The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oyo state

  • Titans face tough National Assembly battle in Oyo

    Candidates of the various political parties are facing a tough National Assembly election in Oyo State. Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the three serving senators and other political titans are in the race, giving no room for any of them to relax, writes Southwest Bureau Chief BISI OLADELE.

    THE race for National Assembly seats in Oyo State is congested and cloudy. Well-known names are on the stage to wrest power from the three serving senators and 14 members of the House of Representatives.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi leads the pack of flagbearers. A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajimobi is contesting for the Oyo South senatorial seat against the incumbent Sen. Adesoji Akanbi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). A former commissioner for Trade, Investments and Cooperatives, Dr Kola Balogun, is also jostling for the seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), though his ticket is still being contested in court by a former deputy governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi. In the Action Democratic Party (ADP), which has been made popular by former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Dr Fola Akinosun is in the race against Ajimobi and others. The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), which is currently under the leadership of Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, is fielding Nureni Adisa for the Oyo South race.

    The Oyo Central race is equally a tough one. The incumbent lawmaker, Monsurat Sunmonu of ADC is slugging it out with former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin of the APC, Temitope Sugar of the ADP, Chief Bisi Ilaka of the PDP and the ZLP’s Mumuni Olaniyan.

    In Oyo North, a former House Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola of the PDP is up against the incumbent, Dr Fatai Buhari of the APC, Adeleke Adebayo of the ADC, Bashiru Lawal of the ZLP and Ahmed Salawudeen of the ADP.

    The candidates have been having sleepless nights, traversing the length and breadth of their constituencies to persuade voters to support them. It is particularly tough, because some of them are either incumbents or former legislators from whom many constituents have benefitted. While the former ones are going round with confidence over what they achieved for the constituency in the past, the incumbents are riding on the crest of their ongoing and recent empowerment projects. Yet, new entrants are also relying on the impacts their political leaders have made on the constituencies in the past, ethnic factor or party popularity.

    However, the influence of money seems to tower above all the other factors, as the electorate still distrust politicians, believing that whatever they can extort from them during electioneering campaign is their major profit for supporting them. This fact stares the candidates in the face and gives them no room for complacency as the rescheduled election draws near.

    By implication, the voters are embracing all the candidates with open arms, to exploit them before voting for the candidate of their choice. So, determining who earns whose vote remains the greatest headache of the politicians. They seem to be at loss about whom to trust, but are carrying on with the campaign in good faith.

    Read also: Three Nollywood films selected for Hollywood showcase

    In all of these, however, Ajimobi in Oyo South and Sen. Buhari in Oyo North appear to be more sure-footed in their quest, compared to the other candidates, because they remained in their original parties. Since Ajimobi contested and won on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011 along with Sen. Buhari and others, both of them have remained in the party, which later transformed to the APC. Both of them are incumbents contesting in their original party. The machinery of the governing party both at the state and federal level is sure to work for them. The power of incumbency will also help Sen. Sunmonu and Akanbi and many other ADC House of Representatives candidates in certain ways.

    When contacted, however, Sen. Buhari shrugged off permutations. He said he was carrying on with his campaign with a strong hope of victory, because he has never been far from his constituents. He said: “Election is just an exercise. It comes and goes. But I am always with my people, listening to them and representing their interest. So, whether it is election or any other exercise, my people know who I am, and I know who they are. Our bond is tight. So, there is no room for suggestions of failure.”

    As for Sen, Sunmonu and Akanbi, both are involved more in direct campaign than through the mass media. They also insisted that names and character of candidates will be a stronger factor in the rescheduled February 23 election. They are also upbeat of trouncing their co-contestants.

    But, as the PDP train moves round the state, its governorship candidate, Seyi Makinde, has been standing surety for all PDP candidates in the four elections. He wants people to vote for them based on his own credibility.

    Judging by the result of the 2015 elections, the party has a chance to do well in Oyo State. The choice of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate may also work in the party’s favour in the state. This is because the presidential and National Assembly elections are lumped together, voters who prefer one presidential candidate will most likely vote for the same party

     

  • Akala: count me out of alliance against APC candidate Adelabu

    The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, has said he will not join other opposition candidates to form an alliance against the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adebayo Adelabu.

    Alao-Akala, who is a former governor, said he was not working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate or any other for an alliance, as reported in some sections of the media.

    Speaking through his campaign organisation yesterday, the ADP candidate said the reports were aimed at “misinforming and confusing our teeming supporters the world over”.

    The statement by the Director General of the campaign organisation, Chief Wale Ohu, reads: “At a time, the rumour in town was that he was not serious about his governorship ambition and that he was going to play the role of a spoiler or work for another governorship candidate.

    “The most recent is that he is working for the PDP governorship candidate, Seyi Makinde.

    “The Akala Campaign Organisation hereby debunks all these insinuations. They are the handiwork of the propaganda machinery of the government in power in Oyo State, which is jittery and overwhelmed by the soaring popularity of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and to state clearly that the former governor is committed to taking the people of Oyo State out of the political mess they have been plunged by the insensitive APC government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi since he left office eight years ago.

    “Otunba Alao-Akala has toured the nooks and crannies of Oyo State, taking the message of hope to the citizenry, which was received with enthusiasm by the people.

    “Alao-Akala is not into any discussion, alliance or talks with the PDP governorship candidate Makinde or any other for that matter.

     

     

     

  • ‘We have confidence in INEC to conduct polls’

    Despite the barrage of allegations and mudsling on the nation’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), one of the newly registered political parties, African Action Congress (AAC) on Thursday said the party has a firm belief in the integrity and competence of the electoral body to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

    The assurance came on the heels of allegation and counter allegations from both the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the leading opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with both of them accusing the electoral commission to be working for the other.

    Speaking in Ibadan, the Oyo State Governorship candidate of AAC, Engineer Akinwale Laosun flayed the ruling and opposition parties as well as two other leading opposition parties saying the fears of what they had both done in the past is affecting their conscience and making them suspicious of one outsmarting the other.

    While expressing confidence that INEC will be fair to all the parties, Laosun noted that the top four parties in the country, including the ruling party are just a mere duplication of the leading and main opposition party.

    He noted that the membership of the parties comprises people who have traversed and moved from one of the parties to another since the current political dispensation and the level of poverty across the country is an indication of lack of visionary leadership for the country.

    Read Also: INEC and our suicidal political elite

    He urged Nigerians not to be weary or discouraged by what he described as unpalatable situations across the country but turn out in mass to exercise their voting right in electing a new set of “visionary, youthful and focused leaders for both the country in the person of Omoyele Sowore and himself at the state level.

    He was accompanied at the briefing by the Deputy State Party Chairman, Mr Ola Olaniyan, Director General, Akinwale Omololu Laosun (AOL) Campaign Team, Mr Olukayode Oluwaremi, candidates for the house of assembly elections and other members of the Campaign team.

    Charging the electorate, the AAC governorship candidate said the forthcoming election is about the future of the country which must be done with all sense of responsibility if the experience of people in the last 20 years is anything to go by.

    “AAC believes in INEC to carry out a credible election. Both APC and PDP know themselves and know each other’s secrets and that is why they are attacking INEC.

    “One thing we know is that if the people will turn out to vote in the coming elections, it will be very difficult for the election to be rigged. We have trust and confidence in INEC to conduct a free and fair election. If Nigeria is to move forward, this is the time to vote in new sets of credible, youthful ad focus leaders.

    “This is the time to make a transformational change that our country needs and I know that with AAC in power, the future is better secure.”

  • Seek redress after election, Oyo CP tells parties

    Oyo state Commissioner of Police Shina Olukolu on Wednesday assured residents of the command’s readiness to provide adequate security during the forthcoming polls.

    While calling on the people to troop out en mass to exercise their civic duty on Saturday, he urged all the political parties and their supporters to maintain peaceful conducts before, during and after the exercise.

    In a statement by the command, Olukolu advised political parties to seek redress on any grievances at the court of law after election.

    Read Also: Oyo police read riot act to politicians

    The statement reads: “In furtherance of the IGP subsisting directives and consequent upon the meeting held by the AIG zone XI Osogbo, AIG Leye Oyebade mni, with the Commissioners of Police of Ondo, Oyo and Osun States, the Oyo State Police Command wishes to assure the good people of Oyo State that all the identified possible threats and challenges are being continuously, reviewed and emplaced security measures to combat same and embolden the confidence of the populace in ensuring large turnout of voters during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections slated for Saturday, 23, February 2019.

    “The Command CP, Shina T. Olukolu therefore wishes to assure of a hitch free voting exercise on Saturday. In view of this, the Oyo State Police Command wishes to reiterate the need for all and sundry to refrain from engaging in any acts that may cause breach of peace before, during and after the election.

    “Any aggrieved party/parties on any issue or issues are advised to seek redress in a court of law.”

  • Court fixes March 22 for settlement of UI school Hijab crisis

    Justice Laniran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court 9 in Ibadan, the state capital has fixed March 22 for report of settlement in a suit filed by parents of some female Muslim students of University of Ibadan International School Ibadan (ISI) over denial on use of Hijab.

    Some parents of some Muslim students of ISI had dragged the school management to court for alleged violation of  the fundamental human right of their wards by disallowing the wearing of hijab on their school uniform.

    The Muslim parents who filed the suit on behalf of their children are: Taofeek Yekinni, Idris Badiru, Sikiru Babarinde, Muideen Akerele, Abdurrahman Balogun and nine others.

    Also joined as respondents in the suit are the University of Ibadan, Principal of the school, Mrs. Phebean Olowe and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) University of Ibadan who doubles as the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Professor Yinka Aderinto.

    The claimants want the court to declare the continuous denial of the authority of ISI to allow the female Muslim students from wearing hijab on their school uniform as wrongful and unconstitutional.

    Read Also: Court asks EFCC to release ex-Skye Bank Chair

    Akintola fixed the date on Wednesday after noting the steps taken by parties on the advice given to them at the previous sitting by the judge to try to settle the matter out of court.

    He said: “We should all savage the situation together and am sure the matter can be amicably resolved.

    “The matter is adjourned to March 22 for report of settlement and mention”.

    Counsel to the claimants, Dr Abdulwahab Egbewole (SAN) had earlier told the court that parties has been trying to meet to see how the matter can be settled out of court.

    Egbewole said that the parties had agreed to meet after the court sitting of Wednesday.

    Counsel to the 1st and 4th respondents, Mrs. Oluwatobi Ola and other respondents counsel confirmed the position of the claimants’ counsel.

  • Akala‘s son suspended as Ogbomoso council chair

    The Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Hon. Olamiju Alao-Akala, has been suspended from office.

    He is the son of former governor and governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.

    Olamiju was elected chairman along with 56 others on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    But he dumped the party last week to join his father in the ADP.

    His suspension may not be unconnected with the defection.

    A letter signed by four councillors in the council said he was suspended for gross misconduct, adding the decision was taken after a legislative council plenary on Friday.

    Meanwhile, the suspended council boss has urged people to be calm, stressing that he remains the chairman of the local government.

    His words: “The development is not only illegal but also a comedy script written by the power that be and acted by amateur actors and actresses involved”

    Reacting to the development on Facebook, Alao-Akala’s camp alleged the councillors were forced to sign the suspension order by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    Alao-Akala quoted Hon. Adebowale Oyejoke, one of those who signed the resolution, as saying that they were summoned to Government House where they were ordered to sign the prepared resolution in the presence of the governor.

  • Update: Presidential polls materials arrive Oyo state

    As expected, materials for Saturday’s presidential elections have arrived Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
    Confirming the development on telephone, the Oyo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Mutiu Agboke said the materials were safely delivered to the commissions headquarters office in Agodi and would be immediately sorted out and distributed to the various polling centres across the 33 local government areas of the state.

    Read also: INEC has distributed 98 per cent election materials in Borno – REC

    But, Agboke said materials for the Oyo Central senatorial district election is still on the way to Ibadan, expressing confidence that the materials will arrive tonight and be sorted out for onward distribution before the commencement of elections by 8am, Saturday
    However, he did not give details as to why the materials are been delivered in batches.

  • Oyo speaker condemns Akala’s son’s defection to ADP

    The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Right Honorable Olagunju Ojo has described the last minutes defection of the Ogbomoso North Local Government Chairman, Mr Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to his father’s party, Action Democratic Party (ADP) as betrayal of trust.

    Ojo who is also the APC Candidate for Ogbomoso North, South and Oriire Federal Constituency in this weekend’s National Assembly elections stated this today while featuring on a live radio programme on Ajilete FM, Gambari, Ogbomoso.

    While reacting to an allegation made today by former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala on a private radio station in Ogbomoso that Hon Ojo and other politicians betrayed him by not defecting with him to ADP, the Speaker pointed out that he never betrayed the former Governor for he did not invite him or brief him for once when he decided to leave APC for ADP.

    He explained further that former Governor Alao-Akala even congratulated him when he was given the ticket to contest for the House of Representatives Election under the platform of the APC.

    Read Also: Senate Race: Ajimobi is best choice for Oyo South

    He added that he never heard anything on his defection to ADP for his Governorship ambition despite the fact that he visited him in his Bodija Ibadan residence few hours to his defection for consultation as his then political leader.

    Hon. Ojo said the former Governor even told him not to leave APC in his capacity as the Speaker, OYO State House of Assembly.

    On Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly Elections, the OYHA Speaker expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari and all the candidates of the ruling party in Ogbomoso Land will emerge victorious.

    He stressed that people of Ogbomosoland are now ready to move from opposition party and support the ruling APC for the progress of the ancient town.

    He made it known that many prominent politicians in Ogbomosoland have left former Governor Alao-Akala for APC.

     

  • Impostors have cloned my voice, Ajimobi’s wife cries out

    Wife of the Oyo state governor, Dr Florence Ajimobi has raised an alarm that some members of the opposition parties have started circulating false audio files using her voice.

    On Thursday, while Mrs. Ajimobi was addressing the women of Oyo state at an empowerment program at the Lekan Salami Stadium Ibadan, told the women that an audio manipulation aimed to discredit her husband and claim that her husband, Governor Abiola Ajimobi is retiring from politics because of age.

    She urged the people not only to discountenance the audio broadcast but to also support her husband’s ambition to return to the Senate as the representative from Oyo South Senatorial District.

    At the event which was attended by women groups, market leaders, non-governmental organisations, youth groups, among others, one thousand women were empowered with various small scale business equipment and N20, 000 cash.

    Some of the items distributed to the women include, sewing machines, industrial cookers, freezers, hair dryers, grinding machines, and popcorn making machines.

    Speaking on the purported audio broadcast circulating on the social media, Mrs. Ajimobi lamented that she couldn’t have imagined that people would stoop so low and to the extent of defaming her and her husband all in the name of politics.

    Although, she agreed not to mention the name of any particular politician to have been behind the schemes, she was vehement in pointing accusing fingers in the direction of the opposition parties.

    She said, “Yesterday, some people mimicked my voice and said that my husband is no longer interested in politics because he’s too old. I didn’t say anything of such and the audio broadcast is not me.

    “Besides, age is just a number. Some persons are fifty something years old and they are not as sensible and reasonable as my husband.

    “I have handed them over to God. As they plan to defame me, God will defame them. I will not mention their names; they have started circulating it online.

    “I am scared, I thought those who go on holy pilgrimage regularly should be holy and righteous, but they are just wicked people. Some of them were given tickets in APC, yet they betrayed us and left for another party and diverted all the benefits that should have come to our people.

    While noting that the government is not coming with the empowerment because of the election, the first lady reminded the people of various similar efforts that had lifted the people from poverty.

    She however urged the beneficiaries of the empowerment program to ensure that they vote for APC in the general election.

    She said “Don’t think that this is a campaign, we have been doing this before now. There is no party that can do what we are doing today.

    “There is no party that can cater for women like this party. It takes only someone with the fear of God to do this kind of empowerment in a hard time like this. Let’s not go backwards, only Buhari can take this country forward.”

    The Governor who later joined the event seized the opportunity to introduce the All Progressive Congress governorship candidate, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu to the people, assuring them the APC candidate has all it takes to build on the foundation he had laid in the last seven and half years in the state.

    In the various responses, the women groups all pledged their support to the APC candidates in the forthcoming elections, adding that they will reciprocate Mrs. Ajimobi’s kind gestures since assumption of office with massive votes for all the candidates of the APC.

  • I’ll respect gender balance as Governor, says Adelabu

    The Oyo State candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the March 2, 2019 gubernatorial election, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has promised a gender-balanced cabinet if he wins the election.

    Adelabu made this declaration at a gubernatorial debate held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, on Tuesday.

    The debate was organised by Splash FM and Lagelu FM, both private radio stations based in Ibadan.

    According to him, “My administration is going to abide by the UN prescription on involvement of women in governance.

    “It’s incontrovertible that women don’t have the propensity for corruption like men, as such we’re going to have women of proven integrity in our administration,” Adelabu declared.

    In response to a question on the projects being undertaken by the incumbent administration, Adelabu promised to continue and build on the good work of Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration.

    He also promised to pay the N30,000 minimum wage to workers in the state, while working to have an improved educational and healthcare delivery systems.

    On the office of the First Lady, Adelabu said he would have a wife of the governor and not first lady.

    Other candidates that participated in the debate included Senator Olufemi Lanlehin of ADC; Mr Olalekan Ayorinde, of ANRP; Mrs. Bolanle Asabi-Sarumi of NIP; Mr Seyi Makinde of PDP and Chief Sarafadeen Alli of ZLP.

    The organizers said that the debate was organised to provide a window of opportunity for the electorate to have direct interface with the candidates to assess their level of preparedness for the coveted office.

    The candidates were unanimous on the need to work out an amicable solution to the seemingly intractable crisis facing the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, (LAUTECH).

    The debate was the third in its series by the stations ahead of every governorship election.