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  • Oyo CJ releases 30 inmates of Agodi Prisons

    The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Honourable Justice Muntar Abimbola, on Tuesday released 30 inmates from the Agodi Prisons, Ibadan.

    Out of the figure, 25 inmates were released unconditionally and on the grounds that they were discovered to have stayed longer than expected in custody through their trial process, three were released on bail to continue their trials, one was released on legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) and another one, a juvenile was released to be taken to remand home.

    Only two of the released inmates were female.

    The release according to the CJ was in exercise of his powers to visit the prison to see how proceedings and trial of inmates have been going and also help to decongest the prison.

    The session which started around 10am and lasted till around 5:10pm at the hall inside the Agodi Prisons was witness by top judicial officers, prison officials, officials of the directorate of public prosecution, lawyers, prosecutors, non-government organisations, the police and officials of the Nigerian Bar Association.

    The CJ said: “We have been able to consider 26 cases worthy of release. 25 inmates were released unconditionally and on the grounds that they have stayed so long through the trial process.

    Read Also: ‘Nigerian prisons below UN standards’

    “One inmate was released on legal advice by the DPP. Another inmate was released to be taken to remand home because he is a juvenile/child offender, so we do not want him to be merged together with the adult offenders.

    “Three were released on bail to continue their case in court. One was released and the NDLEA should be on his track. That is how far we can go, but because of the number of enormous cases before us, we agreed to come back in  two weeks.”

    While speaking on the necessity of the exercise, Justice Abimbola noted that, the exercise which is statutory is expected to be frequent is important and essential to decongest the prison and ensure inmates are given speedy trials.

    He added that the exercise which recorded the least number of released inmate in recent time is an indication of caution on the power to release inmates and not do so carelessly.

    In his welcome remarks earlier, the Controller of Prison, Oyo state Command, Akinrujomu Tosin appreciated the CJ for “coming to perform one of his constitutional duties and decongest the facility by facilitating speedy hearings and justice for cases stalled or that are taking too long in the court of law.”

    Noting that the prisons had been having challenges with the facilities as a result of overstretching of the facilities, the controller said the facility presently have 1,115 inmates with 945 awaiting trials (male) and 15 females awaiting trials as against the 390 it was built to accommodate since the colonial era.

    He said the gesture of the CJ is not only beneficial to the Prison Service but also to the inmates awaiting trials who the law presumed innocent until proven otherwise saying “it will aid then to quickly move on with their lives if speedily acquitted and if otherwise, accept their sentences and fully benefit from rehabilitation, germane to the leadership of the Service.”

    In a charge to the released inmates, Justice Iyabo Yerima urged them to be grateful to for the privilege and not abuse same by shunning crimes and such other issues that brought them to the prison in the first place.

    She pleaded with them to ensure they find good means of livelihood and ensure they contribute positively to the progress of the society.

  • Oyo senators deny decamping to PDP

    The two senators from Oyo State, whose names appear on the list of defectors to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the floor of the Senate Tuesday, Adesoji Akanbi and Monsurat Sunmonu, have denied defecting to the major opposition party.

    In separate statements, the two lawmakers described the listing of their names as an error which they must correct to members of the public.

    But while Senator Akanbi said his name was wrongly included in the list, adding that he raised a point of order to correct it at the floor of the senate, Sunmonu said she only defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Read Also:Defection: PDP gives Saraki, Dogara, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, others two-week deadline

    Sunmonu, in a statement, explained that her defection was due to the crisis in the Oyo State chapter of the APC, stressing that genuine reconciliation was not being pursued.

    “Today, 24 July 2018, a letter was read during the Senate Plenary announcing the defection of some senators from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “Please be advised that my defection is as a result of issues within the APC Oyo State Chapter.

    “As we know, politics is local and despite the rhetoric, there has been little or no effort at the state level to reconcile differences by incorporating various stakeholders and interests.

    “I hereby declare affiliation with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).”

    In his own statement, Akanbi emphasized that he was still a member of the APC, adding that he was loyal to the party and its leadership. The statement read: “It was to my great surprise to hear that my name was listed among APC senators defecting to the PDP on the floor of the Senate Chamber by the Senate President. I remain an APC member and the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District. This is to put the record straight. I am a progressive to the core. I remain loyal to my party and its leadership.”

    A total of 15 senators had been listed to have defected to the PDP at the Senate in a move interpreted by many political watchers to be the first step in allowing the PDP to take over the leadership of the Senate under Senator Bukola Saraki who is also expected to defect to the PDP.

  • Oyo APC crisis almost over, says Ajimobi

    Ray of hope shone on Monday on the crisis rocking the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressive Congress as the party leaders, elders and other relevant stakeholders from the seven geo political zones of the state met to review the reconcialliation efforts and agreed that it is more than 75 percent successful.

    The elders and enlarged stakeholders who met at the Oke Ado state party secretariat considered the reports of the various committees set up from all the geo political zones and agreed that restoring the party to its better days is almost completed.

    Governor Abiola  Ajimobi, while addressing the press after a closed door meeting that lasted for over three hours assures that the crisis of division rocking the ruling party in the state will end soon, noting that the reconciliatory move to broker peace between the two warring factions has reached 75 per cent success.

    Recall that the party has been divided into two following the recently conducted ward, local government and state congresses of the party in the state. A splinter group known as Oyo APC Unity Forum emerged and held parallel congresses and produced parallel executives at the local government and state levels as well.

    Notable members of the unity forum are Minister of Communication, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu; former Chief of Staff to Governor Ajimobi, Prof Adeolu Akande; and former chairman of Ibadan North West, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun.

    Read Also: Don’t politicise butchers’ relocation – Ajimobi

    The meeting,  which began at 1:35 and ended at about 3:50pm, was held behind closed doors, and was attended by leaders of the party from the seven geo-political divisions for the state including, Ibadan City, Ibadan Less City, Oyo, Igbomoso, Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun 1 and Oke-Ogun 2.

    Those at the meeting included a former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala; deputy governor, Otunba Moses Adeyemo; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Olagunju Ojo; the state’s APC chairman, Chief Akin Oke; as well as serving and former members of House of Representatives.

    Ajimobi stated that more than 75 per cent of the aggrieved members that left the party have agreed to return and work for the success of APC in the state, especially during the 2019 general elections. He added that the national leadership of APC has also promised to consider the grievances of the Unity Forum following the reports submitted by relevant committees set up by the party.

    He said “The meeting is about reconciliation. It’s about talking to our elders; it’s about party politics generally. There will always be grievances, there will always be conflicts but in politics just like all other human endeavours, there are conflicts and resolutions and we will continue to have that.

    “The level of success of the efforts I will rank it at more than 75 percent. Some of our people who were aggrieved are coming back. Some people are aggrieved, rightly so, some people are aggrieved wrongly so, but the most important thing is that we must recognize that in all human endeavours there are bound to be conflicts and there are bound to be resolutions.

    “As leaders of the party, we must continue to accommodate, to give and take and we dont want winner takes all. The battle has been won and now let us reconcile. There are those that no matter what you do, they will not reconcile, no matter what you do, they are just irreconcilliable. And there are those that with little efforts they will reconcile with you and that is the purpose of the meeting.”

    Similarly, Dr Azeez Olatunde, the Publicity Secretary, said that the report brought by the leaders in the various zones of the state.

    He stated that the governor commended the leaders and accepted the recommendations of they made at the meeting.

    “The leaders have been able to present their demands to the party and leader has assured them of readiness to implement them. The party would look into the grievances of those with genuine grievances. The report submitted revealed that 75 percent of the aggrieved members have returned to the party,” he said.

    Olatunde stated that quantum of grievances during the last congresses has been watered down, assuring that the governor would soon begin to implement the recommendations.

  • Oyo prosecutes 45 illegal street traders

    Oyo State Government has prosecuted about 45 illegal street traders in Ibadan metropolis, saying that street trading will not be tolerated in the state.

    Also, the state government has said that adequate measures are being put in place to prevent flooding in the state, noting that dredging has commenced on some major streams and blocked drainage are being cleared across the state.

    The traders who appeared before Magistrate Patricia Olasunbo Adetuyibi at the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources premises on illegal placement of their goods on public roads were prosecuted under Section 2, Sub-Section 14 of the Oyo State Solid Waste Management Offences, Fines and Sanctions.

    The traders, who pleaded that they would not display their goods on the street again, were sentenced to two months imprisonment with an option of fine ranging from N5,000 to N10,000 by Magistrate Adetuyibi.

    It would be recalled that Oyo State Government had been sensitizing the general public especially traders in the State to stop displaying their goods on the public roads and streets.

    The State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Chief Isaac Ishola said adequate sensitization and enlightenment have been made to stop street trading, saying that street trading is an act of violating the Environmental regulations Laws of the State.

    Ishola said, “We have engaged them on this cause, we have sensitized them, we have made them realise the benefit of Environmental hygiene. Trading on the street is against the Environmental regulation Laws of Oyo State, we have made series of arrests and appearances before the magistrate. If they are guilty, the court will sentence them to prison or an option of fine, but we are not really interested in their fines but compliance to no street trading. In essence, all what we are saying is no more street trading which is what the Law says”.

    He advised traders to comply with the no street trading Laws of Oyo State, noting that the government cannot fold its arms and allow the citizens to lose their lives all in the name of street trading and trading under high tension cables.

    He reiterated further that it is an offence for anybody to trade with wheel barrow by the road side in the State, adding that anybody trading on wheel barrow by the road side would be apprehended and appear before the magistrate for constituting an Environmental Nuisance.

  • Oyo APC is United, Stronger says Shina Peller

    All Progressive Congress, APC, chieftain and Federal House of Assembly Representative Aspirant, Chief Shina Abiola Peller has debunked the claim that APC Oyo state has been factionalized.

    Speaking at the flag-off of his declaration and campaign as an aspirant running for the House of Representative of the National Assembly representing the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajow a federal constituency, Peller said APC, is united and stronger than ever.

    He emphasized that Nigerians should dispel rumors that the Oyo state APC is divided as such news is only being circulated by mere mischief makers, adding that such people are and should be treated as enemies of the state.

    “I don’t believe there are factions within APC in Oyo State, what I believe and preach are that, we are as strong as we are united and we are as weak as we are divided. I know the noise about factions and division is to weaken our strength as a party and confuse us as a people. Therefore, I will never ever in my life entertain any faction.

    “APC is one in Oyo State and we will do everything within our power to make sure that unity is maintained. Anyone who carries the factional ideology does not have the love of the people at heart, I am APC and I belong to everybody,” He added.

    Speaking with newsmen on the reason for joining the National Assembly political race, he said, “I have decided to join this political race because my people have spoken to me and I have listened.

    “My people know my worth, my achievements and having somebody that can actually represent this constituency has been a challenge, I cannot afford to be selfish, I have to think about the less privileged too”.

    Read Also: PDP candidate accuses APC of vote buying

    Peller also disclosed that his mandate for the people is unity for progress, highlighting that the Oke-Ogun constituency is only relatively relevant is during election but his candidature will breach the current gap of irrelevancy and bring about even development in the entire Oke-Ogun constituency.

    Meanwhile, the House of representative aspirant during his declaration also launched his empowerment and grassroots development programme which he called Shina Ayo Empowerment Programme, SAEP.

    According to him, the empowerment programme is currently more on empowering youth and women which will spread across the four zones in Oke-Ogun even up to ward level.

    While Peller urged the youth to be patients for the said developments to materialize, he however charged them to register, vote, and engage in politics, while shunning political thuggery.

    “The young people of Nigeria are the most powerful single block in the country, we would not allow ourselves to be used by people who do not have our interest at heart,” he stated.

    In his words, the Executive Chairman, Itesiwaju Local Government of Oyo State, Mr. Niyi Adeagbo noted that Shina Peller’s declaration and the wealth of experience his bringing into politics will set a high standard for 2019 political aspirants in Oyo State.

    He said, “The party primary is just 60 to 90 days away and will are committed to delivering our local government to ensure Shina wins the party ticket and subsequently the elections.

    “The perceived crisis within our party in the state is as a result of contrast interests and it’s normal in politics. The leaders of our party, Governor Abiola Ajimobi and other concerned party stakeholders are working round the clock to ensure conflicting interests are resolved and we shall come out victorious just like in 2015.”

  • Oyo Govt nabs fake revenue collectors in Ibadan

    Two members of a fake tax collection syndicate were on Friday nabbed by the officials of the Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue in Ibadan, while carrying out their illegal operation around Agbarigo, Onireke Avenue, Ibadan, in the branded jacket of the Board.

    According to the identity cards caught on the suspects, the duo was tagged ‘revenue collector’ with one Joint Tax Board (JTB) consultant.

    The suspects were nabbed by the officials of the state board of internal revenue who were on a tax awareness, sensitization and collection tour of markets on payment of tax by traders and operators in the informal sector in the state.

    The OYBIR team was led by the Chairman of the Board, Mr Bicci Alli, the Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Akinwale Akinade, top officials of the Board and other revenue collectors who were on a tour of the Bodija, Apata and Idi-Iroko markets in the capital city.

    The suspects; Friday Emmanuel and Oyedeji Oyekunle, in an interview with journalists, disclosed that they are on an appointment with a staff in one of the local government council in Ibadan who pays them on a 50-50 remuneration basis of whatever amount they generate per day.

    They also professed their innocence that they were not on an illegal operation but on appointment as consultants to the board, as reflected in one of the suspect’s identity card. The identity card which bears the logo, name and image of the board further drew the attention of the Chairman, Oyo State board of internal revenue, Mr Bicci Alli to investigate the matter the more.

    To prove their innocence, the suspects were told to make phone call to their employer, whose name was simply given as ‘Mr Bayo’ who they claimed works at an undisclosed local government in Ibadan, but the efforts were unsuccessful as the said Mr Bayo initially failed to pick the calls but later told the suspect to come to the Ibadan North East LG.

    Read Also: Why I want to govern Oyo, by Adelabu

    However, other attempts to call the said Mr. Bayo for a confirmation of his location later saw his phone line not connecting as it was said to have been switched off. the suspects also said they had other tax collectors who operate in other parts of the city but that the two of them only knew each other as members of a team.

    The suspects said “We were employed around March/April 2018 to collect consolidated tax on behalf of the state by one Mr Bayo who we have been trying to put calls through to his line. Though we were not given any letter of appointment to that effect but we were told that we will get a letter from the Commissioner of Police. Up till now, we are yet to receive the letter.”

    On remuneration and how they operate, they said “We are on 50-50 agreement. That means we take 50 per cent of whatever amount we collect. The receipt is N5,000 but it’s negotiable. In case we’re unable to make up to that amount, we have to ensure that we deposit the N2,500 percentage per receipt of the receipt sold.”

    Thereafter, Mr Alli ordered officers of the board to hand over the suspects to the police for further investigation.

    Items found in their possession include copies receipts bearing logo and name of the Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue, copies of consolidated certificates for trucks, buses, pickups, cars, operational permit clearance certificate, road taxes certificates, driver and conductor’s badges, road user’s permit, stage carriage revenue with JTB packet of used and unused receipts, among others.

    While reacting to the situation, OYBIR Chairman, Mr Bicci Alli, said neither the state government nor the OYBIR had engaged any contractors, agents or consultant to collect revenue on its behalf by the roadside.

    He emphasised that the government did not send any agent to collect its revenue in whatever format, urging the people not to patronise such an agent or make any payment to them. He added that all roadside tax collection is illegal and as such must not be patronised.

    Alli urged the people of the state to desist from making any financial payment to any individual in the name of the state government, pointing out that revenue accruable to the state government are to be paid to designated banks.

    He, however, added that only trained revenue collectors for the informal are operating with a POS machine to collect revenue while all others for the formal and organised sectors are made to the designated banks.

  • Oyo NLC shuts MTN offices in Ibadan

    Nigerian workers under the aegis of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State Chapter, on Monday, shut down the operations at all the offices of telecommunication giant, MTN across Ibadan, the Oyo state capital over the allegation that the company over the years refused to allow its members of staff unionise.

    Oyo State NLC Chairman, Mr Waheed Olojede, who led other labour leaders and members in the exercise, said the action became inevitable owing to continuous noncompliance of MTN to its calls for adherence to conventions of the International Labour Organisation which demands that workers be members of a union.

    The NLC boss who was accompanied by his counterpart from the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Emmanuel Ogundiran, expressed optimism that MTN will within the next three days, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to the effect that the organisation will inaugurate leadership of their union.

    During the Monday exercise, MTN offices in areas like Idi Ape, Mobil and Secretariat were among those picketed, with Olojede assuring that more operational offices of the telecommunications company will be visited today (Tuesday).

    Speaking on why the labour union decided on MTN among other telecommunication companies, Olojede explained that the State chapter only complied with the directive of its national leadership.

    He warned that other telecom companies may be picketed next week if the needful is not done.

    Olojede said, “By the directive of the Central Working Committee of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), we are here to say no to the anti-labour practices of MTN in Nigeria. Over the years, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has engaged the management in negotiations, consultations on the need to allow workers under the employ of MTN to unionise.

    “Unionization within establishment is internationally accepted. It is captured by the conventions of the International Labour Organisation. Here in Nigeria, the laws of the federal republic of Nigeria, Article 30 allows it. The constitution also allows for freedom of association. It worries NLC as to why MTN is not allowing its workers to unionise.

    “When all negotiations between the management of MTN and the leadership of NLC is not producing the desired result, hence the need for this action. The meeting in Kaduna decided to employ legal instrument of picketing and lockout to tell the management of MTN in Nigeria that their actions are illegal, anti-labour and uncivilized.

    “Within three days, MTN is expected to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with the NLC in ensuring that unionization is allowed. It is a three day action nationwide. Once they sign an agreement and we see those organizations inaugurating leadership of their union, we will suppress action.

    “One thing some employers of labour do not know so well is that peace, decorum and tranquility resides in an environment where you have industrial union. This is an opportunity for the two key parties to negotiate dialogue and create industrial peace and harmony. Almost all telecom companies are guilty of this offence. But MTN being the largest of them all, they are the first we are picketing and the instruction is narrowed down to MTN.

    “I believe the Central Working Committee of the NLC will decide the next line of action concerning other telecommunication companies. I am sure this action is sending signals to other telecommunication companies that their practices are illegal and the labour movement will not stand akimbo to watch all these actions continue unabated,” Olojede said.

  • 2019: Aspirant promises electorate free education, prompt salary

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress in Oyo State, Dr. Sola Ayandele has assured the people of the state that poverty alleviation, free education at all levels, free healthcare to the vulnerable, children, infants will be part of his focus if elected the next governor of the state.

    Additionally, he said, premium would be placed on agriculture as the basis for industrialization, encouraging regional integration as well as ensuring that the civil service drive all government initiatives and activities. He also vowed to ensure that civil servants get their salary by the 25th of every month.

    Ayandele, a Director with Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing limited gave the assurance, Thursday at the Oke-Ado, state party secretariat, Ibadan when he visited the party executives to make his intentions of taking over the job of governance from the incumbent Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    The carnival-like visit to the party secretary had in attendance thousands of Ayandele’s supporters who stormed the Oke-Ado office in customized Ankara and t-shirt bearing the image of the astute businessman, who also pledged to stand by the APC manifesto.

    He said, “I am here at the APC Secretariat to declare my intention to be the next governor of Oyo State by the special grace of God. I want to thank the leadership of APC, thank Governor Abiola Ajimobi for having laid a very solid foundation upon which I intend to build upon. By the special grace of God, we will strictly adhere to the manifesto of the APC. Even after that, we would try to personalize it.

    “What we will do is poverty alleviation, free education at all levels, free healthcare to the vulnerable women, children, infants. We will focus on Agriculture which will be the basis for our industrialization. In all of these, we will encourage regional integration as well as encourage our civil service to drive all government initiatives.

    “As I told the party executives, I promise that when I become governor, by the 25th of every month, civil servants will collect their salary. On security, by the special grace of God, whatever the governor is doing right will be deepened, expanded and encouraged.

    While speaking on the crisis rocking the state chapter of the ruling APC, Ayandele expressed optimism that true progressives remain in the mainstream of the party and that no matter the depth of the crisis or wherever they go, true progressive would always return.

    “We are not worried because as a true progressive, there is nowhere we will go. The teeth and tongue will fight but they will not leave the mouth. The true progressive will find their way back. We will appeal to them and things will be fine. There has been a lot of efforts and people are discussing,” Ayandele said.

     

  • Oyo seals 14 gaming centers for tax default

    At least 14 gaming centre across Ibadan metropolis were on Thursday shut by the Oyo state government for various offences that bothers on tax defaults.

    Acting through the Board of Internal Revenue (OYBIR), the agency saddled with generating government revenue, the enforcement team has be on an aggressive enforcement drive to ensure that the gaming centres conducted their business activities in line with the rules guiding the operations.

    Areas covered in the enforcement operations include Sango, Mokola, Iwo road, Awolowo way, New Bodija, Beere, Molete and Challenge axis.

    Some of the centres found culpable include, collabobet, surebet247, 1960bet, Jackpot pools and dollars pools.

    Others are Zeus bet, saint victory, ocean pools, betnaija, golden chance, and winners bet, Fortune bet, Yangabet and Westcobet among others.

    The chairman of the board, Mr. Bicci Alli, said the concern of his board in engaging in the enforcement drive is to ensure that organisations and business interest operating within the state comply strictly with the tax laws governing their operations.

    Read Also: We are ready to fight for justice in Oyo APC , Shittu insists

    The team of officials, made up of representatives of Oyo State Gaming Board and officials of the OYBIR who worked in various teams to face different parts of the state commenced the exercise from Awolowo way where some of the gaming centre were just opening for operations.

    Mr Alli, reiterated that the affected companies, had earlier been officially communicated of their outstanding debt to the government and another reminded of their inability to fulfil their payment within the regulated time through a letter from the office of the Director, Trade, Ministry of Trade, K.W. Mustapha, pointing out that only those who failed to comply as at the due date were sealed up.

    The enforcement effort carried out by the Board, it was gathered is in pursuant to the provision of section 8(1-2) Oyo state professional/business premises law 1996 (as amended) for varying years being owed.

    But, some of the affected centres upon the activity swoop on the Revenue office of the board at the state secretariat to regularise their papers and make prompt payment to save their business.

    Speaking with journalists at the end of the day’s exercise, the Board Chairman, Mr Alli said it is high time people of the state develop the culture of compliance of paying taxes, both to the state and federal authorities. He pointed out that the corporate entities affected by the exercise have been duly informed before the exercise was carried on Wednesday morning.

    Alli said, “Basically, what we are doing is not different from what we are supposed to do. That is, just that we make sure we are ensuring that people do what they are supposed to do and that what is due to Oyo state is accrue to it.
    Assuring that the Board will not act above the law, Alli noted that the agency had sensitised the affected entities a lot before the enforcement exercise which continue today, noting that“we have done a lot in writing, sensitising them, talking to them and exchanged a lot of correspondences before today.

    “However, where they fail to do the right thing, we enforce. We are very serious about compliance. People should be ready to pay. It does not really matter how much they pay, not about the money but once they have the assessment. Our people should learn to do the right thing. They should develop the culture.  Though we need to generate more revenue, it is not the amount per say but the culture of compliance that we want our people to cultivate”, he added.

    On the corporate establishments that were sealed on Wednesday, Alli maintained that the board “followed due process. Assessment notices were served on the corporate entities to pay. A bulk of the liabilities we are recovering now relates to past years not necessarily 2018. We have evidence to show that notices were sent to the corporate entities while reminders of seven days to pay followed accordingly, but those sealed never took government serious.”

     

  • Why I want to be Oyo governor again – Alao-Akala

    A former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, on Wednesday declared his intention to contest for the governorship seat in 2019, saying he was bowing to intense pressure by his admirers.

    The former governor made the declaration on Wednesday at his Bodija, Ibadan, residence while receiving members of  the Akala Support Group who paid him a visit.

    The group had at a programme held at Premier Hotel in Ibadan on March 29 called on Alao-Akala to re-contest in 2019.

    “Patriotic people of Oyo State, for quite some time now, I have been inundated by telephone calls and text messages from well-meaning citizens and subjected to intense pressure.

    ”  I have been receiving these messages  from Destiny Group, corporate bodies, political associates and friends alike to stage a comeback to the governorship seat in the state.

    “Having communed with my creator, the Almighty God, my immediate family and due consultations with critical stakeholders, I do solemnly offer myself to contest for the governorship seat in 2019. So help me God,” he said.

    Read Also: Court adjourns Alao-Akala’s fraud trial

    Alao-Akala said he was contesting with a view to consolidating on and surpassing  the achievements recorded so far by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi.

    He claimed that he endeavoured “ to put smiles on the faces of people within available resources’’  when he was governor  between  2007  and  2011.

    Alao-Akala commended the  efforts of  Ajimobi who had  been  governing  the state in the last seven years.

    “Ajimobi’s remarkable programmes and projects in the areas where people find tough to venture into have been impactful on the citizenry such that the people have tagged him ‘Koseleri Governor.

    “My fellow compatriots, you can see vividly the similarities in our designations, ‘Oyato’ and ‘Koseleri, ‘both of which are clear evidence of purposeful governance,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Dr Fola Akinosun, the Chairman of Akala Support Group, had described Alao-Akala as the most qualified and experienced among all those who had declared interest in the governorship race.

    Akinosun, who is a member of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, said this was not the time to experiment in the choice of leadership.

    Mr Olu Abiala, a former NLC Chairman in the state, also said the  visit was to appeal to Alao-Akala to listen to the call by no fewer than 5,000 members of the group to contest.

    Among those present at the  forum  were human rights activists, labour leaders,  traders as well as  representatives of  youth and  women groups.