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Tag: Ogun state

  • ‘I once prostrated for Amosun, begged him over Yewa agenda’

    Ogun State governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Prince Dapo Abiodun has said he was never aversed to the struggle of Ogun West to produce the governor for the State.

    Abiodun revealed that he was committed to the Ogun West cause to the extent that he did not only beg Amosun, but also prostrated for him to allow Senator Solomon Adeola be the governorship candidate of the party due to his wide acceptance and popularity.

    Senator Adeola, from Pahayi, Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government but representing Lagos West at the National Assembly, had taken Ogun State by whirlwind with his gubernatorial ambition but beat a retreat early this year when it was obvious that the support of the governor was not forthcoming.

    Amosun had repeatedly vowed at the time that he would not hand over to ‘tekobo’ or stranger making a veiled allusion to the effect that
    Adeola popularly called Yayi is a non-indigene of the state and therefore not qualified to rule the state.

    However, while addressing Yewa Traditional Council of Obas led by the Paramount ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle at Ilaro on Wednesday evening, Abiodun considered his emergence as the ruling party governorship candidate as the will of God.

    He said: “Let nobody thinks that we are not sensitive to the long time yearnings of Ogun West to also produce governor for the state. As a very strong believer in this cause, I personally took your son, Sen. Adeola to Gov. Amosun, begged and prostrated for him to support his governorship ambition but he refused. That I am the governorship candidate of APC today in our dear State remains a testimony of God’s awesomeness and that He is the only one who has the power to enthrone.”

    He pledged not to be an accidental governor who would do things on happenstances.

    The APC governorship candidate disclosed that as a successful private sector player he already has the blueprint for the development of the state vowing to accord the traditional institutions their due respect and honour while pursuing development of every part of the state.

    The billionaire oil merchant explained that his government would embark on massive rural roads construction, qualitative, affordable education and healthcare, jobs and wealth creation for the youth through conscious investment in agriculture, complete some of the ongoing projects in the state among others asking the royal fathers to give him their royal blessings for the gargantuan tasks ahead.

    Read Also: 2019 Budget presentation: kogi governor, Bello attacks lawmakers

    Responding, Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle described Prince Dapo Abiodun as someone who feared God and this he said could be seen from his comportment and speech.

    Oba Olugbenle added that it was God who indeed enthrones and that whatever God has ordained cannot be upturned by ten Paramount rulers. The royal father before giving his blessings on behalf of other traditional rulers from Yewa land however urged Prince Dapo Abiodun to stay true to his promise to be fair to all in distribution of projects when he got to office.

    Dignitaries on the entourage of the governorship candidate included the deputy governor designate, Engr. Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Engr Ayo Olubori, former Commissioner for environment, Chief Bode Mustapha, Mr Olu Agemo, Prince Segun Adsegun, former deputy governor and Director-General, Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organisation, Hon Isiaq Akinlade, ChiefTolu Odebiyi, Sen. Gbenga Obadara, Chief Femi Majekodunmi, Hon Biyi Otegbeye, Chief Mufutau Ajibola, former SUBEB Chairman among others.

  • 2019: Obas shower royal blessings on Abiodun

    Front line governorship candidate in Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has received the blessings of the royal institutions in Remoland led by the Paramount ruler and Akarigbo of Remo Land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, to courageously pursue his gubernatorial ambition to a successful end.

    This occurred when Abiodun, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship flag bearer, consulted them in Sagamu, Ogun State, on his desire and candidature to become the governor of the State in 2019.

    Abiodun who reeled out his manifestos during the consultation, highlighted the policies and plans, including free education up to the junior school, provision of standard health care, provision of industrial parks, increase in Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) and even distribution of infrastructures that would be implemented when he becomes the governor of the State.

    Read Also: 2019 poll: Knocks, kudos for Obasanjo

    The Remo royal fathers including the Ewusi of Makun Sagamu, Oba Timothy Akinsanya, Oludotun of Idotun Ikenne, the Odunayo Solarin  and Onirolu of Irolu – all spoke on behalf of other Obas and blessed the candidate of APC to show support for his ambition and as one competent to govern the state.

    Also, the Akarigbo, Oba Ajayi,  prayed for Abiodun’s success in his aspiration to govern the state, advising him to ensure he fulfills the policies he highlighted when the candidate gets the people’s mandate.

    Later, the Oil magnate and real estate operator and his campaign team also paid a consultation visit to the Palace of Alake of Egba Land, Ake, Abeokuta and received  royal blessings ahead of the official flag off of his  governorship campaign towards the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

    The APC gubernatorial candidate reiterated there that his administration would build on the success of the Governor  Ibikunle Amosun and ensure  that he puts the good people of Ogun first.

    While pleading for support for himself and his Deputy from the Paramount ruler, Dapo also used the medium to solicit support for President Muhammed Buhari for his second term ambition tagged Next level for Nigeria

    While reading his blueprint to the council of Obas, Abiodun said within one year of his administration, he will ensure increase in the IGR of the state, rural development , good governance, women empowerment, educational development, improved health sector, facilitate the availability of constant power supply and infrastructural development among others.

  • Man docked over rape of 31-year-old woman

    The Police in Ogun State on Tuesday docked a 40-year-old man, Olalekan Yinka, before an Ota Magistrates’ Court over the alleged rape of a woman, aged 31.

    Yinka, who lives at 16, Igbele Durojaiye Street, Ota, is facing a count charge of rape, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Abdulkareem Mustapha told the court that accused allegedly raped the lady at his residence on Dec. 2, at 9.30 p.m.

    Mustapha said that the offence contravened Section 360 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    Read Also: Seven suspected cultists docked in Ogun

    Chief Magistrate Matthew Akinyemi admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N140, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Akinyemi ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed.

    In addition, the sureties should also show evidence of tax payment to the Ogun Government, as part of the bail conditions.

    He adjourned the case until January 7, for further hearing.

    NAN

  • Kashamu insists he’s authentic PDP governorship candidate

    Senator Buruji Kashamu representing Ogun East Senatorial district at the National Assembly on Monday insisted that he is the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state and urged the National Chairman of the party, Uche Srcondus, not to elevate party supremacy above the judiciary.
    Kashamu said he and his running mate, Dr. Reuben Abati, are the candidate of the people for the governorship polls in Ogun State according to the  expressed wishes of the people, which, he addd, was equally affirmed by the courts.
    The Senator who spoke while addressing thousands of supporters in Ijebu – Igbo, the Headquarters of Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state, shortly after he was unveiled
    by the Dayo Bayo – led arm of the Ogun State PDP, as the governorship candidate in the state,  admitted that the party is supreme, but said “it is not superior to the judiciary.”
    According to him, nobody should   continue to act in contempt of the teeming members, leaders, elders of the party and the Courts in the name of “Party Supremacy.
    The Senator who also extended hands of fellowship to every member of the party – both the agreeable and disagreeable ones, assured of his  readiness, ability and willingness to work with everyone in the overall interest of PDP.

    Read Also: PDP alleges freezing of Peter Obi’s accounts

    He said: “Politics is like a game of chess; full of intrigues, ups and downs. But, the mammoth crowd you have seen here says it all. We would not be distracted. We are focused on our Mission of Taking Ogun State to Greater Heights.
    “I am a grassroots politician; a proud Ijebu man and a good citizen of Ogun State who is loved by his people.
    “By the grace of the Almighty Allah, I am an entrepreneur; an employer of labour with several years of experience in business and human resources management.
    ” In 2015, when I contested to represent the good people of Ogun East Senatorial District, I promised selfless representation. That is what I have given.
    “And there is no better proof than the over 90 projects that we have attracted to various parts of Ogun East Senatorial District. It is the first of its kind. No one has that record in our Senatorial District.
    “As you are aware, I have also touched many lives and communities outside Ogun East and Ogun State through the Omoilu Foundation.
    “This aspiration affords me yet another opportunity to continue to touch lives in diverse ways and on a bigger plane.
    “Since government is a continuum, I believe we would continue from where the current government stops, and together, we would take our dear Ogun State to Greater Heights.
    “As presented by my running mate, Dr. Reuben Abati, we have a blueprint that outlines our programmes and policies if you vote us as your Governor and Deputy Governor on the 2nd of March, 2019. Will you vote for us?
    “This is your sure ticket for Taking Ogun State to Greater Heights. The Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State Exco is the ONLY authentic and legally recognized PDP structure in the state. The people have spoken; the Courts have affirmed it and INEC has complied.
    ” Truly, the party is supreme. But, it is not superior to the judiciary. People cannot continue to act in contempt of the teeming members, leaders and elders of the Party and the Courts – all in the name of “Party Supremacy.
    “At some point, like in saner climes, the judiciary must intervene and rein in those acting in utter disregard of our Party’s Constitution and the laws of the land. That is what has happened in our case.
    “The national leadership of our Party supervised and approved the congresses that produced the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led State Exco in 2016.
    “There have been several court judgments that affirmed the validity of the State Exco under the leadership of Engr. Adebayo Dayo.
     “In the build up to the 2019 general election, congresses were conducted by the Dayo-led State Exco in line with Section 25 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) which states that, ‘There shall be a State Party Congress which shall consist of: (a) The State Chairman who shall be the Chairman. Section 25 (2c) states further, ‘The functions of the State Congress shall be to: (c) Elect governorship candidates of the Party.
    “That is all we have done. So, if anyone decides to go and collect a flag in an office in Abuja, it does not bother us. They say they are the candidates of the Party.
    “We say we are the candidates of the people and the Rule of Law. As the Governorship Candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, I extend my hands of fellowship to all and sundry. I am ready, able and willing to work with everyone in the overall interest of our Party.
    “My dear good people of Ogun State, I am your son, your servant and a true representative of the people. I am willing, ready and able to serve you. I urge to elect me, Alaanu Mekunnu as your Governor.  Mine will be a people-oriented government.”

  • APM candidates launch smear campaign against Oshiomhole

    The Allied People’s Movement (APM) and its candidates in Ogun State have, allegedly, launched a blistering billboard – based smear campaign against the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to boost their electoral fortunes in the forthcoming general elections.

    The APM candidates accused Oshiomhole of perpetrating “monumental electoral fraud” during APC primaries in Ogun state.

    Read Also:Oshiomhole should learn how to talk -Okorocha

    The Nation sighted the  billboard on Monday morning and observed that it bears the image of the APM governorship candidate in Ogun State, Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade, on the left hand side and that of Hon. Tunde Wasiu Sanusi, State House of Assembly candidate for Obafemi -Owode state Constituency, on the right hand side.

    It stands erected at a vantage strategic location by the ever busy Siun junction corridor of the Abeokuta – Kobape – Sagamu road, where no eyes could miss noticing it.

    The party and the candidates, therefore, pleaded with the electorate to “please vote massively for APM to claim our (their) mandate.”

  • Woman docked over alleged N1.4m theft

    A 32-year-old man, Chima Ebirim, was on Monday arraigned in Ota, Ogun State over alleged  theft of N 1.4 million.

    Ebirim, who lives at No. 5, Adeniyi Street, Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, is facing a count charge of stealing before an Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court, but he pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused stole the sum from Mr Adolphus Ezia on Feb. 15, 2016, at Dalemo, Ota.

    Mustapha said that the accused collected a Toyota Hiace from Ezia on hire purchase, and promised to be on paying N30,000 weekly but failed to fulfill it.

    Read Also: Woman faces N1.7m theft charge

    “The money generated so far by the accused was N1.4 million which he converted to personal use and refuse to give to the complainant,” he said.

    He said that the offence contravened Section 421 of the Criminal Code , Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Mathew Akinyemi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Akinyemi said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to Ogun Government.

    He  adjourned the case until Jan. 16 for hearing.

    NAN

  • PDP presents Ogun governorship flag to Adebutu

    The national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Friday in Abuja presented Mr. Ladi Adebutu with the symbolic party flag, to enable him contest the Ogun State governorship election on the platform of the PDP.

    The party leadership also presented similar flags to Mr. Jimi Agbaje to fly the PDP governorship flag in Lagos State, while Mr. Seyi Makinde was also presented with the flag for the Oyo State governorship contest.

    While presenting the flags to the candidates, the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus said the party had submitted Adebutu’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as required by law.

    Secondus declared Adebutu as the party’s authentic governorship candidate for Ogun State.

    Meanwhile, INEC had earlier recognised Senator Buruji Kashamu as the PDP governorship candidate based on the ruling by a Federal High Court.

    The party chairman described the present administration as a government of cabals, saying Nigerians will reject them in 2019, because they don’t even know who their President is.

    “Nigerians are dying in their numbers, yet the emperors of APC will be talking about integrity even more people are hungry. Nigerians will pass their judgment in 2019, you can no longer deceive Nigerians”, the chairman said.

    He restated the call on INEC and the security agencies to be neutral during the 2019 elections, saying Nigerians are wiser now than before.

    Secondus said, “This is a President that does not communicate, he only speaks when he goes outside the country. Nigerians are confused and cannot understand him and yet he said he’s coming back; to do what?

    “You are not talking to Nigerians, you can’t persuade them, you can’t order the security agencies, you can’t order INEC. The president should be bold to call the INEC chairman and security agencies to order”

    He charged President Buhari to participate in the upcoming presidential debate and not to do so by proxy.

  • Okorocha, Amosun behaving like poor students of history- Oshiomhole

     Says Obasanjo inviting God’s anger

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress  (APC),  Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said on Wednesday that the governors of Imo and Ogun State,  Rochas Okorocha and Senator Ibikunle Amosun  were behaving like poor student of their own history who had forgotten  that they lost elections before winning on the platform of the APC.

    Oshiomhole who spoke while receiving APC women leaders from Edo State and the FCT also hit at former President Olusegun Obasanjo saying the former Nigerian leader was inviting the anger of God upon himself by supporting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the Presidency after severally saying the God will not forgive him if he supports his former deputy. 

    Oshiomhole was however confident that the APC is stronger now  in IMO and Ogun states  despite grievances of their governors as a result of the outcome of the party primaries where their preferred candidates lost out.

    But supporters of the governor’s have since left the APC for other parties with both governors who are Senatorial candidates of the party promising to work against the party in the governorship elections. 

    Oshiomhole said “The real headline today is that we win in Ogun state and we will deliver Hope Uzodinma in Imo state.  Our popularity in Imo state today are increasing, what we don’t know and Nigerians always make this mistake that once you are a governor, you have electoral value.

    “Yes we have overwhelming majority of APC governors who has electoral value and we also have some few electoral liabilities. I can tell that in Imo state today we will more votes. Politics is about numbers and I am looking at the average Imo voters because on that the governor will have one vote and his Son-in-law will also have one vote, those market women, artisans, mechanics and farmers will also have their vote.

    “Those who think our political future is tied to them; they are poor students of their own political history. Some of these people who talk as if they are invincible, they have forgotten that they have run elections in the past and lost until they abandoned their parties and joined us. So if they return back, history will repeat itself.

    “In Imo state today, APC will win more votes. My focus is on ordinary Imo voters because on that day, the governor would have only one vote, his son-in-law would have only one vote while his Commissioner for Happiness would have only one vote.

    “But artisans, traders, teachers and workers whose salaries are not being paid have the same weight of vote and they are excited about the renewed possibility of a new government coming with fresh ideas free of all the encumbrances of the present system. So in Imo I’m very confident.

    “Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is from Ogun State. The state is one of the most enlightened States in Nigeria. They have a huge history; they are not in a political kingdom headed by one person.

    “If they were looking for true reconciliation, they wouldn’t have done what they did (defection of aides). That is not how democracy works. Nigeria must grow beyond this syndrome ‘I’m the governor, I will decide.’ You have only one vote. With due respect, I was once a governor. Overall APC is much stronger now.”

    Read Also: Imo APC crisis irreconcilable – Okorocha

    Oshiomhole asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo to remember he swore that God should punish him if he ever supports his former vice to become the president.

    “We know there are people across the divide who are fighting back. There is a gang up by those who are used to sucking the system without adding any value but Nigerians will not allow that,” he said.

    He expressed confidence that the 2019 election would be a smooth sail for President Muhammadu Buhari and APC because ethnic and religious sentiments that characterised the 2015 election lost by former president Goodluck Jonathan would have no play this time around.

    “The two candidates are from the North and they are both Muslims. People are now going to look at character. Nobody has ever said Buhari is a thief. But who said the other person (Atiku) is a thief? it was his boss (Obasanjo).

    “When you are working with me and I said you are a thief, God will punish me if I support you. And when you are confused because your supply line has been chopped off, you now turned around to support the same person. That God that you called with your name to punish you if you support the person is about to go to work. And he will go to work in February and HE will punish him thoroughly and the person he is supporting, in favour of Nigeria.”

    Speaking further on Buhari’s chances in 2019, he said: “My hope is that Buhari will win. He will have more votes than he got before because some of those who misused religion, for that was the most potent weapon that was used very recklessly, by people who have no issues in 2015. 

    “This time around, they will have to speak to the issues because the two main candidates are Muslims. Again, the issue of North-South, Buhari maintained the key support in the North, that was because people voted on the basis of son of the soil, this time, the two main candidates are from the North so these things will not be there. So we are now going to look at character. 

    “Who can say Buhari is a thief, nobody has ever said so. But who said the other person is a thief, it is the person he was working with. Because if I you are working me and I say you are thief, God will punish me if I support you, and when you are confused because your supply line has been chopped off, and you enter a new deal and you come back to say I now support you, that God that you call with name that He will punish you if you support this person, that God is about to go to work and He will go to work in February, next year. He will punish him thoroughly and punish the person he is supporting in favour of Nigeria”.

    Turning to the women,  he said “Yes, the women are going to play a key role in the elections, they are going to compare notes,  those of them who were about 20 year’s old in 1999, by the time they were 36 years, they know all that has happened.

    “They won’t forget that the PDP promised that in six months they will provide stable power, 16 years they did not. They will not forget that PDP spent $16 billion, they will not forget that PDP spent so much money on rail and workers will not forget that under the PDP industries have been shut down.

    “Some people recently said that Atiku was one of the most powerful Vice President Nigeria ever had, so he would not say that he didn’t know what was going on on in goverment. So he was a central player and you know all the issues of corruption in goverment then, especially the allegation that sums of money ranging from N50 million was being share to National Assembly members for the third term, all coming from the system. So we can return to those eras of locust.”

  • APC will form govt in Ogun come May 29 – Osoba

    Former Governor Segun Osoba has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Prince Adedapo Abiodun, would form the government of Ogun State come May 29, 2019.

    Osoba said with the good support of the APC members, supporters and caliber of the governorship candidate, Abiodun, the party would coast home with victory, enjoining party faithful not to rest on their oars.

    The Akirogun of Egbaland made this known while addressing thousands of party members and supporters at his residence in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, the state capital, during the formal unveiling of Abiodun’s running mate, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

    He assured that the next APC administration in the state would place more premium in zoning all political offices to reflect a sense of belonging to all sections, unlike what allegedly obtained today with Ibikunle Amosun’s government where a particular zone benefits more from appointments to the disadvantages of other zones.

    Osoba implored all the chieftains and members of the party to work in harmony to ensure success.

    He said: “Whether they like it or not Dapo Abiodun had become the Ogun State APC governorship candidate.

    Those who didn’t wish APC well have been disappointed.

    “The task had begun. We are in the midst of enemies and we should come together as one.

    “I want to urge all that we have just started. I am 80 years old and I am old enough to say things the way they are.

    “We don’t want any group within the APC. It is an insult.

    “We are just going into elections period and we should stop insulting our candidate.

    “From now onward, let us be one. Leaders don’t hold group meetings, but what you should be having is APC meeting as a party and it should be for the governorship candidature of Dapo Abiodun.

    “Three-quarter of your poster should bear APC logo, a quarter for a candidate’s picture and another quarter for the party’s slogan.

    “So, as we are moving today, disunity is over. We are fighting a vicious war and we should fight it within the purview of the APC constitution. Go and deliver your polling booths,” said Osoba.

    Prominent leaders in attendance include the governorship flag bearer, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the governorship running mate, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Senators: Biyi Durojaiye, Gbenga Kaka, Gbenga Obadara, Akin Odunsi, Dipo Odujinrin, Tunji Egbetokun, Prince Segun Adesegun among others.

  • I’ll ensure Akinlade succeeds me, Amosun vows

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Monday declared that his anointed man, Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade, of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) has all his “blessings to pursue the mandate freely given to him” by the people of Ogun State.

    Amosun also vowed to give Akinlade all he has to ensure he succeeds him in 2019.

    Read Also:Odebiyi resigns, thanks Amosun for giving him opportunity to serve

    The Governor who made the declaration in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, while addressing hundreds of loyalists and supporters, said he will work for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari at the polls as well as that of Akinlade.

    He appealed to his loyalists to cast their votes only for Buhari and Akinlade during the elections, saying he would not hide behind one finger concerning where he stands.

    Earlier, 26 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to Governor Ibikunle Amosun announced their movement from the party to the Allied People’s Movement (APM), citing impunity within APC as reason for their defection.

    The defectors said they contested for the State House of Assembly primary conducted in the state last October 7 and declared winner the following day by the APC Committee responsible for the task but was shocked that their names were not listed as candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).