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Tag: Akeredolu

  • Suspected LP thugs attack ACN members in Ondo community

    Suspected LP thugs attack ACN members in Ondo community

    The weekly constituency meeting of Action Congress of the Nigeria (ACN) in Akoko Southwest Constituency 1 in Ondo State was yesterday disrupted by suspected Labour Party (LP) hoodlums.

    The meeting, which held at Ward 7 in Iwaro, was reportedly halted when the thugs struck.The suspected thugs were said to have been led by a top government functionary from the local government. During the attack, the home of ACN State Assistant Treasurer, where the party leaders were being hosted, after the meeting, was vandalised and his shop destroyed.

    Guns and other weapons were said to have been used to disperse ACN members.The Nation learnt that five ACN members, who were injured, are in critical condition at hospitals. Among them are the party’s Local Government Youth Leader and a chairmanship aspirant, Mr Dele Balogun (aka Best Time). His ribs were reportedly broken. So also was Gbenga Omole.

    It was learnt that the incident was reported at the Oka Police Station.There had been a series of attacks on ACN members in the state by suspected LP thugs.The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) of the Ondo ACN yesterday alerted the public and security agents to alleged acts of terror the ruling Labour Party (LP) has unleashed on the opposition, especially the ACN and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a statement in Akure, the state capital, its spokesman, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said yesterday’s attack on ACN members was at the party’s weekly constituency meeting in Iwaro Ward 7 in Akoko Southwest.
    The attack was allegedly supervised by a top official of the LP.
    Both officials are said to hail from Akoko.The attack was allegedly led by a notorious LP thug in the area.
    The home of ACN Assistant Treasurer, where the meeting was held by the leaders and members, was vandalised, and the Treasurer’s shop destroyed.The statement said the Youth Leader in Akoko Southwest was injured and property worth thousands of naira belonging to Murphy Adamolekun, who was said to be the main target of the attack, was destroyed.
    It added:

    “Guns, machetes and other weapons were freely used by the LP thugs to chase away the defenceless ACN members. Various degrees of injury were sustained by our teeming members who were holding a legitimate peaceful meeting. Many of them are in critical condition in various hospitals in the area. Dele Balogun, a chairmanship aspirant, had broken ribs.

    “It is also a notorious fact that the LP thugs have also been unleashing a high level of fury on members of the PDP. Recently, the LP thugs attacked PDP members during their ward congresses. “ACO is using this opportunity to appeal to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to be alive to their responsibilities of protecting the residents, irrespective of their political ideology.

    “ACN is a peaceful political party. The parry won elections in all the states in the Southwest, including Edo, without violence. We intend to repeat such in Ondo State. But security agents must protect the people to avoid self-help, which could lead to chaos and the breakdown of law and order.”

  • Oke promises to complete abandoned projects

    Oke promises to complete abandoned projects

    the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, yesterday promised to complete major projects the past administration of the party started but were abandoned by the ruling Labour Party (LP) administration, if elected in the October 20 election.

    The former Legal Adviser of the party said such projects include the Olokola Free Trade Zone, a deep seaport in the coastal area, an industrial park, sericulture and apiary farms, Adagbakuja town, Akure Modern Stadium and the reticulation of Owena Dam.

    Oke explained that because the projects would solve unemployment challenges, it has becomes necessary for any government that desires the well-being of the people to complete them.

     

  • Youths back ACN candidate

    Youths back ACN candidate

    Scores of Akoko youths, under the aegis of Akoko Youth Alliance (AYA), at Ikare Akoko, the headquarters of Akoko North East Local Government Area, have backed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

    The youths were from the four local government areas in Akoko Division.
    They unanimously promised to support Akeredolu with legitimate means to win next month’s election.
    AYA Coordinator, Mr Banji Adewunmi, berated the ruling Labour Party (LP) administration for not providing jobs for youths.

    He challenged Governor Olusegun Mimiko to announce the number of graduates he has employed in the last three and a half years.

    Adewunmi said: “We are supporting Akeredolu because the youths will be the first major beneficiaries of an ACN administration. This is because we have keyed into his promise of providing 30,000 jobs in his first 100 days in office. We believe him and we know he will deliver on his promise because he is a man of integrity.”

    The group’s Secretary, Mr Aleriwa Shina, said the Ondo North rally is held every fortnight.
    The Deputy Director-General (North) of Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO), Mr Stephen Olemija, hailed the youths for supporting ACN and its candidate.

    He urged them not to deviate from the goal they have set, adding that they should ensure Akeredolu’s victory in the October 20 poll. The wife of the ACN standard bearer, Mrs Joy Akeredolu, attended the event.
    The rally became a carnival of sort when campaign souvenirs, including branded T-shirt, fez caps, key holders and others were inaugurated.

    Others at the event were ACN Northern Senatorial Chairman, Chief Idris Elemeje; the state’s Organising Secretary, Rahman Daudu; ACN Chairman in Akoko North-East, Deacon Ishola Moshood; Mr Omole Gbenga and Alhaji Bakare, who represented the former ACN governorship aspirant, Chief Segun Abraham.

     

  • Akeredolu urges Mimiko to allow ACN to transform Ondo

    Akeredolu urges Mimiko to allow ACN to transform Ondo

    Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), yesterday said it is time for the ruling Labour Party (LP) to vacate office for the progressive party to transform the state for the benefit of its poverty-stricken residents.

    Akeredolu said the Sunshine State must join its counterparts in the Southwest to pursue the regional integration agenda to transform the region.

    Addressing reporters in Akure, the state capital, the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President said Mimiko and the LP were indifferent to the progressives’ vision.

    He said: “As a progressive, I believe in regional integration. Anyone who is against it is selfish. We have always set the pace for others to follow. The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, did it for the defunct Western Region and we are re-enacting it now.

    “Other states in the Southwest need Ondo to provide gas, which will assist us in generating light. The Yoruba can find themselves in different political parties, but the issue of Regional Integration is non-negotiable. Any bona fide Yoruba man should support the idea.

    “I am a professional in politics and not a professional politician. I am not like Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who is a medical doctor but abandoned the profession for politics. His clinic is already taken over by bush. Go to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital; my chamber is alive there. I have reached the peak of my profession as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    “I have a sound pedigree; I had a stint in Ondo State as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. I handled many celebrated cases before I was elected the President of the prestigious NBA. Mimiko has not practised as a medical doctor for a day.”

    The ACN standard bearer said regionalism is an impetus for growth and development, adding that the era of western, northern, and eastern regions brought remarkable feat to Nigeria.

    On mega schools, Akeredolu said: “You don’t need N650million to establish a single school, when the same amount could build hundreds across the state, like it was done during the Olusegun Agagu administration.”

    He decried Mimiko’s neglect of the rural communities.

    The ACN candidate promised to improve infrastructure, particularly access roads in the rural areas, if he becomes governor, “while all abandoned road projects will be completed”.

    Akeredolu listed ACN programmes, which he called AKETI, the acronym for Agriculture, Knowledge, Education, Technology and Infrastructure.

    He said: “I will bring positive changes to the people of the state, if I’m elected, by identifying various potentials without hindrances.

    “It is time for service. Ondo residents are yearning for development, which should not be a lip service.

    “I am propelled to serve the state and its people, who are being short changed through Mimiko’s cosmetic governance.”

    He noted that the present administration has received over N650 billion since its inception but nothing tangible to show for it except market stalls, bus stations and water fountain.

    The frontline lawyer urged the electorate to vote for him and ACN in the October 20 election.

  • ‘Akeredolu has no blemish as NBA President’

    ‘Akeredolu has no blemish as NBA President’

    The Okitipupa branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) yesterday warned politicians, individuals, corporate bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to stop using the name of the association to discredit its reputable members for political reasons.

    It urged the public to avoid being used by politicians against its members.

    The Okitipupa Vice-Chairman of the association, Mr. Segun Lema, told reporters in Akure, the state capital, that a statement credited to an organisation, Good Governance Monitor (GGM), against its former President, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), was unacceptable.

    The organisation allegedly accused the former NBA President of embezzling a N3million donation the Niger State Government made to the association in 2010.

    He said the statement was politically motivated and a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of the former NBA chief.

    Lema said: “Akeredolu left the NBA with clean hands and an unprecedented record of achievements. There was never a time he was alleged or indicted for any financial misconduct. His achievements in office have become celebrated legacies in the legal profession.”

    The lawyer noted that the allegation against Akeredolu was the handiwork of his political detractors, particularly those who see his rising profile in the governorship race as a threat to their political careers and an end to their corrupt practices.

    Lema said: “If Akeredolu had been involved in any fraud, either big or small during his days as NBA president, the association’s secretariat in Abuja would not have been named after him. If the man had been involved in any financial misconduct as a lawyer, he wouldn’t have become NBA president.

    “NBA is an association that will never condone or shield any member accused of corruption. The NBA has a lot of respect and regard for Akeredolu, not only as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria but also because of his high moral standing. If Mr. Akeredolu had done anything wrong while in office, it would then behove on NBA to make it known to the public. But there was nothing of such either before, during or after his tenure.”

    The lawyer added that his colleagues in the profession would prevail on NBA national body to investigate the allegation and unmask those behind it.

    Lema said this would ensure that the accusers are made to face the consequences of their actions, if they are found guilty.

  • ACN chieftain urges support for candidate

    ACN chieftain urges support for candidate

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Campaign Director for Ose/Owo Federal Constituency, Mr. Oshati Olatunji Maxima, has urged ward chairmen and the two local government chairmen in the constituency to ensure that the party wins with over 80 per cent votes in the October 20 election.

    Oshati spoke at a meeting with the chairmen, where he explained the party’s position and its preparedness for the poll.He said the party’s standard bearer, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), hails from the constituency, adding that the onus is on them to work harder for his victory.

    The ACN House of Assembly candidate for Ose Constituency in last year’s election promised that the chairmen would always be carried along in the directorate’s decisions.
    The party director hailed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the party for their wisdom and for believing in Akeredolu.

    He also thanked other senatorial zones for conceding the ticket to Owo/Ose since 1979, when the late Adekunle Ajasin led the state.
    The politician urged Owo/Ose residents, irrespective of their political affiliation, to vote en mass for Akeredolu to reap the benefit of Southwest integration.
    Also in attendance were: the State Constituency Supervisor for Owo 1 and 2, Mr Tosin Ogunbodede and Mr Tenuche Fatai; Mr Ogundinbola and F.O. Osedimibola, the chairman of Ose and Owo councils.

  • Akeredolu: overhead bridges coming to Ondo

    THE Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has promised to transform Akure, the state capital, to a new millennium city, if elected.
    A statement in Akure, by his spokesman, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, said the candidate spoke during his campaign tour of Akure North.

    The former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President said: “Two overhead connecting bridges, which will decongest traffic on the Oba Adesida Road and other adjoining areas in Akure, will be constructed by my administration, if we are elected, as part of urban renewal programme.

    He promised massive construction of the inner roads in the city, adding that besides the Oba Adesida Road, which was built by the military over 30 years ago, there is no other good road in Akure.

    Akeredolu decried the neglect of the Akure Township Stadium, which was reportedly awarded by the Olusegun Agagu administration and inability of the ruling Labour Party (LP) administration to renovate it.

    This has forced the Sunshine Football Club of Akure to play its matches in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, despite claims by Mimiko that his government towers above ACN-controlled states in the Southwest.

    The frontline lawyer promised that if he is elected, his administration would partner the private sector to build modern amenities, such as shopping complexes, event centres, small scale industries, among others, in Akure.

    He said the state capital would wear a new took, when he becomes governor next year.
    According to him, Akure does not portray the image of the capital of a state that produces oil and earns huge revenue from the resource.

    He said: “Go to other states that do not have our kind of resources. As you enter, you would feel the beautification, culture and sense of belonging, in contrast to what you see here in Ondo State.”

     

  • Akeredolu: I’m ready for probe on alleged fraud

    Akeredolu: I’m ready for probe on alleged fraud

    The Akeredolu Campaign organisation (ACO) of the Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday challenged a “faceless” organisation, which accused its governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), of fraud to petition the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged N3 million fraud.

    The former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President promised to submit himself and his company, AKT Ventures, for a probe by security agents. A statement by the organisation’s Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, said: “For us at ACO, this is a baseless, wanton and cheap attempt to bring the name of Akeredolu (SAN) to disrepute by this irresponsible association called Good Governance Monitor (GGM), allegedly sponsored by Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his drowning Labour Party (LP).

    “Thus, the allegation that Akeredolu diverted N3 million donated by the Niger State Government is false.  “This so-called ‘scandal’ has already been investigated by the top level of NBA and Akeredolu had been acquitted of any misconduct, undue influence or manipulation of the process as far back as 2010.

    “The National Executive Committee’s (NEC’s) decision was contained in paragraph eight (8) of the communiqué signed by the General Secretary, Ibrahim Eddy, and the Publicity Secretary, Muritala Abdul-Rasheed, issued at the end of the NBA meeting on June 3 and 4, 2010, under the subhead: AKT Ventures and the NBA.

    “It states inter-alia: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC reiterates and adopts the decision of the committee of former Presidents, which had absolved the current President of the NBA from any wrongdoing concerning the affairs of AKT Ventures Limited and its relationship with the NBA’.”

    ACO recalled that Akeredolu’s contribution to the NBA was recently recognised when the association named its headquarters in Abuja after him.
    The organisation noted that this speaks volume on how the body of learned men perceives him and his leadership.

    The statement added: “In our reckoning, Akeredolu is not only a man of pedigree, but he is honest and straightforward; he is focused and determined to make Ondo State better.

    “(He is) unlike Mimiko, who has played to the gallery for three and a half years. Then governor only has markets, stalls, maternity homes and boreholes to show for the huge revenue accrued to the state. His administration has been recording a litany of abandoned projects, such as the Doom-dome, Akure TownshipS, Owena Multi-purpose Dam, Akure-Owo Road, Ondo-Akure road, Arakale road, Arigidi tomato paste factory.

    “No amount of cheap lies, sponsored propaganda and blackmail by Mimiko, his co-travellers and faceless organisations against Akeredolu will save the governor from being rooted out in the October 20 poll by the Ondo State people.”

  • Akeredolu accuses Mimiko of intimidating opposition

    Akeredolu accuses Mimiko of intimidating opposition

    The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) of the Ondo State Action congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday accused the ruling Labour Party (LP) of intimidating opposition parties.

    It alerted the public to the worsening security situation in the state following the alleged arrest of a personal assistant to a monarch in Ilaje with explosives, over 100 AK rifles and other weapons by a detachment of the Nigerian Army in Okitipupa.

    ACO noted that “this is a dangerous dimension to the build-up to the governorship election in Ondo State”. The ACN had accused the LP of importing arms into the state.
    In a statement by its spokesman, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, ACO alleged that the LP had started distributing the weapons to its thugs in the local governments to intimidate opposition members and cause confusion before and during the October 20 poll.

    The statement reads: “We want members of the public to recall how the Labour Party members have been unleashing violence on the ACN such as Akeredolu’s convoy on Oba Adesida road Akure, Okeluse at Ose local government, members during ward meeting at Lafe in Akure, among others.

    “Indeed, a serving commissioner in the Olusegun Mimiko administration now goes about with a contingent of fully armed mobile policemen, who shoot sporadically into the air to create panic in the community.

    “Last week, during the community celebration at Igbaraoke, he was there with over 10 uniformed policemen and other private guards, who were armed with all kinds of weapons, thereby causing so panic during and after the event. They shot sporadically into the air. This is in a bid to intimidate members of the opposition.”

    ACO urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, to investigate the matter and fish out the security agents who work with Mimiko to cause mayhem in Ondo State.

    It reminded the governor and his co-travellers that Ondo State residents are not cowards and that no amount of intimidation would make them change their minds to vote out the LP on October 20.

    ACO said: “The people of the state are determined to vote for ACN, which has promised to replicate the massive infrastructural development of Lagos in Ondo State and provide 30,000 jobs within 100 days in office to stem the tide of the criminal neglect of the youths.

    “The ACN standard bearer is an honest man, with the pedigree and integrity. He is trustworthy. Ondo State people can trust him to fulfil his promises because he is another SAN with a sound mind.”

  • Mimiko lied about Lagos master plan, says Akeredolu

    Mimiko lied about Lagos master plan, says Akeredolu

    •‘Tinubu started Lagos transformation’

     

    The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) of the Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday berated the Olusegun Mimiko-led Labour Party (LP) for allegedly saying he designed the urban renewal of Lagos being implemented by Governor Babatunde Fashola when he was Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

    LP also allegedly claimed that the ACN governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) was a worker in the ministry.

    In a statement by its Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, ACO said: “This is another lie from the pit of hell by a government that has nothing to showcase to the people of Ondo State, despite the whopping N550 billion accrued to the state in the last three and a half years, except the building of markets, stalls, boreholes, town halls and a fountain.

    “It is a known fact that when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was elected in 1999 as Lagos State Governor, he gathered eminent professionals to brainstorm on how to develop Lagos. The result of that team is a 25-year master plan to transform Lagos.

    “It was this that led to the formation of Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA); the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA); the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA); and the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), which has moved over 80 million people across the state in the last four years. In fact, it has become a reference point for transport solution in other West African countries.

    “…The ongoing eight-lane dual carriage, the first in sub-Sahara Africa; the expansion of the Lekki-Epe and the massive urban renewal that has transformed Lagos from being a glorified slum, are parts of the sweeping reform.”

    The organisation urged Ondo State residents to ask Mimiko and his co-travellers where the governor was when the transformation was going on in Lagos and what he did when he was a commissioner in Ondo State.

    It asked: “Was he not a commissioner under the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati, who he betrayed? How then can he develop a master plan for the sitting governor of another state? Besides, when he became a minister, Lagos was already on the path of beautification. It is also a notorious fact that he did not establish a single housing unit.

    “Why did he not replicate the same plan in Ondo State, with the reckless abandonment of cities, such as Ondo, Owo, Ikare and Ore in the past three and a half years? It is also not a surprise to see that the LP administration has just woken up from its slumber to start distributing cheques to workers at the twilight of their tenure? One wonders whether giving loans to workers is a favour to them when they would have to repay it!

    “This is just a cheap way to hoodwink the workers into getting their support in the coming election. We want to categorically state that the Mimiko administration lacks the capacity, competence and creativity to transform Ondo State. As such, it could not be trusted to do more than the cosmetics projects we have already seen. In fact, we have heard Governor Mimiko declare that he would continue to lead a government of market, town hall and stall builders.”

    ACO urged the people to avoid another round of deceit by Mimiko and the LP.

    It advised them to vote for Akeredolu, another SAN in the mould of Fashola (SAN) for “a true transformational leadership that will endear sustainable massive infrastructural development, educational revolution and enterprise building that would give the state a pride of place in the Southwest”.