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  • Collaborate with fed govt to crash food, fuel prices, Omoworare charges states, others

    Collaborate with fed govt to crash food, fuel prices, Omoworare charges states, others

    Nigerians in positions of authority at all levels have been tasked to collaborate with the federal government to ensure that recent improvements in the nation’s economic situation are reflected in the prices of food commodities and fuel.

    Former senior special assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, who gave the task in a statement on Thursday, also lauded President Bola Tinubu for the progress made so far with the economic, fiscal, and monetary policies of his administration.

    Omoworare, who also commended members of President Tinubu’s economic team, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, also tasked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to get involved more in the downstream sub-sector by opening more retail outlets.

    He said: “I congratulate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr. Olawale Edun, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso and all other members of Mr. President’s economic team for the resurgence of the Naira and its recent global attainment as the most improved currency.

    “It is my hope that the government sustains the present economic, fiscal, and monetary policies, including the patent rebuttal of arbitrage in the currency market.

    “The improvement in the exchange rate has not impacted food inflation and fuel pump prices, despite the appreciation of the Naira. The Nigerian reality has put the much avowed logical law of gravity that ‘what goes up must come down’ on its head.

    “This is a challenge and the responsibility of all Nigerians from the traditional authorities to local, state, and federal governments to ensure a reduction in the cost of food commodities.

    “NNPCL is already positioned as a global player, it should delve more into the downstream sector, and open more retail outlets, where possible in collaboration with the private sector, so as to compete and occupy the free enterprise space.”

    He, however, commended the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, whose refinery has recently crashed the cost of diesel to take succour to Nigerians and relieve the pressure that the high cost of petroleum products has imposed on the economy.

    Read Also: Omoworare greets President Buhari

    He also hailed some of the state governors who have shown commitment to the nation’s food security through their massive investments and collaborative efforts on expanding the agriculture sector, urging other leaders at the sub-national level to emulate those making the efforts.

    “I commend Alhaji Aliko Dangote for his effort in reducing the price of diesel. I also applaud Governors Muhammed Bago and Chukwuma Soludo of Niger and Anambra states, respectively, for intensifying efforts in mechanized farming.

    “Also, kudos to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for collaborating with other state governments with a view to providing food to residents of Lagos State and for introducing weekly farmers market in Lagos State in order to reduce food inflation.

    “I urge other sub-nationals to emulate these governors as agriculture and food security are not exclusive items in the constitution”, the statement said.

  • Amosun, Omoworare, calls for protection of Nigerian children

    Amosun, Omoworare, calls for protection of Nigerian children

    Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has tasked parents, teachers, community leaders and other stakeholders across the country to see the protection and care of the Nigerian child as a collective responsibility.

    The governor stated this on Friday, at the 2016 Nigerian Children’s Day celebration held at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

    Also lending his voice to the protection of Nigerian children, Senator representing Osun East, Mr Babajide Omoworare called for the enforcement and domestication of Child Right Act.

    In a statement,  Omoworare said: “The adult we are today is a reflection of our childhood and upbringing, ours was a qualitative childhood with care and attention, we owe the children a duty of providing the best of upbringing if we intend to bequeath a nation that will not be squandered.

  • How to check budget padding – Omoworare

    How to check budget padding – Omoworare

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Mr. Babajide Omoworare said yesterday that the solution to the culture of budget padding in the country lies in the setting up of a National Assembly Budget and Research Office.

    The office, according to him, will enhance the budget scrutiny capacity of the National Assembly and also inject sanity, accountability and transparency into the nation’s appropriation system.

    Omoworare speaking on Rhythm FM, Abuja said budget padding has always been used by budget drafters to steal public funds.

    “After spending about five years now in the Senate, I make bold to say there is no budget that has come to us that has not been padded,” he said.

    But he was glad that the Buhari Administration was able to see through the antics of those who prepared this year’s budget.

    “How do you explain an embarrassing situation where the Minister of Health, Professor  Isaac Adewole found a different budget from the one approved by his office during budget defence or a discovery of about N200billion budget head duplications all due to sharp practices?” he asked. He denied accusation that members of the National Assembly were not doing anything about the situation until now.

    Omoworare said he has always been a voice against this practice but since he was initially in the opposition, the majority always prevailed.

    “I spoke against the bogus N7 billion Abuja City Gate, the First Lady Mission House and other monumental wastes injected into previous budgets,” he claimed.

    “To have a holistic solution to this infidelity, I have proposed a National Assembly Budget and Research Office bill to enhance budget scrutiny capacity of the National Assembly, inject sanity, accountability and transparency into our appropriation system. When it is passed, it will give legal teeth to our budget scrutiny and research mechanism at the National Assembly”.

    He added that the bill has passed a second reading with overwhelming acceptance from senators, “Constitutionally and traditionally budget should be a document of the legislature with liberty to tinker with and effect necessary adjustments, but endemic corruption in our system has always impeded this role of the lawmakers.”

  • Governor, Osun APC, Omoworare hail Tinubu at 64

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business Senator Babajide Omoworare yesterday felicitated with All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu on his 64th birthday.

    Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, described Tinubu as God’s precious gift to Nigeria and a detribalised leader.

    The governor said Tinubu, over the years, exhibited uncommon political sagacity that has placed him far ahead of his political compatriots.

    He extolled the political doggedness and commitment of the former Lagos State governor, which, he said, gave birth to the new political order being enjoyed in the country today.

    The governor said: “Your commitment, patriotism and ‘never say die’ spirit with some other democrats are responsible for the new political order being enjoyed in the country. Over the years, you remain committed to the advancement of true democracy and good governance.

    “The political height you have attained in the last 64 years was not by a sudden flight, but a reward of hard work, patience, perseverance, tolerance and strategic thinking, planning and execution. You remain a role model to generations and a factor in the political equation of this country.”

    The Osun State APC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Kunle Oyatomi, said: “This birthday is all the more worth celebrating because the leader has come a long way in shaping the paradigm of change in Nigeria over the last decades.

    “Very few Nigerians, if any, can lay claim to the level of political change that occurred in 2015 for the first time in the half century that Nigeria has been independent. But for the strategic masterstroke of Tinubu’s effort and political influence, a sitting Federal Government would never been removed through a free and fair election.

    “His contribution in making Muhammadu Buhari president today is unparalleled in the history of political alliances in Nigeria. In spite of pessimisms and vicious criticism of the present administration that Tinubu helped to power for change, the APC is still standing and the government is firming its hold on power.

    “This is not a mean achievement for an individual. The political history of Nigeria, whether we like it not, will give significant and positive mention to Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s contribution to the evolution of democracy in Nigeria.  All well-meaning people should, therefore, join in celebrating this irrepressible national leader of the APC at 64.”

    Also, Omoworare, a senator representing Osun East, described Tinubu, as a fearless patriotic Nigerian and harbinger of change.

    According to Omoworare: “Tinubu is an enigmatic political calculator and a visionary politician, whose life and leadership capacity is inspirational to everyone who dreams to be great.”

    The senator, in his goodwill message by his media assistant, Tunde Dairo, described Tinubu as God’s blessing to Nigeria.

    He said: “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is so many things to so many people, depending on the side of divide you belong in the struggle for a just and people-oriented Nigeria.

    “The life of selflessness and sacrifice of Asiwaju Tinubu is second to none in contemporary history. He is a dogged fighter whose dedication to the struggle for a better human society sees no huddle as too big to cross. He is a quintessential leader of all ages whose life and time will ever remain evergreen.”

  • Omoworare, Lam-Adesina victorious at tribunal

    Omoworare, Lam-Adesina victorious at tribunal

    The National and House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, yesterday upheld the victory of Senator Jide Omoworare, representing Osun East.

    In his ruling on the case instituted by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Francis Fadahunsi, the three-member panel Chairman, Justice A.G.Kwajaffa, said Omoworare scored the highest number of votes.

    Justice Kwajaffa said the petition lacked merit because the petitioner could not prove the allegation of violence and electoral malpractices during the election.

    The tribunal held that the petitioner failed to prove that Omoworare was not elected by the majority of lawful votes cast at the election.

    It added that the case was filed by the petitioner out of time as the date of filing exceeded the 21 days permitted by the Electoral Act.

    The tribunal held that the petitioner abandoned his pleadings brought before it as he could not prove the alleged malpractices, which he said occurred in Ife East, Ife South, Oriade, Ilesa East, Ilesa West and Obokun local government areas.

    Justice Kwajaffa said the petitioner did not also call witnesses to testify for him in some of the polling units and wards where election results were being challenged.

    He held that if the results of some polling units being cancelled were subtracted from the votes declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Omoworare scored 100,148 votes against 98,116 scored by the petitioner.

    The tribunal sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, dismissed the petitions filed by candidates of Accord in Ibadan North East/ Ibadan South East Federal Constituency, Gbenga Adewusi and Oluyole Federal Constituency, Musibau Adeagbo, against Dapo Lam-Adesina and Olusumbo Olugbemi both of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Adewusi told the tribunal to dismiss Lam-Adesina’s election but the tribunal Chairman, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, said the petition lacked merit as the petitioner failed to prove his case.

    The tribunal dismissed Adeagbo’s petition, saying he could not prove that Olugbemi was not the APC’s rightful candidate.

    The tribunal awarded a cost of N100, 000.

     

  • Cooperate with Aregbesola for best result, Omoworare urges Osun workers

    Cooperate with Aregbesola for best result, Omoworare urges Osun workers

    The people and workers in Osun State have been enjoined to cooperate with the governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, in his effort to deliver on his electoral promises.

    The Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District and Chairman Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Babajide Omoworare made the call yesterday.

    In statement by his Media Assistant Tunde Dairo, Senator Omoworare said  the financial difficulty currently experienced in the state is an imposed national crisis which the APC led Federal Government is working round the clock to resolve.

    While commending President MuhammaduBuhari for his fatherly gesture through the bailout plan,  Senator Omoworare said: “The  bailout is a short term measure to ameliorate the economic hardship imposed on the federating states by the previous PDP led administration. Hence, states must look inward to generate more resources with people friendly and acceptable policies if they intend to break even.

    “Workers in Osun should be commended for their perseverance and understanding as shown during this trying period. A collective solution for a lasting result and economic repositioning of the state is a necessity which must not be trivialised or politicized.”

  • Saraki challenges Omoworare’s Committee on e-parliament

    Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday challenged the Senator Babajide Omoworare-led  Committee on Rules and Business to evolve an e-parliament for the country which would open a new chapter in legislative business in the nation.

    Saraki, inaugurating the committee in the National Assembly complex noted that the Vice Chairman of the Committee who is also the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, and other members of the Committee including Senators Barnabas Gemade, Kabiru Marafa, Joshua Lidani, David Umaru, Clifford Ordia, Chukwuka Utazi and Uche Ekwunife were specially chosen to make a difference in managing the day to day business of lawmaking by the 8th Senate.

    Saraki said: “The challenge to us particularly is how do we take Eighth Senate to the issue of e-parliament. I think that is my charge to the members of this important Committee.

    “You must start this new page in the history of the Senate and I believe those who are members here have the capacity to do that and that is where we begin to say that the Eighth Senate did make a difference and started to do something innovative and useful”.

    “I know that being led by the chairman, the majority leader and also distinguished senators, you must be the one that will change operational modalities of the Senate because that is one of the things that we want you to do as you prepare the Order Paper of the Eighth Senate on a daily basis.

    He added that the composition of the committee also show that the 8th Senate is operating a policy of inclusiveness having put politics behind it to face the real work of legislating for the country.

    The Senate President said: “I think what we are also doing here is showing the world what we have always said that this is an inclusive Senate.  This is the Senate that is here to serve the people and leave politics behind and I think that having someone like Senator Babajide Omoworare as the Chairman of the Committee also goes to confirm that we are beginning to work our talk about composition of committee and allocation of responsibilities based on competence, experience and qualification.”

    Earlier, Omoworare while thanking the Senate President for the honour, pledged that the committee would be innovative and proactive in the execution of its mandate.

    He said: “We will carry out our mandate diligently, passionately and resolutely. We will ensure that there is fairness in the scheduling of the business of the Senate.

    “The committee notes that after 16 years of democracy in Nigeria, there should be a near uniformity and standard in the Standing Orders of the Legislature in Nigeria. We will strive to accomplish this.

    “The committee is committed to the early realization of your vision to implement as a matter of urgency, the e-parliament technology that will enable Senators access to Order Paper, Notice Paper, Legislative Calendar and other operational legislative information online and real time. It will also enable us to properly monitor oversight, committee works and other legislative chores”, he said.”

  • APC’s Omoworare, Adeleke, others win in Osun

    APC’s Omoworare, Adeleke, others win in Osun

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday released more results of last Saturday’s National Assembly elections in Osun State.

    Senators Babajide Omoworare and Isiaka Adeleke were declared the winners of the elections in Osun East and West senatorial districts.

    In the result sheet signed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, Senator Babajide Omoworare of the All Progressives Congress polled 101,352 to defeat Prince Francis Fadahunsi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second with 99,166 votes.

    Also, Senator Isiaka Adeleke of the APC polled 133,009 to defeat PDP’s Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, who garnered 79,279 votes.

    Speaking on the result of the House of Representatives election, Ogunmola also declared the APC candidate in Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, who scored 52,029 to defeat the PDP candidate, Oguntola Oladipo, who polled 33,851 and eight others.

    The REC said in Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan, the APC candidate, Mrs. Ayo Omidiran, scored 36,538 to defeat the PDP candidate, Col. Olayiwola Falabi, who scored 25,679 and eight others.

    The REC also declared that the APC candidate, Olufemi Fakeye, who scored 19,281 the winner, defeating the PDP candidate, Kolawole Ismaila, who scored 16,852 in Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Ila Federal Constituency.

    In Odo-otin/Ifelodun/Boripe, the APC candidate, Adeyinka Ajayi, who polled 39,145 was declared winner to defeat Kayode Oduoye of the PDP who scored 29,690.

    APC’s Akintayo Gafaru was the winner of the election in Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency with 32,742 votes to defeat Bello Akanji of the PDP, who scored 23, 115 votes.

  • Only election riggers fear card reader -Omoworare

    Only election riggers fear card reader -Omoworare

    Senator Babajide   Omoworare represents Osun East at the Senate. In this interview with Gbenga Aderanti, he speaks on several issues which include the forthcoming general elections and other issues

    15 years after Nigeria returned to democracy, do you think the country has fared better?

    Although there has been shortcomings in our democracy, you can’t compare it with other types of governments, be it military, diarchy, plutocracy, autocracy etc. However, we seem to have chosen some features of democracy like merely establishing the arms of government, that is the legislature, executive and judiciary, etc. and making efforts, really striving to comply with sometimes the most rudimentary and elementary provisions of the Constitution. We have left out the other important ingredients of democracy like enforcement of fundamental rights, rule of law, due process etc. We have also refused to build Institutions that will sustain our democracy; what we have instead are strongmen, albeit mostly civilians, suffering from military hangover. So, in this democracy, we have just been average when we have the opportunity to perfect our democracy, build sound political structures, instill indelible political culture and ensure sustainable political system. With clear headed leadership that is zero tolerant to corruption, that does not only have a sound program but has the political will to see it through, that puts the welfare of the people on the front burner, I am optimistic that democracy in Nigeria will fare better.

    Recently, President Jonathan claimed to be the best president Nigeria ever had and that he will win the forthcoming elections, how will you react to this?

    The assertion that President Goodluck Jonathan is the best president Nigeria has ever had is fallacious. It is the sound bite of sycophants and Mr. President’s palace jesters. Opinion poll has shown that this government is unpopular; it is corrupt, lacklustre and clueless. I think the failure of this government is a function of the lack of capacity and competence on the part of Mr. President. The Federal Government has failed on all fronts. The most basic is security.

    The government’s view is beclouded by corruption and impunity. Have we forgotten the Pension scam, the subsidy scam of $20 billion, kerosene scam, and so on and so forth?. Nobody was called to question when our innocent job seekers died during the immigration recruitment exercise. Against all dictates of international trade, this government supported the laundering of money to South Africa to buy arms. The economy has been ruined, there is deficit in the balance of our international trade and we keep depleting our foreign reserves because we have not diversified. We import all sorts of goods and these are more than the foreign exchange we exchange the crude oil we export. The government did not make hay when there was sunshine; it did not invest the excess crude wisely and the price of oil has dropped. Yet the same government claims it raised N21 billion campaign fund when Nigerians go to work on empty stomach.

    Are you sure the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammed Buhari, will make a difference considering his age?

    Age has nothing to do with governance. A dire situation requires a drastic solution. If it is an elderly man that can do the job, what a younger man has failed to do, so be it. It is important we even look at the man Buhari. I think the General is on a rescue mission. Nigeria is currently at the precipice of destruction by the cabals and hawks hovering over the Presidential Villa. General Buhari is a man with several positive values, his experience, capacity, integrity and upright posture is needed by the nation at this period in history. He has been tested with public offices in the past and left those offices with legacies, achievements and without any iota or element of corruption.

    The beauty of democracy is that we have had a-6-year tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians are saying the suffering is enough. Nigerians will now put General Buhari on the other side of the scale and juxtapose. We will see a man that is experienced in Buhari. He has been a Governor, he has been a Petroleum Minister and he hasn’t got even a filling station.

    In 2011, your party then Action Congress of Nigeria won all the elections it contested in Osun and also the 2014 gubernatorial election as All Progressives Congress, can this feat be replicated in 2015?

    Why not? We take campaigns seriously and we monitor our elections. However, I think the electorate trusts us. We have delivered on our promises, while the Federal Government has failed woefully in the area of poverty reduction. I understand according to a recent World Bank Survey that Nigeria is ranked 3rd among the world’s top five poorest countries with over 60% of its citizens living below poverty level, contrary to Mr. President’s claim that he has reduced poverty level by 50%. Under the administration of the governor of my state, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, poverty was reduced, Osun is number 2 in this area. Osun has the best employment record. The unemployment ratio has shown consistent down sliding. We have developed infrastructure, built roads, built and renovated schools, we give lunch to elementary students thereby creating jobs and having spiral effect on other agriculture Entrepreneurs. He engaged 20,000 youths. The RLG factory is already producing mobile phones.

    As State of Osun Caucus in the National Assembly, we did joint constituency projects based on senatorial districts, with a view to leaving legacy projects as part of our contribution to the sustainable development of our state. In my senatorial district for instance, the honourable members of House of Representatives and I synergised to construct the multimillion naira Ipetu-Ijesa Waterworks, which will supply water to parts of Oriade, Atakunmosa West and Atakumosa East LGAs. We have built four middle schools and renovated four others. It is important I explain that all we do is recommend the projects, they are executed by Federal Government Ministries, Department and Agencies. I have been pretty active on the floor. I have moved several motions on the floor of the Senate, including the one exposing kerosene subsidy scam. I have not only sponsored bills, I have had my bill on prison decongestion passed in the Senate and is awaiting the concurrence of House of Representatives.

    Your primary election and eventual emergence as the candidate of the party has been trailed with controversy, what actually transpired?

    Let me say that I am most careful when it comes to party issues, most especially when you have an election in purview. I am a party man to the core. I have just gone through a process of smoothening some frail nerves, which is natural before, during and after primaries. It will be most unwise of me to unsettle simmering water, however little the water is. Yes, I hold the utilitarian value of greater good for greater number of people. Yet, everybody is important in the party and you won’t want your utterances to hurt even one party man or woman. The relevant fact is that a screening exercise was initially misinterpreted as primary. The party at a General Assembly chose me, but upon an appeal to the National Executive Committee of the party, a rerun was ordered, which I won. However, I see the entire event as a no victor, no vanquished political battle and power tussle. The party has spoken twice, the party is supreme and its decision is final.

    The PDP is opposing the electronic card reader and advocating for the use of temporary voters card where the PVC is not available, what is your view of this?

    We should give kudos to Professor Atahiru Jega for bringing sanity and departure from the Professor Maurice Iwu and its magical election era. Jega regardless of his capacity and human deficiency will be remembered for adding an unusual dimension into our politics especially with this never before used card reader. This is a step in the right direction towards advancing our system to accommodate electronic voting. The sanity and credibility that this will bring is scary only to those whose stock in trade is manipulation of elections. To those of us who believe in maintaining social contract and delivery of electoral promises, we will never fear the card reader. As for the PVC and the fact that some electorates have not gotten theirs, our system is just developing and struggling to attain perfection. We can only hope to get better and develop to a stage as in advanced democracies where voters’ registration is a continuous exercise such that as soon as a citizen attains the age of 18, he or she gets a notice from the electoral commission to come for capturing and card issuance.

  • ‘Omoworare was properly elected as senatorial candidate’

    ‘Omoworare was properly elected as senatorial candidate’

    Insinuations that Senator Babajide Omoworare was imposed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the  as the  Osun East senatorial candidate has been described as a tissue of lies.

    The Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, made the clarification while reacting to allegations by an aspirant, Mr. Sola Lawal. He said  Lawal’s allegation lacked substance, adding that it was a a fabricated to deiscredit the shadow poll and dent the image of the governor.

    Okanlawon described Aregbesola as an advocate of democratic ethos, noting that Lawal’s accusation paled into a failed attempt to rubbish his democratic credentials.

    He said, since Lawal started his media war triggered by his imaginary victory, he has not spared any party leader from his virulent attacks.

    Okanlawon said that, contrary to Lawal’s claim that he polled 17 votes to defeat Omoworare, who, according to him, scored just three votes, those who voted were more than the 37 people.

    He said there was no way the voters at the primaries who came from Ife/Ijesa axis could be reduced to 37.

    Okanlawon added:  “Some leaders in the senatorial district were saddled with the responsibility of screening aspirants for the senatorial seat. How can the screening become a party primary? How can 20 people dictate who will represent the people?

    “How can there be a primary to choose a senator from a district where the governor hails from and the governor was unaware of such a primary election? How did 20 people arrive at the decision without any of the 11 APC local government party chairmen, 11 Local Government Executive Secretaries, all members of the executive council from the Ife/Ijesa Zone and all other stakeholders across the senatorial district taking part?”

    The spokesman explained that the screening were done for aspirants by leaders from each of the senatorial districts before primaries were conducted.