The Nation Newspaper

Category: South West

  • Court to raise special panel for Ekiti APC governorship primary

    Court to raise special panel for Ekiti APC governorship primary

    The Supreme Court will constitute a seven-member panel to determine the dispute arising from the January 27, 2022 governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State.

    The apex court took the decision last Thursday following an appeal by Kayode Ojo, an aspirant in the primary, who claimed to have won the primary and insisted he is the authentic APC candidate.

    A five-member panel of the Supreme Court presided over by Justice John Okoro directed Ojo’s legal team, led by Alex Izinyon (SAN), to write the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to constitute the seven-member panel to consider the constitutional issues thrown up by the appeal.

    The court’s directive to the appellant to apply for the constitution of a full panel to hear the appeal was a sequel to an application by Izinyon.

  • Controversy over Okupe’s Labour Party membership

    Controversy over Okupe’s Labour Party membership

    The Labour Party (LP) in Ogun State has suspended Doyin Okupe and 11 others as members of the party, for ‘violating party constitution’.

    Chairman Michael Ashade and Secretary Feyisola Michael, who addressed reporters yesterday, alleged that Okupe and the others have refused to pay their membership dues in the last six months, despite repeated reminders.

    Ashade accused Okupe of polarising the party with his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ‘dissident political liabilities who are only using LP to revive their political and financial life lines’. He challenged Okupe to provide evidence of any payment in respect of membership dues prior to December 1, 2022.

    He said: “Despite repeated demand from various meetings I had with Dr. Doyin Okupe in respect of his constitutional requirements to fulfill membership status, he has failed.

    “In line with article 19(3) of the Labour Party constitutional provision, we declare that Dr. Doyin Okupe, having failed in the payment of his membership dues in the last six months of joining the party, has forfeited his membership and is no longer fit and competent to continue to act as the DG of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC)…”

    But the party’s governorship candidate, Kehinde Sogunle, described the allegations against Okupe as ‘baseless and lacking any iota of truth’.

    According to him, those behind the allegations were sponsored by the opposition seeking to cause division in the party.

    Sogunle said: “It is sad to see individuals who should be driving the affairs of the party positively resorting to cheap propaganda and baseless issues against their Party men. This is a shame and it’s counter-productive of the efforts of the Labour Party which Nigerians are looking up to for a difference in the 2023 elections.”

    Others suspended members are Abayomi Collins, Abel Olaleye, Jagun Lookman, Olori Oluwabukola Soyoye, Mr. Gbadebo Fesomade, (former treasurer), Abdulmalik Olaleye (former Youth Leader), Jide Amusan (former Publicity Secretary), Adeshina Shojobi (former Asst Youth Leader), Miss Deborah Adewale, (former Women Leader, Ogun East) and Olatunde Abolade (former Asst Secretary).

  • Igbajo royal families support Famodun’s suspension

    Igbajo royal families support Famodun’s suspension

    Royal families of Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun State, have supported Governor Ademola Adeleke’s sack of the Owa of Igbjoland, Oba Gboyega Famodun.

    A joint statement by the Onigemo of Igbajo, Chief Gbadebo Bamigboye, and other royal princes – Jonathan Bamigboye, Adebayo Makinde and Tunde Dada- said the governor’s decision would bring sanity to Igbajo, adding that happenings in the community in the last few days, and particularly since Adeleke’s inauguration, had really humbled them.

    According to them, Famodun’s appointment did not follow due process. They said the Onigemo descendants, in a November 9 newspaper publication, gave reasons why the family should be considered for the throne. A protest letter was also written to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola for a level playing field, but all were ignored.

    The royal families also said the purported statement by the Owa-in-Council, suggesting that there was peace and joy in the town after Famodun’s installation, was ‘a fallacy that only exists in the mind of an oppressor’. They described it as ‘lacking in diplomacy, tact, empathy and sensitivity that is found in the ancients’.

    The statement reads: “To all those still hoping to forcefully install Prince Famodun as Owa of Igbajo because he is perceived to be close to the seat of power, without giving a level playing field to all contestants, the events of yesterday should educate them that power belongs to God. Yes, some of the contestants may not be walking or connected to the corridors of power like Prince Famodun; they may also not have a voice in the corridors of power like him, but they certainly have a redeemer and, according to Jeremiah 50:34, ‘their Redeemer is strong and the Lord of Host is his name, and he will thoroughly plead their cause that he might give rest to the land’.

    “All those who are still playing God in this Owaship tussle should take a cue and learn from the events of these few days.”

    Adeleke on Monday signed an Executive Order suspending the enthronement of the Aree of Iree, Akirun of Ikirun and Owa of Igbajo. Their suspension would hold pending the review of their appointments, he said.

    The governor also directed security operatives to take over the palaces of the three monarchs rulers immediately.

  • Hoodlums raze Osun monarch’s palace

    Hoodlums raze Osun monarch’s palace

    Palace of the Aree of Iree in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State was yesterday razed by hoodlums. This is coming days after Governor Ademola Adeleke deposed Oba Ponle Ademola, and ordered him to vacate the palace.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums attacked the palace after security operatives arrested one of the kingmakers.

    A source close to the palace said Oba Ademola refused to vacate the palace until Wednesday when he left for Lagos.

    Yesterday, security operatives stormed the community and arrested one of the kingmakers, an action which spurred hoodlums to attack the palace and razed some sections before making bonfires on the roads.

    Spokesperson of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Osun State Kehinde Adeleke confirmed the incident.

  • Adeleke, Oyetola trade words over N76b salary/pensions debt

    Adeleke, Oyetola trade words over N76b salary/pensions debt

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has tackled his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, following a discovery of N76 billion debt in salaries, pensions and insurance to civil servants.

    Adeleke said ‘the debt was contrary to claims by Oyetola that he left N14 billion in cash for the new government, among other bogus claims, that have now been found to be outright falsehood’.

    A statement by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, reads: “The breakdown of the salaries and pension-related liabilities, as disclosed by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Bimpe Ogunlumade, are as follows – Salary (N29 billion); Pension Arrears (N45 billion); Group Life Assurance Scheme (N554 million), totaling N75 billion.

    “The public is advised that this is not the total debt left by the past administration as briefings on other sources of liabilities continue tomorrow.”

    But Oyetola refuted allegations that he owed salaries and pensions, describing it as outlandish and preposterous.

    A statement by his media aide, Ismail Omipidan, reads: “Our suspicion is that they have gone to dig up the arrears owed by their partner and collaborator, the settlement of which they used to hoodwink some workers ahead of July 16 governorship contest.

    “For the umpteenth time, it is on record that for four years, we did not owe a dime in payment of salaries, while we made conscious efforts to reduce the backlog of pensions and gratuities we inherited. This also explains why, for four years, we did not witness any industrial dispute. By their figure, what it means is that we owed salaries for close to one year. Is that possible? The labour unions can also bear testimony that we never left any salary unpaid in our time, just as we did not take any bank loan for four years.

    “The new governor and his team want to ride on a populism mantra. Unfortunately, they do not understand the concept and philosophy of populism, that’s why they have resorted to blackmail. On the day of inauguration, the governor said it would take time for him to pay salaries because he needed to freeze government account to enable him look at the books. Today, he is saying he frowns at delay in payment of salary. And for November salary, we actually signed off since November 20th. I am sure we are in for more drama.”

    Governor Adeleke also restated that his six Executive Orders subsist as implementation was on.

    According to him, ‘the Executive Orders are valid, constitutional and necessary for the good governance of Osun State, and I issued them in line with the powers vested in me by the Constitution and the oath of office I took. “There is therefore no need to reverse them under any circumstance as they will guarantee governance, peace and security of Osun State.”

  • Olatomirin gets appointment

    Olatomirin gets appointment

    Bunmi Olatomirin has been appointed Senior Information Officer of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State.

    Olatomirin holds a Bachelor degree in English Language & Education from the Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University), Ado-Ekiti, Master’s degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Lagos State University, Ojo in 2009. He equally holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Theology from Upper Room Bible College (an affiliate of West Africa Theological Seminary, Ipaja, Lagos); a Post Graduate Diploma in Pastoral Leadership from the Redeemers International Leadership Academy, Lagos.

    He obtained a professional Certificate in Public Relations and Professional Diploma in Public Relations, in 2003 and 2010, from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos. In 2012, he completed an Executive Professional Examination in Advertising from the Advertising Practitioner Council of Nigeria.

    Olatomirin has further deepened his knowledge in Public Relations by attending the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development in 2011, Certificate in Sales Leadership Programme, from Gaps Academy, and Certificate of participation in Building Customer Loyalty from Fate Foundation all in Lagos. He recently concluded the World Bible Master Series Course, Texas.

    He started his career as a Public Relations Officer at Links International School, Lagos. He moved to the media industry; the Punch Newspapers, where he left as a Senior Executive in Advertising. He subsequently had a brief stayed at Dooh Advertising, Lagos, as a Business Development Director.

    He would be bringing his years of experience in Public Relations and Advertising into the Public Relations Unit of the University.

    Olatomirin is an Associate Member of the NIPR, and also an Associate Member of the Registered Practitioner in Advertising (ARPA).

  • Tribunal orders INEC to present governor’s legible certificates

    Tribunal orders INEC to present governor’s legible certificates

    The Osun State Election Petition Tribunal has rejected the blurry school certificates of Governor Ademola Adeleke presented by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    At the last sitting on November 25, chairman of the panel, Justice Tertse Kume, compelled INEC headquarters to present Adeleke’s certificates on December 1 after its state office refused to present same.

    At the resumed sitting yesterday, INEC’s lawyer Prof. Paul Ananaba said the chairman sent a Deputy Director, Mrs. Joan Arabs, with the Certified True Copies of the documents.

    The documents were presented to the sitting while Ananaba urged the court to permit the bearer leave immediately because she had a flight to catch.

    However, lead lawyer to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) told the tribunal that N305,000 was paid for the documents. He raised concerns that two pages of the documents submitted by INEC were blurry and unreadable.

    He said: “WAEC and GCE Certificate of Education content are not legible, except for signature and testimonial obtained from Ede Muslim Grammar School. We feel worried and frustrated that INEC did not bring clean copies of the documents. The scores are not on the certificates brought and we won’t manage documents which are not legible. Also in the testimonial, the address of the school attended is missing. So the legible certificates must be produced.”

    But Ananaba said he could not answer on the legibility of the documents submitted to the tribunal.

    Justice Kume adjourned till December 3 for INEC to present clearer documents.

  • Ekiti govt sets up task force to address fuel scarcity

    Ekiti govt sets up task force to address fuel scarcity

    Ekiti State Government yesterday set up a special task force to find solution to the perennial fuel scarcity.

    This happened as long queues still persist in most cities in the state, especially, Ado-Ekiti, the capital.

    Commercial vehicles and motorcycles spend hours at filling stations battling to buy premium motor spirit otherwise called petrol.

    Some filling station sold a litre of petrol at N300, as against the approved price of N185 per litre.

    Read Also: Ekiti lawmakers’ macabre dance

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Yinka Oyebode, said the special task force was to be chaired by Mr. Deji Adesokan, while the director, Utility Services, will serve as secretary.

    Other members of the task force include representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police and chairman, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Ekiti State chapter.

    Others are chairman of Ekiti State Petrol Dealers Association, director in charge of Ekiti State Petroleum Monitoring Agency, representatives of the National Association of Nigeria Students, Weight and Measurement Unit, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industries.

    The task force is mandated to begin work immediately.

  • I’m running on records, says Sanwo-Olu

    I’m running on records, says Sanwo-Olu

    Campaigns for the re-election bid of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat in the 2023 general election officially kicked off yesterday with the unveiling of the brand campaign strategies.

    The campaign, with the theme: ‘A GREATER LAGOS RISING’, was heralded by brand activations, which included digital banners, A-Frames, static billboards, digital billboards, gantries, branded BRT buses and venticulars in strategic locations at midnight.

    Read Also: Why Sanwo-Olu deserves re-election, by aide

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso, who gave an overview of the brand campaign at a media briefing, described the campaign as “a thematic continuum of what we promised in 2019.”

    He said: “We promised our people A Greater Lagos. What do we see around us? Abundant evidence of a new city rising from the womb of time. We do not make a false claim of having reached the zenith of our journey. Our contextual usage of the word is as an adjective, which suggests an upward swing, an increase and an upward movement. These are the signs Lagosians can see all around the state.”

  • Kwara governor swears in commissioners, SA

    Kwara governor swears in commissioners, SA

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq yesterday inaugurated two commissioners and a special adviser amid a minor executive council (Exco)  reshuffle.

    The newly inaugurated commissioners are Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu and Abubakar Saddiq Buhari.

    Exco-returnee Modibbo-Kawu got the education portfolio again, while Buhari is to man the Ministry of Communications.

    Read Also: ‘Kwara women will vote massively for AbdulRazaq’

    The governor also swore in the new Special Adviser on Special Duties, Alhaji Abdul-Razhaq Jiddah.

    AbdulRazaq also announced a minor Exco reshuffle involving five commissioners: Alhaji Wahab Femi Agbaje, who moved from Water to Energy; Mariam Ahmed Hassana (from Energy to Women Affairs); Abdulmaliq Bashir Mopelola Risikatulahi (from Women Affairs to Water); George Olabode Towoju (from Communication to Youth); and Adamu Jamila Bake (from Youth Development to Planning).

    At a brief swearing-in at the council chamber in Ilorin, the governor told the Exco members: “I urge you and all other government appointees to be committed to the service of our people. I urge you to be team players, recharge your ministries to deliver better service delivery to our people.”