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Tag: Ladoja

  • Ladoja’s supporters leave Accord

    Ladoja’s supporters leave Accord

    Hundreds of supporters of the Leader of Accord in Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, have left the party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and other parties.

    Their defection followed the failure of the former governor to allow internal democracy in the party.

    The aggrieved supporters alleged that having invested huge resources and time in the party, Ladoja “betrayed” them by imposing candidates, instead of organising primaries.

    Their defection was preceded by a protest to the Ondo Street, Bodija, Ibadan, home of the former governor by aggrieved party members.

    When party primaries began last month, Accord in Oyo State did not announce its primaries into the State and the National Assembly.

    It held its primary for the governorship slot, which was contested by its leader and coordinator, Ladoja. He won unopposed to emerge the party’s governorship candidate

  • Stop bellyaching, Oyo APC tells Ladoja

    Stop bellyaching, Oyo APC tells Ladoja

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has condemned the statement by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja on the recruitment of 5,300 teachers.

    Ladoja and the Accord Party were quoted to have said the 5,300 teachers recruited by the government were non-existent and that the governor’s trip to the 33 local governments distributing letters of appointment was “executive joblessness”.

    The APC said Accord should be pitied because it was apparent that the Ajimobi administration had broken the myth by Ladoja that he was the only friend of Oyo teachers.

    It said: “A psycho analysis of that statement will show that Ladoja and Accord are afraid that their age-long deceit has been exposed.

    “That statement was actually lamenting Ajimobi’s inroad into the hearts of Oyo State teachers.

    “For a  long time, Ladoja deceived the people that he had the key to the hearts of the teachers through what he called his 30-students-in-class policy. That had always been his greatest claim to heroism.

    “Initially, they inundated the press with the so-called paucity of teachers in Oyo State. Now that we have given every local government a sense of responsibility by employing their sons and daughters as teachers, Accord is bellyaching.

    “Ladoja even told us what was news to Oyo State: he employed 4,000 teachers! How come nobody but him knew this phantom recruitment until now?

    “The former governor knows the implication of how Ajimobi employed the teachers from their localities as against what used to be done.

    “But he should be man enough to own up that the game of deceit is over and Ajimobi is the newest bride of the teachers.”

  • Ibadan agog for APC, Alao-Akala, Ladoja

    Ibadan agog for APC, Alao-Akala, Ladoja

    Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was agog yesterday with politicians from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trooping in for political programmes.

    The city also hosted eminent personalities for the eighth day Fidau prayer for the late Madam Alimot Ladoja, mother of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.

    APC leaders from the Southwest states also besieged the hilltop Premier Hotel for their first zonal assembly while thousands of supporters of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala converged on the city for his governorship declaration for the 2015 election.

    Alao-Akala, who was the state governor between 2007 and 2011, was defeated by the incumbent, Abiola Ajimobi. The former governor is out to battle for the PDP governorship ticket.

    At the same time, dignitaries thronged the popular Ibadan Recreation Centre near Sabo area for payers for Ladoja’s mother. Ladoja was governor between 2003 and 2007.

    The three events caused gridlocks in places such as Mokola, Parliament Road, Old Ife Road and Sabo.

    Alao-Akala But, at the governorship declaration, appealed to the citizens to forgive him for his misdeeds when he was governor, pleading for his re-election in 2015.

    He stated that none of his actions were deliberate or personal vendetta, adding that it was aimed at making life better for the populace.

    “Inevitably, we might have offended some people in our desire to make life better for the populace or in pursuit of equity and justice. None of our actions were deliberate or personal vendetta. I therefore seek your understanding and forgiveness,” the former governor said.

    Alao-Akala said he decided to join the governorship race following hundreds of phone calls, thousands of text messages and personal visitations.

    He promised that if re-elected in 2015, he would ensure an all-inclusive governance and quality leadership.

    “We shall also consolidate on our previous achievements in the areas of education, health, commerce and agriculture. I make bold to state that every village and major town in Oyo State desire even development. Hence, we shall continue with our policy of uplifting the rural areas as well as the urban centres with execution of people-oriented projects.”

    He called on other PDP governorship aspirants to work with him to deliver the state to PDP in 2015.

    Earlier in his remarks, a PDP chieftain, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoenia, who spoke on behalf of Ibadan indigenes, said the people were yearning for the return of Alao-Akala.

    Also, political leaders and business tycoons yesterday showered praises on the late Madam Ladoja for her exemplary life and legacy as Muslim clerics offered prayers for the repose of her soul.

    Dignitaries at the event included Governor Abiola Ajimobi; his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola; Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose; former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel; two former Oyo governors, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo and Alao-Akala.

    Others were former Senate leader, Teslim Folarin; Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; Chief Kola Daisi; a former Minister of Industry, Chief (Mrs.) Onikepo Akande; wife of the former Bayelsa State Governor, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha; Chief Shuaib Oyedokun; Elder Wole Oyelese and Professor Taoheed Adedoja.

    Also present were Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi; wife of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Ayo Olaitan Bankole; Chief Sharafadeen Alli; Adebayo Shittu; Alhaja Bose Adedibu; National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najeem Yasin; Dr. Saka Balogun; Sunbom Owolabi; sons of the late Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao; commissioners, caretaker chairmen and others.

  • Ladoja’s mum dies at 94

    Ladoja’s mum dies at 94

    Mother of former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja is dead.

    Alhaja Alimotu Sadia Ladoja who died yesterday was 94

    A source close to the family broke the news of last night. Her remains might be buried today according to Islamic rites.

    The ex-governor was at the Mapo Hall in Ibadan for his Accord party rally on Tuesday where he received defectors from other parties.

  • I won’t go back to PDP, says Ladoja

    I won’t go back to PDP, says Ladoja

    Gormer Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja has said he will not lead his followers back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ladoja, who spoke with reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said he would not deceive himself by thinking that PDP leaders would welcome him back as the leader.

    He said having succeeded in building Accord, he does not need to abandon it for a party where his chances of actualising his political dream are uncertain.

    He said: “I am an engineer. I deal with physical materials. I am not a mathematician who imagines things. Accord is here as a major contender. By God’s grace, we have built the party and we are still building it. Why should I go to PDP at this time when the chances of Accord are very bright?”

    The former governor debunked claims that he was under pressure from top PDP leaders at the national level to return to the party to give the All Progressives Congress (APC) a good fight in  next year’s election.

    “Who are those powers? Which pressure? Can you mention their names and where they have been putting pressure on me?”

    The 69-year old Accord leader said he was not too old to be governor again.

  • Oyo APC to Akala, Ladoja: no crocodile tears

    Oyo APC to Akala, Ladoja: no crocodile tears

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State chapter, has urged former governors Adebayo Alao-Akala and Rashidi Ladoja, to stop shedding what it termed “crocodile tears” over the rumoured plan to impeach Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    The party, in a statement by its chairman, Chief Akin Oke, said the two former governors did not have the moral right to advise any government on peace.

    Oke said: “Isn’t it an irony that Akala and Ladoja would tell us how peaceful our state would be with a House of Assembly that is devoid of rancour? Both of them ran governments whose Houses of Assembly were like Israel and Palestine and the Governor’s Office like Gaza, even when members were of the same Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It came to a head when touts stormed the Assembly, beat members to pulp and a chief thug declared the governor impeached. Hundreds of our people were felled in the violence and bloodshed that the two of them abetted. Both of them have the blood of our people on their hands.”

  • Ladoja, Akala left decaying infrastructure, says Oyo APC

    Ladoja, Akala left decaying infrastructure, says Oyo APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State chapter, has said the bridges which collapsed in Ibadan during the 2011 floods were products of the decay left behind by the administrations of former Governors Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala.

    The party was reacting to a statement by an aide to Ladoja, who spoke on the state of bridges in the state capital.

    The APC said: “Politicians, who always seek to reap from where they did not sow, have made Apete their new Mecca. One Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship pretender promised to give the people electricity, which is a Federal Government’s responsibility. Even Ladoja, whose government was known to be drab, inactive and laid-back, has been promising Apete people heaven and earth. The people know who has buttered their breads between our government and these emergency friends of Apete people.

    “I urge the people to notice a life sworn to lie-telling that has become the pastime of the Accord. First, he said 60 people died at Apete. Any passably intelligent person knows that this is a terrible lie. Second, he said Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, accused him of mismanaging the N100 billion monthly budgetary allocation for Oyo State. We are aware that Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala is too intelligent to make this statement and indeed never uttered this Accord fraudulent lie. Even the Federal Government knows that its monthly allocations to Oyo can’t pay workers’ salary alone.”

  • Accord Party rejects Ladoja, Nalado as confab delegates

    Accord Party rejects Ladoja, Nalado as confab delegates

    A faction of the Accord Party has rejected the alleged nomination of former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, and the National Chairman of Accord Party, Muhammad Nalado, as delegates to the proposed national conference.

    The decision was taken during the party’s leadership meeting held in Abuja during the week and attended by party chieftains and some state chairmen.

    Sources at the meeting said to have largely been attended by members of a faction loyal to its National Secretary, Dr. Samson Isibor, said the meeting disclaimed reports that the party had endorsed Ladoja and Nalado as its delegates to the confab.

    The party also refuted claims by one Adisa Nureni, that he is the national secretary of Accord Party. The party described Nureni as an impostor.

    “The meeting reiterated its support for Isibor as our national secretary and reject all decisions taken by the other faction. We reiterated our readiness for peace within the party while cautioning the other faction against taking actions that can deepen the already festering crisis within the Accord Party.

    “We also reminded the general public of the activities of one Adisa Nureni, who remains unknown to the party but has been parading himself as the national secretary of our great party. We call on relevant security agencies to be alive to their duties in respect of this impostor,” our source said.

    The party said it will announce the names of its delegates to the confab in due cause after the completion of consultations within the party on the issue.

  • N4.7bn money laundering charge: Ladoja fails to stop trial

    N4.7bn money laundering charge: Ladoja fails to stop trial

    ormer Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja  yesterday failed in his bid to stop the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  from prosecuting  him for money laundering.

    The Court of Appeal told him to go and face trial after refusing his appeal  to quash the 10-count  N4.7 billion money laundering charge instituted against him by the anti-graft agency.

    The appellate court, in its ruling delivered by Justice Sidi Bage, declared that the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2004 empowers the EFCC to prosecute Ladoja. The ruling was unanimous having been adopted by two other justices of the court. Ladoja’s counsel,Dr.Dapo Olanipekun,  immediately signified his intention to head for the Supreme Court.

    The former governor had, in his appeal,claimed  that the proof of evidence accompanying the charges instituted before the trial court failed to link him with the alleged crime and that it did not establish any prima facie case against him. He, therefore, pleaded with the court to reverse the ruling of the Federal High Court and quash the charges.

    Ladoja  was arraigned  in November 2008 along with his former aide, Chief Waheed Akanbi, before Justice Ramat Mohammed, who was then serving at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that the two men conspired to convert properties and resources derived from an alleged illegal act, with the intention of concealing their illicit origin. The anti-graft agency also alleged that Ladoja used N42m out of the proceeds to purchase an Armoured Land Cruiser Jeep, and remitted about £600,000 to one Bimpe Ladoja in London.

    Ladoja and Akanbi  pleaded not guilty to the charges.

  • Ladoja, Oyo APC trade words

    Ladoja, Oyo APC trade words

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord in Oyo State engaged yesterday in a war of words.

    Accord leader former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, at a rally to welcome new members into his party in Lalupon, Lagelu Local Government, accused the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration of ineptitude.

    The APC, in a statement by its Interim Publicity Secretary, Kolawole Dauda, told Ladoja to focus on his trial for alleged fraud, adding that he had no moral right to criticise anyone until he clears his name.

    Ladoja said: “The government is full of deceit. When they came in, they said they did the express way, but why can’t they develop areas like Labo, Gege Oke-Are and Isale-Osi.

    “They have enslaved the people through their various lies. They claim taps are running in the state; it is not true. Half of the money they spent on flowers and landscaping could have been spent on providing classrooms and furniture in schools. If the schools they attended were like the ones they are running now, would they have attained their present status? In the past, we did not have more than 30 pupils per class, but now, in some schools, they have 10 classes being attended to by four teachers. With this, what type of future are we giving our children.

    “Since Alhaji Lamidi Adesina’s death, the governor assumed he has no leader again. This government does not mean well for the people. I implore you to be law abiding and peaceful in your conduct. By the grace of God, we shall form the next government in the state with the assistance of the electorate.”

    APC said: “It is only in a Third World country like ours that someone on trial for allegedly defrauding the state would not be sober, but preening himself like a turtle-dove and preparing to come back to the same seat where he performed woefully. In Oyo State, we have about three of such: Ladoja, Adebayo Alao-Akala and Femi Babalola. What unites these three governorship aspirants is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They are all on trial for allegedly siphoning billions of the people’s money.

    “In the state’s history, no government has brought as much development to the state as the APC administration. Even outsiders curse past governors for retarding the state’s growth. While they were in office, it was one violence incident or the other. While Ladoja was arrogant and did not nominate board members for close to two years, Alao-Akala was busy running after his cosmetics. It is only now that the people can point to development.”