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Tag: Ondo state

  • APC will not manipulate Ondo guber primary – Chairman

    APC will not manipulate Ondo guber primary – Chairman

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Ondo State, Chief Isaac Kekemeke, says the party will not manipulate the process of the Aug. 27 governorship primary in the state.

    Kekemeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure on Tuesday that the electoral process would be “free and fair.’’

    NAN reports that 23 governorship aspirants will participate in the primary with over 3000 delegates.

    “As far as the forthcoming governorship primary in Ondo State is concerned, there is no basis for manipulation and there will be no imposition of candidate.

    “It is the delegates (voters) that will speak and whoever the delegates pick becomes the candidate of the party.

    “As the chairman of the party in Ondo State, I have no specific role to play in the conduct of the primary,’’ he said.

    The chairman said the primary would be conducted by the leadership of the party at the national level without bias.

    “I know that the leadership of our great party at the national level has put in place mechanism to ensure free and fair conduct of the governorship primary on Saturday, Aug. 27,’’ Kekemeke said.

    He described the current disaffection within the state chapter of the party as “family affair’’ that would be resolved within the family.

    He said that the party had commenced the process of reconciling aggrieved members to form a formidable party aimed at defeating the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state at the Nov. 26 Governorship Election.

    “We have started working as a team toward routing PDP out of power in Ondo State comes Nov. 26.

    “Although, we are not ruling out having moles amongst us, but APC as a party, has what it takes to deal with such situation,’’ the chairman said.

    Kekemeke assured the people of Ondo State that APC government in the state would complement the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to deliver on the dividends of democracy to the people.

  • Ondo guber: Tinubu, Akande have no anointed candidate – Boroffice

    Ondo guber: Tinubu, Akande have no anointed candidate – Boroffice

    The Senator representing Ondo North senatorial district, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State to disregard the rumours on purported endorsement of any of the 25 governorship aspirants of the party by its national leadership.

    A statement in Akure, the state capital by his media aide, Kayode Adeniyi, described the rumor on endorsement as needless distraction that will never aid its promoters.

    He urged the over 3,000 delegates in the party to remain vigilant and steadfast as some desperate politicians may have ignited the rumor in an attempt to derail the focus of the party on free, fair, credible and transparent primary election.

    Boroffice said he got assurances from the APC National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former interim National chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and  party leaders in the Southwest geopolitical zone that there is nothing like anointed aspirant or endorsement as far as the governorship primary election of the party is concerned.

    The Asiwaju of Akokoland said: “As an aspirant and democrat, I have had intimate interactions and engagements with party delegates over the years.

    “The support I enjoy from them is reassuring. No distraction, whether calculated or accidental, can derail our focus on August 27, the scheduled date for primary election. My supporters and I are ready to participate and win.”
    He urged the party loyalists to comport themselves and ensure that the desired change in governance needed in the state is realised from February next year.

  • Ondo APC denies imposition of candidate

    Ondo APC denies imposition of candidate

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has denied the imposition of one of the Aspirants as candidate for the November 26 gubernatorial poll.

    There was an allegation that an entrepreneur, Segun Abraham is being picked by the National Leadership of the APC as the candidate.

    The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya said the opposition party would conduct a transparent primary election for the twenty-five aspirants that have shown interest in the party’s ticket.

    He stressed that over 3,000 delegates among the party leaders would participate in the conduct of the election where the party’s main flag-bearer would emerge.

    According to him, “The people of Ondo State should have patience with us, as this could be the handwork of our opposition in the State.

    “The leaders of the All Progressives Congress have not imposed anybody on the party and there is definitely no room for such because everybody is preparing for the primary election.

    “Just as the leaders have reiterated, we [APC] in Ondo State are going to conduct a credible primary election where our candidate would emerge and its process shall be transparent and credible,”

    He urged the party supporters to remain united in order to wrest power from the present Mimiko’s which he accused of low performance.

  • Why I lost 2012 governorship election – Oke

    Why I lost 2012 governorship election – Oke

    A governorship aspirant for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state, Chief Olusola Oke said Monday that whether or not he is given the mandate to fly the party’s ticket, he will work for the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November election.

    Oke also said he lost the 2012 governorship election in the state to irregularities which include the availability of about 120,000 fake voters which he said was proven at the Supreme Court.

    Speaking after obtaining his nomination form at the APC secretariat on Monday,  he said every indices on ground in the state suggests that the people of the state were eagerly waiting for the APC to redeem it from the clutches of oppression which they have been subjected to in the last eight years.

    He dismiss believe that the deluge of aspirants in the party was dividing the party, saying “Our party is very lucky to have so many aspirants in Ondo state. As the last count, about 18 have so far collected the nomination form and I am aware that many others are coming. That is a lot of lesion for our party and it shows that those desiring change in Ondo state are very many and the voices are very loud.”

    He said further that “Ondo state has no reason to be where it is today. We have the longest coast line, the richest forestry in Nigeria, the richest mineral resources, the bitumen is second to the largest in the world, we are oil producing and we have all mineral resources.

    “The Human Resources is in abundance. Ondo state therefore has no reason to be poor. Unfortunately, in the last seven years, we have been misruled and misguided by a leadership without vision, direction or mission. The consequence of this is that the cherished value of unity, inter girth and pride has been lost.

    “My mission is to arrest the drift and turn around our economy which used to be a civil service economy. Even the civil service has no capacity anymore to service the economy with six months salaries unpaid. This translates to an economy that is totally castrated.

    “I believe that the many projects in Ondo state which has been abandoned, if turned around will transform economy of the state. A tidal example is the Olokola project which has been abandoned, the cassava processing factory, and many others. My mission immediately revives these projects and completes them so that we can diversify our economy.”

    He accused the Mimiko government of abandoning the road map of development initiated by previous administrations in the state, beginning from Chief Ajasin to Adefarati and Agagu have all been abandoned. I intend to revive this road map to ensure that education which used to be our pride is revived. Today, Ondo state has lost its pride of place in education.
    He said further that “In 2009, when Dr Olusegun Agagu was leaving the saddle of power, he N38 billion in the coffer of Ondo state which was unprecedented anywhere in Nigeria. Today,we are down with N108 billion indebtedness. It takes a man of vision, a man that has the grace of God and the fear of God to be able to pilot the affairs of Ondo state.

    “I want to create the enabling environment that can attract private investors to Ondo state end you cannot do that without infrastructure. We will also engender a policy that will create wealth for our people so that we can lost those values we have lost.

    “The people of Ondo state are looking up to APC because it is the only hope for the people because they cannot trust the leadership of a party that has held them hostage for eight years running.

    “In 2012, about 120,000 illegal voters were in the voters register and this was proven at the Supreme Court. The election was characterized by a lot of unfairness and the people of Ondo state are wiser for it.

    “I told them that this government will impoverish them and will not do anything during the second term and the testimonies are very clear for everybody. What us standing between me and the government house is the ticket of APC. Once I get the ticket, I am governor of Ondo state”.

    Asked if he will work for any candidate who emerged winner if he failed to secure the ticket, Oke said “I believe that I am the best candidate in the race. As a Christian, I have heard that power belongs to God and He gives it to whom He pleases. If at the end of the day the delegates takes a decision and it is not me, I will work for the APC.”

    On cases of inconclusive elections in recent times, he said “I am aware of the provisions of the electoral act that states that where an election has been conducted and there remain units where votes did not take place and the number of registered voters in that unit are such that may affect the outcome of the election if they had voted, the election should be inconclusive and that what is guiding INEC in their decisions.

    “I am not expecting such to happen in Ondo state, but if it happens, the law will prevail. But I am not praying for inconclusive election because it can be very frustrating and very challenging. But that is the law at the moment, until it is amended; we have to play it according to the law.”

  • Ondo Poll: SDP to hold primary August 20

    Ondo Poll: SDP to hold primary August 20

    Ahead of November 26, governorship election in Ondo State, Social Democratic Party (SDP) Friday announced August 20, for the conduct of its primary election.

    This contained in a statement issued and signed by the party Secretary, Hon. Oladele Ogunbameru.

    Two aspirants, a former Minister for Power and Steel, Dr. Olu Agunloye and a legal practitioner, Bar. Pius Daodu are jostling for the ticket.

    The party said aspirants are expected to pay a total sum of N2million to obtain their expression of interest form each.

    It added that each of the aspirants is also expected to pay N500, 000 for party development and administrative fee, while N5million nomination forms.

    The party however said it prepares for the poll and also looking toward producing the best candidate.

     

  • Ondo: APC aspirant warns electorate on Mimiko political antics

    Ondo: APC aspirant warns electorate on Mimiko political antics

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Mr. Niyi Adegbonmire SAN on Thursday warned the people of the state not to fall for the political antics of the state governor Olusegun Mimiko ahead of the November 26, gubernatorial poll.
    Adegbonmire alleged that the governor had embarked on campaign of calumny by blaming the current hardship in the state on President Muhammdu Buhari, whereas Mimiko mismanagement’s attitude had been the bane for this.
    The aspirant spoke with reporters, at his party secretariat in Akure, the state capital, shortly after submitting his letter of intent and also paid his N2million developmental levy ahead of the party primary.
    The lawyer faulted Mimiko on his recent programme tagged “Eto Igbe Ayo” where bags of rice and beans are distributed to the people in Ikare Akoko in Akoko North East local government on the ground of reducing hunger in the state.
    He noted that despite that it is not a bad idea for people who are more blessed by God to assist the less privileged, he believes the plot by Mimiko to be distributing rice for the people at this critical political stage was to lure the electorate to vote for his party.
    Adegbonmire, who was the son of the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), late Wumi Adegbonmire further said: “the people should have asked the governor where he got that money from to buy the rice and beans at a time he is battling to pay his workers five months salaries, workers at the two tertiary institutions are on strike, and no infrastructural projects are going on?”
    The aspirants urged the people to learn from their neigbouring state where the political antics of their governor is to be distributing food stuffs, claiming there was no money to pay the workers but later discovered that he was allegedly keeping some huge amount of money in his accounts.
    On his ambition, Adegbonmire said he was in the race to give to the State the best needed change that the people of Ondo State had been yearning for in terms of good governance.
    He commended the Party leaders across the 18 local governments for their tolerance and continued efforts at building a virile Party in the State in spite of economics hardship imposed upon the people by the present administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko led government.
    He urged the leaders to provide a level playing ground for all the contestants through which a popular candidate could emerge.
    He said his administration, if given the mandate would focus on good governance by putting in place a mechanism, in line with the Party manifesto and constitution to give succours to the people at grassroots and also ensuring equal allocation and distribution of wealth
  • Ondo Varsity lecturers begin indefinite strike

    Ondo Varsity lecturers begin indefinite strike

    Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State Chapter on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike following the non-payment of their three months non remittance of deductions for seven months

    A statement issued and signed by their ASUU Chairman, Dr. Sola Fayose, shortly after their congress asked the members to withdraw their services immediately.

    The statement reads, “Following past engagements on the issues of salary and deduction payments, particularly the resolutions of the Congress meeting of 15th June, 2016, conveying the displeasure of our members on the issues of salary and deduction payments, the Congress of ASUU-AAUA met today, 4th July, 2016, to get feedbacks on the consultations the branch initiated with the national on its request to allow members withdraw their services following three months outstanding salaries and non-remittance of deductions for seven months.

    Congress was informed of the approval of national to allow members of ASUU-AAUA withdraw their services until all outstanding salaries three months and deductions seven months are fully paid.

    “All members are, therefore, directed to withdrawn their services with immediate effect. This withdrawal affects all formal engagements/activities.

    “Having waited in vain these past months to see a positive turning around, we are left with no other choice than this last resort, as our members have been systematically, financially, psychologically and morally disempowered.

    “It is hoped that these issues would be resolved soon to allow us effectively resume the performance of our services to the University.”

  • Two killed as cultists clashed in Ondo

    A carnival organised by some youths in Ondo town, Ondo State on Monday turned bloody as two persons reportedly lost their lives while several others injured.

    One of the victims killed was identified as Afusat Ayodeji but as at the time of filing this report, the identity of remaining one still unknown.

    Crisis was said to have broken out at Kogbona Street where the event was held in the town between two rival cult groups.

    It was learnt that some of the people injured are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in the town while the remains of those killed had been deposited at the Ondo General Hospital morgue.

    The Nation learnt that the event turned to free for all when a rival cultist group stormed the event in search of one of their opponent, who is a member of the youths who organised the carnival.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums allegedly shot into the crowd, who had worn branded vests preparing to dance round the town.

    At the process, two persons were allegedly hit by stray bullets, while others sustained severe injuries.

    It took the intervention of the police before normalcy was returned to the town.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Enuowa Police Station in Ondo State, Kunle Omisakin confirmed the incident.

    He also informed that two persons have been arrested in connection to the mayhem.

    He however added that the case had been transfered to the appropriate section at the police command headquarters in Akure, the state capital for further investigation.

  • Ondo workers suspend one month strike

    One month after embarking on an indefinite industrial action, organised labour leaders in Ondo State on Thursday evening suspended their strike.

    The workers down tools following the failure of the government to pay them their six months salaries.

    The decision to put the strike on hold was taking on the last fourth-day of the extensive deliberations between the unions and the government, held at the Government Cocoa Conference Hall in Akure, the state capital.

    At the meetings, the government is always represented by the Head of Service (HoS), Bar. Toyin Akinkuotu, Commissioner for Finance, Yele Ogundipe, Attonery-General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matter, Mr. Dayo Fadahunsi.

    On the workers’ side, they are being represented by the Chairmen, Joint Negotiating Committee, Oluwole Adeleye, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bosede Daramola, Trade Union Congress, Soladoye Ekundayo, while the State Controller, Federal Ministry of Labour, Mr. O.M Folayan served as the mediator.

    On the fourth day of the meeting, the unions and the government finally agreed to pay the salaries according to the available fund.

    A copy of the resolutions taking in the meeting and signed by the names mentioned above, reads, “that January 2016 salary be immediately paid in full to all staff in mainstream, Parastatals, HMB, TESCOM and State Pensioners while all local government staff and primary school teachers including their pensioners be paid February 2016 in full.

    “That in addition to above, March 2016 salary be immediately paid in full to primary school teachers and local government staff on level 1-10 in view of the fact that the available funds cannot pay all categories of workers at that sector.

    “That February 2016 salary be further paid in full to health workers in HMB; that Judiciary workers be paid two months’ salary January and February 2016 in full; that the State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) be paid February to April in full.

    “That all outstanding arrears of salaries and pensions be offset as a matter of priority from refunds and reimbursement embloc; that subsequent salaries should be met as number one priority from Internal Generated Revenue (IGR), statutory allocations, budget support, loans, refunds, and reimbursement.

    “That government should agree in principle to buyback all outstanding corporate/individual loans of workers on compilation of details by labour.

    “In view of this, a seven-man committee has been constituted comprising representatives of the organised Labour and government to negotiate with the affected banks.

    “That government should set up efforts efforts towards increasing its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to complement its dwindling allocations from federation accounts as a way of meeting its financial obligations, especially in prompt salary payment.

    “That no worker should be victimized, retrenched or retired on account of any of the strike action and government should progressively interface with the organised labour regarding the implementation of of this agreement and other matters incidental thereto.”

  • Boroffice berates Mimiko for funding Ondo PDP, forsaking striking workers

    Boroffice berates Mimiko for funding Ondo PDP, forsaking striking workers

    The senator representing Ondo North senatorial district, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice has berated the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko for disbursing huge state funds to‎ the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State at a time the indefinite strike embarked upon by workers is taking severe tolls on the people and economy of the State.
    He alleged that the money was reportedly disbursed to the PDP to enable it kickstart a well-orchestrated rigging plot ahead of the forthcoming governorship election by mobilising unqualified persons and political thugs for the ongoing continuous registration exercise and by extension seeking to manipulate the voters’ register.
    In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Kayode Adeniyi, the senator also accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko of personally coordinating the bleeding of state partly-owned company, Owena Oil and Gas Ltd to death for selfish reasons.
    The APC Chieftain described the action of the government as irresponsible and callous, challenging Governor Olusegun Mimiko to come out clean on the finances of the State.
    “The recent disclosure by Governor Olusegun Mimiko that the government has only N3.4 billion in its coffers is ‎the clearest sign in recent times that the state government has perpetuated a culture of wasteful spending in the last 7 years.
    “It is instructive to note that many states including Borno State had never owed salaries. Despite National economic challenges and Boko Haram insurgency, Borno State that is not an oil producing state has managed to fulfil its obligations to workers. Therefore, there is no acceptable justification for the continued delay of workers’ salaries by the Mimiko-led administration in Ondo State.
    “The trite claim by the government that it pays 3.9 billion on monthly wage bill can only suggest an institutionalised fraud. It is on record that government has not done any major recruitment since 2009. The Ondo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) recruitment scam is still fresh in the memories of our people. How is the government expending the bogus sum of 3.9 billion every month? What percentage of this sum is voted to the personal security and the political appointees of the governor?
    “Meanwhile, the Mimiko-led administration is the architect of the hardship that is presently ravaging our state. This is a government that has been shouting improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). This is a government that gets Oil derivation funds regularly. This is an administration that inherited over N30billion from the government it succeeded in 2009.
    “The Mimiko-led administration should tell the people how itmisappropriated over N50billion worth of assets and cash owned by ‎Owena Oil and Gas Ltd. The governor should consider it a matter urgent importance to address the people of Ondo State on how he has expended these funds.
    “I am confident that if the Mimiko-led administration had allowed the oil company to perform in accordance to its founding ‎visions as conceived by Late Governor Adebayo Adefarati, the state would have been able to comfortably pay workers’ salaries and meet other financial obligations.
    “The Mimiko-led adminstration cannot continue to blame the federal government that gave our debt-ridden state lifeline and still willing to offer economic aid. The state government cannot continue to hide under non-existing capital projects. What are the capital projects? ‎Where are the capital projects?
    “Finally, it is beyond imagination that a government can starve its workers while spending huge state funds on political activities. That is utterly callous. It is clear that the irresponsible administration in Ondo State has outlived its essences,” the statement read.