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Tag: ACN

  • ACN alleges irregularities in Ondo poll

    ACN alleges irregularities in Ondo poll

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has raised an alarm over acts of thuggery, irregularities and delay in the distribution of election materials during Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State.

    In a statement issued in Akure, the state capital by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party t called on INEC officials and security agencies to move fast to rectify the situation.

    According to the ACN cases of irregularities have been reported in many localities in the state, with the worst-hit areas being Idanre and Okitipupa.

    In Idanre, for example, the party said thugs on motorcycles are harassing voters and agents of the opposition.

    “There are also reports of stuffed ballot boxes being moved to polling booths with the protection of Labour Party thugs.

    “In Owo, a state government Commissioner has been arrested by soldiers after he was found with weapons.

    “The widespread insecurity has led to apprehension by voters, and there is the need for security agencies to urgently deploy additional security to the affected areas.

     “Many agents of the Action Congress of Nigeria whose names were forwarded to INEC were not given accreditation tags in several polling units across the state, raising fears that ACN agents may not be able to monitor the election. INEC must immediately remedy the situation.

    “Though election materials have been distributed to many polling units across the states, they are yet to get to several polling units, more than one hour after the election ought to have commenced.

    “Specifically, materials have not been brought to Ese Odo LG Ward 1 Unit 11, as well as Akure South Ward 8 Wofere Unit.

    “Also at both Units, INEC officials have not been sighted while at the Ese Odo LG, Apoi 4, Unit 1, duplicate EC8A was presented”, Mohammed stated.

     

     

  • ACN to voters: give Mimiko red card

    ACN to voters: give Mimiko red card

    Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday urged Ondo State residents to vote for Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) on Saturday.

    Akande, who raised Akeredolu’s hand at the party’s “Redemption Rally” in Akure, the state capital, before presenting the party’s flags to him and his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure, declared that the lawyer-turned politician would be the next governor.

    The former Osun State governor told the crowd of party supporters: “I have not come to waste your time here. I have seen you at Ikare, Ondo and Ore. Now, I am in Akure to give Labour Party a red card. As far as I am concerned, Labour Party is gone in Ondo State.”

    Tinubu, who was cheered by the huge crowd, said Governor Olusegun Mimiko is unfit for the office for another four years because he has not performed well, adding that he runs a government of deceit and treachery.

    The ACN national leader said the governor took delight in betraying those who lifted him up in his political career.

    Tinubu took exception to Mimiko’s claim that he did not lend him a helping hand when his mandate was stolen in 2007, recalling that he shunned the warning by associates that “a leopard could not change his skin”. He also acknowledged Mimiko’s remarks that he is a godfather, saying that he is a positive godfather who has successfully nurtured many followers now making waves in the Southwest.

    He said after receiving that red card on Saturday, “Mimiko should go out”.

    Tinubu said: “I am a positive godfather. I am happy that I have contributed to the success of Governors Fashola, Adams Oshiomhole, Ajimobi, Aregbesola, Amosun and Fayemi. They say Fashola has performed. But did they help me to discover him? If godfatherism is not good, Christians will not adopt it because when a child is born and they want to christen him in the church, they will say he should have godfather.

    “Godfatherism by Tinubu is for development. I have poor people I sent to school. I will not want Awo’s shoes. They are big for me. All I want is development for the Southwest. Go and slaughter Labour Party with your votes and send Mimiko away.”

    The ACN national leader described Akeredolu as a credible candidate, who is full of honour and integrity.

    He said: “He is a versatile, competent and a hardworking lawyer. He is the best for the governorship.”

    Aregbesola, who rendered three songs before his speech, said Mimiko and LP planned to divide Yorubaland, stressing that his continuation in office would be a setback to regional integration – the Southwest’s plan for development.

    The Osun governor stressed: “Nobody can divide Yoruba, a race united by one language, culture and tradition. Yoruba families have tentacles across the race. That is why an Ilesa man will have relatives in Akoko and Akure man will have relatives in Ondo. We want integration. Integration is the key to development in the Southwest. No state can survive without mutual cooperation and collaboration.

    “Before state creation by the military, we were one. It is fraudulent to say that we should tackle the challenge of development independent of one another. We can benefit from comparative advantage. We have done everything to explain this to the Ondo State governor about the advantage of collaboration, but he refused. He prefers to walk alone. When a snake walks alone, it suffers.

    “Nigeria is becoming fragile. The nations constituting the nation-state are peeping at the future. You cannot be adamant in Yorubaland. We need to prepare to salvage Yoruba, which includes Ondo State. Ondo cannot be isolated from Lagos, Edo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Ogun states. Ondo must come home. Two heads are better than one. We must cooperate to survive together. Ondo Sate is important. It cannot be left behind. That is why we must hew the Iroko”.

    From 8 am, the venue of the rally, Democracy Park, on Oba Adesida Road, had been filled to the brim. The entire environment stretching to the adjacent streets leading to the park, was aglow with festivities. Banners of various forms and inscribed with messages sensitising the people to the imperative of power shift welcomed party members from the 18 local governments. Brooms, the symbol of the leading progressive party, filled the air as party supporters, decked in customised blue t-shirts and fez caps, danced to the talking drums of itinerant drummers.

    Also on the stage thrilling the crowd were ace musicians, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde and Jesse King Buga, Ewi exponent Arowolo Elaloro and renowned actor Ojo Arowosafe (a.k.a Fadeyi Oloro), who entertained the party faithful with wisecracks. So were the cultural troupe from Owo, Akeredolu’s home town, and some masqueraders from other towns in the Sunshine State. There were youths and students, and representatives of Hausa, Fulani, Nupe, Efik, Igbo and Ebira communities.

    Students under the aegis of the Federation of Oodua Students Union, led by Comrade Stephen Owolabi, showed up in solidarity with Akeredolu, a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). They explained that they were captivated by the integration agenda, adding that the plan should not exclude Ondo State.

    At 12.30 pm, the rally kicked off with an opening prayer by the grassroots politician, Olayato Aribo, who prayed for the success of the party at the poll. Sighting Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at the entrance to the park, party supporters swarmed him. But he, his deputy, Mrs. Tawa Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Yemi Ikuforiji, were promptly ushered to the podium.

    Barely one hour after, Akeredolu, accompanied by his wife, Betty, and a party leader from the South District, Wale Akinterinwa, rode into the park, amid cheers.

    The atmosphere became more electrifying, with the arrival of Tinubu, Akande, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, on the podium.

    Tinubu said: “Mimiko said I did not spend money for him when he was fighting to reclaim his stolen mandate.

     

     

     

     

     

    He is lying. Wole Olanipekun and Akeredolu were among the counsel. Luke seven, verse six says ‘don’t give what is holy to a dog and herd. He is a traitor.

    “For four years he has been ruling here, he said he was building mega schools. You don’t need mega schools in Ondo State. You don’t have the population and density. In Lagos, we did it because we had 7,000 pupils on the spot. In Oshodi, we had 10,000 pupils. He is using the contracts to sweep away your money.”

    Quoting Mathew Chapter seven, Verse 17, the former Lagos State governor said that any tree that does not bear good fruit shall be cut down and thrown into fire.

    Lawyer Osinbajo went to Bristol and Israel in search of a forensic expert. I put money down. Mimiko is ungrateful. He lacks character. He has been a traitor for long. Who has Mimiko worked with and did not betray? Let us assumed that he did not betray Bola Tinubu. But he betrayed Adefarati, who made him Commissioner for Health. Agagu made him Secretary to Government; he betrayed him. He said it should be one governor, one term. He deserted Agagu during electioneering. He also betrayed Obasanjo who made him minister of housing”.

    Stressing that the election is critical to the integration of the Southwest, the ACN leader said Mimiko, who, according to him, has no plan for Ondo State, is an obstacle that must be swept aside.

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who addressed the rally before the arrival of the national leaders, received a loud ovation as he spoke in both Yoruba and English. His presence put paid to the rumour that he had endorsed the LP candidate. The comrade-governor said the destiny of Ondo people is in their hands.

    He said: “Use your vote to sweep away poverty, misery, disease and bad governance.”

    Tinubu warned against rigging, saying that it would be resisted. “he said: ‘Don’t fight them. We don’t want violence. We just want to win this election. But, if they say they will rig, resist them. If they give you money or rice, take it, but vote ACN.”

    Oshiomhole stressed: “Only you alone can make the change you desire. If you turn out on Saturday, vote and be ready to defend your votes; you will achieve success. It is not over until it is over. You must vote and police your vote to the collation centres”.

    Fashola, who spoke before him, advised the people to vote and shine their eyes. He said votes may not count on Nigeria, unless they are defended at the polling units and collation centres.

    The Lagos governor dissected the Mimiko administration, wondering why the governor could neither construct roads nor provide potable water.

    Fashola added: “There is work for Ondo people to do. We have only come to lend a helping hand. Southwest has been under progressive banner since the days of Awolowo. You know where the shoe pinches. Do you like the party in power today? Is the governor doing well? Do you want him to continue? Which government do you want? If it is ACN you want, vote the broom on Saturday.

    “We have seen what is going on in the Southwest. I don’t live here. It is the people of Ondo State that say they want change. ACN will come to Ondo State with a school of entrepreneurship school to train our youths so that they can be self-reliant. Our party is growing. The evidence is seen Edo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti. In Ondo here, they cannot give you road. You don’t have water. In three years, 15 mini water works were completed in Lagos. One of your children, Dr. (Segun) Abraham did it for us in Lagos. Why can’t Ondo have water? Fayemi has been commissioning water and road projects in Ekiti in the last two weeks.

    “There is work to do in Ondo. Let each one of you mobilise 10 voters each to vote for ACN on Saturday. Vote, shine your eyes and defend your votes.”

    Fayemi, who started his speech in English, ended it in Yoruba, as the people insisted that he should address them in the native tongue. He obliged, speaking in both Yoruba and Ekiti, as he extended the greetings of the people from the “Fountain of Knowledge” to kith and kins in Ondo, Akure, Owo, Ikare, Ugbo, Mahin, Omotoso, Olokola and other towns and villages in the state. He urged Ekiti in Ondo State to vote for ACN so that they can enjoy the democratic fruits where they reside as their relations savour them at home.

    The Ekiti governor noted that the core issues today are liberation and integration, adding that they are central to the development and progress of Yorubaland.

    He said: “We are talking about liberation of Yoruba. It is not only about Ondo State. It is the battle for peace, progress and development in Yorubaland and all those parts which Awolowo gave good governance. We stand by the truth in our party. Check out with the class captain of our governors, Fashola and what our deputy captain, Oshiomhole, is doing in Edo. The same thing Fashola did in Lagos. The same thing we are doing in Ekiti. “If you were in Ekiti in the last two days, we have have been commissioning roads. We have constructed Ekiti roads up to the boundaries between Ekiti and Ondo State. Ekiti has better roads than Ondo. Compare our road in Igbara-Odo with the one in Igbara-Oke, between Ise and Emure-Ile, between Iro and Oyin.

    “In Ekiti, we pay monthly stipends to elderly people. We don’t have oil money in Ekiti; only little in Edo; we don’t have oil money in Osun, Ogun and Lagos states. We use our sweat to develop our states. The progress of our people is our concern. This will be achieved in Ondo State by the votes on Saturday.

    “Remember, after retrieving my stolen mandate in 2010, I was in Akure. Mimiko was the first person I visited. But if your relative is departing from the path of progress, you bid him farewell. We don’t want anybody that will sell Yoruba.

    Ajimobi, who prayed for Akeredolu’s victory in Islamic, Christian and traditional ways, said that victory is certain, advising the voters to be courageous.

    He likened Mimiko to an Iroko, the king of trees. But he quickly added that Akeredolu is like a clay, which will be used to bury Iroko, when it withers.

    “If you vote for Akeredolu, then, God will answer your prayers. If you are a labourer for four years and you don’t have a cloth to show for it, won’t you retrace your steps? For four years, you have laboured in vain. Akeredolu will win and bury Iroko,” Ajimobi said.

    Osoba reminded the people of their heroic resistance to bad governments, urging them to live to expectation on Saturday. He said: “You Ondo people know how to reject the traitor. In 1983, election was rigged against Ajasin. You rejected it. Your state was the first to reject an imposed governor. As you chased Omoboriowo away, chase away Mimiko. As I told you in Ore, we gather here for the wake-keep of Labour Party. On Saturday, we will bury it.

    At the rally were Ogun State Deputy Governor Segun Adesegun, former Oyo State Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun, Ekiti House of Assembly Speaker Dr. Femi Omirin, his Lagos State counterpart Yemi Ikuforiji, Southwest ACN leader Senator James Kolawole, former Benue State Governor George Akume, ACN House of Representatives Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, Lagos ACN chairman Otunba Oladele Ajomale, his Osun State counterpart, Lowo Adebiyi, Ekiti ACN chairman Chief Jide Awe, Cross River ACN chairman Mr. Ellah, Abuja ACN chairman Faruk Osuma, National ACN Youth Leader Biriki Ebisemiri, Alhaji Kola Oseni, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Chief Kemi Nelson and Commissioner for Justice Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose.

    Also there were former Ondo State Attorney-General and former House of Representatives Chief Whip Mr. Olawale Oshun, Prince Olu Adegboro, Dr. Akerele Adu, Senators Ayo Adeseun, Titus Olupitan, Ganiyu Solomin, Gbenga Ashafa, Ajayi Boroffice, Gbenga Kaka, Babajide Omoworare , Femi Lanlehin and Tony Adeniyi; federal legislators Ofedayo Abegunde, James Faleke, Adeola Olamilekan, and Dr. Babatunde Adejare; Dr. Jayeola Ajatta, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Pa Olatona Oguntade, Prince Rotimi Agunsoye, Chief Raheem Daramola, Southwest ACN Publicity Secretary Ayo Afolabi, Osun State Environment Commissioner Bola Ilori, Lagos State House of Assembly Majority Leader Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, Lagos lawmakers Segun Olulade, Ipoola Omisore, Omowumi Edet, Bimpe Akinsola, Former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Dele Alake, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) spokesman Kunle Famoriyo, Amuwo Odofin council chairman Ayodele Adewale, his Ifako-Ijaye and Ojokoro council counterparts, Toba Oke and Olabinjo, Mr. Kayode Aremo, Tunji Osati, Ifedayo Abegunde, Osun State Secretary to Government Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Special Adviser on Environment Bola Ilori.

    Lagos State Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Lateef Raji, Ondo ACN Women Leader Erelu Modupe Johnson, Ondo ACN Campaign Committee Chairman Comrade Sola Iji, Ondo ACN Campaign Organisation Chairman Tayo Alasoadura, Gboyega Adefarati, Tunde Braimoh, Gbenga Adedipe, Joe Igbokwe, Pa Abiodun Sunmola, Lanre Odubote, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, Femi Aborissade, Bisi Yusuf, Rotimi Obadofin, Ademorin Kuye, sLai Mohammed, Prince Fisoye Bajowa, Pa Alabi Macfoy, Jaja Tayo Abidakun, Ibunkun Fakeye, leader of Total Loyalty Group, Toyin Balogun, Tokunbo Ajasin, Osun State Commissioner for Justice Wale Afolabi, Southwest ACN Youth Leader Mr. Enilolobo, Tunde Imolehin, Ondo ACN Youth leader Enus Mohammed, Mrs. Ronke Ojo, Idowu Otetubi, Banji Ajiloge, Mr. Akinwale, and Chief Wale Omojuwa, Diran Iyantan and Femi Idris.

    Hausa Community leader Mallam Oniege Garuba, Dr. Segun Abraham, Akinsehinwa Apata, Muyiwa Oloro, Mrs. Morenike Adesina-Williams, Chief Sola Adekunle, Asiwaju Olowu, Secretary of the Oodua Peoples Congress Dare Adesope, Tope Babaleye, Femi Adekanmbi, chief lucky Adedatiwa, Mrs. Grace Ayemola and ACN-USA representatives Tunde Doherty and Ayo Adigun.

    The party chairman, Pa Sola Adesoji, expressed satisfaction with the large turnout, saying that victory is certain on Saturday.

    Alasoadura, leader of the party in Akure North, advised the people to be vigilant. He said: “LP knows that the time is up. They are importing guns and training people in Israel to disrupt election in Ondo State. They are stocking Government House and hotels with guns. We remind them that when some people wanted to force themselves on the people in the Second Republic, hell was let loose. They want to rig elections here. It will not be possible. Our leader, Dr Akerele Adu, told me that they have brought ballot papers to the palace at Ijare. It will not work. They said they are already voting at Ijoka, Akure. It will be futile. Mimiko is behaving as Goliath. David used ordinary string to defeat him. We will defeat Mimiko with our votes. “He said he is Iroko. Iroko belongs to the forest. Iroke means a tree. Gbasibe, their slogan, means thieving. If you know how LP has ruined Ondo State, you will weep. The former President Yar’ Adua said ex-militants should be trained. Instead of declaring N1.8 million as the money used for the training, they claimed N300 million. They awarded contracts for 20 bus stop projects. They said it cost N80m each. We have the papers in the bank. They awarded contracts for roundabouts for N955 million. The road for St Peters College is not up to one kilometre. It was awarded for N378 million. Dome project became a doomed project, although it was awarded at the cost of N3.2 billion. Three years ago, they began work on Akure City Stadium. They wasted a lot of money running to millions. It has not been delivered.

    “By the grace of God, the day has come. Vote and defend your votes. What they want to do is to rig. Don’t be afraid of their guns. Prepare to resist them.”

    Igbokwe, who spoke in Igbo, said: “Look at the wonders of ACN in Lagos. Don’t you want Ondo State to enjoy the same lease of life? Look at what is happening in Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, and edo. Why should Ondo be different. Enough is enough. Vote Akeredolu for change and progress”.

    Akeredolu thanked the party leaders and supporters for their solidarity, promising not to disappoint Ondo State. He requested the ACN members to pray and fast on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday preceding the election.

    He said: “By the grace of God, two of us, Dr. Paul Akintelure and I, will run the administration together. He is a doctor. He has hospital in Lagos. He is not a doctor who cannot give injection. We are already where we are going to. We will win this election. It is because we depend on God.”

     

  • Nobody died at ACN rally, says Police Commissioner

    Ondo State Police Commissioner, Danladi Mshelbwala, yesterday said nobody died at the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) rally.

    He added that there was only an ‘accidental discharge’ between two policemen.

    He was reacting to an allegation that a policeman killed a young man at the Democracy Park in Akure, venue of the rally.

    He said nobody died, stressing that the victim is a police corporal and is being treated in an undisclosed hospital.

    Some people had alleged that an unidentified young man was killed by a policeman at the governorship rally of the ACN.

    The identity of the policeman could not be ascertained at press time.

    Members of the ACN who were outside the venue of the event and traders in the vicinity reportedly cursed the policeman.

    It was learnt that trouble began when the deceased tried to force himself into the campaign ground. This made the policeman to allegedly shoot him in the shoulder.

    Efforts to revive him were said to have been unsuccessful.

    His friends reportedly took him to an undisclosed hospital.

    ACN leaders before the rally raised the alarm over a plot by the Labour Party (LP) to use thugs to disrupt the campaign by disguising as ACN members.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ACN youths protest attacks on Oyo lawmaker

    Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) youths from eight communities in the Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State yesterday protested the assassination attempt on the lawmaker representing the area in the House of Assembly, Mr. Femi Adelakun.

    The youths marched peacefully on the streets of Awe, Jobele, Akinmoorin, Ilora, Fiditi, Iware, Imini, and IJaye-Ojutaye.

    Commercial activities were not disrupted and no violence was reported.

    The youths carried placards with inscriptions, such as: “No harm should befall our lawmaker”; “Stop politics of elimination and calumny”; “Allow peace to reign or regret your action” and “All we need is politics based on issues and not character assassination”, among others.

    Addressing party supporters at Awe, the ACN youth leader in the council, Mr. Sunkanmi Sangokunle, recalled how Adelakun escaped being killed by gunmen in Akinmoorin shortly after his election.

    Sangokunle said: “If not for divine intervention, the lawmaker would have fallen to assassins’ bullets. Since Adelakun was sworn in, there had been several attempts by enemies of development to either eliminate him or assassinate his character. When all these efforts failed, they resorted to media attacks with the ulterior aim of discrediting his good works in the last one year.”

    The ACN youth leader urged those behind the attacks to give peace a chance.

     

  • ACN youths call for police, SSS bosses’ removal

    A week to the October 20 Governorship election in Ondo State, the Forum of Youths Leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria has called for the removal of the state Police Commissioner and the Director of State Security Service.

    Rising from a two -day meeting of the forum during the weekend in Osogbo, its National Co-coordinator, Mr. Okonkwo Oliver, who read the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting at the state secretariat of the party in Osogbo, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could not conduct or hold a free and fair poll in the state with the two officers around.

    He, therefore, called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to transfer the Police and the SSS bosses out of the state and should not be allowed to supervise the forthcoming election.

     

     

     

  • In Ondo, the die is cast

    In Ondo, the die is cast

    Six days to Ondo State’s governorship election, Damisi Ojo, in Akure, takes a close look at the final preparations, the battle zones, the leading candidates, their chances and the top politicians that can make the difference.

    By this week’s Saturday, electorate in Ondo State will be exercising their franchise as they elect a new governor that will take over power in the state for the next four years.

    Out of 63 political parties in the country, only 13 have shown interest and have been screened by the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] for the polls in the state.

    The Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] will be represented by the former President of the Nigeria Bar Association [NBA], Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu [SAN], the incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko is the standard bearer of Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], candidate is Chief Olusola Oke, and the Congress for Progressive Change [CPC] flagbearer is Mr. Soji Ehinlanwo.

    Others are, Oladipo Bolade, National Conscience Party (NCP), Abikanlu James Olusola, National Solidarity Democratic Party (NSDP, Victor Oluwaremi Adetunsin, People for Democratic Change (PDC), Omoregha Olatunji, Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), Adeyemi Bolarinwa, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Omoleye Afolabi Olorunwa, and Change Advocacy Party (CAP) Omoregha Olatunji.

    Already, for the past three months, since the electoral body gave the marching order to political parties to commence their political campaigns, these parties and their candidates had been selling their agenda to the electorate on the need to vote for them.

    But, since the commencement of the election process in the state, it is now clear to all stakeholders that the gubernatorial battle is primarily between three major political parties namely ACN, LP and the PDP.

    Stakeholders came into such conclusion because the three parties, more than the rest, are solidly on ground.

    The ACN and PDP chieftains have however resolved to send the ruling LP’s government away in the state, while Governor Mimiko believes he will score the majority votes to retain his exalted seat.

    On several rallies attended by Mimiko, the LP flagbearer had told the electorate, particularly members of the party, that he would defeat his opponents with landslide margin, stressing that he had touched all sectors in the state.

    But, Akeredolu and Oke have insisted that Mimiko had failed in all his electioneering promises. For example, Akeredolu, who was one of the legal team that reclaimed Mimiko’s mandate at the tribunal in 2009, have criticized Mimiko’s administration at several occasions, saying the state needs a change of leadership and a leader that would allow the state to key into the proposed South-West economic integration.

    As the D-day draws near, there is palpable fear that the election may not be violent free. The ACN and PDP, for example, had always accused the LP of using thugs to disrupt their rallies.

    ACN candidate’s Akeredolu campaign team had been reportedly attacked on most of its rallies in rural communities in the state. Also, thebMimiko Campaign Organisation [ACO] Director of Publicity and Media Relations, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, recently alleged that the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, had concluded plan to fill the state with hoodlums.

    Also, Olabisi raised an alarm recently that ACN national leadership had imported the factional leader of the Oyo State National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lateef Akinsola, to cause mayhem during the election.

    Shortly after the three major contenders got their various political party tickets; different groups had been endorsing the candidates. For instance, Governor Mimiko before his declaration was endorsed by leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress [NLC] in the state for second term, but this had been generally condemned by stakeholders in the state.

    Their chances:

    It is not yet clear who may likely emerge as the next governor of the state, particularly because ACN, PDP and LP have strategically elected their candidates from the three senatorial areas of the state.

    ACN flagbearer is from Owo Local Government Area in the Northern senatorial area of the state, where many have argued that it is their turn to produce the next governor of the state, because of the zoning system.

    The LP adopted Mimiko for second term. The governor is from Ondo in the Central senatorial district, while PDP who had witnessed political crisis in the state believed that the only way to return to power in the state is by picking its candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, an indigene of Ilaje local government, an oil producing community in the Southern senatorial district.

    The leadership of the party took this decision because they believed the poor masses in the oil producing communities will accept and vote for a party that picks their kinsman as a standard bearer due to the general belief of the stakeholders in the area that they have not felt the impact of the present administration of the ruling LP.

    With this, Oke, Akeredolu and Mimiko may be relying on catchment advantage from the three senatorial districts. But investigations show that due to the agitation of the people from the northern district areas of the state to produce the next governor, most prominent politicians from the six local governments have decided to back ACN in order to achieve this unifying objective.

    ACN, it would be recalled became the most popular opposition party, particularly in the state immediately after the last 2011 general elections, following the defection of notable politicians from the LP and PDP.

    Among eminent politicians in the northern district who defected to ACN were, a serving Senator, Ajayi Boroffice, the State Chairman of LP, Dr. Olaiya Oni, former Commissioner in Mimiko’s government, Prince Sola Amodeni, Hon. Saka Lawal, who was a former governorship aspirant of ACN but left after Akeredolu was picked and among others

    As demonstration of ACN’s popularity in the district, majority of the governorship aspirants of the party were from the North. Not only this, the two governors that have been produced by the progressive party in the past, were also from the northern district.

    Despite, the defection of few politicians, most especially governorship aspirants to other parties, ACN still remains relevant in the northern district.

    The serving senator, Boroffice, who was among leading governorship aspirants, had ordered his political supporters to work for Akeredolu and ACN to ensure the party takes of the leadership of the state.

    Another politician who is likely to help decide election in Akoko area, Prince Solagbade Amodeni, has also supported ACN national leadership’s decision in picking Akeredolu.

    Amodeni, who served under Mimiko as a commissioner and also as a chairman of Akoko South-East for two terms, is known to be a strong politician, enjoying enormous political loyalty in the local government. It is on record that he has never lost any election in his community, Ipesi Akoko.

    Besides, Akokos are clamouring for a change of government due to what they described as total neglect by the present administration. Also, some indigenes of Owo are now leaving their political parties to support the candidature of their kinsman, Akeredolu.

    One of the politicians, who recently joined ACN is Dr. Bode Ayorinde, a Pro-Chancellor of Achievers Private University in Owo. Ayorinde was a former aspirant for Owo/Ose federal constituency under the platform of LP.

    Another great politician working for the success of ACN in Owo is a businessman, and chieftain of the party, Chief Femi Adekanmbi. Adekanmbi was a former member of LP but left the party after he was dropped for the incumbent lawmaker representing Owo/Ose Federal constituency, Hon. Olorunda Omosule.

    In order to test his popularity, Adekanmbi joined the ACN and he was picked as the party’s candidate but lost the election to Omosule.

    Just of recent, four Mimiko’s aides from the Northern Senatorial District resigned their appointment and joined the ACN. They are Messers Kayode Agunloye [aka K.K] Soji Ojomo, Chris Anota and the aides to the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Opeyemi Igbede.

    ACN chances in claiming majority votes from Northern senatorial district, also received a major boost when a former LP House of Assembly aspirant from Owo Local Government, Hon. Kehinde Bello [aka HK] led thousands of LP members, including the party’s executives, to ACN fold. Bello, known as a strong grassroots politician in Owo, also ordered his group, Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership [MGGEL], which has over 3,000 members, to work for Akeredolu.

    However, the ruling LP and PDP may not allow the ACN to have an easy ride during the election because of some prominent politicians who still remain loyal to either LP or PDP.

    For Instance, the former State Chairman, Olaiya Oni and his political son, Hon Saka Lawal, who were known as election strategists, decided to leave the ACN following the emergence of Akeredolu and for the reason that Akoko man was not endorsed by the ACN national leadership as the party flagbearer.

    Oni and Saka was lured by PDP chieftains to their fold with a promise that Saka, who was a former Special Adviser to Governor Mimiko, will be picked as the running mate of the party candidate and by 2017 power will return to the northern district.

    Also, former Minister for Defence, Tokunbo Kayode, two former State House of Assembly Speakers, Victor Olabimtan and Taofeek Abdulsalam, are politicians who may spring surprises

    Olabimtan, who was one of the PDP governorship aspirants came from a community, Supare, in Akoko South West, where it is reported that he has never lost election to any political party despite the fact that the present Deputy Governor, Alli Olanusi is from the same community.

    However, it is not clear, if the three immediate past National Assembly lawmakers, Senator Bode Olajumoke and a former House of Representatives Lawmaker representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituenacy, Dr. Lad Ojomo and Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, who represented Akoko North East/West in the lower chamber, will work for the party in the October 20, poll.

    Despite reconciliation meetings organised by the leadership of PDP, these three leaders from the northern part of the state had refused to show up in its political meetings.

    During the recent visit of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, in Akure, the state capital, with some national leaders of PDP for a rally to endorse their party candidate, Oke, the three former lawmakers who are still members of the party did not attend the political event.

    Obasanjo had to appeal to the aggrieved members to sheathe their swords and work for the party. He described those who are working against the progress of the party as dishonest people.

    In Owo, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, a chieftain of PDP was one of the aggrieved members of the party that had publicly declared his intention to work for Oke, who was described as his political son.

    Fawase hails from the same town where ACN candidate, Akeredolu came from. As part of his commitment to PDP, Fasawe, who was a close political associate of Obasanjo, have been working to strenghten PDP in Owo.

    In the LP’s camp, the party may be relying on the incumbent Deputy Governor, Alli Olanusi, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Emiola Dare, and a former governorship aspirant of ACN, who recently returned to LP after his ambition to emerge as the governorship candidate of the party failed.

    Agunloye retraced his step back to the ruling LP where he left after the party leaders decided to drop him for Prof. Ajayi Boroffice as the party’s candidate for the senatorial seat in the last year’s general election.

    Agunloye, who pursued his governorship ambition through a political platform “Omoluabi,” left for LP after he lost the ACN’s ticket. He criticised ACN’s leadership.

    But, the National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, described Agunloye as a mole in the party. Akande alleged that the aspirant, who is from Erusu in Akoko South West Local Government is Mimiko’s agent, saying he had gone back to his master who sent him to destroy the party.

    Akande noted that reports from members of the party in the state and investigations conducted by the party confirmed that Agunloye was an agent of LP in ACN.

    With this development, several politicians who were received into the fold of ACN through “Omoluabi Platform,” like Femi Johnson, who is now the Deputy Director of Aketi Campaign in the Southern Senatorial District, Adewale Omojuwa, one of the leading aspirants for the Deputy Governorship slot, among others, refused to defect along with Agunloye.

    Looking at the Central Senatorial District, many political observers are of the opinion that Ondo Central has not got its fair share in power rotation of the state. Ondo Central District is made up of six local government areas, including Akure South, Akure North, Ifedore, Ondo East, Ondo West and Idanre.

    It is the district that houses Akure, the state capital, which many believed has the largest number of electorate because of its urbanisation.

    Our investigation however shows that the three major political parties, namely the Labour Party (LP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are on ground in the district.

    As things are, the ruling LP relies much on the district to garner majority votes that would catapult it into power for the second term

    Investigations also show that Ondo North has sympathy for Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    Electorates in the area, particularly the Akokos, are aggrieved over complete neglect of the area by the present Mimiko’s administration. It is believed that this is one of the reasons ACN leadership zoned its governorship ticket to Ondo North, where Akoko land is a major stakeholder.

    Also because of the dwindling popularity of LP, unlike in 2007, many prominent politicians in Ondo Central, particularly Akure South/North Federal Constituency, had dumped the ruling party either to ACN or PDP. One important politician here is the former commissioner and chieftain of the PDP, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, from Akure North.

    He joined ACN as a governorship aspirant, but because of the zoning formula, which did not favour Ondo Central, the leadership of ACN have him the arduous task of coordinating the October 20 elections for ACN.

    Alasoadura is presently the National Director of Planning and Strategy of the party. He is a grassroots politician who exerts a lot of influence.

    Another notable politician in Akure South is the incumbent lawmaker representing Akure North/South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Ifedayo Sunday Abegunde.

    He recently defected from the ruling LP at the floor of the House of Representatives to join ACN ‘Abena’.

    Within the same constituency, we have the likes of the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under late Adefarati’s regime, Chief Wunmi Adegbonwure, a.k.a Omo Ekun, a prominent son of Akure, and a follower of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    He has been so committed to the cause of ACN and leads its Elders Forum.

    Equally influential is the former commissioner for information in the late Adebayo Adefarati’s administration, Prince Olu Adegboro, who is mobilising his people for ACN.

    Others in the progressive party within the same Central District are Chief Akin Olokunboro, a former member of the House of Representatives in the second republic who was then elected on the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

    Dr. Akerele Adu, an Ijare politician of note in Ifedore Local Government, was a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Insiders said he commands enormous respect in the communities.

    There is also Prof. Olu Aderounmu, a former provost of the Ondo State College of Education,Ikere-Ekiti, Engineer Ade Adetimehin, the Director of ACN Campaign Organisation in Ondo central senatorial district, who is from Idanre.

    He, apart from being the state Treasurer of ACN, is assigned to head the contact and mobilization committee of the party.

    In Ondo West, the home of the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, also another seasoned politician and Special Adviser to Osun State Governor, Hon. Bola Ilori.

    He was a former Chairman of Alimosho local government in Lagos state, a former senior special assistant to Governor Mimiko and a mass mobiliser for ACN in Ondo State and particularly Ondo West.

    Also in Ondo West, the former PDP State Women’s Leader, Mrs Folake Akinjoko-Omojuwa, is now a chieftain of ACN, who is ready to tacke Mimiko in his ward during the October 20 election

    In PDP, in spite of its internal crisis occasioned by fractionalisation, we gathered that its leaders and followers in Ondo Central senatorial district are ready to work assiduously to regain the seat they lost to Mimiko and LP in February 2009 following the verdict of Appeal Court in Benin.

    It has also been rumoured that Mimiko is allegedly behind the wrangling within the PDP where a faction had publicly resolved not to work for the victory of its candidate, Chief Olusola Oke.

    It was also alleged that notable politicians like Prof. Olu Agbi, Segun Adegoke, and others are against Hon. Ebenezer Alabi’s executive commitee of the party. However, it has been observed that the present PDP leadership in the state has the support of former governor Olusegun Agagu.

    In the Central District, the former Deputy Governor, under Agagu, Chief Omolade Oluwateru, who is now the present Nigeria’s Ambassador to Uganda, is working in tandem with Alabi’s committee to ensure Oke’s victory

    We also have Hon Adedayo Omolafe, a former Akure South Local Government, former chairman of ALGON in the state and former aspirant, House of Representatives for Akure North/ South under the platform of PDP.

    There are also Chief Bisi Johnson, the former Chairman of Ondo West Local Government and Ondo State Local Government Service Commission (OSLGSC) who has sworn to tackle Mimiko in his home town.

    Other PDP top shots in the politics of Ondo Central are the immediate past Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Tayo Dairo, Engr. Dele Osakuade from Ilara-mokin in ifedore local government. Others, like Prof. Olu Agbi, Senator Gbenga Ogunniya from Ondo West, Ademola Adegoroye and Segun Adegoke, who still claim they are in PDP but are alleged to be working for Mimiko secretly.

    The LP and its candidate, Governor Mimiko, in spite of the criticisms against the current administration, still have confidence in springing surprises that will enable them retain the seat beyond February 2013.

    The ruling party still relies on few chieftains in the party like commissioner for Works from Ilara Mokin who handles one of the juicy ministeries, Engr, Gboye Adegbenro, his counterpart from the same Ifedore Local Government, Engr. Clement, who is in charge of ministry of community development and hails from Igbara-Oke.

    There is also Hon. Abiodun Adesida, the former member, House of Representative, who recently decamped from PDP to LP, Mr. Sanya Oyinsan, incumbent Senator, Ayo Akinyelure, Chief of Staff (COS), Dr. Kola Ademujimi and Yele Ogundipe, a Mimiko’s Kinsman, who is presently the commissioner for finance.

    Our investigation shows that Ondo Central is very crucial to the three major political parties and their candidates, Dr Mimiko, Mr Akeredolu(SAN) and Chief Olusola Oke because of its bulk votes.

    Ondo South is believed to be the strongest among the three districts in Ondo State because of its strength which spread to the Atlantic Ocean.

    The area is dominated by prominent political leaders with vast experiences in politics.

    The district comprises six Local Government Areas which include Irele, Ilaje, Odigbo, Ile-Oluji/Okegbo, Ese-Odo and Okitipupa.

    Apart from the political strength of the district, the area is also believed to be the economic

    pillar of the state because of the deposit of oil minerals, particularly in Ilaje Local Government.

    Aside this, the area is blessed with Bitumen deposits which is rated as the second largest in

    the world with 42 billion barrel of Bitumen deposit located in Irele and Agbabu.

    The area has become permanent abode for politicians who are also professionals in different

    areas of economic and social development.

    However, Ondo South is also seen as determinant factor to decide the fate and chances of any governorship candidate in the gubernatorial election because of the caliber of politicians and the political value of the area.

    In recent times, the area has produced sons and daughters that occupy various political appointments like federal ministers, deputy governors, senators, federal commissioners, presidential aides and ambassadors.

    Between 1991 to1993, Dr Olusegun Agagu from Okitipupa Local Government was elected the

    Deputy Governor of Ondo State under Evang. Bamidele Olumiluas’ administration.

    Also,between 1999 and 2003, Late Barrister Afolabi Iyantan also from Okitipupa Local Government was elected as the Deputy Governor of the state during Late Chief Adebayo Adefaratis’ government.

    In 1999 , Dr Olusegun who contested the governorship election along with Late Chief Adebayo Adefarati was after his defeat appointed as a Federal Minster of various ministries under Chief Olusegun Obasanjos’ government, a position he occupied until 2003 when he later came back to contest against Chief Adebayo Adefarati in 2003 governorship election.

    As fate would have it, Agagu defeated Late Chief Adebayo Adefarati and in the process became the governor of the State.

    He governed the state from 2003 to 2009 when his government was sacked by court of appeal in Benin City.

    Agagu who is a leader in the PDP has control in South senatorial District and is desperate in sending the incumbent, Dr Olusegun Mimiko packing after october 20,election.

    His desperation, according to insiders, is to avenge the humiliation he suffered in February 2009, when the Court of Appeal in Benin City ordered him to vacate the office for Mimiko.

    Others include, Chief Mrs Osomo from Ese-Odo Local Government, who was appointed in 2003 as a Minister of Housing and Urban Development (2003 and 2005), Chief Olu Mafo from Ilaje Local Government, who was appointed a Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo between 2003 to 2007.

    PDP governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke who hails from Ilaje Local Government is the immediate past National Legal Adviser to PDP and once a Commisioner Representing Ondo State on the Governing Board of NDDC from 2000 to 2004.

    He is now the gubernatorial candidate for PDP, and will put all arsenals together to secure majority votes from the District.

    However, ACN is no push over in the area with its aggressive campaigns particularly in Ilaje and Ese-odo axis.

    ACN governorship Candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu [SAN] is from Ese-Odo and may spring suprises in the area.

    Already, commoners in the riverine area who are aggrieved of the neglect of the area by Mimiko’s administration have been warning the ruling LP leaders against coming for campaigns in the area.

    In the District,there is also the incumbent Resident Electoral Commmissioner in Ogun State, Mr Sam Olumekun from Okitipupa Local Government.

  • ACN donates materials to Kogi flood victims

    The Kogi State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday donated materials to victims of recent floods.

    The items, which were said to have cost N500,000, were presented to displaced persons at Adankolo, Lokoja, the state capital.

    ACN Chairman Mallam Haddy Ametuo presented the items.

    He said the party shared gifts during campaigns and presented materials to people in their moments of joy and grief.

    Ametuo said: “Though we are not in government, but as an organised political party, we are very responsible. That’s why we’ve come to the aid of our people. These items were donated because of the party’s policy of assisting the less privileged, not necessarily during electioneering campaigns.”

     

     

     

     

  • ACN criticises First Family’s video clip in Germany

    ACN criticises First Family’s video clip in Germany

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday described the President’s decision to show the video clip of President Goodluck Jonathan‘s visit to his wife‘s hospital bed in Germany on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) as a belated attempt at damage control.

    The party said the video has not addressed the demand for full disclosure on the First Lady’s seven-week disappearance.

    In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the comments attributed to presidential spokesman Reuben Abati concerning the video also showed that the Presidency either does not understand the issues at stake, or is deliberately playing the ostrich.

    It said: “There is nothing to be ashamed of if someone’s been sick. Afterall, we are all human and anyone can fall ill at any time.

    “In particular, people occupying the public space, including the First Lady, who take ill deserve nothing but our prayers and sympathy.

    ‘’However, where information about such persons are withheld or deliberately distorted, people tend to shift their focus to unravelling the truth about the situation, which is the case with our First Lady.”

    ACN said Jonathan is aware that poor management of information on the illness of his predecessor, President Umaru Yar’Adua, contributed to the erosion of public sympathy for the late President and instead swung in his favour.

    ‘’Had the information managers at the Presidency lived up to their billing, there would have been a full disclosure immediately the First Lady took ill, and instead of the unnecessary controversy over her whereabouts, the people would have prayed for her and her family.

    ‘’Now making it look like the First Lady went to Germany on holiday ‘to rest’ or she is on a pilgrimage of sorts when indeed she is recuperating is another testimony to the increasingly legendary incompetence and cluelessness that permeate this Presidency, and we expect all those involved in this amateurish attempt at cover-up to be ashamed of themselves,’’ the party said.

  • LP thugs unleash violence on ACN supporters in Okitipupa

    The campaign of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Okitipupa yesterday turned bloody as thugs of the Labour Party (LP) attacked ACN supporters.

    An eyewitness said the rally, which was attended by a massive crowd, was on when the LP thugs came from different directions and attacked ACN supporters with machetes and other weapons.

    The source said many ACN members were injured, adding that they have been taken to hospitals.

    The Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO), Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said: “This is to confirm the position of the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation that the LP and Governor Olusegun Mimiko have brought in thugs to Ondo State in the last three days to intimidate, harass and rig the election.

    “ACN supporters were restrained from retaliating as a result of the intervention of the party’s standard bearer, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and other leaders. The party urges the Commissioner of Police and other security agents to be alive to their responsibilities by protecting not only ACN members but the entire citizens of the state.

    “We are not weaklings. If the police and other security agents shy away from their duties, ACN members will have no choice than to device other means of defending themselves.

    “If the late General Sani Abacha could not cow the late Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin, the leader of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and the people of Ondo State, Mimiko and his co-travellers can not cow the ACN as the party is poised to win the October 20 election.”

  • ACN is a democratic party, says ACO

    •Mimiko’s statement is untrue

    The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) has described the statement credited to Governor Olusegun Mimiko that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is undemocratic because of an alleged abandonment of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu during the last presidential election, as not only untrue, but that it exists in his imagination.

    The organisation’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said: “For us in ACO, this is a further confirmation of the arrow of confusion in the drowning Labour Party.

    “How does he think that the ACN leadership will conspire against its presidential candidate after spending human and material resources campaigning for him across the country?

    “The fact that Nigerians voted for their choice in the last presidential election does not make ACN undemocratic. Rather, it has confirmed the liberal nature of ACN as a party.

    “If there is any party that has deceived the people, it is the LP. Despite that eminent Nigerians including Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation magazine, showed interest in becoming the presidential standard bearer of the party in 2011, Governor Mimiko and the National Chairman of the party, Dan Nwayawu, did not only scheme them out but supported President Goodluck Jonathan after they had been ‘settled’ by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “It is a fact that the federal appointments in Ondo have gone to LP. Dr. Pius Osunyikanmi, who was a Commissioner for Education, is now the Special Adviser on International Relations to the President. Col. Tunde Omowa, a chieftain of LP, is now an ambassador. Even the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) member representing Ondo State was nominated by Mimiko.

    “This confirms former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s statement, when he visited Ondo that Governor Mimiko is only in LP physically, but his spirit is in PDP and Mimiko has not denied this.

    “ACN is a democratic party. We will not induce anybody to vote for us.

    “The last presidential election was polarised along ethnic and religious divides. The majority of the people in Southwest voted for President Goodluck Jonathan in person because they wanted to give South-South, a minority zone, a chance to rule the country.”