₦airaland Forum

Women, underate them at your peril..


Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

He man is right...Igbo is Igbo, no two ways about it...


Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

The Owu man himself...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

I see Soludo winning the election....


Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

The masses are the ones suffering the whole fight...

Shine your eyes Nigerians...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

The supremacy battle between the governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola and his predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola, the minister of interior, over the control of the structure of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has assumed a dangerous dimension, Daily Trust Saturday reports.

The party has split into two and both camps are flexing political muscles to gain popularity.

The Aregbesola camp is known as The Osun Progressives (TOP) while Oyetola’s camp is known as Ileri Oluwa. During his campaign in 2018, Oyetola used Ileri Oluwa as his identity. It has since become a movement.

Some members of the party loyal to Aregbesola said only members of the Ileri Oluwa movement got political appointments in Oyetola’s administration, while they were sidelined because of their relationship with the former governor. They alleged that any member who wants to benefit from Oyetola’s government must not be seen to support Aregbesola.

Being fully aware of the treatment meted to his followers, the minister was able to get political appointments for some of them at the federal level. At a point, those loyal to him were tagged ‘Abuja people’ while those loyal to Oyetola were seen as Osun-based.’ That was how the division started among the party members.

Political observers in the state said the rift between the two politicians could be dated back to the 2018 governorship election as Oyetola was not Aregbesola’s preferred candidate to take over from him despite the fact that he served as his chief of staff for eight years and they had a good relationship. Oyetola was, however, allegedly imposed on the party by a former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; and Aregbesola accepted because he could not say no to his directive. As a result of this, it was believed that the minister did not work hard for Oyetola’s victory during the election.

Also, it was said that Oyetola did not support the nomination of Aregbesola for the ministerial appointment, upturned some his policies and made efforts to curtail his dominance on the party. At that point, the crisis was becoming serious, but both sides pretended as if there was no problem.

The former acting national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, made efforts to reconcile the two political gladiators severally, to no avail. Eventually, the chairman of the party in the state, Prince Adegboyega Famodun and some executive members of the party became loyal to Oyetola, while the secretary, Alhaji Rasaq Salinsile and others pitched tent with Aregbesola.

The bubble eventually burst during the recent ward congresses of the party. While those loyal to the governor said they preferred a consensus arrangement, those in the minister’s camp insisted that there must be an election to determine their representatives at that level.

Consequently, those in Aregbesola’s camp alleged that the governor and the chairman of the party wanted to impose the consensus arrangement on them, saying it was designed to edge out the minister from the control of the party in the state.

To register their displeasure, some women and youths in the party staged a peaceful protest in major streets of Osogbo, the state capital, lamenting that the consensus arrangement would disenfranchise them. The protesters, led by Rasheed Raji, said the chairman of the electoral panel on the congress, Senator Gbenga Elegbeleye, connived with Governor Oyetola and Famodun to compromise the process in their favour.

But Elegbeleye, during a meeting with APC stakeholders at the Government House, debunked the allegation, saying he arrived Osogbo late due to a delay in flight from Abuja, as against the rumour that he refused to allow those in Aregbesola’s camp to obtain forms for the ward congress. He promised that the committee would do everything possible to champion transparency, accountability and fairness.

During that meeting, leaders of the party and political officeholders present supported consensus arrangement. Those who attended the meeting included Governor Oyetola, three former deputy governors, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Prince Sooko Adewoyin and Mrs Titi Laoye-Ponle, the senator representing Osun Central, Dr Basiru Ajibola; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye and the state chairman of the party, Prince Famodun

Speaking during the meeting, Governor Oyetola said consensus was adopted to prevent rancour and appealed to members of the party in the state to conduct themselves peacefully during the process.

“Congress is a way of electing new officers of the party and it shouldn’t generate any crisis. The national leadership of the party asked us to adopt consensus to avoid rancour. The presence of all the stakeholders in this meeting shows that the party is formidable,” the governor said.

The chairman of the party also said, “As recommended by the national secretariat, we have adopted consensus in Osun for the purpose of the smooth running of the party. Things have been properly done. Our homework has been done properly. Our fathers and leaders have scrutinised the 332 wards we have in Osun. We have concluded the exercise.”

Senator Ajibola Basiru also affirmed his support for consensus but suggested that elections should be conducted in the wards where there were contenders so that everyone would be given equal opportunity.

On the day of the congress, names of consensus candidates were read and ratified across the state, but those in Aregbesola’s camp insisted on election, not consensus. As a way of seeking redress, the aggrieved members forwarded their petition to the Ambassador Obed Wadzain-led appeal committee, which was set up by the national body of the party.

During the sitting of the appeal committee at the party’s secretariat in Osogbo to meet the petitioners, there was pandemonium as thugs stormed the venue. Some people were injured during the attack. Both the Aregbesola and Oyetola camps accused each other of hiring the thugs to disrupt the process.

Worried over the development, Comrade Sunday Oriowo, who spoke on behalf of the Coalition of Osun Progressives Groups, an umbrella body of 15 groups in the state, urged the appeal committee to treat all petitions before it on merit.

Also, in a statement by his chief press secretary, Ismail Omipidan, the governor urged party members to allow peace to reign. He condemned what he called “unruly behaviour” by some aggrieved members of the party, saying no sane society would condone any act of lawlessness. He noted that the people of Osun were known for peace, and urged members of the party to avoid acts that could tarnish the image of the state. He further noted that political intolerance was injurious to the unity and collective peace of the state. While appealing for calm, the governor also said the government would not tolerate any act of criminality or violence in any part of the state under the guise of politics.

“I appeal to party members, especially those who have already filed petitions before the appeal committee over the conduct of the last ward congress to sheathe their swords and toe the line of peace and the law.

“Since the matter is already before the appeal committee, they should allow the process to run its full course. We are known for peace as a people. We should do all in our power to sustain that recognition in our collective interest,” the governor stated.

On their part, Aregbesola’s supporters said their lives were in danger as there were plans to assassinate their leaders. The chairman of the TOP, Reverend Lowo Adebiyi, said relevant security agencies had been informed about the assassination plot.

The secretary of the party also alleged that one of the leaders of the TOP, Mr Biyi Odunlade, a commissioner for youth and sport during Aregbesola’s tenure, escaped death by whiskers when gunmen attacked his house days after the ward congress.

Reacting to the claim of an assassination plot, the party’s director of publicity in the state, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, said Governor Oyetola and the chairman of the party were not known to be killers, and the APC is not a party of killers. He said those alleging threats to their lives should provide evidence. He also said the internal crisis in the party was not in anyone’s interest and appealed to all members to operate as one family.

Daily Trust reports that the crisis is yet to end as both camps continue to trade words, raising allegations and counter-allegations.

https://dailytrust.com/osun-apc-in-disarray-as-oyetola-aregbesola-battle-for-supremacy

What a time?

What happend to all the defence and security vote budgets?


Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Over 50,000 residents of 17 communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area have relocated to Niger Republic over incessant bandits’ attacks.

This was disclosed by the member representing Sabon Birni North constituency at the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Almustapha Boza.

Boza said the villagers are currently taking refuge at Tudun Sunnah village, Gidan Runji Local Government in Maradi State of Niger Republic.

The lawmaker, however, alleged that he made several attempts to see Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal over their plight but to no avail.

“I have been trying to see the governor but he refused to grant me audience because he knows my reason of seeing him.

“Our people are being killed every day. So far, we counted over 50,000 of them taking refuge in Niger Republic. It took us two days to count them in the presence of Governor of Maradi and chairman of Gidan Runji.

“I am regretting joining politics. I know the kind of support we gave the governor during his re-election because he promised us security, development and others but look at it, my people are suffering and he cannot come or send a delegate or even relief materials to them.

“The last time he (Tambuwal) came to our area was after bandits massacred several people in Tarah area last year where he advised my constituents against taking arms to defend themselves,” he alleged.

However, Governor Tambuwal denied shunning the lawmaker, saying he has been contacting him over the security situation in his constituency.

Speaking through his media aide, Tambuwal recalled that he had facilitated a meeting between the Commissioner of Police, the Director DSS in the state and the lawmaker during which he was directed to contact any one of them in any distressed situation.

He added that the member was one of the two members invited for the last security meeting but only that of the Isa Constituency attended.

Tambuwal further explained that providing security is a prerogative of the president but despite that the state government would not shy away from its responsibility of ensuring the wellbeing and welfare of its people.

Tambuwal also said that he had called the lawmaker last Thursday before departing the state on an official trip.

But the lawmaker denied being invited to attend any security meeting, just as he admitted talking to the governor on phone last Thursday during which he asked him to call the Minister of Police Affairs, the Chairman Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, Senator Ibrahim Gobir and the Chief of Army Staff over the security situation in his area, to which he responded that he was not the “Chief Security officer” of the state.

“That was the only time he called me and those were what he told me to do,” he alleged.

Boza described the condition of the refugees as pathetic because they were staying in an open place with no toilets, food or drugs.

“They are living under the rain and sun, with nothing from the local and state governments. I bought some bags of garrin rogo, rice and mosquito nets with some drugs for them and I will buy more today. My fear is what will happen if there is any outbreak in the camp,” he said.

He noted that over 300 people lost their lives to banditry in Sabon Birni Local Government Area between 2020 and now.

On why he was blaming Governor Tambuwal while he has no control over security operatives, he said that the governor is the Chief Security Officer of his state.

“We have seen what Governor Zulum is doing in Borno State to bring peace to his people. Today, you will see him at the villa, tomorrow either with Chief of Army Staff or Chief of Air Staff or even at the refugee camp and his efforts are paying because Boko Haram members are voluntarily surrendering themselves to the Army.

“Another example is what his friend and our neighbour, the governor of Zamfara State, is doing to restore peace in the state.

“This is what we want to see from Governor Tambuwal – going to places where he knows we can get help, especially now that the Chief of Army Staff is from Sokoto. He should visit him and solicit for his support because there is no way the federal government can come in without the cooperation of the state government,” he said.

On whether he would resign from his position because of the situation, he said “I had wanted to resign since but I was prevailed upon by some prominent people in Sokoto, including Islamic scholars.”

He dismissed the accusation that security issue was being politicized in Sabon Birni.

When contacted, the Chairman of Sabon Birni, Alhaji Umaru Danyaro Unguwan Lalle, said he would not grant any interview on the matter because they were still collating data of the affected communities.

“I don’t want to give wrong figures as other people used to do. I have to be sure of what I reveal to the press,” he said.

However, the state Commissioner for Career and Security Matters, retired Colonel Garba Moyi, denied that the state government was not doing anything to ameliorate the plight of Sabon Birni residents.

He said that the government has continued to provide financial and logistic support to security agencies in the state.

According to Moyi, unless there were adequate security operatives in the area and they were allowed to operate freely, the problem would continue to linger.

“We learnt that the current General Officer Commanding 8 Division has directed his men not to respond to distress calls and not to operate at night. This directive must be withdrawn by the GOC,” he said.

Moyi enjoined the people of Sabon Birni to always report informants in their midst and to stop politicizing security issue.

He also urged them to stop going after bandits after any attack on their community to avoid ambush.

In an earlier interview, the spokesman of the 8 Division of the Nigeria Army, Major Adamu Yahaya Ngulde, dismissed the allegations, saying the army always responds to distress calls as directed by the General Officer Commanding the division.

“The GOC had directed the army to respond to any distress call and to ensure timely rescue of kidnapped victims but in doing so, they should be cautious of ambush.

“Just two weeks ago, the Garrison Commander led a clearance operation along that axis,” he said.

On the alleged withdrawal of troop deployed to the area, he said there was nothing like that. “In fact, the current Chief of Army Staff has injected more troops to deal with banditry in the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar has been appointed chairman of the Sokoto Main Security Committee by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

This followed a stakeholders meeting on security which held at the International Conference Hall, Kasarawa on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, his deputy, Manir Dan’iya, former Governors of the state, Attahiru Bafarawa and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko respectively.

According to Governor Tambuwal, the meeting was convened to discuss the lingering security problems in the state and finding solutions to them.

https://dailytrust.com/17-sokoto-communities-relocate-to-niger-republic-over-bandits-attacks

Good one ...more of this.

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023....

The man for the job...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Support him for 2023



Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Which way Nigeria ...

When other nations are talking about AI....



Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Good for the man...


Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Make u na rest small na...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

We want Peace in the land ...Traditional rulers should step in...not collecting money and SUVs for nothing.

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Validated:
How many cows does this man have?

He is the man for the job


Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

God heal Nigeria ...



Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023....

As expected,...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Hisbah over to you....

Hisbah for the poor...


Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023..

Na so...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Long over due....

Forget about the messenger....



Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023....

Baba Owu himself....


Hon.Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Show of shame..

Hon.Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

This life..

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Historians...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Must be born another one oh...

Wicked soul...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Who say money no dey this country?..

...just that few have access to it...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023

Maduka you are trying but Soludo will win...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023

Chain...so sad...

Happy birthday to her...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

This life...

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for 2023...

Donclaracuzo:
Are you suprise that this honorable man is being begged by Nigerians to deliver this project called Nigeria. It takes man like HCN to heal the wounds of this nation.

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba is a national bridge builder...

He is detribalized Nigerian