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Tag: ONDO

  • Day Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, others united for Buhari in Ondo

    Day Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, others united for Buhari in Ondo

    A huge crowd of supporters welcomed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his campaign team to Akure, the Ondo State capital. DAMISI OJO and LEKE AKEREDOLU report.

    In the History of Ondo State, January 24,2015 would remain indelible in the minds of many people.

    That day, racial discrimination was totally put on hold as Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and other tribes welcomed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, (SAN), to Akure, the state capital.

    In the annals of political campaigns and rallies in Ondo State,it was a special day as the 5000 capacity crowd Democracy Park could not contain the surging crowd.

    Many hanged on the veranda of adjoining buildings to catch a glimpse on the former Head of State.

    In spite of the late arrival of the visitors,anxious party members and supporters waited patiently till around 4.30 pm when the campaign train hit the Democracy park like the biblical triumphant entry.

    Security operatives had a hectic time in controlling the crowd. People were shouting ‘sai Buhari’, waving their brooms and dancing to the tunes of Saidi Osupa and his band boys.

    The crowd defied the scorching sun food and drink vendors made brisk business.

    Before the arrival of Gen Buhari and his entourage from Ado-Ekiti, the APC National Leader and former Lagos State Governor had arrived earlier to cheer up the excited crowd who had waited anxiously for more than eight hours.

    They later came in a long convoy Gen Muhammadu Buhari,Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and other party leaders.

    The APC leaders flayed the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and urged Nigerians to vote out the party, which they said, represents corruption and maladministration in the February general elections.

    They noted that the PDP government has brought untold hardship to Nigerians and assured that the APC would bring about change.

    Tinubu who addressed the APC supporters at the Democracy Park, Akure said the party presented Buhari as its candidate to fight corruption, stressing that the former Head of State is not too old to rule the country as being insinuated by the PDP.

    Tinubu mentioned some prominent world leaders, including the late Dr Nelson Mandela, former President of South-Africa who ruled their countries in their old age. He said age has nothing to do with efficiency and leadership.

    The APC National Leader recalled that former Ondo State Governor, Adekunle Ajasin ruled at over 70 years. He said the legacies of his administration are reference points for successive administrations.

    He said: “Leaders who ruled their countries and liberated them ruled at old age. nelson Mandela ruled South Africa at over 70 years. The man who liberated the United States of America ruled the country at over 70 years, so, if we are presenting Buhari, a 72 year old man to liberate us in Nigeria, it is not a sin.”

    Tinubu who described the APC campaign as “common sense revolution”, described Buhari as a brilliant, intelligent, brave and honest person, who has solution to the problems confronting the country.

    He challenged President Goodluck Jonathan to present his score card for the last six years. He asked him to show the refinery he promised to build in Ondo state when he was canvassing for votes four years ago.

    The former governor maintained that Nigeria needed a courageous man like Buhari to conquer terror, adding that the current administration has failed woefully in all sectors of the economy.

    Buhari said that the PDP has killed the economy through corruption and maladministration, adding that his government will restore the hope of the masses.

    The former Head of State promised he would end corruption and revive the economy. He promised to create jobs through farming and mining.

    The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun, and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State urged Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) and vote out the PDP.

    Aregbesola noted that Ondo State had been delivered from the captives of the oppressed with their support for the APC.

    Dignitaries at the event include former governors of Ekiti, Adeniyi Adebayo, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose (nee Ajasin), Abike Dabiri, Victor Olabimtan, Senator Olorunmbe Mamora, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, Oyewole Fasawe, Sola Iji, Niran Sule and Bola Ilori.

    Others include Isaac Kekemeke Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Ifedayo Abegunde, Ganny Dauda, Henry Bello, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Dr. Paul Akintelure, Adegboyega Adedipe, Ade Adetimehin,

    Others are Eni Omosule, Tayo Alasoadura, Benson Enikuomehin, Lebi Morayo, Gboyega Adedipe, Tunde Imolehin, Abayomi Adesanya, Charles Titiloye, Erelu Modupe Johnson- Akindele and Mrs Funmilayo Olaseinde-Vincet.

    Highlight of the rally was the defection of some PDP and Labour Party member (LP) to APC.

    Among them were Femi Agagu, former Chief of Staff to the former Governor Olusegun Agagu, and former Speakers of the Assembly, Hon, Victor Olabimtan and Taofik Abdusalam.

  • Ondo APC releases itinerary

    Ondo APC releases itinerary

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has rolled out its itinerary for campaigns in local governments, wards and towns.

    A statement by the Secretary, Media Committee, Charles Titiloye, said the campaign rallies would start on Wednesday, covering the 18 local government areas, including towns, villages and hamlet.

    It said all party candidates, officials and campaign committee members would be part of the train.

    Titiloye praised party supporters and residents for trooping out during the APC presidential rally in Akure on Saturday.

    He said the massive turnout  demonstrated their support for the party presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

  • Ondo bank robberies

    • The state should learn from Lagos and its neighbours in curbing this menace

    Once bitten, twice shy”. This best described the situation of the banks in Akure, the Ondo State capital, which hurriedly closed shop on Monday, following a rumour that armed robbers were planning to attack some banks in the town. A bank official said their bosses asked them to close operation for the day. “We don’t want what happened in Ikare-Akoko last week to happen to us, so, immediately my boss received the information, he ordered us to close for the day”, she said. Customers who were on their way to the banks were denied access even as those already inside were anxious to get out, to avoid being caught in any crossfire.

    Coming less than a week after armed robbers invaded three banks in Ikare- Akoko in Akoko East Local Government Area of the state, in which about 20 people were killed and an undisclosed amount of money carted away, the panic was understandable. According to reports, the armed robbers who attacked the banks on January 13 came in about four vehicles and blocked all routes leading to the area where the banks are located. They killed some people in the banks as well as gunned down five others in their bid to escape with their loot. They also reportedly killed at least three policemen at a nearby police station. Indeed, the entire town was taken by surprise and schools remained closed the second day because parents were afraid of releasing their children to go to school.

    Even though the police promptly responded to the robbery scare on Monday when alerted by the banks, patrolling the areas where the banks are sited in armoured personnel vehicle, the bandits appeared to have had a field day during their simultaneous operations in the three banks on January 13.  Sadly, this was not the first time such rumour would throw the state capital into panic. Last November, a similar rumour made the rounds in the town that armed robbers were planning to rob some banks. The banks hurriedly shut down.

    This kind of panic is not good for business because each time banks shut down abruptly, businesses suffer. Moreover, robbery and insecurity generally have remained a major issue in many parts of the country. Yet, provision of security is a basic responsibility of government. In Nigeria’s peculiar federalism, the Federal Government controls the Nigeria Police Force and people have questioned the effectiveness of this centralised police system. Unfortunately, the argument for state police has not gone down well with those in power at the centre. Yet, it is becoming obvious that the present arrangement is no longer adequate if truly the country is to have an effective policing system.

    In some states where there is relative security, like Lagos, the state government has invested heavily in security. Indeed, it has even set up a security trust fund through which it has been able to provide some essential gadgets for the state police command. Without doubt, this has helped the command tremendously in its efforts at combating crime. This is a template that some other state governments have adopted and it appears the best that can be done in the circumstance. The fact is that even though the Federal Government has the lion’s share of the country’s resources, it has not been able to provide adequately for the police force. So, state governments that want relative peace in their domain have also had to help the police either directly by way of funding or by providing the police with requisite tools.

    We can only hope the Ondo State Police Command would honour its promise to fish out the armed robbers with a view to making them pay for their crime. This is the least that is expected of them now.

  • Ondo PDP shuns Mimiko’s committee

    Ondo PDP shuns Mimiko’s committee

    Old members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State at the weekend vowed to shun any campaign rally organised by the Tokunbo Modupe-led presidential campaign committee in the state.

    The group also threatened to form a parallel campaign committee for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, if Modupe is not removed.

    The move by the old members had hindered efforts to integrate party members, following the defection of Governor Olusegun Mimiko from Labour Party (LP)  last October.

    The old PDP members held a stakeholders meeting in Akure, the state capital, at the weekend which was convened by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger-Delta Affairs and Chairman of Presidential Amnesty Programme,  Kingsley Kuku.

    Party members said it would be an insult to old members if the governor is made the South-West coordinator of the  campaign committee and another new member the state coordinator.

    In a communiqué by the governorship candidate in the 2012 election, Chief Olusola Oke, the group said Mimiko should replace Modupe with any old member.

    The group said it welcomes the governor and his supporters as they would add value to the party

    It, however, warned that it would not be in the party’s interest to have all positions controlled by newcomers.

    Oke who was supported by other Tayo Dairo, Kuku, Princess Oladunni Odu, Prince John Ola Mafo, Ebenezer Alabi and others regretted the defection of the members to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

  • 858,040 PVCs distributed in Ondo

    858,040 PVCs distributed in Ondo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said of the 1,317,497 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) sent to Ondo State, 858,040 have been collected.

    It added that the over 4,500 Smart Card Readers (SCRs) to be used at the 3,007 polling units had arrived in the state.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Olusegun Agbaje, said there is ongoing distribution of PVCs at the wards from 8:30am to 5.30 pm on Monday to Saturday and 2pm to 5pm on Sunday.

    Agbaje, analysing the number of those who collected their PVCs in each local government, said:” In Akoko North East, 36,269 have been collected of the 56,357 received by the council.

    “In Akoko North West, 53,258 were received but 38,480 had been distributed so far. In Akoko South East, 24,094 were received, 16,052 distributed.

    “In Akoko South West, 72,745 received, 48,535 distributed. Akure North, 49,285 received, 33,723 distributed. Akure South, 227,725 received, 132,612 distributed so far. In Ese-Odo, 51,237 received, 43,280 distributed.

    “Idanre, 57,497 received, 34,608 distributed so far, Ifedore, 52,865 received, 27,900 distributed. In Ilaje, 103,663 received, 99,674 distributed. Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, 55,172 received, 36,751. Irele, 49,603 received, 38,284 distributed.

    “Odigbo, 96,304 received, 56,384 distributed. In Okitipupa, 81,354 received, 50,995 distributed. Ondo East, 31,299 received, 17,544 distributed. Ondo West 120,790 received, 73,338 distributed. Ose, 47,500 received, 27,898 distributed and Owo, 86,749 received, 45,713 collected.”

  • Ondo monarch hails NDDC

    Ondo monarch hails NDDC

    The monarch of Ugbonla in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Henry Ogunfeyimi, has praised the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for “bringing life back” to his community.

    He spoke when the NDDC Managing Director, Bassey Dan-Abia, visited his palace at the weekend.

    The monarch said the NDDC had raised Ugbonla’s status and made it stand out as far as basic infrastructure was concerned.

    Ogunfeyimi said he was particularly impressed by the quality of the three-kilometre Ugbonla township road, which he said had become a model for other rural communities.

    “We thank the NDDC for giving us the necessary amenities that are now attracting our people to come back home. We are particularly grateful for the internal roads and the solar-powered street lights,” the monarch said.

    Dan-Abia told the monarch that he was on an inspection tour of the commission’s projects in Ilaje Local Government Area in compliance with a presidential directive.

  • ‘Nobody can underrate SDP in Ondo’

    ‘Nobody can underrate SDP in Ondo’

    Bamidele Oludare, a medical doctor, is the  Social Democratic Party(SDP) House of Representatives candidate in the Akoko Southeast/Southwest Constituency, Ondo State. He spoke with DAMISI OJO on his plans the constituency. 

    As a successful medical doctor of over three decades,what prompted you into politics?

    Politics is mainly about governance. At present, I am not satisfied with the maladministration in all the three tiers of government and all sectors.I want to try how my contributions can change the status quo.’Siddon look” will not help me,it will put one into the murky water of politics without an opportunity to partake and be part of governance.

    Nigeria’s political system gives adequate recognition to any individual who can seek for votes and offer appropriate service to the people if eventually such persons get there,but unfortunately,today our political office seekers believed in “Winner take all”syndrome.it is glaringly a bad practice where you abandon your supporters who offered you their votes to secure that position, but at the end of the day,you share the national ckes with members your family.That condemnable act is what want to correct if by God’s grace,get into office.

    Why did you dump the Labour Party (LP) for for the Social Democratic Party (SDP)?

    it is true I am a card carrying member of the LP. But suddenly,we witnessed the secret fraternity of the leadership of the party under the conrtrol of Governor Olusegun Mimiko with the PDP.Most of us who are so committed to the party were not informed of the pact.As a medical practitioner of about 34 years,I thought I should be an asset to any political party I belong,but because I have not been causing disquiet within the party,that was why party stalwarts like us were treated with disdain in the LP.The forceful merger of LP with PDP in Ondo State is an unholy marriage,and I think everybody is keeping abreast with the present political development in the state now with the forceful pact between the two parties as engineered by Dr Mimiko.So,I decided to pitch my tent with the SDP,the party under which Nigerians had the most free and fair election in 1993 won by late MKO Abiola but deprived the opportunity to rule by the military junta.We in the SDP are interested in expanding the frontier of the party and very soon,we are going to produce a presidential candidate that Nigeria deserves.

    What will you differently from what the legislator from the constituency is doing, if you are elected?

    By my own assessment and that of others,the incumbent representative,Hon Debo Ologunagba, has performed below average. Since his assumption of office,there has been nothing to show as his achievements in the two local government areas of the constituency except solar powered electricity.The lawmaker has never organised any consultation with the electorate in the constituents.If I get into office,there will be a clear departure from this,I will touch the towns and villages in the federal constituency and impacted on the lives of its citizenry.

    Why are you leaving your lucrative profession for politics?

    No clash of interest at all.Already I have completely relocated to my constituency in Akoko land.My campaigns are focused on the opinion leaders,market women,youths and go from house-to-house.Now that time is no more on our side,we have been campaigning on the pedigree and track records of the candidates as against political parties.We want the next Assembly to be polarised so as to bring thew usual domineering factor to the barest minimum.INEC as the electoral umpire should do the needful by allowing level-play ground as people have the free choice to cast their votes to the preferred candidates.

  • Attack sparks outrage in Ondo community

    RARELY a year after he was arrested by the police over alleged involvement in the killing of a Prince, Titilola, a traditional ruler in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State is in the news again. He is being accused of alleged attack on Prince Faforiti  Awolowo. Incidentally, Awolowo, is a family member of the deceased.

    Sources hinted that the monarch and 10 others would soon appear in court over the matter.

    Lawyer to the Awolowo family, Mr. Koboju Atima, told reporters in Akure that the monarch’s action was callous.

    Atima, who was accompanied by the victim’s wife, Arolawa, alleged that the monarch led about 14armed thugs to Awolowo’s residence at Okoga, in Igbokoda on January 2.

    He said the suspected assailants reportedly shot sporadically into the air, forcing residents to scamper for safety.

    The lawyer alleged that the hoodlums later shot Awolowo in the chest and took his body away in the process.

    Mrs.  Awolowo lamented that all her pleas to rescue her husband were turned down by the monarch.

    She said: “I saw the monarch and his boys with my two eyes as they shot and descended on my husband. I begged them to spare his life but they didn’t listen to me. Rather they assaulted me and smashed my head on the wall.

    “There was blood everywhere. My husband’s blood flowed like a river as they forcefully took his body away.”

    The family counsel said it could not be ascertained whether Awolowo was still alive or dead because his whereabouts remained unknown after he was forcefully taken away by the assailants.

    Atima said the matter was later reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DP0) at Igbokoda, but claimed no action was taken on the matter.

    He accused the police of aiding the monarch in terrorising innocent residents of the town.

    Atima said Igbokoda witnessed unprecedented peace in the last two months when the DPO went on a course until two weeks ago when he returned to the ancient town.

    While appealing to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to personally investigate the allegation against the monarch and his boys, the counsel called for the immediate redeployment of the DPO in the interest of peace.

    It would be recalled that the monarch is currently standing trial over the murder of Prince Lebi, who was a cousin to the missing Awolowo.

    When contacted, police spokesman in the state, Wole Ogodo, said he was yet to be briefed on the development.

    The monarch could not be reached on phone, but one of his chiefs who spoke in confidence said the allegation against the monarch was untrue.

  • Jonathan’s visit: Heavy security personnel deployed in Osun, Ondo

    Jonathan’s visit: Heavy security personnel deployed in Osun, Ondo

    More  security personnel have been deployed in Osun State ahead of the campaign visit of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Jonathan will be accompanied by Vice President Namadi Sambo and party chieftains, including the  National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, and some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors.

    Commissioner of Police Abubakar Marafa said security personnel have been drafted to strategic places in and around the state.

    At 6pm yesterday, the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, was full of armed policemen and men of the Department of the State Security (DSS).

    Those decorating were also busy constructing the stage.

    PDP’s National Secretary Prof. Wale Ladipo, at a briefing in Osogbo, the state capital, described next month’s presidential election as a battle between light and darkness.

    An unconfirmed report said there was a directive that all markets in Osogbo, the state capital, be closed for the President’s visit.

    The state’s Iyaloja-General, Alhaja Asiawu Asindemade, on state radio and television, denied any directive from the government or her office to shut down markets.

    She advised traders to disregard the directive, asking them to go about their businesses.

    Alhaja Asindemade said President Jonathan was on a campaign trip to the state and that since they are not politicians such directive did not concern them.

    In Akure, the Ondo State capital, where Jonathan will hold a rally tomorrow, security has been tightened.

    The President who will be received by Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the Southwest coordinator of Jonathan’s campaign organisation, is expected to visit some traditional rulers before addressing supporters at the Democracy Park in Akure.

    Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said officers from other neighbouring states  might be deployed.

    He said: “All necessary machinery have been put in place to ensure that there is no violence during the President’s campaign in Ondo State.

    “I can assure you that the police have done all the relevant things and there will be no crisis before, during and after the campaign.”

  • Ondo APC condemns attack on members

    Ondo APC condemns attack on members

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State at the weekend condemned police’s attack on its members in Akure during the “Work for Change” rally last Friday.

    The party described the attack on its members as unjustifiable, barbaric, unacceptable, unfortunate and a threat to fair and credible elections in Ondo State.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, the party said the brutal attack on its members by police officers reportedly on the orders of Governor Olusegun Mimiko was a threat to fair and credible elections in Ondo State.

    The statement reads: “It is now clearer than ever that Governor Olusegun Mimiko is jittery and rattled by the growing popularity of APC in Ondo State, hence the need to use the security apparatus  to bully, harass, intimidate and silence progressive voices in our dear state.

    “We can assure Mimiko that he will fail resoundingly in his renewed attempt to manipulate and rig election in favour of the non-performing and out-of-favour President Goodluck Jonathan in Ondo State.

    “Is this how Mimiko will give Jonathan one million votes by sending the police to disrupt our peaceful gathering?

    “It is now clear that he is planning to intimidate the opposition with security agencies, but we are battle-ready for him and his PDP.”