an extension of three phase electricity to 11 wards in the council area. The council area is comprised of Ada, Ororuwo, Aagba and other towns including Iragbiji, the council headquarters town, Iree, the polytechnic town, and other villages. According to a reliable source within the council secretariat, the street light project was awarded not to beautify the night life of the towns and communities in the council area, but as a conduit pipe linking to some private bank accounts. According to some documents at the disposal of OSUN DEFENDER, N11,373, 456.23 was first released as mobilization fee and the second trench, also a balance of N4,874,342.67 was released on 8 June 2008. On the spot assessment conducted by our reporter in Iree, Ada, Iragbiji showed that the huge fund might have found its way into some private pockets as political patronages. At Iree, the host community to the Osun State polytechnic, some street lights were erected but not by the council, as some of the indigenes, who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER maintained that those street light poles were erected by the Iree Progressive Union (IPU). Ada and Iragbiji wear the same look in term of absence of the street lights in the night, despite the fact that funds have been earnmarked for it. It was learnt from a reliable source that some traditional rulers and PDP chieftains from the council area benefited from the scam, as one of the beneficiaries has reportedly bought a car and a bus for the traditional ruler of his home town, out of his own share. All efforts to get in touch with the council boss on the issue proved abortive, as none of his phone numbers given to our reporter sailed through.

Oyinlola Under Fire Over 750 Aides

Kola — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:06:41 +0000

The Action Congress (AC) the Osun State chapter has condemned the resolve of the state PDP-led government to spend N37.5 million monthly to pay salaries of 25 executive assistants for each local government area. The governor had created 25 political appointments in all the 30 local government areas and the area council and each of the appointees is to earn N50,000 monthly. The AC in a statement signed by the Director of Research and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere said that the decision was “nothing other than another drain pipe aimed at impoverishing the people continuously, providing jobs for the boys and promoting indolence.” It would be recalled board appointments crisis hadalmost tore Osun State PDP apart as some party leaders who felt neglected in the scheme of things have been threatening to make the state ungovernable for the Oyinlola led-administration. The idea of creating political appointments at the local governments was reportedly sold to the governor by some local government chairmen in the state as a measure to douse tension among the aggrieved members and in the interest of the party. The State Assembly had also ratified a proposal by the executive to enable each local government council appoint between four and 25 executive assistants. The release said: “While Osun AC is not against creation of jobs and legal engagement of qualified hands for viable enterprise, we will not subscribe to any ploy that is aimed at recognizing brigandage and violence while also promoting hooliganism. “Osun AC as a party made provision to create 20,000 jobs within the first 100 days of the Rauf Aregbesola administration one of its cardinal six-point agenda while campaigning for the 2007 governorship election and we have not reneged on that promise. “PDP being what it is – an inept party that is bereft of any positive idea-will prefer to spend a whopping N37.5 million monthly to service 750 executive assistants across the 30 local governments who have no specified duties to perform other than being willing hands (tools) in the hands of the devil. They intention is to intimidate and perpetrate violence in the various localities so as to continuously foist and prolong PDP’s misrule in the state. “A government that cannot make sufficient funds available for the accreditation of courses at the two state-owned polytechnics can afford to commit a whopping N450 million annually to pay salaries to executive assistants to local government chairmen who are just a tip of the numerous worthless political appointees being engaged daily. Reading to the statement, the Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Mr Yinka Adeojo disclosed that the AC should join hands with the PDP to develop the state “The AC is a failed party. The House comprises of AC and PDP members and they all approved the demand by the government. They are being insincere” Reacting to the development, the chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Osun State chapter, Alhaji Waheed Lawal condemned the decision of the PDP administration in the state, describing its various policies as lacking human face. Lawal state further that the government lacked ideas on how to create employment for the growing unemployed graduates in the state, instead it resolved to creating political appointments for their party thugs. He stated that no one was against creation of job for the people of the state but this one is not acceptable, adding that people are suffering at the grassroots yets Oyinlola would commit N450 million of council funds to paying salaries to the PDP “errand boys”. All Nigerian Peoples Party state chairman, Alhaji Sule Alao in his reaction berated the House of Assembly for ratifying such proposal which he said was not in the best interest of the general public. He lamented the spate of underdevelopment at the grassroots, adding that now that additional burden has been added to the one on their shoulders, they have an alibi for not performing. Alao disclosed further that the people have had enough of Oyinlola’s recklessness, adding that he should find a better way of alleviating the people’s suffering and provide dividends of democracy for the people.

Aregbesola’s Aide Berates Osun Govt On Gbongan-Osogbo Road

Kola — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:22:27 +0000

Action Congress gubernatorial candidate in Osun State during the April 14, 2007 governorship election, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, has warned the state Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, not to commission the multi-million naira, Osogbo-Akoda, dualisation road without full completion. A statement issued by Aregbesola’s media aide, Mr. Gbenga Fayemiwo, and made available to OSUN DEFENDER last Monday, also slammed the shody job being executed by the contractor handling the dualisation of the road, warning that Oyinlola should shelve his plan to commission the “badly executed project.” According to the statement, some completed portions of the roads had become death traps before commissioning, reiterating that some deadly potholes exist between Akoda and Abere, which had led to numerous road accidents that also claimed innocent lives. At the flag-off of the dualised road in 2004, the governor promised the people of the state that the project would be completed within nine months, but up till now, the road is still under construction. “Rather than concentrating attention on the Osogbo bye-pass project, started by the defunct military and Bisi Akande’s administration, Oyinlola demolished the age long warehouses, which made Osogbo the commercial centre of the old Osun Division, since the pre-colonial times. “To the dismay of all residents of Osun State, the promise made by the governor has not only been unfulfilled, the road has today become a death trap causing many avoidable auto-accidents with attendant casualties and facilities. “Worse still, the road has been executed in a shoddy manner to the extent that no sooner than the asphalt tarring was done, ditches and potholes emerged,” the statement added. Furthermore, Aregbesola stressed that the Osun bridge which should make this road project complete has not only been defectively constructed, its construction has stalled up till now. “Many residents of Osogbo, who live around Makson/Old Governor’s office area, suffered in calculable damage from the resultant flooding. “The Oyinlola-led administration in the state neither showed concern nor empathy for these helpless citizens in their ordeal”, he added. The statement added that any attempt to commission a road that has failed all conditions stipulated in its civil, mechanical, structural and topographical designs, is nothing but aggravated fraud and treasonable felony. “It is like sentencing the people of the state to death on the highway,” said Aregbesola. However, Aregbesola called on the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Federal Ministry of Works and the international community to show active interest in the interest of peace and orderliness on the road project.

Group, AC Condemn Osun Opposition Leaders’ Arrest

Kola — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:28:17 +0000

Osun State Chapter of Campaign for Democracy and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) and Action Congress in the state have jointly berated the recent arrest of two opposition leaders in the state, saying that the arrest was questionable. A former commissioner for Health in the state, Mr Layi Oyeduntan and AC Director of Research and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere were arrested and detained at the Eagle Squad office of the state police command Ota-Efun, Osogbo, the state capital. The two opposition leaders were arrested last weekend by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Ayuba Adekunle. According to a press statement signed by the CDWR chairman in the state, comrade Waheed Lawal, and made available to OSUN DEFENDER last Monday, the arrest was morally wrong, stressing that the police should desist from arresting opposition leaders. The group called for the immediate release of the detained AC chieftains, maintaining that the suspects were innocent. It was learnt that the arrest and detention of the AC stalwarts was not be unconnected with the controversial explosion on June 14, 2007, at the state secretariat, Abere. An impeccable source, who witnessed the arrest of Oyeduntan, last Saturday, said the armed policemen, who came to arrest the former commissioner shot sporadically when they stormed his residence. The soruce added that Oyeduntan Alsatian dog in the compound was shot by the police, maintaining that Oyeduntan was dragged out of his room and bundled into a waiting police vehicle. It was also gathered that Akere was arrested in his car, while driving along the road last Sunday by the same police team and was also detained at Eagle Squad, Osogbo. Condemning the arrest, Mr Gbenga Fayemiwo Media Assistant to the AC governorship candidate in the 2007 general elections, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, called on the state police authority to release the detained AC leaders. Fayemiwo stressed that the accused persons have not committed any crime to warrant their arrest. “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Oyedutan and Akere from the untenable detention”, said Fayemiwo.

Need For A Refined CP In Osun

Kola — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:52:47 +0000

Kindly permit me a space to air my views on happenings in Osun State concerning the activities of men of the police force but first let me commend your team’s effort at ensuring that the people are well informed. These days, I wonder whether there is still a commissioner of police in the state. Last month, the police in Ede arrested a woman accused of stealing in her friend’s house and instead of taking her to court for prosecution, the mother of a new-born baby was allegedly killed by the police. Up till now, nothing has been heard concerning the perpetrators of the acts. Two weeks ago, the police in Osogbo, at Ata-Oja Police Station detained a mechanic that went to their station to report his stolen tools. The police denied him bail, when his relations visited their station, only for them to turn around later in the day and informed his relatives that he had hanged himself in their cell. During the week, men of the Eagle Squad of the in the state invaded Gbongan town in a manner that reflected the police as lawbreaking agents rather than law enforcement agents. The same thing goes for the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) as they present themselves like notorious bandits instead of a disciplined elite corp. I think somebody needs to remind the Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Moronike on the need to wake up and be responsible. He should leave executive duties for Oyinlola and Moronike should realize before it’s too late that his roof is on fire. He should better take care of his problem before the fire consumes his entire house. The Assistant inspector-General of Police, Zone 11, should endevour to intercede on behalf of the people. He should not forget the constitutional responsibilities of the force; he should call the men of the Eagle Squad and SARS to their senses, let them realize that the force is not meant for thugs but disciplined minds, who are willing to lay down their lives in service to their motherland. I believe the force needs to address the issues of detainees mysterious death in their cells if they want to gain the confidence of the teaming populace of Osun State.

LP, Ondo Govt. Lock Horns Over Car Loans

Kola — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:09:36 +0000

Labour Party (LP) Ondo State Chapter and the state government have stated another quarrel over the allegation that Dr. Segun Mimiko and his aides, while in government failed to refund the car loans they obtained. Mimiko who was the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Agagu’s first term, however, has denied the allegation. He said he had fully repaid the loan, adding that non of his aides were indebted to the government. Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) publicity secretary in the state, Chief Yemi Adedipe in a press release in Akure, urged Mimiko to ask his aids to refund the loans. The release said it was amazing that Mimiko was defending himself rather than calling his aids to repay the loans, about three years after leaving office. Those listed by Adedipe as defaulters include; LP’s Director of Press, Mr. Kola Olabisi; Publicity secretary, Mr. Ranti Akerele; Mrs. Cecilia Fayose and Mimiko’s special Assistant, Pius Osunyikanmi. LP’s Guber candidate had last week engaged Agagu over an allegation that he was yet to repay a N3.5million car loan. He alleged Agagu of playing to the gallery, saying that he had a receipt to show that he had repaid the loan. Mimiko advised Agagu to face his case at the Appeal court instead of engaging him. LP’s press secretary, Kola Olabisi demanded an apology from the state government for lying against Mimiko. Olabisi gave the state government 14 days ultimatums or else he would institute a libel suit against it. He adds: “If anybody owes, it is Agagu who has refused to pay severance allowances to all those he is now trying to denigrate following his loss at the Election Petition Tribunal which mollified his election at the April 14, 2007 governorship election. “While not trying to dignify Adedipe with a response, there is the need to put the records straight. This spurious allegation is baseless, untrue and another fly-in-the-ointment tactic. “For three harrowing years when some of us served his administration, what Agagu gave with the right hand as car loans, he took back via huge monthly deductions. “So huge were these deductions by Agagu in his bid to retrieve his loans back that a whole commissioner then took home less than N8,000 monthly while special assistants and other aides got less than N4,000 as monthly take-home. Agagu has taken his loans back and if anybody owes, it is Agagu because the law is settled that once a political office holder spends more than two years in office and he is not sacked, he qualifies for severance allowance. “Besides, most of us left voluntarily and our letters of registration were accepted with thanks. Did Agagu pay those who served under his predecessor, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, not to talk of those who served him and later resigned for better opportunities? So who owes whom? This is the question Agagu must answer and not denigrate us. “Let him go to court if he feels we owe him and he will meet us there”.

Osun’s Home-Grown Terrorism

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:24:56 +0000

The tenure of controversial “governor”, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is nothing to crow about. While other states, even at a limited level, try to, at least, do something to justify their claim to popular power, Oyinlola and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, are taking state terrorism to an absurd level. Since Oyinlola “won” the voodoo election that Maurice Iwu’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) awarded him, despite a crushing defeat at the polls in April 2007, Osun State has been chaffing under the malevolence of this “governor,” absolutely unknown to our people. For having the temerity to show their resentment after Oyinlola and his INEC colluders had imposed him on a people who voted him out with vengeance, Oyinlola bared his Abacha era fang, and called in the military to crush protesting and defenceless civilians. For weeks, Oyinlola and his goons in uniform laid a siege to the Ijesa people’s Ilesa (a people who became gubernatorial sworn enemies just because they made their choice loud and clear on election day), and Osogbo (who must be crushed because they saw through this “governor’s” years of cant ad nauseam deceit; and they threw him out on election day). Besides, the spiritual searing of a capital overwhelmingly voting out a sitting governor, who had proved an unmitigated liability for four costly years, was too much for the besieged governor who, rattled, responded with vicious state terror. That has been the trend since the disputed elections of April 2007 which Oyinlola lost with ignominy, but the illicit proceeds of which he has struggled to hold on, to no matter what it takes. Since that siege on Ilesa and Osogbo, where our traumatised people, wounded but unbent were paraded in open trucks in public to break their spirit, the illicit governor has moved from one despicable tactic of state terror to another. And the driving force is fear - naked fear. Whenever the official stealer of the people’s mandate is rattled or threatened, he resorts to naked force. He growls with the intention of scaring people fighting for their God-given rights. But at the end of the day, he is the one that quakes the more! The most scandalous thing for Nigeria as a would-be modern democratic polity has been the criminal collusion of a segment of the Nigeria Police force, compromised beyond repair by a venal and absolutely corrupt governor. Is there something about the Osun Police Command that condemns the command to disgraceful compromise by the Oyinlola government? First, it was Alhaji Suleimon Fakai, who pulled all strings to oppress and suppress the opposition and aid and abet violence, which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unleashed on the opposition, in the run-up to the April 2007 elections. Fakai cancelled police permits at will and brutalised PDP opponents just to do the bidding of his satanic master. Most would recall how Fakai cancelled the permit granted the Osun Action Congress (AC) to open its electioneering in Ile-Ife, just because the PDP felt intimidated by the expected crowd. The same Fakai cancelled the AC’s final mega rally planned for Osogbo three days to the election, because it would have been clear to all that the PDP was heading for a terrible hiding - which it got. The same Fakai, after the violent protest that greeted the rigged governorship election, was busy personally arresting AC partisans when the police, in collusion with PDP partisans, raided the AC campaign headquarters on Gbongan road, Osogbo. So, when Fakai got tossed to Siberia for his brazen partisanship, it appeared some sanity would prevail. But he had already put in place a pattern of terror in which the Osun Police Command was a happy and willful collaborator. John Moronike came with renewed hope but all that has gone with the wind. He has since thrown off his uniform and converted his men to happy thugs in the satanic mission of Oyinlola to keep our people in perpetual thrall. The latest manifestation is the current round of crackdown on AC members over the phantom bomb blast, an accident that the police originally claimed, came from a mishandled dynamite meant for a water project. But, this same police under Moronike is happily replacing one set of AC captives with another just to make the point that the Oyinlola fascism is superior to and contemptuous of the 1999 Constitution that defines the game under Nigeria’s blighted democracy. Oyinlola, as imposed governor, is beyond redemption. But for our democracy and polity not to be beyond redemption, he and his thugs in police uniform must be called to order. President Umaru Yar’Adua must look into the racket going on in Osogbo, the state capital. State terror cannot go hand-in-hand with the rule of law that the president postulates. That is why he must call the police to order today. To the president, a final word: those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable. Violence pays no one. Neither does willful state terror. Let someone save Oyinlola from himself. If he wants to play the Biblical Samson and collapse the house on himself, at least, let him spare our people the trauma. A word, they say, is enough for the wise.

Investigate Clampdown On Osun Opposition -Aregbesola Tells IG

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:32:54 +0000

The Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro to investigate what he called the recent illegal clampdown on two Akere AC leaders in the state, Chief Layi Oyeduntan and Mr. Sunday Akere. Aregbesola, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Gbenga Fayemiwo said that the way and manner the arrest was carried out suspected a premeditated assassination of the leaders of the party by the police team led by DSP Adekunle Ayuba that carried out the operation. According to him, the arrest of Oyeduntan and Akere was an afterthought to hoodwink the public and deflect attention away from what he termed the annihilation plans of DSP Ayuba. The AC candidate queried the police team led by Ayuba on why it went to carry out Oyeduntan’s arrest under the cover of the night “like it was done in the killing of Chief Bola Ige.” The statement read: “When the team got to, Osogbo home of Oyeduntan, all of them wore mufti without carrying any identification tags which could show they were officers of the law. “In a nation where top citizens like Chief Bola Ige, Alfred Ogbeyiwa Ruwane, and Harry Marshall had been killed by men in mufti and operating in private vehicles, the team led by DSP Adekunle Ayuba did not operate like trained investigators. “Why did DSP Ayuba kill Oyeduntan’s dog? Why did the team go to carry out Oyeduntan’s arrest under the cover of the night like it was done in the killing of Bola Ige? Why did the police who knew Oyeduntan’s telephone number refused to invite him to come on his own to the police headquarters as a former public officer? Aregbeosla queried. “The arrest became the tool that DSP Ayuba and his sponsors relied upon to cover their tracks, as soon as they saw Oyeduntan’s neighbours gathering to behold the conduct of the gunmen. Were the neighbours not restrained, the conduct of DSP Ayuba would have led to a serious blood-bath as they were mistaken for armed robbers, attempting to rob one of their own, who had made distressed calls to them for assistance. “DSP Ayuba will have to explain why he shot Oyeduntan’s Alsatian dog in such a ruthless manner suggesting a premeditated assassination plan? It must be of interest for the IGP to know the plan at the back of the mind of this police officer, whose loyalty to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and not Nigerians is indubitable. “The truth is that the Force Headquarters of the Nigeria Police had earlier this year, taken over the case file of the June 14, 2007 explosion at the state secretariat, Abere. It is curious to learn that Ayuba has been operating like a law unto himself in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “An investigation that has taken a partisan direction can only lead to the loss of respect of the ordinary members of the public, who are relied upon by the law enforcement agents for the success of their enterprises. “We cannot keep quite in the face of plans to eliminate the leading light of the AC in Osun by a regime that has found a useful tool in a mis-advised police officer under the guise of investigating an explosion,” Aregbesola stated.

No Power Separation In Osun-Research

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:41:14 +0000

•Legislature Lays Back On Oversight Functions • Judiciary Manipulated

Separation of Power in Osun State Government appears to have secured a back seat in the state for the analytical result of the research conducted by OSUN DEFENDER, has shown that the executive arm has succeeded in holding the independent string of the legislature and the judiciary. According to the research with a five per cent marginal error, the oversight functions of the state lawmakers have not impacted much on some projects earmarked by the executive as pro-people’s projects, a situation that has compelled political observers to write them off (lawmakers). Thus, the executive flout of the earmarked projects remains unchecked, as the state parliament seems to have slept on their oversight functions. Findings further showed that the independence of the judiciary in the state has also raised some questions, as undue interference from the executive could not be waved aside, going by the way the magisterial divisions are allegedly being used to rail-road the leaders of the opposition into prisons. Investigations on budget monitoring in the state have exposed the lay back of the state lawmakers, who are supposed to keep an eagle eye on budget implementation in letter and spirit as an oversight function, but failing due to the brain washed consultations of the executive on some issues. Checks also revealed that some projects that were prioritized in the last two years’ budgets have not attained the standard of being walked over, let alone being packed aside like an abandoned smoking vehicle. OSUN DEFENDER’s investigative torch was beamed on the railway crossings across the state, that got N20million from 2007 budget, but are still in deplorable condition, a situation that has become a regular nightmare for motorists that must ply the routes on daily basis. Our reporter who went round the routes with railway crossings, observed that the N20million voted for rehabilitating the small portions of the railway line across the state was a complete fraud, as there was nothing to show as work done for the budgetary vote. At Orita-Olaiya railway crossing in Osogbo, the state capital, the hell motorists are daily experiencing has become another source of concern for avoidable traffic snarl at the spot. An interesting observation from our reporter is that the state Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola must pass through the terrible condition of the crossings daily, if he is not out of the state, suggesting that he deliberately ignores the condition of the crossings across the state. If the state lawmakers are claiming ignorance of the terrible condition of the railway crossing across the state, upon the N20million budgetary vote, the Drug Manufacturing Company widely celebrated by the governor in so many fora has become a moribund project and there was no single finger of protest from the state lawmakers. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the building that was constructed for the drug firm has been taken over by reptiles, which relish in the bushy environment that has formed a perimeter fence for the structure; there is nothing to show the dissatisfaction of the lawmakers over the abandoned project that has drained millions of naira of the tax payers. However, political pundits have contended that the politicking in the parliament bordering on selfish pursuit has beclouded the zeal for over-sight functions. Citing the case of an Ife high chief who doubles as a chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Gunju Adesakin’s contract scam, investigation was in good order, political pundits are of the opinion that it was however disappointing that the result of the investigation has been compromised due to the interference from above. Besides, the judiciary seems to have caught the bug, as some of their rulings have raised more dust lately, for the courts are always in a hurry to railroad the opposition leaders in prisons custody on charges that are bailable. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the Osogbo magisterial division was worst hit in the compromise bug, as the temple was reportedly thoroughly messed-up by the ex-Chief Magistrate Jide Falola who could not hide his ill-feeling for the opposition leaders each time they appeared before him; when he was a presiding magistrate. Falola, now the Chief Registrar, Osun State Customary Court of Appeal was said to have done several dirty jobs for the embattled governor, who was smarting from the electoral battle in which, he is still enmeshed in controversy. Instead of turning a new leaf, the magistrate court further flourishes in perceived compromised position and tongues are now wagging that one Magistrate Olapoju Akintayo has elected to continue with Falola’s controversial assignment. Though, the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Adejare Bello has recently threatened to look into the eye of the executive for not funding the assembly to a standard that could enhance the legislative duty, political pundits have expressed doubt about the efficacy of the threat, arguing that the house has lost its respect via constituency projects booby traps. Reacting, the national Coordinator of Peoples Welfare League (PWL), Mr. Biodun Agboola has expressed his dissatisfaction about the budgetary vote for railway crossings, saying that it was a fraud. “I highlighted railway crossings project in 2007 project and we in the PWL spoke against it because it was a fraud and that is the situation now, said Agboola.

Police Nabs Man With 15 Bags Of Indian Hemp

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:48:00 +0000

The men of Nigeria Police authority, Ife Command, had recently intercepted a car with fifteen bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp at Itasin area of Modakeke. According to OSUN DEFENDER investigation, a resident in the area, who suspected the movement of the suspect alerted the police, authority, who arrested the suspect at a nearby beer parlour. The suspect, leading yo the arrest of himself as Ajayi Awofate, claimed to have a stop-over at Modakeke, where he was arrested adding that he was heading for Lagos from Edo State. Initially, during interrogation at the point where he was arrested, the suspect told the team of detectives that he was carrying some wares for sale to Lagos, OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered. It was when the detective team decided to tear open one of the sacks which he claimed to have contained his wares, that the accused person allegedly confessed that the sacks contained Indian hemp. The suspect and the car were later driven to Moore Police Station from Modakeke, where the vehicle was impounded with its contents. OSUN DEFENDER investigation at the Area Commander’s office in Ile-Ife corrobated the story and added that the suspect had since been remanded in prison custody, pending outcome of further police investigation. A reliable police source informed OSUN DEFENDER that immediately investigation is completed on the case, the suspect would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution.

Ilesa AC Women Leader Buries Dad

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:55:53 +0000

The woman leader, Ilesa East Local government council, Hon Bisi Adebiyi has described her late father, Mr Johnson Adekunle Adeyokun as a symbol of peace and progress to his children, the community and other people that come his way during his life time. Mrs Hon Adebiyi stated this at the final burial ceremony of her late father which took place at Methodist High School ground last week in a chat with OSUN DEFENDER. According to the celebrant, who was also a caretaker committee member, Ilesa east local government council under Honourable Asomuyide as chairman, said that she would miss the hospitality gesture of her late father who at every of her visit to her late father would slaughter fowl with edible food to match. She said that the same treatment and gesture also characterized the visit of other eight children to her late father, stating that the deceased also treated other people who came his way during his life time. Late Mr. Adeyokun, according to Hon Bisi Adebiyi was 78 years at the time of his death and was a strong member of Methodist Church, Ilesa, stating that all the 9 children today follow his foot steps as members of the same church. While speaking at the ceremony the state chairman of Action Congress Alhaji Adeoti commended the national leaders of the party, the state leaders and the teeming members of the AC who under hostilities from the opposition remained undaunted, loyal, and committed to AC in Osun State. He said in no distant date the stolen mandate freely given to Engineer Rauf Aregbesola would be retrieved by the appellate court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital as he urged members not to relent on prayers that members of Bench that would sit during judgment to up hold the rule of law, due process, equity in the discharge of their legal duties. The state chairman stated further that with zero level in 2003 AC has one member in the State House of Assembly, stating that now the party has 11 members stressing that the atmosphere is clear in future time that AC would rule the state. Hon Adeoti who commended the people’s commitment, particularly members of the AC in their several thousands in Osun State of a party that does not control the state on their own effected repair of the state secretariat building blown off by the rain storm sometimes ago. On the compromise by Thomas Naron and other members of the Bench at first Osun State Tribunal with Otumba Kunle kalejaiye, the embattled lead counsel, Alhaji Adeoti said that the action of the team of the Benchers has soiled the integrity of the judiciary and the Bar, stating that unless the appellate court correct the bad impression created before the Nigeria public and beyond, the chairman stressed that the stain would ever remain on it that in future time, no judge or lawyer from Nigeria would be credit worthy world-wide. Present at the ceremony were the state chairman, Action Congress, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, the State Treasurer, AC Mr kunle Odeyemi, the state Women Leader Mrs Temilade Olokungboye Oluwaseyi Omowumi, over 200 Action Congress AC members across the state and other well-wishers, friends, relatives of the celebrant among other personalities at the occasion.

Governor Oyinlola: Machiavelli Of Osun State

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:02:33 +0000

IT will not be an exaggeration of happenings in Osun State, particularly the methods have been adopted by Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in governing Osun State if I conclude that his methods are an application of the political theories propounded by Machiavelli. Machiavelli in his book, ‘The Prince’ published in 1519 preached “absolutism in governance”. The theories had it that the ruler should acquire absolute power in dealing with any opposition. Such ruler should also employ absolute power to retain the power he has acquired. The political prosositions of Machiavelli therefore did not allow any opposition against the ruler; such opposition should be crushed at all costs. The theories of Machiavelli did not recognize any limitation on the authority of the ruler. Machiavelli’s Book, “The Prince” set out his theories as series of recommendation for Prince Lorenzo de Medici of Florence in Italy. Italy was not a democracy by then. She lacked political unity and was divided into numerous states and principalities. Civil wars and foreign invasions were frequent. That was the situation in Italy; definitely the situation in Osun State is not the same as that of Machiavelli Italy. Osun State is a democracy and it will be barbaric for any ruler in this present day Nigeria to adopt the political theories of Machiavelli, who lived between 1469 and 1532. But one is not surprised if Governor Oyinlola adopts the theories of Machiavelli because he is a ‘Prince’, the Okuku prince; Governor Oyinlola is definitely a Machiavellian. In this article, I want to expatiate on the fact that Oyinlola’s methods of governance is nothing short of an adoption of the theories of Machiavelli. He should be told that Osun State, as part of Nigeria is a democracy and his adoption of Machiavellism propounded in the 13th Century Italy is callous and uncivilized. It is unfortunate that Oyinlola became infuriated and ready to destroy Engineer Rauf Aregbesola when the latter appeared in 2006 armed with mapped out strategies to dislodge Oyinlola constitutionally and his cabal. Aregbesola is determined to liberate Osun State from the Claws of brigandage and injustice. The fight has just begun. Thomas Hobbes, another proponent of absolutism (Like Machiavelli) in governance, admitted that if the ruler fails to maintain good governance the people under such leader have the right to alter it. In a democracy, the way to alter a bad government is through elections. But, it is unfortunate that Oyinlola was hell bent not to allow this democratic change. He has refused to allow peaceful, fair and free elections to hold in Osun State and Aregbesola became the target of Oyinlola’s evil plans. The people of Osun State were ready to drive away Oyinlola from Abere Governor’s Office through democratic method i.e. through elections, and the people came out in their thousands to exercise their civic right. Oyinlola refused to allow the people to exercise their right freely. Oyinlola employed every government machinery at his disposal to suppress the opposition parties notably Action Congress and its governorship candidate Aregbesola. Governor Oyinlola used effectively the anti-riot police unit fully armed against defenseless supporters of Aregbesola. The anti-riot policemen instituted violence which definitely marred the governor-ship elections of 14th April, 2007 and in the event some supporters of the Action Congress were killed and many were maimed. But Oyinlola’s main target was Aregbesola, as he employed series of antics to effect the elimination of Aregbesola. Some examples of the callous antics employed by Oyinlola will suffice. The incident of Oroki Day celebration is still fresh in the mind. Aregbesola narrowly escaped being killed at the occasion by Oyinlola’s police and the P.D.P. thugs. As if that was not enough, Oyinlola was determined to implicate Aregbesola in series of trumped-up charges - Osogbo explosion saga and the spontaneous reactions of the people after the last year’s elections. But Oyinlola saw the people’s reaction as a rebellion against his government and was quick to name Aregbesola as the ring leader. Oyinlola’s ruthlessness in dealing with Aregbesola assumed has got to a dimension that has not been witnessed in the history of elections in this country. Finally, from the foregoing, one can see that the methods adopted by Oyinlola to deal with the opposition members especially Aregbesola is a replica of the political theories of Machiavelli. Oyinlola’s leadership is absolutism and therefore does not flow from the people but from his capacity to visit heinous crime and anarchic terrorism on the very people he aspires to lead and govern.

Ekiti School Feeding Scheme: Pupil Collapse After Eating Government Egg

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:10:45 +0000

The school feeding scheme of Ekiti State government seems to have been turned to an unfortunate project, as a female pupil of a local primary school in Oworoko-Ekiti reportedly collapse and rushed to a local health centre after eating eggs provided by the government. After the collapse of the female pupil, tension rose, as some of the primary schools teachers in the area were reportedly attacked by a mob. Following the attack, the state government was reported to have close down the school involved, Community Primary School, Iworoko –Ekiti until tension is reduced over the alleged discovery of incision on the crockery used to give eggs and chocolate to pupils. The state government said that the school would be under lock and key until the assailants are apprehended and threatened to close any school where such incidents recur. The incident has further heightened tension in some communities’ as teachers fear they may be attacked by aggrieved parents and guardians who are oppose to the scheme. It was gathered that a group of aggrieved women marched to the palace of the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adegoke Adeboye, to protest against the programme. The women predicated their action on the widespread rumour that the cups and plates with which the meals are served are carrying “demonic incisions” which they feared may jeopardize their children’s future. The angry women said they would have preferred free education to the feeding programme and warned that their children should not be forced to take such meals, adding that their suspicion was aroused by the fact that the pupils were not allowed to use containers from home. There was drama at Annunciation School, Ikere, last week when a top official in the all-male secondary school warned the students not to litter the ground with the shell of the eggs. The students, in unison, threw the eggs given to them against the trees, saying they had been warned by their parents not to take them. Students of Akinluse Junior Comprehensive High School, Ise-Ekiti reportedly destroyed cups, plates and spoons given to them under the scheme. A teacher at a local primary school in Ise-Ekiti said parents have been besieging her school to warn the authorities against giving the chocolates and eggs to their children. But the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prince Dayo Adeyeye, at the weekend, described the policy as voluntary. He said pupils were not being compelled to take the food, adding that the policy was recommended by the World Bank and other international development agencies to boost the nutrition of children in public schools who according to him rarely eat from home.

Group Criticizes Appeal Court President Over Election Cases Delay

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:16:17 +0000

An human rights group, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has flayed the President, Court of Appeal, Justice Umar Abdullahi, over the delay in the handling of election petition appeal cases. The chairman of the group, Comrade Mashood Erubami said in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital that the delay in the hearing of the election petition –related cases might jeopardize the nation’s democracy, if what he called such anomalies is not urgently corrected. The activist challenged the Court of Appeal to clear the air on what he termed the seeming deliberate delay being experience in general adjudication process on the cases referred to it. Erubami, who is a former president, Campaign for Democracy (CD) accused the Appeal Court of engaging in selective adjudication of cases by given priority attention to Edo State governorship petition ahead of those of Oyo and Ogun State that had been decided earlier by tribunal. “If our organization will not be mistaken, the Court of Appeal has engaged in selective adjudication of cases by given priority attention to the Edo governorship petition ahead of those of Oyo and Ogun States that were first disposed off at the lower tribunals. This is unfortunate because we have rushed to believe that we will continue to have the type of judicial activism started by the Retired Chief Judge, Justice Alfa Belgore at all levels of judicial process. “Events today have proved us wrong and hence we have our doubt that the judiciary is still the last hope of common man,” Erubami said. He said it was not just politicians that are seeking justice, but Nigerians that have become victims of unlawful and unfair elections that imposed unrepresentative and illegitimate leadership on the polity. The TMG Chairman, who called for the immediate resignation of the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said: “Today, all the ordered re-run elections by the tribunals have been revalidated to vindicate INEC that the elections it conducted were free and fair in the first instance. This has made the chairman of INEC, Prof. Maurice Iwu to continue to beat his chest that his INEC was the best in the world”. The TMG boss appealed to the appellate court to retrace its steps and correct the wrong impression.

Lagos Plans To Spend N70bn On Waste Management

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:26:47 +0000

To achieve the zero tolerance vision on Waste Management, the Lagos State Government is expected to spend N70billion on waste management in the next three years in the state. The Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ola Oresanya said that the state will require about N30billion for capital expenditure while N40billion will be invested on recurrent expenditure. Oresanya spoke at an interactive session with a team from the National Defence College (NDC) on a study tour on the impact of the public-private partnership on governance, who visited him. The session was organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties. The LAWMA boss said that the government is looking up to private sectors to bring its expertise into waste collection, haulage and disposal to achieve efficiency in waste management. Lagos, which he said, generates a minimum of nine thousand tons of waste per day had in the last one decade disposed about 27, 599, 825.94 tons of waste in the three landfill sites located at Abule Egba, Olushosun, and Solous, which has a combine capacity of 63.67 hectares. He said, government has approved the construction of a new landfill site in Epe. Two others are being proposed for Ikorodu and Badagry, besides two waste conversion plants compost plant at Odogiyan, Ikorodu and the Plastic Recycling plant at Ojo. He urged the Organized Private Sector (OPS) to seize the opportunity and invest in solid waste management. The Head of the visiting members of Course 17 of the NDC, Brig.-Gen. Ebi Bona Awala praised the state government for its radical approach to governance that is making the state a destination of choice for local and foreign investors. Awala, who led 12 Nigerians and one Namibian military top brass on a one week geo-strategic tour of the state, said the team has learnt a lot from the trip. He said the team was in Lagos to broaden its knowledge on how the government has been using the public- private partnership platform to deepen development. Awala said: “Really, you must have lived or be living in Lagos to be able to appreciate all that this government has done in the area of development.” And I think this government has a lot to showcase as part of the achievements of the PPP initiative in the areas of waste management and transportation, especially the recently launched Bus Rapid Transit, BRT.

Osun Has Lost Fortunes Under Oyinlola – Rauf Aregbesola

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:57:40 +0000

Action Congress (AC) gubernatorial candidate in 2007 election in Osun State, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola thinks the state would have become a great cultural and economic giant if he had been sworn in after the April 14, 2007 election which he insists he won. He spoke to Adewale Adeoye and Eni Akinsola WHAT do you think the people of Osun State have lost in the last five years or probably what they have gained? Yes, Osun people have been denied good governance; they have been denied civilised administration. They have been deprived of a humane, just, people-centered, welfare promoting, wealth creating, confidence building, social amenity providing, productive and generally progressive government. Most importantly they have been robbed of their rare identity. You see, every one has identity, has a perspective, has a front, which is usually formed overtime. Osun, being the source of the Yorubas, her coming into being and passing away of all things, material and spiritual, Osun ought to give the image of the Yoruba culturally, traditionally, customarily, which must now translate to other modern manifestations of all those wonderful creations. The fact that a rogue administration that in itself does not even have any positive intention, does not have positive purpose, positive vision, has therefore nothing to impress, promote, or exchange about these values. You see, it is not possible to give what you don’t have. You can transfer or transmit that which is in you. A mediocre, uninspiring administration cannot pass on anything. Osun has had the misfortune of having a government without vision, without mission, without commitment to any objective that can elevate either the society or the people of the state. Osun, unfortunately, has been exposed to the worst kind of governance and the Osun people have truly lost substantial advancement in terms of social, political and economic growth. This has serious negative impact on the future of the entire Southwest people. What fundamental differences would you have made in the past one year? Several. The difference with my administration and whatever Oyinlola is struggling to put together is akin to that between day and night, good and evil. I represent light in all its ramifications. The differences are as follow: We had a six-point agenda programme whereas he did not postulate any agenda or programme. So, even at the level of stimulating the people, Oyinlola had nothing; he did not promise anything. So, if he is not doing anything really in terms of commitment, nobody could hold him responsible. The only thing that Oyinlola could lay his hands on today as an achievement was the university he was compelled through the pressure of the Osogbo, people to have. If you would recall six months to his hurried adoption of that programme, he came out in the monthly television programme to say that he was not prepared to build a university. But realising that the entire Osogbo people were then, as they are still now, all for us and thinking that their support for us was predicated on the desire for a university, he hurriedly without preparation rushed to Okebukola, the then Secretary of NUC, to put together the idea of the university, which later became the Osun State University that is meant for the super rich. The students of the poor are excluded through exorbitant fees from attending the university owned by the Osun State government. That, till date, remains the singular achievement of Oyinlola. When you remove that, he has failed so greatly in several other vital areas. If you had won, what difference would that have made? Thirty days after resumption of office, all security agencies would have been given special allowances for being in Osun so as to stimulate them to give their best to securing the lives and properties of Osun people. Before the first 100 days, we will employ 20,000 unemployed youths. 5,000 slots will be reserved for those who were unfortunately relieved of their jobs because of some difficulties during Baba Akande’s era for those who are willing and agile to work. The remaining 15,000 will be wholly for those who till date have no employment. We realised that the greatest crisis in the state today is economic hardship occasioned by hunger. That is key to whatever programme we have. We are committed to seeing that 20,000 otherwise unemployed people in Osun will be employed. Within the next 150 days, that is the first six months, we would have completed the infrastructure, that will make Osogbo, this great commercial city, responsible for the commercial needs of vital towns in the Southwest, a place of taking their old-time worry of being the middle markets in Nigeria. Osun remains the major distribution centre of foods in Nigeria. Next is lbadan then, which was number one and followed by Lagos. People from Lokoja, Kabba, Ilorin, Ikare, Ondo, Akure, Owo, Ogbomosho and Oyo will rather come to Osogbo to get their stocks than lbadan. So, we are committed to reviving that tradition of Osogbo as the leading distribution centre through a lot of adequate infrastructure and ensuring that all goods that are available in Nigeria are sold in Osogbo at the same price that they go for in Lagos. In practical terms, how do you want to achieve this? You see, when we said that we were the best for Osun State, it was not just a boast. We put together programmes that are irresistible. Whoever is not stimulated by our promises is no longer living. There was no aspect of life that we did not touch. And that explains why up till now in spite of all the harassment, the falsehood, oppression, brutality, persecution and crimes against us, the peop1e are still solidly with us. How we want to achieve it, I have prepared the documents and I will give them to you if you want to see them. In 150 days, we will revive the commercial express of Osogbo in a way that it would be different from what it was and by far better. Because all goods in construction, attires and in anything will sell in Osogbo at that same price that they go for in Lagos. Nigeria is interested in Osogbo, the world is interested in Osogbo and communities in Osun, but Oyinlola has stunted the growth of the entire state. How can you sell goods in Osogbo with the same price as in Lagos? There is a difference between action and rhetoric? It is not rhetoric. I belong to the new generation of leaders that the modern world has produced. I’m not a product of jackboots or a repressive class of soldiers. We have proved this over and over. Our network, our history, our heritage, our local and international reputation place us several miles above retrogressive people that by their utterances and deeds are in power to enrich and disempower the people. I mean it, in Osogbo, prices won’t be less because these things are imported. Don’t let us say things that are not possible; don’t let us say things that will make us look ridiculous. Except of course agricultural produce, which are produced there but manufactured, goods that are popularly used for construction, attire, decoration, cooking and cosmetics that are needed and imported will be sold in Osogbo at the prices they are sold in Lagos. So, nobody would therefore need to leave Osogbo and we would have created a middle economy crop, which will bring so much worth to that region as well relieves Lagos of its burden of human pressure. I will stop on that on the issue of guideline and timetable. Then on the general level, we will banish poverty through vigorous promotion of productive engagements in production, commerce and everything that will make human beings useful to themselves and the society. If birds of the sky and millipedes do not go hungry or homeless, we have no business as humans to be hungry or homeless. We will banish hunger through encouragement and support for farmers not as members of our party, but as indigenes of Osun, we will promote healthy living. You see, it’s not just the question of health care centre that will guarantee good health. The culture of physical exercise is still not given adequate attention. We will use all the facilities available to government for mass awareness to promote the culture of healthy living. And it will be undertaken by the government as a programme. We are going to develop skill acquisition as a means of totally eliminating unemployment. Our government, to a large extent all over, refused to adopt the strategies of the colonialists in developing a virile and productive society. When the Oyinbos were here and they wanted to suck us to their economy, they introduced cash cropping. If you will not participate in cash cropping because the Oyinbos wanted you to, you will have to engage yourself in an economic activity that will fetch you money to settle your tax obligation. I am trying to build up a case. However, they needed indigenous quacks and other essential fabricators to their various agencies, so the three Rs came to play reading, writing and request- to serve the clerical needs of both the Oyinbos in their various offices and their producing- buying agents and such other people who they will need to collect cash crops that were required for raw materials in their own industries. But they found out that having displaced the bulk of the traditional farmers who were into arable, subsistence farming, they realised they would need to create market for their own finished products for us. What did they do? As they were taking us out of our traditional activities, they were replacing them with their own. Introducing us to their own system necessitated the’ development of special skills to meet definite challenges of what they were introducing. All categories of artisans and craft people and they were natives that built their houses, had their children and families based on proceeds from watch repair, umbrella repair and all that. So, what I am trying to say is that the economy at that time was adequately developed to meet those that, that economy displaced or uprooted from their traditional engagement. Unfortunately for us as a people, we have not had governments that will say okay with what we are doing now, labour is being robbed in one area and employed elsewhere. There are more GSM or mobile phones in Oshogbo today than when bicycle repairing was a gainful engagement. For example, there are more mobi1e phones in Osogbo, alone than there were bicycles in the entire Western Region. When bicycle repairing was a productive engagement, people lived. Had there been any government that had looked at how to develop a crop of people that can meet the challenge of maintaining mobile phones? Rather, people just throw them away. As it is with mobile phones, so it is with TV, so it is with radio, so it is with okada and cars. So, we are changing that. We promised our people that we will build what is called Life Academy; nine of them in the first one year. We would have used some of the uniqueness of our environment and people to stimulate our revenue-generating tourism. For instance, Ile-Ife was identified by us as a natural and historical endowment for us to just make money because three quarters of blacks in Diaspora have such an attachment to Ife that with a serious government investing in cultural mementos that are in lfe and backing it up with adequate promotion globally and internationally, will by our own calculation, generate such a high income that will sustain Ife alone. When you now have Osun-Osogbo, when you now have Erin-Water fall, when you have the Kiriji War area, when you have several other cultural centres and activities that Yorubas are famous for, which are always in all the traditional towns in Osun, you can see a goldmine. But bad leaders like Oyinlola will always see poverty where there is enormous wealth and potentials. Osun State has the largest concentration of traditional, historical towns in Nigeria. Towns that are not less than 200, 300 years old are mostly concentrated in Osun. If cultural tourism generates as much as it should, by now our monthly internal revenue, which is less than 200million naira now will be over 700 million per month. Now, to education, we would have by now refurbished all public schools. By now, Osun will be the state to be in Nigeria. We would have banished accidents and avoidable deaths, from all our roads through an innovative involvement of people from each community. Is there hope of redeeming your contract with the people given the judgment of the tribunal? You see, there is this popular saying that hope lies eternally in the minds of men. When there is no hope, there is no life. I will not totally adopt the pessimism that nothing good can ever happen. It’s not as if there are no false signs; of course, all the signs that are there are such that one should just forget it. But if we forget it, we would have failed in our historic duty to ourselves, to our people and race. If we refuse to take the challenge, others will take it. It can’t remain like this forever; it can’t. And it is in the interest of our society for us to remain positive, hopeful and optimistic. Two, I don’t see how they will escape with this anomaly. Three, they can run, they cannot hide: What is going on is a shame. Oyinlola had to rig in his own town. Imagine an incumbent governor manipulating the results in his town. He had to kill, he had to harass; he had to intimidate; he had to physically steal electoral materials in Okuku. He had to kill in Ikirun. Oyinlola and his agents led by AIG Adeoye hacked Saheed Adebiyi in Ikirun, shot him in the head. They killed Ayo Oni and stole his corpse,’ from the mortuary Osogbo when we hinted that we were bringing the corpse to the tribunal. They killed Samuel Olarewaju, killed Kola LawaI, Deacon Gbenga Kayode in llesa. Killed Makinwa, who was then the House of Assembly candidate in Ilesa. Before then, they had killed Suleiman a month after we launched Oranmiyan. So, really looking at it as we saw the situation, there is a high possibility for one to be totally cynical and unmotivated to any possibility of redemption. But as an activist of change and human redemption, we will not be deterred. Rather than being discouraged, my commitment is higher than ever. Does it mean you did not anticipate these challenges? If I had not expected them, I would have run mad by now. I wouldn’t be as calm as I am. I don’t think Oyinlola has my kind of candour, calmness, my composition, my total understanding of what he is doing to us, which he believes he is doing to rattle and unsettl us. But the stronger we have been since we started. I am using the Mohammed Alli’s strategy. The higher they come, the higher they fall. I sense they want to pretend that they are conscious of what the society expects from them. He goes about claiming he is a civilised human being. If we had wanted to play it the way we should, most of what he got, he won’t get. I mean Oyinlola will not mind killing people, riding on their blood on the way to the State House. The people he killed on the day of the election were just 12. If a thousand people had stood up, he would have murdered them. So, I never thought, I must be honest, even though they could, the system, the platform and their antecedents prepared us for what we saw. But even as that, I will say I never expected they would condescend to that level. In Ife, after killing Samuel Olanrewaju, they did not allow any election. He allowed the process to go on as smoothly as possible until 10 a.m. in some places, 12noon in some others after which they brought out guns, killing. Do you know that there was no town where a semblance of election took place that we did not win? No town, none. Let me tell you a strange thing that took place in Ife. OAU was on forced vacation; the school was closed forcefully by the authorities in February. It was reopened in July. The election took place on 14th of April. In Awolowo Hall, they registered about 2, 350 voters there before the elections. Yet, PDP claimed over 2,300votes from a polling station alone. And because they were so daft, they did not even know how to steal, they just declared any figures. Did you present these facts to the tribunal? They did not allow us. They conjectured what they wanted. In Ife Central where there was a bit of electoral sanity, all that they recorded was 345 votes. The remaining 39,000 votes after Modakeke were totally irregular. They could not have taken place within the voting hours. As it was in Ife East so it was in other places where they manipulated the elections. We have three main planks of evidences of electoral malpractices and manipulation. When we talk of forensic, it is always misunderstood as biological evidences. Forensic, properly defined, is critical evaluation of any document for judicial presentation. There is computer analysis, there is biometric and several others. Apart from that, we equally got through physical inspections and found out that the results they posted were progressively different. That is what they wrote on EC8, it cannot be reconciled with what they wrote at EC6, which is the result at the ward collation centre. The results at the ward collation centres were at variance with those at the local government collation centres. And what they got at the local government collation centres were not the same with what they declared at the state collation centres. We normally call that physical inspection. Then we use computer analysis. Since PDP came into power in Osun, how did you assess the economic development of the state? But in his own case, Oyinlola has done nothing; he is just gallivanting all about the place from Australia and Paris to anywhere that suits him at public expense. The only thing he is actually doing is importation of Chinese cars, which he forces on every political appointee in Osun. But really, if you ask me, the greatest indictment of Oyinlola’s government and all of those in the PDP states of the South-West, apart from Lagos, is that they have reduced government to just spending. Whatever is coming from the Federal Government really is supposed to augment what any responsible government could generate. Where a government fully depends on hand-outs is not fit to be called a government. So, it is therefore historically disturbing that any government in post-Awolowo Yoruba region will totally discard revenue generation as a serious duty of government, such a government is not fit to be a government in Yoruba nation. And that is my grouse against them. They are so lacking in enterprise, laid back, unadventurous and backward. Let’s talk about some of your party leaders, aides who have been arrested. You claim to have gone through series of harassments? Don’t forget that Oyinlola was a bully who came from a reactionary military arm, where truth is defined by hierarchy, and people are seen as objects to be used as means to their ends, before assuming the position he is now. Again, there is an aspect of him that people do not know generally. Oyinlola must have some psychotic problems; he must be psychotic; he has kept it away from several people. When he was in secondary school, Oyinlola was rusticated for bullying a lady that resisted his advances. He was publicly caned; he had to write his SSCE from office and he failed. He barely had two credits. So, Oyinlola is pathologically dictatorial. He has that issue of being a bully. However, he has this harmless facade but he is totally vicious, brutal. That led to the Somalia misadventure where he led some Nigerian soldiers to death by simply refusing to take to simple advice and instruction of people around him. Nigerian soldiers had to die despite that he was warned that Italian soldiers had been there and died. This is why we are saying that there is no need for this your exhibitionist approach to peacekeeping. He himself confessed that he was a1most killed. It was through his carelessness, recklessness and uncaring attitude. Of course, when he was in Lagos, we have records of his vicious, mindless and reckless acts. He is still struggling to remove the cross on him, from the death of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. There is the suggestion that he was the one that invited the woman to his office before she met her untimely death in the hands of assassins. Several of those who had disagreed with Oyinlola in his own PDP had paid with their lives. There was a lady called Alhaja Jeunkogbaadun. She was a women leader in the PDP and she crossed to the ANPP. She did not live to see the following day. Chief Tony Osanyin in Ijebu-Jesa had the same problem. Oyedokun simply disagreed with them and he lost a brother to the disagreement. All that I have told you are documented as facts. Several people had died, even within the PDP for simply disagreeing with Oyinlola. And since I began this effort to take our people out of this mess that they are in, I have lost several people. I have been a victim of several attempts on my life. Hassan Olajoku died exactly one month after we launched Oranmiyan in Osogbo. Ten days from that day, on our way to a rally organised for us in llesa, Wale Oni, a hoodlum, a thug that was on the payroll of Erelu Obada organised a vicious attack on my convoy, damaged vehicles, manhandled our members, assaulted women. He was arrested by the police but with the intervention of Erelu, he was released. My father’s house was burnt. I was shot at a public gathering at Oroki Day where Oyinlola and all his aides sat down and watched. One of my buses was attacked by Oyinlola’s thugs. My campaign headquarters was attacked by gun-totting men. And to cap it all, on the election day, guns, AK-47, were rolled out to kill us. At a meeting on 2006 August, Oyinlola instructed that I must be eliminated, that everything should be done to kill me. What concrete evidence have you? I have with me someone who was at the meeting. So, it is unfortunate that the Nigerian power elite have gone mad; I mean those of PDP mould. How would you explain the death of your challenger in a democratic process? Afterall, you call yourself a Prince in the republic, a great abnormality, a misnomer. There is no prince in a republic. A republic is a political state where everybody is equal. Now they have come with the bomb blast thing, which from all indications could have been organised by them to either destroy the evidences in INEC office and turn-around to blame us. Because the truth of the matter was that as at that time when that bomb blast occurred, my people, my own agents and party faithful, were all over INEC, rummaging through their piles of materials for documents that would be useful by us at the tribunal. Because we had just sought and obtained the order of the tribunal to physically inspect the materials. So, we were all there. It would have been unreasonable for us to have burnt down the place where vital documents we would use were. We could not have wanted to destroy the place. So, the only people that would have benefited from the destruction of such materials and evidences were the PDP. Let us even take it beyond that. An investigation started by the police on that day, I will give you the interim report from Osun command. A police team led by another commissioner of police initiated the investigation. That ought to have been completed by now for sometimes. That happened on July 14. This was what happened: Osun Police Command investigated the matter, generated an interim report, which was sent along with the lone suspect apprehended at the scene of the blast, to the Force Headquarters. Force Headquarters too conducted its own investigation, sent their report with the lone suspect for trial in Osogbo. The trial began sometimes in November and was going on well until my visit to Osun in January of this year. If you must know, since the election in April, my visits to Osun before the January visit of this year were two. I went to Osun on May 11 to submit my petition. I again visited that same year around August or July when the Palace of Owa of Obokun was burnt. I never went again. So, I announced to the whole world that I was going back to engage my supporters in political association. I went there and the reception was marvelous. We were in only three towns and the receptions were uproarious. In Osogbo, in llesa and Iwo it was whao. So the turnout of the people in all these places jolted and awed them. So, rather than accept the obvious fact of our popularity, they said they had some things to do ..... that was how they brought the concoction of the bomb blast. And as soon as we saw them, we alerted the world and sensitised them to the motive of that fact. It was a distraction, a diversion and apparently meant to douse our popularity by criminalising us. But all their efforts have boomeranged against them. That is on that side. So, we told them that police, if you don’t want to be labelled as agents of PDP, do what is professionally correct. In your interim report, you claimed you saw a telephone set with a particular number. I will give you the number 0805. We told them that science and technology have helped us tremendously. Use this number to determine everything about the suspect. Use the call log obtained from the service provider to determine those who may have been in contact with him before and after the blast, as the case may be, because the record is indelible. You could equally know the location of the suspect. We told them to use what they have, to get what they need. And the suspect equally must be made to give the numbers of his accomplices and use those numbers too to determine their locations and calls received. Till this moment, it is doubtful if the police in Osun have gone after the neatest, the clearest, the unambiguous method of knowing those who have relationship with those who carried out that act. Rather, the Oyinlola administration used the lawyer of the suspect to manipulate him, to contradict himself, to contradict the statement he had made severally to Police in Osun, to Police in Abuja on how the thing happened. And it suited Oyinlola to get them to see that Aregbesola and the AC people were the promoters of the act. You are insisting you won the April 14 election. The issue is simple: I won the elections, which Oyinlola cannot doubt. Even the records of INEC as manipulated as they are, clearly vindicate us. Any opinion polls conducted now will equally show we won the elections. How will a man that is popularly and freely chosen to direct the affairs of a state again be involved in anything close to creating crisis or generating tension or harassing, intimidating people? No, it is not possible. I don’t need it because I have received what is most important; a freely given mandate of the people. I cannot have that and still want to terrorise the same people. They are the ones who will, because of their hatred for the people, contempt for them, who will want to harass, terrorise and muscle them to further demonstrate their super aversion for the people and their right and liberty. You must know that government is all about three things: right to life, right to liberty and right to leisure. Those are the things. So, if that is it, why should any government agency go after a member of society who has served as a commissioner in a state in the way they went after Layi Oyeduntan if not just to harass people, intimidate them and turn them to animals. Those who went to Oyeduntan did not just go there to arrest him; they wanted to kill him. From the reports I read, I don’t think any security agents with the intention of mere arrest will go there at night, to a man you have never invited, to a man that had never had any problem with you, you went in a commando form, started shooting sporadically. Layi told of how he was under armed robbery or assassination attack so he started sending distress calls to everybody that he could remember. And in the process, they shot and killed the dog that was unleashed. The wildness of those who came to Layi was such that the dog had to break its leech and it was shot. I told people that if Layi had come out of his house at that time, they could have killed him. If Layi had not recognised them as thugs and not security operatives, they would have whisked him away. So, he demanded for the presence of a responsible person before he could go with them. So Professor Olu Aina had to come to the scene before he allowed them to pick him. Oyeduntan was a commissioner in Baba Akande’s government. He is the most loving, unassuming, easy-going person you can ever talk of. He is a fellow of lCAN; Layi did not associate with us openly at least three months before the elections. Layi also refused to participate in any of our activities at least three months after the elections. Layi would not do anything that is capable of situating him in any light that will be seen to be radical. He avoids any tag of radicalism like plague. Layi, up to the day he was brutally arrested by: Oyinlola’s agents in police uniform, was a regular golf-playing mate of Oyinlola both in Ada and Lagos. So, apart from the fact that Layi had refused their entreaties to play their cards, which he further demonstrated through an interview he granted which was published on the 10th of October by that newspaper, Layi Oyeduntan was the last person anybody would expect to be arrested. Before the arrest of Layi and Akere, don’t forget that a chief magistrate in Osun had equally been labelled as a participant in the bomb blast. He had been suspended from duties ever since then. He had been unjustly arrested and detained until he was released on bail and up till now he is still suffering that wickedness. The only crime of this magistrate was that he granted a 45-day ... to an AC man that was arraigned before him on a bailable offence. Whenever it suits them, they just invoke it. We want to tell Nigerians that if they allow Oyinlola to run wild, like he has been running wild, it might not be limited to Osun alone because he has been brutalising and terrorizing people with impunity. If they allow him to run wild, it might go to a1l of Nigeria because this was how Hitler began his. Fascism cannot be contained to a place. And I want Nigerians to know that we will be undoing ourselves if we close our eyes to the madness that is taking root in Osun State. It should be stopped. Don’t forget that for this purpose, the Federal Police Headquarters invited me, the party chairman and secretary in June and we went and gave our own side of the story. One would think that by now, the police authorities ought to have acted to prevent Oyinlola from running loose, using bomb blast as his justification. • Culled from The Nation

On The Global Financial Crisis

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:12:52 +0000

Being Text Of The Press Briefing By United Action For Democracy (UAD) On The Global Financial Crisis, Held In Lagos, Wednesday, October 15, 2008

INTRODUCTION We called this press conference to state the positions of the United Action for Democracy (UAD) on the Global Financial Crisis, its implication for our country’s foreign reserves trapped in the Western imperialist banks; and to popularize the campaign for the repatriation of the foreign reserves for meaningful social development. 1. Events in the last six weeks of the global crisis of capitalism manifesting in the bankruptcy and collapse of western imperialist banks and cartels have confirmed the correctness of our consistent campaigns against the neo-liberal economic policies adopted by successive regimes in our country. The economic agenda of the Nigerian State since the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Policy (SAP) in the 80s and its reform policies of Vision 2010, NEEDS 1 & 2, and Vision 2020 rest squarely on the neo-liberal paradigms authored by the IMF, World Bank and WTO. Thus, there must be genuine concerns and demand by patriotic Nigerians on the fate of Nigeria’s foreign reserves of $63 billion idling (or probably missing) in the distressed US economy. 2. The Nigerian State would soon be compelled in dictates to the IMF-World Bank’s “interim measures” to bail out the distressed banks, and thereby plunder the so-called foreign reserves, with some shares of it looted and laundered into the accounts of the Iboris, Odilis, Igbinedions, Yar’ Adua’s rent collectors, etc. Nigerians may soon witness another rehearsal of Fela’s reminiscence of “oil money missing, missing; and enquiry don close”. 3. Few months before the bubble burst in the Western banks, the Nigerian Stock Exchange market has been collapsing because there were never real investments to back up the manipulated claims of the previous booms in the market. The effect is that investors’ money is trapped with heavy losses. But the likes of the Obasanjo’s Transcorp and other crashing cartels would be the beneficiaries of the reserves in the guise of bailing the distressed sectors out; while the Yar’Adua lame-duck presidency would pass the costs of the capitalist greed to the ordinary people in form of hike in the prices of petroleum products. Nigerians do not deserve to suffer, and its reserves should not be used to rescue those who have been swindling them through privatization and concessioning of public enterprises, and pseudo foreign investments.

THE POSITION OF THE IMPERIALIST IDEOLOGUES ON THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS

In an apparent disguise of the real magnitude of the crisis, leading capitalist and US economic ideologues such as Gary Becker (1992 Nobel winner in Economics and a professor of economics at the University of Chicago) have admitted even in their begging arguments that: “although it is the most severe financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s, it is a far smaller crisis, especially in terms of the effects on output and employment. The United States had about 25% unemployment during most of the decade from 1931 until 1941, and sharp falls in GDP. Other countries experienced economic difficulties of a similar magnitude. So far, American GDP has not yet fallen, and unemployment has reached only a little over 6%. Both figures are likely to get quite a bit worse, but they will nowhere approach those of the 1930s. Defending the emergency measures adopted by the US Government, Becker stated that: “the main thrust of the new banking law allows the Treasury Secretary to purchase bank assets up to $700 billion in order to increase the liquidity of the banking System. These assets are of uncertain, worth since these is essentially no market for many of them, and hence they have no market price. The government hopes to create this market partly through using auctions, where banks would offer their assets at particular prices, and the government would decide whether to buy them. Even in trying to conceal the failure of Global capitalism and its inevitable demise, Professor Becker shot himself in the foots by saying: “Although I admit to having greatly underestimated the severity of the current crisis, I am confident that sizable world economic growth will resume before very long under a mainly capitalist world economy’. On 11th October 2008, The Independent of UK reported that the Washington’s hosted IMF Conference of world’s finance ministers and central bankers has consented to a “bank rescue plans” geared towards: “an internationally coordinated cut in interest rates and a pledge of billions of dollars in assistance from the IMF for distressed economics. the paper further exposed the capitalist frauds when it reported that: “The unparalleled turmoil in the world’s financial markets has pushed America and the world’s other leading economies to agree to a programme of partnationalisation of their banks that would have been considered unthinkable a few months ago”. To underscore the magnitude of the crisis, The Independent stated: “the official action is designed to match the scale of the crisis. It has witnessed a destruction of wealth unprecedented in human history: some $25 trillion - that is $25 million-million - wiped from the value of the world’s stock markets so far this year, and $4.6trn (£2.7trn) of that in the past week alone”. Beyond the $700 billion bail out to its banks, the US Government is adopting other desperate measures. British Government talks of £500 billions. However, the revelation by The Independent that the” West’s banks are so weak that they will not even lend to each other for a day’ is instructive of why our country’s foreign reserves should be, repatriated immediately. For instance, the Paris Club. (We never borrow money from) knew when, to drain Nigeria with the corrupt indulgence of Obasanjo-Okonjo Iweala in 2005 of over $12.4 billions in the pretence of foreign debt cancellation questionably owed to it. Nigerians must insist that this is the time to ask questions on the $63 billions; because in all the meetings of the imperialist looters of G7 and G20, Nigeria and other underdeveloped countries are never a part, decisions are taken and imposed on them.

THE PEOPLE’S ALTERNATIVE TO THE GLOBAL CRISIS

Concerned Nigerians (including comrades’ journalists) and patriots all over the world have inundated us with dispatches on what should be the demands by the working people. The UAD largely shares most of the concerns, and this informed the demands we make below. Therefore, we urge LASCO, ANSA, NSF 2008, and the Labour movement to commence immediate mobilization around these demands: 1. Major investment in public infrastructure: Yar’Adua’s Independence Day Speech said that Nigeria has $63billion in foreign reserves (sitting in US banks). This money should be used for massive investment in public services, hospitals, schools, roads and rails, electricity generation and distribution. THE MONEY MUST NOT BE USED TO SERVICE THE SELFISH INTEREST OF THE FEW SUPER RICH INVESTORS IN THE NIGERIA STOCK EXCHANGE. 2. No charges for public services: There should be free education at all level, including books and meals. Free health care for all, including medicines. Proper access to safe water and electricity for all. Chapter 2, paragraph 18 of the 1999 Constitution states that: “Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy, and to this end, Government shall provide free, compulsory and universal primary education, free university education, and free adult literacy education”. We believe that Nigeria has the capacity to invest heavily on public education and primary health care if its resources (human and material) are free from the hostage 6f’the neo-liberal global order. 3. No Fuel Price Increases Now and at all times: The starting point is to build more refineries and proper maintenance of the existing ones so that oil can be refined locally and not imported at world market prices; and available at affordable prices. LASO should meet urgently and declare a warning strike against the impending fuel hike. 4. Increase the minimum wage to at least 50,000: The ruling elites have awarded themselves jumbo pay increase of over 250% in the last one year in the face of untold hardships confronting Nigerians. NLC and TUC should meet immediately under a joint negotiating committee to demand a new minimum wage. Section 16 of the 1999 Constitution states that “Government shall ensure a national minimum living wage”. Nigerians must rally behind Labour to insist that the wages of the political office holders should be immediately abolished and its demand for wage increase negotiated alongside the minimum wage for the working class. 5. Stabilisation of Basic Food Prices: Nigerians must resist the unbearable cost of living. 6. Pay the Teachers Promptly and Adequate Funding of Education: Teachers in all the states should .be paid their increments in the TSS from 1st January 2009. States must ensure adequate funding of the public schools, while private schools’ teachers should be paid the full public sector salaries. 7. No to Privatisation: Nigeria is not for sale. All privatisation of parastatals should be stopped. State owned enterprises should be run to provide basic services, while all privatised public industries such as NITEL, NPA, etc should be returned to the state without compensation. 8. No to Corruption: Proper investigation of all cases of alleged corruption. Those found guilty to return all the funds, banned from public office for life, and a minimum, jail term of 25 years. Anything short of these corrective measures amount to diversion and deception by EFCC and ICPC. Conclusion It is imperative in the light of the present crisis. for LASCO, ANSA, and parties of the Left to join forces in crystallizing a Working People’s Party as the fighting political platform, both for electoral contests, and the reversal of the anti-people neo-liberal economic policies. Only a working people’s party committed to the people can ensure the full realization of the above demands. The apathy that greeted the recently held LG elections in Lagos State has once again conclusively demonstrated that the ruling cliques irrespective of their political coloration cannot deliver on the expectations (“dividends of democracy”) of the people. Aluta continua.

A Needless Ripple

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:31:30 +0000

I was baffled penultimate week when the news of the arrests of Messrs Layi Oyeduntan and Sunday Akere in Osogbo, Osun State filtered into my ears. It is not that it came as a surprise, but the issue that is made out of the action itself cannot but be considered in the court of public adjudication. If not, the rationality of the action must be weighed so that the fooling of the innocent public that has got to Everest’s level can be checkmated. If we will not go too far into the past, we may limit ourselves to the lifespan of Osun State which came into being in 1991. Further still, because of the unique nature of military regime, a consideration for the civilian era will adequately do. Let me remind the interested readers for the umpteenth time that the state has had two civilian administrations before May 29, 2003 (including the pseudo-administration of Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke), and it is on record that there were no political prisoners during their tenures. They might have not been totally devoid of impishness, intimidation of political opponents was next to nil. There was so much tolerance, especially during the administration of Chief Bisi Akande that it was a man in the opposing camp, but who was co-opted in his administration that reminded him (Bisi Akande) that the graveyard silence he maintained over his achievements was uncalled for. Even when Akande was trying to convince the man that his performance as epitomized in the provision of social infrastructure and other welfarist programmes would speak volumes for his government, the man from the opposition insisted that things did not work that way any longer. That pressure gave birth to that informative Yoruba programme called LABE ODAN which came up regularly on the state radio and television stations simultaneously shortly before he was stripped of people’s mandate. That man, then, is Yemi Farounbi who still occupies the position today. Why the alien political brand? Apparently, it will take the wisdom of God to fathom because the motto of the moment is “the more you look, the less you see,” though feelers from the seat of power in Abere have given us some clues which may not be exhaustively dealt with in this article. All the same, I will give a treat as far as time and space will afford. And there is always another day, when that can be thoroughly done. A man under authority, but with ample authority to relish engaged me in a discussion which I found highly rewarding, because the product turned out to be better than the grapevine information that we’ve got used to in the past five years or so. I tersely asked him to comment on the state of affairs in Osun State. He appeared liturgical because what he quoted at the beginning of his response happened to have been taken from the Holy Bible: Ecclesiastes 1:7. “All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full, into the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again”. I appeared absolutely puzzled because it is like the Yoruba phrase “Eelo ni ikoko?; Ara omo le”. Ordinarily the interested pot buyer would have loved to know the price of the pot he intends to buy through the response to his question; but when instead of being given the price, he was given information about the child he does not know, let alone asking about the child’s welfare; then, it leaves much to be desired. The man quickly helped me to untie the riddle. He said, and I quote: “Everything sublunary is on the move, time knows nothing of rest. The solid earth is a rolling ball, and the great sun itself a star obediently fulfilling its course around some greater luminary. Tides move the sea, winds stir the airy ocean, friction wears the rock: change and death rule everywhere. The sea is not a miser’s store house for a wealth of waters, for as by one force, the water flows into it, by another, they are lifted from it: men are born but to die: everything is hurry, worry, and vexation of the soul”. He told me this is the opposite of the principle in operation in Osun State. So the occasional stirs being experienced is in accordance with the belief of the grand master - Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. It is true he has a kitchen cabinet but his autocratic orientation always makes him to have the final say. I went further to ask: “Why is the man so dexterous in the art of waging war against opposition?” The man just told me to ruminate over what has been happening in the state in the last five years. Desiring to tell him that many things have happened, he quickly alleviated my trouble when he narrowed it down to developmental programmes, like infrastructural development and human resources development. According to him, the guilt of undue privilege that is accruable to him always hunts him, and this is the case everywhere, though the portions of the governor, his deputy, down the line of the political office holders, are debilitatingly gargantuan. It is self, self and self, like the ocean that is never tired of receiving waters from the upland rivers. So in an attempt to be left undisturbed, they cause distractions that people will find handy to be busy with so that the process of embezzling will continue unabated. If oppositions are left alone, they will have enough time to probe into the activities of government and, the more of the dearth of meaningful and enduring programmes they will discover especially people of Action Congress (AC) extraction who are very critical of government activities, since according to him, while father ocean is a great receiver, he differs from Oyinlola because the ocean is a generous distributor: What the river brings him, he returns to the earth in the form of cloud and rain. Oyinlola is out of joints with the universal because he takes all but makes no return to his people. Because of this, people find it disdainful to entrust him with more: that is why he would not be voted for, and the option left for him was to force himself on the people through election rigging and all manners of indecorous behaviours applied in the last elections in the state. And with the arrest of two of the bold ones in the opposing camps, they will be far from minding government business with a view to criticizing it. Only one thing: he who makes a peaceful change impossible, makes a violent change inevitable. If it is assumed that all machinery of oppression and suppression can be applied including slamming innocent people (with a sin of discenting) into gaol, the legitimate influence of God upon the people will help us to increase our watchfulness, and the desire to have it properly and adequately done will evolve, no matter the intensity of such effort at suppressing popular will. What we consider as infirmity today, will turn to an asset for total deliverance tomorrow. It is not in our nature that we will be so daft as not to know that, to be selfish is to be wicked. He who is so good a steward as to be willing to use his substance for the benefit of his people shall be entrusted with more. That was responsible for the rejection that was experienced at 2007 polls and there seems to be no remedy in sight especially in the face of a wanton display of illgotten wealth which is not bringing us good, but pains in the souls and the hearts of men and women whose resources are being siphoned. If voices of reasoning have spoken, and it appears they have all gone to deaf hears for expressions, we must hold our peace. It is like the robot molded and carved from the soil that is insisting going into the rain or bathing in a river: It is just a matter of time, the shame will soon be obvious. There is no place in the whole universe where majority voice can be quietened forever. It can truly be made to suffer delay of manifestation. Eventually, it will manifest, and with massive accolades. This must remain the strength for Hons Layi Oyeduntan and Sunday Akere who are being oppressed at the moment on an invalidated trumped-up charges. The truth you stand for will surely vindicate you. Afterall, if you are that criminally minded, there would not have been overtures made to you to cross-carpet. And if they know that you are criminally minded and they still make overture, it means they are also criminals because birds of the same plumage concregate in the same vicinity! See you next week God’s willing.

No Petition Can Be Dismissed On Technicalities – Salami

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:50:49 +0000

Honourable Najim Salami was elected into the Osun State House of Assembly in Ejigbo state constituency during the April 14, 2007 election under the platform of Action Congress (AC) and he is one of the opposition lawmakers in the House. He was the first lawmaker, whose election was confirmed by the Election Petitions Tribunal that sat in Osogbo, the state capital on the basis that his opponent who was challenging his election lacked locus standi to contest the said election. The petition against Najim’s election was returned for re-trial by the Court of Appeal after his opponent had approached the appellate court. In this interview with OSUN DEFENDERman, KAZEEM MOHAMMED, Najim spoke on the challenges of lawmaking, as opposition legislators in the house and other sundry issues. Excerpt:- Osfd: As an opposition lawmaker in the house, what are the challenges of lawmaking in Osun State? Najim: There are so many challenges, most especially from the people outside, because as an opposition, people will want you to act like opposition and the people we are working with in the house will be looking at us as opposition. We are constraint because people see us as opposition and at times they open up and show you the real side of the issue. So, we are facing problems about that, but thank God that we are managing and coping on whatever the challenges we met on ground. Osfd: Are you saying that the challenges you are facing affect your performances as lawmakers in the state? Najim: No, because we as opposition lawmakers are up to the task, we know what we want, we know how to go about it and we have been doing it. So, we have set a target for ourselves and we will surely get there and we will achieve our lawmaking objectives, no matter what we face from the people we are working with in the house. Osfd: Unlike what we are used to hear on media about the Ekiti State House of Assembly, where opposition members in the house always engage in hot arguments with the ruling partys’ legislators, something of such has not been happening in Osun State. How have you been able to caution yourselves in the house to ensure this? Najim: It is true, we understand that there might be difference between the Ekiti State House of Assembly compared to Osun State’s in the sense that if you look at the numerical strength of the house, the political parties there have equal size. And even when you exclude the Speaker, especially on the resolution that requires simple majority, the AC in the Ekiti State house of assembly is more powerful than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the house in terms of numerical strength; that will be twelve (12) against thirteen(13) excluding the Speaker, who will not be able to vote on the issues at hand. But in our own case, we are just eleven (11) against fifteen (15). On issues that require simple majority, there is no way we can go about it, notwithstanding, we still make our own points known and clear to the people and even the House. What we do is that we make the ruling party caucus to know our point and arguments, and we argue constitutionally. If they are convinced, they normally toe our line and that is why there is no crisis. They bow to our superior arguments and sometimes we bow to their superior arguments. We always act based on superior arguments and not to be fighting and shouting on the issues that can make our dear state develop. That is how we see it. You know that our own approach is quite different from that of Ekiti State. There are a lot of things we put into consideration like the fact that most of our people have been arrested, molested and we don’t like a situation whereby our people will be languishing in jail. What is our pride, if our people are in jail. So, it is better we argue it and toe the line that allow the superior arguments prevail and that is what we have been doing as opposition members in the house. Osfd: How have you opposition lawmakers been able to put the state government on its toes? Najim: There are a lot of things that have changed since our inception, and we have really assisted the government by putting everybody, including the state civil servants on their toes. If the people in government want to do anything today, they will look back and say the AC people are there in the house and they will be very careful. They will say “they will write petition against you, this and that”. So, what has not been happening, we introduced it to the system. We advised that the Ministries, Agencies and Parastatals must be ready to always give reports of their duties and they have been doing that. That has never happened before in the history of Osun State, and this tells everybody that it is not business as usual in the house and even with the state executivesl. They all know that there are some new hands that have brought new dimensions to the system and that is how we have been working. For instance, recently, all the 30 Local Government chairmen in the states including the area office in Modakeke have been invited to the House of Assembly and asked to give account of what they have been doing in the office. With that exercise, a lot of things have been revealed and we have been correcting some of them; and they (chairmen) have been warned against future lapses that will necessarily attract sanction from the house. That is how we have been putting everybody in government on his or her toes and that is how we have been working. Osfd: You have just said that you corrected some of the chairmen. Are you saying that you discovered discrepancies in the activities of some of the chairmen? Najim: It is not something we can call discrepancies but probably it may be due to inexperience ways of doing things. Most of them engage themselves in things that are not necessary but because they dont have required experience, they have to be cautioned in some areas at the committee level of the house. Osfd: There have been rumours that your party (AC) is losing in most of the election cases at the Court of Appeal, especially when the retrial of your case was ordered. What can you say about this? Najim: It is not like that, people should not be panic. Those people that are making the rumour do not know what is going on at the Court of Appeal on the cases. For instance in my own case, the case has not been tried at all at any point in time. The matter was judged at the lower tribunal on locus standi’ of the petitioner then and the court ruled that she lacked locus standi to contest the election. In that case, the lawyer on their own side looked for a way out to seek redress at the upper court. That is the basis of Appeal Court rule that no case should be thrown out on technicalities and based on that fact, the court sent the case back to the tribunal for retrial and that is what we are doing now. Osfd: What do you now expect from the retrial of the case? Najim: We can not pre-empt the case already in the court of law. What I observe is that the new panel has a listening ear from what they have been doing, because they have been balancing the equation. They gave the petitioner the chance of putting her case across and they allow the respondents to say what they know about the claims of the petitioner. So, we can not pre-empt the court, but as far as I know, by the special grace of God, the panel will do what are expected of them; the rule of law has to come to play and when they critically looked at the evidences before the court, they will know that there is no case in that case. Osfd: What do you have to say about the worry of the people over the delay in the hearing of the governorship tussle at the appellate court? Najim: The delay is all over, not only in the case of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, but also on other cases, it was after the month of September that the National Judicial Council (NJC) agreed to constitute appeal panels. These appeal panels are quite different, from the once handling the legislative matter but specially constituted. You know that Court of Appeal is just about two or three sitting on a particular case. So, it is all over. For instance, look at the case of Edo State, where the court had ruled since all these days and nobody has heard anything not until recently when the appellate court began sitting on the matter, likewise on Ondo State. But very soon, before the end of the year the whole thing will be settled. Osfd: Can you advice supporters of your party and people of Osun generally on this particular matter? Najim: I want to say that people should be patient, we have been in this struggle since last year and it is just a matter of days ahead, for I know that it will not be as long any longer. So, they have to be calm and prayerful because it is only prayer that can lead one to victory and that is the philosophy we believe in. We are very sure that whenever the appeal would conclude its job on this case, ours is victory. Osfd: How would you describe Aregbesola? Najim: Aah! Aregbesola is somebody that I normally call the man, the politician that introduced the electronic politicking into Osun politics. He is somebody that you can call a ‘guru’ in every aspect. If you talk of science, Aregbesola is there, if you talk of art, he is there; he is somebody that is special in creation; he has the experience, the knowledge and other characteristics of a good leader. This suggests that if he rules Osun State, the people of Osun will not regret of having him as the man at the helm of affairs in our dear state of Living Spring. Osfd: What should the people of Osun expect from you in the house? Najim: People should realize that there is little we can do in terms of executing projects than to seek for such projects from the executive and for my own constituency, I will do the little I can, before my tenure ends.

Akala, Ladoja Leadership Crisis May Be Revisited

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:56:51 +0000

The leadership tussle between the Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State and his predecessor, Senator Rasheed Ladoja may eventually been reawaken, as the latter’s camp has moved against the former. It would be recalled that there was report of amicable settlement in the rift between the duo, a situation that suggested that the lasting peace has been restored in the state. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members loyal to Ladoja converged on his Ibadan home for what they termed the “crucial talks on matter affecting the party in the state”. The closed–door meeting according to the source borders on the alleged refusal of Akala groups to honour all the agreements reached with the Ladoja’s camp. The deal was said to have been brokered by the Shuaib Oyedokun-led Peace Reconciliation Committee of the party. At the meeting, which started at about 3:30pm were former PDP Deputy National Chairman and two-time governorship candidate, Alhaji Yekeen Adeojo, former Minister for Special Duties, Chief Wole Oyelese, a third Republic Senator, Senator Lekan Balogun and Chief Adigun Irawo. Other include a former commissioner for information, Mr. Bayo Lawal, Alhaji Yunus Akintunde (a loyalist of the former vice –President Atiku Abubakar), Chief J.G. Adetoro, Alhaji Alli Oyedeji, Former Chief of Staff to Ladoja, Mr. Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Commissioners and Local Government Chairmen. Adeojo, who rode in an ash Jaguar car with registration number Lagos LB744AAA joined the meeting at 2:57pm. Top on the agenda of the meeting was how to restore peace to Ibadan in the post Adedibu era. It also dwelt on the need to rescue the party from the alleged stronghold of the governor. They accused the governor of frustrating efforts to restore peace to the party in his bid to get the party’s ticket in 2011. The re-alignment of forces began few weeks after the Adedibu’s death. Akala was the first to visit Ladoja at the same venue of the meeting. Twelve days after, some of Adedibu’s aides and children, led by Senator Kamordeen Adedibu also visited him. They reportedly begged him to put the past behind him.

Uncover My Father’s Supporter’s Murderers– Adedibu’s Son Urges Police

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:01:42 +0000

Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu, the son of the late Lamidi Adedibu of Oyo State has challenged the state police command to unveil the murderers of one of his father’s supporter, Mrs. Olabisi Ojetunde. Senator Adedibu, representing Oyo South Senatorial District at the senate said that the death of the deceased has created wounds in the heart of her family, friends and political associates. The deceased was attacked by some unknown persons at a prayer session to mark the end of the mourning period for windows of the late Adedibu in Molete, Ibadan, the state capital last week. She died of complications arising from wounds she sustained during the attack. Meanwhile, the younger Adedibu who led members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the deceased urged the police at the weekend to uncovered the killers. Although, there have been conflicting accounts of what led to the fracas that claimed the deceased’s life, Adedibu’s widow, Bose, said Ojetunde was attacked by an opposing political group. She described as untrue, reports that the deceased was attacked at the late Adedibu’s home, saying that the family shut the gate against the feuding politicians when it was discovered that they were becoming unruly. Ojetunde was attacked for allegedly making some uncomplimentary remarks against a top government official. She reportedly went into coma during the attack and died three days later at the Catholic Hospital, Ibadan. The political group of the late Adedibu has been in turmoil since his demise, with many of his followers seeking to take over the leadership of the group. The conflict that led to Mrs. Ojetunde’s death has its roots in the test of strength between the contending forces.

Poor Leadership, Bane Of Our Society

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:07:37 +0000

Kindly permit me to express my disgust about the ruling class in Nigeria. I prefer the word “rulers” to leaders because leadership connotes certain inherent qualities which most of our usurpers of powers” lack. In every society, there are ways by which leadership emerge. In Nigeria as in other democracies of the world, leadership is by election. The electorate through their votes choose their leaders. In most cases the election is rigged in favour of those who have thugs and are “well connected” to the powers that be. The bane of our society is poor leadership. Most rulers are bereft of ideas to push forward the society. It is erroneous to think that society can only develop if it has abundant natural resources. Important as the natural resources are, without quality human capital to harness it, it would lead to nowhere. Countries like Britain, our Colonial Master, Japan Switzerland and others are not known to have developed because of their natural endowment. In spite of our abundant natural resources the living of standard in Nigeria is low. As long as leaders are not the choice of the people so long shall they refrain to do the wish of the masses. Our leaders should bow down in shame, knowing full well the harm they have done to the society. Modern leadership has transcended taking statutory grants and misapplying them. It is all about ideas and innovations. The hallmark of modern leadership is character, commitment, vision and mission meant to solve human problems. Our leaders are bereft of ideas, so they continue the routine governance where they wait till the federal allocations are ready and they (mis) apply it. For our society to move forward, we need young, dynamic, articulate and versatile leadership, that can identify our societal problems and offer realistic and practical solutions to them. I hope you will afford me the opportunity to be heard.

We Are Sure Of Victory - Osun AC Chair Candidate

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:12:08 +0000

An Action Congress (AC) chairmanship candidates in the last December 15 2007 local Government election, had expressed optimism about the recent case adjourned to February 2009 by Justice Musa Datiko Mohammed led appeal court sitting in Ibadan Oyo State. This was stated by the AC chairmanship candidate in Ede South Local Government Council Area, Alhaja Sherifat Adekanmi at the just concluded workshop organized by the institute for development and Democratic Studies in Ede. It will be recalled that the AC had earlier boycotted the election organized by Retired Justice Adedotun Sijuwade-led Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) and challenged the commission in the State High Court over an allegation of not following the constitution in organizing the last local Government election. While speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, Alhaja Adekanmi stated that the party had been trying all its best to speed up the hearing of the case at the appellate court, but only for the court to come up with a long adjournment. She stated that the masses should follow the proceedings with keen interest, saying the judiciary is about to either make history or drag itself in the mud. She added that the AC chairmanship candidates had appealed the ruling of the State High Court on the case as it was reportedly determined overnight in favour of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Alhaja Adekanmi lamented that the suffering of the people at the grassroots who are to enjoy the dividends of democracy but are now experiencing economic hardship. She said “If our leaders are now going on foreign trips and the masses are complaining of hunger, it means we have a bunch of individuals with misplaced priorities at the helm of affairs. While speaking on the role of women in politics, the chairmanship candidate condemned the Nigerian society for not giving women their rightful place in politics. She added that the role of women in grassroot development should not be under-emphasized as women are home builders and with that they will be able to manage the society at large. She therefore stated that women should be allowed to participate the more in politics, so that the Nigerian political system can experience an imminent change.

Osun Residents Charge Oyinlola On Poverty Alleviation

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:15:49 +0000

As the United Nation celebrates world poverty day and some politicians pour encomiums on Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola for establishing institutions that tackle poverty, residents of the state have berated the state governor describing his policies as anti-masses. Most of the people who reacted to the issue during different interviews with OSUN DEFENDER, chided the state government over what they described as lacking developmental initiatives that is capable of empowering the teeming populace of the state. Comrade Popoola Ajayi told our reporter that Oyinlola lacks developmental ideas, and cautioned that no one should expect something special from him, adding that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not have any masses-friendly programmes. He disclosed further that the various activities of Oyinlola’s administration, are meant to benefit only the (PDP) political class at the detriment of the people at the grassroots. Ajayi also disclosed that a government that claims to be fighting poverty and does not listen to the yearnings of indigent students on school fees increment, while also creating unnecessary political appointments that would cost the state a whopping N450 million monthly. He warned the state government to deviate from manipulating the state-owned media to deceive the people and face the business of governance to alleviate the sufferings of the people throughout the state. A human right activist in Ikirun, Comrade Safiu Dimeji told OSUN DEFENDER that for any government to claim that it is tackling poverty, it must empower the people at the grassroot, He urged the people of Osun State not to be deceived by the propaganda on the state-owned media, adding that they should at all times investigate government claims. Comrade Ibikunle Adeyemi in his reaction frowned at what he called political sycophancy on the side of politicians, stressing that the people of the state are intelligent far and above the politicians. He regretted that the PDP politicians are hailing Oyinlola for the appointment of local government executive assistants saying that it is job for the party’s thugs and not poverty alleviation, effort He described the latest political appointment as a waste of scarce resources. A Muslim clerics at Iludun, Osogbo Alhaji Abdul Lafeef Yusuf lamented the state of poverty in the state. He urged the state government to stop deceiving the masses especially through its monthly programme, “Open Forum”, on the state broadcasting corporation

Moronike Must Go -Osun Civil Societies Demand

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:22:20 +0000

These are no good times for the embattled Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Moronike, as the state civil societies have turned a choking heat on him over his perceived compromise on the controversial issue of last year’s Osogbo explosion and incessant extra-judicial killings in the state. At a press conference addressed by the leadership of 11 groups of civil societies called Osun State Civil Society Coalition Against Corruption and Rights Violation (OSCARV) on Monday in Osogbo, Osun State Capital, the rights group unanimously demanded for the removal of the state super cop. It would be recalled that he Commissioner of Police (CP) started losing his gentleman officer’s respect from the state civil societies, when he (CP) personally led a team of armed-to-the-teeth mobile policemen to effect the arrest of 24 members of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) within the premises of the State High Court in Osogbo; while they (CACOL members) were peacefully demonstrating against the alleged misconduct of the first Election Petitions Tribunal headed by the embattled Justice Thomas Naron. Speaking on the alleged compromise of the CP, the state Coordinator, Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR) Alhaji Waheed Lawal said that the conduct of the state police boss recently has compelled the civil societies to petition the police authority, the presidency and some international organizations about the police atrocities in the state. The human rights advocate also expressed the loss of confidence on the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) zonal 11, Mr. Tunji Alapinni and the CP, saying that both of them are now working together in aiding the establishment against the opposition. “We have on several occasions drawn the attention of the AIG to the repression and the persecution of the opposition in the state and on several occasions, he was helpless. So, we have no confidence in both the CP and AIG and that compelled us to petition the IG in Abuja and some international organizations for action. We want Moronike to go,” submitted Lawal. Besides, the founder of Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People (CDRP), Comrade Amitolu Shittu has argued that the professional misconducts of the state police command have mandated the call for the removal of the CP by the police authority. Shittu contended that extra-judicial killings and indiscriminate arrest of opposition leaders on trump-up charges have exposed the double dealing of the CP, reiterating that his (CP) conduct is suspicious and should be removed. “Mr. Moronike is shielding the hoodlums and criminals within the police command and his compromise on some controversial issues, that bother on neutrality and apolitical have recommended him for removal, “Shittu argued. In his reaction, the state chairman, the Ultimate Group, Pharmacist Israel Oyagbile said that one thing was peculiar about Osun State Government headed by Olagunsoye Oyinlola, observing that ability to compromise any system or institution was the watchword. “Oyinlola administration is like a sulphur, when placed in any opening of the house, the odour will pass across the nasal passage. In this state, there is nothing that cannot be compromised and the CP could not be exempted. So, we want him removed for the police institution to regain its respect” said Oyagbile.

JMK Calls For Sustained Support For Aregbesola’s Bid

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:25:57 +0000

A gubernatorial aspirant of the Action Congress (AC) in Osun State, Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede has called on the entire public to continue in its unflinching support for the efforts of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, the governorship standard bearer of the party to reclaim him mandate judicially. Speaking at a one-day workshop titled “Grassroots Development Approaches and the challenges of Electoral Politics in Osun State”, Ogunkeyede expressed gratitude to the people of Osun State for their massive support being enjoyed by Aregbesola in his bid to reclaim his mandate at the court of law. Ogunkeyede said “I must state without mincing words that the support of the people of Osun State for our great party, the Action Congress (AC) and our governorship flag bearer, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola is assuring and a heart warming elixir for the struggle to free Osun State from current misrule and under-development”. He told the gathering of AC leaders that the task of being a politician demanded greater responsibilities from them than what was commonly recognized as their duties, As politicians, he charged, them to ensure that they impacted positively on the lives of the people by coming up with great ideas that would end the sufferings of the electorate. Ogunkeyede who is also the chairman of the Ultimate Group that organized the workshop called on all the AC leaders to make good use of the opportunity provided for them and utilize it for the benefit of their constituencies. His words: “You must learn new things for the development of your environment because current political trends require actors to be abreast of developments and develop the necessary skills to provide the leadership which the electorate desire”. He called on them to re-orientate the political actors in their neighbourhoods to stop seeing politics as a means of getting what they wanted materially but rather use it as a tool to give the maximum benefit to the people. He explained that the Ultimate Group which he leads was not establish to rival the executive of the AC in the· state but to compliment, the great task ahead.

...

The AC chieftain expressed joy that the leadership of AC in Osun State has been doing a yeoman}s job of mobilizing and organizing the people in the quest for a better governed Osun State. Considering what the party has been doing, Ogunkeyede submitted that the state executive of AC must be commended for providing needed leadership at a crucial time like this. According to him} the Ultimate Group would be ready to support and compliment the efforts of the state executive of AC anytime the need arises.

Lady Pours Hot Water On Lover’s Groin

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:31:20 +0000

What started as lovebird affairs between two students of The Polytechnic Ile-Ife, had ended up in bitter hatred between the two over the weekend at Bambo street area in Modakeke, Osun State. OSUN DEFENDER investigation at the two- storey building residence, where the duo resided, gathered that before the ugly incidence, the boy who was simply identified as Dayo, had taken her lover, Kemi, to a popular beer parlour around Oronna street, where they both consumed bottles of beer and pepper soup delicacies. Sources revealed further that Dayo took nine bottles of Guinness stout while Kemi consumed about 12 bottles of Smirnoff. However, the enjoyment galore soon ended when the lady, after they had come back to their residence, decided to prepare Eba and Okro soup and instead of pouring the hot water on garri she threw it on her boyfriend groin while he was sleeping. It was also gathered that like a man bitten by a rabid dog, Dayo, the lover boy ran out of the house screaming, which attracted co-residents of the house. It was revealed to OSUN DEFENDER that Dayo suffered a second-degree burn and currently receiving treatment at Seventh Day Adventist hospital in Ile-Ife. Kemi, who had being arrested and released by the police when contacted by OSUN DEFENDER could not give any reason for her action, but said all she knew was that she had taken alcohol at the beer parlour before they got home and that was all she could remember. Investigation by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the matter had been incidented with the school authority, which had decided that both loverbids will face disciplinary committee as soon as Dayo is discharged from hospital. While Dayo has however threatened to take his pound of flesh on Kemi, as soon as he is discharged from the hospital bed, one of Dayo’s close friends told OSUN DEFENDER in confidence.

Cleric Charges Govt On Youth Employment

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:37:43 +0000

A renowned Islamic cleric, Sheik Mustafa Ajisafe, who is the President – General, League of imams and Alfas of South-West, has called on both Federal and State Governments to provide job opportunities for Nigerian youths. Sheik Ajisafe maintained that providing employment for young graduates would prevent them from becoming disgruntled elements in the society. The cleric stated this while delivering a lecture titled “Unity of Muslims Ummah in Nigeria” at the Conference of National Council of Muslim Youth Organization (NACOMYO), held at National Youth Service Corps Ede, last Saturday. Ajisafe said, “Government at all levels should provide employment for our young graduates so as to prevent idleness, which may lead them into becoming disgruntled elements in the society.” However, Shiek Ajisafe enjoined the youths to always pray for the country with a view of solving the country’s social economic and political problems, which may eventually affect them as leaders of tomorrow. The cleric stressed that the youths should shun all act of thuggery and hooliganism, which could destabilize the peaceful existence of the country, adding that they (youths) should imbibe good traits and forbid evils. “Since education is cherished by all religions, youths are implored to see to the pursuance of education in all fields as a matter of duty. “Youths should, in all respects disallow a situation whereby they will be used as political thugs by politicians. “You are enjoined to always engage in activities that would foster peace in the country and denounce violence”, Ajisafe charged youths.

Ex-PDP Councillor In N3m Mess

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:40:31 +0000

One of the outgone supervisory councillors from Ilesa West local government council {name withheld} who reportedly obtained a N3 million loan from a bank in Ilesa and built a house at Oke-Omiru is now in financial mess. Investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER at the weekend has revealed in a chat with one official of the bank from, where the supervisory councillor obtained the facility. According to authoritative sources, the former supervisory councilor was unaware that his official tenure would end so soon, and that his terminal benefit would not be enough to take care of the loan. An impeccable source however revealed that the Bank is now hell-bent on recovering the loan from the councillor, or put on sale the uncompleted immovable property owned by the supervisor to offset the loan. The supervisor, according to our source, is now moving moving from pillar to post looking for money to offset the loan, and at the time of filing this report all efforts were to no avail. The medium also gathered that the supervisor is also looking into other alternative of seeking financial assistance from the local government council to off set the loan, as OSUN DEFENDER gathered that it was also to no avail. The uncompleted building owned by the supervisor, it was gathered may face the harmmer of the bank any time before the end of the year with a view to up-dating its account before the new year.

PDP Councillor Neglects Street Over Party Sentiment

Kola — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:43:50 +0000

An Action Congress councillorship candidate in ward 6, Osogbo Local Government Council Area of Osun State, Mr Idowu Oyedele, has taken up the infrastructural challenges in the area, by constructing drainages in some places in the remote area. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillor, representing the area, Mr Segun Aina, has neglected his constituency in terms of infrastructural provision and development. It was gathered that residents of the area, whose houses have been taken over by flood, had for good three times, met with Aina, appealing to him to construct the drainage in order to create free way for water erosion but the request of the residents of the council area, particularly those at Oke Ola street, was turned down by the councillor on the grounds that the residents were all AC members. Findings showed that Aina, who lived at Okeola before he was “imposed” as the councillor of the area, has changed his residence to Ogo Oluwa area for better living standard. OSUN DEFENDER learnt that the councillor’s in law’s house, located at 2, Oke-Ola Bye pass is always full of flood with water whenever it rains. A community leader in Oke-Ola, Alhaji Rasheed Oyedele, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER on their request, stated that since Aina became a councillor of the area, he is accountable to both AC and PDP members in the area. Oyedele commended the contribution of the AC councillorship candidate to the growth and development of the area, saying that the resident of Oke-Ola would never forget his immense contribution. Another resident of the area, Mrs Theresa Arigbede, berated the uncommon the incumbent councillor, stressing that the councillor is not worthy to be a leader of the people. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the councilor has been making fraudulent efforts to claim the project being put up by the AC councillorship candidate when completed. However, the residents of the area have warned the councilor to desist from such action, saying that claiming the project by Aina could trigger violence.

Only The Best For Civil Servants

Kola — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:07:56 +0000

The civil service had hitherto been the engine room for the transformative development and growth of what used to be known as the Western Region of Nigeria. The name of the late greatly revered Chief F.O Adebo, for one, has gone out of history, and into legend. He represents the most outstanding of a crop of devoted and dedicated civil servants whose inputs proved to be pivotal in the development of the region. There were of course many other outstanding individuals who walked in his wake. From our experience in the West, only the best is good enough for our civil servants. It is of course a sad fact that over the years, there has been an erosion of quality. The gradual but noticeable abandonment of the ethos and the traditions of the civil service has been severe and pronounced. The various ill-advised ‘reforms’ have certainly not helped matters. The effect of the wholesale carnage of the middle nineteen-seventies. However, inspite of the noted debilitations, we still have a fine crop of tested and proven public servants. They should be nurtured and encouraged to return the glories of the past. To achieve this purpose will requires a sensible, well-arranged order of priorities. This should include decent living wages and environment, as well as security of tenure and sustainable pension arrangements to cater for their retirement. On all this fronts, the Oyinlola administration has clearly failed. This cannot, in itself be surprising. The maladministration presided over by the work ethic-challenged Oyinlola, does not have a road-map for anything. The civil service not been an exception. In lieu of a well-worked out scheme to cater for the hardly praised civil servants, Oyinlola and his collaborators have as usual, put together a bizarre input to gain short term advantage and headline publicity. This, of course, cannot replace common sense. In the absence of a sensibly worked out remuneration package, Oyinlola has decided to hand-out a Greek gift to the workers. This is in the form of loan facilities to enable some of the civil servants to obtain cars made in China. This is rather thoughtlessness. It is an established fact that Osun State civil servants and teachers are the least - paid government workers in the South West axis of the country. It is therefore beggars’ belief that the government is not addressing the more pressing issue of a living wage first, before going on a jamboree to pile up more debt around the neck of the hapless workers who have a woefully inadequate living wage. With a salary structure perennially eroded by inflation, how on earth are they going to maintain the vehicle as well as repay the loan. It is of course inconceivable that the government will maintain the vehicles. There is of course, as usual, a hidden sinister motive. The main thrust is clearly an attempt by the government to use the greek gift to silence dissent and busy workers, or some of them, at least. If the government could for once put on its thinking cap, that a living inflation and adjusted wage should come before gifts, an empowered worker will then be able to make a choice as to how to spend his income. There are as of now, quite a lot of well - ordered asset financial schemes that could be put into play for a well remunerated civil service. Common sense alone dictates that the new scheme is a trap, which should be resisted. In the light of all these, it is pertinent to point out that a planless, lackadaisical formation such as the Oyinlola government, cannot put together any sensible scheme. In contradistinction, the symbol of good government for Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola has been consistent in shooting the way. For example, in a recent interview in The Nation newspaper, Aregbesola was emphatic that he will raise Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to N700 million a month as a starting point. This of course will allow the state to have the resources to reorder its priorities. Such prioritization will, of course, favour the welfare of the civil service. This will, of course, be just one of many inputs to return the state to sensible governance. Osun State workers, like everywhere else, should continue to pray that the appeal court does the right thing.

Free Education With Tears In Osun State

Kola — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:11:42 +0000

•Teachers Are Poorly Remunerated •Pupils Are Extorted

Free education in Osun State appears to have somersaulted as torrent extortions of pupils and students of public schools in the state have exposed the failed implementation of the programme. According to a public affairs analyst, no one could claim to have seen the education blue-print of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led administration, other than the governor saying he has stamped his feet on the free education policy for elementary and post-elementary schools. However, the mad rush into private schools in the state, has contradicted the governor’s arguement, as public schools’ teachers have elected to take their wards to the fee-paying schools not to show class, but because the teachers could mess up the future of their wards. Investigations conducted by OSUN DEFENDER showed that some state commissioners, permanent secretaries and top government functionaries, who have children of school ages, are patronizing the neck-breaking fee-paying schools. According to an educationist, Professor Omotoye Olorode, the gesture signals an indictment of the government. Checks have shown that, education is not only monetized in the state, but has also become another drain-pipe for the poor parents that are buying into the free education mantra of the governor. OSUN DEFENDER, which went round the state with the aim of getting an on-the-spot-assessment on the state of infrastructural facilities, observed that the number of classrooms available for the pupils are still grossly inadequate. Though some new classrooms constructed by some politicians as constituency projects were seen, the dilapidated structures in the public schools clearly outnumbered the new structures, forcing the schools to abandon the deteriorated ones, a situation that has returned the system to the state of inadequacies. While some political pundits might have bones to pick with the substandard materials that were used in building some classrooms, OSUN DEFENDER found out that some classrooms have no chairs, desks and office furniture for the teachers, a situation that has compelled the public schools’ managements to instruct their fresh intakes to come along with their chairs and desks. The public schools in the state now seem to have become a dumping ground, as lack of instructional materials, functional laboratories and introductory technology workshops, has forced some teachers into an unsolicited sabbatical. Further investigations conducted in some public primary schools across the state, showed that the free meal programme, which has gulped several millions of naira was a mere conduit pipe, as the food stuff given to each pupil of nursery, primaries one and two was far below the money appropriated for it. Checks showed that N30 was booked per head in selected schools, but before the food gets to the pupil, the stuff worth of N10 would be given. Information has it that some government agents in-charge of the free meal programme, have turned the programme to a conduit pipe, cheating the pupils in conjunction with some top school management staff. In a related development, the teachers’ shoes are seriously pinching them, for some of them who are due for retraining courses have not been sent by the education ministry, apart from the remunerative package that could barely take them home. Despite the fact that teachers went on national strike recently to press home their demands for better pay in form of ‘Teachers Salary Structure’ (TSS), Osun State Government appears to be very reluctant in negotiating the new development with them. As a matter of fact, the teachers in the state were forced to take up the gauntlet with the State Commissioner for Education, Mr Jelili Adesiyan’s statement, which tended to put the teachers on the government pay-roll in a fix as touching the TSS. It was reported that pupils in some secondary schools were made to pay for extra-mural classes popularly known as lessons, ranging from N1,500 to N2,000 per term, a situation that has become a subject of controversy in some quarters. Meanwhile, students of the state institutions of higher learning are still angry with the hike in their school fees, a scenario that has mandated the students to stage a protest in the streets of Osogbo, Osun State capital. Speaking to OSUN DEFENDER, a parent who gave his name as Samuel Adeoti said that the governor should stop his lip-service to free education, saying that parents are wiser now. “Each time I see Mr. Governor saying that he has implemented free education in Osun State, I feel insulted. I think he should stop the free education mantra because it has become an old song,” said Adeoti. However a Vice-Principal in one of the public secondary schools in Osogbo spoke to OSUN DEFENDER under a strict condition of anonymity, said that it was the free education of Oyinlola’s administration that has reduced the burden of the parents in terms of payment. “I think, we should salute the courage of the governor for the free education programme, because parents are likely to pay more without it,” said the Vice-Principal.

Barack Obama's Victory: Aregbesola Tasks Nigerians To Stop Vote Robbery

Kola — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:41:20 +0000

Governorship Candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in Osun State , Engineer Rauf Aregbesola has challenged Nigerians to use all their energy to confront and halt the malaise of vote robbery headlong so as to free themselves from despair and hopelessness. He also called on all them to draw useful lessons from the November 4, 2008 Presidential poll in the Unites States of America (USA) and confront the challenges posed by electoral malpractices to national development. Speaking at the vigil observed by supporters of Barack Obama in Nigeria held inside the Oranmiyan Hall of Ikeja Airport Hotel, Lagos, Aregbesola declared that Nigerians must henceforth rise up to fight vote robbers in future elections. Lamenting the use of brute force and violence to disenfranchise the electorates of Nigeria as it happened in Osun State last year, the AC chieftain declared that never again must Nigerians allow their democratic choice of leaders to be made by miscreants and mediocres using the tool of lawlessness. Recalling that many agents of the opposition Action Congress (AC) were savagely attacked, maimed and shot to death with impunity during the 2007 poll, Aregbesola declared that such a development must not be allowed to happen again. Except in Lagos State where the elections were conducted freely and fairly, the AC Flag bearer recalled that armed men were deployed by agents of the ruling Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in virtually all parts of Nigeria and especially in Osun State to subvert the democratic aspiration of the electorate. He called on Nigerians to be determined to free the nation from the grips of electoral robbers who have seen vote robbery as the shortest route to determining their future and hold them hostage to poverty want and squalor. Calling on his teeming audience to be the agent of change in the nation’s travesty of democratic elections, the Osun State AC standard bearer insisted that the lessons drawn from the emergence of Barrack Obama as the President-elect of the USA “is to tell ourselves that whatever it is going to take, we will be the agents of change that will make it impossible for anybody to pervert our nation’s electoral process anymore”. According to him, the American elections was a sharp contrast with eye witness accounts of the April 14, 2007 particularly poll in Osun State where violence was freely used to scare legitimate electorate away from performing their civic duties. Reflecting on the US poll, Aregbesola recalled that “Rather than seeing people queuing up and voting progressively, what we witnessed in Osun State, that is eye witness account, was the process through which, during the course of the elections, armed men came out to chase away the poor citizens that came out to exercise their franchise after which the votes were concocted and figures were written”. “We must ask ourselves when we are going to become part of humanity. If there is going to be any reason why we are here, it is to tell ourselves that whatever it will take, we will be the stimulator of the change and totally eradicate electoral malfeasance in our system. It is a shame that the process designed to determine the will of man to elect a government is not allowed to take root in Nigeria ”, he reasoned. While calling on Nigerians to be determined that vote robbers no longer hijack the electoral process anymore, Aregbesola declared that “never again must we allow lawlessness; never again must we allow miscreants; never again must we allow mediocres to shape our lives and determine our future. Yes, we can!”. While congratulating black people all over the world for the feat performed by Obama, the former Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure expressed the hope that the in-coming American President would fulfill his promise of world peace, harmony and brotherhood. Obama, he recalled, had promised that “a process has begun which will ensure that consultation, dialogue, peace and commitment to world progress and peace will be what will be extended to the world. Concluding, Aregbesola noted that Barrack Obama had also promised that “it is not impossible for humanity to think like civilized people; that we can always agree on that which will edify and ennoble all of us. The promise of Obama is that there is no need for war”.

Obama's Victory Speech - ‘Change Has Come To America’

Kola — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:41:15 +0000

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America. It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead. I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure. To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done. But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you. I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory. I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there. There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people. Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too. And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope. For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can. At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can. When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can. When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can. She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can. A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can. America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America" Delivered At Grant Park In Chicago by President-elect Barack Obama, on accepting his historic victory, delivered to a crowd of 125,000 people at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois Culled from GANTDAILY.COM