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Tag: ‘Ondo APC

  • Fayemi’s new cabinet is robust, says Ondo APC

    The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Ondo State on Friday lauded the successful inauguration of his commissioners and other ranks of political office holders in Ekiti State.

    The party said the step was commendable especially for shortlisting a set of politicians and technocrats of high integrity to serve the state.

    A statement by the Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro noted that the coming on board of new commissioners in a record time, confirmed the commitment of Fayemi as a true democratic to regain the lost glory of Ekiti State.

    The statement said” Everyone can attest to your faithfulness to develop your home state socially and economically and to evolve a lasting solution to its political problems.

    Read Also: Fayemi names Special Assistants, DGs, Board members

    ” With your past history of the struggle to achieve an inclusive and a democratic constitution, we shall continue to work with you and support the people and the government in an effort to bring honour and pride to Ekiti State”.

    Ondo APC also acknowledged Fayemi’s sterling performance since assumption of office as noteworthy and praiseworthy, urging him not to relent.

    It said” Our party’s victory in Ekiti State in the last poll is an affirmation of the level of confidence the Ekiti people repose in you. It is a testimony to the high level of hope your people placed on you for the redemption of the lost glory of Ekiti State.

  • Behave as a statesman, Ondo APC urges Olanusi

    ONDO State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday denied the allegation by former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, that President Muhammadu Buhari lost in the state due to its leaders’ anti-party activities.

    Olanusi, at a forum of the Concerned APC leaders in Akure, the state capital on Tuesday, accused Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of compromising the election because of the National Working Committee’s (NWC) decision to endorse three incumbent senators as automatic candidates.

    He said this prompted the governor’s alleged sponsoring of opposition Action Alliance (AA) candidates.

    A statement by APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said the former deputy governor has never been on the same page with the party leadership, stressing that he could not be competent to comment on the party’s affairs.

    Besides, the party faulted the claim that the governor allegedly diverted the fund disbursed to Ondo State by the national leadership of the party for the 2019 general election to finance AA candidates.

    It said: “With these statements, Olanusi’s group had brought to fore their secret apathy against Akeredolu, who refused to do their biddings. We should be reminded that Olanusi claimed huge amount from the present APC-led government in Ondo State to offset his accumulated salary arrears over his removal from office by the previous administration.

    Read also; APC will reclaim all ‘stolen’ mandates

    “He refused to acknowledge the governor’s quick response to his plight. Rather, he countered the effort with contempt. When he demanded for more money and was denied, he became dissatisfied and turned himself into a critic of the APC’s government he claimed to be its Board of Trustees (BoT) member at the national level.

    “We have it on record that he is planning ahead of the 2020 to present an unpopular governorship candidate for election in the state, but he doesn’t have to heat up the polity over such clandestine moves that will die on arrival.”

    The statement emphasised that the party leadership in the state would not succumb to the group’s cheap blackmail and lies.

    It said: “We are advising Olanusi and his group to desist from constituting themselves as enemies of the party they claimed to belong. The former deputy governor particularly should behave as a true statesman and member of APC’s Trustee.”

     

  • Ondo APC to Olanusi: behave like a statesman

    The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) on Thursday denied the allegation by former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi that President Muhammadu Buhari lost in Ondo state due to the anti-party activities of the leadership of the ruling party.

    Olanusi at a forum of the Concerned APC leaders in Akure, the state capital on Tuesday accused Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of compromising the election because of the NWC’s decision to endorse the three incumbent Senators as automatic candidates, which prompted his alleged sponsoring of opposition Action Alliance(AA) candidates.

    A statement by APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro said the former deputy governor has never been on the same page with the party leadership in the state, stressing that he is not competent to comment on the affairs of the party in the state.

    Besides, the party faulted the claim that the governor allegedly diverted the fund disbursed to Ondo state by the national leadership of the party for the 2019 general election and financed AA candidates in the state.

    It said” With these statements, Olanusi’s group had brought to fore their secret apathy against Akeredolu who refused to do their biddings. We should be reminded that Olanusi claimed huge amount from the present APC-led government in Ondo State to offset his accumulated salary arrears over his removal from office by the previous administration.

    Read Also: ‘How Buhari lost in Ondo’

    “He refused to acknowledge the governor’s quick response to his plight, rather, he countered the effort with contempt. When he demanded for more money and was denied, he became dissatisfied and turned himself into a critic of the APC’s government,he claimed to be its Board of Trustees (BoT) member at the national level.

    ” We have it on record that he is planning ahead of the 2020 to present an unpopular governorship candidate for election in the state,but he doesn’t have to heat up the polity over such clandestine moves that will die on arrival”

    The statement emphasised that the party leadership in the state would not succumb to the group’s cheap blackmail and lies flying around.

    It said “We are advising Olanusi and his group to desist from constituting themselves as enemies of the party they claimed to belong.The former deputy governor particularly should behave as a true statesman and member, APC’s Trustee.

  • Court wades into Ondo APC primary crisis

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) lawmaker representing Akoko Southeast/West in the House of Representatives, Kolawole Babatunde has dragged the candidate of the party in the area, Ade Adeogun to the Federal High Court sitting in Akure.

    Babatunde is challenging the inclusion of his name on the result sheet of the party’s primary election held late last year.

    Other defendants are APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, Ondo state Chairman, Ade Adetimehin and INEC.

    Counsel to the plaintiff, John Adanike maintained that there was no reason for his client’s name to be included in the list, alleging that APC held no primary election for the House of Representatives aspirants across the state.

    Speaking with reporters, Babatunde said he was challenging the list to safeguard his reputation and future political career, noting that the score allotted to him in the list was forged.

    Kolawole wondered where the figure emanated from, and described the attempt as a way of rubbishing his name and his future political career.

    Counsels to the defendants, Henry Akingbesote, and Oluwafemi Kuku prayed the court to step down the notice of motion, pointing out that pre-election matter must be raised within only fourteen days.

    In his ruling, the Presiding Judge, Justice Abdul Dogo said objection could be raised based on ‘ statue barred’ as provided by sub-section eight of Nigeria constitution.

    Justice Dogo thereafter adjourned the case to March 14 for ruling and other considerations for the applications.

  • Ondo APC laments loss of two seats

    The Presidential Campaign Council has congratulated the senator representing Ondo North, Ajayi Boroffice, on his re-election into the National Assembly. It also congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives members-elect in Odigbo/Ileoluji-Oke-Igbo, Mayo Akinfolarin, Owo/Ose, Otunba Timehin Adelegbe, Akoko South-West/South-East, Ade Adeogun, and Akoko North-West/North-East, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, for their victory at the polls. The council said they withstood anti-party activities of aggrieved members.

    In a statement by a member of the council, Abayomi Adesanya, it said: “It is so unfortunate that we lost two of our Senatorial seats to the opposition, especially, Ondo South.

    “Senator, Yele Omogunwa and some notuable leaders did everything humanly possible to dismantle the evil scourge of Anti-Party activity on the directives of the Governor and his Deputy given to all his political appointees, especially the Local Government Area Councils Caretaker Committee, Commissioners and Advisers to work for the candidate of the Action Alliance(AA), as against the party’s candidate, Senator Yele Omogunwa. “Even, in several units Governor,  Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and  his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, worked against the party and members who refused to carryout their order.

    “This sacrilegious directive, was the major reason we lost the Presidential Election in Ondo State. Our people were confused. No Campaign structure or itinerary by the Party for its candidates. The Party Executives at all levels were helpless, docile and moribund.

    “On behalf of the major stakeholders,  loyal Party men and women, we sincerely want to appreciate the rescue mission of Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN), Amb. Sola Iji, H.E. Ali Olanusi and a host of others who worked tirelessly for our Party, but for them, it would have been a ‘tsunami’ defeat.

    “We therefore, call on the National Leadership of the Party to investigate this Anti-Party activities by some members/leaders in Ondo State – APC, and sanction accordingly any erring member, no matter his status.

  • Ondo APC celebrates in grand style

    Members and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the three senatorial districts of Ondo State trooped out yesterday to celebrate the victory of the party and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The celebration took place simultaneously at the state secretariat of the party on Oyemekun Road, Akure, the state capital, in the Central senatorial district, and in Owo, in the Northern senatorial district of the state. Members in the South senatorial district converged on Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area to celebrate the President’s victory.

    At the locations, the party served members food and drinks while the funfair was also opened to all lovers of the party and the President.

    Although the APC lost the election in the state, but the people said they were committed to the success of the Buhari administration. They noted that the state had shown commitment by kicking away the odds and local sentiments to secure the result the party recorded.

    The State APC Chairman Ade Adetimehin said the party had learnt its lessons from its loss in last Saturday’s elections.

    He said: “We have learnt our lessons; we will bounce back better after we must have put our house in order. We are for President Buhari here and we can’t change overnight. That notwithstanding, we showed so much commitment to the re-election of Mr. President.

    “Our story is simple though unfortunate. We are ready to go back to the drawing board. Our commitment is unshakable, our loyalty is unalloyed. Under the leadership of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, we are core Buharists. Our painful loss in last Saturday’s elections has been rubbed off by the victory of President Buhari.”

    Adetimehin said the N-Power scheme, TraderMoni and other life-touching interventions of the President would be taken to the Next Level with maximum attention to touching more lives.

    He said the state will soon benefit from the massive infrastructural development which will lead to the passing of a railway through Akure and other areas.

    In Owo, the party’s leaders and supporters trooped out on the streets, singing victory songs.

    Owo is the home of Governor Akeredolu.

    The party won the local government for the President in the last election.

    One of the prominent leaders of the party, Alex Ajipe said: “We are celebrating here today in Owo because our voices merged with those of our people across the federation. Don’t forget that President Buhari won in this local government. We are not unmindful of the unfortunate result recorded in the state, where the President lost.

    “But our people must understand the underlying factors that led to the loss of Mr. President in Ondo State. Apart from the fact that last Saturday’s elections were full of surprises across the country, the post-primary issue was a big factor.

    “Our party under the leadership of Governor Akeredolu will continue to support President Buhari and build APC in the state. We are indivisible in our further engagements.

    “We are sure that President Buhari will continue his good work and provide succour to the people of the country. We are resolute in our determination to continue to do all it takes for the success of the APC in future elections.”

    In the South, the Ondo State Oli Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) Chairman Gbenga Edema said the party members were happy over the re-election of President Buhari.

    According to him, the journey with the President in the next four years will be for a new level with progress in every programme and policy of the administration to ensure life-impacting effects.

  • Ondo APC seeks approval for deep sea port

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the State Deep Sea Port project, describing it as key to the state’s economic transformation.

    The party also sought the president’s intervention on projects, such as as the dualisation of the Akure/Ondo/Ore Road, the Akure/Owo/Ikare Road, and the coastal road which links Araromi to Lekki, Lagos State.

    It also craved presidential blessing for the Cassava to Ethanol project at Okelusi, sponsored by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ondo State government.

    A statement by the Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, said President Buhari’s visit will encourage members ahead of the general elections.

    According to him, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and party chairman Ade Adetimehin, as well as other leaders and members, were eager to receive the president.

  • Ondo APC hails PDP leaders for defections

    The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for defecting to the ruling party in the last few weeks.

    The Ondo APC said the action of the defectors showed they were politically savvy and conversant with the signs of the time.

    A statement by its spokesman Alex Kalejaye said the decision of the former PDP members to join the ruling party was informed by two major factors, including the laudable achievements of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in less than two years in office.

    He said: “The performance of the APC-led government in Ondo State has made nonsense of all that was achieved in the years of the holocaust.

    “The governor has proved that so much could be achieved in building infrastructure and agriculture without compromising the welfare of the people where there is a will and good management of scarce funds.

    “The other factor bothers, pitiably, on the steady decline in the fortunes of the PDP in Ondo State.

    “The recent mega rally, in which barely over 1,000 genuine members were in attendance, attests to the fact that the PDP is no longer a threat in Ondo State.

    “It is an indication that the party has lost whatever remains of its influence in Ondo State, where it left tears and sorrow in its trail.”

    The party assured the citizenry that the development strides of the current administration would be sustainable, adding that no part of the state would be left out.

  • Ondo APC gets peace, reconciliation committee

    The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated a Peace and Reconciliation Committee.

    The State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, who inaugurated the 15-man committee, urged the members to ensure that every aggrieved party member was pacified.

    He said: “You have been carefully selected. I charge you to represent the party well and justify the confidence reposed in you.

    “You are not going to judge anyone but to interact with the members, listen to them, write and submit a report to us based on what you meet on the field.”

    Read also: United Capital releases 2019 economic outlook

    The committee, which is decentralised into senatorial districts, has a week to submit its report to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu through the state chairman.

    On behalf of the committee, the Ondo Central Chairman, Prince Olu Adegboro, emphasised Akeredolu’s commitment to the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He hailed the governor for supporting efforts at ensuring peace and unity within the party, particularly in the state.

    Adegboro said: “Let me assure Mr. Governor and the action chairman that we, as a committee, will do our very best within this very short time. We will not disappoint all the stakeholders.”

     

  • Ondo APC: A divided house

    As preparations for the general elections enter top gear in Ondo State, there are fears that anti-party activities may mar the chances of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the contest. DAMISI OJO, who has been following the crisis, reports.

    FROM all indications, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State appears to be at war with itself. The party is being torn apart at the seams, owing to the disagreement arising from the recent congresses and primary in readiness for the general elections.

    The disagreement has been shaking the party to its foundation. The crack is gargantuan and only providence can turn things around and enable the party to make the desired impact in the election.

    The crack within the party started prior to the 2016 governorship primary, with unexpected emergence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as its candidate for the 2016 election. The crisis compelled some party chieftains to leave the fold in their bid to realize their ambition on the ticket of of other political platforms.

    Though its chairman, Ade Adetimehin, has repeatedly denied that there is division in Ondo APC, observers say the crack is growing bigger, because the differences appear irreconcilable.

    Shortly after the 2016 governorship primary, which is still being contested at the Federal High Court in Abuja, things fell apart within the party. The runner-up in the shadow election, Segun Abraham, rejected the result; a development that was also faulted by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    The then National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, threw his weight behind Akeredolu who eventually emerged as the governor. Since then, the ruling party has been fragmented into various groups, including the Aketi team, the Abraham group, the Boroffice camp and others.

    Only the Aketi team is visible within the administration. Other groups appear to be working against the success of the governor and, as such, the administration has continued to alienate all of them.

    It was against this background that the party conducted parallel congresses. During the exercise, some party loyalists and journalists who covered the event were attacked.

    The process resulted in Idowu Otetubi declaring himself chairman. It took the intervention of the court, which ruled in favour of Mr Ade Adetimehin, to restore order within the state exco.

    What appeared to be the last straw that broke the camels’ back, for the Ondo APC, were the recent party primaries. The government in power in Akure, the state capital, wanted all its sponsored candidates to pick up the available tickets, but the National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja was inclined to compensate some loyal representatives, especially the three senators; Prof Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo North), Chief Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central) and Pastor Yele Omogunwa (Ondo South).

    The development, observers noted, scuttled the political calculation of Governor Akeredolu, who had allegedly ratified Dr Tunji Abayomi as senatorial flag bearer for Ondo North, Chief Tayo Alasoadura for Ondo Central and Lucky Ayedatiwa for the South senatorial district.

    The calculation eventually failed with the insistence of the NWC that the three incumbent senators should fly the party’s flag at the election.

    This development sparked a row between the national leadership and state executive. It led to the defection of many aspiring candidates loyal to Akeredolu, especially Dr Abayomi and others who have since secured the ticket of another party, the Action Alliance (AA) to realise their senatorial ambition.

    For now, the present development, it was learnt, has even brought a division within members of Akeredolu’s cabinet. Some of them were against the alleged move by Governor Akeredolu to back those contesting one position or the other on the platform of the AA.

    Apart from Abayomi, the likes of Dr Julius Feldar (Ondo South), Stephen Olemija (Akoko Northeast/Northwest and Victor Ategbole (Akoko Southwest/Southeast who were formerly of the APC are also going to fly AA flags during the election.

    The state exco members, sources said, are deeply divided on the issue. While some insist that they would back APC candidates, others have resolved to align with AA candidates who are allegedly being sponsored by Governor Akeredolu.

    However, the Commissioner for Information, Yemi Olowolabi, has debunked the allegation that Governor Akeredolu is supporting his perceived loyalists contesting on the AA platform. He said the governor is a die-hard supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari and would do everything possible to ensure his success at the polls.

    The allegation is already creating confusion in the ruling party. Last week, it was learnt that some political hoodlums who claimed to be sponsored by some top government officials invaded Oruun Ward II, Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast Local Government and disorganised the meeting hosted by Buhari/Osinbajo campaign group.

    The meeting was convened to appreciate members, especially women and elderly in the ward, and to mobilise for Buhari/Osinbajo and Boroffice’s victory.

    The APC leader in the local government, Rafiu Arole, said the thugs who claimed to be working for the AA candidates in Ondo North and Akoko division came with offensive weapons to disorganise the APC’s meeting.

    He said: “They dismantled our banners and tents erected by our campaign group,many of our members, especially women were injured during the attack.”

    Arole added that the hoodlums threatened not to allow APC members to campaign for their candidates. He said the matter was quickly reported at the Area Command, Ikare-Akoko, and that the Area Commander, Alhaji Rauf Razak, promised to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.

    Various campaign groups are springing up daily in the state within the APC to work for the victory of President Buhari. It includes those being financed by Togo Envoy, Sola Iji, the one led by Chief Diran Iyantan and many others.

    Observers say any division in the ruling party at this particular time may not augur well for Buhari’s re-election bid, as well as those of other candidates on the ticket of the ruling party.

    However, the APC chairman said all is well with the ruling party in the state. said there is no division within the party and that it set for landslide victory at the polls next month.