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Tag: OSUN GOVERNOR

  • Fraudster hacks Osun governor’s phone number

    Fraudster hacks Osun governor’s phone number

    One of the phone numbers linked to the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has been compromised.

    The governor’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, made this known in a statement yesterday.

    Rasheed urged the public to ignore any solicitation from the affected number.

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    He said: “This is to alert the general public that one of the telephone numbers of his Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke has been hacked. “Please ignore any solicitation from +234 803 365 7555. “Appropriate action is ongoing to remedy the situation.”

  • Osun: I’m still governor, says Oyetola

    Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola at the weekend said he remained the duly elected governor regardless of Friday’s judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal.

    Oyetola enjoined the public to disregard the insinuations that he had been sacked, saying he was confident of retaining his mandate at the appellate court.

    He spoke yesterday while inspecting some on-going road and drainage projects in Osogbo, the state capital.

    The Governor said the outcome of the lower court didn’t in anyway affect the validity of the votes freely and willingly given to him by the people of the state.

    He said since the Constitution allowed him to file an appeal against the judgment, he remained the legitimate governor of the state.

    The governor said: “I am confident that our mandate will be reaffirmed at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

    “As you all know, it was a split judgment, telling us that it was not a unanimous decision. This is part of our strength at the Appellate Court

    “I must correct the impression that I have been removed from office I remain the governor of Osun till all the electoral litigations are finalized.

    “So, my visit to this site is in furtherance of our commitment to ensure a better life for all residents of the state and to demonstrate that governance brought about by our government continues”, he said.

    Oyetola who had earlier received the leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Government House and assured the teeming supporters of the party that he would come victorious at the end of the electoral litigation.

    He called on the party loyalists to remain calm and expressed confidence in the judiciary to deliver justice as it remained the ‘hope for a common man’”

    He told the people of the state and supporters of APC not to panic over the Friday judgement. Speaking while addressing supporters and members of the APC in Osun State, who paid a solidarity visit to him at the Government House yesterday, he reiterated his commitment to the development of the state, saying nothing would deter him from providing dividend of democracy to every nooks and crannies of the state.

    He expressed gratitude for the solidarity visit, and assured them that there was nothing to panic about the ruling.

    Describing the judgement of the tribunal as a ‘split judgment of two against one’, he said with God by his side he would become victorious.

    He said: “I want to appeal to our people to remain calm with the judgement of the Tribunal. I want to appreciate you for identifying with me over yesterday’s verdict. Well, it was a split judgement of two of one and it’s not unanimous.”

    He expressed confidence in the judiciary despite the judgement of the three-man election petition tribunal that declared his major contender, Adeleke, the winner of the September 22, 2018 governorship poll.

    In a state broadcast, the governor said: “I address you this day to inform you that in response to the judgment of the Osun Governorship Election Tribunal, sitting at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Friday, the 22nd day of March, 2019, we have gone on appeal to challenge the split decision of the Tribunal.

    “This split decision notwithstanding, our confidence in the judiciary remains unshaken, which is why we are going back to it for necessary review through the Appellate Court.”

    Meanwhile, APC in Osun State yesterday urged the Police and other security agencies to disregard claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  that the ruling party planned to unleash mayhem in the state.

    The APC branded the PDP claim a false alarm.

    “The notorious gang of violent acts in Osun are the PDP thugs, who when they break loose on streets and localities leave a trail of blood and tears. These people have been notorious for violence since 2003”, the APC director of publicity, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said in a statement.

    According to him, “Whatever violence the PDP leadership is falsely accusing the APC of plotting is actually what the PDP itself must have worked out to unleash on the peaceful people of Osun, consistent with that party’s own trademark.”

    The APC argued that it had no incentive for violence over the verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja because there are “credible options for redress in both the court of appeal and the Supreme Court.

    Oyatomi added:”Our party is intelligent enough to know that it remains in power at Abere until the Supreme Court decides otherwise. So, why should we be planning violence against our own people?’

     

  • Court rejects suit seeking to sack Osun governor

    A Federal High Court in Abuja  yesterday  dismissed a suit seeking  to void the July 20, 2018 governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress  party (APC) in Osun State.

    The primary was won by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola who went on  to emerge victorious in  the governorship election held on September 22 and 27 last year.

    Delivering judgement in the suit yesterday, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo held that the plaintiff, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, could not prove his claim that the primary was held in violation of relevant laws

    Adegoke, who came a distant 8th in the primary, filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/804/2018, in which he argued, among others, that the primary was not held in compliance with the relevant provisions of the country’s Constitution, the Electoral Act, the constitution of the APC and its guidelines for the conduct of primaries.

    Adegoke prayed the court to, among others, nullify the primary on the grounds that it was conducted in violation of the relevant laws.

    Respondents in the case were the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Oyetola and the Deputy Governor, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi.

    Justice Ekwo, after analysing parties’ arguments and the documentary evidence tendered, held that the plaintiff failed to establish its case.

    The judge said the APC did not violate any law by electing to adopt the direct primary. He said such option was provided for in the party’s constitution.

    On Adegoke’s contention that sufficient notice was not afforded the aspirants, the judge noted that there was evidence that, although he was present where the choice of the party’s primary was announced to members on July 16, 2018, he raised no objection.

    The judge said the plaintiff’s contention that sufficient notice was not given  the INEC about the shift in the date of the primary from July 19 to 20, 2018, was misplaced.

    Justice Ekwo noted that the presence of INEC’s officials at the primary speaks volume about its power to waive the requirement for a seven-day notice.

    He said if there was any person who should complain of non-compliance with the regulations for the conduct of primaries, it should have been  INEC and not the plaintiff.

    The judge said: “It is my opinion, upon considering the evidence in this case, that the 1st defendant acted within the power and authority vested in it in the conduct of the governorship primaries in Osun State in the circumstance of the evidence in this case.

    “Far be it that primary election of a political party would be annulled simply for the fun of doing so or in sympathy with an aspirant whose aim is just to have the primaries annulled.

    “The evidence to warrant the exercise of the power of nullification by the court must be compelling and perhaps overwhelming.

    “That being the case, I am unable to see any of the provisions of the Constitution and Guidelines of the 1st defendant, which the plaintiff says, has been contravened, which has the potency of nullifying the primary election of 20th July 2018.

    “Indeed, none of the provisions of the Regulations for the Conduct of Political Party Primaries of the 2nd defendant carries the sanctions propounded by the plaintiff.

    “The law is that, the court would not and should not read into the law or any statutory instrument that is expressly not stated therein.

    “In the same vein, I have seen no evidence that the 1st defendant breached any provisions of the 1999 Constitution so as to make its conduct of the primary election or selection of its governorship candidate unconstitutional or ultra vires.

    “I have seen no evidence that the 1st defendant breached the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), as such has not been established in this case, with respect to the adoption of direct primaries for the selection of governorship candidate.

    “On the whole, I find no illegal or unconstitutional act on the part of the 1st defendant in the conduct of the governorship primaries in Osun State that would warrant this court to intervene in what can be considered as its (APC’s)  internal affairs, either before or on 20th July, 2018 when the said primary was held.

    “This case lacks merit and must be dismissed, and I make an order dismissing it,” Justice Ekwo said.

    Earlier, the judge dismissed the two motions of preliminary objection filed by APC, Oyetola and Alabi.

    As against the arguments by the APC, Oyetola and Alabi, the judge said the plaintiff had the locus standi to file the suit, that the suit was properly commenced through the originating summons procedure and that the court has jurisdiction to enquire into the way a political party exercises its power and whether it complied with its constitution and regulations in its conduct.

    On the argument that the plaintiff failed to exhaust internal part mechanism before heading for court, the court held that no party regulation could oust the jurisdiction of the court to determine dispute relating to whether or not it complied with its constitution and regulations.

    The judge noted that though the party’s constitution contained measures for internal dispute resolution, he said such provisions cannot oust the jurisdiction of the court.

    On the argument by Oyetola and Alabi that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to institute the suit because he had been expelled from the party, the judge noted that there was no evidence submitted before the court to support the claim that the plaintiff had been expelled.

    Also, the Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal, sitting in Apo, Abuja, yesterday, struck out the petition by Jumoke Lawal and her party, the National Rescue Movement.

    The petitioners had queried the legality of the governorship election on the grounds of alleged unlawful exclusion.

    In his ruling , the tribunal, led by Justice Ibrahim Sirajo, struck out the petition after peteitioners’ lawyer, Oluwole Adja applied to withdraw it.

    The tribunal awarded N50,000 cost against the petitioners.

    Further hearing resumes on January 14 in the petition by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

  • Osun Governor Oyetola rescues accident victims

    Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola yesterday rescued accident victims on the Sagamu axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

    The governor and his entourage, whose convoy arrived on the scene of the accident, alighted from their vehicles and joined the rescue team.

    He immediately called for an ambulance to take the victims to the hospital.

    Twelve passengers travelling to Lagos from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yuesterday sustained injuries in a road accident on the Lagos-Isagamu road in Ogun State.

    The accident, which occurred at 12.30 p.m, involved a black Toyota Corolla and a commercial Mazda 12-seater bus.

    The commercial bus somersaulted after it collided with the car.

  • Oyetola: What I will do as Osun governor

    His strength lies in his power of ideas. His integrity cannot be disputed by rivals. His dedication to the growth and development of Osun State is an added advantage. Tested and trusted, Gboyega Oyetola, governorship flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has a vision for the state. Having served meritoriously under Governor Rauf Aregbesola as Chief of Staff and stabiliser of the administration, he is pushing for a government of continuity. His reason: a competent successor should build on the legacies of the hardworking governor as from 2019.

    To Oyetola, an insurance guru and businessman from Iragbiji, Aregbesola has fought and won the infrastructure battle. Yet, he acknowledged that the work of development cannot end with a regime. He made references to new roads, new schools and feeding programme that has become a model for the country, better hospitals, revamped agriculture, better security, and other accomplishments. Also, the dividends of democracy cut across the three senatorial districts. “In this area, the administration has done very well, far better than all previous administrations,” he said.

    In the view of the flag bearer, the legacies must be sustained, adding that only a competent successor who has been part of the success story is fit to step into the governor’s shoes.

    “I have been part of this government for almost eight years now and I share the vision that government should touch lives. First of all, the essence of government is the security and welfare of the people. I have seen that a government provides a platform for you to be able to serve a greater part of the society; and having been in government for about eight years, I believe there is need for continuity. We should not stop at where Governor Rauf Aregbesola will stop after the expiration of his tenure,” he added.

    Oyetola is on the weighing scale. So far, the perception is that he is the best among the contenders. Thus, Osun people take him serious. His message is clear. His party still fills the public consciousness. Discerning indigenes are of the opinion that his 30 year-experience, both in private and public sectors, will be most useful in post-Aregbesola period. Echoing the views of many Osun leaders about his candidature, Oyedola said: “I am the best to continue from where Governor Aregbesola stops.”

    However, governance will not be a tea party from 2019. Many challenges will confront Oyetola, if he becomes the governor. “There is a challenge of finance or funding. But, this is not peculiar to our state.  It is a general problem,” he acknowledged.

    Indeed, only a few states are financially viable. No fewer than 27 states are affected by the paucity of funds. Oyetola, who is the only financial expert running on the platform of a major party, said Osun will survive by the grace of creative financial engineering. “One of the ways to address the funding challenge is ramp up Internally Generated Revenue  (IGR), through innovative ways. First, we need to block all the leakages, particularly in tax collection.  When we talk of increasing IGR, I am not talking of imposing higher or more taxes on the people.  But, we can ensure efficiency in the collection of taxes. If I ensure all other people, now avoiding tax, pay because it is a civic responsibility, then, the revenue base increases. So, once we are able to do that, we can clearly increase the revenue without necessarily imposing high taxes on people, particularly the poor,” he added.

    Oyetola also believes that diversification is the key to development. Agriculture, he said, should be vigorously pursued to provide a value chain. “If we encourage farmers to plant cassava and there are cottage industries where cassava can be processed into starch and ethanol, we will be creating jobs and empowering our people,” he said. More importantly, the APC chieftain said his government will provide a conducive atmosphere for agriculture and other businesses to thrive. He said government must support artisans and attract investment, both local and international, to the state.

    To observers, the contest will not be a walk over for Oyetola. It is about the survival of the fittest. There are hurdles to cross. Zoning, more than in the previous dispensations, is generating controversy. Some people have intensified their agitation for power shift to Osun West Senatorial District. But, the APC candidate is from Osun Central. His main rival at the primary, Moshood Adeoti, has left the party for the Action Democratic Party (APD) in protest over zoning. Adeoti is from West. What is the implication of the controversy for the poll? Oyetola said: “Usually, I don’t enjoy talking about this. But, I will be guided by the fact that zoning is not in the APC constitution. So, as long as it is not in the constitution, every zone is free to contest the governorship position.

    “Historically there was no time that zoning had ever been introduced, starting from the day the state was created since 1991. So, it is in line with the constitution of the party that every zone should be allowed to compete and whoever wins should be supported. Having said that, I believe all the zones in the state should compete freely for any elective position albeit democratically.”

    Oyetola is confident that the controversy over zoning will not affect his chances at the poll. He said the aggrieved parties have been reconciled. To him, reconciliation, crisis resolution and consensus building are very important, adding that members can only begin to think about positions when the party is retained in power. “I have seen genuine efforts at reconciliation. Virtually all the contenders have actually congratulated me. We have been having meetings. They have resolved to work with me to ensure victory of our party come 22nd of September. And I believe they are very sincere, except for an individual that has left the party. That should not be a reason for anybody to believe that singular episode would affect the fortunes of our party. It is a party affair now. The party cannot afford to fail.”

    During the APC primary, direct primary was also a bone of contention. The method adopted by the party leadership was beyond the control of the aspirants, including Oyetola. But, he said the controversy was unnecessary. In his opinion, the party followed its constitution. Urging party members to study and understand the benefits of direct primary, he said: “I took my time to study the constitution of the party. There are three options through which a candidate of the party could emerge. We have direct, indirect and consensus. The direct primary gives room for party members to participate in the choice of the flag bearer. Direct primary is open and it is more participatory; and the outcome is always the expression of the wishes of the majority of the members of the party.

    “All the party members are given equal opportunity to choose their preferred candidate. In this system of selection, majority of the members of the party are allowed to speak as opposed to indirect primary where just a fraction; less than two percent of the entire membership of the party; would decide the faith of all others. Indirect primary is cumbersome, more expensive and it gives rooms for a lot of manipulation. If you have money you could easily pull through. So, I will endorse direct primary any time, any day because it is so transparent.”

    To the political class in Osun, Oyetola, unlike Aregbesola, is a quiet politician who prefer to work behind the scene. How would he cope with the murky waters of politics and the challenge of governance? Oyetola applauded his boss’ sagacity, saying that he is an enigma and a unique personality. But, he clarified that he is not new in politics, having been a member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), although he never ran for any elective office before. Oyetola said he will cope by drawing from his experience in the last eight year, particularly in policy making and implementation.

    ”I have the experience, not less than thirty years in private sector and about eight years’ experience in governance and public service. So, I could leverage on the synergies, between the public and private sectors, to make things work. In the area of governance, yes, I think I am well equipped. I know what it takes to deliver on promises. I know my people and their needs and aspirations. I have been part of the core team that fashioned processes and policies to meet the needs of our people. I am the man needed to keep the engine of development running,” he added.

    Also, his social and professional background notwithstanding, Oyetola said he will survive in politics. “I have survived it for eight years and it is interesting. I went for the primary and ran a very engaging campaign. I visited all the wards in the state. I have 332 coordinators. I visited all the 332 wards when I was campaigning. I have engaged 31 coordinators in all local governments and the area office. I have canvassers in all the units. So, it is interesting. My experience in the private sector has actually helped. For me to have the kind of structure in my campaign, the private sector experience has helped.” Oyetola added: “True, it used to be very dirty, violent and thuggery-prone. But, nowadays, it is brain and competence, not brawn and money. Decency in politics is possible and I have a decent mind-set, focused on the politics of good governance and development. All I need is a number of patriotic and dedicated citizens of Osun, who will join me in making the state greater. Of course, the people is where power derives.

    Oyetola said he looked forward to a god contest between him and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenger, Senator Ademola Adeleke. He predicted victory for himself, saying: “I see victory around the corner.  We have demonstrated to the people that PDP is not a choice. Our stewardship is evidential. Our commitment to the welfare of the people is unquestionable. Our developmental strides are unparalleled in the history of the State Of Osun.”

    The APC candidate noted the worry over vote buying, saying that he will not encourage it in Osun State. He said if a candidate is popular, his programmes will attract votes that will take him to power. “If the people believe in you, they will vote for you. I think that is what should be encouraged. This was why I even preferred the direct primary adopted by my party, the APC, to elect its governorship candidate. I am not for vote-buying. It is not ideal and I will never participate in it because I don’t believe in it,” he stressed..

    Oyetola called for a free and fair election. He listed the conditions that will guarantee a credible poll. His words: “First of all, we must have adequate security. When people know that they are provided with adequate security, they won’t allow miscreants to hijack the process. So, voters should be allowed to exercise their civic responsibility, freely without any intimidation or harassment.

    “Even, the presence of security operatives around will guarantee safety; and would encourage a lot of people to come out to vote. Once we are able to curb violence, people will naturally and voluntarily come out to vote.  So, there won’t be a question of vote-buying.”

    On his programmes for youths, Oyetola said: “This is a big challenge, not only in our state. I want to say that what we are experiencing in the Northeast and other parts of the nation is as a result of youth unemployment. One of the many ways of standing up to this is to encourage our youths to go into farming, with the government providing some incentives. We have some farm centers and we will ensure they have adequate amenities to encourage the youths to want to be engaged in farming. We will make amenities available in both the urban and rural areas. “Through this, we can create many jobs, direct and indirect. The cottage industries will be allowed to spring up to create job opportunities for the youth.  From farming alone, we will ensure associated activities and create a value chain system that will further empower the people.  Also, we will encourage technical and vocational education to make our youth acquire skills. Some of these youths don’t have skills.” To make them employable we will encourage vocational education. The skills they would acquire will make them self-dependent. If they have skills they will be able to create jobs and even employ one or two hands. We know that small and medium enterprises drive the economy very fast. We will look in this direction with utmost seriousness to support our youths to be economically viable. When we talk of carpentry, bricklaying and so on we don’t need to go to neighbouring countries like Benin Republic and Togo to source technicians and artisans for many constructions going on here. We have done well in the area of conventional education but I will look into technical and vocational education to ensure skill acquisition.

  • ‘Iwo should be Osun governor’

    A group, Concerned Youths of Iwo Federal Constituency, yesterday drummed up support for emergence of the governor in Osun State from the constituency.

    In a statement signed by the group’s spokesman, Adejare Olayiwola, the group noted that the constituency deserves to produce the governor based on the principle of fairness.

    ‘’Isiaka Adeleke under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from from Ede town spent 22 months to govern the state, while Adebisi Akande carrying the banner of Alliance for Democracy(AD) from Osun Central area of the state from Ila-Orangun ruled for four years.

    ‘’Olagunsoye Oyinlola under the umbrella of  People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also from Okuku in Osun Central Senatorial District ruled for  seven years and six months, while the incumbent Governor Rauf Aregbesola carrying the banner of All Progressives Congress(APC), is from Ilesha in Osun East Senatorial District.

    The group noted that a recent survey showed the people preferred a candidate from Osun West, arguing that such candidate should come from the constituency.

    ‘’Going by the outcome of the survey carried out across all the cities and towns of Osun state, 65, 863 respondents representing 63 percent of people of Osun state want their next governor to come from Osun West Senatorial District.

    ‘’It is obvious that the political pendulum should swing to Iwo Federal Constituency in Osun West Senatorial District, which has not been given such opportunity in the past.’’

  • Warming up for direct primary in race for Osun governor

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) yesterday approved the recommendation of the Osun State Working Committee, led by Gboyega Famodun, for the adoption of direct primary for its governorship shadow election. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the arguments for direct and indirect primary by opposing forces in the party.

    The coast is clear for the adoption of direct primary for the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State. According to the guidelines by the National Working Committee (NWC), aspirants and party members were enjoined to brace for the option, which it said, was constitutional and adopted in the best interest of the party.

    In the last few weeks, the chapter has been polarised by forces rooting for a direct primary, and those clamouring for an indirect primary. The third force is favourably disposed to a consensus. In this group are old political war horses and experienced politicians who have been on the turf since the First Republic. Although they are still largely perceived as the esteemed moral voice, their preference lacks the backing of the APC Constitution and the Electoral Act. Besides, they are in the minority.

    The core options of direct primary and indirect primary have their foundations in the APC constitution. According to the constitution, the nomination of a candidate for governor “shall be through direct or indirect primary election.” But, the law is silent on which of the options is superior. The constitution does not prescribe the condition that may warrant the choice or rejection of either of the options. Therefore, the onus is on the party to adopt an option.

    How the adoption is to be done is not outlined by the constitution. The implication is that the agitations for direct and indirect primaries are legal. Also, the two options have their advantages and disadvantages. How the direct or indirect primary is managed has implications for the chapter, ahead of the governorship poll.

     

    The direct model

     

    The idea is the legacy of the American progressive democratic model. Under the direct system, registered party members choose party candidates through secret ballot in a manner similar to a general election. Since it is perceived to be more transparent, the corruption which often mars the delegate system is reduced. There will be no room for ‘delegate camping.’ There is the likelihood of increased participation and aspirants may develop confidence in the wider elective process. Also, the fear that a large number of aspirants is seeking for votes is reduced.

    According to experts, direct primary offers opportunity for the candidate to test his popularity, ahead of the main poll. It gives party members an equal chance of electing their candidates. Voter’s turnout is huge. The model provides the chance for a test of stamina in the preliminary election.  To get votes, the aspirants must be up and doing. They must enlarge their networks and be ready to consult widely and mobilise for victory.

    However, the crowd is huge and management of the crowd will require skill and strategy. Emphasis may now be placed on quantity instead of quality of participation. Many voters may not be informed and therefore, lacks the competence to make informed choices. Therefore the “mass voters” need education and enlightenment. Since a lot of mobilisation has to be done, it may be too tasking for aspirants who lack the resources for intra-party campaigns and logistics. The voting hour may be elongated, thereby creating stress for the Direct Primary Committee.

    In some states, the delegate system were rancorous. The exercise was marred by unruly behaviour of delegates. This challenge can be aggravated by the direct method due to the high population of participants. The choice of venue must be considered. Will the direct primary participants assemble in a venue like the delegate system or the direct election will be conducted in layers at the wards or local governments?

    Oshiomhole said: “All card-carrying members of the party will be involved in the process of selecting the party’s candidate.”

    This means that the screening or accreditation of voters will have to be done at the wards, using the party membership register. This also means that the register must not be tampered with to ensure the credibility of the process. If a party member has lost his membership card, there should be an opportunity for him to obtain new ones before the exercise. Also, defectors whose names have not appeared on the register must make haste to register.

    Since its inception in 2014, the APC has always adopted the indirect primary for the choice of its governorship flag bearers in many states. But, Osun may have blazed the trail of adopting the direct model when the process was adopted in selecting Governor Rauf Aregbesola as candidate for a second term in 2014.

     

    The indirect option

     

    Unlike the direct primary, voters in the indirect primary are elected or selected delegates from the wards and local governments, and statutory delegates, including governors, elected party officers, legislators, members of Board of Trustees (BoT) and other party elders. Many have criticised the delegate system as a fraudulent method, which confers an advantage onthe highest bidder among the aspirants. However, since the direct system has not been widely tested, there is anxiety among party members who believe that it may spell doom for the chapter.

    The responsibility for organising the shadow poll is not vested in the State Executive Committee and State Working Committee of the party. The power to make “rules and regulations for the nomination of candidates through primary elections” is vested in the NWC, subject to the approval of the National Working Committee (NWC). Although the State Executive Committee and State Working Committee can issue some pseudo-guidelines on governorship nominations, they do not take precedent over the NWC’s position.

    Party sources disclosed that, since the consensus of opinion favours the direct system, the State Working Committee, led by Gboyega Famodun, the chairman of the party, proposed it to the NWC. The recommendation was backed by an overwhelming evidence of popular preference.

    However, the provision for direct and indirect primary is not made in isolation of other criteria for nomination. According to the APC Constitution, “all such rules, regulations and guidelines shall take into consideration and uphold the principles of federal character, gender balance, geo-political spread and rotation of offices, to as much as possible, ensure balance within the constituency covered.”

    In Osun APC, those rooting for direct primary appear to be more vociferous, unlike the supporters of the pre-existing delegate system. Although some aggrieved chieftains have written to the NWC, urging it to retain the delegate system, they were disowned by party officers across the local governments.

     

    The best process

     

    Famodun, who advocated for the shift of emphasis from the indirect to the direct system, gave five reasons for its viability, potency and superiority. He said the State Working Committee recommended it to the NWC because it gives party members a wider opportunity for participation in the shadow poll, unlike the delegate system. Besides, he said a direct primary would signify popular participation by ensuring the “largest participation” of party members from the 30 local governments. In Famodun’s view, “a direct primary promotes democracy, reduces the intimidation of delegates, bribery and other electoral malfeasance and prevents monetisation of the process.”

    He added: “The direct primary system will also address the fear of imposition of any person as candidate of the party, as being alleged in some quarters, and it helps in mobilising members and popularising the party in the state.”

    Party officers at the grassroots are in the same frame of mind with Famodun. The Secretary of the Forum of Local Government Party Chairmen, Rufus Oyegbile, said a popular governorship candidate can only be elected at the direct primary.

    He warned against the adoption of the delegate system, saying it could be disastrous.

    Denying a report linking the forum with the clamour for an indirect primary, he said: “We are not subjectively and objectively against the implementation of the constitutional provision of direct primary for the nomination of our flag bearer in the forthcoming September 22 governorship election.”

    In its letter to the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the forum maintained that a hitch-free direct primary is the answer. It said the direct system will throw up a generally acceptable, popular and presentable flag bearer, while preventing “the selective wish of few financially-induced persons, who are major determinants of previous primary election.”

    According to the forum, the direct method of election will allow the over 300,000 registered APC members in Osun to participate in the nomination of the flag bearer. It will foster internal democracy, give members a sense of belonging and prevent the hijack of the process by money bags.

    The forum said: “The new initiative, when implemented, will be a moral boosting episode to all members that they are also major stakeholders in the dynamic APC project, where over 300,000 persons as against the selective method of just 5,000 statutory delegates. It will further strengthen internal democracy, mobilise all our members to participate at the primary and this will energise them in preparation for the main election.

    “The claim of popularity by a section of the aspirants among the delegates should have made them more joyous as their popularity will soar higher among party members. Alas, their sinister motive to forcefully coerce the delegate structure, have been uncovered.

    “That is the only reason they are vehemently rejecting the popular demand of our members for direct participation in the nomination of the governorship candidate, which will entail collective collaboration.

    “Precautionary measures guiding our noble stance arise from the primary concluded in some states lately where it is of public knowledge that money through financial inducement was a key determinant of who eventually flew the party’s flag. The delegates, as discovered elsewhere and presently on-going in our state, have launched a negotiation platform with aspirants, in exchanging votes for money.

    “We must discourage and discontinue such fraudulent template. One of the decimating and limiting factor of the PDP that nailed them to the cross of opposition today is the rain of dolarisation of all their elective processes. We are not PDP. We are APC, the party that stands for positive change. We must strive and work hard to show transparency indeed and in conduct.”

    Eyes are on the Direct Primary Committee headed by Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman and Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari. He has the responsibility for presiding over a transparent and credible exercise that will be applauded by 17 aspirants on Thursday. Anti-direct primary aspirants have two options. It is ether they fall in line with the party’s directive or opt out of the contest.

    More guidelines are expected from the panel on the modalities for a successful primary.

  • Group backs Muyiwa Ige for Osun governor

    The Grand Council of Yoruba Youths in Osun State has supported Muyiwa Ige for governor in 2018.

    A statement by the President-General, Awa Bamiji, said: “Olumuyiwa lge, son of the late Chief Bola Ige, needs no introduction in the politics of Southwest and Osun. He was the immediate past Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Environmental Design, and also the 2007 governorship aspirant on the platform of the defunct Action Congress (AC).

    “Without doubts, he knows the rudiments of contesting for the governorship ticket. He is young, multi-talented, tested, trusted and reliable.

    “It is on this note that we, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths (Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba), are saying that in this era of Not Too Young To Run, Muyiwa Ige is our collective choice for the APC governorship ticket for the September 22 governorship election in Osun State. This is the only way we can re-invent the Bola Ige touches on the four-cardinal programmes of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

  • Aregbesola applauds Buhari on recognising June 12

    Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising June 12 as democracy day in place of May 29.

    In a statement made available to the media in Osogbo by his media adviser, Sola Fasure, Governor Aregbesola commended the president for mustering the courage to take this historic step 25 years after the freest and fairest presidential election ever held in the history of Nigeria

    According to Governor Aregbesola, “President Buhari has secured for himself an incomparable position in history for surmounting the courage to take this historic step of recognising June 13 as ‘Democracy Day’ and honouring Chief Moshood Abiola posthumously.

    Read Also:Ambode hails Buhari’s declaration of June 12 as new Democracy day

    “June 12, 1993 was the day democracy was born in Nigeria. It was the day Nigerians negated all the social and political constructs that had been thought would make national unity impossible and democratic governance impossible, but Nigerians in their heterogeneity overwhelmingly voted for a candidate whose very essence was in defiance of religious, ethnic and regional categorisation.

    “It is most regrettable that the election was annulled and Chief Abiola clamped in illegal detention where he later died.

    “Successive administrations had suppressed the significance of June 12 and resisted every admonition to recognise the date and honour Chief Abiola.

    We have since the advent of our administration shunned May 29 and celebrated June 12 as Democracy Day. We are glad therefore that President Buhari has taken this bold step and set the record straight. History will be kind to him for this. I commend him for this uncommon courage and demonstration of leadership”, the statement said.

  • Osun governor’s wife challenges artistes on culture

    Osun State Governor’s wife, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam have urged theartre artistes to instill good culture and character in the young ones through their profession.

    The duo spoke in Osogbo on Sunday at the launch of a Yoruba film, produced by Mrs. Foluke Amere, wife of the House of Representative member, representing Iwo/Ayedire/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency, Hon. Gafar Amere, which was celebrated amidst fanfare.

    Mrs Aregbesola, who described artiste as teachers, said that evidences have shown that young ones, cultivate the habit they watch on films.

    She added that the artistes can assist the administration of Governor Aregbesola in the propagation of Omoluabi ethos being propagated by the administration.

    She added: “Artistes are teachers, because what our children, even the old watch on video sometimes serve as guide for them.

    “This is the reason our thearter professionals must always come up with ideas that will instill good character in our children,” she said.

    Also, Hon. Salaam urged the artistes to always be proud of their profession and use it to help the government in the development of society.

    He said: “As you entertain, try to use your profession to help the society by propagating Omoluabi culture.”

    Commending the governor for ensuring peace in the state, which, according to him, allows all professions to thrive, he said that this has brought rapid development to the state.

    Speaking, the producer of the film, Mrs Amere said that the film was tailored towards propagating Omoluabi ethos.

    She further noted that the major objective of the film was to showcase Yoruba culture and tradition.

    Present at the occasion were the state Deputy Governor, Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; Senators Babajide Omoworare of Osun East, Mudashir Hussein of Osun West and Gbenga Ashafa from Lagos State.

    Other are members of the House of Representatives, members of the state House of Assembly, members of the state executive council, Yoruba film producers, actors and actresses among others.