The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akoko North

  • APC loses Two House of Reps members

    Two All Progressive Congress (APC) members of the House of Representatives have resigned their membership of the ruling  party with one defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The lawmakers announced their resignations in two separate letters to the green chambers, which were read on the floor of the house on Wednesday by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

    Rep. Babatubde Kolawale, representing Akoko North East/West Federal Constituency in Ondo, in his letter, announced that he was defecting to the PDP.

    Read Also: ‘Deceased Kwara APC members die for emancipation of state’

    However, Rep. Mukaila Kazzim, representing Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/ Odeda Federal Constituency of Ogun, did not state the party he would join.

    In the letters, both lawmakers made references to irreconcilable issues relating to the party primaries as part of the reasons for the resignation and defection.

    Kazzim stated that “god-fatherism” played a vital role in the emergence of candidates to represent the party in the 2019 general elections.

    He said that the phenomenon was not only undemocratic but against relevant sections of the Constitution.

    The legislators said after due consultations with their constituents, it was time for them to part ways with the APC.

    NAN

  • 2019: ‘Akoko indigenes should put their acts together’

    A group, Akoko North APC Integrity Group (ANAIG) has urged the indigenes of the area to consider candidates with the interest of the communities at heart ahead of 2019 general elections.

    The group particularly decried the present hardship on road situation in Akoko especially on Ose bridge along the ever- busy Abuja road and many others in the area.

    Over 20 aspirants from Akoko zone are running  for the Senatorial and House of Representatives tickets ahead of 2019 polls.

    A statement signed by the group’s chairman, Tito Babalola and Secretary, Chris Olorunfemi after its meeting noted that the quick intervention of both the federal and state governments would reduce the plights of the residents.

    At the forum,members rallied support for an aspirant,Mike Adeyanju,an Engineer, who is vying for the ticket of Akoko Northeast/Northwest federal constituency in the House of Representatives in 2019 under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to the statement,” This time around,we will choose an individual with capable pedigree to represent us at the National Assembly,we have not been enjoying the dividends of democracy in this axis as expected.

    “Our choice, Adeyanju has good pedigree and passion to contribute meaningfully to the development of Akoko area,if given the mandate to become our representative at the lower chamber.

    Read Also: ‘Bring succour to Akoko residents’

    The group said they had put machinery in motion to mobilize support for the aspirant to emerge victorious after the primary and win eventually after the February 2019 polls.

    It noted that only good representation at the National Assembly could facilitate visible developments to Akoko area,stressing that there was no visible infrastructural development in its four local government areas.

    ANAIG urged the leadership of the ruling party in the state to shun imposition and allow those capable of delivering the good to the people to mount position of governance.

    It assured the people of Akoko Northeast/Northwest of proactive representation with Adeyanju in the saddle as their representation at the National Assembly.

  • ‘Give Akoko North Ondo governor’

    ‘Give Akoko North Ondo governor’

    The Ikare Club 2000 has urged the leadership of major parties in Ondo state to ensure that the next governor comes from Akoko North.

    This was the resolution of a meeting at the Civic Centre, Ikare Akoko.

    Royal fathers, community and political leaders, religious leaders, women leaders, youth organisations and so on participated at the meeting.

    Papers were presented by scholars, including Prof. Dipo Salami, Dr Fatai Ekunnusi and Mr Bisi Ade-Ademuwagun.

    The meeting said other districts in Ondo State had produced governors, leaving Akoko North marginalised politically.

    A communiqué at the end of the meeting reads: “That the position of the governor of Ondo State in the election scheduled for November 2016 be zoned to Akoko North.

    “That towards this end each of the political parties in the state should ensure that its standard bearer is from Akoko North.

    “That Akoko North is well positioned for the race in terms of men and materials. Akoko is the largest division in Ondo State.

    “That the natural movement of power among the three senatorial districts favours Akoko, as each has taken its turn

    “That is by doing this that the dictates of fairness, equity, justice and equity of political opportunities be attained in Ondo State.”

  • Ondo poll: Elders back Akoko North for governor

    All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Akokoland have called for unity in the sub-zone in its bid to produce the next governor of Ondo State.

    The elders under the aegis of the ‘Akoko APC Elders’ Assembly said it will endorse a consensus candidate, who will be supported by the people at the primary.

    The group said, following extensive consultations, it will back a candidate from the Akoko North Federal Constituency in the spirit of unity, fair play and justice.

    Rising from a meeting yesterday in Arigidi-Akoko, the Chairman of the group, Chief Felix Aiyegbusi, explained that slot was zoned to the area because it has never had the opportunity to produce the governor, unlike other constituencies in Akokoland.

    He said: “We, the APC Akoko Elders Forum, have reached a decision at this stage of the campaign towards the gubernatorial election in Ondo State to zone the slot to Akoko North Federal constituency. This decision was made to maintain peace, unity, progress and statesmanship in Akokoland, as there is no reason to create confusion within ourselves”.

    Aiyegbusi added: “This decision is unanimous and we have thrown the challenge back to the Akoko North people and the gubernatorial aspirants that hail from there to further consult within themselves and present one uniform viable candidate of their own to us. That candidate should be assure of our backing”.

    The elders advised the chieftains of the APC to put their house in order in their bid to sack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power.

    Many indigenes have hailed the resolve of the forum, describing it as a right step in the right direction.

    According to them, the unity of Akoko is paramount, if the sub-zone is to make a headway during the contest.

    However, the elders are silent on who among the aspirants should step down to achieve the consensus agenda.

    There are indications that the APC may zone the slot to Ondo North Senatorial District. The governor, Olusegun Mimiko, is from Ondo Central. His predecessor, the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, hailed from Ondo South.

    Aspirants of Akoko origin include Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Dr. Olusegun Abraham, Gani Dauda, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, and Hon. Victor Olabimtan. A source said the elders have their eyes on three of them.

    Akoko has two federal constituencies-Akoko South and Akoko North. The senator representing Ondo North is from the Akoko South. The late Governor Adebayo Adefarati was also from Akoko South.

    Akoko North aspirants are Olusegun Abraham from Ikare, Tunji Abayomi from Oke-Agbe and Gani Dauda from Irun-Akoko.

  • Aspirant urges APC to pick candidate from Akoko North

    A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Prince Foluso Adefemi, has appealed to the leadership of the party to pick its governorship candidate from Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency.

    Adefemi spoke with reporters on his preparations for the party primary, ahead of the poll, at his campaign office in Akure, the state capital.

    The aspirant, who is from Afin Akoko in Akoko North West local government, lamented that the constituency has been marginalised in the distribution of political offices.

    Ondo North Senatorial District has three federal constituencies; Owo/Ose, Akoko South West/Akoko South East and Akoko North East/ Akoko North West.

    It is believed that the party candidate may likely come from Ondo North Senatorial District.

    Adefemi said: “Looking at other constituencies, they always have the larger part when political positions are to be shared in the district.

    “For instance, Owo and Akoko South West have produced governors before.

    Also these two constituencies have also produced senators but we in Akoko North West/Akoko North East have not produced any

    “So, I think people who belief in natural justice, we sympathize with us. That is why the party leadership must consider someone from that area as a candidate”.

    The aspirant however noted that he is not desperate about his ambition and as a party man; he is ready to abide with the decision of the party.

    He said his ambition was motivated by his desire to serve and free the people of Ondo State from bondage.

    The governorship aspirant, however, declared that he would go back to his business if he fails to realize his aspiration, adding that politics should not be seen as a do-or-die affair.

  • Aspirant urges APC to pick candidate from Akoko North

    A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Prince Foluso Adefemi, has appealed to the leadership of the party to pick its governorship candidate from Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency.

    Adefemi spoke with reporters on his preparations for the party primary, ahead of the poll, at his campaign office in Akure, the state capital.

    The aspirant, who is from Afin Akoko in Akoko North West local government, lamented that the constituency has been marginalised in the distribution of political offices.

    Ondo North Senatorial District has three federal constituencies; Owo/Ose, Akoko South West/Akoko South East and Akoko North East/ Akoko North West.

    It is believed that the party candidate may likely come from Ondo North Senatorial District.

    Adefemi said: “Looking at other constituencies, they always have the larger part when political positions are to be shared in the district.

    “For instance, Owo and Akoko South West have produced governors before.