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Tag: Olabimtan

  • Olabimtan heads Ondo APC campaign team

    Olabimtan heads Ondo APC campaign team

    Former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Olabimtan has been appointed as the Director-General of the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation.

    Olabimtan, one of the 24 governorship aspirants who battled for the ticket at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary, is a former commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission.

    His emergence profile as the secretary of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Students’ Vanguard brought him to limelight.

    He was the unanimous choice of eminent leaders of the party as a member of the delegation of the UPN Monitoring Group to Bauchi State during the 1983 presidential election.

    Olabimtan’s victory in the 2003 election to represent his constituency in the Ondo State House of Assembly gave him a landmark opportunity to serve his people. He later became the Speaker of the House of Assembly between 2003 to 2007.

    The appointment of the renown grassroots politician is with immediate effect. He will henceforth, take charge of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu’s electioneering campaign activities.

    According to a statement by Aketi Media Group, the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation has also named the party chairman, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke and Senator Tayo Alasoadura as members of the Governor’s Council, the apex body of the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation, which will be chaired by the APC governorship candidate, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, (SAN).

    Other members of the council include Senator Ayo Akinyelure, Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba, Dr. Tunji Abayomi and Mr. Boye Oyewunmi, who were co-aspirants at the primary.

    The statement also named  Ade Adetimehin as the chairman of the campaign organization and secretary of the Governor’s Council.  Adetimehin served as Special Assistant to the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati from 1999- 2003.

    The chairman of Akeredolu campaign organisation is the rallying point of all shades of opinions among the progressives in Ondo State.

    The constitution of these bodies marks the beginning of a full fledge APC governorship campaign for the forthcoming gubernatorial election slated for November 26, 2016 in Ondo State.

  • Olabimtan seeks support for Akeredolu

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Victor Olabimtan, yesterday promised to support the party’s candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, with everything humanly and godly possible for his success in the November 26  election.

    He praised the election committee headed by the Jigawa State Governor Mohammed Abubakar for a credible and hitch-free primary.

    The former Speaker of the State Assembly, in a statement, described the exercise as credible and transparent.

    He said: “I thank God almighty for His grace and mercy over me and my entire team. I thank all members of our great party, the APC in Ondo State and the entire people of Ondo State.

    “We thank the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party and Federal Government for delivering their promise of credible, fair and transparent primary election in Ondo State.”

  • My govt ’ll benefit grassroots people, says Olabimtan

    My govt ’ll benefit grassroots people, says Olabimtan

    AN All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Victor Olabimtan, yesterday promised to run a government that will help the grassroots.

    The former Speaker of the House of Assembly also said his executive councilwould accommodate youths.

    He noted that 50 per cent of his exco shall be less than 40 years of age.

    Olabimtan promised to give 40 per cent of appointments to women, saying “use and dump” will have no room in his administration, if elected.

    He spoke in Oka-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Southwest Local Government while meeting with APC delegates from the local government.

    The aspirant urged the people to vote a leader that will be accountable, known to them; a leader that lives with them, and accessible to them.

    “My first agenda is human capital development. I will run a homegrown democracy. By God’s grace, I will reduce poverty.

    “I will use Ondo money to develop Ondo people. All our contracts shall be executed by Ondo people. The youth and women of Ondo State shall be adequately empowered. Forty per cent of appointments shall be given to women while 50 per cent shall go to young people.

    “Again, I want to prove that not all politicians are liars. With all due respect to my daddies and mummies in Akoko land, I want to say today that no  son or daughter of this nationality in the public service, either past or present, can match my records in Akokoland.

    “As Speaker, I empowered Akoko people. As chairman of Ondo State Teaching Service Commission, I tried for Akoko people. As commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission, I did well for Akoko people. Therefore, I am here to plead that you send me again.”

    The Supare Akoko born politician further emphasised on the need to devolve power in Ondo State, promising that if elected, more local governments shall be created to bring government closer to the people.

  • Ondo is under developed, says Olabimtan

    Ondo is under developed, says Olabimtan

    Former Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly and governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Hon. Victor Olabimtan has called for honesty and transparency as the basis for good governance.

    Olabimtan, who spoke on a private radio station, Adaba FM, Akure said it was the lack of these three ingredients that brought untold hardship on the people, in spite of the state’s natural resources.

    He urged the people to reflect on the antecedents of the aspirant.

    The retired educationist said there is no zoning in the constitution, but averred that fairness, equity and justice dictate that the Ondo North Senatorial District should produce the governorship candidate.

    According to him, the South produced late Olusegun Agagu who spent six years in office, and the incumbent Dr Olusegun Mimiko is from Central who will spend eight years by February 2017.

    He decried money politics, stressing that it is bad for democracy as there are no visible developments in places where politicians buy the conscience of the people.

    Speaking on how to curb crimes in the society, especially kidnapping and robbery, the former Speaker said government should provide employment and improve on the provision of amenities such as electricity for industrialisation and motorable roads for easy movement of people, goods and services from one place to the other.

    He said his experience when he was kidnapped was that the young lads,some of whom are graduates were unemployed.

    Olabimtan said his government would respect and accord civil servants all their rights and priviledges and take care of their welfare such that they will be comfortable to do their work diligently.

    He debunked the notion that he does not have money to compete with others in the primary, but explained that he has no money to bribe people to vote for him.

    The politician stressed that it is not the amount of money spent that determines who wins, but God and the people, adding: “I have good track record which will give him an edge in any competition”

    Olabimtan said if he wins the election, his cabinet will be made up of 50 per cent of youths aged 50 and below and elders aged 50 and above.

    He added that 40 per cent of the position would be allocated to women.

  • I’m still in APC, says Olabimtan

    I’m still in APC, says Olabimtan

    Former Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker and governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Victor Olabimtan has said he is still in the APC.

    Reacting to a statement by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state chairman

    Clement Faboyede that he would soon return to the PDP, Olabimtan said Faboyede was only dreaming.

    In a statement in Akure yesterday, Olabimtan said: “Much as I would not have wanted to dignify Faboyede’s statement with a response, I feel it is necessary to put his joke to rest and say he was daydreaming. I have no intention now or in the future to leave the APC.

    “His case and that of the PDP can be likened to a drowning man clutching at straw to stay afloat. “

    “I want to assure my party, the APC and my supporters of my loyalty and commitment to the party and to them and say I am still very much in the race to clinch the party’s governorship ticket.”

  • Olabimtan’s wife excited about husband’s freedom

    Olabimtan’s wife excited about husband’s freedom

    The Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State, home of former House of Assembly Speaker Victor Olabimtan came alive yesterday, following his release by kidnappers.

    Scores of well wishers visited to felicitate with Mrs. Rachel Olabimtan, who was excited about her husband’s release.

    Olabimtan regained his freedom around 9.30pm on Wednesday after three days with the gunmen.

    He was kidnapped on Sunday at Gwali, on his way to Abuja where he was to attend a meeting.

    The former chairman of the State Teaching Commission (TESCOM) was said to be receiving medical treatment He could not be reached for comments.

    Speaking with The Nation, Mrs. Olabimtan said: “I am so excited. I don’t even know how to express my feelings. I appreciate God and thank symphatisers and friends.

    “Though, I have not been able to speak to him since he was released but I know he is very safe in Abuja.”

    Mrs. Olabimtan said the former Commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) needed to rest.

    She urged the Federal Government to tackle insecurity and incessant kidnapping.

    The traditional ruler of Supare-Akoko, Olabimtan’s home town, Oba Kasali Omosogbon, said the community received the news with happiness.

    The monarch thanked  security operatives and the media for their steadfastness.

    Also, a former Chairman, State Muslim Pilgrims Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani, hailed the release.

    The Vicar-in-Charge of St James’s Church, Supare-Akoko, where Olambimtan is a communicant, Ven Tokunbo Adebiyi, described the development as divine.

  • Olabimtan regains freedom

    Olabimtan regains freedom

    Former Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker Victor Olabimtan has been freed yesterday evening.

    He is undergoing medical check-up and treatment in Abuja.

    The Secretary, Victor Olabimtan Initiative for Change and Emancipation (VOICE), Gboyega Ajayi, said: “We thank and appreciate the Federal Government, police, security agencies and All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders  for their prayerts and support.

    “We also the thank the media for their wide coverage of the incident.”

    The former Speaker and Chairman, State Muslims Welfare Board, Alhaji Rasheed Ajifowowe were kidnapped on Sunday in Kwali, near Gwagwalada in Abuja.

    Olabimtan was said to be going for a meeting in Abuja when some gunmen in army fatigues abducted him at a check point.