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Tag: Akure

  • Police: kidnappers didn’t invade Akure

    The police in Ondo State yesterday dispelled the rumour that kidnappers and terrorists have invaded Akure, the state capital.

    According to them , the rumour was a mere figment of imagination of the mongers.

    It was rumoured at the weekend that terrorists from the North had arrived the state.

    Besides,it was speculated that a top state official had been kidnapped by unknown persons in Akure.

    This went viral on social media.

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph  said no case of abduction was reported to the police, adding that officers are battle ready for any eventuality.

    He said a team of senior police officers from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, were in the state at the weekend to  arrest some suspected criminals.

    The police spokesman said their presence did not mean that the state was volatile.

    He warned people against peddling falsehood and unfounded rumours.

  • Cultists kill police officer in Akure

    A popular Police officer in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Mr. Solomon Sunday a.k.a Solozo has allegedly been  killed by cultists at Aule area.
    The deceased, who is also alleged  to be a cult member, was attached to Okunta Elerinla Police Division command in Akure.
    It was learnt that Sunday, who is 30 year-old was said to have been shot by assailants from others confraternity group.
    He was said to have been attacked on his way to his house around Aule area on last Sunday.
    It was gathered three other cult group members have had previously be killed in Akure.
    A resident of the Aule, said, ” He is one of them ( cultists) may be it was the rival cultist group that trailed and killed him just to revenge. So one can’t say yet why he was killed.”
    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Joseph confirmed the incident  and said the command had begun investigation on it.
    He however did not confirm whether the deceased cop was a member of secret cult or not.
    ” We have commenced  investigation on the matter. It is a real murder case. However we can’t confirm if he (deceased) belonged to a secret cult but as I said we are still investigation. .” Joseph stated.
  • Akure monarch sues for peace

    Akure monarch sues for peace

    The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Ondo State, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, yesterday called for calm in Akure and other Ondo communities over the non-inclusion of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN in the final list of candidates announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the November 26 governorship poll.

    A statement issued and signed by Deji’s media aide, Mr. Michael Adeyeye, shortly after an emergency meeting, the monarch urged all and sundry to desist from making bonfire and dismantle all barricades on the major roads in Akure and its environs.

    The statement reads: “The Akure Deji-in Council, at an emergency meeting presided over by the Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Aladelusi today, reviewed the list of gubernatorial candidates as released by the INEC and the attendant effect of the substitution of the name of Jegede with that of Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim as the cnaiddate of PDP.

    “The council equally reviewed the statement credited to the Resident Electoral Commissioner who confirmed that the matter remains a legal issue that will be addressed by a higher court of law.

    “In view of this, the Deji-in council wishes to appeal to all residents and indigenes of Akure to remain calm and be law abiding over this matter.

    “The council admonishes all parties that the current peace being enjoyed cannot be compromised under any guise as there is no substitute for peace.

    “The council wishes to thank and appreciate the law enforcement agencies for carrying out their lawful duties with every sense of responsibility and a high level of prefessionalism.

    “The council advised all residents to go about their normal and lawful duties without any fear or favour”

     

  • Monarch to Deji of Akure: You can’t suspend me

    Asinigbo of Isinigbo community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo state, Oba Samuel Elewuju, on Tuesday said the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade-Aladelusi, has no authority to suspend him as the traditional ruler of the community.
    Oba Aladetoyinbo had in a letter dated September 9, 2016, suspended the traditional ruler of Isinigbo from office.
    The Asinigbo was alleged to have conducted himself in a manner that brought disrepute to the traditional institution.
    Elewuju was also accused of dishonouring invitation of the committees set up to investigate the allegations preferred against him by the Ayetoro community.
    According to a copy of the suspension letter sent to the embattled monarch reads, “All these your actions have brought contempt and disrespect to His Imperial Majesty, Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Land.
    “Consequently, you are hereby suspended and you are also stopped to parade yourself as the Olu of Isinigbo forthwith. I am to add that this suspension is with immediate effect.
    “A copy of this letter shall be sent to His Royal Majesty, Oba Oluwadare Agunbiade, the Oloba of Oba-Ile, who shall direct that your stipend is stopped forthwith.
    “A copy of this letter shall also be sent to the chairman, Council of Olus, Akure North Local Government Area, to declare your seat vacant for your deviant attitude to the revered institution of the Deji of Akure Land,” Oba Aladetoyinbo wrote in the letter.
    But in his reply to the Deji’s letter, Oba Elewuju claimed he was not under the authority of the Akure monarch, saying the suspension order had no effect on him.
    The reply, written by Adeleye Rotimi on behalf of the 100-year-old traditional ruler, said: “As you may know Sir, I am an Oba just as you are and under the supervision of the Akure North Local Government.
    “My authority as an Oba is over Isinigbo and the people therein. I also have chiefs from different quarters of Isinigbo who assist me in the smooth administration of the good people of Isinigbo.
    “In view of the above, please note that I am not under your authority as I am not within the Akure City. Hence, I hereby state that your letter of September 9, 2016 is of no effect on me. My suspension is, therefore, null and void and of no effect.”
  • Child trafficking: Couple, two others arrested in Ondo

    Child trafficking: Couple, two others arrested in Ondo

    Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force at Funbi-Fagun division in Ondo town have arrested a couple, Ayobami and Mujidat Wahab with two other women over alleged child trafficking.

    According to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the station, Olu-Ojo Ogunmoyole, the suspects who specialized in street begging are indigenes of Ibadan,Oyo State.

    They were arrested alongside five under-aged pupils who are between eight and 10 years in various locations in the community following a complaint by the residents of the area.

    The police chief said the suspects who always pretended as if they were blinds always moved about with the pupils and begged for alms on daily basis.

    In their confessional statements, one of the suspects, who gave her name as Folasade Iyiola, said she relocated from Ibadan to Ondo town recently to continue with her street begging.

    Folasade admitted that she is a victim of circumstances,adding that she left Ibadan with two of the pupils in different locations in without the knowledge of their parents.

    The suspect explained that she had been in the business for over three years, until he was arrested by the police.

    Her words: “I was introduced to the begging business by one Mujidat who is one of the suspects when we met at the Central Mosque in Ibadan and told me if she could get under-aged pupils that would be used for the business, after which I helped her to get two pupils before I later joined her in Ondo for the business.”

    One of the pupils,Ibrahim, said he was a primary six pupils in Ibadan, stressing that he was in the midst of his colleagues during the celebration of the last Ileya festival when he was picked by one Mrs Mujidat and brought to Ondo.

    The DPO said the suspects would be transferred with the pupils to the State police command headquarters in Akure for further investigation on the matter.

  • ‘We’re not privy to allegation against Ondo REC’

    ‘We’re not privy to allegation against Ondo REC’

    The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State on Monday debunked the report calling on the Police and Directorate of State Security (DSS) to investigate the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.

    The state Publicity Secretary, of the party, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, in a statement last Wednesday, also expressed the need for the total overhauling of staff in the Commission ahead of the November 26 governorship election in the state.

    Adesanya accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Segun Agbaje and the Commission’s Administrative Secretary, Alhaji Kabir Omosanya of complicity with the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State led by one Clement Faboyede.

    He alleged that the two top officers of the commission have been having shady deals through an unholy alliance with key loyalists of the  Governor Olusegun Mimiko to perpetrate fraud ahead of the forthcoming governorship poll.

    However, the APC chairman in the state, Isaac Kekemeke said his executives were not privy to the statement.

    According to him,“before any statement of such could be made public,or even any policy statement from the party executives,it must be agreed upon and ratified by the party executives.

    “But the publicity secretary who issued the statement to the press must have equipped himself with facts of the allegation,which spurred him to unilaterally fired the shot without inputs of the state excos.”

    Kekemeke said he received calls from many APC leaders within and outside the state on the sensitive allegation in order to ascertain its veracity,saying“I just told them that Adesanya must have got the proofs of the allegation before issuing the statement.

    “Although,the allegation had caused a lot of embarrassment to the party,but as the Party Chairman in the State,I have no pre-knowledge of the allegation,and none of my state executives was aware of it,we did nt discuss it at any of our meetings and as such,we are not a party to the allegation against the REC”

    The legal practitioner said the state executive remains committed to the victory of APC in the state on November 26.

    Kekemeke urged party members to work to remain calm and mobilise voters for the poll.

  • Ondo Poll: APC flays Fayose’s call for political violence

    Ondo Poll: APC flays Fayose’s call for political violence

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo state has described Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose’s call for violence should the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loss the forthcoming Governorship election in Ondo State as unfortunate and a barbaric conduct.

    The Party emphasised that the statement was unbecoming of a Governor and a supposed Chief Security Officer (CS0) of Ekiti state.

    Fayose was quoted to have said during the PDP rally held in Akure on Wednesday, that there would  be a repeat of 1983 violence in  Ondo state if PDP loss the forthcoming Governorship election in the state.

    A statement issued by the APC’s spokesman in Ondo Central, where the rally took place, Charles Titiloye, noted that the statement had exposed the evil plot of PDP and its candidate Eyitayo Jegede who all the while have been promoting a political ethnic agenda tagged “Akure Agenda”.

    APC noted that Fayose and Jegede are now frustrated that the multi ethnic and peaceful Akure people have refused to be deceived into a third term agenda of Mimiko under the guise of “Akure Agenda”.

    It urged the PDP to focus its attention on its intra-party crisis of choice of candidate and not drag Ondo state into any form of electoral crisis.

    The party noted that the party was on firm ground in Akure and its environs as the party presently occupies the senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly seats.

    It urged Fayose to face his war against cattle farmers and normads in Ekiti and continue to arrest cows,saying“ We are not cows in Ondo state and nobody can push us into a violent fight and barbaric criminal killings.

    The APC advised the governor to commence the 1983 electoral violence in his domain in Ekiti.

    It urged the citizenry to remain calm and continue to live peacefully among one another.

  • New jostling for Deputy Governorship ticket in Ondo

    Ahead of the November 26 governorship poll in Ondo state, some political parties among the 28 participants in the poll are in the process of selecting their deputy governorship candidates.

    Among the parties, only the Alliance for Democracy (AD) with, Chief Olusola Oke as its candidate have picked its running mate in person of the former lawmaker representing Akoko Northeast/Northwest Federal Constituency, Ganny Dauda.

    Dauda is a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) like Oke, the duo dumped the party following the post-primary crisis.

    The former President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) was declared the winner of the primary election which was rejected by three frontline aspirants including Segun Abraham, Olusola Oke and Ajayi Boroffice.

    The Election Appeal Committee had earlier recommended the cancellation of the shadow election because of alleged malpractices,while majority members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC ratified the decision of the Appeal Committee to conduct fresh primaries, but the National Chairman of the party overruled it and submitted Akeredolu’s name as the APC candidate.

    Since then, peace has eluded the progressive party in Ondo state. Aggrieved aspirants such as Oke had dumped the party, Abraham is now seeking redress in court to reclaim what he called his ‘Stolen Mandate’.

    Akeredolu’s name has been submitted with that of former PDP lawmaker representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo,Agboola Ajayi as his running mate.

    The one-time National Assembly Member who is from Southern District and a particular community where the mother of the candidate,Akeredolu hails from,political analysts believed must be a surrogate used by the APC flag bearer to meet the INEC’s deadline.

    Truly as being contended,the APC in the state has set up a five-man committee saddled with the responsibility of screening the Deputy Governorship aspirants to become the running mate to Akeredolu.

    The Committee is chaired by the only female governorship aspirant of the party, Mrs Jumoke Anifowose.

    Three governorship aspirants of the  September 3,shadow election including Tunji Abayomi, Victor Olabimtan and Ayo Akinyelure are also members with Bankole Oluwajana, Dr A.Shaba and Wale Akinterinwa.

    They are to screen the aspirants and shortlist the best among them to run with Akeredolu (SAN).

    Those interested in the position apart from that of Agboola Ajayi are mostly from the Southern and Central District.

    The aspirants are 19 in number out of which 13 are from the South while the rest six are from the Central.

    The APC candidate,Akeredolu is from Owo in the Northern district.

    Prominent among the aspirants are the United Kingdom (UK) based lawyer, Bolaji Odidi, Lucky Ayedatiwa, Sam Aderoboye, APC spokesman, Omo’ba  Abayomi Adesanya, Boye Adegbemisoye, a former Chairman of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government and Commissioner for Public Utilities.

    Also on the screening list are,Ifedayo Abegunde, former House of Representatives representing Akure South/ North Federal Constituency and Ade Adetimehin, the incumbent APC Deputy state Chairman among others

    For Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)its candidate,Eyitayo Jegede has not picked his governorship candidate,but he may emerge from the Northern District.

    Other political parties have sent the names of their deputy governorship candidates to to INEC,but most of the names are still are unknown politicians.

    The names of the Deputy Governorship candidates for Social Democratic Party(SDP)is John Owoso,Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)which will soon be replaced is Olumide Ogunje, African Peoples Alliance (APA) Owoeye Jonathan, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Paul Oluwasesan, All Progressives Congress (APC) Agboola Ajayi (tentative) Labour Party (LP) Akinbamire Benson,Citizen Popular Party (CPP) Owolabi Yusuf and Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) Onisemo Oladapo.

    Others are Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC) Emilere Akinlose,Democratic People Party (DPP)Lawrence Festus,New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Dr Babafemi Famakinwa,Hope Democratic Party (HDP) Oladutire Ronke,National Unity Party (NUP) Ojo Oladapo, Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP) Olajobi Olalekan, Young Democratic Party(YDP)Egbeola Martins and Accord Party(A).

    The rest are All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Yaya Olasehinde, Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Oladele Bamitale,African Democratic Congress (ADC) Aganmayo Iseoluwa, Action Alliance (AA), Biola Ojo, Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Omopekun John, Independent Democrats (ID) Famuagun Moses, Kowa Party (KP) Alhaja Fausat Aliu, Peoples For Democratic Change (PDC) Olatunji Segun, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) Ikusika Olanike, United Democratic Party(UDP) Olasupo Wasiu and National Conscience Party (NCP), Owolabi Stephen.

    It is observed that most of the names are unknown in the politics of the sunshine state,they are mostly surrogates to fill the list.

    But the real running mates would emerge latest October 19 when INEC must have released the final list of the candidates and their running mates.

    Meanwhile,the Alliance for Democracy(AD)has appointed the former Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state,Hon Bola Ilori as Director General,Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation,while the former Speaker,Victor Olabimtan who is a governorship aspirant is appointed the Director General to Rotimi Akeredolu Campaign Organisation of the APC.

    Meanwhile, Political Campaigns for all parties are commencing this week around the state.

  • Court remands Police Inspector for killing ‘okada’ rider

    A Magistrate Court sitting in Oke Eda, Akure, Ondo State on Friday ordered for the remand of a police inspector, Anthony Nwadike in prison custody for allegedly killing an motorcycle rider in Omifon in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Sources said the deceased, Sunday Joseph and two other persons were shot by the alleged killer cop during an argument.

    They were said to be on the motorcycle and met the accused person and some other police men at a police check-point.

    It was learnt that accused threw a big stick to the deceased on the motorcycle to stop him, making the deceased and his passengers to fall down.

    Consequently, it was learnt that an argument ensued between the deceased and the policemen.

    This reportedly led to the shooting of the three people by the cop .

    The deceased was said to have died on the spot while the two other victims were still in critical condition at the hospital.

    The accused person however pleaded not guilty to the offence but his plea was not taken.

    In his ruling, Magistrate; V. Bob-Manuel ordered that the accused person should be remanded in Olokuta Prison and adjourned the case till October 12.

  • Ondo: Boroffice calls for cancellation of APC primary

     

    The senator representing Ondo northern senatorial district, Ajayi Boroffice on Thursday called for the cancellation of the just concluded governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State.

     

    Boroffice, who came fourth, scored 471 votes in an election won by Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who won the poll with 669 votes.

     

    Also, a member of the House of Represenatives, representing Akoko South West/Akoko South East, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole said the election was characterized with malpractice.

     

    The duo spoke at a reception rally organised by Kolawole and attended by thousands of indigenes of Oka town and its evirons at the Palace of Olubaka of Oka-Akoko in Akoko South West local government, Oba Adebori Adeleye.

     

    Borrofice said he was informed that those who were not delegates voted in the party’s primary election.

     

    He said if the committee finds out the allegation to be true, he is expecting a total cancellation of the exercise.

     

    He said “before the conclusion of the election, I kept hearing the rumor that the delegate list has been infiltrated.

     

    “That there are even some people who are not accredited, who are not even delegates but were given tags and induced to come and vote. And that has been substantiated now and it’s unfortunate.

     

    “I am in support of total cancellation of the election, we must do it again” Borrofice said.

     

    When asked whether he will contest under another party if the primary election result is not cancelled, the lawmaker said he will not leave the APC under any condition.

     

    He said “I am a loyal party man, I had the opportunity to leave the party in 2012 but I didn’t.  I was one of the three people that remained then, among the aspirants

     

    “I am not in this party to be a governor. I am in this progressive party to help build Nigeria

     

    “And if don’t become governor, another person will be a governor, as long as the process is free, fair and credible”, he said.

     

    Kolawole said the senator has just returned from a battle field and they are happy he returned safety despite all the odd against.

     

    The lawmaker commended the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Ahmed for ensuring the party remains united.

     

    The Monarch said the town is happy for the performance of the Senator in the last Saturday primaries of the APC.

     

    He said Boroffice stood tall among other aspirants in the election, adding that he had represented Oka town.

     

    The Monarch stressed that the people of Oka will keep pushing the aspirations of the Asiwaju of Akoko land until he attains the position agitated for, by the people of the community.