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  • Why EFCC, ICPC, others must probe Ondo council chair, by APC elders

    Why EFCC, ICPC, others must probe Ondo council chair, by APC elders

    • ’Allegations against me politically-motivated’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders’ Movement for Tinubu 2027 in Ondo State has called for the probe of the Chairman of Owo Local Government,  Tope Omolayo, over alleged misdemeanour.

    The call followed Omolayo’s suspension by 11 councillors, who accused him of  irregularities, gross violation of statutory budget and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) regulations, disrespect for traditional rulers and inappropriate conduct.

    The councillors, led by the House Leader, Doyin Adebayo, in a suspension letter, said the chairman’s actions were inconsistent with the financial and administrative ethics expected of a local government leader.

    Omolayo’s suspension came barely a month after he alleged that council chairmen across the state had access to only N5 million monthly under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration despite higher allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

    In a statement in Akure, the group’s state Coordinator, Agboola Kelly, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police to investigate Omolayo’s financial dealings.

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    The group described the allegations against the council boss as “too grave to be ignored,” stressing that Omolayo’s conduct and his claims of inadequate funding should be scrutinised.

    “Omolayo’s assertion that the state provides less than N5 million monthly raises questions about financial management at the local and state levels.

    “EFCC and ICPC must invite him for questioning to ensure transparency and uphold APC’s commitment to good governance,” the statement said.

    Reacting, Omolayo dismissed the allegations, describing them as politically- motivated.

    “I remain the substantive chairman of Owo Local Government. What you see is a kangaroo suspension by people who are being sponsored. Their actions are politically-driven.

    “They wanted me to share money meant for development. I refused to do the status quo, and now they are concocting lies because I didn’t play ball,” he alleged.

  • Why EFCC, ICPC, others must probe Ondo council chair, by APC elders

    Why EFCC, ICPC, others must probe Ondo council chair, by APC elders

    Allegations against me politically-motivated

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders’ Movement for Tinubu 2027 in Ondo State has called for the probe of the Chairman of Owo Local Government Area, Tope Omolayo, over alleged financial impropriety.

    The call followed Omolayo’s suspension by 11 councillors who accused him of financial irregularities, gross violation of statutory budget and internally generated revenue (IGR) regulations, disrespect for traditional rulers, and inappropriate conduct.

    The councillors, led by the House Leader, Doyin Adebayo, in a suspension letter, said the chairman’s actions were inconsistent with the financial and administrative ethics expected of a local government leader.

    Omolayo vehemently denied the allegations, saying he was only being prosecuted for refusing to play ball by some council officials. 

    Omolayo’s suspension comes barely a month after he alleged that council chairmen across the State had access to only N5 million monthly under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration despite higher allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

    In a statement at the weekend in Akure, the group’s state coordinator, Agboola Kelly, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police to investigate Omolayo’s financial dealings.

    The group described the allegations against the council boss as “too grave to be ignored,” stressing that Omolayo’s conduct and his claims of inadequate funding should be scrutinised.

    “Hon. Omolayo’s assertion that the state provides less than N5 million monthly raises questions about financial management at both local and state levels.

    “The EFCC and ICPC must invite him for questioning to ensure transparency and uphold the APC’s commitment to good governance,” the statement reads.

    The movement further insisted that the people of Owo deserve accountability regarding how public funds are managed.

    “A detailed probe by the EFCC and ICPC will not only address these concerns but also set a precedent for accountability in local governance across Ondo State,” it added.

    However, in his reaction, Omolayo dismissed the allegations, describing them as politically motivated.

    “I remain the substantive chairman of Owo Local Government. What you see is a kangaroo suspension by people who are being sponsored. Their actions are politically driven.

    “They want me to share money meant for development. I refused to do the status quo, and now they are concocting lies because I didn’t play ball,” he said.

  • It’s Kwara North’s turn for governor, say APC elders

    It’s Kwara North’s turn for governor, say APC elders

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Caucus in Kwara State has said it’s the turn of the Northern Senatorial District to govern the state.

    It, therefore, wholeheartedly threw its weight behind the quest of the region to produce the 2027 governorship slot in the interest of fair play, equity and justice.

    Sandwiched by other members, group leader, Kunle Sulyman, said Kwara Central and Kwara South had spent 20 years and eight years as governor.

    Suleiman, a lawyer, addressed reporters in Ilorin.

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    He said: “You may wish to recall that on Monday, November 21, 2022, at this same venue, this caucus addressed the press and made its stand known on the issue of zoning arrangements for the APC governorship candidature that the then incumbent, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq from Kwara Central, be allowed to have another shot to complete two terms of eight years, which would make Kwara Central Senatorial District to have spent 20 years all together as chief executive of the state, while Kwara South Senatorial District has also produced governor for eight years.

    “In the same vein, we posit that it is in the interest of fair play, equity and justice that we members of Kwara APC Elders Caucus, unanimously agreed that the next governorship candidate of our great party should emerge from Kwara North Senatorial District.”

    Kwara APC Elders Caucus, who hailed Governor AbdulRazaq for making them proud thus far with his great performances across the state, also commended the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the way and manner he had set Nigeria on a recovery course from her dwindling economy.

    Listing the governor’s developmental achievements across parts of the state, the elders regretted that “some of these achievements have evoked some negative comments and reactions from some members of the opposition political parties.

    “It is obvious that every developmental policy, programme and project may pose initial but temporary discomfort”.

    The elders said developmental efforts of the government in the capital city were in line with the Urban Renewal Project, under the New Ilorin City Master Plan.

    “Therefore, we will like to advise opposition parties to display a sense of patriotism by supporting and joining hands with the laudable programmes of this administration for the progress of Kwara State.”

    The APC chieftains urged Kwara residents and indigenes affected by the ongoing urban renewal drive of the governor to seek redress in court and other related government agencies, rather than be used by the opposition to foment crises.

  • Ondo 2024: Aspirant kicks as APC elders set to announce preferred candidate

    Ondo 2024: Aspirant kicks as APC elders set to announce preferred candidate

    A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Hon Olugbenga Edema, has kicked against decision of some elders of the party to announce their preferred aspirant to emerge as candidate after screening all the aspirants.

    Hon Edema said the action of the APC elders, under the auspices of Ondo APC Aborigines, was unknown to the hiarachy of the party.

    Edema who urged the national leadership of the APC to ignore the APC Aborigines vowed the reject the outcome of their decision.

    The Ondo APC Aborigines, led by Ambassador Sola Iji, had set up a committee to screen all the governorship aspirants for the purpose of choosing an aspirant to support at the party primary.

    They said they would announced their preferred aspirant on Tuesday.

    Among the top three aspirants picked by the committee were Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Wale Akinterinwa and Chief Olusola Oke.

    But Hon Edema who spoke to journalists on Sunday said the APC Aborigines lacked the moral justification to screen aspirants and pick on one to support to emerge as candidate of the party.

    He said those who claimed to be APC Aborigines were either in the Labour Party (LP) or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the formation of APC in 2014.

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    He said the Aborigines were not sincere because other aspirants were not given fair hearing before they decided to shortlist three aspirants among the deluge of those jostling for the ticket of the party.

    The former NDDC commissioner asked the national leadership of the party to discountenance the decision by the Aborigines.

    He said: “I saw it on social media that a group who called themselves Aborigines group of APC was saying they have screened some candidates and they came out with names, I have my reservations about that group, for you to say you are aborigin of APC you must have some legitimacy that confer aborigine on you.

    “I do not know if the Aborigines is of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), is it of Labour Party, or PDP? We have to define the legitimacy part of it. The person I saw in that picture and the name is Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, we were together in Labour party up to 2013 or thereabout, he went to National Assembly as a Senator on the platform of Labour Party of which Dr. Olusegun Mimiko was the leader before he defected to ACN. I do not know how that confirms indigenship or aboriginship on him.

    “Secondly I know that Boroffice and his cohorts have raised up Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s hands as their preferred candidate in the coming election. Having raised the hands of Ayiedatiwa, it spark bias, they could simply have said they have endorsed Aiyedatiwa as their candidate rather than saying have are screening.

    “I would ask them these three questions, what are the parameters they have used to screen aspirants for them to adopt a particular candidate, have they look at educational qualification, have they look at the length of time the person have joined politics, have they look at the position the person have held before, have they interfaced with all the aspirants, because they have not walked up to me for me to tell what I am capable of doing as an aspirant of APC to be the governor of Ondo State.

    “At what stage do they interview all the potential aspirants? Do they know who are the potential aspirants asince we have not obtained forms of the #50 million? They already have a preferred aspirant, like they did in the days of unity forum. In the time of unity forum they also have a preferred candidate, the moment the Unity Forum adopted Olusola Oke that was the end of the story in the camp, I am sure that is what they wanted to replicate now.

    “The question I asked, can they tell the people the criteria they used to pick their candidate, do they look at acceptability? They said they look at the ability to fund, if you look at ability to fund election, you may not be able to arcertain because there must be proof of funding and prove of funding does not mean what is in my bank account, because coming to the governorship election is not done by one man, people should be able to come, when we are talking about purchase of form, it must be done by your supporters, not necessarily you.

    ” Let me tell you, Prof. Boroffice was an aspirant against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He did not step down, how can he now advice the president that this is our candidate? The group has indicated their bias when they raised the hands of Governor Aiyedatiwa up when he declared interest in the governorship election.”

  • Benue re-run: APC elders seek more security personnel

    Ahead of March 23 governorship re-run election in Benue State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Councils has called for more security presence to curtail violence. The elders said available reports suggest that there are plans to disrupts the re-run especially in APC strongholds. Addressing the media in Makurdi, spokesman of elders, Chief Terlumun Akputu, said there is need to provide more security for the re- run election to stamp out vote buying and intimidation.

    Akputu also advised Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to insist on the use of card readers before accepting any result from polling unit in the re-run. They expressed concern that in the March 9th governorship and state assembly elections APC recorded zero vote in some local governments, which is not acceptable.

    “There is nowhere in Nigeria where the APC recorded zero votes except in Guma Local Area Government area, despite having candidates and agents in the area. These APC candidates and agents were chased out of the polling units,” he alleged. The elders called for the cancelation of elections in places where card readers were not used and declared the candidate of APC Emmanuel Jime as the authentic winner of the March 9th election.

  • Ekiti monarch, APC elders rally support for Fayemi

    The Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Ajibade Alabi, has expressed confidence in the ability of Governor Kayode Fayemi to make positive impact in governance during his second tenure.

    The Alawe who described Fayemi’s swearing-in for the second time as “historic and divine” said the former Minister of Mines and Steel Development has the pedigree, exposure and experience to turn around the fortunes of Ekiti.

    Oba Alabi made the remark in his palace when he played host to two Ilawe indigenes, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu and Mrs. Yemisi Ayokunle, who recently emerged victorious in the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The traditional ruler described the duo as capable and competent to represent their constituencies at the federal and state legislatures and canvassed support for them.

    The royal father pointed out that Fayemi’s pedigree and competence are never in doubt judging by the giant strides witnessed during his first term between October 2010 and October 2014.

    In a related development, the APC Elders’ Forum has congratulated Fayemi and his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, on their assumption of office.

    The forum in a statement by its Chairman, Chief George Akosile and Secretary, Chief Abiodun Ajayi, said the inauguration of new government will bring new lease of life to the people of the state.

     

    The APC elders prayed for the success of the new administration for positive transformation of Ekiti State with the hope of realising the dreams of its founding fathers.

     

     

     

  • APC elders: no anointed aspirant for Lagos governor

    No aspirant has been adopted for Lagos State governor, All Progressives Congress (APC) elders said yesterday.

    The Chairman of the  Elders’ Forum, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said the party would not have resolved to hold a primary if it had adopted an aspirant.

    He was reacting to media reports that the chapter had adopted Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu, the Managing Director of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC), as its governorship candidate.

    Said Olusi: “All these things are speculations. They are not true. How can we plan to hold a primary to elect our candidate and then adopt somebody?

    “If we are still going to hold our primary, why then should we adopt, or does the adoption cancel the primary? No.

    “This is the political season; many interesting things happen, but I can tell you most of the things that have been reported on the matter are mere speculations and not facts. Nobody has directed any adoption.”

    Olusi, referring to a video being circulated, said it was normal for individuals or groups to back or endorse aspirants ahead of any election.

    He, however,  said such endorsements should not be taken to be the party’s position.

    Olusi said the determination of who would become the party’s candidate would be taken at the primary.

    He described the APC as a democratic party, saying all aspirants would be allowed a level-playing field.

    On the feasibility of holding a direct primary in view of the large number of party members, Olusi said there was no cause for alarm.

    He said the right preparations were being done, expressing optimism that everything would go well during the exercise.

    Olusi would not comment on the controversies over different modes of primary in some APC state chapters.

    “Honestly, I do not want to comment on that. However, we are a growing democracy and we learn every day,’’ he said.

  • APC elders to Fayemi: give Ekiti people good governance

    •Afenifere greets governor-elect
    •Election observer group okays victory
    •Ekiti in Diaspora urges Fayemi to unite state

    The Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders’ Forum has urged Governor-elect Kayode Fayemi to use the mandate given to him at the poll to improve the lives of the people.

    The party elders said Fayemi’s second chance at the helm offers him a wonderful opportunity to restore Ekiti to the path of good governance and make a difference in the life of the people.

    In a statement by its Chairman, Chief George Akosile, and Secretary, Chief Abiodun Ajayi, the Ekiti APC Elders’ Forum also hailed INEC for conducting a free, fair and credible election.

    The forum praised the doggedness and determination of Fayemi and the deputy governor-elect, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, to succeed at the poll.

    It also expressed its gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole; National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; former Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; governors, ministers and other party stalwarts for their contributions to the victory.

    Also, the National Leader of Afenifere, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, has congratulated Fayemi on his election victory.

    Fasanmi, in a joint statement with the Ekiti State Chairman of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural body, Elder Yemi Alade, issued by the Publicity Secretary, Chief Biodun Akin-Fasae, urged the governor-elect not to disappoint the electorate who elected him.

    He said: “Now that the people have decided which way to go, Ekiti should never allow themselves to be manipulated by deceit and from those whose backgrounds we cannot vouch for.”

    A local election observer group, Democracy Vanguard, has said last Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election was a better improvement over the previous ones conducted in the Fountain of Knowledge state.

    It congratulated the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the residents for ensuring a violence-free poll.

    In a statement yesterday by its State Coordinator, Yetunde Adeoluwa, the organisation hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free, fair, credible and conclusive election with an improvement over previous ones.

    Adeoluwa said: “The peaceful conduct of the INEC and security agencies during the July 14 governorship election shows that our democratic process is improving.

    “There was no record of ballot-snatching, rigging, violence or electoral malpractice, as it was experienced in 2007, while there was no security clampdown, compared to 2014. This is highly commendable.”

    Also, Ekiti indigenes in the United States of America (U.S.A) have congratulated the governor-elect, Dr Fayemi, on his victory in last Saturday’s election.

    Acting under the aegis of Ekiti Coalition for Change, the group urged the governor-elect to align with this biblical command and be fair to all Ekiti indigenes, regardless of their political leanings and beliefs.

    In a statement in Washington DC by its Coordinator, Mr Samuel Ayodele, the Ekiti indigenes saluted the INEC for conducting the election in a manner that aligned with global best practices.

     

  • apc elders back Buhari for second term

    The Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Forum has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari’s bid for a second term.

    The group described the president as a great leader, who is tackling the challenges of nationhood and development.

    Rising from its monthly meeting held at the residence of its Chairman, Chief George Akosile, in Igbara-Odo,  the forum said Buhari deserved a second term because of his performance in the last three years.

    In a communiqué by Akosile and the Secretary, Chief Abiodun Ajayi,  the forum hailed  the rejection of tenure elongation for party executives at ward, local government, state and national levels.

    On the Ekiti governorship primary, the elders advised  delegates to be “rational and be guided by maturity, experience, good character” in the choice of the candidate for the July 14 poll.

    The forum urged the aspirants to refrain from using hate speeches, asking them to work as a team to win the election.

    The elders also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible, transparent, free and peaceful election.

    They urged the government to fill vacant  positions in the federal boards, agencies and parastatals in respect of Ekiti APC members.

    The elders advocated that Ekiti should be included in the School Feeding Programme of the APC-led Federal Government.

  • APC elders back Buhari’s re-election

    Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders’ Forum has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari’s bid to seek re-election.

    Rising from its monthly meeting at the Ekiti home of its Chairman, Chief George Akosile, the forum said Buhari deserved re-election because of his performance in the last three years.

    In a communiqué by Akosile and the Secretary, Chief Abiodun Ajayi, the forum backed the cancellation of tenure elongation for party executives at the ward, local government, state and national levels.

    On the Ekiti governorship primaries, the elders advised delegates to be “rational and guided by maturity, experience and good character” in the choice of the candidate that will contest the July 14 poll.

    The forum urged aspirants not to use hate words and speeches, saying they should work as a team to win.

    The elders enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible, transparent, free and peaceful election.

    They advised the Federal Government to fill vacant positions in the boards, agencies and parastatals with party members.

    The elders advocated that Ekiti State should be included in the School Feeding Programme run by the Federal Government.