The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oyinlola

  • ‘Oyinlola, Oni, Odunjirin, others risk jail term’

    Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has said the sacked National Secretary of the Party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; ousted Ekiti State “Governor” Segun Oni and Chief Bode Mustapha risk being jailed for contempt of court.

    Also facing a possible jail term, Kashamu added, is Senator Dipo Odunjirin, the Chairman of the parallel Ogun PDP executive, who was sacked last November by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Speaking with reporters in his Ijebu-Igbo home at the weekend after a PDP meeting, Kashamu said the Adebayo Dayo-led state executive would file an application in court this week to initiate a contempt proceeding against Oyinlola and others.

    He said: “We are tidying up an application we are going to file in court to declare the sentence on Oyinlola because Oyinlola has disobeyed the court order.

  • Court grants adjournment in Turkur’s, Oyinlola’s case

    Court grants adjournment in Turkur’s, Oyinlola’s case

    The Court of Appeal in Lagos has adjourned indefinitely proceedings in the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, its Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, the suspended National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and National Auditor, Bode Mustapha.

    They are challenging the May 2, 2012 judgment by Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, which declared the Chief Adebayo Dayo- led Executive Committee of the party in Ogun State as the authentic management body of PDP in the state.

    The judgment aside upholding the constitution of Adebayo Dayo exco ordered the PDP national leadership to accord them all the necessary materials and supports needed to enable them perform their responsibilities until the expiration of their tenure.

    The appellate court adjourned indefinitely upon being served with a copy of a petition written to the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa by the Chief Dayo led Ogun PDP, alleging possible bias on the part of the panel headed by Justice Amina Augie.

    The petitioners had alleged that former President Olusegun Obansanjo allegedly promised to exploit the influence of his lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola to ensure that his faction of PDP in Ogun State wins at the appeal court.

    The petitioners also referred to a purported meeting between Babalola and Justice Augie.

    Reading the petition to an open court on Thursday, a furious Justice Augie denied any relationship between her, Babalola and Obasanjo.

    She denied all allegations made against them in the petition.

    “I do not know Afe babalola. I have no dealing with him. I do not know Obasanjo. I have no dealings with him,” Justice Augie said.

    She averred that the petition was intended to deliberately rubbish the reputation of the justices handling the case.

     

  • PDP replaces Oyinlola with Onwe

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has replaced its National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola with theparty’s Deputy National Secretary, Mr. Solomon Onwe.

    A terse statement signed by the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, on Monday said the change takes immediate effect.

    The statement reads, “Pursuant to the powers conferred on the National Chairman by Chapter V Section 35 (1), 35 (1)(b) as well as section 36(2) of the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party, (as amended), the Deputy National Secretary of the PDP, Barr. Solomon Onwe is hereby directed to assume duties as the Acting National Secretary of the PDP.

    “Barr. Onwe shall by this directive conduct all correspondences of the party, issue notices of meetings of the National Convention, the National Executive Committee, the National Caucus and the National Working Committee as stipulated in the Constitution of our great Party.

    “This directive takes immediate effect and is hereby communicated to all the levels and offices of the Party.”

    Oyinlola’s election as the National Secretary was voided by an Abuja High Court on Friday on grounds that the southwest zonal congress through which he emerged was illegal.

     

  • PDP crisis: If I go, Tukur goes, says Oyinlola

    PDP crisis: If I go, Tukur goes, says Oyinlola

    • Oni, Babatope, Filani in line to replace Oyinlola
    • Ex-Osun gov files court brief, seeks stay-of execution

    The sacked National Secretary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has launched a fight back to save his political career.

    He has filed an appeal against the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which removed him from office, and is also seeking a stay of execution of the judgment of Justice Abdu Kafarati.

    In the face of reports that leading members of the ruling party had counseled him to step down following the court judgment against him, the former Osun State governor insists there is no basis for him to do so. He does not understand why he has to be drawn into the zonal congress controversy when the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who is a product of the zonal congress is not.

    The former governor, who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Ayo Olaiya, said if the issue persists it will affect Tukur more than anyone else in the party hierarchy.

    He said: “The argument of Oyinlola is that he was not a product of any zonal congress. So his nomination is not illegal. Oyinlola said he emerged at the National Convention after other contestants had publicly stepped down for him.

    “He said at the South-West Congress in Osogbo, the only candidate endorsed was the National Vice-Chairman (South-West) of the PDP, Mr. Segun Oni.

    “He said the application before the Federal High Court was baseless, an abuse of court process and ought not to have been entertained at all in the first instance.”

    On pressure being placed on him to step aside, the media aide said: “There is nothing like that. Nobody in the party, including the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has asked Oyinlola to leave office. Oyinlola will not vacate his seat and any move to make him do so will be subjudice given the appeal already filed.

    “Tukur or anybody could not have spoken to Oyinlola. All NWC members, except Tukur, emerged at the National Convention of the party, not at the zonal congress.

    “If you can recall very well, Tukur was actually defeated by a former National Secretary of PDP, Babayo Shehu, at the North-East Congress before President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders prevailed on Shehu to step down for him.

    “So, if there is any issue about zonal congress, it will affect Tukur more than any member of the NWC because he emerged contrary to the decision of the zonal congress.

    “Therefore, if they are holding on to the so-called claim of zonal congress, whatever affects Oyinlola will weigh heavily on Tukur. That is why Tukur or anybody in NWC cannot ask Oyinlola to leave office.”

    However, it was gathered that the plot to effectively terminate Prince Oyinlola’s reign as the National Secretary of the PDP gathered pace yesterday.

    According to sources, some party leaders have shortlisted one time Transport Minister, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, National Vice Chairman of the PDP (South West), Chief Segun Oni and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Ishola Filani, as possible candidates to replace him in an acting capacity.

    The National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and some other leaders of the PDP are understood to have asked Prince Oyinlola to step aside until the determination of his appeal.

    Investigation by our correspondent showed that some leaders of the PDP and those loyal to Tukur are insisting on Oyinlola stepping aside.

    It was learnt that some of the leaders have tried to reach out to Oyinlola to “act true to type as a lawyer by respecting the judgment of the court to step aside.”

    A party source said Tukur reiterated the same position when he interacted with party leaders and a couple of NWC members on Friday after the judgment.

    The source said: “The party is expecting an enforcement order from the court to enable Oyinlola to vacate his seat till his matter is finally ironed out by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

    “Once Oyinlola leaves office temporarily, the party will prevail on the South-West to pick a nominee as acting National Secretary among three candidates to be recommended. The party wants to stick to the zoning formula instead of asking the Deputy National Secretary to act.

    “The candidates being considered are the National Vice-Chairman of PDP(South-West), Chief Segun Oni; a former National Organising Secretary of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria(UPN), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, and a former National Publicity Secretary of the former Social Democratic Party(SDP), Chief Ishola Filani.

    “The opinion of some loyalists of Tukur is in favour of Oni, who is rated as more amenable than the others. But the party will go by the consensus of key stakeholders, including President Goodluck Jonathan.”

    A member of the National Working Committee said: “What the leaders are saying is that Oyinlola must obey court order by vacating office until he secures a stay.

    “Even if there is a court order for a stay of execution, the party will run into a crisis because any decision taken by Oyinlola would amount to nullity if he eventually loses at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. So, the National Secretariat will not function well and there can’t be a smooth working relationship between the National Chairman and Oyinlola.

    “It is going to be a no-win situation for the party.”

    A source close to the PDP Governors Forum said: “As far as the governors are concerned, Oyinlola won’t step aside at all. Instead, they have encouraged him to be steadfast because he remains their candidate for the job.

    “The governors took note of the fact that a High Court is not a final court in the land. Therefore, hanging on to the High Court judgment would amount to mischief.”

    Friday’s court decision on Oyinlola was greeted with jubilation in the camp of President Goodluck Jonathan and Tukur.

    The president and his strategists are determined to regain control of the party ahead of the 2015 elections and do not consider Oyinlola as one whose control of the party’s secretariat would be of benefit to their camp.

    Oyinlola was nominated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the state governors.

     

  • Court sacks Oyinlola as PDP’s National Secretary

    Court sacks Oyinlola as PDP’s National Secretary

    A Federal High Court on Friday sacked former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, from office as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Ogun State Executive Committee (SEC) of the PDP, Justice Abdul Kafarati, voided the nomination of Oyinlola as the candidate of the South West Zonal Chapter of the PDP and his consequent election as National Secretary at the party’s National Convention in March last year.

    Relying on the order and two separate judgments of the Federal High Court, Lagos, which nullified the South West zonal congress that produced Oyinlola as candidate, Justice Kafarati held that his nomination and subsequent election were invalid, null and void.

    The judge arrived at the decision after assuming jurisdiction and dismissing the preliminary objection of Oyinlola and the PDP.

    The court held that the suit was not an intra-party affair of the party as claimed by (Oyinlola and PDP) but a cause of action seeking the interpretation of the two separate judgments of the Federal High Court, Lagos, that nullified the zonal congress.

    According to the judge, the suit did not constitute an abuse of court process, therefore it is “justiceable”, adding “the action discloses reasonable cause of action.”

    “On the whole, the two preliminary objections are dismissed. All the three questions are answered in affirmative and the reliefs sought granted.”

    Oyinlola said the judgment was a misapplication of principle of justice.

    The state’s PDP Chairman, Adebayo Dayo, hailed the judge for the courageous judgment.

    He expressed hope that the party’s national leaders would obey the court’s ruling.

     

  • MicCom’s funeral unites Aregbesola, Oyinlola

    MicCom’s funeral unites Aregbesola, Oyinlola

    Barely two years and 25 days after reclaiming his mandate, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and his immediate predecessor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, met for the first time.

    They met yesterday at MicCom House at Ada, Boripe Local Government Area in Osun State, during the final funeral service of a bridge-builder and philanthropist, Mrs Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, an engineer and co-founder of MicCom Cables ad Wires.

    It was a gathering that saw many of the dignitaries and guests anxiously wanting to know how the duo would face each other.

    Aregbesola and Oyinlola displayed high level of maturity to the admiration of all. They exchanged pleasantries, hugged and pat themselves on the back. They spoke for a few minutes before returning to their seats. The gathering gave them a rousing ovation.

    Co-incidentally, the governor arrived at the point the husband of the deceased, Prince Tunde Ponnle, mounted the podium to pay tribute to his departed jewel. He could not but pause for a while to watch the scenario.

    The MicCom boss expressed delight watching the two statemen embracing each other not minding the turbulent years of political struggle for the leadership of the state.

    Prince Ponnle described their peaceful meeting as a good omen, hoping it will be the end of political bickering in the state.

    He told the governor his and the deceased’s plan to build an eight-storey building to beautify the state.

    “When the physician told my wife that she had barely a week to live; one of the things we discussed is about the building and she told me to build it before joining her. We have secured a land, we are only waiting for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to commence,” he said.

    Afterwards, he exchanged pleasantries with the governor and was joined by Oyinlola and the state former Military Administrator, Colonel Theophilus Bamigboye, for a photograph.

    Aregbesola, while greeting the guests, described Oyinlola as his brother. He prayed for the former governor to continue to prosper.

    The governor seized the opportunity of the gathering to debunk insinuations that his government did not like the Ponnles.

    He said his relationship with the Ponnles began in 1989 during one of his political struggles in Lagos. He said the deceased assisted him even to become the governor of the state unknowingly.

    “But because my programme is not in tandem with the MicCom establishments, people thought I hate them. No, I don’t play golf like my predecessor does. We love you and very soon, we will do something to show that we truly have you in mind. Let it be on record that I and MicCom are not fighting but golf is not a gift to me from God,” he said.

    On the proposed building, Aregbesola jokingly asked where the building would be situated. “Is it Ada, Osogbo or Okuku,” this drew laughter from the gathering, including Oyinlola.

    “Osogbo Sir,” Prince Ponnle replied.

    “Don’t wait for the C of O, I have approved it today,” Aregbesola assured him. The guests, including the clerics, yelled in joy.

    He later prayed for the deceased family and the gathering.

    The remains of Madam Ponnle were lowered in the grave within the compound at exactly 2:33pm.

  • N18.3bn Loan: Panel indicts Oyinola

    N18.3bn Loan: Panel indicts Oyinola

    Former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was guilty of leadership failure, the Commission of Inquiry set up by the state government to investigate a loan of N18.38 billion by his administration, said in its report.

    The commission which was chaired by Prof. Femi Odekunle, was set up by Governor Rauf Aregbesola in September and mandated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the procurement of the loan from United Bank of Africa Plc.

    The government also mandated the panel to investigate the conduct of Oyinlola, among other issues.

    The commission, which submitted its report to Aregbesola in Osogbo on Wednesday, blamed the former governor for heeding the advice of the state assembly at a “non-emergency circumstance.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the panel recommended sanctions for the former governor for heeding the advice of the defunct State House of Assembly to take the loan at a “non-emergency circumstance.”

    The panel also recommended that Oyinlola be sanctioned for “irrational application of parts of such loan and for directing certain obvious reckless disbursement of the loan.”

    It blamed the former governor for approving an “unthinking Memorandum of Understanding that had turned out to be a fraud against the state.”

     

  • How Oyinlola’s administration abandoned N2.5b road, by witness

    MEMBERS of the Osun State Commission of Inquiry yesterday heard how a contractor handling the Honey Comb road project was paid N1.5 billion by the administration of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola for a job not done.

    The N2.5 billion project, now abandoned, was given to Messrs Habok Nigeria Ltd. It was to be financed on a 50-50 ratio by the state government and the 30 local government areas.

    Mr. David Oni, an engineer and former Permanent Secretary in the Works Ministry, who made the revelation, said his advice that the contract be terminated, earned him a transfer to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

    In his testimonies before the panel, Mr. Oni said he declined a directive to raise payment for the contract because there was no justification for it.

    Incumbent and retired officials of the Ministries of Works and Transport, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the BPP and the construction firm, took turns to testify yesterday.

    According to Mr. Adetuberu, who acted as spokesman to all the directors of works in the local government, the council areas began to complain about the project in 2006 when the contractor failed to continue with the implementation.
    He further testified that he and his colleagues were made to counter sign for payment to Messrs Habok Nigeria Ltd at a breakfast they held with the former governor.

    Adetuberu told his audience that they were threatened with transfer to teach at technical colleges if they proved stubborn
    In his own testimony, the Director of Highways, Mr Bamiduro, narrated how the project was taken away from his ministry and that of the local government of bottleneck.

    According to him, the construction had attained 38 per cent completion by the time it was taken away.
    Recounting his ordeal, Oni said he wrote a memo that there was no justification to pay the contractor when he was directed to raise payment.

    He claimed the former deputy governor Erelu Olusola Obada hosted the meeting where the termination of the project was first discussed.

    Erelu Obada is now the Minister of State for Defence.

    According to him, after the initial payment of N400 million to the contractor, another N500 million was paid before the final N250 million was paid even when works were not in progress.

    He said the issue to raise the payment for the contract was mentioned at another meeting allegedly held at the palace of the Oni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

    Also testifying, the Director-General of the BPP, Mr. Gbenga Abiola, said the government continued to pay the contractor to ensure completion.

    He said the option opened to the government as of then, was not to terminate but to continue with the project because so much funds had been sunk into it.

    Besides, the government felt the contractor might seek judicial redress for breach of contract.
    The hearing was adjourned till today.