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Tag: Gboyega Oyetola

  • Local Observers: We saw vote buying by PDP, SDP, ADP

    Vote buying is a sign of weakness, says Oyetola

     

    Some local observers in the Osun State governorship election revealed on Saturday how they saw three of the participating political parties buy votes in some communities.

    The observers disclosed this during their visit to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gboyega Oyetola in Iragbiji.

    While commending the APC for not participating in vote buying in the election, the leader of the team, Comrade Richards Adebayo, said his team members saw members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) offering N1,500 to induce voters, African Democratic Party (ADP) offering N2,000 and Social Democratic Party (SDP) offering N3,000.

    He however, commended the electoral exercise, describing it as smooth and peaceful.

    Adebayo said his team members observed massive turnout by voters in virtually all the communities where they monitored the election. They include Osogbo, Iwo, Iragbiji, Ede and Ejigbo.

    He described the enthusiasm of voters as ‘unbelievable,’ adding that people voted without any fear or intimidation. He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth conduct of the election, saying the entire exercise recorded a marked improvement over the last one held in 2014.

    He said they saw voters who were already at polling units as early as 6:00 am, and with smiles on their faces.

    His words: “In this election, we observed that people were happy to come out and vote for the candidate of their choice. The card readers worked generally well except in few polling units. We have to commend INEC for that. In the last election (2014), many people were not happy because of the situation at the time. But today, people moved and cast their votes freely. As observers, we are encouraged that the electoral process is improving.”

    The observers urged Oyetola to support a strong electoral process if he wins in the race, stressing that it is one of the pillars of democracy.

    Read Also: ‘Criminalise vote buying’

    Responding, Oyetola commended the observers for taking time out to see things for themselves instead of relying on what he called ‘jaundiced reports.’ He also hailed the peaceful environment in which the election held and the enthusiasm of the people of the state as they chose their next governor.

    He pointed out that the improvement in the electoral system confirmed that democracy was growing in Nigeria.

    According to him, the situation would have been otherwise if the PDP was in charge of the Federal Government. “But we are peaceful people who allow everyone to follow their conscience in an election. I will continue with that culture if I win this race. You cut corners when you are not sure of yourself. Vote buying is a sign of weakness; it shows you are not sure of winning. We don’t have anything to fear because the APC government has done well. That is why our people want us to continue. We have done massive infrastructural renewal, offered good education, security, social protection for the vulnerable and less privileged. Another novel project of our administration is our support for people with mental ill-health. We take care of them and re-integrate them into their families. If we win, we will continue with the free meal for school pupils.”

    Oyetola also commended security agencies for their effectiveness which added to the success of the election.

  • Osun Poll: CSO commends high voter turnout

    Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reforms, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has commended the high turnout of voters in the ongoing governorship election in Osun.

    Nwagwu, who is monitoring the election in the state, made the commendation in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday.

    He said that between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. accreditation and voting had already commenced as people trooped out in orderly manner to exercise their franchise.

    “We are coming out from Ife now, accreditation and voting is ongoing. The punctuality is pretty nice in the areas that we have observed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

    “But generally, people are coming out to vote and the climate is calm and relatively peaceful,’’ he said.

    The chairman also commended the relative peaceful atmosphere under which the process is going on.

    He, therefore, expressed the need to encourage the people of the state to continue to maintain the maturity they put in during the campaigns and the poll and remain peaceful.

    He expressed optimism that the outcome of the election would reflect the will and aspirations of a greater percentage of the people.

    Read Also: Osun Decides: Massive turnout in Ife

    “It is good to continue to encourage the people of Osun to maintain the maturity that they put in during the campaigns and ensure that they remain peaceful.

    “We hope that the outcome of the election reflects the will and aspirations of a greater percentage of Osun people, ’he said.

    News Agency of Nigeria reports that a heavy security cordon was thrown on the state with massive deployment of policemen and other security personnel including soldiers who were sighted on the outskirts of the state capital.

    News Agency of Nigeria also reports that there are 3,010 Polling Units and 755 Polling Points spread across the three senatorial districts and 30 local governments’ areas of the state.

    Although INEC registered a total of 1,682,495 voters, some 400,000 Permanent Voters Cards remained uncollected as at Friday.

    News Agency of Nigeria also reports that although 48 parties are participating in the election, the frontline candidates are Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples, Democratic Party and Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic (SDP).

  • Osun debate: Oyetola, others promise education, health revolution 

    Plans to revolutionize education, health and other sectors were laid bare by candidates of some of the political parties participating in the Osun State governorship election in the final debate Thursday.

    The debate, which was organized by the TVC in conjunction with some civil society groups, was held at the WOCDIF Centre, Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    The participants are Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olugbenga Akintola of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Babatunde Loye of Labour Party (LP), Mercy Ayodele of Reformation Party of Nigeria (RPN) and Oluseyi Fabiyi of KOWA party.

    Candidates of the remaining four major parties – Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Party (ADP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) were absent.

    The organizers said they all promised to attend but failed to show up.

    On education, Oyetola said the Rauf Aregbesola administration has done well in education but that he would focus more on the technological aspect of education, give scholarships, train and retrain teachers and also sustain the free meal for students.

    Akintola promised to promote functional literacy and numeracy skills, improve funding for education and improve welfare of teachers.

    The other candidates also promised to train and retrain teachers and pay salaries regularly.

    On health, the APC candidate promised to embrace the National Health Insurance Scheme for workers, upgrade facilities of primary health centres, equip them with drugs and motivate medical workers.

    Other candidates also promised to motivate health workers, build mega hospitals whose services will be paid for as well as embrace health insurance.

    On job creation, Oyetola pledged to sustain the Osun State Youths Employment Scheme dubbed OYES, create five new farm settlements and give incentives to youths to go into agriculture. He further promised to look at exploring the value chain in agriculture that includes processing, transportation and storage, among others.

    Fabiyi promised to build technology village in the three senatorial zones to harness the skills of artisans for development.

    For Loye, the way to succeed in job creation in times like this is to encourage youths to go into technology related businesses.

     

  • Market women assures Oyetola of massive votes

    Market women in Osun State have assured the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, of massive votes in the Saturday state governorship poll.

    They said they have resolved to ensure continuity of the programmes and policies of the Rauf Aregbesola administration in the state.

    The wife of the Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, and the wife of the governorship candidate of APC, Kafayat Oyetola, who led other women to major markets in the state to seek support of market women for the APC, assured the people of good government.

    Also, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan federal constituency, Ayo Omidiran, accompanied Mrs. Aregbesola and Mrs. Oyetola to major markets in her constituency, including major markets in Apomu, Ikire, Ikoyi, among others.

    Addressing women at Apomu, Ikire, Ikoyi markets, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, said market women are major electorate in the state, appealing to them to vote for the APC in the Saturday governorship election.

    She recalled the love of her husband, Governor Aregbesola, for women, promising that Oyetola would recognise them more if elected.

    The first lady maintained that the only way to sustain the programmes and success of the present administration is to vote the APC candidate to continue the “good works.”

    Read Also: Osun 2018: Why Oyetola fits the bill

    Recalling that the APC governorship candidate had promised to ensure adequate number of women participation in his government, Mrs. Aregbesola urged market women to support him and ensure his victory in the coming election.

    Speaking, Hon. Ayo Omidiran assured women that the APC candidate if elected would not neglect market women and traders in the state.

    She noted that Oyetola has been promising in many public places that his government would promote small scale businesses and entrepreneurs, assuring that he would fulfill all his promises.

  • Osun guber poll: Lasun campaigns for Oyetola

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Yussuff Lasun campaigns for Gboyega Oyetola at the grand rally for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate in Saturday’s governorship election.

    The rally is ongoing and will be addressed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Buhari who is presently in a meeting with Osun traditional rulers, is expected at the venue shortly.

    Lasun told the crowd at the Osogbo stadium venue that APC will rule Nigeria forever because it is made up of men of credible character and its laudable programme.

    He reaffirmed his membership if the APC.

  • Osun 2018: Ganduje, Alaafin clamour for continuity

    Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullah Umar Ganduje, and a foremost Yoruba traditional ruler, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, have called on the good people of Osun to support continuity of good governance by electing the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 22, gubernatorial election, Mr Gboyega Oyetola.

    The duo commended what they described as monumental, the achievements recorded by the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in almost eight years, saying his government has done very well in all aspects of the economy.

    They admonished the people of Osun not to allow themselves to be induced by unscrupulous politicians who didn’t have the wherewithal to build on Aregbesola’s good legacies.

    The two prominent Nigerians made the statement on Monday during a courtesy visit to Aregbesola at Government House, Osogbo.

    Ganduje said the Aregbesola administration has placed Osun on the path of development in all sectors of governance as reflected in the infrastructural facilities put in place across the nooks and crannies of the state.

    The Kano Governor, who doubles as the Chairman National Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress for Osun 2018 Governorship Election, noted that it is imperative for the people of Osun to support the continuity agenda, which he described as the only way to socioeconomic advancement, progress and prosperity.

    Ganduje, who said his visit to Osun was to ensure free, fair, credible, acceptable and transparent governorship election, noted that it is high time Osun residents supported Aregbesola by voting for APC.

    According to him, continuity is the bedrock of socioeconomic development in any society, hence the need for all to support the good works, which Aregbesola’s administration had brought to Osun by voting the APC candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

    “As a matter of fact, the only way to pay Aregbesola back for the good works that his administration has done is to vote for continuity so that we can sustain Osun on the path of development.

    “We have seen the infrastructural facilities that his administration has put in place; the good roads, schools among others. These are legacies that must be sustained and prevented from being destroyed

    “If we truly love Aregbesola and we believe in his good works, then no one must hesitate to vote for continuity as this gesture will place Osun on enviable height.

    “As we strife to ensure free, fair, credible and transparent governorship election, it is also important to let our people know that there is need for them to support the continuity agenda of this administration”, Ganduje said.

    Also, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi said Aregbesola has built a state worthy of emulation by any serious government in Nigeria.

    Oba Adeyemi canvassed for continuity of the good works of Aregbesola’s administration as the state couldn’t afford to swing backward again.

    He applauded the governor for the good works his administration has done in the past eight years, appealing to Osun people to vote for APC in the interest of genuine development and transformation.

    Alaafin said APC governments in Nigeria have proved their competence in all strata of the economy as no opposition party had faulted the good works of very many of them, particularly in the southwestern Nigeria.

    He described APC government as the best government so far in the history of the state, saying it is time for the people of Osun to elect continuity.

    He charged traditional rulers to be wary of power-hungry politicians, who have nothing tangible to offer, warning them to place development above their personal interest.

    In his words, ” It is only an enemy of progress that will not appreciate the performance of Aregbesola’s administration in spite of the challenges posed by the nation’s economy which had adversely affected the states of the federation.

    “I am happy that Aregbesola has been practising what he preaches, he has not disappointed us, he has not disappointed his people and he has not disappointed Nigerians.

    Read Also: 2019: APC chieftain, Dahiru defects to Sokoto PDP

    “I am happy to identify with Aregbesola not only because he is a governor, but because he has done very well in all aspects of life; he has improved on the economy of Osun and he has raised the bar of governance, despite the present economic reality.

    “I commend him, I commend his government for what he has been able to achieve so far, particularly on his administrative sagacity and prudence in the face of daunting challenges.

    In his remarks, the Governor of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola expressed profound gratitude to Ganduje and Alaafin, saying he will utilize the remaining days to the expiration of his administration to build more on his giant strides.

    He expressed confidence in the ability of his party, the All Progressives Congress, at winning the gubernatorial election, saying “we have God and the good people of Osun behind us”.

  • APC dismisses alleged nullification of Osun primaries

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed as fake, news in the social media that a Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified its primary election in Osun State which produced its governorship candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.

    The APC had conducted its governorship primary of Osun State using the direct primary option to produce its candidate for the governorship election scheduled for September 22.

    Read Also:I am prepared to lead Osun, says Oyetola

    But one of the aspirants for the governorship ticket, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke reportedly challenged the process in court, seeking to nullify the direct option used by the party.

    In a statement signed by the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, the part7 said while it is aware of the case, it was not possible for judgement to have been entered in a case whose hearing commenced on Thursday, September 13 when it was first mentioned and adjourned to September 27.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to some misleading media reports suggesting that the Direct primaries which produced Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the forthcoming Osun State Governorship election has been nullified by an Abuja Federal High Court in a matter filed by one Kunle Rasheed Adegoke.

    “This case is before Justice Dimgba and our confirmation from the Court’s Registry show that the matter was filed on July 27, 2018. It is being handled for the Plaintiff by A.U Mustapha (SAN) and came up for the first time on September 13, 2018 when service of originating processes on all other Parties was confirmed.

    “The matter was subsequently adjourned to September 27, 2018 for hearing.  Based on the foregoing facts, it is impossible for Judgement to have been given in this case which has only just commenced. We urge the general public to disregard the sponsored fake news.”

  • Osogbo, Iwo residents hail Oyetola as 160 enjoy free surgery

    Several residents of Osogbo and Iwo on Wednesday commended the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 22 governorship election in Osun State, Alh. Gboyega Oyetola, after benefitting from his free surgery project. 

     

    Over 160 patients had lumps removed from various parts of their bodies and cataract from their eyes in the two cities since Monday. The patients were treated under the Ilerioluwa Free Health Mission which was brought to the state by Oyetola. His campaign is themed: Ilerioluwa. 

     

    While 100 patients were operated upon at the General Hospital, Iwo Wednesday, over 60 patients have had cataract removed from their eyes at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo since Monday. They are part of the over 10,000 people that have been treated free under the project. 

     

    At Iwo on Wednesday, the beneficiaries showered praises on Oyetola for coming to their aid at a time they have lost the hope over their ill-health. One of them, Mrs Risikat Amoo, who had a lump removed from her breast, showered praises on the APC candidate for rescuing her from the dangerous health condition.

     

    According to her, she had been living with the lump for years due to inability to raise the funds for the treatment. She said her entire household would be eternally grateful to Oyetola and members of the medical team for bringing smiles to their faces again in Iwo. 

     

    At the teaching hospital in Osogbo, over 20 people have had free cataract surgery daily, restoring their original sight. 

    Read Also: Southwest PDP to hold rally in Osogbo

     

    When The Nation visited the hospital, people of different ages, male and female, expressed gratitude to Oyetola for restoring their sight free-of-charge. They prayed God to give him sound vision physically and spiritually as he hopefully takes over the mantle of leadership of the state in November. 

     

    The patients and their relations left the hospitals smiling as they expressed support for the APC candidate. 

     

    The Chief Operating Officer of the free surgery project, Dr Isiaka Adekunle, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance and the enthusiasm of residents of Iwo. 

     

    “It has been a fantastic experience so far. People are responding with great enthusiasm. They are also so appreciative of our work. When we see the joy on their faces after the surgery, we cannot but be happy for being part of this project that is impacting positively on the poor people in the society. It is the reason some other medical professionals have joined us willingly.” Adekunle said. 

     

    The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, who also visited the team at the hospital in Iwo, expressed gratitude to the medics on behalf of the APC candidate. He said the charity efforts were well recognized.

     

    The surgery team moves to Ikire on Thursday for continuation of free surgery.

  • Oyetola offers free treatment for 2,000 patients in Iwo

    Oluwo lauds initiative 

    Over 2,000 patients were treated free-of-charge in Iwo, Osun State on Monday.

    The treatment was supported by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 22 election, Alhaji  Gboyega Oyetola, under the Ilerioluwa Free Health Mission project. His campaign is themed Ilerioluwa

    The project was undertaken in partnership with the Development Support International, a organization with rich experience in medical outreach projects.

    The medical team which included doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, optalmologists, optometrics, pharmacy technicians and logistics staff, saw the huge number on an open field opposite Iwo Local Government Secretariat. The team was made up of about 209 members with various specialties.

    The team offered free treatment including surgeries in five broad areas. They are eye care, general outpatient, dental care, emergency medical services and health education. Through surgeries, lumps were removed in several parts of the body while cataract was removed from the eyes of many patients. Hernias were also corrected through surgeries.

    Commenting on the project after undergoing eye test, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, commended Oyetola, stressing that he brought succor to his subjects. He said many residents were suffering ill-health due to poverty but that initiative such as free health mission has brought succour to them.

    Read Also: Oyetola: Osun’s future brighter under APC

    The monarch explained that good efforts should be lauded irrespective of who is behind it. He told his enthusiastic subjects to ignore any attempt to demean the initiative by describing it as political.

    Oba Akanbi said the project brought smile to the faces of thousands of poor people who cannot afford medical care. He challenged other politicians to emulate Oyetola.

    To the monarch, the free health care is a heavy project that is expensive. He said only people who have means; connection and interest of the masses at heart can undertake such. Akanbi said great projects are easier said than done.

    “Even if they describe this as political, it is welcome here. As long as it benefits my people, we are happy to have it. Let other politicians bring good initiatives like this to Iwo. As long as it benefits my people, we will also embrace it. But it is easier said than done,” the monarch said.

    He also expressed gratitude to all members of the medical team for leaving their jobs in foreign countries and Lagos to offer free service to his subjects.

    The Project Manager, Ilerioluwa Free Health Mission, Dr Adebola Odunsi, described the project as laudable. He said people should support leaders that are interested in people’s health and total well-being.

    Odunsi said they conducted  population estimate and found out medical needs of residents to determine the team members and the kind of services to render. About 300 surgeries are being undertaken in all.

    Drugs and eye glasses were offered free to patients.

    Patients thronged the venue of the project till evening. They struggled to benefit from the programme in the various units as population surged continually.

  • I vouch for Oyetola’s competence – Aregbesola

    The Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, on Sunday vouched for the competence of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 22 Osun governorship election, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, to succeed him.

    He assured that he would consolidate on the achievements of his administration.

    At a rally of the IleriOluwa Campaign Organization in Iperindo, the headquarters of Atakumosa East council area and Ijebu-Jesa, the headquarters of Oriade Local Government, Aregbesola further assured that he had no doubt that Oyetola would perform to expectation of the people of the state.

    According to him, some of his celebrated programmes, including the school feeding initiative tagged O’MEAL, the youth empowerment initiative known as the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) would be sustained.

    He rallied support for the APC candidate, saying votes for Oyetola would further stand Osun out as one of the performing states.

    Read Also: Bureau releases figures of schools Aregbesola built

    Aregbesola, who warned the residents of Osun not to allow the state to retrogress, advised the people to vote for Oyetola and “sound future of the state.”

    Speaking, Oyetola assured he would advance the fortune of the state, saying “A good foundation” had been laid by the Rauf Aregbesola administration and that he was prepared to consolidate and break new grounds.

    Oyetola said: “My words are my bonds. I have the competence, the integrity and the pedigree. I will run an all-inclusive government. Workers would enjoy the best of time in my tenure. I believe the time has come for all us to come together and ensure the best government is installed for all us to reap the fruits of our labour. Together we can promote good governance when we vote for the competent, experienced and more importantly some one that we lead the state with fear of God.”

    Many trooped out to show solidarity for the APC candidate and his campaign team in the two council areas.