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Tag: Oyo APC

  • Council poll: Oyo APC warns members against blackmail

    Council poll: Oyo APC warns members against blackmail

    The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned its members, particularly aspirants jostling for tickets in the forthcoming local government election and their supporters, to desist from any conduct that can bring the party into disrepute or cause its leadership to lose focus.

    The warning followed a protest rally at the Oke-Ado, Ibadan, state secretariat of the party by a group of persons believed to be APC members and supporters.

    The protesters said they feared that there were plans to compromise the conduct of the party’s primaries for many aspirants eyeing chairmanship and councillorship seats in the 33 local government areas and 35 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the May 12 poll.

    In a statement on Monday by its spokesman Olawale Sadare, APC described the allegations of planned imposition of candidates as a figment of the imagination of the protesters and their sponsors.

    The party urged the public to regard it as cheap blackmail to cause unnecessary tension in the land.

    It said: “We are indeed embarrassed at the level which decorum was thrown into the air by this set of people, some of who we could identify as APC members in the state. Peaceful and purposeful protests are some of the essentials of democracy. But when cheap blackmail is involved, it becomes condemnable.

  • Oyo APC: eight aspirants for governor

    Oyo APC: eight aspirants for governor

    The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Party (APC) has said only eight aspirants have shown interest in next year’s governorship race.

    Over 15 APC aspirants are currently jostling to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    The Nation gathered that only eight of the aspirants had visited the party’s secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital, to express their intention to contest the election.

    Those who have informed the party include Deputy Governor Moses Alake-Adeyemo; legal icon, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN); former Commissioner for Works Dr Yunus Akintunde; Communication Minister Adebayo Shittu; Senator Fatai Buhari; Aderemi Olaniyan; Dr Kola Balogun and Mr Akeem Agbaje.

    The party officials said the other aspirants were merely exercising their rights to contest election.

    According to them, APC is not yet aware of their ambition to contest the governorship race.

    Other aspirants are: former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala; Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey, Mr Ajiboye Omodewu; his Health counterpart, Dr Azeez Adeduntan; Prof. Adeolu Akande; Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bayo Adelabu and Senator Adesoji Akanbi.

    While many of the aspirants hail from Ibadan and Oke-Ogun areas of the state, Alao-Akala and Buhari hail from Ogbomoso. Only Dr Akintunde hails from Oyo.

    The party is currently preparing for a local government election on May 12.

  • Oyo APC: Buhari’s govt ‘ll disappoint cynics in 2018

    The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured Nigerians that the Muhammadu Buhari administration will leave the worst cynics of the party with nothing to capitalise on.

    The party said the Buhari administration’s efforts to restore Nigeria to the path of greatness would be felt in all sectors this year.

    In a statement by its State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, the ruling party predicted that more comfort and happiness would come the way of Nigerians as the party – at all levels – had planned to change the status of Nigeria from that of a hopelessness and vulnerability nation to that of hopefulness, abundance and stability country.

    The statement said: “The less-than three years that the APC has been in the saddle have been so challenging but there are strong indications that God Almighty, who caused the Change to happen in 2015, would not abandon the country as we make steady progress in the areas of improved security, economic recovery, food sufficiency and political stability. Therefore, most Nigerians are aware of the difference made so far and they are ready to encourage the APC to consolidate on these achievements.

    “In Oyo State, we salute the courage of Governor Abiola Ajimobi for remaining steadfast and resolute on his mission to restore, reform and transform the Pacesetter State, despite the daunting challenges of paucity of funds. We have seen how he has been able to offset the backlog of salary arrears when most states in the country are still battling with the problems while the vision to improve social infrastructure has not suffered any abandonment.

    “More importantly, we would like to applaud leaders, elders and members of our great party for their patience, resilience and loyalty over the years while we also wish them a prosperous new year. It is our sincere prayer that each member would derive maximum benefits from their patriotism and contribution to the development of the APC. Events in recent time have indicated that APC is a party one can be proud of, and we urge members to keep the flag flying.”

    Also, Oyo State APC has hailed its elected representatives and other political office holders, particularly “those who have never distanced themselves from the party as well as the people that elected or supported them”.

    The party expressed appreciation to its good ambassadors, stressing that the few who performed below expectations should raise their game as the 2019 would be more competitive.

    It said: “Apart from the governor, who has performed creditably, we also have many Federal lawmakers and state Assemblymen, who have done well to provide dividends of democracy to the people, at the same time assist the cause of democracy and good governance. However, we can assure that only the best would emerge as the party’s standard bearers at all levels in 2019 general election.

    “On the 2019 governorship ticket, we are delighted with the quality of aspirants who have so far indicated their intention by visiting the state secretariat (of the party) while we charge them to maintain decency and decorum in their subtle mobilisation efforts ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and party guidelines. All the aspirants are guaranteed a level-playing field. The party will not disappoint the masses as it will present the best among the pack when the time comes.

    “Lastly, we appreciate the decision of many notable political players in the state, especially those who recently pitched their tent with the APC. We encourage them to see themselves as having equal stakes as others who have been in the party before them. We assure all of them of fair treatment, as the party is always ready to reward hard work, commitment and loyalty.”

     

  • Oyo APC hails Ajimobi on new monarchs

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has hailed Governor Abiola Ajimobi on the successful enthronement of 21 new monarchs in Ibadan land at the weekend.

    The mass coronation, on Sunday, followed the adoption of the recommendations of the retired Justice Boade-led Panel of Enquiry set up by the state government to review the Ibadan Chieftaincy Law of 1959.

    A crowd of eminent personalities, religious leaders, heads of traditional institutions and well-wishers were at Mapo Hall to witness the colourful ceremony during which most members of the Olubadan-in-Council received beaded crowns as new obas.

    Many baales across Ibadan land also received beaded crowns as well as staffs of office in accordance with the reviewed law and Yoruba tradition.

    In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olawale Sadare, APC praised the governor “for his unquenchable passion for recording unprecedented feats in the overall interest of the general populace as evident in his six years of good governance in the Pacesetter State”.

    The statement added: “A critical appraisal of the development would leave no one in doubt about the fact that Senator Ajimobi prioritised the rapid development of Ibadan land, and Oyo State in general, as he is determined to leave no stone unturned in his quest to put his people on the same pedestal with the developed societies across the globe.

    “Therefore, we appeal to those who might be aggrieved with the development to take a second look at their position, or better still, seek audience with the state government for further clarification.

    “We are fascinated by the words of Senator Ajimobi at the coronation ceremony when he was quoted thus: ‘We are not changing history, we are not changing tradition, we are not changing the culture of Ibadan land; rather, we are elevating and consolidating our traditional institution, the exalted position of the Olubadan of Ibadan as the Imperial Majesty in Ibadan land, the Olubadan-in-Council and the Chieftaincy Institution without altering or tinkering with the traditional succession and ascendancy system of the Olubadan Chieftaincy structure.’

  • Ekiti, Oyo APC: he’s a torchbearer of change

    Ekiti, Oyo APC: he’s a torchbearer of change

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti and Oyo states yesterday described Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the torchbearer of change in the modern day Nigeria.

    According to Oyo State APC, Tinubu’s personality represents the surest hope for the timely realisation of the full potential of the country as a democratic nation.

    In a statement in Ibadan to congratulate the former Lagos State Governor on his 65th birthday, the Oyo State APC said the occasion offered a unique opportunity for all to re-appraise his contributions to humanity, the African continent and Nigeria.

    The statement, which was signed by its Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, said: “Nigeria, since inception, has always been blessed with patriotic icons, most of whom were not fully appreciated until after their death.”

    It added: “The challenge before most of the discerning minds in contemporary Nigeria is to acknowledge the heroic efforts of citizens like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, whose actions as a political leader have led to the rediscovery of the essence of good governance and purposeful leadership.

    “After a successful career in the private sector, which spanned many years, Asiwaju Tinubu took Nigeria’s political turf by storm when he became the Lagos State Executive Governor in 1999 and within eight years, he was able to lay a solid foundation for the Centre of Excellence, which today ranks among the best in the world.

    “In addition to this, Tinubu was able to liberate virtually all the Southwestern states from the lethal hands of some political impostors before he crowned it with the unprecedented feat of 2015, when the APC dislodged the PDP from the centre.

    “It is an incontrovertible fact that Senator Bola Tinubu was the biggest contributor to the victory of our party at the 2015 general elections since all his strategy and sacrifices as well as those of few others were enough to rescue Nigeria from the verge of a precipice.

    “Like a Jagaban that he is, Tinubu led the onslaught against the party in power and he never succumbed to inducement, harassment and blackmail in the hands of the powers-that-be until Buhari/Osinbajo presidency was realised for the good of the country.”

    Ekiti State APC, in a statement, attributed the feat recorded by the party in the 2015 general elections, in which it dethroned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the political ingenuity of Tinubu.

    In the statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the party congratulated Tinubu on his 65th birthday and described him as “an icon of democracy”.

    The party also described the former Lagos State governor as “a dogged and courageous fighter, a political juggernaut and master strategist with uncommon wisdom of an astute manager of men and materials.”

    Recalling Tinubu’s role in the success story of progressive politics in Ekiti State, Olatunbosun said he achieved that feat as a defender of truth and social justice.

    Also describing Tinubu as a politician with a Midas touch, the party said APC’s victory in the national election that produced President Muhammadu Buhari was as a result of visionary leadership championed by the Asiwaju of Lagos.

    It said: “Today, as we join millions of our party men and women as well as well-meaning Nigerians to celebrate this icon of democracy, our own Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 65, our prayer is that God in His infinite mercy would continue to bless, keep and strengthen you.

    “Long may you live to continue your selfless services to humanity and grow Nigeria to a prosperous nation that will be a pride of all Nigerians.”

  • ‘Oyo APC, AP set for council poll’

    All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman in Oyo State Akin Oke and an Accord Party (AP) chieftain Oluwafemi Josiah have declared their parties’ readiness for the local government election on February 11.

    The APC said its screening had been concluded and primaries would soon be conducted in the 33 councils.

    Josiah said his party has conducted its primaries and screened eligible candidates.

    He doubted the sincerity of the State Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) in conducting the election on the set date.

    His words: “We are ready for the election. We have our supporters on ground. We have done our primaries and our candidates have emerged.

    “The problem now is OYSEIC is not doing enough to educate the electorate. On our part, we have entered into alliances with other parties. So, you will not be surprised that in some places we will be using the platform of another party to contest.”

  • Oyo APC to Nigerians: true change coming in 2017

    Oyo APC to Nigerians: true change coming in 2017

    As Nigerians join the rest of the world to usher in the new calendar year of 2017, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has assured that the realisation of the desired positive change in the overall affair of the country would begin to manifest in the New Year.
    The party, in its New Year message by its Director of Publicity, Olawale Sadare urged Nigerians to keep faith with the APC governments at all level and pray more for the well-being of their fatherland.
    The APC predicted that Nigeria’s socio-economic status would receive an unprecedented boost in 2017 in view of the painstaking efforts of the present Muhammadu Buhari administration and the cooperation of an overwhelming majority of the citizenry who have defied all odds to remain patriotic and steadfast to the cause of the world’s most populous black nation.

  • Oyo APC calls for emergency NEC meeting

    Oyo APC calls for emergency NEC meeting

    Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for an emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) to discuss and resolve contentious and knotty issues.

    It described the failure of its national leadership under Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to call NEC meeting for the past one and half years as unfortunate and unacceptable.

    Its Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, spoke in an interview with The Nation in Ibadan yesterday over the call by APC National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to Odigie-Oyegun to resign.

    He said: “The stance of the Oyo State chapter of the APC on the issue on ground is that the Chief Oyegun-led exco must call an emergency National Executive Council meeting of the party without delay.”

    Oke lamented that it was unthinkable that there was never been any NEC meeting since the last one and half years.

    He faulted the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) on the crisis that arose from the Ondo State governorship primary.

    He queried: “Why haven’t they called for NEC meeting. Is the NWC more powerful than NEC?  The constitution of the party is very clear on this.

    “Let them follow what the constitution says. So, our stance in Oyo State is that they must call an emergency meeting of NEC to resolve these contentious issues once and for all. That is our position.”

    When asked what was the stance of Oyo State APC on Tinubu’s call for the resignation of Odigie-Oyegun, Oke said: “Asiwaju has spoken.”

  • Oyo APC to Ladoja, others: go to court over LCDAs creation

    Oyo APC to Ladoja, others: go to court over LCDAs creation

    OYO State All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged Accord party and its leader, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja,  and other politicians who are opposed to the proposed implementation of the law creating Local Council Development Council Areas (LCDAs) to seek redress in the court of law.

    The party said rather than resorting to self-help or  attempting to mislead the public over the issue, aggrieved parties should head for the court.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi  last week made public the readiness of his administration to implement the provision of a law passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly in August, 2002, which legalised the creation of additional 35 LCDAs to the existing 33 councils as a matter of expediency.

    But some opposition figures  have kicked against the move, describing it as unnecessary.

    Reacting to the development, the APC, in a statement  in Ibadan by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, said it was unfortunate to know that some individuals or groups would throw decorum into the winds and kick against a people-oriented plan of action, whose implementation was long overdue after years of neglect.

    “We are so much worried about the decision of some uninformed political bigots to pour away the bath water with the baby in their bid to attract undue attention to themselves. This is so because most discerning minds are aware of the fact that present Oyo State was always shortchanged in the scheme of things as far as creation of new state and local government councils was done by the Babangida and Abacha military juntas.

     

  • Olubadan, Oyo APC eulogise Olatubosun for PhD

    Olubadan, Oyo APC eulogise Olatubosun for PhD

    Joy is n the air for a former State Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, Hon. Wasiu Olatubosun, who bagged a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Mass Communication last weekend.

    Olatubosun, who is the current Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Ibadan North West Local Government, obtained a PhD in Mass Communication at Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, at the weekend.

    He was appointed to the same position in August, 2011 by Governor Abiola Ajimobi following the party’s victory in the election. Olatunbosun was so deeply involved in political activities that his announcement of completing the academic programme left many in shock. They wondered how he managed to combine intense political activities with rigorous academic research, particularly the political campaign of the last year election in which he served as the Chairman, Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the Abiola Ajimobi Campaign Organisation.

    The surprise led to an outpouring of congratulatory messages for the graduand since announcement of the completion of the academic programme last month.

    At the convocation ground at the weekend, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, hailed Olatubosun, saying he showed the capacity to excel in whatever he lays his hands on.

    The monarch, who was represented by the Osi Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, said: “We are very proud of him. Despite the tight schedule he has, he still found time to go through this course. It s marvelous. We are proud of him. I wish him more successes. I pray he becomes a professor.

    “My advice to others is that people should not think that they are old or that because they are in positions, they cannot study again. If Olatubosun can find time in spite of the tigh schedule, rigorous electioneering campaign and others, nobody has excuse not to study more. It is a very hard task. I want people to emulate him. It is never too late.”

    Also eulogizing the politician for obtaining the highest degree while serving in a political office and mobilizing the grassroots political machinery, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke, said Olatubosun deserves commendation for the new feat.

    His words: “It is gratifying that a man like Ogbeni Wasiu Olatubosun who is known for his passion, commitment and hard work, has made it in the field of academics while still contributing his quota well in politics and public administration. He is our pride in the APC and we congratulate him on this enviable achievement.”

    After obtaining Bachelor of Education degree in Language Arts at the University of Ibadan in 1994, Olatubosun obtained an M. A. In Communication and Language Arts in the same university in 2002 after which he obtained M. Sc. Mass Communication at the University of Lagos in 2007.

    Olatubosun had worked as News Editor at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) from 1996 to 97 and as Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Olabisi Onabanjo University before being appointed as the Chairman, Ibadan North West Local Government since 2011.