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Tag: Adeyemi

  • Adeyemi hails Fed Govt over Obajana-Kabba road

    Former Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Senator Smart Adeyemi yesterday praised the Federal Government’s decision to allow Africa’s foremost businessman, Dr. Aliko Dangote to rebuild the Obajana -Kabba road in exchage for tax waivers.

    He described the voting of N200billion for road projects as significant and a right step by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He also asked the government to reintroduce toll gates on Federal roads and use the rates for maintenance.

    Adeyemi, who made his views known in a statement in Abuja said it was regretful that Okun people persuaded the last administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to reconstruct Obajana-Kabba road to no avail.

    He said: “We commend President Muhammadu Buhari  and his team for this decision. For eight years, we tried all we could  to get relief for that road, all efforts came to nought. The decision to grant approval for Dangote to build the road is commendable.

    “We played all the politics needed to convince the last administration to fix the road to no avail. We salute the determination of this government in meeting the needs of the masses.

    “Now that they have started with Dangote, they should continue to other zones. The objective should be to made Federal Roads motorable round the year.

    “We are also looking forward to the reconstruction of Kabba-Ilorin road and Kabba-Omuo road.”

    He expressed the hope that all Federal Roads would enjoy such approvals, with renewed activities of the Private sector, adding that with effective collaboration between the public and private sector all roads in Nigeria would wear a new look.

    The Senator said the allocation of N200 billion for road construction in the 2016 budget was also significant and faster way of stimulating the economy.

    Adeyemi added:  “I equally commend the allocation of N200 billion for road construction in 2016. If we get at least 80 percent of that executed, the roads would be in good shape across the geopolitical zones.”

  • Smart Adeyemi dumps PDP for APC

    Smart Adeyemi dumps PDP for APC

    The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Smart Adeyemi, yesterday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Adeyemi, who had been in the PDP for 12 years, said he shifted base to the APC because the Kogi West Senatorial District was neglected by the successive PDP administrations in the state.

    He said it was the decision of the people of Kogi West to leave the PDP for the APC.

    He said since politics is essentially local, he has no choice than to bow to the pressure of his people to dump the PDP.

    He said his defection had nothing to do with survival politics.

    He said while in the Senate, he was one of those who criticized the PDP administration, especially the rising cases of corruption.

    Adeyemi, who made the announcement at a briefing at his residence in Maitama District in Abuja, said Nigeria’s future is brighter under President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The session was attended by Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Sen. Abu Ibrahim (a staunch ally of Buhari), Chief J.B. Arojojoye and many supporters from Kogi West.

    He said: “After due consultations with both local and national leaders across my state and the nation, we have come to the realization that we have to take a major decision for the best interest of our people. Politics is essentially local.

    “Therefore, in the light of the sincerity and commitment of President Buhari, his strength of character and support of eminent personalities such as Baba Olusegun Obasanjo, the leader of men, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and the support of the leadership of the ruling party towards the reconstruction of the socio-economic fabrics of our nation, we have decided to defect to the APC today, being April 8, 2016 by the grace of Almighty God.

    “We hereby urge all our supporters and patriotic Nigerians to support the effect of a new socio-economic order of this administration.”

    He explained why he chose to abandon for the PDP.

    He said: “While thanking the PDP for the opportunity of granting me a ticket for my two terms in office, it is soul-depressing that for the past 12 years of our support in ensuring victory of the PDP in both governorship and presidential elections, Kogi West has nothing to show towards improving the standard of living of our people by successive Kogi PDP governors.

    “This neglect and poor performance of the PDP resulted in anti-party reactions, culminating in the victory of the APC in the Kogi governorship election last year.”

    He said his defection to the APC had nothing to do with politics of survival.

    He said: “Politics is all about the well-being of the people; politics must be in the interest of the people and politics is essentially local.

    “As a PDP Senator, I was critical of the past administration. I spoke against corruption and exposed the extent to which corruption had destroyed this nation.”

    Adeyemi pleaded with Nigerians to have faith in the administration of President Buhari.

    He added: “We are mindful of the harsh economic situation in the country due to global economic recession and poor planning in the past.

    “However, this administration must be supported to succeed because of the determination and sincerity to balance the books and balance the economy.

    “My conscience bears me witness that I am convinced that this administration means well for Nigerians. It  is honest and focused towards building a viable economy.

    “I strongly believe that the future of our nation is brighter under this administration due to the great strength of character of our President and his visible passion towards enduring a new socio-economic order.

    “It might be difficult today, but I know that Nigeria will cruise again under Buhari.”

    Adeyemi insisted that his tenure in the Senate was spent to justify the mandate given to him by the masses.

    He said: “For the dividends and community projects, I was able to procure 24 ultra modern ambulances , 500 hospital beds, built cottage hospitals in Igbaruku, Igbagun and Ogale.

    “I equally constructed market stalls ranging from 30 to 100 lock-up shops in four communities, namely, Iyara, Egbe, Aiyetoro, Ogga worth hundreds of millions of naira. I also sank about 240 boreholes in different communities across the Senatorial District.”

    On his part, Sen. Abu Ibrahim said: “ I am highly elated and happy that Adeyemi has seen the light and the truth and is moving towards the light.

    “As you have observed, Nigeria was in a serious messy situation and we have to put heads together to save it.

    “One thing I must emphasize is that Adeyemi was one of the best Senators in the 7th Senate. Please continue to be the best. You will find the APC a more progressive and democratic party than the PDP.

    Also speaking, Sen. Adetunmbi said: “History is being made today. He was one of our tormentors in the Senate. Anywhere he stood, he stood well.

    “With the kind of truth and commitment which Adeyemi is noted for, the APC will benefit from his defection. We will take care of you in the APC and show you the way.”

  • Smart Adeyemi defects to APC

    Smart Adeyemi defects to APC

    The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Senator Smart Adeyemi, has  defected from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to the All Progressives Congress( APC).

    Adeyemi, who made the announcement at a briefing at his residence in Maitama District in Abuja, said Nigeria’s future is brighter under President Muhammadu Buhari.
    He said he shifted base to APC because Kogi West Senatorial District was neglected by the successive PDP administrations in the state.
    According to him, his  decision to defect to APC  was that of the people of Kogi West, adding that  politics was essentially local, he has no choice than to bow to the pressure of his people to dump PDP.
    He said his defection had nothing to do with survival politics.
    The declaration  was attended by Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Sen. Abu Ibrahim( a staunch ally of Buhari), Chief J.B. Arojojoye, and many supporters from Kogi West.
    He said: “After due consultations with both local and national leaders across my state and the nation, we have come to the realization that we have to take a major decision for the best interest of our people. Politics is essentially local.
    “Therefore, in the light of the sincerity and commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari, his strength of character and support of eminent personalities such as Baba Olusegun Obasanjo, the leader of men, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the support of the leadership of the ruling party towards the reconstruction of the socio-economic fabrics of our nation, we have decided to defect to the All Progressives Congress( APC) today, being the 8th of April, 2016 by the grace of Almighty God.
    “We hereby urge all our supporters and patriotic Nigerians to support the effect of a new socio-economic order of this administration.”

  • Adeyemi: he was a unifying factor in Kogi

    Adeyemi: he was a unifying factor in Kogi

    Former Chairman of Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Smart Adeyemi said the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi (SAN), was a man with great humility.

    He also said he was an emerging rallying point for Kogi State.

    Adeyemi, who admitted that  he was still in a state of shock, said: “The death of Ocholi was so shocking and painful to be imagined. One of the rising stars of Kogi State has passed on.

    “He was a man, whose influence cut across the state, irrespective of tribe and religion. He was an emerging rallying-point for Kogi State. He was a man who would have succeeded in unifying the state.

    “He was a man with great humility and a God-fearing man. His ministerial appointment was widely acceptable to the people of the state. He was a detribalised Nigerian.

    “His loss is not just to his community and the state, but a great loss to Nigeria. He was very mobile and enterprising.”

  • Kogi West: Adeyemi urges tribunal to nullify Melaye’s election

    Kogi West: Adeyemi urges tribunal to nullify Melaye’s election

    •’His petition is baseless’

    A former Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Smart Adeyemi, has urged the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal to nullify the election of Senator Dino Melaye.

    But Melaye asked the tribunal to dismiss Adeyemi’s petition for gross incompetence, a regrettable waste of time, incurably bad and unmeritorious.

    Adeyemi made the submission in the final address presented to the tribunal by his lawyers, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Dr. Kayode Olatoke(SAN), A.O. Otitoju and T.O. Adeboye.

    A copy of the address was obtained by our correspondent from the tribunal.

    Citing 53 authorities, Adeyemi said he polled the majority of the lawful votes of 36,100, compared with Melaye’s votes of 33, 146.

    He said Melaye was not qualified to contest the March 28 election because he was not a product of valid primaries in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Adeyemi said: “Melaye is not a product of any valid primary election of the second respondent (APC). A careful perusal of Exhibit 32(3), which is the purported report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to evidence the conduct of APC primaries, is not even on the letterhead of INEC or that of APC and a careful reading of its heading will show its dubious status.

    “The document, therefore, constitutes documentary hearsay and has no probative or evidential value.”

    Referring to the Supreme Court’s decision in Ojukwu v. Yar’Adua (2009), Adeyemi urged the court to discountenance Melaye’s attempt to adduce fresh facts.

    He added: “Having said this, it is respectfully submitted that any evidence adduced, contrary to the pleading, goes to no issue.”

    Adeyemi sought the following reliefs: “We urge your lordship to grant all the reliefs sought by the petitioners, based on the following settled points:

    “The petitioners have proved their case, based on unchallenged oral and documentary evidence adduced by them.

    “On the state of the pleadings, the respondents did not join issues with the petitioners on the key and crucial aspects of the petitioners’ case.

    “The oral and documentary evidence of the petitioners was not challenged by the respondents. In fact, the respondents did not produce counter oral or documentary evidence against same.

    “When the unlawful votes are deducted from the votes of the parties, the first petitioner will have the majority of lawful votes as shown in the address.

    “Alternatively, to disqualify the first respondent (Senator Melaye), nullify the election and order a fresh election.”

    But in his submission, Senator Melaye, through his lead counsel, Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), said he was validly elected by the people of Kogi West.

    He said: “Finally on this issue, evidence of the recount of the ballot papers in the 21 polling units as given by the petitioners has been shattered and destroyed by the evidence of Mr. Victor Garba and Exhibits 30(1) to 30(5), which he tendered in evidence.

    “Mr. Garba was not lightly shaken under cross- examination in his evidence that the ballot papers from the 21 polling units were illegally thumb-printed after the elections with a view to void the votes of the first and second respondents.

    “It is quite shameful and preposterous that the petitioners have led evidence and sought to reply on the ballot papers to show that void votes were counted for the first and second respondents.

    “We urge your lordship to give due weight to and to fully believe Melaye’s election the evidence of Mr. Garba, as he is a witness of truth with no interest to serve.

    “We urge your lordship to resolve this issue in favour of the first respondent (Melaye) and proceed to dismiss this petition in its entirety.

    “We urge your lordship to resolve the issues for the determination raised and argued in this address in favour of the first respondent and against the petitioners.

    “We urge your lordship to hold that the petitioners have failed to discharge the onus of proof on them of the allegations and ground of their petition.

    “We finally urge your lordship to dismiss this petition for being grossly incompetent, a regrettable waste of time, incurably bad and unmeritorious.”

     

     

     

  • Adeyemi: It won’t be business as usual for APC

    Adeyemi: It won’t be business as usual for APC

    Prince Akeem Adeyemi was recently elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to represent Oyo Federal Constituency. In this interview with TAYO JOHNSON and SIKIRU AKINOLA, the former chairman of Atiba Local Government and son of the Alaafin of Oyo talks about his expectations.

    You’ve just been elected into the House of Representatives after more than six years as council chairman. What would you miss most?

    As a grassroots man, definitely leaving the local government for Abuja to represent the people means many things to me. I would miss the gathering of people. As a council chairman, you’re the closest to the people and I must confess to you, the people will miss me too. There is no single day that I do not have one form of meeting or the other with them.

    Were you able to fulfill all your electoral promises as chairman?

    To God be the glory, we’ve done our best. But, remember that government is a continuum. There is no way one person can achieve everything. Only God is perfect. We tried our best and we’ve already passed the baton of leadership to another person. History, I believe, will put us on the right side.

    Do you think the House would be able to elect its principal officers without interference of godfathers?

    First of all, those who are not capable are not even jostling to lead the House. From the options before us, we have capable hands that have garnered the experiences required. We are certain that the 8th assembly will be piloted by a distinguished lawmaker that has served the House in various capacities and excelled. By and large, since our party is in control at the federal level, we are determined to bring the much-needed changes by deviating from the way things were done in the past.

    Don’t you think the election of principal officers will cause rancour within the APC?

    Even at the local level, everything is by zoning; to become a Baale (community leader), people jostle. So, there is always room for lobbying for any position. It is only something that is unattractive that won’t require lobbying. Somebody who was elected to represent his constituents and wants to lead the entire federation through a 360-member house must strategise, lobby and jostle to get the position. Why must we give it to somebody who doesn’t lobby or jostle for it. You contested to represent your constituents just like I did. For you to aspire to be my leader in that House, you must prove some points to me and I must be convinced. The party leaders in their own wisdom have learned from experience. If our party comes up with zoning today, we will abide by it. And if it is thrown open, we ’ll go to the field. Whichever way it goes, we are loyal party members. There is discipline in the APC; it is the only party that conducted primaries for all members that jostled for various elective positions. If there is any rancour, the leadership of the party would know how to manage it.

    What should your constituents expect from you?

    Having realised the show of love showered on me by the good people of Oyo Federal Constituency, the only way to repay them is to perform. At the time I was contesting, I had been relieved of my position as council helmsman. In fact, I contested four months after I left office as council chairman, facing an incumbent who is completing his second term in office, with a huge financial war chest. For my people to have voted for me, rather than an incumbent lawmaker, you’ll understand that they trust me; they know what I’ve done in the past and what I’m capable of doing. Records are there for everybody to check. I may not have done everything, but I left indelible footprints. I scored over 39, 000 votes, while my closest rival got 19, 000 plus votes. That is close to 20, 000 gap. So, you could imagine why the people reposed their confidence in me. I won in all the four local governments that make up my constituency. There is no better way to repay the good people of Oyo town than to give them good and proper representation. I will bring Federal Government presence to Oyo town. I will not only give them good representation, I will also make myself available to them just like I’ve been doing. I will also contribute to the socio-political upliftment of my people. It’s a challenge; I cannot afford to let the people down. They knew what they saw before they gave me this mandate. It was my performance at the local level. The significant role of His Royal Higness, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo, a father figure not only to his biological children, but to the people of Oyo generally, will motivate me to do more. I can’t afford to fail; I can’t let the royal family down.

    Are you in support of the call for a reduction in the salaries and allowances of lawmakers?

    Yes; definitely something must be done in that regard to effect the desired change. If the remuneration of federal lawmakers is considered exorbitant, it should be reduced.

    In your own opinion, would you say Governor Abiola Ajimobi broke the second term jinx due to performance?

    Yes! No doubt. I’ve never seen a governor like him. There is no how you would work with people like him and you won’t succeed. He is a goal-getter. He was not the only governor I worked with and I can testify that what he has done, his predecessors combined did not do half of what he did in his first term. And we can all see the effect of performance. He has been re-elected; a feat no one has achieved in the state.

  • ‘Why we want Adeyemi in House of Reps’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Lawal Adeniyi reflects on the party’s primaries in Oyo Federal Constituency, Oyo State and how the choice of Prince Hakeem Adeyemi will enhance its victory at the polls.

    The recent primary for National Assembly in the All Progressives Congress APC might have come and gone. But the fallout from it will remain for some time. This is more so in respect of the Oyo Federal Constituency comprising Atiba, Oyo West, Oyo East local governments.

    The emergence of Prince Hakeem Adeyemi is instructive for a number of reasons. First, it was the only constituency in Oyo State where the incumbent would not only be defeated but defeated in a landslide magnitude. Unlike the Ibadan South West and North West Federal Constituency won with only one vote above his major contender, in the case of Oyo Federal Constituency, it was a victory with over three hundred votes over the incumbent and sitting member of the House of Representatives.

    There are a lot of lessons to learn from that development. One of these is that it is not in all situations that money speaks for the people. On the contrary, between pedigree and money, the former works in some circumstances and situations.

    That exactly was the situation in Oyo Federal Constituency where there was a fierce battle between integrity and money and to which integrity floored money mercilessly. It was in this circumstance that Prince Hakeem Adeyemi emerged as the APC candidate for the Federal constituency instead of a two-term member.

    Throughout his tenure as the Chairman of Atiba Local Government, he did not allow himself to be swollen headed by the status of Chairman. Rather than seeing himself as the Chairman, he preferred to see himself as servant of the people. Never did he see himself as Leader but as first among equals.

    In ordinary and normal situation, the combination of his princehood and chairmanship would have been enough to earn him a taller than self-image. But rather than allowing that to raise his head above others, he chose to humble himself before his people. Some political pundits in Oyo have claimed that it was not Hakeem but his father, the Alaafin that defeated them. But the quick response to that is that it was the same Alaafin that supported the out-going member for his eight-year tenure.

    One is yet to see the crime in a responsible and dutiful father supporting his son for a higher feat.  But beyond that and the so called royal support notwithstanding, the Prince himself had at every opportunity show himself as a General who can lead an army to victory in very critical and difficult situations.

    Over the years, he had endeared himself to the people of Oyo as their political engine room. It was therefore no wonder that all the socio-political groups across political differences saw the coming election as payback time for their noble but unassuming prince. To a great extent however, it may be true that the current love for Prince Adeyemi is a transferred effect of the love and admiration for his father, Oba Lamidi OlayiwolaAdeyemi by the people of Oyo

    But still beyond that, he has proved himself as a worthy ambassador of the people. In the field education, as the Chairman of Atiba Local Government Council, he effected the distribution of ninety thousand exercise books and more than that for big notes and other writing materials. That was apart from the regular payment of bursary awards to over two thousand indigenes of the local government.

    In the area of Agriculture, he brought dividends of democracy to the rural community in such areas like rearing of pullet chicks and cultivation of acres of land for farming project. In the area of training and re-training, he saw to the sponsoring of some youth to the Ooduwa Farmers’ Academy. Neither did he allow the road infrastructure to suffer. In spite of the limited and dwindling resources from the federation account, he managed the limited resources in such a way that the brunt of the decline would not be hard felt by the people. Hence, he saw to the rehabilitation and maintenance of all the urban and rural roads within his local government.

    It was on the same taken that he ensured a crisis free relationship in the National Union of Road Transport Workers’ Union. He established such a personal rapport with all sections of the transport community in such a way that did not give room for any faction unlike situation elsewhere.

  • Beautiful moment for Oyinda Adeyemi

    Beautiful moment for Oyinda Adeyemi

    Oyinda Adeyemi, the beautiful wife of former skipper of the old national football team, the Green Eagles, Chief Segun Odegbami, added another year a few days ago. Oyin, as she is popularly called, is no doubt a force to reckon with both in the corporate world and the corridors of power.

    The well-connected lady, who once worked closely with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, recently celebrated her birthday. Although it was a low-key ceremony, close friends and associates were on hand to celebrate with her. This parade of top shots was not unexpected as Oyin had always wined and dined in the right circles before she decided to settle down when matrimonial responsibilities demanded.

    Oyin, a young but influential woman in Lagos and Abuja political and social settings, played a prominent role during Atiku’s presidential campaign in 2007. Segun Odegbami also used the occasion to show how loving he was as he moved about hand in hand with his lovely wife.

  • I have no private jet yet, says Sam Adeyemi

    I have no private jet yet, says Sam Adeyemi

    THE senior pastor of Daystar Christian Centre Lagos, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, has refuted media reports linking him with ownership of a private jet.

    He said it is completely false and untrue that he owns a private jet.

    Adeyemi described the reports as mere rumours without any iota of truth.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday during the annual Excellence in Leadership (ELC) conference of the church, the host of the popular Success power radio show said: “I do not own a private yet.”

    He added: “It is a rumour that has been there for sometimes, especially in the junk media.

    “It is becoming a source of concern now that reputable magazines and newspapers are saying the same thing.

    “I take it as a prayer and say amen but I won’t say more than that.”

    He called for evolution of the Nigerian dream to get the nation out of the wood.

    Until such a dream becomes a national identity, he said Nigeria will move nowhere.

    He explained: “The whole of America has a clear vision, which they call the American dream.

    “The question is: what is the Nigerian dream? It is when you define that dream that an average Nigerian knows how to fit in.

    “Nigeria has no dream or clear-cut vision of what Nigeria will become in the future.

    “There is none. Without that vision, we are not going anywhere.

    “We need a vision, a Nigerian dream that all of us must tap into. Just tarring roads is not enough. We need a composite picture of the future of Nigeria.”

     

  • Adeyemi backs Lagos on Okada ban

    THE ban placed on commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada from plying the 475 prohibited routes in Lagos State is a right step in the right direction, the Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, has declared.

    He said using motorcycles for commercial purpose is not befitting of the megacity status of Lagos and the dignity of Nigerians.

    Adeyemi spoke last Thursday with reporters ahead of the annual Excellence in Leadership conference of the church slated for November 9-11.

    According to him: “We, as a people should learn to place value on our lives. If we consider the many deaths okadas have caused and how they have aided armed robbers to escape from policemen, we should have no problem doing away with them.”

    He admitted many families depend on the motorcycles for livelihood but said they constitute a bigger menace for the society at large.

    The cleric, however, called on the Lagos state government to mitigate the societal implications of the ban by providing more jobs and better security.

    He urged Lagosians to consider the policy, which he described as really difficult, a necessary sacrifice for the attainment of a better, safer society.