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Tag: Mimiko

  • Ondo: APC, PDP clash over Mimiko’s visit

    Ondo: APC, PDP clash over Mimiko’s visit

    • Makarfi’s faction faults judgment
    • Akure monarch sues for peace

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are engaged in a war of words  on the visit of Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, to the presidential villa last Friday.

    The visit came as crisis erupted in Akure, the state capital, over the substation of the name of Eyitayo Jegede with that of Jimoh Ibrahim, as the candidate of the ruling PDP for the November 26 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The APC described the visit by Mimiko as mischievous and a calculated attempt to cover his self-inflicted crisis in the state.

    The PDP, on its part, accused the APC -led federal government and judiciary of plotting to edge out Jegede from the November election.

    The party insisted Mimiko’s visit to the villa was to forewarn the president of the confusion the decision of INEC to remove Jegede’s name can cause.

    The APC, in a statement by its spokesman in Ondo, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, said: “Has Governor Mimiko gone to complain to President Buhari as the leader of PDP? Now, if he has gone to complain to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR)?

    “What does he (Mimiko) want the President to do against INEC and the courts that ordered INEC to recognize Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim as the authentic PDP governorship candidate in the 2016 November 26th election?

    “Is Mimiko portraying the president is the one directing and controlling INEC and Courts by going to report to him( the President)?

    “When has the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria become the appellate Court to the High Courts, that he(Mimiko) has to report to him, on a matter already ruled-on and decided by court of competent jurisdiction?

    “If his godson’s (Eyitayo’s) lawyers have already filed an appeal before the Appeal Court, is he (Mimiko) making Mr. President a coordinate appellate jurisdiction?”

    But the PDP chairman in the state, Clement Faboyede, while addressing the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, during a protest at the Monarch’s palace yesterday, insisted the APC-led federal government and judiciary was attempting to rig out PDP in the coming election.

    The embattled chairman said no court can change or impose candidate on any political party in the country.

    The party boss said Mimiko should be praised for taking the matter to the President.

    He accused those saying otherwise of promoting violence in the state.

    “We want to make you a point of contact to inform all traditional rulers in the state to rise against this injustice and we want you to help us call on the federal government to instruct the INEC not to set Ondo State on fire.

    “We are loving people and peaceful but we are politicians. Ondo and Ekiti people do not like to be cheated because we do not cheat people.

    “We don’t want the 1983 crisis to repeat itself again. We believe you can save us because Jegede emerged through a constitutional process and we will not accept or succumb to anyone to get a justice through back door.

    “Jimoh Ibrahim is not a member of PDP; he has defected to Accord Party (AP) and no court can impose any candidate on any political party.

    “We will accept the outcome of the result of the November 26, poll but we will be against any move to stop our candidate.

    “Buhari should be vigilant of overzealousness of some of his ministers and he should remember that we Ondo State people voted for him against our party’s candidate during the 2015 general elections,” Faboyede said.

    The Deji of Akure called on Buhari to intervene in the crisis arising from the clearance of Jimoh Ibrahim as Ondo state governorship candidate.

    He said the non clearance of Eyitayo Jegede by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) according to court orders, was generating protest.

    He also urged the INEC not to take side and to correct any mistake they might have made.

    “The judiciary should also intervene and make sure that all parties get justice because we don’t want any injustice in Ondo State,” he said.

    The Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also faulted the June 24, 2016 judgement and October 14, 2016 post-judgment order.

    It also queried the professional conduct of the lawyers engaged by the Sheriff faction in the process leading to the judgment and the post-judgment order handed out by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The contention of the Makarfi committee is contained in a counter-affidavit filed yesterday before the Court of Appeal, Abuja in reaction to an objection filed by the Sheriff faction to the appeals it (Makarfi faction) filed against the June 29 judgment, October 14 order and some other decisions by Justice Abang.

    The Makarfi camp stated that the lawyers engaged by Sheriff deliberately hid the suit decided by the lower court from legitimate authorities of the PDP.

    It accused the lawyers of acting as both plaintiffs’ and respondents’ lawyers in the case.

    The Makarfi group stated that the post-judgment order by Justice Abang was given in “naked exercise” of appeal court’s jurisdiction and was not predicated on any claim placed before him.

    It equally stated that the order was made in violation of the PDP’s Constitution as well as innumerable decisions of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, which established that only the National Executive Committee or the National Working Committee of a party that could nominate a candidate and not its state executive.

    The counter-affidavit was deposed to by Dolapo Kehinde, a lawyer in the law firm of one of the lawyers to the Makarfi faction, Ahmed Raji (SAN).

  • Mimiko, Ondo PDP and the storm in a tea cup

    Mimiko, Ondo PDP and the storm in a tea cup

    As you read this on Sunday morning, I suspect that all is calm on the streets of Akure and the apocalyptic prophecy of Governor Olusegun Mimiko that INEC’s rejection of his preferred candidate, would set the state on fire, hasn’t come to pass.

    Early Friday morning, protesters took over some streets in Akure, the Ondo State capital, setting bonfires and demanding that the commission recognises Eyitayo Jegede, gubernatorial candidate of the Ahmed Makarfi-faction of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) as their authentic representative in the November elections.

    A few days ago, Ondo PDP and Mimiko, had been rocked by news that an Abuja Federal High Court had declared businessman Jimoh Ibrahim the PDP governorship candidate.

    Anticipating what was about to come given that INEC had vowed to obey all court orders, the party sped to an Akure High Court to secure an order restraining the electoral body from removing Jegede’s name from the ballot.

    That tactical move now appears to have come too late because an even more devastating punch would be delivered to the party and Mimiko with INEC setting aside Jegede’s name and substituting same with Ibrahim.

    For the governor, it is a stunning personal reversal given that Jegede was his anointed successor, while he and Ibrahim are sworn political foes. It would be calamitous for him were the controversial businessman to somehow claim victory at the polls and be installed in Government House.

    For all the powers they are said to wield this was one situation that exposed the limits of gubernatorial clout. Mimiko’s options for reversing the unfavourable situation were limited and the institutions that can do so remain awkwardly outside his sphere of command. This is more so given that judges would be keen to play it by the book with so much focus on them.

    No surprise therefore that the governor ran to Aso Rock to confer with President Muhammadu Buhari. Maybe there’s something about a face-to-face briefing, but I suspect that everything that could have been said about the tense political situation could have been done over the phone.

    In reality, the best that the president could have done for Mimiko and his troubled PDP is ensure that security forces restore calm to Akure streets and sustain the peace. Beyond that I don’t see how Buhari who wouldn’t interfere in his own party’s National Assembly leadership power struggle, was going to ‘order’ INEC to change its decision to recognise Ibrahim in place of Jegede.

    When Mimiko says he ran to the president to intervene because INEC’s decision was capable of setting the state on fire, the suggestion is that Buhari could somehow prevail on the Commission to rectify the ‘wrong’ that has been done. But that isn’t going to happen in a hurry.

    Politically, it is in the president’s interest for his foes to intensify their internecine warfare – wearing themselves out to the advantage of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Indeed, the crisis is god-sent for government at the centre given that the management of its own governorship primaries left its ranks bitterly divided.

    With Olusola Oke leaving for the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to pursue his dreams, and Olusegun Abraham heading for the courts to sustain his fight for the APC ticket, a divided house was set to confront PDP and most analysts didn’t rate the party’s chances.

    As things stand Mimiko is caught between a rock and a very hard place. He has to be seen to be doing something by rushing off to Abuja. But he would be better served reviewing his legal strategies as only the courts can deliver him and his party from their current quagmire.

    Indeed, rather than blaming INEC he should be blaming himself and the local party. The commission is in a comfortable place where it can argue that because of its commitment to the rule of law it would obey all court orders.

    Now, there are two orders. Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja Federal High Court ordered INEC to accept Ibrahim as PDP candidate, while an Akure High Court restrained the Commission from substituting or replacing Jegede on the ballot for the election.

    In this instance which of the courts was INEC to obey – the higher ranked Abuja Federal High Court or the state High Court? We are not talking of a situation where litigants can hide under the confusion of courts of coordinate jurisdiction giving conflicting rulings on the same matter.

    So rather than training his guns on INEC, Mimiko and his own faction of the Ondo PDP ought to be taking the fight to the judicial leadership for guidance and clarity.

    Surely, the governor couldn’t have so quickly forgotten the role played by the court in his coming to power. The ruling against Jegede is from the High Court and there are higher courts – so it’s not as if the candidate and PDP have run out of legal options.

    That should be his focus rather than dancing too quickly to the melody of blackmail and violence coming from the streets.

    As for the protesters and rioters who took over the streets on Friday, perhaps, someone needs to remind them that a thousand burnt tyres won’t make a judge reinstate Jegede if he’s not convinced by the facts that have been pleaded in court.

    In any event, such politically-motivated demonstrations however violent they may be are not sustainable beyond a few hours. This is not even a protest arriving from a volatile event like a general election. So Mimiko was being unduly dramatic with his claims that the misfortune of his preferred candidate would tear Ondo apart.

    As chief security officer of the state he should mobilise security forces to clear the streets, while Jegede’s supporters take their case to the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court  – if they so choose. That is the way our institutions and processes can become better.

    Inside the head of a Nigerian politician

    Anyone who’s had contact with them knows that the thought processes of the Nigerian politician are unique. What you and I, the uninitiated, would consider folly, they regard as the height of wisdom. A few examples during the week underline this train of thought.

    Take the demonstrations in Akure mentioned in the earlier piece. Someone somewhere imagined that if he unleashes some urchins onto the streets, the threat of the spiral of violence would force the hands of the powers-that-be.

    Through the years we have seen this blackmail fail again and again when deployed. But that hasn’t stopped politicians from trying one more time.

    In 2011, after he swept the polls up north but lost to the PDP’s Goodluck Jonathan in the national presidential election results declared by INEC. This outcome was the trigger for a wave of violence that swept through several states – leaving many dead and property worth millions destroyed.

    Whether the reaction was spontaneous or sponsored remains moot. What isn’t not in doubt is that the incumbent government soon asserted its authority on the street – making the violent protests a futile knee-jerk reaction to an adverse political outcome.

    In the last two weeks, former First Lady Patience Jonathan has been in the courts battling to recover her millions of dollars which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen. On both occasions, there were sponsored demonstrators entertaining the photographers outside while the lawyers did their business inside.

    I am still trying to work out whether the so-called protests were supposed to make the EFCC chairman and the presiding judge shiver in their boots. If not, then all they do is offer cold comfort to the accused.

    But even that is worthless because we know that the demonstrators are not people with the courage of their convictions, but individuals bussed in to play roles for a fee.

    This is not to deny that the streets have not affected the direction of political events. From Iran to The Phillipines we’ve seen people’s power topple tyrannical regimes and ignite revolutions. But in such instances the movements were authentic and often spontaneous. Here what we witness again and again are pointless spectacles staged by fifth rate actors.

  • Allow peace to reign in Ondo, PDP faction tells Mimiko

    Allow peace to reign in Ondo, PDP faction tells Mimiko

    A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State yesterday condemned alleged plans by the Governor Olusegun Mimiko camp to sponsor and encourage more protests against the substitution of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN, with Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, as the party’s governorship candidate for the November guber election.

    The group accused the governor of deceiving Nigerians with claims that the candidacy of Jimoh Ibrahim was rejected by the populace in Ondo State. A statement by its Director of Media and Publicity said, “the purported closure of markets and alleged protest by traders was pre-planned. This was part of the charade by a section of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), ably supported by a few miscreants in Akure last Friday.

    “They marched on the streets, burning tyres on highways and major roads which lasted for only few hours without any impact on commercial activities in the town,” the faction claimed.

    The PDP frowned at what it described as the desperation of Governor Mimiko, to hold on to power at all cost, despite his oath to protect the people and maintain peace and order across the state. It called on human right groups, professionals, women groups, faith based organisations and civil society groups to rise against the governor and his cohorts.

    “We are appealing to well- meaning individuals, particularly the indigenes of the state, to shun any act capable of jeopardising their integrity and core values. We urge Governor Mimiko to tow the line of peace by pursuing the case against Jegede in the appellate court, as demanded by the constitution. We need not remind him that it was the Appeal Court that sat in Benin-City, that enthroned him as governor and sacked the then incumbent, the late Olusegun Agagu, in its judgment of February 23, 2009.

    “We use this medium to commend and salute the professional conduct of our security agents and their proactive and rapid response in discharging their duty during the drivers’ union protest on Friday,” the party said. The statement urged all security operatives to work assiduously  by ensuring that nobody,no matter highly placed, disrupt the relative peace in Ondo state.

  • Ondo protests: Call Mimiko to order, AD urges Buhari

    Ondo protests: Call Mimiko to order, AD urges Buhari

    The Alliance for Democracy(AD) in Ondo State has urged the President Muhammadu Buhari not to be cajoled by the antics of the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko over the mayhem that occurred on Friday on the choice of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the State.

    According to a Press Statement by the State Secretary of the AD in the State, Dr Sola Agboola, on Saturday, instead, the Governor should be held accountable for the organised mayhem which he regretted, “has even continued since Saturday morning.

    The AD alleged that PDP thugs and street urchins hired to carry out the acts of brigandage have been blocking roads in Akure, the State capital to sustain the ” lies
    concocted by Mimiko to the President that the State was on fire owing
    to the list pasted by the Independent national Electoral Commission
    (INEC)”.

    The AD while describing the situation as an irony and a sad pointer that Olusegun Mimiko who got into office via the instrumentality of the court could surreptitiously resort to violence even while before an appellate court to redress the matter, said that it amounted to deceit to resort to violence to seek justice.

    While describing AD as a peaceful party committed to the peace and
    tranquillity in the State, the Secretary wondered why Dr Mimiko should attempt to impose the wish of a tiny members of his party over those of the majority who are contented with the court and INEC’s verdicts.

    “In order to make his subterfuge work, the embattled Governor threatened the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo with deposition if he fails to incite the market men and women and force close the Main market in order to make his ploy seem real.

    “At the same time, hired thugs from outside of the State in cahoots with the some members of the drivers’ union, whose State Chairman is the Governor’s kinsman from Ondo, caused mayhem in order to whip sentiments for his minion, who regrettably is a lawyer.

    “We are calling on the law enforcement agencies to call Governor Mimiko and his protégé, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to order and hold them responsible for any infraction and breakdown of law and order. They are the authors of this organised mayhem.

    “The AD as a peaceful party abhors violence and destruction of public properties and we view with seriousness this shameful act of brigandage to force the hands of the law to do your wish by fire by force as Mr Mimiko is doing. The present mayhem is an organised one being perpetrated by the Ondo State Government and not that of the reaction of the people. Besides, that it came a day after the said incident happened and far into the midmorning when workers, market men and women, school children have gone to their respective offices and schools speaks volumes,” Agboola stated.

  • Mimiko: give back to society

    Mimiko: give back to society

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has urged on well-meaning individual to always give back to the society, saying government alone cannot provide all needed amenities.

     He gave the charge at the inauguration ceremony of a four-classroom block donated by his Information & Strategy Commissioner Kayode Akinmade to his alma-mater  Omoluorogbo Grammar School, Oke-Aro, in Akure South Local Government Area of the state.

    Represented by his Chief of Staff Kola Ademujimi, the governor said the gesture was an eloquent testimony of the ‘Caring Heart Programme” initiated by his administration.

    “This is an honour to government and pride to this great citadel of learning which has produced a great man like Mr Akinmade, who thought it right to contribute towards the development of where he graduated thirty three years ago by donating this edifice. I am overwhelmed and fulfilled as people key into my vision and aspiration to make Ondo State a place of pride,” he stated.”

  • Mimiko’s govt has marginalised Ondo North, South, says UPN candidate

    Mimiko’s govt has marginalised Ondo North, South, says UPN candidate

    Ondo State Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) governorship candidate Bolarinwa Aidi yesterday said the Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration has short-changed the people.

    He lamented that the people living in the northern and southern senatorial areas have been cut off from governance.

    Aidi spoke at a news conference in Akure, the state capital, to kick off his campaign ahead of November 26 governorship poll.

    The UPN candidate said he would pursue with vigour, the five noble cardinal programmes of the party and return the state to the path of progress, if elected.

    He noted that “on the issue of decadence in social amenities and dilapidated infrastructure, my heart bleeds anytime I remember that more than 75 per cent of Ondo State residents are currently living without electricity and pipe-borne water.

    “While the people of Ondo South and North are badly affected by this precarious situation, the outgoing inept, rudderless, greedy and insensitive administration under Mimiko has not been able to think out of the box by looking towards other viable options towards electricity generation.

    “The ripple effect of the denial of electricity to the larger population of the state for instance, can better be imagined than experienced. Businesses are grounded or killed totally, and the cost of running businesses for those who can afford to power their generators, are most times running those businesses at a loss.

    “It is most unfortunate that almost 96 per cent of Ondo State population is denied access to portable water.

    “The one-time celebrated Ondo State Water Corporation is now a shadow of itself as it has neglected, refused or patently denied the good people of Ondo clean, hygienic and treated water.”

    He promised to employ qualified teachers to teach students and also tackle unemployment head-on by having an in-depth research on how to reposition the economy of the state from prostate condition by diversifying into agriculture.

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘I’ll not step down for Mimiko’s candidate’

    ONDO State Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate Roland Arigbede yesterday said he will pursue his bid to win the November 26 poll to a logical conclusion.

    He emphasised that he would not step down for a candidate allegedly being sponsored by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    Arigbede, who spoke with reporters in Akure, the state capital, alleged that he had been offered money and other promises to drop his ambition for the PDP candidate.

    He said he was in the governorship race to make Ondo State an envy of other states.

    Arigbede, however, warned that the PRP would resist any attempt to rig the coming election.

    Besides, the governorship candidate urged President Muhammadu Buhari to address the economic recession in the country.

    The politician sought the support of the citizenry, stressing that he would bring rapid growth, if he becomes the governor.

    He promised to utilise the human and material resources endowed to bring succour to the citizenry, who are groaning because of harsh economy ravaging Ondo State.

     

     

  • Mimiko canvasses teamwork

    Mimiko canvasses teamwork

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has called for teamwork to rescue the country from economic challenges.

     In a Eid-el-Kabir message by Commissioner for Information Mr Kayode Akinmade in Akure yesterday, Mimiko urged Muslims to continue praying for the country.

     He said the time called for the cooperation of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic and religious divides.

    Mimiko said Nigeria is a great country and its potential must be maximally tapped for its greatness to manifest.

  • Mimiko seeks alternative policies to end recession

    Mimiko seeks alternative policies to end recession

    •Balarabe, others hail Fawehinmi

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has stressed the need for urgent alternative and clearly-defined economic policies to move the country from recession.

    The governor spoke yesterday at the Seventh Gani Fawehinmi Annual Memorial lecture, titled: “Nigerian State of Impunity: Where would Gani have stood?”.

    The event was held at the International Event Centre in Akure, and attended by Mimiko’s deputy, Alhaji Abdulazeez Oluboyo, top government officials and others.

    According to him, Nigerians must be mindful of the real progressives determined to feel the pains and suffering of the masses and not those deceiving the people.

    He emphasised that Nigeria must be restructured in line with recommendations of the last national conference.

    Calling for the sustenance of the passion of the late Gani Fawehinmi to alleviate the suffering of the masses, Mimiko challenged activists to have a clear cut ideological definition to make the citizenry identify with them.

    He was optimistic that Nigeria, despite its challenges, would be a great nation.

    Chairman of the occasion and former Kaduna State Governor Alhaji Balarabe Musa, who was represented by National Conscience Party’s (NCP’s) Chairman Dr. Tanko Yinusa, condemned the alleged anti-people policies of the Federal Government that have brought the masses untold hardship.

    He noted that the failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to fulfil its campaign promises to Nigerians would have been protested by the late Fawehinmi.

    The guest lecturer and human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, regretted the high rate of impunity in the country.

    “Gani would have been on the street mobilising Nigerians concerning the harsh economic situation,” he said.

     

  • Ondo professionals to Mimiko: account for N3tr

    Ondo professionals to Mimiko: account for N3tr

    THE League of Ondo Professionals in Edo State has urged Governor Olusegun Mimiko to explain how his administration expended N3 trillion collected from the Federation Account since 2008.

    It said there was no meaningful growth in Ondo State despite the huge resources that accrued to the state.

    The group hailed the election of Rotimi Akeredolu as the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress.

    It said its decision to support Akeredolu was because of the belief that that he has the capacity to deliver the people of Ondo State from the “lamentable life” they found themselves under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    This was contained in a communique issued at the end of its quarterly meeting in Benin City and signed by its chairman and secretary, Dr. Ibikunle Falana and Mr. Francis Oke.

    The communique reads: “The present Mimiko government had no vision to create jobs or empower the jobless youths, who are now posing security risk to their own people.

    “The present administration squandered all the federal allocations without any meaningful developments.”

    The group hailed APC delegates for shunning monetary inducement by voting for Akeredolu, who, it said, could turn situation of things around in the state.