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Tag: Olu Falae

  • Falae writes INEC chairman over retirement as SDP chairman

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy in 1999 elections, Chief Olu Falae has officially written to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, on his retirement as Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    According to the letter dated February 19, 2019, and made available to The Nation on Thursday by the SDP’s Director, Media and Publicity, Hon Yemi Akinbode, Falae said the Deputy National Chairman 1 from his Zone, Prof. Tunde Adeniran assumes the position of National Chairman in an acting capacity for the rest of his tenure which expires in March 2020.

    The letter reads in part: “I write to inform you that I have retired voluntarily from active partisan politics with effect from February 8, 2019, and therefore ceased to be the chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), from that date. In accordance with the provision of Section 13.2 (ii) of our party’s constitution, Professor Tunde Adeniran, the Deputy National Chairman 1 from the chairman’s Zone, assumes the post of National Chairman in an acting capacity for the rest of his tenure which expires in March 2020.

    “I wish to thank you, your fellow commissioners and other staff for the courtesies you always extended to me while I served as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party.”

  • Adeniran takes over from Falae as SDP chairman

    The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Tunde Adeniran, would from Monday act as the de facto national chairman of the SDP, it was learnt on Friday.

    The development followed the official resignation of the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae.

    A statement by the National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, explained: “The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, GCON, has officially stepped aside from his position. He communicated his decision to the Party on Friday January 8, 2019.

    “Chief Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Minister of Finance, predicated his decision on personal reasons which bordered on his desire to retire from active partisan politics.

    “He had earlier indicated his intention to step aside on turning 80 but was prevailed upon to tarry till after the 2018 National Convention of the Party.

    “Thereafter, he once again expressed his readiness to quit after the successful Convention, but was made to stay back to steer the Party out of the litigations that emanated from the presidential primaries of the party.

    “He was made to understand that as the leader of the party, it was not good for him to leave the Party in the midst of internal squabbles. He therefore stayed back.

    “In taking this final decision, he has recommended, in line with the party Constitution, that the Deputy National Chairman (South), Professor Tunde Adeniran, OFR should step in, effective Monday January 11, 2019 as the de facto National Chairman in acting capacity pending ratification at the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and National Convention thereafter.

    “Professor Tunde Adeniran, a former Minister of Education and Ambassador to Germany comes with a vast wealth of experience garnered over long years in academia, public service, as a public intellectual and as a political party administrator.

    “His coming as National Chairman offers the hope of robustly repositioning the party as a major force in Nigeria’s political arena and as a credible national alternative party.

    “He will sustain and build on the great achievement of the former National Chairman while further promoting the core values and ideologies of the party which centre on social justice, equity, human dignity, good governance and well-being of the Nigerian people.“

  • Why Falae resigned as our chairman, by SDP

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Chief Olu Falae resigned as chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Friday because of old age.

    The Director, Media & Publicity of SDP, Yemi Akinbode, said his resignation was not new to the leadership of the party.

    His resignation came hours after the party leaders adopted All Progressives Congress (APC)’s President Muhammadu Buhari as its candidate for the February 16 presidential election.

    Falae stated in his resignation letter that his ailing health is part of the reasons for his resignation.

    But Akinbode said Falae was part of the party leadership that adopted Buhari as SDP’s presidential candidate.

    Read Also: Olu Falae resigns as SDP chairman

    He said: “He stepped down as chairman of the party. He ought to have stepped down on September 31, 2018.

    “That was when he clocked 80 years of age. But I do not know what caused the delay.

    “He had earlier made it known that when he clocks 80 he will quit politics. It is not a new thing.

    “I feel that he was trying to wait after the election tactically to quit. But he did that now. And he cannot deny the adoption of President Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential candidate of the SDP because he was part of the entire process.“

  • Breaking: Olu Falae resigns as SDP chairman

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Olu Falae, has resigned from his position as the chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    His resignation comes hours after the party leaders endorsed the candidacy of APC Presidential candidate, President Buhari, for next Saturday’s presidential election.

    Read Also: Chief Olu Falae: matters arising

    Falae stated in his resignation letter that his ailing health is part of the reasons for his resignation.

    The Director, Media & Publicity Social Democratic Party(SDP), Yemi Akinbode confirmed the development to our correspondent in Abuja.

    Details shortly…

  • SDP holds Osun mega rally to support Omisore

    Says the party is positioned to win September 22 poll

    The Social Democratic Party on Thursday held its mega rally in Osogbo, Osun State capital to rally support for the party candidate in the September 22 state governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

    Led by the national leader of the party, Chief Olu Falae, who was former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the SDP said it was well positioned to win the forthcoming poll.

    Falae spoke on restructuring of Nigeria, which he said was  overdue, maintaining that “until something is done in that direction, peace and development cannot be guaranteed in Nigeria.

    He said restructuring of the country could only be realized under the SDP-led government.

    On the candidature of Omisore, Falae said: “Our candidate remains the best among all other contestants in the race and with Omisore, in government Osun will get out of pains occasioned by mis-governance.”

    Addressing his supporters at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, the venue of the mega rally, the SDP flag bearer accused the Aregbesola led administration of owing workers and pensioners their salaries and pensions.

    Omisore said Aregbesola should first “go and pay” workers’ salaries before fielding a candidate for the September 22 state governorship election.

    He wondered why a government could owe workers’ salaries when it has money to fund political campaigns and rallies, alleging that the APC had spent over N5 billion on a campaign bill boards.

    Read Also: Omisore has found his voice again

    Assuring workers of paying the backlog of their salaries arrears on assumption of office, he promised total overhauling of the Education, Health and Agricultural and other sectors.

    Omisore also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working hand in hand to perpetrate electoral fraud before, during and after the conduct of the election,

    The SDP candidate, who vowed to resist the move at all costs, said: “We have it on good authorities that the INEC has been compromised by the ruling party in the state but I am assuring you that we will monitor the election and resist rigging from polling units to the wards of the 30 local governments of the state.”

    He charged his party members to be vigilant and watchful to guide their votes and kick against anti-democratic acts from all quarters.

    Omisore further charged them to conduct themselves well during the electioneering period and shun any act that could lead thuggery, molestation, acrimony and other forms of electoral malpractices.

    Also, a national leader of the party, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, advised workers and pensioners to reject the APC-government, saying only SDP could promote their welfare.

  • 2019: Obasanjo, Falae, others meet in Abeokuta

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, on Tuesday meet privately in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to deliberate on how to form mass coalition political forces capable of wresting power at the centre from President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC).
    Obasanjo who is spearheading the Coalition of Nigerian Movement (CNM) received Falae at his  Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta by noon,
    quickly went into a closed door discussion with his guest.
    Also in attendance are two-time governorship candidate and current aspirant in Ogun state, Gboyega Isiaka, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr  Shina Kawonise and  former Special Adviser on Public Communication to ex – President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe.

    Read Also: Obasanjo okays Anchor’s policy on job loss

  • Presidential aspirant visits Falae, canvasses restructuring of 2019

    A presidential aspirant, Dr. Thomas Wilson -Ikubese, has advocated for the restructuring of the country before the 2019 general elections.

    Ikubese, who is a chieftain of the National Conscience Party, NCP, said President Muhammadu Buhari must summon the courage to implement the most critical aspects of restructuring of the country before handing over power in 2019.

    The medical doctor made the remarks when he, as part of his consultations with leaders of thoughts, political blocks and elder statesmen in Nigeria towards his 2019 ambition, visited Chief Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Federal Government, in his Akure residence.

    Ikubese thanked Falae for his steadfastness over the Nigerian project and his various pragmatic contributions towards the emergence of a functional Nigerian state.

    According to him, the 2019 Presidential election will be a watershed in the annals of Nigerian history as it will be more about personalities rather than political parties as Nigerians are tired of the APC and PDP and earnestly seek a credible alternative to take Nigeria out of the woods.

    Ikubese further stated that any  political alliance that throws up a recycled politician as its Presidential Candidate in 2019 would not meet the expectations of Nigerians who now crave for a departure from the status quo and a breath of fresh air to usher in a new altruistic political ideology of putting Nigeria first and making the system work.

    The aspirant also commiserated with Chief Falae on his 2015 kidnap saga and the recent attack on his farm, all of which he described as symptomatic of failed leadership and the need for a restructured state.

    According to Ikubese, “an unrestructured Nigeria, is a nation sitting on a keg of gunpowder”.

    Falae, in his response, thanked Ikubese for blazing the trail in gouty advocacy in Nigeria as his wake up call on Nigerian youths to get involved in altruistic politics is beginning to yield fruits, with more and more youths showing interest in governance.

  • Akure’s monarchs decry herdsmen attack on council workers.

    Akure’s monarchs decry herdsmen attack on council workers.

    The lawmaker representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Chief Tayo Alasoadura has criticized the reported attack on Akure South local government workers by suspected herdsmen.

    Besides,the Deji of Akure,Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo expressed displeasure on the impunity of Fulani herdsmen across the country.

    A statement by Alasoadura’s media aide, Dayo Joseph said it was high time the federal government proffered permanent solutions to the problem.

    The lawmaker described the incident as unfortunate, stressing that the incessant attacks by herdsmen were getting out of hand and should be curtailed.

    The chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources(Upstream) urged his constituents to be more vigilant and wary of the activities of the herdsmen in the area.

    He urged security agencies to be more proactive on the present challenge in order to sustain peace in the community

    Oba Aladetoyinbo described the invasion as barbaric, provocative and an attempt to stir up trouble in the peaceful Akure Community.

    The monarch wondered why the herdsmen would have chosen to lead their cattle to graze on the farmland belonging to the council if not an attempt to create tension in the community.

    Read Also: Suspected herdsmen sack Akure council workers

    He expressed sadness that no major arrest had been made by the Police since the attack on Chief Olu Falae’s farm, stressing that the arsonists who parade themselves as herdsmen now target the local government as their next point of call.

    The royal father called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to treat the issue of the herdsmen with kid gloves as their activities were becoming unbearable.

    Oba Aladetoyinbo said the people could no longer tolerate the excesses of these herdsmen who according to him, are now making live unbearable with their nefarious attitudes.

    The traditional ruler urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) in the State to take proactive measures in curbing the menace.

    Besides, he appealed the Inspector General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris and the Commissioner of Police, Gbenga Adeyanju with other security agents to take more decisive action and ensure that the menace is curtailed.

  • Atiku condemns burning of Falae’s farm

    Atiku condemns burning of Falae’s farm

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the burning the farm belonging to a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae.

    Falae’s oil palm farm, located on the outskirts of Akure, Ondo State, was burnt down on Sunday by suspected Fulani herdsmen

    In a statement released by his media office in Abuja on Tuesday, Atiku said that arson is a punishable offence under the law and that when the crime is aimed at destroying a private investment, it adds the additional penalty of economic sabotage.

    “It is a reprehensible act of economic sabotage to wilfully set ablaze any person’s property and investments.

    “As a statesman who has worked tirelessly for this country, Chief Falae deserves a quiet and peaceful retirement and not this lot that has been characterised by kidnapping and other vices including this arson”, the statement added.

    Atiku called on the police and other relevant security agencies in the country to launch an investigation into the crime and ensure that the culprits are brought to book to serve as deterrent.

  • DSS presents suspected abductors of Falae

    DSS presents suspected abductors of Falae

    The Department of State Service (DSS) on Monday presented two suspected abductors of Chief Olu Falae, a former presidential aspirant, to newsmen in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that Falae, who was also a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Minister of Finance, was abducted at his farm at Ilado village, Akure, Ondo state on Sept. 21 by armed men and released days later.

    Presenting the suspects, Mr Abdullahi Garba, an operative of the service, said that the suspects were arrested on Oct. 5 at J. Zebra hotel in Lokoja.

    He said that the abductors’ action was not targeted at Falae as a statesman and prominent Yoruba leader, adding that they were mere criminals.

    Garba enjoined Nigerians to shun attempts by mischief makers to give the incident an ethnic coloration to cause disaffection among the populace.

    “To this effect, this service wishes to appeal to all Nigerians to be law-abiding and responsible in their commentary on sensitive issues affecting national security.”

    He warned that the service would not hesitate to deal with anybody, no matter how highly placed, in accordance with the law.

    Garba stressed that efforts were being intensified to ensure that all those involved in the criminal act were brought to justice.

    The suspects, who admitted committing the crime, said that they carried it out in conjunction with one Dantijo, who ran away with the N5 million ransom paid to secure his freedom.