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Tag: Oyo

  • Polls: More alliances in Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Ogun

    Sanwo-Olu is best, says Fashola, Why I’m backing Adelabu, by Alao-Akala

    Aremu quits for AbdulRazaq, Daniel backs Abiodun, Adebutu roots for Akinlade

    Parties were consolidating yesterday their alliances in preparation for tomorrow’s crucial Governorship and States’ Assembly elections.

    Before campaigns ended last night, there were realignment of forces, last-minute defections and judicial interventions in some of the states.

    The Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a case against Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Dapo Abiodun, saying an NYSC certificate is no constitutional requirement for an electoral office.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja ruled that Sen. Ayogu Eze is the authentic candidate of the APC. Here is a report of events in the various states:

    Ogun

    Former Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Gbenga Daniel endorsed Abiodun. Though Daniel did not defect to the APC, he urged his supporters to vote for Abiodun tomorrow.

    This endorsement followed a Wednesday night meeting at his Asoludero Court in Sagamu.

    With this, Daniel has turned his back on PDP governorship candidate Buruji Kashamu.

    Aside Daniel’s endorsement, Abiodun also received the backing of six governorship candidates and 14 political parties.

    The party chairmen who backed Abiodun include Adeyinka Adeyemi(Alliance For Social Democrats), Olusegun Oluyemi (Better Nigeria Progressive Party), Asimiyu Arisekola(Advanced  Allied Party), Kelani Alao (African People’s Alliance), Adekunle Owode (National Action Council), Odejide Radio (Democratic People’s Congress) and Adeshina Abraham (People’s Progressive Party).

    Others are Otunba Rasheed Odebude (People’s Trust), Bolanle Bello(People for Democratic Change), Otunba Femi Soluade( Mass Action Junction Alliance), Prince Talabi Abiodun(People’s Coalition Party(PDP) and two others.

    The parties, in a statement jointly signed by their chairmen, said they shared the same ideologies and would work with the APC to take the state to a greater height.

    The six governorship candidates, in a statement signed under the aegis of the Governorship Candidates Forum, said they decided to support Abiodun because of his plans and programmes.

    The governorship candidates are: Olusegun Olufemi of Better Nigeria Progressives Party, Femi Olomu (Alliance of Social Democrats) and Adegbola   John (Advanced Allied Party).

    The others are Odejide Adio (Democratic People’s Congress), Adeshina Abraham (People’s Progressives Party) and Lanre Banjo (People’s Trust).

    Also, a House of Representatives candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Yewa-South/Ipokia Federal Constituency and a House of Assembly candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, Yewa South State constituency, Olukayode Idowu  and Boluwatife Salako, adopted  Abiodun.

    Abiodun also received a legal victory when a court yesterday ruled in his favour in a case over his National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) certificate.

    The APC governorship hopeful’s rival, Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), got the backing of the Sikirulai Ogundele-led faction of the PDP.

    Ogundele announced the endorsement at a news conference in Abeokuta. The governorship candidate of the faction, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, on Wednesday failed in his legal bid to nullify Kashamu’s nomination.

    Ogundele directed its members across the state to come out en-masse tomorrow and vote for Akinlade.

    “Ogun is an important state in Nigeria and our decision has been informed by the need to sustain the state in the area of development, which the current administration has initiated.

    “Politics is about credibility, responsiveness and integrity, among others, and we have found all these qualities in Akinlade.

    “We believe that this development will enhance his chances of winning the governorship polls in the state,” he said.

    Oyo

    The chances of APC governorship candidate Chief Adebayo Adelabu received a major boost with his adoption by 13 political parties under the aegis of the Forum of Political Parties.

    Former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala also urged Ogbomoso people to rally behind the APC governorship candidate to enhance the historic city of warriors’ growth.

    The chairmen of the 13 political parties conveyed their adoption of the APC candidate in a joint March 6 letter addressed to the APC State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke.

    The signatories include Mr. Abimbola Azeez of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN); Otunba A. Fagbemi, Allied Peoples Movement (APM); United Progressive Party (UPP), Sunday Badejo; Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN), Mr. Abass Oladimeji; and Young Democratic Party (YDP), Mr. Chris Ayanniyi.

    Others are the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), Akin Adelekan; Independent Democrats (ID), Chief Wasiu Are; Mr. Bolaji Olugbode of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) as well as the chairmen of Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA), Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP), Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), Re-Build Nigeria Party (RBNP) and Democratic People’s Party (DPP).

    The ex-governor, who sacrificed his second term prospect under the Action Democratic Party to support Adelabu, addressed a tumultuous crowd of party supporters at a mega rally held at the façade of Soun Ogunlola Hall, Ogbomoso, on Wednesday.

    Also on the campaign trail were prominent leaders of Ogbomoso, including a former local government chairman, Chief Dayo Lawal and a Fourth Republic Senator, Gen. Brimmo Yusuf (retd.)

    Alao-Akala visited the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, with Adelabu and his running mate, Samuel Egunjobi. He said that his alliance with the APC was in the best interest of the city.

    After perusing the blueprint of the two governorship candidates jostling for his endorsement, Alao-Akala said that he settled for the APC candidate based on what he called his superior credentials, track record, pedigree and ability to deliver on electioneering promises.

    Urging Ogbomoso residents to cast their vote for Adelabu, the ex-governor assured them that they would not regret it.

    He added that the enormity of the task ahead had made it imperative for a coalition of interests and the coming together of political parties desirous of making appreciable impact at the governorship election.

    Alao-Akala said: “You know we are not new in this game of politics. I have carefully assessed the credentials of the people seeking my support and I have no equivocation in settling for Bayo Adelabu of the APC.

    “My alliance with the APC for the governorship election is in our best interest in Ogbomoso. I have never misled you and I will not mislead you on this. The alliance will be of tremendous benefit to us. I have told the APC leadership, up to the national level, what Ogbomoso wants.

    “I told them that Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is our own heritage here, that the hospital needs attention and we want them to bring it up to the admirable standard we dreamt of it. Ilorin-Ogbomoso Road has suffered inexplicable neglect over the years and I have also secured assurances that it will receive the needed attention, if the APC candidate wins.

    “Therefore, I urge you to vote for Bayo Adelabu of the APC as governor on Saturday. We stand to gain a lot from an APC government at the state and national levels. I’m not in this for myself, but in the interest of Ogbomoso.”

    Adelabu expressed gratitude to Alao-Akala for backing him.

    Noting that the Ilorin-Ogbomoso road is the gateway to the North, he promised to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure its completion, if he is elected as the governor.

    LAGOS

    In Lagos, APC candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu reiterated his promise of a people-oriented administration. Power, Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola urged the electorate to vote for him and his running mate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.

    Fashola said that no one should trade experience for mere desperation to be governor.

    Speaking during a live television interview programme on Television Continental (TCV), where he, Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat were guests, Fashola, who is the immediate past Governor of Lagos, noted that voting for the APC candidate will guarantee continuity of the great strides that Lagos has made since 1999.

    According to the former governor, the candidacy of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat is the best that can happen to Lagosians, as the two men are not novices to the workings of government.

    “They are not only tested, but have also been part of the process of development that Lagos has witnessed since 1999 till date,” Fashola said.

    The former governor said that Lagos cannot afford to experiment at this point in its history, that the people had gone beyond that stage where governance will be left in the hands of, inexperienced individual.

    Sanwo-Olu assured Lagosians that their needs have been captured in his planned programme tagged “THEME”.

    His running mate said technology will take the centre stage in their administration.

    He specifically mentioned education, traffic management, health, the economy and security as the sectors in which technology will play prominent roles.

    “But the first step is for you our people to go out on Saturday to vote for the APC. Its then we will be able to fulfil these promises,” Hamzat said.

    The Awori Concerned Elders (ACE) in conjunction with Awori Welfare Association of Nigeria have urged all its adults to vote for the APC governorship candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday.

    At a conference in Lagos, the spokesperson of the group, Prince Adeniyi Jafojo described Sanwo- Olu as the best of all the candidates, noting that the group would mobilise the indigenes to vote the candidate.

    He added that Awori people had been supporting APC right from inception. According to him, voting the APC is not only politically wise, it give room for the entrenchment of the party’s progressives policies.

    “The Awori concerned elders have reviewed the political situation in Lagos State since inception, therefore it has been considered expedient that a directive to all Aworis to vote the APC is very appropriate.

    “The continuation  will facilitate a smooth take-off of the new government and sustain the existing political landscapes.”

    The Yoruba Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAYAN) also endorsed all the governorship candidate of the APC in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.

    Its president, Prince Adeniyi Olutimehin, said the decision was taken after extensive consultations with major stakeholders.

    Enugu

    Enugu State Governor and PDP governorship candidate Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi rounded off his campaign with some leaders commending his achievements. He also declared a public holiday to enable people prepare for the election.

    Ugwuanyi embarked on door-to-door campaign at his home local council, Udenu.

    Prominent leaders of the PDP in Enugu State at a rally applauded the governor for entrenching peace, tranquility and good governance.

    The PDP chieftains include the Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu, former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, Senator Fidelis Okoro, Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi, and Ambassador Justina Eze. They described Ugwuanyi as a man of history.

    Ekweremadu said it was because of the peace in the state that Nwobodo, for the first time in the history of the state, joined other PDP leaders to witness the grand finale of the party’s campaign.

    He said: “It has never happened before and I thank you (Ugwuanyi) for the peace and tranquility in Enugu State. There is no bickering or quarrels among the political leaders in the state.”

    Describing Ugwuanyi as a son, Nwobodo thanked him for bringing everybody together.

    Senator Onuaguluchi eulogised  Ugwuanyi for the “uncommon peace” “he brought to the state, noting that “all of us have come to learn from Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi)”.

    Ambassador Eze also applauded Ugwuanyi’s “uncommon leadership style” and joined others in urging the people to come out en-masse to vote massively for the governor and other candidates of the PDP tomorrow.

    Ugwuanyi appreciated the party’s stalwarts for their kind words and tremendous support for his administration as well as his re-election bid.

    He thanked the electorate for the support they gave to the PDP during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, and urged them to vote massively for him and House of Assembly candidates of the party on Saturday.

    Ugwuanyi’s challenger in the APC, Ayogu Eze, received legal backing for his ambition yesterday when the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja confirmed his candidature. The court set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court which voided the nomination of Eze as the state’s APC governorship candidate.

    The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment of a three-man panel, allowed the appeal by Eze and proceeded to affirm him as the rightfully nominated candidate to represent the party in the election scheduled for tomorrow.

    Justice Abdul Aboki, in the lead judgment, set aside the judgment of Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace Eze with George Ogara as the APC governorship candidate for the APC in Enugu State.

    Ayogu told reporters that he was back and would definitely win the election on Saturday.

    He said the judgment that led to the removal of his name suppose not to be adding that it was politically manipulated.

    “But come May 29, 2019 your brother who is talking to you now will be sworn in as the governor of Enugu state.

    “ They cannot stop it. The will be swept by a tsunami which they can’t explain where it come from,” said Eze.

    He thanked his numerous supporters for exercising patience while the judicial process was on.

     Gombe

    In Gombe State, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), consisting 39 political parties and 15 governorship candidates, endorsed PDP’s Bayero Nafada as their candidate in Gombe. This came a day after 19 political parties endorsed the APC candidate, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya.

    The coalition, in a statement signed by Mohammed Adamu and Sunday Paris, Chairman and Secretary of  CUPP in the state, said the endorsement was done after a critical assessment of the PDP government’s achievements in Gombe.

    The statement, which was made available to reporters in Gombe, particularly commended the strides in the educational, health and agricultural sectors, and urged voters to vote for continuity so as to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

    “We are endorsing our candidate based on credibility; we want to consolidate on the gains of the present administration,” the statement said.

    Akwa Ibom

    The Change Nigeria Party (CNP) in Akwa Ibom State aligned itself with the APC and its governorship candidate, Nsima Ekere.

    The CNP also said it took the decision because its manifesto tallies with APC’s thrust of providing electricity, construction of refineries, poverty alleviation, regeneration of the political space, economic rejuvenation and other people enhancing policies of the ruling party.

    Its governorship candidate, Dr. Anietie Ukpong, said the CNP would support the APC to weed out the remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that ‘’PDP’s 16 years could be best described as 16 locust years in Nigeria’s history’’.

    Ukpong went on: ‘’What APC is doing is disintegrating Nigeria from the cobwebs of past failures and dysfunctional economic and political system which the PDP ran for 16 years.

    ‘’APC is blessed with leaders who have vision for the future prosperity of Nigerians. That is what CNP believes in. Nigeria’s prosperity lies with the youths.

    ‘’For 16 years PDP concentrated on building roads and all manner of infrastructure but cared less about the youths. CNP is in tandem with APC which is determined to change the narrative.’’

     Pleateau

    A group of Christians known as Catholic Social Forum yesterday declared support for APC governorship candidate Governor Simon Lalong.

    The group, which expressed its support in a statement by Sir Emmanuel Dashe and four others, said: “The Catholic Social Forum in the Shendam, Pankshin and Arch Diocese of Jos in their combined meeting of 7th March 2019 in Shendam Catechist Training Center, discussed the current political situation in Plateau State resolved that in view of the appreciable infrastructural development recorded in the last four years in Plateau State, as well as the appreciable peace experienced in the last four years, the incumbent governor should be returned to continued the good jobs he has initiated.

    “Secondly, in order to consolidate on the principle of zoning in Plateau State and in order to ensure the continuous payment civil servants salaries and pensions, and for the interest of an all-inclusive Governance and the need for a smooth transition and continuity.

    “We, the Members of the Catholic Social Forum In Shendam, Pankshin and Jos Arch Dioceses do hereby endorse, unconditionally the aspiration of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, the Rt Hon Barr Simon Bako Lalong in the forthcoming Governorship Elections in Plateau State.

    “Subsequent upon the above, we hereby call on all Catholics and the peace-loving people of Plateau State to come out en-masse and vote for the inclusive ticket of Governor Simon Lalong and his amiable Deputy, Prof Sunny Tyoden.”

    The governor also got the backing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders’ Advisory Council.

    The council’s chairman, Chief Joseph Din, in a statement yesterday in Jos, said: “As we go into this Saturday’s election, we want to fully endorse the candidature of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong who remains the most credible and widely acceptable man for the Plateau project among all other contestants of the seat.

    “Within the three and half years he has been the governor, he has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt his love and commitment towards a united and prosperous Plateau, as against the divisive acts of his predecessors.”

    The elders said the opposition PDP was showing high level of desperation for power to loot the commonwealth of the state.

    He called on security agencies to be vigilant and ensure peaceful, credible, free and fair election and put a searchlight on the PDP in the state which, he said, is bent on winning the poll at all cost.

    ”We call on agents and supporters of the APC to be watchful to ensure that their votes really count. Going by the last elections experience where many voters were disenfranchised as a result of the slowness and malfunctioning of card readers and late arrival of election materials, we call on INEC to put all strategies in place to ensure a hitch free exercise.

    ”We call on the electorates to come out en-masse and vote our amiable, humble and promised-keeping Governor who has left no one in doubt about his sincerity to totally rescue  Plateau from the hands of self-seeking individuals who do not mean well for the state and the people.”

    Kano

    Forty-three political parties yesterday in Kano declared their support for the APC governorship candidate, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

    The governorship candidates of the parties, who threw their weight behind governor Ganduje through their spokesman and United People’s Congress (UPC ) governorship candidate Ibrahim Gaya at the African House Government House,  directed their members to vote for the APC candidate tomorrow.

    Gaya said:  “We have dropped our contest and unanimously decided to endorsed the Candidature of Governor Ganduje in order for him to accomplish his mission of staging  a comeback and consolidate on socio-economic development of the state.”

    APC Chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas hailed the parties for their sacrifice.

    He said: “I have personally not witnessed a situation where a gubernatorial candidate will invite fellow colleagues to come dine and wine together in a conducive atmosphere.”

    Ganduje said he invited the candidates to the Government House to create mutual understanding between the political parties in the state to demonstrate love and unity of purpose.

    Delta

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to restrain APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole from taking steps capable of disrupting peace in Delta during tomorrow’s election.

    Leaders of youth organisations from various ethnic nationalities in Delta State also warned Oshiomhole to steer clear of the state tomorrow, adding that his presence would be violating the law.

    The leaders of the ethnic nationalities, led by the President-General of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, who is also the National President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Pereotubo Oweilaemi, spoke at a news conference in Warri.

    They urged security agencies to be neutral in their duties in all parts of the state on the Election Day.

    They said: “While we are hopeful that Deltans will again go to the polls without let or hindrance to cast their votes for their choice candidates come Saturday the 9th of March, 2019, we are worried that certain elements from neighbouring states want to ferment trouble in the State during the elections in order that their preferred candidates win the elections by any means necessary.

    “Prominent among such characters who are boasting that they will do everything necessary to rig the elections and to subvert the will of the people including coming to Delta State on the election day to coordinate the activities for his Party, is Comr. Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the APC. While Oshiomhole is free to campaign for his Party within the confines of the law, he has a limit in meddling with the affairs of Delta State which is not his State of origin.

    “The Electoral Act, 2010 is very clear on where and how Oshiomhole should conduct himself during the elections. Sections 58, 124, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130 and 131 of the Act did not permit Oshiomhole to be in Delta State on the Election Day. We warm him to desist from his desperate act of meddling into Delta State election. The APC National Chairman’s presence in Delta State on the Election Day will be an invitation to anarchy. It will be a recipe for total breakdown of law and order in the State.

    “We the Ethnic Nationalities’ Youths Leaders in the State will not fold our arms and allow foreigners to cause an avoidable crisis for us. We will resist Oshiomhole’s desperation to plunge Delta State into a big crisis. We, therefore, appeal to President Buhari and people of goodwill to call Adams Oshiomhole to order before things get out of control. Should there be any breakdown of law and order in the State then Nigerians should hold Oshiomhole responsible.

    “We also appeal to all members of the various political parties in the State to be law abiding and refrain from acts that will lead to needless hostilities in our dear State. Let us collectively fight against electoral violence of any kind and resist the undue interference by foreigners who are heating up the polity for us.”

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s reelection bid received a boost after the oil and gas host communities of Nigeria(HOSTCOM) Delta State pledged to cast their votes for the PDP.

    The group observed that Okowa has done a lot for Deltans through well-executed projects and programmes to merit second term in office.

    Its Chairman, Gabriel Isibeluo, said: “All the oil and gas producing communities in Delta State hereby adopts Governor Okowa as our sole candidate for the Governorship position in the elections coming up on Saturday.

    “We will vote for someone who has track records of performance, we are aware that traditional rulers of different ethnic nationalities have adopted our Governor as their candidate too and bearing in mind that for you to be an active member of HOSTCOM that you must have your permanent voters cards, on Saturday, all the members of HOSTCOM will cast their votes for our Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa because, he deserves to be re-elected.

    “I assure you, our Governor, we will all enter Asaba for the victory dance, HOSTCOM will vote 100 per cent for you Sir, congratulations in advance.”

    Okowa  thanked HOSTCOM and all Deltans for believing in equity and partnering with his administration to deliver democratic dividends to the people.

    “You (HOSTCOM) are giving me a clear mandate as Deltans; I want to thank you for recognising our achievements in the last four years and for endorsing us for continuity till 2023; in our second term, we will continue to have townhall meetings because, a Governor that is not connected to the people is not a Governor; I like to identify with my people, all Deltans without discrimination; we approved that host communities should monitor Delta State Oil Producing Area Developmental Commission (DESOPADEC) projects and report back to me because of our desire for jobs to be executed to specifications; we are aware that there is no state government in this country that has constructed the number of roads like we have done and in the next four years, we shall continue to move from town to town, village to village to execute projects, so, if it has not gotten to your place, be patient, we will get to you, your happiness as Deltans gladdens our heart as government.”

    Rivers

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot lose the governorship and State Assembly elections.  The Rivers people, he noted were firmly with the party.

    According to him, tomorrow’s polls would end what he called “the illegal activities of the political monster” in the state.

    Read also: 9th National Assembly: Buhari, APC leaders to decide zoning

    Speaking during a town hall meeting with leaders of Rivers East Senatorial District in Port Harcourt, Wike charged the people not to be intimidated by soldiers, as they have a duty to cast their ballot.

    He said: “There is no way that the PDP will lose Rivers State and they tell the world that the elections are free and fair. Even if we want to play politics, how would they explain to the International community that PDP lost to an unknown party that did not campaign?

    Kwara

    In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, a group, known as O2 Liberation Movement, marched through major streets to rally support for the APC governorship candidate AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in tomorrow polls.

    The group was confident that the APC would repeat the feat of the February 23rd presidential and National Assembly elections in the Governorship and States’ House of Assembly elections.

    Speaking with reporters, Chairman of the movement, Alhaji Hassan Owoyale said: “We are organising one million-man march in solidarity for the APC governorship candidate in Kwara State and we are calling on all Kwarans to support and vote en masse just as they did two weeks ago for the party and all its candidates at the polls.

    “We believe in the ideology of APC, President Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. We are confident that if Alhaji

    Abdulrazaq becomes the governor, he will govern differently. Nothing is working in Kwara. We believe that Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is bringing in change. His government will work and be for the people. Not the government that will take our commonwealth to another part of the country.

    “The entire people of Kwara State are tired of this administration. They want change and that is what we are clamouring for. This liberation struggle has been on for the 10 years and we have been talking to people that we want a government that will give us free education, free health for our people and many things that we deserve in democracy.

    “The Liberation movement group at the last weekend visited some APC stalwarts to celebrate the party’s victory during the presidential and National Assembly elections.”

    Some chieftains visited included former governorship candidate Mohammed Dele Belgore, Alhaji Olosasa, Alhaji Musa Maiyaki, Dr Saliu Ajia, Lanre Sulyman, Dr Amuda Aluko among others.

    Sokoto

    In Sokoto, leaders of the Ardos and Magajis) and thousands of their members Silame,  Wamakko, Tangaza,  Gudu,  Yabo, Shagari, Binji and Tureta local government areas dumped the PDP for the APC.

    APC Chairman in the state, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu said that they left their former party sequel to their recurring neglect by the leaders of the PDP.

    According to him, the leaders and their followers have resolved to pitch their camps with the APC, as well as assiduously work to ensure the success of its candidates during the forthcoming governorship and assembly polls.

    The leader of the APC in Senator and Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, yesterday organised special prayers for peaceful polls.

    Wamakko said: “God gives and takes leadership and we solely rely on Him to succeed. Fervent prayers are potent armours against any ill-will.

    “The prayers are being offered to seek divine protection and to ensure the conduct of the forthcoming polls peacefully. The prayers are also aimed at ensuring sustainable peace, unity and socioeconomic prosperity in the State and Nigeria at large.”

    The former governor said the relationship between the APC and the Sultanate remained cordial.

    “The Sultan is apolitical and he is a Father to all. We have an excellent and perfect relationship with the Sultan, as well as the Sultanate Council of Sokoto. He is a highly revered leader, whom we all cherish and respect. Our party will also continue to uphold the dignity and exalted status of the traditional rulers.”

    In a statement by its Secretary,  Mr Umar Faruk Ladan, The Sultanate council also advised voters and members of the public to maintain adequate peace before, during and after the election.

    It further urged electorates to continue to cooperate with security agencies at all levels to help them provide peaceful atmosphere during the exercise.

     

  • Girl Child Trafficking: Another sign of crime to be feminine in this world

    Trafficking of girl-child is the illegal coercion, transport and sales of girls for the purpose of all kind of exploitation and to make money. The average girl child is most vulnerable to high rate of sexual violence, physical violence which includes homicide, torture, psychological anguish, horrifying work, poor living conditions and extreme deprivation of all right and privileges.

    What have we done to resist all these harassment? The only thing we have done is to fold our arms and watch the girl child suffer from physical and mental torture. Between March, 1999 and April, 2000, 1,126 Nigerian victims of female trafficking were deported to Nigeria.  A lot are still stranded in another man’s land begging to survive. Efosah, a 17year old girl who lived with her mother in Lagos was invited to Italy by a neighbour for a holiday. When she got to Italy, she was told she owed N700, 000 to the unmentioned person that covered her travel expenses. She was forced into prostitution and was severely beaten when she attempted to escape. She eventually became very sick and could not make much money for the traffickers. She was dropped at the roadside and was caught in a police sweep operation. In the sweep, 88 other girls were deported along with her, and she arrived home battered and humiliated. What a painful abject neglect our girls are facing? You all made it a crime to come to this world with the feminine gender.

    In 2003, the Punch reported the discovery of 7 slaves colonies in Ogun, Oyo and Osun States of Nigeria, where 400 children between the ages of 4 and 13 were trafficked, 13 of them died within 3 months of being trafficked to Nigeria from Benin Republic. Yet, there are no vivid step taken to curtail this mess the girl child is forced into.

    The major cause of girl trafficking is the problem we have been battling with and that is female gender discrimination. Other causes are lack of education, divorced parent not caring for their children, ignorance of one’s legal right, poverty, inordinate desire for wealth etc. Nigerians have to rise and save these girls from physical and mental extinction.

    Orientating girl child who are susceptible to vices on how it can be prevented and formal education of girl-child can be a magnificent bearing to reduce or eradicate this menace. Government can also make and implement strict policies against girl trafficking, they can also partner with NGOs in fighting this menace. Awareness against the menace needs to be put in place, else we will have to tell stories to our future generations of a time when females were once mentally and socially stable, and I can bet you, those you tell the stories to will ask, when it was happening, what action did you take however small?

    Animasaun Oluwatoyin Rebecca

    Girl child Right Activist

    oluwatoyinanimasaun@gmail.com

    Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo

     

  • Poll: Parties join forces in Oyo, Kwara, Benue, Lagos

    POLITICAL parties are joining forces for better performance in Saturday’s Governorship and States’ Assembly Elections.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting governorship elections in 29 states. The assembly elections are holding in all the 36 states and the six council areas in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The candidates are outsmarting one another in last-minute moves to sway the electorate’s support ahead of the poll.

    Here is a report of events in the states:

    LAGOS

    In Lagos, 30 candidates are backing All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    TARABA

    In Taraba, the local chairman of the APC, Alhaji Ibrahim El-Sudi, insisted that Sani Abubakar remained its candidate for the governorship election.

    El-Sudi was reacting to a Federal High Court order earlier yesterday in Jalingo which disqualified Abubakar on the grounds of falsification of age. He said that the same case had been determined and dismissed by a superior court in 2007.

    The chairman noted that the party’s lawyers had swung into action to appeal the “mischievous judgement”.

    He urged the party’s supporters to continue with their campaign.

    A Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, the state capital,  presided over by Justice Stephen Pam, had issued an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and APC not to recognise Abubakar as a governorship candidate.

    A copy of the judgment showed that Usman Udi, Joshua Paaku, George Geofrey and Muslim Munkaila, had on January 9, urged the court  to disqualify Abubakar for falsifying his date of birth.

    “It is hereby declared that the information contained in the affidavit Abubakar supporting his personal particulars that he was born on February 14, 1968 is in conflict with his date of birth contained in the West African Senior School Certificate he submitted to INEC,” the court noted.

    NIGER

    Governorship candidates were locked in series of meetings to seal the support of their supporters.

    Some of the candidates took their campaigns to churches, holding talks with religious leaders to solicit for votes.

    The Nation gathered that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Joshua Bawa, had visited three churches between Sunday and yesterday.

    The two main contenders – the APC and PDP – have been meeting with various religious leaders and youth groups to strengthen their support bases.

    APC candidate and incumbent Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has been meeting with labour, religious leaders, indigenous groups, women, pressure groups and directors in Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    KWARA

    No fewer than 37 political parties in Kwara State pledged to support APC governorship candidate  Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

    The parties, under the umbrella of Kwara Like-Minds Political Parties (KLPP), backed all the APC House of Assembly candidates at the poll.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, spokesperson of the parties, Prince Oladele Sunday, directed their members to vote en masse for the candidates all the APC on Saturday.

    Prince Sunday said: “We are at a critical stage in our country, but most especially our dear state is already in political labour room and KLPP has joined hands with APC and other stakeholders in taking a successful delivery of liberated Kwara.

    “Today is not meant for an unending discussion but to let the whole world know that when the people were dying slowly in the hands of political tyrants, the KLPP showed up. When the people were groaning and gnashing their teeth under bad governance in the state, posterity will be fair to us that KLPP showed up.

    “Finally, members of KLPP hereby instruct our numerous members and appeal to the teeming voters in the state to come out en masse on March 9th to vote for all APC candidates. Let us all ‘show up’ so that we can all move from ‘O to gee’ (It’s enough) to ‘O to pe’ (It’s worthy of praise)”.

    APC Chairman Bashir Bolarinwa said: “The forthcoming governorship and House of Assembly elections are equally important to the APC. It is important to us as a party and the people of Kwara State.

    “I want to say here that out of 55 political parties that are functional in the state, today are above 35 have openly declared to identify with us. What that simply means is that all of them as members of these political parties are directing their members and appealing to the people to vote on Saturday for the governorship candidate of our party.

    “Further to that, all the 24 House of Assembly candidates of APC will on Saturday be candidates of their parties as well.”

    Also yesterday, a former state lawmaker, Wole Oke, said the victory of the APC candidates “means total freedom for Kwarans”.

    ENUGU

    In Enugu State, 70 political parties were said to have adopted incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the sole candidate.

    The parties, under the auspices of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), unanimously adopted Ugwuanyi of the PDP as their consensus candidate.

    The leaders of the political parties, who conveyed their position to the governor when they visited him at the Government House, Enugu, said: “Our mission here tonight is to reaffirm our total, unalloyed, unequivocal and unconditional support for your re-election as governor come March 9, 2019, which is barely five (four) days away.”

    OYO

    The Oyo State chapter of the APC berated the PDP candidate, Seyi Makinde, for “his double standards”.

    It urged the people not to trust an individual with such a major character flaw with their mandate.

    The APC lambasted Makinde on his coalition with the gubernatorial candidates of Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Femi Lanlehin, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Sarafadeen Alli, the leader of ZLP, Rashidi Ladoja and others.

    According to the APC spokesman, Dr AbdulAzeez Olatunde,  Makinde should explain “to the electorate who Ladoja, Lanlehin and Sarafa are to him as the APC does not want to preempt him by calling them godsons”.

    Olatunde felicitated with some members of ADC, ZLP, SDP and others for jumping off the “sinking ships” of the parties to align with the ruling party, stressing that “the APC knows their worth and will accord them their due respect and regard”.

    RIVERS

    An APC chieftain in Rivers State, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, restated the people’s determination to sack Governor Nyesom Wike with their ballot on Saturday.

    He said the resolution was because of what he called the abysmal performance of the PDP-led administration in the Southsouth state in the past four years.

    In an online statement, Eze alleged that Wike was the initiator of the call for his sack by Rivers people.

    Eze said: “The failure of Wike’s administration is responsible for why most Rivers people want him to go on May 29 this year. Rivers State is losing out on development, since Wike forced his way into office through the bloody and massively-rigged 2015 elections.

    Wike is the arrowhead of the agitation to remove him (Wike) from the Brick House (Government House, Port Harcourt), a project he initiated immediately he assumed office on May 29, 2015, by scaring away investors from the state, through the promotion of insecurity.”

    Members of the Coalition of Like-minded Rivers People described March 9 as the state’s day of hope, when Wike will be voted out.

    The group, at a news conference in Port Harcourt, as part of the massive protests they started on Monday in the state capital, declared that there was no going back in ensuring that a focused and God-fearing person would be the occupant of the Government House from May 29.

    The coalition’s three-page address was read by Azubuike Wanjoku, the President-General of Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM) International, who is also a member of the House of Assembly, representing Ikwerre constituency.

    But Wike, through his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, urged the people to ignore what he called “the propaganda of the APC”.

    He insisted that Wike’s impressive performance across the 23 local government areas would earn the PDP re-election on March 9.

    Also yesterday, the Police debunked the alleged plan to kidnap the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State. They urged the public to disregard it as fake news.

    Commissioner of Police Usman Belel, who debunked the rumour, described it as unfounded and unverifiable.

    The Special Assistant to the Governor on Electoronic Media, Simoen Nwakudu, had in a statment on Tuesday, raised the alarm on the alleged plan by APC members to kidnap the REC ahead of the polls to push for its postponement.

    But the Police Commissioner said that his men were on top of the security situation.

    The commissioner said there was no cause for alarm.

    DELTA

    The governorship candidate of the Allied congress party of Nigeria (ACPN) in Delta State, Chief Paul Isamade, urged Deltians to reject Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of the PDP, alleging that his four-year reign has brought nothing but backwardness to the state.

    Isamade, who is also the National Secretary of the party, said it was “unfortunate that 20 years into the current democratic dispensation, Delta State is still not working inspiite of the huge revenue that has accrued to it.”

    CROSS RIVER

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has not been sacked by the Court of Appeal, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary Christian Ita, said yesterday.

    Ita described as fake news reports trending on social media claiming the governor has been sacked by the appellate court in Lagos as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Saturday’s election.

    In a statement, the spokesman said there was no such pending matter in the Appeal Court.

    He maintained that the case instituted in a Federal High Court in Abuja by Mr. Emmanuel Ibeshi was discontinued when he filed a legitimate notice of discontinuance and as such never went on appeal.

    He blamed the report on political opponents who have been dazed by the reality that the governor’s re-election bid was a fait acompli.

    The statement, therefore, urged members of the public and the governor’s teeming supporters to disregard the fake report.

  • Oyo releases N1.5b for teachers, council workers’ gratuities

    THE Oyo State Government said it has released N1.5 billion as part payment of outstanding gratuities and pension arrears to retired primary school teachers and local government workers.

    It also stated that Governor Abiola Ajimobi has approved that the current salary of workers in the state be paid with their new financial benefits in line with the 2012 – 2016 promotion exercise as recommended by the Technical Committee set up by the governor on February 14, 2019.

    Besides, the state’s local governments and Local Council Development Area (LCDAs) will now contribute N750 million quarterly for the same purpose to offset the accumulated gratuities of the retired local government workers, including retired primary school teachers at all grade levels.

    Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Mr. Oluseun Abimbola explained that the decision was taken after the out-of-court settlement between the state government and the NUP.

    He said retired council workers should visit their various local governments to know the modalities of collection of their gratuities.

    Abimbola was with his counterparts from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Bimbo Kolade and Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism Mr. Toye Arulogun.

    He stated that the NUP and government recently received the enrolled order of the National Industrial Court, Ibadan Division as delivered by Justice Dele Peters, ratifying the terms of the settlement between the government and the pensioners on Monday, March 4, 2019.

    He stressed that government has commenced payment of the N1.5 billion.

    The commissioner noted that the out-of-court settlement proffered solution to the about 12 years of pensions arrears and gratuity, adding that steps have been taken to ensure that all due pensions are paid at appropriate times without adding it to the existing arrears.

  • Man caught with human skull in Oyo

    A middle aged man, Musa Ahmed, a Fulani herdsman was on Wednesday paraded with human skull by the Oyo state police command .

    According to the police , Ahmed who was caught with human skull at Ogbomoso area of the state  by men of Igbeti Area Command led by ASP Tajudeen Toys during stop and search operation .

    The  human skull was found in a bag which belonged to the suspect and another passenger who is at large.

    Speaking with newsmen at the Eleyele , Ibadan police headquarters , the suspect said  that he was innocent of the crime and was only implicated because he is a Fulani man.

    Read Also: Kwara police arrest couple, others with 11 human skulls

    He said “I went to the motor park to board a car traveling to Ogbomoso from Ilesa Baruba, Kwara state.

    ” That was not my first time traveling through that road. I put my bags in the booth as every other person.

    “When the police stopped us to check our bags, my bag was near the bag of another passenger who ran away as soon as the bags were checked.

    ” Three policemen ran after him but couldn’t catch him.

    “So they said I knew about the skull, and I was accused because I was the only Fulani man in that vehicle.

    The suspect claimed to be a farmer and a herdsman is set to be charged to court by the state criminal investigation and intelligence department, Iyaganku Ibadan.

    The command on the same day paraded 17 other suspects who commuted crimes ranging from Armed robbery, Burglary and stealing, Hijacking of truck laden with fuel, stealing and impersonation, recovery of diverted goods, unlawful possession of firearms.

    162 ammunitions were recovered from the suspects. 131 cartridges, 28 7.62 ammunition and three 9mm ammunitions alongside 16 guns were retrieved.

    However, the Oyo state command,  Commissioner of Police, Shina  Olukolu told the members of press that irrespective of security concerns during the election period, the police would not neglect its primary constitutional duty of tackling crime in the state.

  • Oyo guber: We did not endorse another party, AAC insists

    The African Action Congress, Oyo state Chapter has said it is not part of any endorsement of any other governorship candidate for the March 9, governorship election in the state.

    Rather, the party said it remains focused, committed and determined to bring about a government that is welfarist concern for the people who have been deliberately pauperised by the ruling class since the beginning of the current political dispensation.

    It added that its Governorship candidate, Mr Akinwale Laosun remains the candidate and best option for the people of the state in the coming election.

    Recall that some opposition parties in the state formed a coalition to adopt the governorship candidate of another, while still maintaining their separate party structures.

    The party said making the clarification became imperative on the heels of some people attaching AAC to the coalition of opposition parties as well as to douse the tension and yearnings of the teeming party supporters and stakeholders.

    Speaking through Laosun, the party noted that it can never be part of any coalition as it is obvious that the parties involved are only interested in their selfish gain at the expense of the masses they claimed to be protecting their interest.

    He added that the ruling class have again with the coalition and alliances proved that they are only interested in taking power at all cost and not minding the consequence on the people or even cared about them at all.

    He urged the people of the state to open their eyes to the reality of selfish and self-centred politicians who would rather work for their personal interest and that of their allies, but camouflaging same in the name of the masses.

    The AAC flagbearer enjoined the party supporters in the state to hold on to their firm belief in the party and in his candidature to transform the state in line with the party manifesto, adding that they must mobilise more people to vote and ensure the success of the party, come March 9.

  • Akeredolu hails Ondo people over peaceful conduct of presidential, N/A polls

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has hailed the people of Ondo State for their exemplary conduct during the last presidential and national assembly elections.

    He expressed delight that the people’s conduct during the polls portrayed them as good and responsible ambassadors of the state.

    The governor, in a state-wide broadcast to the people of the state attributed the peaceful atmosphere during and after the polls to the determination of the residents not only to participate in electing their representatives but to always showcase the unique qualities of their decency and resilience for which the state is reputed.

    He said: “I wish to thank you, profusely, for your cooperation in ensuring that the state remains a reference point for reasons of valour, courage and fierce independence in the art of deliberative governance.

    ‘Your attitudes, manifest or implied, leave no room for conjectures. When you speak, it is eloquent, when you choose to act, your message is not mistaken. Our land is indeed a lesson for those who cherish frankness.”

    Akeredolu also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-Presicent Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on their victory in the February 23 presidential election.

    He said the victory represents Buhari’s widespread acceptability across all the country’s geo-political zones.

    The governor expressed the belief that the President would use his re-election to consolidate the achievements of his economic policies.

    Akeredolu, however, reminded the people of the state of the March 9, 2019 House of Assembly election and urged them to display good conduct that would be second to none in the forthcoming poll.

    He said: “This is another very important exercise; local political leaders are going to be chosen to represent our people at the House of Assembly.

    “I appeal to you to see this exercise as a strictly family affair in which brothers and sisters, with shared heritage, and even blood affinity, will be locked in an innocuous electoral combat for the benefit of all.

    ” Our dear state will be the ultimate winner if all of us approach it in the spirit of sportsmanship. All of us will be winners and our people will be the better for it.

    “I enjoin you to participate, actively, without let or hindrance. The government, on its part, will ensure that adequate security is provided for all our citizens to exercise their franchise.

    “Our people are encouraged to feel confident in their attempt to choose their leaders.

    “Citizens of this state, who are of Igbo, Ebira, Hausa, Oyo and Edo extraction, as well as other minority ethnic groups, should feel free to participate in the exercise as members of this large and heterogeneous family. I appeal, passionately, that we cast aside all divisive and primordial sentiments. Ondo State is our primary place of domicile. Our allegiance to her must be unalloyed.

    “The participation of the electorate in the state is limited to the election of members to the House of Assembly. The gubernatorial election is due next year. This administration encourages voters to choose candidates whose campaign promises are in tandem with its vision on infrastructural development.

    “We have been able to achieve this much due to the prudent management of limited resources. We hope to do more with the cooperation of patriotic members of the House of Assembly who await your mandate in a couple of days.”

  • Opposition parties in Oyo adopt PDP guber candidate

    Following series of protracted meetings and discussions, leading opposition parties in Oyo State have agreed to adopt and work for the success of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate at the forthcoming governorship election, Mr Seyi Makinde.

    Although the number of the parties involved was not stated, the governorship candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Bolaji Ayorinde said his party as well as some others he didn’t give their names yet have agreed on working for the victory of Makinde.

    The meeting which held at the Bodija residence of ex-Governor Rashidi Ladoja till late yesterday night had been inconclusive for days owing to the inability of the opposition parties to finalise talks and agree on modalities of the coalition for the proposed government of unity.

    When the talk on proposed coalition started before the Presidential and National Assembly election which held two Saturdays ago, five governorship candidates including Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala (ADP), Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (ADC), Seyi Makinde (PDP), Bolaji Ayorinde (SDP) and Sharafadeen Alli (ZLP) showed interest in forming a coalition to defeat the ruling All Progressive Congress.

    Things took a new turn when Alao-Akala backed out of the plan citing his alleged denial of support to run on the strength of the coalition by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and thereafter declaring support for the APC governorship candidate, Mr Adebayo Adelabu.

    However, both the ZLP candidate, Alli and his ADC counterpart, Lanlehin were absent at the final leg of the meeting where Makinde was adopted.

    Addressing the press, Ayorinde a legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria noted that the coalition is an open book which gives room for other parties in the opposition to ‘plug in to’.

    He said “The interpretation of the smile we are wearing after our meeting is that the state is moving forward, we are very happy with the development. As you can see, Seyi Makinde is here and smiling, I am here smiling and some of our other colleagues are possibly still with their other caucuses and I believe that they are also smiling.

    “We are happy because we are working on how to form a coalition government in Oyo State and that is why we are happy. We have agreed to work together for a candidate.

    “The outcome of the meeting is that we are moving forward. We, in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), have resolved to work with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State and we shall be supporting Seyi Makinde for governor.”

    He also cleared that the opposition parties are not collapsing their structures but only working for the PDP governorship candidate.

    “The parties remain the same. They remain the parties that they are, but for the governorship election on Saturday, March 9th, we have all resolved to work for the candidate of the PDP.

    “There are so many parties in the state who are willing to join us. So we have an open book and everybody plugging into that book, so it’s a developing story. For now, if I say we are five, by the time we finish talking to you, it may be seven or even eight, so it is every minute that the parties are joining the fold”, he added.

    While noting that the governorship candidate of the ADC and ZLP in the coalition are still meeting with the party stakeholders and caucuses, the PDP flag bearer, Makinde said the coalition for a government of unity will only brighten the chances of the masses winning adding that the coming election is going to be a straight fight between godfathers and the masses.

     

  • A look at APC’s loss in Oyo State

    One of the biggest shocks for Nigerians during the 2019 presidential election is that President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC was defeated in Oyo State by PDP’s Atiku Abubakar.

    That the state has an APC government in control makes it more embarrassing for the ruling party that had enjoyed massive support since 2011. More devastating, is that Governor Abiola Ajimobi was so much trusted and relied upon by the APC national, that he was made to play leadership roles in proffering peace within the party in other states.

    The question party leaders would be asking themselves now is how did we get here? How did APC lose its goodwill in Oyo State?

    In 2018, when Governor Ajimobi made known his intention to return to the Senate, many wondered if he had any idea how risky that would be for his party.

    Obviously, the governor had begun to overrate his own popularity and his political clout, and we can blame that on his ability to break the second term jinx in 2015.

    What the governor failed to consider is that he rode on the Buhari wave of 2015 to break that jinx as his victory then had less to do with reward for performance. Another consideration for his second term success which should not have been underrated was the quality of candidates APC paraded in Oyo South for the Senate and House of Reps. The collective efforts of Soji Akanbi as the Senatorial candidate who already enjoys massive sympathy across Ibadan metropolis could not have been underestimated.

    Moving on, with the second term victory and having won the three senatorial districts, the expectation was that the governor would consolidate on that victory by winning the people over. But then, he did not feel he had lost them in the first place? He felt the victory was as a result of his smartness and not a collective effort.

    Oyo State people continued to get the arrogant vibe and the height of it was his resolve to get the APC ticket for the Oyo South senatorial election and deny the incumbent, Sen. Soji Akanbi an opportunity to return.

    Here was the problem. Akanbi had succeeded in winning the hearts of multitudes of Ibadan people with his performance in the red chamber and his closeness to the grassroots.

    A senator who would move around town without any security or air of arrogance, mingle with his people and comfortably sit at a vendors’ stand and relate with the people should never be underrated.

    Ibadan holds the key to winning Oyo South and indeed Oyo State in any election and when the 2019 results started rolling in, this reality hit them.

    Ordinarily the battle for the Oyo South senatorial seat would have been between APC and PDP, and as usual, it would have been no contest in APC’s favour, but Senator Akanbi would not be bullied by the governor. With a resolve to sustain his legacies, He went into the race on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    He had the least financial muscle compared to APC and PDP, with a newly created party whose logo is still unidentifiable, and he had just three months to build a new structure. Anyone, in Ibadan watching the scenario of his campaigns would know how intense and deep the team performed.

    At the end, Akanbi lost that battle but ensured that Ajimobi, the sitting governor lost the war.

    PDP’s candidate, Dr. Kola Balogun won with 105,720 votes, a far cry from about 147,000 votes Soji Akanbi scored in 2015 to win the seat.

    Oyo South became the only senatorial seat APC lost in Oyo State and the party became the biggest loser in the game of courage.

    Despite the Atiku wave, the PDP would have needed about 36,296 votes to match APC if they had stayed as one house and not discarded Akanbi.

    The truth is that PDP could never have knocked APC out in Oyo South Senatorial District if Akanbi had not injured them first.

    PDP’s inability to win other senatorial seats explains the cost of APC’s division in Oyo South.

    And it got worse for the APC as the PDP went ahead to win the presidential poll by a painfully narrow margin with votes garnered from Ibadan metropolis – the Oyo South votes.

    The Akanbi factor also ensured that in a presidential race that ADC had an unknown candidate, they scored 40,830 votes e and finished third nationally with 97,874 votes.

    Akanbi’s resolve not to chicken out of the battle with Ajimobi just validated the chieftaincy title conferred on him by the Olubadan as the Okanlomo of Ibadan land. Okanlomo means “the rare son” to whom they are now grateful.

    The bad news for the PDP as well is that the Atiku tsunami has been badly deflated by their loss of the presidential election to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The bad news for both parties is that both Adelabu and Makinde have similar qualities- both are fresh, young, exposed, well-educated and successful in their careers. However, Makinde has been on ground since 2007 and thus wins more sympathy across the state than Adelabu, who is a fresher.

    Now, it is time for both parties to fall back on Akanbi of Oyo South to secure an alliance that can greatly help them to capture Ibadan metropolis, as a loved son of the soil.

    Whoever misses out on him must not miss out on former governor and governorship candidate of the ADP, Adebayo Alao Akala who also offers great influence in Oyo North with votes from Ogbomoso. However, it should also be noted that Ogbomoso votes cannot match Ibadan votes if well consolidated.

    However, a reunion in the APC now can change the game in their favour, but will PDP allow the reunion to happen? This is a game to watch out for.

     

    • By Keni Akintoye

    Ibadan.

     

  • Adeyemi re-elected as 7 Oyo reps lose return bid

    Son of the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Prince Akeem Adeyemi, has been re-elected for another term of four years to represent AFIJIO, Atiba, Oyo East, Oyo West federal constituency.

    The 42-year old defeated his biological brother, Prince AbdulFatai Adeyemi and two former House of Representatives’ members , Hon. Kameel Akinlabi and Hon. Moroof Akinwande to win the seat.

    The story was not the same for his colleagues like Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, Hon. Sunday Adepoju, Hon. Abiodun Awoleye, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, Hon. Adedapo Lam-Adesina, Hon. Olasupo Abiodun and Hon. Sunbo Olugbemi as they lost their bid to return to the House of Representatives for another term

    Akinade-Fijabi of the All Progressives Congress, APC, lost to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s Dhikrullah Olajide, Adepoju of African Democratic Congress, ADC, lost to PDP’s Yemi Taiwo; Awoleye of Accord lost to APC’s Musliudeen Akinremi; Ogunwuyi of PDP lost to Captain Ajao of Action Democratic Party, ADP, Lam-Adesina of ADC lost to PDP’s Abass Agboworin; Abiodun of ADC lost to Shina Peller of APC while Olugbemi of APC lost to Tolu Shadipe of APC.

    According to the result, the APC won 9 out of the 14 House of Representatives seats leaving PDP with 4 and ADP with one.