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Tag: Osun APC

  • How Osun APC voted for continuity

    In this piece, Abiodun Komolafe highlights the merits of the direct primary, which produced Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola as the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 22 governorship election in Osun State.

    At last, Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola is the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun. He defeated 13 other aspirants in a keenly-contested election adjudged by observers as free, fair and credible. With its massive turnout and the huge success that attended the election, I am sure enemies of ‘direct  primary’ would have by now had a rethink.

    In his acceptance speech, the Iragbiji-born Insurance guru called on his co-contestants to join him in the task of winning the governorship election, come September 22. While thanking party faithful for ensuring his victory, Oyetola, who currently serves as Chief of Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, urged the people to brace up for the task ahead with a firm resolve to ensure victory for the party. “Our opponents from other parties increase their arsenal to fight with us. But we are ready. We are tested. Like the broom sweeping away the rot, we are set and ready”, he said.

    With this victory, APC has surely crossed the first hurdle. But, as Oyetola has admitted, the battle ahead is bound to be fierce. Personally, I have no problem with that! After all, such is the rancorous nature of political practice in this part of the world. However, the immediate task before APC is how to prevent going to that war with a divided house. More especially, it is about how to avoid a repeat of August 9, 2017 in which some key leaders in APC obviously betrayed the party. This task, in my view, must begin with reconciling aggrieved members – real, even imagined; particularly, those whose egos might have in one way or the other been bruised in the course of electing the party’s flag-bearer. Much as wrangling of this nature is not alien to a party of APC’s structure and strength, ability to admit faults (where necessary) and forgive (whenever the need arises) are essential ingredients of progressive politics.

    Having said this, let’s now focus our attention on the candidate. In Oyetola, continuity of Aregbesola’s good works in Osun is guaranteed! With over-30 years cognate experience which also spans the oil and gas world; plus close to eight years’ tutelage at the feet of the governor, I have no doubt in my mind that the  urbane technocrat-turned-politician will successfully carry the torch to the promised land.

    Oyetola’s ‘sin’ rests on three major planks: ‘Consolidation and Continuity’; ’Lagos orientation’; and  ‘West Agenda’.  While  fans of  the first plank think that a vote for Oyetola  may amount to continuing with ‘same-of-the-same’, his ‘Lagos-factor’ accusers hold the view that his “long sojourn in Lagos” might have shut him out of the intrigues and peculiarities of Osun politics. The worst of their ‘odds’ is the zoning stuff. In the thinking of these ‘West lo kan’ sympathizers, it is “morally just” to concede the slot to the West Senatorial District, having done only 22 months out of the state’s almost-22 years’ journey into democracy.

    Zoning versus Competence Infrastructure Development versus Salary Brouhaha! APC-Abuja versus aggrieved APC-Local! Religion versus Region! By the way, why is a tiny fraction of Nigerians interested in pouring sand in Oyetola’s gaari? Why are zoning traders silent on a similarly-contested terrain of religion, bearing in mind that Church and State also derive their powers from the people’s loyalty? Beyond the ritual of succession, the introduction of tribal primordial sentiments as a means of accessing power has remained such a shameful and sometimes painful part of our Nigerianness. In saner climes, Oyetola’s  vast experience in finance management, business and public administration would have served as  the needed balm to help heal the state’s economic wounds.

    Sad that politics in Nigeria is an amusing hobby of sorts. Much as it is a game of Chess, it is also warlike in nature and texture. Interestingly, its victory  is not served a la Carte! In the case of Osun-APC, its ‘chess’ component ended on July 20, 2018 while its war game is most likely to be felt as we gradually approach the governorship election. Having said that, a time like this presents an opportunity to devise strategic political plans that can help prevent unpleasant refrains from taking over our landscape as from November 27, 2018. Food for the stomach and the stomach for food: while there is no silver bullet to the challenges currently confronting the state, it is time those who love dear state sank their differences in the overall interest of party.

    Looking more broadly, it must be emphasized that zoning and allied excuses possess the capacity to throw away great prospects. That a governor comes from a particular zone does not mean that resources meant for all will go into that zone. Otherwise, ‘Ona Baba Ona’ and other projects in Osun Central would have been concentrated in Ilesa; or Ijebu-Jesa. Besides, Obafemi Awolowo (from Ikenne-Remo), Gawain Bell (from South Africa), Ahmadu Bello (from Rabbah in Sokoto) and Michael Okpara (from Umuegwu) have all demonstrated that an administrator’s birthplace is not a core requirement of a progressive leadership that thinks into the realities of tomorrow. As a matter of fact, not until God granted Ibikunle Amosun the wisdom to look in the direction of Ikenne-Remo could Awolowo’s birthplace boast of a dual carriage way.

    Jesus Christ once admonished “he that is without sin” among the accusers of a woman of adultery to “first cast a stone at her.” While those who are attempting to stigmatize this true, upright technocrat  need to remember that Oyetola built his country home in Iragbiji over-20 years ago, they must also bear in mind that he only went to Lagos in search of excellence and that he took up the CoS assignment, neither in desperation nor for selfish enrichment but as a way of deepening his service to his people. Again, if those who label him as a greenhorn in party politics have forgotten his deep involvement in Osun politics, let them be reminded that the philanthropist has also committed huge resources to the empowerment of our youth, especially, through his sponsorship of intelligent-yet-indigent students in universities and other institutions of higher learning. In the last 25 years, more than 400 lives have been touched via this initiative.

    May the Stone of Israel grant us peace in the State of Osun!

  • Osun APC candidate Oyetola to boost IGR

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the September 22 governorship election in Osun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, said on Monday he would boost the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) if elected into office.

    Oyetola assured civil servants in the state he would pay their salary arrears within 12 months of assuming office.

    He also said Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration has paid up to date, salaries of junior workers in the state.

    Oyetola stated these at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.

    He was at the party secretariat to formalize his governorship bid and subsequently forward the documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for processing in readiness for the governorship election.

    He said the decision of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, to contest the election in another party would not affect his chances in the poll.

    He said: “First of all, most states in Nigeria are challenged by paucity of funds. But there is this misconception about Osun State on workers’ salaries. We pay salary regularly, from level one to seven. We are not owing anybody in that category. We pay at least 75 per cent of those on level 8 to 10. Those we are owing are those on level 12 to 17 and the pensioners.

    “So, when you talk about workers’ salaries, people tend to forget that it is not across board. Salaries for those on level one to seven are paid up to date. For Level 8 to 10, we pay 75 per cent. For level 12 to 17 they are being paid 50 per cent.

    “Yes, it is a challenge that we all recognize. But we believe that will not persist for too long. My attitude and the method I want to adopt is not to entirely rely on allocation that comes from the federal government but to look at ways to seriously develop the IGR, not necessarily by increasing tax, but by ensuring efficiency in terms of collection and by bringing people who have been evading tax to come into the bracket. You can still get more by doing all of that without necessarily increasing tax.

    “So we are committed to paying whatever that is outstanding and we are looking forward to paying the full salaries subsequently. In any case, why do we want to be in government if we cannot think outside the box? We must be very creative, that is the essence of being in government anyway. I believe in another one year things would have changed for better.”

    “Well, the SSG is my brother. I would have loved that he remained in the party. But as a matter of choice, he decided to leave the party. There is nothing anybody can do about that.

    “But on whether it will affect my fortune during the election; I don’t think so. One, if you look at the result of that election, I had 127,000 votes. These are purely members of our party. We are going to have the opportunity of other voters.

    “On the average, we usually have about 600, 000 or so of serious voters. If you look at the percentage of that from members of our party alone and with the kind of programme I want to run, and the fact that people seem to have that level of trust in me, I believe I will have more not only from the APC which is our base, even from the generality of the people.

    “So, I wish him well. He is somebody I have some regards for too.  Sometimes politics is like that. You part and meet again. I wish him well.”

     

  • Osun APC, PDP, SDP set for primaries

    With the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the submission of the list of candidates and their running mates, political parties in Osun State are set for their shadow contests. ADESOJI ADENIYI reports that the race is more intense within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with 29 contenders and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has 20 aspirants.

    THE race to succeed Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who will be stepping down in November after two terms as the Osun State helmsman, has gathered momentum. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set a July 22 deadline for conclusion of primary election for all political parties which intend to participate in the September 22 governorship election.

    By next week, all political parties are expected to have elected their candidates and sorted out all complaints and petitions against successful candidates. In line with the INEC deadline, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which had shifted its primary thrice, is set for the exercise today. The leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have both picked July 20 (Saturday) to elect their flag bearers.

    In all, no fewer than 50 aspirants from about six political parties wish to contest. In the APC, 29 aspirants are vying for the exalted position. In the PDP, 20 aspirants are in the race. The SDP has four aspirants. Six are using the Accord Party (AP) platform to realise their ambition.

    APC

    Though there are 29 contenders in the race, only five of them have been campaigning to get the party’s nod for the race. They are the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola; a retired Permanent Secretary, Engr. Adelere Oriolowo; House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Najeem Salaam; the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; and business man, Ayoade Lawal.

    The contest for the APC ticket has witnessed a lot of intrigues. This makes today’s primary very highly competitive. One of the most dominant factors in the contest is zoning. Stakeholders from Osun West senatorial district are insisting that it is their turn to produce the next governor after the expiration of Governor Aregbesola’s tenure. The other dominant factor is continuity agenda.

    Those insisting that it is the turn of Osun West have continued to appeal to emotions of the people, arguing that only the West is yet to occupy the seat of the governor. They say the zone has not had the opportunity to govern the state, except for a period of two years during the aborted Third Republic, when the first elected governor of the state, the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, occupied the seat briefly. They say Osun Central has spent 11 and a half years on the seat during the tenures of Chief Bisi Akande and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and that contestants from the zone should not be allowed to participate in the primary.

    Aregbesola, from Osun East, is on the verge of completing his two four-year terms in November. These, they added, makes Osun West the only zone that is yet to govern the state for a considerable period of time. Therefore, they believe it would amount to injustice, if the governorship is not zoned to Osun West.

    However, those rooting for a continuity of “the laudable projects, policies and programmes” of the Aregbesola administration argue that in the interest of democracy the race must be open to all aspirants.

    In the wisdom of the party leadership, there is nothing like zoning in the APC constitution and, therefore, it should not be a decisive factor in choosing its flag bearer. Osun APC Chairman, Gboyega Famodun has been reminding aspirants rooting for zoning that “the contest is open to aspirants from three senatorial districts”. Going by the chairman’s declaration, all aspirants are eligible to participate in the process.

    In bid to make the contest more open and transparent, the party leadership has decided to adopt a direct primary approach; rather than the use of delegates to elect the party’s standard bearer. Since the announcement was made, some stakeholders have mounted pressure on the party leaders to shift position on the matter.

    Not surprisingly, the largest number of aspirants within the APC is from Osun West. They are 19 in all. The aspirants are: Alao Olabisi (Iwo Local Government), Oyebisi Alamu (Iwo) Dr. Isiaka Owoade (Irewole) Tunde Adediji (Aiyedaade), Hon. Akintayo Amere (Iwo) Alhaji Adeyemo Fatai (Aiyedaade), Babatunde Taiwo (Isokan), Ayoade Lawal (Iwo), Dr. Taofeek Olayinka (Iwo) and Mr. Oludayo Oyebanji (Irewole). Others are: Dr. Salam Folasayo (Ejigbo), Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi (Ayedade), Benedict Olugboyega (Irewole), Mr. Adelere Oriolowo (Iwo), Mr. Peter Babalola (Irewole), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (Iwo), Dr. Ismail Layonu (Ede North) and Mr. Mumini Raifu (Iwo). Mr. Bola Oyebamiji (Irewole) has already withdrawn from the race.

    From Osun Central: Jolayemi Kamoru (Ila), Sunday Akere (Boluwaduro), Hon. Sulaimon Lasun Yusuff (Irepodun), Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola (Boripe), Hon. Yinka Ajayi (Boripe) and Mr. Kunle Adegoke (Olorunda).

    The contestants from Osun East are: Dr. Samuel Ibiyemi (Ife West), and Senator Jide Omoworare (Ife Central).

    Of the above aspirants, only four or five  have contacts with the grassroots. Leading the pack is Oyetola. He ran a well-structured and organised campaign to sell himself to the people in the three senatorial districts. His campaign tours were thorough and his message was direct. He was stressing the need for continuity of good policies and programmes of the present administration. This, he said, would further position the state for greater tasks and prospects, if left in the hands of someone with competence and capacity.

    Oyetola has described himself as the best man for the job, because he has been actively involved in formulation and implementation of policies and programmes of the government in the last eight years as Chief of Staff. He also flaunts his over 30 years experience and accomplishment in the “highly competitive private sector”. He promises an all-inclusive government for all strata of the society, including artisans, civil servants and pensioners, children, youths, women and the aged.

    In his words: “As part of this government (the Aregbesola administration) for almost eight years as Chief of Staff, I will hit the ground running on assumption of office as governor. I need no briefing about where the work is and where we are going. Everything is in my brain. So, I am Mr. Continuity. I have a successful career in the very competitive private sector for over 30 years’ experience.

    “So, I have the competence. I have integrity and more importantly I have a very cordial relationship with my Creator, whose fear of Him motivates and drives me to work conscientiously to impact positively on people’s lives, irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, economic and social status. As someone born, brought up and who attended schools in Osun up till my adult age, before venturing outside the state for exposure and further education, I will use my God-given talents to provide ample opportunities for all residents to exhibit their potential so that they can flourish in an atmosphere of love and peace. I know the importance of interconnection and interdependence of all sectors on one another.

    “Therefore, I will not leave any sector unattended to, so that wealth can spread to the advantage of everyone and our state. My administration will consolidate on our present gains and do a lot more through an unprecedented sense of mission and visionary leadership devoid of narrow and sectional considerations that has no place in modern day democracy.”

    Adeoti’s campaign tours have taken him all parts of the state. As former chairman of Iwo Local Government, chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), on which Aregbesola rode to power in the face of a hostile administration at the centre, he is a familiar face and a household name in the politics of Osun State. No doubt, Adeoti has paid his dues politically and, therefore, he believes that he should succeed Aregbesola as governor. He promises to touch education, agriculture, tourism, health sectors, among other areas, if he becomes the governor.

    Similarly, Salam is banking on his legislative experience as Speaker for two terms. He has gone round parts of the state, canvassing for support. He also wants to leverage on leading the 26-member parliament to work harmoniously with the executive, if he gets the chance to govern the state. He has been calling on the party leadership to provide  a level-playing field for all aspirants.

    Oriolowo is another aspirant that has been campaigning vigorously. The Coordinator of the Osun State Rural Access Mobility Projects (RAMP) believes he is the right candidate party. He said: “I am a retired civil servant, as former Permanent Secretary, a pensioner and someone, who had handled many projects in rural and urban communities across the state.” As one of the aspirants from Osun West, like Adeoti, Oriolowo believes that the clamour for zoning will boost his chances.

    Also, Yussuf, who is the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has been campaigning. He promised to provide intervention in education, health, agricultural sectors, if he gets the chance to become governor. During his campaign tours around the state, he assured the people that he would engage the youths in the development of the state. He also promised to industrialise the state, saying his contacts around the globe will help him attract investments to the state.

    PDP

    The PDP has also provided a platform for many aspirants to seek opportunities to actualise their aspirations. What makes it easy for many of the aspirants to come on board is because the governorship slot has been zoned to Osun West. Its Chairman, Hon. Soji Adagunodo, said what was important was giving all zones equal participation. Like the APC, the PDP also has a large number of aspirants in the race. It originally stood at 20. They include: Hon. Adejare Bello, Senator Felix Ogunwale, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, Senator Bamgbetan, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Dr. Lere Oyewumi, Mr. Nathaniel Oke, Mr. Kayode Oduoye, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Dr. Ayoade Adewopo, Alhaji Waliyu Adebayo Oladosu, and Prof. Adeolu Durotoye.

    Others are: Chief Gbenga Owolabi, Hon. Albert Adeogun, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Mr. Jide Adeniji, Mr. Tunde Adewinbi, Prof. Remi Aworemi, Mr. Tunde Esho, Mr. Samuel Jeje, Mr. Rasheed  Olawale, Dr. Amidu Tadese and Mr. Lere Akande. But recently the screening committee for the party’s primary, headed by Austin Opara, pruned down the number to eleven. Aspirants that have cleared to contest are: Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi (Ayedaade Local Government in Osun West), Dr. Olalere Oyewumi from (Irewole in Osun West), Mr. Nathaniel Oke (Ayedaade, Osun West), Senator Felix Ogunwale (Boripe, Osun Central), Alhaji Fatai Akinbade (Ola-Oluwa, Osun West), Mr. Jide Adeniji (Ila, Osun Central), Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi (Ayedire, Osun West), Dr. Ayoade Adewepo (Ife Central, Osun East), Hon. Rafiu Bello (Ede, Osun West), Senator Ademola Adeleke (Ede North, Osun West), and Prof. Adeolu Durotoye (Osogbo, Osun Central).

    The PDP is seriously making efforts to stage a comeback to the political scene in Osun State, after shaking off its many challenges, particularly factionalisation that had bedeviled the party. But the exit of Senator Iyiola Omisore from the fold was a relief to many chieftains of the party.

    However, political analysts believe the party will face another round of crisis in picking a candidate to fly its flag at the governorship election. Nevertheless, in the thinking of some party chieftains, including Hon. Adejare Bello, who was former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, the PDP in Osun State may pick its governorship candidate through a consensus arrangement. To avoid massive defection of members likely to be aggrieved after the primary poll, if their choice was not picked, it was gathered that the opposition party may consider a consensus candidate with inputs from all sections of the party. Though to get a consensus might be difficult because many of the aspirants hold the strong views that they are better qualified than the rest. So, harmonising diverse interests within the party, no doubt will be an herculean task for the party leadership.

    SDP

    Senator Iyiola Omisore and Otunba Oluyemisi Oladeji are the two leading governorship aspirants of the SDP. Since Omisore defected to the party, from the PDP, it has been one crisis or the other. It started with the statement credited to the party chairman, Ademola Isola, that Omisore was not recognised yet as member of the SDP, let alone to be addressed as an aspirant on the party’s platform. His declaration caused a stir among party loyalists. This led to a counter claim by a faction of the party that Omisore is a member. Few weeks after, the Omisore group held ward and state congresses, where his ally, Dr. Bayo Faforiji, emerged the chairman, despite a court injunction against it.

    For the Accord Party, there are no fewer than three aspirants: Bunmi Ibiloye, Babatunde Olaniyiloye and Pade Okunola. The aspirants have been busy mobilising supporters for their aspirations. For the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Kowa Party, an architect Olugbenga Akintola and a university don, Prof. Oluseyi Fabiyi, have been picked as candidates.

    For most of the parties, the real race for the September 222 governorship race would start after their primaries on July 22.

  • Osun APC governorship primary now tomorrow

    The Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the postponement of its governorship primary till tomorrow.

    It was earlier scheduled for today to pick the party’s candidate for September 22 election.

    The party attributed the postponement to unforeseen development.

  • Osun APC: A case for direct primary

    There is an argument on how best to pick the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard bearer for the September 22, 2018 Osun State governorship election. In this article, Ibidapo Balogun, an Abuja-based public affairs analyst, is recommending direct primary. Such process, he submits, produce the best candidate.

    Party primaries offer a unique opportunity for party members to critically examine aspirants for public office within its fold in order to make informed decisions as to which of them to sponsor for what office.

    It helps a political party assess itself, subject its aspirants to scrutiny with a view to ensuring that only the best are put forward for elections. It is akin to a test before the final examination. That test must be ideal in order to throw up high-quality candidates. If wrong people are sponsored for offices, the parties would pay for such on the day of reckoning, on Election Day.

    As such, the process is as important as the primary election. In fact, the nomination process, the modality employed in picking the candidates, makes the primary election itself. If the wrong process is employed, it may invariably throw up wrong candidates for the poll.

    This is why the importance of the process can hardly be over stressed in leadership recruitment. The controversy in some quarters over the propriety or otherwise of direct primaries is therefore dismaying. It is an unnecessary debate, in my view. Direct primaries can hardly be faulted whichever way you view it. But in our clime, the delegate system holds sway within the political parties. It has become the order of the day. And not a few are worried about this seeming debauchery, which has only helped to corrupt the party nomination process, giving the prized tickets to the highest bidders in most cases.

    Evidently, that method is undemocratic, because it leaves a large chunk of party members out of the critical decision on the choice of candidates. A dangerous development associated with the delegates system is that nothing is considered odd in an attempt to get the delegates to toe the lines of their sponsors, even the unusual and the unorthodox.

    There are stories of how delegates were made to swear on oaths in some evil forests in order to spiritually bind them to vote in a particular way. It is clear that those stridently opposing the use of direct primaries particularly in the All Progressives Congress (APC) are pursuing narrow personal agendas.

    But, the agitation to get the party to do the right thing, by returning the decision on the choice of candidates back to the people, the party members, has since begun. It started during the time of the immediate-past chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. That leadership had argued, however, that it was too late then to revert to direct primaries. Too late to do that which is right and democratic, many may enquire?

    The time to do what is right, which will restore credibility to the party’s nomination process, is now. And it should start with the Osun APC governorship primaries. Expectedly, the nay-sayers have gone to work. There were reports in some newspapers at the weekend about some stalwarts moving to cause disquiet within the party in Osun over the mode of primary election to employ in picking its candidate for the September 22, 2018, governorship poll.

    The party’s constitution provides for both direct and indirect primaries. But, it’s the direct primaries model that is in synch with the democratic tenet of the party. You may argue that it may create management problem as it may tend to be unwieldy, but will the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that conducts election across parties and across the country say. The agitation against direct primaries is therefore neither in the interest of the party, nor the interest of democracy, nor in the interest of the party members. In fact, it is antithetical to all of them.

    On the contrary, however, evidence abounded of how direct primaries helped candidates, believed to enjoy popular support, from being oppressed by party overlords in the nomination process. Direct primary option ensures a level-playing field and protects the nomination process from being hijacked by over-zealous party chieftains and desperate money bags.

    Osun chapter is a veritable place to re-set the nomination process button. The same system was used in picking incumbent Governor Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s candidate during his re-election in 2014.  What began in 2014, therefore, should be continued. It should be taken beyond Ekiti. It is more participatory and gives all registered members of the party the opportunity to participate in the process. What is more, it is the best avenue for the party to assess its strength going into a general election, as it gives a fair idea of the party’s membership standing.

    The interesting thing, however, is only a few are opposed to direct primaries, even in the Osun State. Again, the beautiful thing is the final decision on the matter, within the APC, ultimately rests with the party’s NEC through the National Working Committee. And a new Sheriff, who believes in fairness and transparency, is in town. The jury is out. Will the APC (National Working Committee (NWC) do the right thing and return the nomination process to the path of rectitude?

  • Osun APC to pick governorship candidate by direct primary

    The State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has recommended the direct primary model for its governorship aspirants.

    In a resolution at its meeting at the weekend in Osogbo, the state capital, the party’s SWC, led by its chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun, recommended that the direct primary be adopted for the nomination of its candidate in the September 22 election, as provided for in Section 87 of the Electoral Act (2010), as amended.

    The party resolved that its decision was predicated on the grounds that:

    • a direct primary election will give every party member the opportunity to be involved in the nomination, as against the indirect primary.
    • a direct primary will signify popular participation by ensuring the largest participation of party members across the state.
    • a direct primary system promotes democracy, reduces the intimidation of delegates, bribery and other electoral malfeasance. It promotes popular participation and prevents monetisation of the process and intimidation.
    • the direct primary system will also address the fear of imposition of any person as candidate of the party, being alleged in some quarters.
    • Osun APC has been using direct primaries for all its internal electoral activities since 2014. For instance, the governorship primaries of 2014 and the recent local government election in January 2018. This has enhanced popular participation of members at the primary and the subsequent general elections.
    • a direct primary helps to mobilising members and popularising the party in the state.

    The APC urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to approve direct primary for Osun State primary election for the nomination of its candidate for the September 22 governorship election.

     

  • Ibiyemi, an asset to Osun APC, says chairman

    The Osun State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Gboyega Famodun, has described a governorship aspirant, Elder Samuel Ibiyemi, as an asset needed by the ruling party to win this year’s governorship election in the state.

    According to him, Ibiyemi has the zeal and the commitment needed in the party.

    “We are in need of those with this kind of zeal in politics. With his past successes, he will be successful,” Famodun said.

    The chairman spoke during the declaration ceremony of Ibiyemi at APC state secretariat in Osogbo.

    He noted that his wealth of experience in various leadership positions in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) made him an asset to disgrace the opposition in elections.

    Famodun said: “We are impressed by his determination, his programmes for Osun State, if given the opportunity by the party and the electorate.”

    The chairman recalled that since the creation of the state, Ife indigenes had been asking for the position of governor.

    He added: “I am delighted an Ife indigene can finally show the courage and commitment to contest at the state level.

    “I see love and togetherness in Osun with the way people turn out for Ibiyemi’s declaration ceremony. Ibiyemi is an asset.”

    Ibiyemi promised to establish vocational training centres in each local government area to boost skill acquisition among secondary school leavers and university graduates.

    The aspirant said his plans for the state include creation of 40,000 jobs within four years, free education from primary to secondary school levels, free health care for expectant mothers, free health care for those above 65 years, investment in agriculture and adoption of Information Communication Technology (ICT) as benchmark for competitiveness among youths in Osun State for gainful employment outside the state.

    “My administration will focus on making Osun youths compete effectively with others in securing gainful employment globally,” he said.

     

  • Osun APC aspirant Oyetola seeks party cohesion

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola, has urged party members to cooperate with the new National Executive Committee (NEC) to achieve cohesion and unity.

    Oyetola addressed reporters in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on the side line of the party’s national convention held at the weekend.

    The APC chieftain said the time had come for members of the APC to work in one accord for peace, stability and progress of the party.

    Oyetola congratulated the party’s new leadership under the chairmanship of former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole.

    The Chief of Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola called for party cohesion, saying this is the only tonic for APC to make further progress.

    He said: “We must continue to reiterate our unwavering loyalty in the ideals and ideology of APC as this will further strengthen all members of the party across the country.”

    On his aspiration to succeed Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Oyetola noted that it is the will of God and that it would be a great opportunity to serve Osun State residents in the governorship capacity.

    He noted that governance is about careful planning and sustaining such plans.

    On a possible threat from the opposition in Osun State, Oyetola said APC remained the party to beat in the state.

    The aspirant listed some of the progress the party had made to stabilise the state, despite the numerous challenges, saying said governance requires creativity, adding that this is what APC brought to Osun State since it took over power about eight years ago. “This is why it will be difficult for any political group or individuals to match the records of the party in our state,” he said.

    Also, the Osun State stand at the national convention was dominated by supporters of Alhaji Oyetola.

    Hundreds of party men and women adorned uniforms with the Ilerioluwa2018 campaign logo and posters in every nook and cranny of the convention.

  • Osun 2018: APC may adopt option A4 for primaries

    There are strong indications that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State may adopt the Option A4 system in picking its candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

    Party leaders, The Nation gathered, are seriously considering the option as they seek to conduct a rancour free primary election.

    Sources said that following the recommendation of the Option A4 by APC leaders in the Southwest in the aftermath of the  crisis that ensued during the first governorship primary election in  Ekiti State earlier this month, and the growing number of gubernatorial aspirants in Osun State, concerns have been mounting on the need to ensure that the process of selecting the APC flag-bearer is free, fair, credible and acceptable to all aspirants.

    Option A4 was made popular during the regime of former military ruler, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

    It entails voters queuing behind their preferred candidates or photographs during election. The process will also see the aspirants contesting for the ticket right from the ward level, through the local government level and finally at the state level before a winner is declared.

    A member of the state executive committee of the party said it would help to remove all doubts that can discredit the process and also allow the most popular aspirants to emerge as the party candidates. The party chieftain who pleaded anonymity as he was not authorized to speak on the matter added that the growing number of aspirants led to a search for a very transparent and rancour free option.

    He said:”We are yet to decide finally on how the process will go but I can assure you that we have learnt a lot of lessons from the Ekiti State primaries. We have also read the minds of our leaders in the Southwest enough for us to know that they now desire free, transparent and credible process of picking party candidates for elective offices. The need to also ensure we field the most popular candidate against other parties is equally pressing.

    “It is very likely the Option A4 system will be used here in Osun. The bottom-line is that all aspirants should go to town and work. Nobody should drop anybody’s name as having endorsed him or her. Our governor has insisted that all the aspirants are his people. The party will soon announce the modalities to aspirants. I am very optimistic that we will have rancour free primaries in Osun APC.”

    According to the timetable released by the national secretariat of the APC, the party’s candidate will be picked on July 7.

    The election proper is scheduled for September 22.

    Efforts to confirm the development from the spokesperson of the party in the state, Kunle Oyatomi proved abortive as calls to his phone lines were not going through at press time.

    No fewer than 27 aspirants will contest the APC governorship primary election in the state. Confirming the large number of aspirants during the week, APC Chairman in the state, Gboyega Famodun, said expression of intention in the gubernatorial primary attracts a fee of N500, 000, while urging the aspirants not to see the primary as a do-or-die affair.

    He warned aspirants against conducting  themselves “in a way that will embarrass the party or make it to be as if we are at war with each other.”

    Notable among the 27 aspirants currently in the race are Gboyega Oyetola, Chief of Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Lasun Yussuff, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives; Najeem Salaam, Speaker, Osun House of Assembly and Kunle Rasheed Adegoke. Others include Moshood Adeoti, Secretary to Osun Government and Peter Babalola, Chairman, Osun Civil Service Commission.

     

    … Spends N21billion on feeding school children

    The Osun State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Remi Omowaiye, said the state has spent N21 billion on the school feeding programme.

    According to him, the government has built educational infrastructure, employed and retained teachers,  as well as fed about 250,000 pupils daily by serving 4,725,000 plates of meal  through the school feeding programme since 2012.

    Speaking at the calisthenics programme organised to commemorate the 2018 Children’s Day and the 61st birthday of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, held at the Osogbo Township Stadium, Omowaiye said,  the governor has “Undoubtedly, over the years demonstrated courage and resilience in the face of oppression, capacity and intellectualism in administration and governance, humility and simplicity as a leader.”

    He lauded the governor for exposing over 300,000 students to ICT world through the introduction of Opon – Imo (Tablet of Knowledge), adding that he has been a model to other governors.

  • Osun APC: Aregbesola remains best in state’s history

    •Ondo APC chief Omojuwa hails governor at 61

    The Osun State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the eight years of exceptional governance under Governor Rauf Aregbesola have indelibly imprinted his name in the history of the state and Nigeria.

    In a message in Osogbo, the capital, by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, on the governor’s 61st birthday, APC said rational human beings inside and outside the state, “who are familiar with the reality of governance in the state, would not dispute that the greatest thing that has ever happened in the last 27 years in Osun is Rauf Aregbesola”.

    The statement added: “He has outperformed all governors before him, and at no time in the history of the state has a governor attracted as much international attention as Aregbesola has done…

    “Indeed, when we talk of development index in Nigeria today, Osun under the leadership of Aregbesola is ranked only second to Lagos in the federation.

    “…So, when we celebrate with the governor on his birthday, these achievements are actually what we celebrate and we are happy to be identified with the governor in this celebration of excellence.

    “The APC wishes Governor Rauf Aregbesola many happy returns of the day.”

    Also, a former Chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Chief Adewale Omojuwa, has rejoiced with Aregbesola on his 61st birthday anniversary.

    In a statement in Akure, the capital, Omojuwa, an APC chieftain, congratulated the governor, who he described as a political colossus and astute administrator.

    He lauded Aregbesola’s political sagacity, which according to him gingered visible transformation in Osun State, especially in infrastructural development, peaceful co-existence and the rule of law.