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Tag: Leke Akeredolu

  • Protesting Ondo youths seal off NDDC office

    Protesting Ondo youths seal off NDDC office

    Some protesting youths on Wednesday sealed off the office of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at  ‎Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State following the failure of the Federal government to appoint a representative from the state on the NDDC board.
    The youths, in their hundreds and ‎who are under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) placed palm fonts at the entrance of the NDDC gate.
    They also carried various placards with different inscriptions such as: ‎”Ondo state has been marginalised in NDDC board”, “No Ondo State in NDDC board, no peace in the Niger Delta area”, “Mr President, We need our Representative in the NDDC board now,” “Youth neglection: Causes of Robbery, Insurgency‎” among others.
    The NDYM coordinator, Mr  Alaba Adetoye Agbejoye, while addressing reporters, said with a robust agenda of APC led federal government and clear cut vision of President Mohammadu Buhari, it’s is regrettable that people who suppose to be real drivers of change are now agents of doom, inflicting pain and hardship on the people. 
    Agbetoye lamented that NDDC that has been producing relief to the people has completely deviated from its original purpose of bringing development to the people. 
    He called on the Acting President to as a matter of urgency appoint an indigene of the oil producing area in the state to fill the vacuum of Ondo State representative in the board of NDDC in the interest of equity and fairness. 
    Agbetoye lamented that the state has always been treated as a non-member of Niger Delta areas.
    He added that the oil producing areas in the state had been in a total blackout for seven years without any intervention from the government.
    He stressed further that all the projects in the area had been abandoned and there was no new project in the area, 
    He said: “We cannot continue in all these travails, being enslaved as if we are not part of Niger Delta region.
    “We are aware of some money released for Christmas for us but nothing has been given to us in Ondo State and we are graduates without work.”
    He, therefore, threatened that the youth movement would fall back to violence and disruption of oil pipeline vandalism if Federal Government could not meet its demand within seven days.
    His words: “Worrisome is the great level of corruption, inequality and injustice going on at the head office in the Port Harcourt. The commission has now been characterised by an unholy coalition between contractors and NDDC staff to deprive the people of the region their rights. 
    “In Ondo State, 85 percent of the yearly budget are either uncompleted or abandoned.  For three years now, no meaningful programme for the youths of the area. 
    “The vacuum created by non-appointment of Ondo State representative in the board has widened the extent of marginalisation of Ondo State in the last 2 months by the new board. 
    “The situation of sitting at the top and sharing the money will no longer be tolerated.  We will not fold our hand while the marginalisation continues in Port Harcourt.”
    Reacting, the state Director of NDDC, Engineer Emmanuel Audu, who spoke with our correspondent on phone said,  the delayed projects were caused by underfunding.
    Audu said that NDDC was already building power terminal to be connected with Omotosho Power grid, saying the project was ongoing to ensure power supply to the area.
    He added that NDDC in the state did not receive any money for Christmas for the movement, noting that the commission’s aim was even development of the area.

  • Ondo council chief dies in hotel

    ‎The Chairman of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State, Hon. Agunola Omomowo is dead.
    Omomowo, who is in his late 40s, was said to have slumped on Friday in his hotel room in Akure, the state capital.
    Sources said the council chairman died on the way to the hospital.
    The Chairman, who was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was elected in April last year.
    Before, he was elected council chairman, Omomowo was a supervisor for Education in the council.
    The State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Banji Okunomo, confirmed the incident.
    Okunomo said, ‎”yes, he is dead. We heard of his death this morning (yesterday) at his hotel room in Akure, where he slumped but before getting to the hospital, we discovered there was no life in him again. It was very unfortunate. 
    ‎He described the late chairman as a patriotic and dedicated son of Ilaje, who always committed to his mission and vision as the council boss of the riverine area.
    Also, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph confirmed his death and said the police has begun investigation to unravel the cause of his death
  • Ondo Assembly crisis: Seven remanded for attacking Mimiko’s convoy

    Ondo Assembly crisis: Seven remanded for attacking Mimiko’s convoy

    • As lawmakers go into hiding
    The fallout of Thursday protest at the Ondo State House of Assembly along Igbatoro road in Akure, the state capital has landed seven youths at the Olokuta Medium Prison.
    They were nabbed by security operatives during the protest for allegedly attacking the convoy of the state Governor, Olusegun Mimiko.
    Mimiko attempted to enter the Assembly with lawmakers loyal to him to present the 2017 budget.
    The youths, who  were arraigned at Akure ‎Magistrate court at Oke-Eda were Tunde Alabi (28), Abiola Eniola (27), Yusuf Muhammed (25), Olanrewaju Olomolotan (40), Adeniyi  Michael (30), Samson Omodara (20) and Ijalade Oluwaseun(27).
    Since last week Friday, the Assembly have been enmenshed with crisis following the removal of Hon. Jumoke Akindele and other principal officers by 14 lawmakers over alleged N15million‎ fraud.
    The aggrieved lawmakers, immediately appointed Hon. Malachi Coker as the acting speaker, Hon. Ayodele Arowele deputy and Hon. George Olamide as the Majority.
    Despite her impeachment, Akindele and other embattled principal officers have been laying claim to the leadership of the house.
    But since on Monday, Coker’s faction had been hoding their plenary sessions at the Assembly Complex.
    While the warring lawmakers are struggling over whose faction is the authentic, some youths have taken over the entrance of the Assembly since on Sunday protesting against Mimiko decision to present the 2017 budget and some bills few days to the end of his tenure.
    The protest went out of hand on Thursday, when they were alleged to have blocked the road and also attack the convoy of Mimiko.
    Those arrested during the protest were charged with four count charges: felony,  public disturbance,  unlawful assemble and public damage.
    The police prosecutor,  Inspector Martins Olowofeso told the court that the accused persons have committed punishable offence  under section 219 of the criminal code cap 36 laws of the Ondo state of Nigeria.
    Inspector Olowofeso however prayed the court to remand them at Olokuta prison for enable him to further investigate the case and brought other suspect to court saying there are still other people now at large.
    But counsel to the seven accused persons,  Mr. Femi Adetoye urged the court to grant them bail on most liberal term,  saying that the offences committed were bail able one.
    Adetoye also said that his clients would not jump bail and they are ready to provide reliable sureties if bail granted to them.
    In her ruling,  the presiding magistrate Victoria Bob-Manuel ordered the seven accused persons to be remanded at Olokuta prison custody and adjourned the case till 22nd February,  2017 for mention.
    The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph confirmed that the Assembly has been sealed off again.
    He said the police is ready to reopen the Assembly if the lawmakers are ready to bury their grievances and assure that their won’t be a break down of law and order.
    However, sources informed The Nation that legislators loyal to Coker’s camp may have gone into hiding over alleged threat to their lives.
    It was gathered ‎that the lawmakers, whose eight of them are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while five are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been receiving some strange calls since they carried out the impeachment process of Akindele.
    The spokesman of the group, Hon. Ogundeji Iroju who spoke with The Nation on phone ‎said their faction is not against Mimiko presenting the budget but only against the claim of Akindele that she is still the speaker despite she has been removed.
    Iroju said “the whole genesis of the‎ Assembly crisis is the alleged fraud of N15million levelled against Akindele and that was what led to her impeachment for a second term.
    “You will recollect that Akindele has earlier been impeached 10 months ago before governor Mimiko appealed to us to stop the impeachment with the intention then that she will turn a new leave.
    “This time around, we have elected another speaker, deputy and majority leader to replace the former principal officers of the house.
    “On Monday, we got an information that governor Mimiko will be coming to the house on Wednesday to come and present his 2017 appropriation bill and ‎as early as possible, we have arrived the Assembly waiting patiently for Mimiko because that is one of our constitutional duty to accept appropration bill from the governor and give the bill accelerated passage. 
    “But eventually, we waited for the governor but he did not come and what the law says is that only the quorum of the members can sit ‎at any giving time at the Assembly and the quorum of 26 members is nine. The members that sat were even more than the needed quorum. We were 13 in number. 
    “We found out later the reason why the governor did not come to present his budget, we were told that he has another emergency meeting in Abuja. We are waiting for Mimiko to come and present his budget because we know that if the budget is pass into law, it will have great positive impact on the lives of the masses.”
    When he was asked if they have made an attempt to discuss with the governor on why the sacked Akindele since they are all members of the same party, Iroju said “this is purely House of Assembly ‎affairs not a party issue.
    “We are defending the mandate of the people and not about the party because the people that voted for us are not only PDP members.
    “This is a legislative issue and nobody can impose a speaker on us. We are only worried why the governor is insisting that Akindele should continue as the speaker despite the allegation levelled against her.”
    The spokesman of ‎Akindele’s faction. Hon. Siji Akindiose from Ondo East state constituency only said their faction have decided not to go public on the issue anymore.
    Akindiose said he believes that it is an Assembly affair and the matter should be resolved amicably among the lawmakers.
    But in his previous interviews, the lawmaker had once said the money caught with the paymaster by their colleagues was meant for a project.
    He exonerated the embattled speaker from the allegations and also said the lawmakers, who carried the impeachment process failed to meet up the required constitutional numbers of lawmaker that must sit to impeach a speaker.
    Meanwhile, a former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Ali Olanusi has cautioned the governor against interfering in the affairs of the Assembly.
    Olanusi spoke with reporters, shortly after he was honoured as the grand patron of Road Transport Employers of Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at is residence in Akure.
    The octogenarian, who was impeached by the same lawmakers in 2015 after defecting from the PDP to APC asked Mimiko to recognise Coker’s faction.
    He urged the governor to emulate what President Muhammadu Buhari did when Bukola Saraki and Dogora were elected by the senators and lawmakers as their Senate President and speaker despite the stand of APC.
    “Nothing concern Mimiko with change of principal officers at the Assembly. Though I don’t blame him, the incumbent governor has been Commissioner, SSG and minister ‎without being elected as a lawmaker.
    “So, he did not know how the House operates, whether at the state and national level.
    “Nothing concern him about principal officers of the house. It is the responsibility of the members to pick one of them as their speaker.”
    The former deputy governor wondered why the governor refused not to present the budget despite the lawmakers at the house on Wednesday formed a quorum.
    Olanusi recalled that there was a time when the same governor presented a budget to less than 10 lawmakers at the Assembly and urged the people to ask Mimiko why he failed to present his budget?.
  • Ondo: Poor masses to benefit from Akeredolu’s admin

    Ondo: Poor masses to benefit from Akeredolu’s admin

    The Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Engr. Ade Adetimehin has said that the incoming administration of the governor-elect, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu will be beneficial to all.

    Adetimehin spoke with reporters in Alade Idanre where he attended the 2nd anniversary of the 130 Krown Klub whose members are purely grade “b” monarchs.

    The APC deputy chairman said the administration of Akeredolu will take a critical look at the issues affecting the state, particularly the poor masses and tackle it adequately.

    Adetimehin who also served as the Chairman of Akeredolu Campaign Platform said the people of the state should be rest assured that the incoming administration will be masses friendly.

    He said “Akeredolu is a man of the people, he has so much passion for the development of this state, he is so passionate about ensuring that Ondo state come to the fore front in the committee of states in the country

    “With Akeredolu, you can be rest assured, accountability, transparency and justice, he will ensure these things in the state

    “You can see that he already set up a policy implementation committee, to provide blueprint for his government

    “That is a man who is coming to work and ensure that the sun of our dear state shine brighter again.

    Adetimehin said the state is particularly lucky to have a technocrat like Akeredolu coming in at the helm of affairs.

    He said rather than playing politics with issues that affect the common man in the state, Akeredolu will ensure that the value of the common man is restored in the state.

    “When you look at the governor-elect, he is a man of great intellectual prowess, he is a determined man, he does not negotiate with the well-being of the people, he is so concerned about human development

    “He is not the kind of man that will play politics and forget the purpose the people of the state voted for him, he has told the people what his administration will do and he will deliver

    “By February 24th, the journey will commence, and I am sure that it is a kind of journey that will bring succour to the people of the state. To us, it is a new dawn in Ondo state.

    Speaking on the anniversary of the 130 Krown Klub, Adetimehin said the incoming administration will work with traditional rulers.

  • Why we release man alleged for bestiality – Police

    Why we release man alleged for bestiality – Police

    The Ondo State Police Command on Monday explained why a suspect, Mr Afolabi Bamidele, who was arrested for having sex with a goat in Irun-Akoko, Akoko North West was released on bail.
    The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Femi Joseph, who spoke with “The Nation” on phone said they decided to release Bamidele when his complainants  refused to show up at the police station.
    It was earlier reported that the said goat died in the process when the suspect was having sex with the animal.
    The victim was arrested by the police after one of his neighbours, who saw him in the bush, reported the matter.
    The Police spokesman, who confirmed the incident said the suspect, if find guilty has committed a criminal offence that his punishable under section 2142 of the criminal code.
    He added that the suspect is expected to serve 14 years jail term if prosecuted.
    But, Joseph said since the complainants had not been forthcoming, the police could not go ahead to prosecute the suspect.
    “We don’t have a choice than to release the suspect on bail,” he said.
  • Ondo: Politicians plan to clone PVCs – REC alleges

    Ondo: Politicians plan to clone PVCs – REC alleges

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Mr Olusegun Agbaje on Thursday said raised alarm over plans to clone Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by some politicians ahead of the next month governorship election in the state.
    Agbaje said that such cloned cards would be detected by the card readers that would be deployed by Independent National  Electoral Commission (INEC).
    He warned that anyone caught in the act will be made to face severe punishment.
    The INEC boss said this buying and selling  the PVC will also face same consequences if caught in the act.
    “We hear people are cloning cards to cheat during the election. Cloned cards will not work.
    “The card readers will detect the cloned cards. Protect your cards, don’t sell Them,it is a criminal offence. There will be enough card readers, so that if any malfunctions it will be immediately
    replaced,” he said.
    The REC who used the occasion to debunked claims by the APC and Jimoh Ibrahim, alleging that top officials of the Ondo State INEC were compromised, said: “INEC has no preferred candidate for the coming election, anybody who wins will win fairly.”
    “INEC will not do anything that reduces the credibility it has built through the years.”
    While disclosing that his office had taken delivery of non-sensitive materials, which had been distributed to all the local government areas, Agbaje noted that no one would be allowed to vote without the PVC, adding that voting without card readers is a nullity.
    The National Commissioner in charge of Publicity and Voters Education, Mr Solomon Shoyebi said that about one million six hundred and fifty-nine eligible voters are to participate in the November 26, governorship.
    Shoyebi noted that 80 percent of the voters are youths between 18 and 40 years.
    He emphasised that the use of smart card reader is sacrosanct to the election urging the electorates to adhere strictly to all electoral guideline of the commission for the successful conduct of the poll.

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

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

    I have confidence in Jegede – Mimiko

    The Governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko on Wednesday said he has undoubted confident in the Governorship candidate of the Ahmed Markafi led’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN).
    He said he is also confident that Jegede, who served under him as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, would continue to move the state higher.
    Mimiko, spoke at the official flag-off campaign of Jegede ahead of November 26, poll.
    The event was attended by Markafi, who was represented by Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Governor Ayodele Fayose, South West PDP Chairman, Eddy Olafeso, former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Omolade Oluwateru, John Olubunmi Olowe, Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, Ondo state Assembly Speaker, Jumoke Akindele, National Assembly members among others.
    The governor said he has shown to the people of the state that the interest of the masses remains the priority of the PDP, adding that his government has delivered on his promises ranging from Health, Education, Infrastructure and social services.
    Mimiko said his achievements in the state must be sustained by his successor, Jegede, assuring the people of the state that he (Jegede) would consolidate on the legacy of the PDP led government.
    The party candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede assured the people that the PDP would win the forthcoming election.
    He charged the people of the state to brace up to defend their votes, saying no gentleman on election day.
    He promised to create wealth for the state by leveraging through a road network.
    He noted that nobody going to the northern party from the south-west that would not pass through Ondo State.
    Jegede assured that his administration would work on ways to create wealth for the state through that privilege.
    Adeyeye insisted that Jegede’s name still with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the party members to work very hard to ensure victory for PDP.
    Fayose said “we are in a country where opposition parties are contesting against INEC.
    “This country belongs to all of us but by geographical demarcation, Ondo state belongs to you.
    “What they did in Edo state won’t happen here. What happen in 1983 won’t be allowed to occur again in the state. Be prepared to protect your votes”.
  • PDP picks Mafo as Jegede’s running mate

    PDP picks Mafo as Jegede’s running mate

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State on Wednesday forwarded the name of Prince John Ola Mafo to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the running mate of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) in the November 26, 2016, governorship candidate.
    This is in line with the directive of INEC that the issues bordering on withdrawal and replacement of candidates would elapse today, October 12, 2016.
    The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Ondo State, Mr. Banji Okunomo in an interview said the credentials of Mafo qualified him for the position.
    According to Okunomo, the decision to pick Mafo was taken by the highest decision body of the PDP in Ondo State.
    His words: “At the highest decision-making body of Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today, the PDP resolved on the choice of Ola Mafo as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the party.
    “The party took this far-reaching decision after considering all factors that would lead to its victory at the poll.
    “The party weighed a number of options including the credentials of Ola Mafo which ranged from being a former chairman of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State, former Commissioner for Information in Ondo State.
    “Mafo was also a former Special Adviser to Governor Mimiko and until his nomination, he is the chairman of the Ondo State Football Association (ODSFA).
    “Mafo is also a foundation member of the PDP and a veteran politician from the Southern senatorial district particularly Ilaje local government, a native of Zion Pepe,” he said.
    Okunomo posited that the choice of Mafo was based on equity and political balance saying: “For equity and balance, it is apposite for the party to uphold his nomination as the Deputy Governorship candidate.
    “His name has been forwarded to the INEC as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the PDP. With this development, all party members are further directed to go about their normal campaign, this time, for the Eyitayo/Mafo ticket.
    “Finally, the party wishes to congratulate Prince John Ola Mafo for this political elevation,” Okunomo said.

  • Ondo Poll: Akoko people must vote wisely

    A group, Akoko Development Group (ADG) in Ondo state has urged indigenes of the Akokoland to cast their votes wisely as the state warm-up for the November 26, governorship election.
    ADG, whose members are from the four local governments in Akoko lamented over the poor presence of government infrastructural projects in their communities.
    They expressed their concern through a communique issued at the end of the group’s Third Quarterly Meeting and signed by Dr. Kingsley Shaba and Mr. Fola Amure, the president and publicity secretary of the group respectively.
    The group noted that despite their vibrancy in partisan politics, they have been cut off from governance in Ondo State since the present administration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
    They named those lacking infrastructures as water supply, roads, electricity, health institutions, schools and other.
    According to the group, all the towns and villages in Akoko had been without power supply.
    The group appreciated the State Government for its intervention in the construction of Ikare-Iboropa-Ise Road that had been completed but, expressed concern over the 28 kilometer Ikare-Ikaramu-Ajowa Road had not been completed seven years after it was awarded.
    It also disagreed with the government’s claim that the longest kilometer of road constructed by it was in the Northern Senatorial District, challenging the government to disclose its investments on some other roads in the four local governments of the area.
    ADG called on the state government to expand the source of water to Akoko from the little Ose Dam in Egbe through collaboration with Ekiti State Government just as reticulation of Awara Dam should be put on.
    The group, however, said: “We are being denied social amenities and ridiculed that our voting strength is not high, we therefore, call on all Akoko sons and daughters to think and reflect before voting during the forthcoming election of 26th November and vote for a party or a candidate that will solve or ameliorate our problems.”
    The group called on the people to come out in their large numbers to vote to avoid the insinuation that the volume o of votes from Akoko is not much and being blamed for the less attention being given to the area.