The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Alabi

  • Court joins Oyetola, Alabi in suit on Osun APC primary

    A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday granted the request of Osun State Governor-elect Gboyega Oyetola and his deputy, Benedict Alabi, to be joined as defendants in a suit challenging the outcome of the last governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    Justice I. E. Ekwo granted the application filed by Oyetola and Alabi through their lawyer, Bankole Komolafe.

    Komolafe drew the court’s attention to his clients’ application when the case was called yesterday.

    Lawyers to other parties in the suit did not oppose the application, which the judge granted.

    He adjourned till December 13 for hearing.

    The suit was filed by Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, an aggrieved former governorship aspirant of the APC in Osun State.

    Adegoke prayed the court to nullify the APC primary, which produced Isiaka as the party’s candidate, citing alleged irregularities.

    The APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were the only defendants in the matter.

    Adegoke is contending that the conduct of APC’s primary in Osun State violated the nation’s Constitution, the Electoral Act, 2010 and relevant provisions of the APC constitution, including the Regulation for the Conduct of Political Party Primaries of the INEC.

    He said, in a supporting affidavit, that the “direct method” adopted by the party, which allowed all members to vote in the primary “was a departure from the extant 2014 guidelines of the party”.

    The plaintiff stated that contrary to the development in Osun State, “the indirect method of primary was used in Edo State in 2016, Ondo State in 2016, Anambra State in 2017 and Ekiti State in May 2018”.

    He added that he had, in an open letter, challenged the party’s National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, informing him that there was no membership register of the party by which the party could conduct a credible direct primary.

    Adegoke also said he informed Oshiomhole that the adoption of direct primary without a membership register would be in flagrant violation of the constitution of the party due to the time of its adoption vis-à-vis the general requirements of the law.

    The plaintiff said APC failed to notify him as an aspirant or the INEC, in writing, not later than 21 days to the date of the primary, with the details, including the specific location and venue, date and time for the conduct of its nomination of candidate before holding same on the July 20.

    He said APC also failed to notify INEC in writing “the rescheduling of the purported primary from Wednesday, July 18 to Friday, July 20”.

    Adegoke said the party also failed to maintain “a proper and duly certified membership register for the purpose of conducting a direct method of primary”.

    toral Act, and the other cited laws, rules and regulations of the party and INEC.

  • APC won’t ignore Tinubu’s leadership role, says Alabi

    APC won’t ignore Tinubu’s leadership role, says Alabi

    A governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Mr. Kola Alabi, has said that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has a role to play in the selection of a governorship candidate who can defeat the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in next year’s election.

    Alabi said the Southwest, since the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s days, had respected regional leadership, adding that the former Lagos State governor should b be carried along in the selection process.

    He said Tinubu should ensure that a free and fair primary is conducted for aspirants.

    Alabi said the candidate should emerge, based on zoning, equity, justice and fairplay.

    Alabi spoke in Ikere-Ekiti while declaring his governorship ambition in his family’s compound at Afao Quarters.

    At the ceremony, over 500 members of the PDP defected to the APC on account of Alabi’s contributions to scholarship and infrastructural development of Ikere township.

    He said: “We believe in Asiwaju Tinubu’s leadership. He worked  hard to earn it. But,  I know that being a leader he will support a popular candidate to fly our party’s flag rather than imposition,” he said.

    Alabi said the party can only win the election, if the primary is transparent and if zoning is embraced.

    He added: “What is fair is fair. The North Senatorial District had produced former Governors Segun Oni and Dr Kayode Fayemi. The Central produced Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Mr. Ayodele Fayose. So, the time for the South to have its own share is 2018, if truly we are all Ekitis.”

    Alabi said he was not rattled by the adoption of the Fayose’s deputy, Prof Kolapo Olusola, an indigene of Ikere Ekiti, as the candidate of the PDP.

    “I am neither disturbed nor rattled by his adoption if given my party’s ticket for the election. This election is going to be strength for strength and antecedents for antecedents.

  • Ekiti 2018: Our governorship ambition still alive, say Olumilua, Alabi

    Two All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants from Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State – Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua and Mr. Kola Alabi – have said their ambition for next year’s election is still on course.

    They accused some people they called “fifth columnists” for the story on the alleged shortlisting of five governorship aspirants from Ikere from the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the governorship race by an interest group, Ikere Development Forum (IDF).

    In a statement yesterday, Olumilua said those behind the story did not have the interest of Ikere community at heart.

    He said the IDF had no influence over APC.

    In a separate statement, Alabi also said the reported shortlisting of the five aspirants did not reflect IDF’s position on the governorship race.

    He said: “At the meeting, a list of aspirants from Ikere, especially those who had been screened so far, was read out during the meeting. But this list must not be misconstrued as a shortlist of Ikere aspirants for the APC.

    “This is but a mischievous manifestation of some do-or-die, bitter and perpetually failing politicians not associated with our esteemed IDF. Their sole aim is to heat up the polity unnecessarily in Ikere-Ekiti and other parts of Ekiti State.”

    Olumilua said: “Being in attendance at the meeting, I want to point out that what was said emphatically by the President of IDF, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), was that only three aspirants – Dr. Oluyede, Chief Sesan Fatoba, and Funminiyi Afuye – showed up for the screening and that the committee found them fit and worthy to contest the governorship seat.

    “This does not amount to shortlisting them, nor does it screen out the other aspirants. Consider the fact that Chief Olanipekun warned all the attendees at the meeting that deliberations within the IDF should not be leaked to outsiders, especially the press, due to the sensitive nature of what was discussed at the meeting.”

  • Akeredolu is on course, says Alabi

    Akeredolu is on course, says Alabi

    Lagos lawyer Banji Alabi is the Convener, Ondo State Eminent Personalities Group (OSEPG), a group of professionals dedicated to the development of the Sunshine State. In this interview with reporters in Lagos, he speaks on the progress so far made by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Excerpts:

    What is your assessment of the Akeredolu administration?

    The Akeredolu administration has done well thus far. Recall that this administration came in at a very difficult period when the state was neck deep in a very serious crisis. However, things did not take long before they started taking shape because the governors unique selling point is integrity. This reflected in the massive votes he recorded across the state, and luckily he has steered the ship of state in a manner that has been very commendable. We are not  particularly surprised in view of his background as a through bred professional who rose through the ranks as a lawyer to become a senior Advocate of Nigeria. He came in with a great deal of experience having worked with the late Sir Michael Adekunle Ajasin at a relatively young age as Attorney General and Commissioner for justice. Even the opposition Peoples Democracy Party publicly acknowledged that Akeredolu has done well so far. I am indeeds delighted that the administration has justified the confidence reposed in it by the people of Ondo State who voted massively for Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

    Why did you back the governor since you are supposed to be apolitical?

    You are right. But remember we also gave our support to the Mimiko administration. Our role is to get the best for Ondo State at every point in time. We see ourselves first and foremost as Ondo State people, and the best we can do is to give our all to the state because we have no other state we can call our own. Governor Akeredolu (SAN) himself is a thorough bred professional. Remember that he has devoted entire life to the legal profession in Nigeria, rising to the exalted position of a senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and later the president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). As a group of professionals from Ondo state, we have had very close contact with him and can attest to his integrity and professionalism. We are not politicians, but as a group  committed  to the growth and development of Ondo state we make bold to say that only those who have what it takes can take Nigeria to where it ought to be in the comity of Nations. That is why we believe that Governor Akeredolu’s experience will work for the people of Ondo State.

    Has the governor performed? 

    I think the Governor deserves the praises of all thus far. Recall that it was all industrial unrest in the dying days of the last administration because salaries of several months could not be paid. Today, it is a brand new day in Ondo State. It’s a pity that they we forget so soon in Nigeria. To appreciate the enormous work of the governor, I want to suggest that the government should publish the balance sheet of what it inherited from the Mimiko administration to enable Ondo state people appreciate the enormous work this administration has put in within such a short period. As a member of the transition committee which ushered in this administration, I can clearly tell you that Ondo state was on life support before this governor came in. It is however a thing of Joy that things are moving very fast, I am happy that the Ondo State is been restored by Governor Akeredolu. Today, civil servants are happy because salaries are been paid. Even lecturers that were sacked by the Mimiko administration at the state-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akolo have been re-instated and their full benefits paid to date. The Governor has also signed an MoU with a foreign firm on the Olokola project to construct a 27km bridge across the sea to link Ilaje area of the state with Lekki in Lagos state. This no doubt is a milestone in view of what Ondo State stands to benefits from this strategic project. For those who don’t know Lekki is the home of business in Lagos which is Nigeria’s business, capital. It therefore means that huge business benefits will accrue to Ondo State as the Lekki area is home to Africa’s largest private refinery, owned by Aliko Dangote. The Icing on the cake I think is that the impact of this young administration is gradually been felt in the area of infrastructural development across the three senatorial districts. Only recently he gave out cheques running into hundreds of millions of naira to FADAMA framers. This will go a long way in boosting food security in the state. It will equally reduce unemployment because more people will be engaged in agriculture.

    With the appointment of commissioners, what do expect?

    I think this is the time the goods will be delivered faster and better. I say this because even when the cabinet was yet to be inaugurated, signs that this government is serious were more than evident I have gone through the list of commissioners and I can attest the fact that the governor did a very good job in picking people with quality. What this means is that Ondo state is set for business. May I also seize this opportunity to commend that lawmakers for approving the list in record time. The Ondo government in its entirety need to show the world that we can aim for the sky and the time is now.

  • Alabi dedicates promotion to ancestors

    With the understanding that those who turn their backs on their ancestors cannot look forward to posterity, Oloye Lekan Alabi has always had high regards for his ancestors. He was recently promoted to the lofty position of the Agba-Akin Olubadan of Ibadanland by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and he thought it fit to dedicate his promotion to his four ancestors who were high chiefs in Ibadanland in the 19th and 20th centuries.

    It will be recalled that Oba Adetunji on Friday, May 13 this year promoted Oloye Alabi, a senior traditional chief of the town, from Aare Alaasa Olubadan to Agba-Akin Olubadan. A journalist, author and PR consultant, Alabi was press secretary to four former governors (one civilian and three military) of old Oyo State (present Oyo and Osun States) between 1983 and 1989, and four-time Coordinator of Sketch Press Limited, Ibadan.

    While some people have raised eyebrows at his decision to honour his ancestors, Oloye Alabi justified his action by explaining that his new position as Agba-Akin Olubadan is at par with the position of his great grandfather, Sanni Ajengbe IV, the Agba-Akin Balogun of Ibadan, during the reign of Olubadan Shitu Omo Aare Latoosa (1914). Before Ajengbe IV were Oyinlola Ajengbe III, the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadan, during the reign of Olubadan Akintayo Elempe (1910), Suberu Ajengbe II, the Ekerin Balogun during the reign of Olubadan Fijabi I (1890) and the progenitor of the family, Molaja Ajengbe I, Ekerin Balogun of Ibadan, who died in the Kiriji War at Imesi-Ile.

    Ajengbe 1 was a signatory to the MoUs between Ibadan and the British colonial government in the 19th Century. Oloye Alabi’s late uncle, High Chief Samuel Layiwola Durosaro, a lawyer, also reached the Otun Olubadan rung of the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy ladder.

  • Fitilah stands up for Alabi

    Fitilah stands up for Alabi

    As the rest of Lagos battled traffic snarls last Friday evening, the poolside of the Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos played host to honouring the good Yoruba music as the November edition of Fitilah Night held.

    With Femi Waters and the Kennery band and Adedeji and his Praise Apostle Juju Band on the bandstand, dishing out tunes after tunes, the atmosphere was indeed convivial. It was something that AdeshinaAdekanbi, CEO of Fitilah Global Entertainment, the initiator of event, wanted.

    According to him, Fitilah Night aims at reviving the culture of quality nightlife and relaxation with good music which he said was fast disappearing, especially in Lagos.

    “Even if we say the young people like the type of music one hears everywhere,” Adekanbi said, “what about the old people? Shouldn’t they be able to enjoy themselves?”

    Fitilah which is currently in its fifth edition started in July and holds every third Friday in month at Excellence Hotel.

    The special guest of the evening was Chief Lekan Alabi, a consummate communicator. Only recently on October 27, Alabi, the Aare Alaasa of Ibadanland and former press secretary to four former governors of Oyo State, had celebrated his 65th birthday with pomp in Ibadan, Oyo State. While King Sunny Ade, Alabi’s friend of over 40 years, graced the bandstand, royals, celebrities and people from different walks of life had graced the occasion.

    Some other guests present at the Fitilah Nightincluded top socialite OtunbaJideOsinubi, Tolani Owolabi, president of The Ayinde barrister Legacy Club, PopoolaWasiu, Rasheed Adewale Barrister, son of the late fuji music icon, Dr SikiruAyinde Barrister. Also present was Abideen Yusuf Olatunji, grandson of the late Sakara exponent Yusuf Olatunji.

    A high point of the night was the cutting of the birthday for those born in the month of November. Among those who stepped out for the cutting included filmmaker Dotun Taylor, whose birthday was on that day.

    Throughout the night, the music was good, with the musicians, aside from playing their own songs, played songs from some masters such as Orlando Owoh and Dr SikiruAyinde Barrister. And in a show of appreciation, people sprayed money on the musicians. And as the night wound down, Taylor, the day’s celebrator, took over the microphone, also entertained the guest, dishing classic tunes from TunjiOyelana.

    According to Adekanbi, artistes that have performed at Fitilaso far include Funmi Sax, Wale Thompson, Bertola Juju, Femi Waters and his Kennery Band, Abideen Yusuf Olatunji, Wunmi Sax, Alariwo, Amofe Assorted Juju, Ayinde Escaper Fuji, Adedeji and his Praise Apostle Juju Band, Groove Masters, Femi Waters and SegunAdex from Badagry who also plays Orlando style – kennery music.

    According to Adekanbi, Fitila which also organised an IleyaSpecial, is planning a Christmas edition which also holds on the third Friday in December at the Excellence Hotel.

    “We’re going to have a full day event. We’re going to be showcasing a lot of artistes ranging from young artistes to old artistes.”

     

     

  • Lekan Alabi celebrates

    Lekan Alabi celebrates

    There is no better time to celebrate a man’s accomplishments than when he is feeling thankful for being a year older. One of the prominent sons of Ibadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi, turned 65 a few days ago and marked it in a remarkable way. The respected Ibadan high chief chose to celebrate his new age with the launch of a book. Judging by the pedigree of the celebrant on the Nigerian social scene, it came as no surprise that his birthday was well attended by dignitaries.

    The well attended birthday celebration took place at Agodi Park and Gardens on Queen Elizabeth II, Secretariat Road, Agodi in Ibadan. The book was reviewed by Prof. Olabode Lucas, a retired professor of Crop Physiology, University of Ibadan.

    In his 65 years of impactful life, Oloye Lekan Alabi, the Aare Alaasu Olubadan of Ibadan land, has scored a lot of modest firsts, including the 1969 winner of the highest cash prize on Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service radio station’s Any Question quiz programme anchored by Chief Dipo Babalola and Miss Remi Sonibare (the later Mrs Hamilton). Venue was the United States Information Service (USIS) Auditorium, Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan.

    He has won several awards and has carved a niche for himself among the most respected men in the nation. He was also the first and only Press Secretary to serve four governors.

  • Civil war hero Alabi is dead

    A civil war hero, Col. Yemi Alabi, is dead.

    He died in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday.

    Alabi was one of the commanders of the Nigerian Army during the Nigerian civil war.

    He was part of the gallant troops that captured Port Harcourt in 1968.

    After the death of Major Isaac Adaka Boro on May 18, 1968, in Okrika, he assumed command of the 19th Brigade hitherto commanded by Boro.

    He was also given the additional responsibility of commanding the 15th Brigade formerly commanded by Col. Alani Akinrinade.

    In the battle for Port Harcourt, he had orders to take Elele and Ahoada and hold them against all odds.

    After the fall of Port Harcourt, he also had the responsibility of clearing the riverine areas of Abonema, Buguma and Ahoada.

    Soon after that, he was moved to  the military hospital in Lagos for surgery because he had a bullet stuck in his head from the battle.

  • Alabi: PDP ‘ll bounce back

    Alabi: PDP ‘ll bounce back

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ceased to be the ruling party in Ondo State in 2008 when power shifted to the Labour Party (LP). Its efforts to bounce back in 2012 hit the rocks. Now, Hon. Ebenezer Alabi, the Chairman of the crisis-ridden chapter, says it will bounce back in next year’s polls. He spoke with Correspondent DAMISI OJO in Akure.

    What is the state of affairs in the Ondo  State PDP now?

    Since we lost our foremost leader, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, we have been intensifying efforts to rebuild the party in Ondo State.After his demise, we believe it is time to ensure that the party should not die naturally. Hence,the serious reconciliation we are embarking on. We preached to our people on the need to sink our differences. Honestly, we were able to bring on board estranged members and we are waxing stronger every day. The result of the inconclusive Ilaje/Ese-Odo by-election was as a result of the disunity in the party.Now, we are having  a very formidable and strong PDP in Ondo State that is battle-ready to take over government.We have been receiving people into our fold on daily basis. That has shown that the reconciliation is working. We are trying to sustain the unity and to further the reconciliation because we still have one or two people who are still aggrieved with the party. We are reaching out to make sure that all of us are under the umbrella before 2015 elections.

    What about aggrieved members who believed thay have been betrayed by the party leadership?

    It is true that most of them are still very angry and that one is manifesting in the way they treat some leaders in social outings and, at times, political gatherings. But, we are trying to preach to our people, especially the youths, that we should allow yesterday to belong to the past. We should forget what happened in the past because, if we still hold on to what some people did in the past, we will not make any breakthrough in the forthcoming elections. The PDP is a very strong party. We realised that it was the division among us that actually made us to lose elections. Now that we have realised our mistake and we are correcting them on daily basis, I will still plead with our youths that they should allow the party to forge ahead with the people coming on board because everybody is important as far as this party is concerned.Our past political office holders have a lot to contribute to this party and we are making them to contribute and to rebuild the party to an enviable status. I will keep appealing to them to forget the past and look into the future in the  overall interest of the party.

    Recently, people from other parties defected to the PDP. What was responsible?

    The reconciliation effort of the party is one of the factors that actually encouraged people to start moving into the party. In the past, when we were divided, they believed that nothing could come from the party because of the division. But today, when they have seen the unity in the party, people are coming on board. Secondly, people can now compare and contrast the achievements of the PDP in the past with the present administration. They can assess the two administrations and appreciate the life-changing programmes that the PDP embarked upon under the leadership of our late leader, Dr. Olusegun Agagu. Today, they can see the number of roads that we tarred. They can see the impact in all the communities in terms of the structures we put in place; the schools, the hospitals and so on and so forth. Today, they can tell what is cosmetic from what is actual project that will make impact on the life of people. So, having seen the past administration, having assessed what the PDP did in the past and what the PDP is capable of doing, many people are moving to the party in Ondo State.

    The trend is  the same  in other states of the Southwest. They have seen that these people did not do miraculous projects that are actually different from what we were doing when we were there. Today, we are the toast of the people, especially in Ondo state because of what we were able to achieve when we were there.

    Some people are saying that Ondo PDP has hope now that the party has bounced back in Ekiti…

    I don’t know why some people hold that opinion about the outcome of the Ekiti governorship election. Ekiti was created out of the old Ondo State and whatever happens in Ekiti automatically translates to what happens in Ondo state. Following the victory of our party in Ekiti State,many people have moved over to the PDP in Ondo State because of the outcome of that election. In other states in the region, people are also moving to the PDP because there is this bandwagon effect. It’s like the Southwest usually thinks along the same line.

    What do you think is responsible for this?

    I can say a lot of factors are responsible for the resurgence. The last congresses and convention of APC created problems for the party. That’s why most of them are now defecting to the PDP. We don’t impose candidates in the PDP; we always provide a level-playing ground for aspirants and whoever wins becomes the candidate of the party.

    A lot of us also believe in the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan because what he did in the Southwest cannot be compared to what we have been seeing in the past. Look at the roads. For example, in the past, it was very difficult for people to travel from Lagos to Benin; they would be stopped on the road for days. But today, contractors are working on the road on daily basis. See what’s happening to the Ibadan-Lagos expressway. Repair work is going on in the axis of Akure-Ilesha-Ife too.

    What is the chance of your party in the next general elections?

    The chances of Ondo PDP are very bright, judging from what we can see on ground today.  Not a single person has left PDP. In the last governorship election, the PDP came second and the APC came third. Since then, like I said, nobody has left the PDP. If you look at the percentage of our performance in the election and the number of those who have moved to the party and who are still joining us, you will know that the coast is very clear for the PDP to win in Ondo State.

    What is the implication of Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s defection to the PDP?

    Already, a seven-man committee is negotiating his defection.The Party would welcome him, if he comes.