₦airaland Forum

By Kunle Oderemi

THE crisis of confidence over the governorship race in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State appears not abating, 47 days to the governorship election.

The camp of the winner of the party primary of July 20, Senator Ademola Adeleke and that of his main challenger for the PDP ticket, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, are locked in a fresh dispute over the position of deputy governor.

Adeleke is being accused of breaching the agreement entered into that Ogunbiyi should fill the slot of deputy governor at the reconciliation meeting brokered by the PDP national leadership last Monday in Abuja.

Under the position-sharing deal, it was also agreed that Ogunbiyi would have the ticket of the PDP for the senatorial race in the 2019 elections.

However, the camp was reportedly jolted when it was discovered that Adeleke had forwarded the name of a member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Albert Adeogun, as his running mate, in an apparent breach of the Abuja agreement.

Adeogun had pulled out of the governorship race prior to the conduct of party primaries on July 20 in Osogbo, the state capital.

An account of proceedings at the Abuja meeting had it that the PDP leaders had difficult times convincing Ogunbiyi to accept the offer of a senatorial ticket because he preferred that it should be left for any member of his camp.

But when the issue of deputy governor came up, he reportedly asked that he be allowed to consult with other members of his camp, with a view to taking a collective decision.

Accordingly, the group was said to have proposed four names, including a former Senator, two hitherto governorship aspirants for Senator Adeleke to pick one of them as running mate.

Section 34 of the Electoral Act deals with the alteration and substitution of names of candidates submitted by political parties to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“When the camp of Ogunbiyi went for the consultation, four people were discovered to be interested in the slot. So, they agreed to shortlist three of the names to be forwarded to Adeleke to pick one of them as his running mate. But, they were shocked to learn that he had submitted the name of Honourable Albert Adeogun from Ile-Ife to INEC as his running mate. No one has been able to reach the lawmaker for him to write to INEC notifying the commission of his intent to withdraw as the running mate, as he had made himself incommunicado,” the source said.

One of the Osun PDP elders, who corroborated findings by Sunday Tribune said: “The feud is yet to be resolved. They promised certain things which have not materialised. They gave him a Senate ticket and position of deputy governor. But they had chosen a deputy governor without telling the national leadership of the party that brokered peace. The national level is still insisting that Honourable Adeogun must withdraw. We cannot lay our hands on him again. If he does not withdraw by August 8, we can no longer substitute his name,” he stated.

Firefire:
Very soon the bloody capitalist will dump APShit.

By: James Azania, Lokoja

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has cautioned the leadership of the party against giving undue advantage to returnee members and those defecting.

The former two-term governor of Kaduna State, while addressing the leadership of the Kogi State chapter of the party and other stakeholders Friday in Lokoja, said but for the steadfastness of committed members, PDP could have become history.

Offering himself for the presidential candidate of the party ahead of the 2019 general election, he recounted the difficult days of the party following after the 2015 poll, when the PDP lost power at the centre.

“Some people when you pinch them like this (touching his arm), they will run to another party. When the going was tough, I stayed on… but you accept them into your house and give them your guest room. Next, they take the Master Bedroom; next, they drive you out of your house. We must not allow this, nor give undue advantage to them, so that we do not alienate our people.

“Modu Sheriff was brought from another party; they said he had three jets; he had billions, but what did he do? He was taking the party down, but I, the ‘bush boy,’ with the support of others, I was able to make members close ranks, and today, we can all see”, he said.

He also delved on the vexed issue of restructuring, saying that only Nigerians can restructure the country, under a ‘trusted leadership’.

According to him: “We fought the battle together; the praise and credit I’m receiving, is to God and to all of us. To me, Kogi is home; when Alhaji Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) was governor, we use to come and spend weekends with him, Kogi remains a home to me.

“We have many problems confronting us in Nigeria; insecurity, lack of national consensus, hunger, poverty; our economy has gone down, but there are few people benefiting. Nigerians are in lack; they are not able to provide for their families, access good healthcare, and all sorts of deprivation. People are being witch-hunted.

“Some people talk of restructuring, but when they talk of restructuring, they talk of sharing money and resources. I tell you; we need institutional restructuring.

“Only Nigerians that can restructure Nigeria. People are asking for restructuring due to lack of belonging, lopsidedness in appointments, the feeling of being cheated, and so on. Who can restructure Nigeria, but Nigerians, with a leader that can be trusted. I offer that and much more.

“What I tell you is that now, if you’re in power, you’re right; if you’re in opposition, you’re wrong. We must get to a level in Nigeria, where if you’re a president, a governor, you can be charged for wrongdoing; not you being in power and witch-hunting every other person. That is turning Nigeria into a ‘Banana Republic’. We must therefore restructure our institutions.

“Gentlemen, a tree does not make a forest…they will come with bags of money. Collect, but do the right thing. There is no receipt”.

The Federal High Court, Awka is under serious gully erosion threat and at the verge of imminent collapse, newsmen report. Newsmen who visited the complex on Friday reports that parts of the property had already caved into the gaping gully.

Newsmen who visited the complex on Friday reports that parts of the property had already caved into the gaping gully.

Some of the parts that have been lost to erosion include the perimeter fence, generator house, the original site for electricity and tarred road leading to Judges’ Quarters.

Other are the Boys Quarters for servants and house helps in the Judges’ Quarters, the water supply borehole and the part of the entrance to the Court complex. Mrs Blessing Egbuche, a staff of the Federal High Court, told newsmen that they no longer felt safe working under the prevailing circumstance.

Egbuche said no part of the complex is safe now as each rainfall reduces the integrity of the buildings which already had visible cracks due to underground vibrations. She said electricity and water supplies were no longer available as they could no longer use the borehole and the transformer had been dismantled.

Egbuche said they had cried to the Anambra Government and the Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) and had not received any assistance after they had visited severally.

“We no longer feel safe and happy working here, the staff, the lawyers and judges can no longer use the convenience because there is no water, so that has resulted in the messing up of the whole place.

“There is no light in the complex, maybe there is electricity supply but our transformer has been disconnected because erosion was swallowing it up and we had to call EEDC to come and remove it.

“The borehole has collapsed, our 20,000 capacity water tank is there but we have emptied it to prevent it from going down into the gully soon,’’ she told newsmen full of lamentation.

“Now, the staff members tell you that they want to ease themselves outside the gate and leave from there, you cannot monitor them again.

“The building is at the risk of collapse, we are not safe here anymore, we need urgent assistance to prevent this disaster,’’ she said.

Also, Mrs May Esealuka, Deputy Chief Registrar in the Court, lamented the possible loss of the multi-million naira complex to gully erosion. Esealuka told newsmen that all efforts to get the Anambra Government and Ministry of Environment to intervene in the problem since it started were futile.

According to her, we have sent letters to Anambra Government in November last year and all the people and agencies that matter in Anambra, including NEWMAP came and saw things for themselves.

“What is happening here is sad, every moment my heart jumps that the worst will happen; there is no road to the Judges Quarters anymore. “For the past six months, we did not have light, no water supply, we have moved our generators to a safer side because the generator house has collapsed.

“Since this thing started, nothing has been done to save it, NEWMAP at a time said I should call people at the top for release of funds, but am I supposed to talk, if not the people on ground.

“We have been writing letters and making calls that some of them no longer pick my calls, we are begging whoever is in charge to save us, the media should help us to shout so that they can help us,’’ she said.

Newsmen report that it is not only the Federal High Court Complex that is at risk as the erosion is just few metres away from the Federal Secretariat still under construction. Some structures in the abandoned Three Arms Zone along Ekwueme Square have also been swalowed by the menace.

Responding to the situation, Mr Emeka Achebe, Head of Communications in NEWMAP, said the World Bank Technical Team have visited the site and appreciated the enormity of Danger. Achebe said a special intervention plan known as “Gully Rapid Action and Slope Stabilisation (GRASS), has been approved for the site.

According to him this will control damage and immediate threat to houses and other critical infrastructure, adding that remedial works will begin before the end of August. “GRASS has been approved by the World Bank for Ekwueme Square and activities will commence before end of month,’’ he said. NAN

By Eromosele Abiodun

With the aim to create its own industrial clusters with a revenue target of over $10 billion in the years ahead, the Lagos State government has announced the commencement of the Yaba ICT Cluster project, known as KITE@Yaba or Knowledge, Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (KITE).

The state government in a statement on Tuesday, said the aim of the project was to provide an enabling environment that would facilitate and support the development of a technology cluster and ecosystem within the Yaba district of Lagos.


The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Hakeem Fahm, stated that “KITE@Yaba is a public-private partnership (PPP), driven by the government and supported by several industry experts and advisors along the technology value chain.”

According to him, “It is expected that this initiative will contribute significantly to the economic development of Nigeria and position Lagos State as the hub for innovation in Nigeria, and preferred destination for technology investors and innovators.

“The project will proffer recommendations to the Lagos State Government on eight critical areas to foster an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in information and communication technology. They include Access to Funding; Access to Market & Demand; Infrastructure; Policy Regulation & Governance; Talent, Skills & Education; Research & Development; Network & Collaboration; and Advocacy & Marketing. KITE@Yaba also includes the design and construction of a world class ICT Park for which LASG has already acquired 30,000 square metres of land in the Yaba area.”

The project’s governance structure, he stated, comprises a Project Steering Committee (PSC), “an Industry Advisory Board (IAB), the Project Delivery team and Subject Matter Advisors.

“The PSC is co-chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Science and Technology, Lagos State and former Minister for Communication and Technology and Senior Partner of TLcom Capital LLP, a technology venture capital firm, Dr. Omobola Johnson.

“Other members of the steering committee include Mrs. Uzammat Akinbile-Yusuf, Honourable Commissioner forWealth Creation and Employment; Mrs. Yetunde Onabule, Special Adviser on Urban Development; Mr. Abiodun Amokomowo, Chief Executive Officer, IBILE Holdings Limited; and Mr. Niyi Yusuf, Country Managing Director, Accenture. Accenture will provide project management office (PMO) support as Project Delivery Lead.”

He added, “The Industry Advisory Board (IAB) which was inaugurated in June 2018, is chaired by Dr.Omobola Johnson, and comprises notable technology industry stakeholders including CcHub, Google, Microsoft, MainOne, Andela, Flutterwave, General Electric (GE),and Ibile Broadband, University of Lagos, and Lagos State University.

“The role of the IAB will be to provide overall leadership and direction to the project to ensure its objectives are realised and ensure value for money to Lagos State based on experience and expertise.”

In her comment, Johnson welcomed the involvement of the private sector in this initiative adding that, “Lagos State is already well known as the enterprise and commercial hub of the country, KITE@Yaba will further drive technology innovation and entrepreneurship and will directly contribute to the development of a digital economy in Nigeria.”

He said that the threats associated with piracy, sea robbery, and infrastructural challenge, low capacity development and so on will be surmounted if we government at all levels, business community and the local community play their various roles sincerely.

By Dirisu Yakubu

ABUJA-Former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has perfected plans to quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Vanguard can authoritatively reveal.

Ladoja who rejoined the party after the July 2017 Supreme Court judgement which terminated the leadership of Senator Ali Midu Sheriff, this medium gathered, has resolved to join the ADC before the end of the week.

A chieftain of the PDP and former Minister told our correspondent in confidence that Ladoja’s decision to defect to ADC was not unconnected with alleged plans to impose Engineer Seyi Makinde as the Oyo State PDP governorship candidate in the 2019 general elections.

The former governor is also said to be worried about what our source described as the lack of internal democracy in the management of the affairs of the party by the Oyo state chapter.

“He (Ladoja) will leave the party in the next four or five days. He is not happy that a governorship aspirant is about to be imposed on the people of Oyo. In 2015, this candidate ran but was not successful.

“I believe the reason for his anger is that whoever emerges as the governorship candidate must pass through a legitimate, democratic process but there is a design to subvert this by ensuring that the person becomes the candidate at all cost.

“Another worry for him is that the party is running short of internal democracy and this would be very dangerous for the PDP in Oyo State. A party that is coming to an electoral contest from the position of weakness needs to know that only by adhering strictly to the rules of the game would it stand a chance of victory,” he said.

On Ladoja’s possible destination, the erstwhile Minister said the ex- governor will not join the All Progressives Congress (APC) for “obvious reasons,” adding that he has his mind up on his next move. Pressed to reveal where the ex-federal lawmaker is headed, he said, “He’s very likely to join the ADC. Stalwarts of that party have been reaching out to him in recent times and I believe they now have their man.”

Ladoja would be a big loss to the PDP, given his power of mobilization especially at the grassroots level.

ogbiwa:
You guys should at least consider that this is a public forum before posting some kind of bile inducing photos here. This your photo is disgusting and I advice you take it down and don't post it on a public space again

horlarwumhe:
pls

is the second image taken from space

Oshin56:
Which area is that at osun state

HigherEd:
Brotherly hope your eyes are working. I said I may not vote Ambode not that I will vote against him. As for an alternative to Ambode I don't know either. But I believe people should be able open to better options if they do get to see one in 2019.

By the way learn to have an healthy discussion without going off in anger.

HigherEd:
I am not on any campaign of calumny as you have alluded to. As a matter of fact I believe Fashola remains the best governor of all time in Nigeria. However, I disagree with your version of how Lagos reinvented herself.

Lagos reinvented herself because her people are enlightened and know to ask for better. The political elites in Lagos knew it would be a matter of time till Lagos actually rebels so they started throwing crumbs. But don't be deceived the average Lagos politician is still as corrupt as those you would see far down south and this is why we must continue to put them on their toes and really evaluate their performances.

The error of the people always start when you think a leader is too good to be kicked out. If you want Lagos to succeed then you better stop your loyalty to her govt or the tinubu dynasty..

By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo

Seven aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun state in Saturday’s governorship primary of the party have faulted the processes that led to the emergence of Senator Ademola Adeleke.

The aspirants, including the second runner off, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Professor Adeolu Durotoye, among others in a press conference in Osogbo, unanimously demanded that the National Leadership of the party should rescind it’s decision on the nomination of Senator Ademola Adeleke as flag bearer of the party.

They accused the leadership of the party of carrying on with outright impunity unabatedly, contrary to the earlier promise to change the old pattern of operation the party is known for.

The group whose press statement was read by Senator Akinlabi argued that the figure of 1562 votes allotted by the 5-man electoral panel to Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, was wrong, saying the actual figure was 1690.

“Contrary to the promise made by the new leadership of our party, the reign of impunity appears to have continued unabated with the way and manner the primary election in Osun State was conducted.

“The exercise was regrettably marred by gross violations of that Electoral Guidelines issued by the National Working Committee as well as outright manipulation of the results of the election in favour of Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke in a manner suggesting that he was the favoured candidate of some powerful individuals in the top echelon of the PDP.

“We make bold to say that Senator Adeleke did not in fact score the highest number of votes in that primary election, having polled a total number of 1569 as against his major opponent, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, whose actual votes at the point of sorting was 1690”, they resorted.

In his remarks, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi expressed hope that his mandate would surely be reclaimed. Ogunbiyi who said that only party that can restore the hope of the people of Osun is PDP, said he would not leave the party.

He said: “We are not leaving the party under any guise, we believe in the leadership of the party, we will together fight this cause to uproot the bad government of APC in the state. “Let me say emphatically that the only party that can restore the hope of the people of Osun is PDP”.

investnow2013:
If this pipuu don't want to do any road,they should leave the road the way it use to be,than all this, Mgbemene street used to be good until Obiano awarded it to Pachus construction Company,now see the result!

investnow2013:
This is one of the election roads in Anambra state that was abandoned after the election leaving many properties in danger of colaspe!

Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

AN Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Wednesday adjourned ruling till Thursday (tomorrow) on a suit filed to set aside the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship won by Senator Ademola Adeleke.

The suit with reference no HOS/19/03/2018 was filed before the court by the members of the PDP, namely, Rasheed Olabayo and Oluwasegun Idowu who were the plaintiffs.

Joined in the suit as defendants are Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke as the (1st), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (2nd), Chief Uche Secondus (3rd ), Soji Adagunodo (4th) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC as the 5th defendant.

The plaintiffs, in a 29 page affidavit sought an “interim order setting aside the election at the 2nd defendant governorship election party’s primaries held on the 21st of July, 2018 of the 1st defendant as Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the Osun State 2018 governorship election the 1st defendant not having not satisfied the requirement of S. 177 (d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as (Amended) by possessing and providing his secondary school leaving certificate pending the hearing of the substantive suit”.

They also sought, among others an “order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendant from presenting himself to the 2nd. 4th defendants as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Osun State 2018 governorship election not having met constitutional requirement of S. 177 (d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) by possessing and providing his secondary school leaving certificate pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”


The counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Olufemi Ayandokun contended that his client was ready to present eight exhibits to support their affidavit. The counsel to the defendants is Barrister Edmond Biri contended that “the last day to submit the names had lapsed, stressing that “what we are saying is that we be heard and let them serve us motion on notice.”

But, the presiding Justice David Oladimeji declined to deliver ruling on the matter, saying “I can’t deliver ruling today, it is impossible”. He subsequently adjoined ruling till tomorrow.”