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Tag: Abeokuta

  • INEC officials, materials not available at Obasanjo Polling Unit

    Two hours into the commencement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s ward designated as Ward 11 unit 22, within Olusomi compound, Abeokuta, in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, is yet to commence.

    Although voters had turned up in fairly large number, there were no officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or election materials on ground save the Operatives of the  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC).

    Read Also: Fears over Obasanjo’s link with foreign poll observers

    Also, Obasanjo to had not yet arrived his ward or polling  station, perhaps because of unavailability of the  INEC personnel to attend to the anxious would – be – voters.

  • M.I takes CBN tour to Abeokuta

    Rap icon, M.I Abaga took the Choc Boys Nation tour to Abeokuta on the evening of Sunday, February 10, 2019, delivering a night to remember, as A-list artistes graced the stage to thrill music fans in Abeokuta.

    After memorable shows in Abuja and Ibadan, fans in Abeokuta had high expectations, and M.I & friends certainly didn’t disappoint as the likes of Blaqbonez, C-kay, AQ and Loose Kanon delivered stellar performances which delighted all in attendance.

    The show was proudly sponsored by Gulder and Legend, two brands from the stables of Nigerian Breweries. Gulder is fresh off a successful sponsorship of social media week, in which it hosted an exciting panel conversation themed around its new campaign of “Own Your Journey”.

    Legend Extra Stout on the other hand is on a mission to inspire young Nigerians to be themselves and nothing exemplifies more originality than seeing M.I Abaga strutting his stuff on stage. His ability to connect with the audience and break the proverbial wall between performer and audience, allowing both parties to engage and interact, is second to none.

    One of the high moments of the show was the surprise appearance of Falz, who was not part of the promotional material for the Abeokuta concert. His appearance and subsequent performance got everyone in the crowd buzzing as the “Talk” crooner delivered one of the best performances of the night.

    Brand Manager, Gulder, Kolawole Akintimehin spoke of Gulder’s involvement in the Choc Boy Nation tour: “We believe young people are the future, and we want to be part of their success stories. We know a lot of young people are inspired by M.I and rightfully so. He is an accomplished entertainer whose rise to prominence has seen him become one of the most influential personalities in the music industry. We feel in a lot of ways, M.I is a great example of Gulder’s new campaign. He has never shied away from challenges and has sought to grow from stride to stride, owning his journey along the way. With the CBN Tour, we are able to reach this young demography and inspire them to become the best they can be, urging them to never depart from their path but to own their journeys instead,” he said.

    After a memorable night in Abeokuta, the CBN tour is set to hit various other states across the country, as M.I and friends show no signs of slowing down.

  • Hotel staff docked over alleged theft of employer’s money

    A 21-year-old man, Sodiq Akinlade, was on Thursday brought before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N253, 750 from his employer.

    Akinlade, an employee with Phonix Hotel, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, is facing trial is facing a three-count charge bordering on stealing and unlawful conversion.

    Police prosecutor, Inspector Olubisi Lawrence, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on February 3 at about 5.45p.m at the Phonix Hotel in Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta.

    Read also: Who wears the crown?

    Lawrence said that the defendant, with intent to defraud the hotel, stole N83, 750 and N170, 000 totalling N253, 750, belonging to Matanmi Owolabi.

    He said Akinlade converted the stolen money to his personal use.

    According to him, the offence committed contravened Sections 383(1), 390(6) and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State 2006.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Sam Obaleye, granted the defendant bail of N50, 000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

    Obaleye said that the sureties must reside within the court jurisdictions and show evidence of tax payment to the Ogun Government.

    She adjourned the case until Feb. 25 for hearing.

  • I’ll vote if I’m alive – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday assured that he would vote during the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for tomorrow if he is “alive.”

    Obasanjo, who described the polls as a “red letter day” for Nigeria, added it should be used to stabilise the nation’s democracy.

    The elder statesman made this known to reporters at his sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital while readying himself to play a squash game within the facility.

    He also denied rumour on the social media he jetted out of the country without waiting to cast his vote for the Atiku Abubakar he is labouring to foist on Nigerians.

    He cursed the rumour mongers, saying God would deal with them at the “appropriate time.”

    He assured that he would vote at his usual polling (Ita Eko) where he registered.

    Obasanjo said: “If I am here and alive and kicking, I will vote. Why do you think I will travel out of the country because of the election?

    Read Also: What happened to power sector cash, by Obasanjo

    “If there is no any reason, I believe I should be here to exercise my civic responsibility which is to vote according to the dictate of my heart both tomorrow and on the 2nd of March, 2019.

    “Those who are carrying that kind rumour or what they now call fake news, I think I leave them in the hands of God.

    “You know, I’m used to that type of things now and in Yorubaland, we have this saying that if your head is hard, you don’t have to worry yourself.

    “So, let anybody tell lies against me, let anybody issue fake news against me, let anybody abuse me, my God will deal with them rightly and at the appropriate time.

    “On the elections, I believe that tomorrow should be a red letter day for all Nigerians. A day when we should be able to say that we are firmly stabilise our democracy.

    “Although for me, I still have some apprehensions. If the news of the already thumb printed ballot papers in Kano state yesterday.

    “I have received news in Ondo today I have received news in Ikorodu where ballot papers that have been thumb printed were allegedly intercepted there is trouble”.

    “If these things are true; we haven’t had anything like these before. I don’t want to say ‘oh, have I not told you!’ But it will be sad if they are true and then, maybe, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will then have to tell us, how this has to happen and maybe the commission will have an answer to that.

    “And not only answer, but precautions against this tomorrow because if people are already thumb printing, obviously they want to make sure that those already thumb printed ballot papers are used. If that happens, then it will make nonsense of all that INEC has prepared for and all that Nigerians are looking forward to.”

     

  • MAPOLY students’ dilemma

    It started out as Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, in 1979. Few years later, it was renamed Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY). Two years ago, the government upgraded it to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (AMUSTECH). But today, MAPOLY, MAUSTECH and Ogun State Polytechnic, which was founded in 2017, share the same campus at Ojere. The students are confused about the status of the institution. Is it MAPOLY, MAUSTECH or OGUNPOLY. Micheal Babatunde, HND 1 Mass Communication asks.

    Students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, are confused over their status.

    Reason: the school and two other institutions-the Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUSTECH); and the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia share the same campus at Ojere.

    MAPOLY was upgraded to MAUSTECH by Ogun State government in 2017; it was replaced with OGUNPOLY, which is to be sited in Ipokia.

    MAPOLY was to gradually metamophorse into MAUSTECH, and then pave the way for the coming of OGUNPOLY.

    Since the announcement of the upgrade, MAPOLY has ceased to admit students  for its national diploma (ND) programmes. But its doors are still opened for the higher national diploma (HND) programmes. Ogun Poly is expected to admit its pioneer ND students for the 2018/19 academic session at MAPOLY, Abeokuta.

    Investigation by CAMPUSLIFE showed that graduates of MAPOLY who have been mobilised for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps have Ogun State Polytechnic written on their mobilisation credentials, a development that further compounded the students’ woes.

    As things stand, lots of questions are hanging in the air on the specific status of the institution! Ogun State Polytechnic is at present admitting into ND programmes, MAPOLY, into HND programmes, with a possible commencement of admission into degree programmes by MAUSTECH, all in MAPOLY campus in Abeokuta.

    Ahead of the upgrade, MAPOLY had a record of a peaceful institution. After that announcement however, the institution has continued to witness series of strikes, social media bullying, protests and even prolonged academic calendar.

    As the popular saying goes, when two elephants fight, the grass beneath pays the price! It is common knowledge that the current predicament of the students emanated from the rechristening of MAPOLY and the fallouts pertaining to workers, students and representatives of government.

    However, to resolve the impasse, some experts have intervened, advising that MAUSTECH should take off on a new ground, while MAPOLY should remain because of the status it has earned for itself over the years.

    During the institution’s 14th convocation in March 2016, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun announced plans to upgrade MAPOLY to a degree awarding institution. The announcement, which would see MAPOLY rechristened MAUSTECH, was received with exhilaration by the entire polytechnic community. Incidentally, the announcement came at a time when there were arguments across quarters over HND/B.Sc dichotomy. Lecturers and other non-teaching staff also saw prospects of a leap in their careers. However, the biggest gladiators were the students who saw it as a victory over the B.Sc intimidation.

    Determined to walk its talk, the state government in January, last year, signed a bill passed by the Ogun State House of Assembly. The bill which in part also sought the establishment of Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, enjoyed a speedy passage and became a law two month late.

    Meanwhile, almost everyone at the time, hailed government’s move, thinking it would follow the path of Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE) which metamorphosed into Tai Solarin University of Education under former Governor Gbenga Daniel in 2005. And while the university remains in Ijagun, the College of Education was eventually relocated to Omu-Ijebu.

    All seemed to be going well until April 2017when Amosun inaugurated a transition committee headed by a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Peter Okebukola. Amosun had promised that the committee would be disbanded once the Governing Council of MAUSTECH was constituted.

    In three months, the committee facilitated NUC’s presentation of an approval letter for the upgrade of  MAPOLY to MAUSTECH to a delegation of Ogun State government. Pronto! MAUSTECH was declared the 45th state university and the 85th public university in the country by the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, who officially presented the approval letter to the state governor at the NUC headquarters in Abuja.

    During the presentation, Prof Rasheed had noted that Ogun has managed two state-owned universities (Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye; and Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun) to an ‘enviable level’, expressing optimism that the third would not be an exception. Nonetheless, the NUC helmsman urged the government to do more in infrastructural development of the institution.

    He added that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB, the Tertiary Education

    Trust Fund (TETFund); and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), had been informed of the institution’s new status.

    Interestingly, all the aforementioned bodies have since remained silent on the status of MAPOLY, MAUSTECH and Ogun State Polytechnic.

    This good news didn’t last long as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) of MAPOLY staged a protest over what members described as a threat to their job by the Okebukola-led committee.

    The committee had issued a directive ordering more than 250 lecturers in the institution to turn in their resignation letters and reapply. The information had irked ASUP members who immediately took to the streets in protest. The lecturers who chanted solidarity songs and also displayed fetish objects, had shut the school’s gate, blocking it with two vehicles,

    Thus, the first strike MAPOLY would have in a long time came sometime in August 2017. The aggrieved workers however, shelved their grievances to resume work. They sent series of letters (which were allegedly not acknowledged) to the state Ministry of Education Science and Technology.

    Students of MAPOLY immediately took to the streets in protest of the delay in their second semester examination schedule and relocation of the institution to Ipokia from Ojere.

    While the delay in examination was linked to lecturers’ strike action, students in their hundreds headed for the Governor’s Office at Oke Mosan in Abeokuta.

    They held Abeokuta to ransom for almost a week, setting social media ablaze with various harshtags to announce their plights to the world.

    The governor said: “Creating Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology will not affect you. We have said nobody in the school will be relocated to Ipokia. It will take four years before MAPOLY goes into extinction. The reason is this: those in Higher National Diploma (HND) now, you will leave, those in Ordinary National Diploma (OND) 1, you will be in this Abeokuta. All of you here, you will go through your normal course.”

    Calm returned, activities went back to normal and the session ended; but the graduating students who ought to be serving their fatherland couldn’t join their colleagues owing to delayed results, hence another round of protest.

    Briefly after the result issue was settled, the institution began to experience a slow academic calendar. Oftentimes, lecturers embarked on industrial action (work to rule) which gave them liberty to act as they wished.

    CAMPUSLIFE also gathered that the situation was not unconnected with the failure of the government to offset the backlog allowance owed to part time staff.

    While the full-time students were managing the work-to-rule action of lecturers, their part time counterparts were not attended to at all. In show of their grievances, the part time students shut down the school gate, paralysing academic activities for a week.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE at the weekend, a Computer Engineering HND 1 of the school, Oluwaseun Adepegba said: “It is not possible for the three institutions to co-exist in the same compound considering the fact that university students will want to be superior to poly students and the professors won’t want to mingle with lecturers. Classes won’t be enough for the three institutions to run.

    “If MAPOLY should be eradicated or name changed, which name will be on my HND certificate? is it Ogunpoly/Mapoly? How will I explain to the companies I sent my CV to that MAPOLY is now OGUNPOLY if it’s an international company?

    Omokehinde Abdul-Azeez, another HNDI Computer Sceince, also lent his voice.

    “Government’s conversion of MAPOLY into MAUSTECH has become a threat to the entire staff of MAPOLY, while also putting the students career at risk.

    He continued: “Why asking the lecturers to resign and apply fresh because it is not certain everyone would be reabsorbed into the system. What is the possibility that lecturers that lose their jobs in the process will get another anytime soon. Ultimatum should have been to them to upgrade their credentials while still working as members of staff of the polytechnic.

    “I don’t really blame them because none of their children is schooling here in Nigeria to face exactly what we are facing. For this reason, they have total disregard for  our careers regardless of efforts our parents are putting to make our lives better here.”

    Also Oluwatobi Odeyinka, ND2 Mass communication, added to the heat

    “Whatever its name is, whether MAPOLY, OGUNPOLY or MAUSTECH, we don’t even know anymore. We don’t know how long we would remain at home; even the lecturers don’t know their stand or so they claim.

    “The studentship of all students of MAPOLY is uncertain. MAPOLY no more exists as an institution and that is evident in its absence in the brochure of JAMB. I am still wondering what institution would award me a certificate after graduation, whether it is MAPOLY, OGUNPOLY or MAUSTECH.

    “For me, the government of Ogun State was unreasonable to have taken the decision to scrap MAPOLY and establish a university without taking necessary steps, otherwise.”

    Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) of MAPOLY Comrade Kola Abiola, put the root of the crisis in bad advisers appointed by the governor.

    He said:  “It is a pity that the Ogun State governor appointed bad advisers. I can say that the governor had good intention but his advisers did a bad job and immediately they started, we raised alarm. It was just like taking a carpenter to head an hospital.”

  • Buhari endorses Abiodun as APC candidate

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday raised the hands of Prince Dapo Abiodun and presented him to the electorate in Ogun State as the party’s governorship candidate in the March 2 election.

    Scores of hoodlums had stormed the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, venue of the party’s rally, and disrupted the proceedings.

    APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole also presented the symbolic party’s flag to Abiodun at the well-attended rally.

    The event was also witnessed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, some former and serving governors and party executives.

    President Buhari hailed the people of Ogun State for supporting him in 2015 and reeled out his achievements in combating insurgency, fighting corruption, building infrastructure and providing social security, among others, for Nigerians.

    Against the violence that preceded his arrival at the venue, during which several members of the APC were injured and chased out of the stadium by thugs allegedly sponsored by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the President warned that the choice of who to vote for “is a fundamental human right of the people and there should be no problems about that at all”.

    He posited that people should be allowed to freely express their choice by voting their preferred candidate on February 16 and March 2.

    President Buhari said he had “no problem about it”.

    The state’s Caretaker Committee, led by Chief Yemi Sanusi, apologised to the President for the gross misconduct, indiscipline, disrespect and disorder perpetrated by suspected agents of the governor at the M. K. O. Abiola Stadium.

    He said Amosun allegedly used the thugs and other urchins to wreak havoc on members and supporters of the APC for wearing yellow vests and caps of Dapo Abiodun.

    The caretaker committee chairman alleged that the thugs at some points were personally led by the governor, who was seen on a video that has since gone viral, removing billboards and other campaign materials of Dapo Abiodun from the venue.

    Also, members of the caretaker committee were reportedly barred from mounting the stage, allegedly by Amosun’s “thugs”, with obvious compromise of some security agents attached to the governor.

    “The unruly acts, not only embarrassed the President and his entourage, but embarrassed the people of Ogun State at home and abroad, who have since been expressing their disbelief and disdain.

    “While tendering this apology, we are happy that the Department of State Services (DSS) and other agencies have details of the sad events, which we urge them to submit to the Presidency,” Sanusi said.

  • Pelting Buhari in Ogun sign of rejection, says PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) has described Monday’s pelting of President Muhammadu Buhari in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally, as a sign of rejection.

    According to the main opposition party, the action was a direct response by Nigerians to his four years misrule as depicted in the expansion of poverty, corruption, divisiveness and bloodletting across the country.

    A statement Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said “It’s instructive to note that Mr. President was pelted in Abeokuta barely 24 hours after his Zamfara state rally on Sunday, where he attempted to incite Nigerians to join the APC in their planned resort to violence to derail the 2019 general election, having realised that they stand no chance of winning the election”.

    The PDP said the people of Ogun state, and indeed, the South West, have shown that they are in direct alignment with other states and geo-political zones in rejecting President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whose administration the party said, has foisted so much injustice and brought unprecedented pain and anguish to Nigerians.

    Read Also: PDP kicks against alleged clampdown on members

    The statement said, “Mr. President can now see that Nigerians cannot be bought with N10, 000, as he was made to believe by Prof. Osinbajo and members of the cabal in his Presidency.

    “After the unpalatable encounters in all his rallies, Mr. President needs no further signal to show him that the people have completely rejected him, despite his false performance indices. Nigerians are determined to deal him a crushing defeat on February 16 by voting enmasse for the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as the next President of our country.

    “The PDP therefore urges President Buhari and the APC to read the handwriting on the wall and get ready to accept his inevitable defeat so that Nigerians can have a breath of fresh air under the leadership of Atiku Abubakar, whose campaign has continued to receive rousing reception in all parts of the country”.

  • Tension in Ogun as thugs disrupt Presidential rally

    Sacks Abiodun’s Supporters from Stadium

    Scores of hoodlums chanting the slogan of a rival opposition governorship candidate on Monday disrupted the Presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and sacked supporters of the Prince Dapo Abiodun, the governorship candidate of APC, from the main bowl of the MKO stadium, Abeokuta

    Other APC members and supporters seated awaiting the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari for planned rally, were also chased away as the thugs hurled stones, shoes and other dangerous weapons at them.

    Many were injured in the attacks, forcing thousands of people to leave the stadium while the President is yet to arrive.

    In less than 10 minutes, all the seats and positions occupied by Dapo Abiodun supporters and other APC members were deserted as stones and objects hurled by the hoodlums, fell on them in torrents.

    Read Also: Abiodun: I will bring new lease of life to Ogun

    Some of the hoodlums were overheard brazenly boasting “this is Ogun and nobody can intimidate us” while throwing stones at the fleeing APC members and supporters of Abiodun.

    Not even the announcement of the arrival of the wife of the Vice – President, Dolapo Osinbajo, at the time could elicit respite to the reign of terror unleashed on people.

    Outside the stadium, dozens of armed soldiers and other security agencies battled to prevent the entry of another batch of hoodlums who were allegedly hurried to the venue to reinforce their colleagues who had seized the main bowl of the main stadium.

    Many were appalled that a Fuji musician called to entertain at the occasion, prodded the hoodlums on with inciting lyrics even as those who ought to ensure orderliness at the venue acted as though they were on holiday.

    There was palpable concern over the safety of the APC chieftains such as Senator Gbenga Kaka, Abiodun’s running mate, Noimot Oyedele – Salako, Chief Tolu Odebiyi and others, with many wondering if they were able to leave the stadium unscathed.

  • Heavy security after assassination attempt on Abiodun, running mate

    A detachment of armed policemen and Special Anti – robbery Squad (F -SARS) took over Abeokuta and its environs on Thursday following alleged botched attempt on the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun and his running mate, Engr. Noimot Oyedele – Salako in Mokola – Elega area of the state capital by suspected political thugs.

    The armed policemen and SARS were deployed by the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, to the seedy Elega area and other flashpoints to restore normalcy and forestall further outbreak of violence, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told The Nation.

    Abiodun and his running mate were attacked by thugs wielding guns, cutlasses and cudgels after blocking their access way with cars on approaching the Mokola junction near Akomoje in Abeokuta North Local during campaign tour of the area.

    They later opened fire on his campaign train and smashed things on sight.

    There was chaos, tension and pandemonium at the rustic neighbourhood as security Operatives in the convoy of the APC governorship candidate fired repeatedly into the air to scare the attackers away.

    They also cleared the obstructions for quick and safe evacuation of Abiodun and the running mate from spot, but the attackers, it was learnt, audaciously held on to the reign of terror momentarily before they beat a retreat.

    In the pandemonium and ensuing stampede, some of the fear-stricken party members, supporters and innocent passers-by fell on one another as they scampered to safety when gunshots rang out repeatedly.

    It was learnt the assault was allegedly sponsored by a federal lawmaker from Ogun Central, who is a candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), who was allegedly sighted fleeing the scene when the situation took a worrisome dimension.

    It was further gathered the attackers having been dislodged at the Mokola – Elega area later regrouped by noon and stormed the junction of Ori – Omi Sokori area.

    They threatened Abiodun to emerge from a stakeholders’ meeting at Akin Olugbade Social Centre, Abeokuta but his supporters resisted them.

    The prompt intervention of more detachment of armed Policemen hurried to the scene, saved the day as the suspected thugs were chased away.

    Reacting to the latest attack on him, Abiodun said: “When we were approaching Mokola Junction in Abeokuta North Local government, we saw some group of people approaching us, we realised that they were fully armed.

    “Suddenly they started shooting. Thank God for the gallant policemen who were on ground and rose up to the occasion and chased them away.

    “If not for them, only God knows what would have happened today. It is unfortunate that our politics has gotten to this level where it has become do- or- die affair.

    “We should rather canvass for votes and endear ourselves to the people. That is the only way that we would have peaceful election.

    Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, when contacted said policemen, including area Commanders, have been deployed to the affected areas to restore normalcy.

  • ‘Police watch as billboards, posters of Abiodun are destroyed in Ogun’

    Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organisation (DACO) on Thursday lamented the increasing vandalization and illegal removal of billboards, posters and other campaign items of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in various locations of Abeokuta Local Government by people suspected to be agents of the state government.

    DACO  said the steady vandalization of Abiodun’s campaign billboards and posters took a new dimension last week and peaked on Monday this week with the alleged damage and removal of one of the billboards located at OPIC junction in Oke – Ilewo, Abeokuta, with armed policemen keeping vigil while the unlawful acts lasted.

    In a signed release made available to reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, by Olufemi Oduntan (Director – General, DACO, Abeokuta South) and Femi Ayorinde( Assistant Director, Media and Publicity, DACO, Abeokuta South), they alleged that an estimated N5m worth campaign billboards and posters of Prince Abiodun have been destroyed in the last two weeks in Abeokuta South.

    The duo said the law abiding APC governorship candidate would not want anything that could jeopardize the peace of the Abeokuta South Local Government as 2019 general elections draw closer.

    Read Also: ‘Why I support Dapo Abiodun’

    Oduntan and Ayorinde, appealed to Governor Ibikunle Amosun to create a level playing ground where all political parties would have the opportunity to sell their manifestoes and programmes to the people of Ogun state through the media of mass communication.

    However, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told The Nation that no police officer would vandalise or tear down campaign billboards and posters of politicians, and advised that nobody should drag the police into politicians’ matter.

    Oyeyemi said if armed policemen were sighted where billboards are being pulled down or removed, it means the Ogun state agency in charge of advertising and signage must be the one carrying out the acts, perhaps in line with its signage regulations.

    According the Police Image maker in the state, the presence of police was to forestall a breakdown of law and order in such locations.