The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogun West

  • ‘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.

  • Odebiyi resigns, thanks Amosun for giving him opportunity to serve

    The Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ogun West and the former Chief of staff to the Governor, Chief Tolu Odebiyi, on Friday resigned his appointment with the state government.

    Odebiyi expressed deep gratitude to Governor Amosun for the opportunity given him to serve the people of Ogun State.

    He disclosed his resignation in a statement and expressed gratitude to members of the State Executive Council for their support and cooperation during his period of service.

    The ex-Chief of Staff said he was pleased with the confidence the Governor reposed in him by the appointment and the process that led to his emergence as the APC Senatorial Candidate.

    He noted that Amosun was a visionary leader who impacted positively on the socio-economic development of the state.

    He vowed to make the progress of Ogun State paramount in all his future engagements and thanked the good people of Ogun State for their support and opportunity to serve them.

    He prayed for peace in the upcoming general elections.

  • 2019: ‘Ogun West should be compensated for loyalty’

    An Ogun West Community Development Advocate, who doubles as the President of Gbenga Akinwande Foundation (GAF), Mr. Gbenga Akinwande, has appealed to the people of Ogun East and Ogun Central senatorial districts to compensate the Ogun West senatorial district.

    Akinwande, who made the appeal while addressing Journalists at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on his way to the United Kingdom, said that the people of Ogun West senatorial district had shown loyalty and support to both the East and Central and the Yoruba race in the past.

    Such loyalty and support, he explained, should be compensated with both economic and political resources available in the state and the region.

    He said: “Ogun West gave their total loyalty and support to the premiership and presidential aspiration of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was an Ijebu man.

    “They also did not compromise their support to late MKO Abiola presidential aspiration and the presidency of President Olusegun Obasanjo, both of who are from Egba clan.”

    Akinwande also enumerated other positive impact of the people of Ogun East and Ogun Central in the political stability of the country, saying that it was the Ijebu and Egba men and women, who were in the forefront of agitation of power rotation to the South after a long Northern political dominance in the country.

    “It was based on this political power rotation championed by both the Egbas and Ijebus leaders of thoughts that led to Obasanjo emerging as the president in 1999.

    “Since then there has being political stability and harmony between the southern and northern parts of the country,” he said.

    The GAF president lamented that the 42 years of being out of the political power equation in the state has left the Ogun West senatorial district with underdevelopment despite the fact that the zone generates the highest revenues to both the federal and state governments.

  • Amosun tasked not to renege on promises made to Ogun West

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Temitope Kuyebi, has called on the people of Yewa-Awori (Ogun West) to keep praying for Governor Ibikunle Amosun not to renege on his promise to work for the realisation of the zone’s dream of producing the next governor of Ogun State in 2019.

    Kuyebi, the youngest among the zone’s governorship aspirants, said the “2019 Ogun West for Governorship Agenda” can’t be achieved without interceding on behalf of Amosun so that he does  not falter in his avowed resolve to hand over the baton of power to an Ogun West person in May 2019.

    The aspirant, who hails from Imasai in Yewa North, made the call while addressing a crowd of APC members, supporters and youth leaders at Agunloye Pavilion, Empire Building, Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    He noted that the zoning of the governorship ticket of APC to Ogun West was a good omen, but warned that the golden opportunity zoning presented to the area must not be allowed to elude them this time.

     

  • APC zones Ogun governorship ticket to Ogun West

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ogun State, has announced the zoning of the 2019 governorship ticket of the ruling party to Ogun West senatorial district. The party’s former state Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Lemboye, disclosed this while speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta. He said APC leadership in the state and party members unanimously took the decision after several consultations.

    Also speaking on the development, former Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Alhaji Sola Lawal, while confirming the decision of the party will allow Ogun West to reduce the next governor of the state, said the announcement became imperative, in view of the need to make the stand of the party known on the issue and put an end to speculations within and outside the party.

     

  • 2019: Ogun West’ll maximise its opportunity – Adekunbi

    Ahead of the 2019 governorship election in Ogun State, the Speaker of the state’s legislative arm and a guber aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Suraj Adekunbi, has expressed optimism that the western senatorial district of the state will take full advantage of the unwritten zoning arrangement in the state to produce Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s successor.

    The Speaker spoke to The Nation while allaying fears that the governorship may once again be snatched from Yewaland by aspirants from other zones of the state now showing interest in the race for the governorship ticket of the ruling party. According to him, following Governor Amosun’s declaration that he will support Ogun West for the top job in 2019, a majority of party’s chieftains and members have committed themselves to seeing Ogun West produce the next governor of the state for equity and fairness’ sake.

    Adekunbi appealed to other zones in the state to give their full support to Ogun West. The Speaker added that gone are the days when the zone was said to be unable to come forward with credible and capable candidates. “Today, you can see the array of credible and capable individuals coming out of Ogun West to vie for the governorship. We have able men and women for the job and I enjoin other zones of the state to give the job to one of us,” he said.

    Asked if he was worried about rumours that Governor Amosun may change his mind and support an aspirant from another senatorial district, Adekunbi said the governor is not a man who eats his words. “I have been with Governor Amosun for years as his political son. I know him for one thing: he will not give you his word and go back on it. He is a very principled man and I can tell you he will stand with Ogun west all the way. Quote me anyway, anywhere,” he added.

    Describing himself as the best man for the job from Ogun West, the legislator said his performance as the Speaker of the state assembly for almost eight years as well as his other political antecedents are proofs of what he is capable of doing if given the opportunity to lead the state.

    “I am part and parcel of Amosun’s Transformation Agenda team. You can see how much has been achieved. There is no better person to consolidate on all these other than me,” he explained.

  • 2019: ‘Ogun West needs unity to win’

    2019: ‘Ogun West needs unity to win’

    A Yewa son and President of Gbenga Akinwande Foundation, Mr Gbenga Akinwande, has urged the Council of Obas in Yewa (Ogun West) to ensure stronger unity to enable the zone catch up with others.

    Akinwande urged the Council of Obas to initiate programmes to engender inter-and-intra communal bond among communities.

    The Europe-based indigene of Ayetoro in Yewa North Local Government Area, spoke at  the launch of the foundation – to develop soccer talents in children as well as stimulate activities to boost development of the area.

    The philanthropist urged the Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba Azeez Adelakun, and the Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite, to meet with the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewa, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, and present the issue before him.

    Akinwande said he was aware of the zone’s aspiration to produce the next governor in 2019 and expressed the confidence that should the Yewa Council Obas keep negotiating with the Ijebu and Egba leaders of thought, the “Yewa for Governor Agenda” would come to pass.

    He regretted that Ogun West is the “least developed” zone in the state because               the indigenes have not done much over the years to unite and make the area great.

    The philanthropist urged sons and daughters to help reverse its backward status.

    He said the state and Federal governments had neglected the senatorial district (Yewa) over a long period, despite the “revenues” that accrued to them annually from the area.

    Akinwande said the newly established Ogun State Polytechnic at Imeko and Ipokia under Governor Ibikunle Amosun may eliminate social ills in the two Ogun West border communities.

    He urged the governor to also locate a state university in the zone.

    He appealed to Amosun to upgrade the Ayetoro campus of the College of Agriculture of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), to a full-fledged university of agriculture to enhance the economic development of Ogun since it is an agrarian state.

    In attendance at the Gbenga Akinwande Foundation launch, which also featured three categories of football competitions among budding soccer stars in Ogun West, are the Chairman of Yewa North Local Government Area, Rasaq Adeagbo, representatives of Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite, among others.

     

     

  • ‘On power shift to Ogun West I stand’

    ‘On power shift to Ogun West I stand’

    Omooba Aderibigbe Adeleke Tella is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State. He spoke with Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU in Lagos on his ambition, the agitation for power shift to Ogun West Senatorial District and mistakes the ruling party should avoid during the primary and general elections to retain power in the Gateway State.

    Why do you want to be governor of Ogun State?

    This is an important question. It was a question my family, friends and stakeholders in this project have asked me. The first reason is that I want to build on the achievements of the current administration. Before the advent of the current administration, Ogun State witnessed a lot of financial recklessness, complete disappointment. It was a terrible experience in terms of security; a disappointing experience in terms of infrastructural development. The assets of the state was carefully managed. The, Amosun’s government came to restore sanity, financial discipline and change. The change has been meaningful; the first purposeful change in the infrastructure battle since the days of former Governor Bisi Onabanjo. Governor Amosun came with a mission to rebuild Ogun State. But, there was nothing to rebuild. So, he started building institutions and started restoring financial discipline. The TSA was introduced. The loopholes were blocked. The IGR was jerked up. Ogun State started having money to invest on infrastructure and security to halt the trend of armed robbery in the state. In the area of agriculture, he introduced a lot of ideas. There is a lot of investment in agriculture.

    My first resolve is to manage the great change that the party has achieved in Ogun State. I have been in politics for over 17 years. I have contested for elective offices; House of Representatives in 2007. Then, the leader of my party asked me to step down for the person representing us. I had to respect the position of the leadership of the party. It was a triumphant entry for me because we were able to electrify the political atmosphere. A lot of people followed us. I was able to learn the ropes; to understand every part of Ogun State. It was a privilege to visit the nooks and crannies of the state.

    What experience qualifies you for the role you want to play?

    I want to be governor because I know the aspirations of our people. I have a good geographical knowledge of the state. I know the desires of each senatorial district. It is possible for me to use my sound business ideas and knowledge to develop the state. I have been able to manage three good companies; Holly Can Limited, Triples Estates and Property Limited and Telebross Investment. I am a manager of resources. I have done much in business. I believe to rule a state is not a rocket science. At a younger age, Gowon was able to rule the country. The same with Muritala Mohammed. The same with Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo. I am not too young at 48 to rule Ogun State. I have what it takes. I believe in the efficacy of my potentials and abilities and I believe I can add value to governance in the state.

    I am an investor. The sixth largest economy in the world, the City of California; the mainstream of the economy are just two; agriculture and creative industry. I have a good understanding of the dynamics of how to create jobs, using the creative industry. I can use the creative industry to improve the IGR of the state; how to use museum, hall of fame to make money and generate employment for our people. I know how to partner with international organisations to generate employment for youths. My age stands between the old and the young. So, I am determined to make a difference.

    There is a clamour for power shift to Yewa. How is your district putting its house in order?

    That’s a very good question. Ogun West is the food basket. Also, Ogun West is the home of industry. Ogun West has many quality sons and daughters to be at the helm of affairs in the state. No fewer than eight aspirants are from the zone. That shows that we have eligible and competent people to serve as governor. As to consensus, who will berth the cart? We have leaders; we have elders. The voice of the people is the voice of God. At a critical stage of decision making, all of us will come together, cross fertilise ideas and decide on the candidate.

    But, do you think that power shift to Ogun West is sacrosanct, in view of the fact that Ijebu/Remo is also agitating for power shift, based on provincial principle?

    Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. The Remos and Ijebus are part of Ogun State. The Ogun Central is part of the state. There is nothing wrong in such agitations. I am praying to the royal fathers in these areas. We need the blessing of the Alake of Egbaland. We need the support of the Awujale of Ijebuland and the paramount ruler of Yewaland. My request goes to the royal fathers. We Yewa people believe in orderliness. Since the creation of Ogun State in 1976, we have not been privileged to produce the governor. We are very organised and very orderly people. For any person from any senatorial district to become the governor, the vote of Yewa/Awori people is indispensable. All the governors from Ogun East that ruled the state got the votes of Yewa/Awori. Also, those from the Central District got the votes of Yewa/Awori. That’s why we are making an appeal to them, to let them understand that we have quality people who can be governor of Ogun State. We are brothers. We are all from Ogun State. They may have this agitation, which is in order. But, we create their indulgence. History is past politics. Politics is the present history. We should be careful because of tomorrow. We need one another. We are from the same state, from different senatorial districts. We need one another.

    Politically, how united is Yewaland?

    Yewaland is indivisible. Politically, Yewaland is mature. Yewaland, as we speak, has a resolve. The agitation for power shift was championed by our past heroes. I remember the aspiration of the late Prof. Afolabi Olabimtan and Dr. Tunji Otegbeye. Their struggles encouraged me to join politics. If you don’t join politics, you should not complain about those at the helm of affairs. The journey from Egbado to Yewa was part of the struggle for us in Yewaland. The likes of Chief Poju Adeyemi and Chief Ayinde Ibikunle witnessed the history. History is past politics. Politics is the present history. We must be careful about the way we play the current politics. The fact that many of us are expressing interest does not mean that we cannot have a consensus candidate when the time is ripe for that.

    There are allegations that the governor has an anointed candidate among aspirants from Yewaland. Is that not unsettling other aspirants from the zone?

    Everybody is entitled to its opinion. That allegation is most unfair. He has not any forum implied that he has a special interest in any aspirant. His agitation, his aspiration, his disposition does not suggest that. He has said that he is disposed to power shift to Yewa, that it is a covenant between him and his God. He is entitled to his opinion. The allegation that he probably has a preferred candidate is unfortunate. I believe that is the handwork of the enemy. They are saying that to sow a seed of discord in the aspirants.

    What is the assurance that you will beat other aspirants at the primary?

    I am a home-grown boy, politically. I have lived around Ilaro. I had my primary and secondary education in Ilaro. I attended the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. I had my Masters degree from the Lagos State University. I have a very sound geographical knowledge of Ogun State than any other candidate. I have the knowledge of the agitations, aspirations of our people. It is important for me to put my knowledge in the service of the state. I have been a change agent in business. From the scratch, I have been able to build three great companies. Given our access to great resources, you can be sure of unimaginable change, great innovation, surprises. I an investor in creative industry. I know international institutions that can back us up to midwife unimaginable number of jobs. I am prepared for the job. I am the best man for the job.

    Through agriculture, our people can become millionaires; through rice, beans and cashew farming. We will invest in agricultural processing. I will generate jobs and achieve much revenue. We are enterprising in Ogun State. It is the home of Chief Awolowo, the home of Hubert Ogunde, the home of Ayinla Omowura, who had the highest record of album sales in Africa. We will invest in museum. We will promote our adire industry. People will no longer go to China.

    What are the mistakes which the APC should avert at the primary and the general election to retain power in Ogun State?

    It is a question that needs serious reflection. The mistake is to underrate any politician. There is no small politician. We must not underrate any member. We should speak as a family and come up with a solution that will be acceptable to all. We must see ourselves as a family. We must get it right at the primary. At the general election, it is like two sides of a coin; the primary and the general election. We must get the first right to get the second right.

     

  • Ogun 2019: Forum endorses Adeola as Ogun West’s choice aspirant

    The Ogun West Consultative Forum (OWECOF) has endorsed Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as its consensus governorship candidate for Ogun West Senatorial District, ahead of the 2019 governorship race in the state.

    OWECOF, which said it had assessed all six aspirants from the zone, including Adeola, added that it picked the senator because of his strong independent financial muscle, veritable political experience, huge sacrifices and state-wide structures to actualise his ambition.

    The forum said it met the aspirants between August and November and assessed them on the basis of their “indigene, financial strength, developmental agenda for Ogun State, experience, exposure, political platform and structures on ground”.

    Addressing reporters at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion of Yewa Empire Ground in Ilaro, headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Monday evening, the forum’s President, Chief Kayode Ajibola, listed Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Commissioner for Forestry, Kola Lawal, former House of Representatives member, Abiodun Akinlade and Adeola as the six aspirants the forum screened.

    Others, he said, are: Ogun State House of Assembly Speaker Suraj Adekunbi and Chief of Staff to the Governor Tolu Odebiyi.

    But Ajibola said Senator Gbolahan Dada and House of Representatives member, Adekunle Akinlade, were not available for assessment, despite the forum’s efforts to meet them.

    The forum president said its decision represented the view of the Ogun West stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and opinion leaders in all political parties and interest groups.

    He urged other aspirants to support Adeola and help him become Ogun State governor in 2019.

    According to him, all the aspirants are well educated, competent and honourable enough to govern the state, but the “race (to the Government House in Abeokuta in 2019) is not for the average person,” hence the choice of Adeola and his endorsement.

     

  • 2019: Division in Ogun West Elders Forum

    Ogun West Elders Forum (OGWEF) has said that certain forces are working to divide Yewa-Awori people as they push for power shift to Ogun West Senatorial District in 2019.

    The group said tbat part of the tactics to scuttle the governorship agenda has manifested in a recent press briefing in Abeokuta, Ogun State, capital, by the Ogun West Elders Council (OWEC), which cast aspersion on  former Governor Olusegun Osoba.

    OWEC had accused Osoba of working against the Ogun West people and threatened that no stranger would be allowed to contest for the governor on platform of  Ogun West.

    But, the Chairman of OGWEF, Chief Muftau Ajibola, said OWEC members were “loyalists of Governor Ibikunle Amosun,” adding that they merely “reechoed” the voice of “their paymaster.”

    Ajibola said the so-called Elders Council,  led by Muhammed Olagbaye, labelled some Ogun West people as ‘Tekobos,’ ostensibly to strengthen the hands of “their paymaster to  exclude a particular Ogun West governorship aspirant,  Senator Solomon Adeola, from Ogun 2019 race.”

    The two-time member of the Ogun State House of Assembly said no Ogun West son or daughter should be denied the right to aspire to govern the state.

    Ajibola also said the forum would not accept imposition of a candidate on the zone.

    He said Osoba is solidly committed to the actualisation of power shift to Ogun West, adding that OGWEF is also working behind the scene with leaders outside the zone to present a credible, experienced and popular person as governor.

    Ajibola added: “The so-called Elders Council, who obviously are loyalists of the incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun reechoed their paymaster by insinuating that some of our sons and daughters from Ogun West who are in the gubernatorial race are ‘tekobos’ (strangers).

    “This term was recently introduced into the political space of Ogun State by Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The vitriolic attacks that heralded him is needless of mention here as he was roundly criticised and condemned.