Iyeru salutes Shuaib on his birthday


The Chairman Park Management Services Ltd (PAM) and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Itoriland, Alhaji Akeem Bodunrin-Iyeru has felicitated with the Chief of Staff to the Ogun State governor, Hon. Salisu Afolabi Shuaib on the occasion of his birthday on Wednesday August 4, 2021.


Iyeru in a statement from his media Office on Wednesday described Hon. Shuaib as astute leader, administrator and political stalwart whose immense contributions has contributed to the development of Ogun state under the leadership of Gov. Dapo Abiodun.

"Sir, as you mark your birth anniversary today, we celebrate you. It is with great honour and privilege that i write to congratulate you on this special moment of yours.

"On behalf of Executive members of PAM, I congratulate you and wish you many happy returns of this day in sound health and riches," Iyeru said.

PAM sympatises with Gov. Abiodun over death of father


The Park Management Services Ltd (PAM), has commiserated with Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state over the death of his father, Dr. Emmanuel Abiodun.

In a release signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Akeem Bodunrin popularly known as Iyeru, PAM described his death as a collosal loss to the Abiodun family and Ogun state.

"The Abiodun family have lost one of their patriarch in person of Dr. Abiodun popularly called "Baba Teacher. Baba answered the call of his ancestors at a time his son, Gov. Dapo Abiodun needed him most. Baba was a disciplinarian, a dutiful civil servant who served his fatherland to the best of his ability.

"Death is inevitable. It is a bitter meal every human being must taste. Baba lived a fulfilled life.

"We understand the pain and grief of losing a loved one. The pain of an untimely death is immeasurable, and we pray that God grant our governor and the entire family of the bereaved the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”



"Our thoughts and prayers are with Gov. Dapo Abiodun and the family of the bereaved in their moment of grief. We also pray that the soul of the deceased rest in the bosom of the Almighty.”



Dr. Abiodun slept in the Lord on Monday August 2, 2021 at the age of 89 after a brief illness.

Mustapha, Adebutu, Others Condole Shote Over Mother's Death

Among the dignitaries who paid condolence visits to a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. (Barrister) Taiwo Shote, over the death of his mother, the late Alhaja Busrat Shote, were the lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Lekan Mustapha and Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development in the 8th National Assembly, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu.

The duo visited today (Saturday) Shote at his Ijebu Ode country home where they comforted him and prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

The late Alhaja Busrat Shote (nee Kashamu) was the immediate elder sister of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu.

She died in the early hours of this morning (Saturday, 31st July, 2021) and was buried in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, according to Islamic rites.

*DEFECTION: REMI BAKARE, OTHERS ARE ON THEIR OWN*

We have read reports in the social and traditional media of the purported defection of some political rovers from Abeokuta South, Obafemi Owode and Abeokuta North local government areas who claim to be People's Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and members of the political family of our leader, the late Senator Buruji Kashamu and would wish to state as follows:

1. That it would be fallacious and illogical to describe them as PDP leaders or of the Kashamu political family. If anything, they are the remnants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) planted in the Ogun State PDP to cause disaffection and disharmony.

2. When they saw that the game was up with the peace brokered by the Dr. Bukola Saraki-led National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, they simply decided to return to their vomit and home which is the APC.

3. While we respect their democratic and constitutional rights of association, we would like to inform the general public that these political merchants are acting on their own and not in the interest of the Kashamu political family.


4. History has a way of repeating itself. Recall that the same Dr. Remi Bakare who is reported to have led the "defectors" angrily and unreasonably rejected the Ogun Central Senatorial ticket freely given to him by Chief Segun Osoba-led Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011. Bakare is known for political miscalculation often borne out uncontrollable anger that he erroneously termed "principles".



5. Although he was named by our late leader as Chairman of the apex caucus (a body created merely for administrative convenience), he could not provide the much-needed leadership for the Kashamu political family, as things began to fall apart under him without a sense of direction, culminating in his return to his political family - the APC!


6. While we pity the few who have been misled into joining him and his leader in the APC, we wish to appeal to all the friends, associates and members of the Kashamu political family across the 236 wards in Ogun State to remain in the PDP which our late leader laboured to build. He joined PDP, lived and breathed the party until his last day. While he had friends across party lines, he was never an unprincipled politician who crossed from one party to the other at the flimsiest excuse. Therefore, we urge all members of the Senator Kashamu political family not to be distracted by the news of the few renegades.

7. We also wish to seize this opportunity to reaffirm that the Kashamu political family remains in PDP and we stand by the "Abuja Accord" signed on the 25th of March, 2021, as supervised by Dr. Bukola Saraki-led National Reconciliation & Strategy Committee.

Signed:

*Oyejide Sunkanmi*

*Publicity Secretary, Ogun State PDP*

South-West PDP: Oyinlola's Committee Meets Party Leaders in Ondo


As part of its efforts at reconciling aggrieved members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, the Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led South West PDP Reconciliation Committee on Wednesday met with stakeholders of the party in Akure, the state capital.

Other members of the committee are the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Chief (Mrs) Koforola Akerele -Bucknor; former Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda,
Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru; foremost physician turned politician, Dr. Saka Balogun and
Barrister Monsuru Kukoyi, who is the secretary of the committee.

The stakeholders, who were drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state, commended the initiative of the Oyinlola-led Reconciliation Committee.

They spoke of how the defection of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko to the Labour Party impacted negatively on the party.

The stakeholders, who included the governorship candidate of the PDP in the November 2020 election in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN); all members of the State and Local Government Exco; and former and serving public officials from the state.

All those who spoke at the meeting appealed to the committee to do within their powers to foster unity and make it formidable.

It would be recalled that the committee had been interacting with party stakeholders across the South West PDP.

They also declared their support for Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, as the leader of the party in the zone.

"We express our unflinching support for the leadership of the PDP in the South West by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde. It has always been the tradition that sitting governors lead the party, especially when you have only one governor as it was in the immediate past," they said.

Responding, Oyinlola assured the leaders and members of the party that the committee had noted their submissions and would do everything within its powers to bring about peace within the party in the zone.

He, however, said even though some members of the party refused to attend the reconciliation meeting, he was glad that majority of the stakeholders turned up.

DEAR ‘ACTORS’, YOU GRAVELY MISSED THE POINT!

By Oyejide Sunkanmi
Ogun PDP Publicity Secretary

Moments after I finished reading Mr. Segun Seriki’s response (yes, Seriki’s response, even though it has Raphael Olaosebikan’s name) to my rejoinder on the piece “Why We Acted”, I felt it was necessary to respond and situate the issues.

While I do not understand what he meant by not being “media war protagonist” among other gaffes (perhaps he meant to write “media war propagandist”), I make haste to say that no matter how hard he tries, Prince Ajibola Oluyede will not condescend to their low level. Prince Oluyede knows too well like George Bernard Shaw counselled that we should “Never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it”. My advice to you, “the actors”, if you feel very strongly and are sure that Prince Oluyede has been involved in any professional misconduct, you should report him to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) as the authentic Ogun State PDP Working Committee is set to do in respect of Mrs. Bimbo Lanre-Balogun’s multiple and contradicting affidavits.

Now, to the issues. It is obvious to discerning minds that you, so-called actors, are the ones chasing shadows and leaving the real issues which are:
1) Assuming without conceding that Prince Oluyede gave a wrong advice to the former State Chairman, Samson Bamgbose and others, in respect of the Police invitation on a Friday, didn’t the then State Working Committee (SWC) hire another lawyer to represent it at the State Police Headquarters on the said date? If the Police had not been compromised from Abuja, why didn’t they wait till the following Monday? Besides, what has your “messiah” done to recover the party secretariat? How come he is no longer pre-occupied with that? Rather, he is busy scouting for people to sign fraudulent affidavits after ripping off the Adebutus!

2) Was that also why one of you, “the actors”, Mrs Bimbo Lanre-Balogun went to court to depose to an affidavit that the then Adebayo Dayo-led State Executive Committee never held congresses in Ogun State before the expiration of its tenure? So, which congress produced you, Raphael Olaosebikan, now that you are addressing yourself as “Acting State Secretary”?

3) If you are not working in cahoots with the Ladi Adebutu-Sikirulai Ogundele gang, how come you have not taken steps to rein in or reprimand Bimbo Lanre-Balogun? Why haven’t you deposed to an affidavit to counter Lanre-Balogun’s averments that congresses never held in Ogun State? Is it not a less-than-clever way to clear the way for the illegal contraption from which Ognudele emerged in July, 2020?

4) How can Mr. Seriki, who is not a member of the PDP, seek to “liberate” the party? Is it not an incontrovertible fact that he has been expelled from the PDP since July 2018? Shall we take your dogging this issue as an admission of the fact? Clearly, it is!

5) On the issue of the suspension of traitors and black legs, I make bold to say we did exactly what our late boss and icon, Senator Buruji Kashamu would have done. He never condoned indiscipline, deceit and lies, which are the stock-in-trade of these fictional “actors”. Asking if that was a sustenance of our late boss’ legacy beggars the issue because in your first article, you had questioned the rationale behind the decision to preserve Senator Kashamu’s legacies. And having “acted” in accordance with your ill-conceived conviction, you cannot rightly question the decision of those who reacted to your ignoble acts.

6) It is interesting that you have now changed from your assertion that Prince Oluyede demanded money from Pa Adebutu’s emissary (Aare Oyefeso) to say it was “allegation”. As at the last time I checked, our jurisprudence has not changed: it places the onus of proof of an allegation on he who alleges. So, Messrs Seriki and Raphael, the burden of proof of your “allegation” rests on you.

7) Without mincing words, it is clear even to the blind that we do not belong to the same State Working Committee or State Executive Committee. You, Raphael and other “actors” are now hobnobbing with the Ogundele-led gang after selling your conscience. You flock together. You strategise together, fly to Abuja together, stay in the same hotels together and attend court sessions together on the Adebutus’ bill – all in a bid to collapse the structure of your benefactor whom you claim to love so much and derisively said would love to be a life member of any social club named after him.

On the so-called fortunes that you lost during the last election, the question is: who was responsible? The man who fought gallantly and got you on the ballot and even funded you or the one who defected to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and worked against you and other candidates of the PDP? Is it not the same person that openly worked against you and other PDP candidates that all of you, the self-styled “progressives” are now running to cap-in-hand? By the way, a little bird told me that a major factor that worked against you, Raphael, is your state of origin. Is it true you are from Kwara State?

9) Without much ado, it is obvious to reasonable members of the party and the general public that you are the dissidents. You have sold out. And that is why you claimed that you and the other “actors” are purportedly being led to an imaginary “negotiation table” by someone who has ceased to be a member of the PDP and Senator Kashamu’s political family. Pray, how can a non-PDP member lead supposed members of the PDP to “negotiate” (or more appropriately sell) the structure to another non-member whose three-year contract with APM is still valid, subsisting and running?

10) Your claim that some “media war protagonist” are benefitting from a crisis is of no moment. Ordinarily, there should not be any crisis, if there is any modicum of dignity, honour and responsibility in you, “the actors”. The one you, “the actors” are groveling at his table has not repudiated his contract with APM. So, in effect, he is still in APM. One can only pity you and your ilk now that you have decided to trade away your political future because of a meal ticket. For your information, it is on record that your new principal has done everything to cajole me and other dogged and principled members of the Kashamu political family to join you, “the actors” in your inglorious act of selling out and we have REFUSED! NO MATTER THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS, WE CANNOT BE BOUGHT OVER BY ANYONE! ON KASHAMU’S MANDATE, WE SHALL STAND. NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER! WE SHALL OVERCOME! God bless the soul of Senator Buruji Kashamu! God bless Ogun State PDP!! God bless our dear Ogun State!!!

RE: WHY WE ACTED
• SEGUN SERIKI-LED MERCENARIES AT WORK
I read with dismay the piece credited to one Raphael Olaosebikan wherein he laboured to justify his treacherous acts and that of his ilk. The “write up” titled “Why we acted” has all the clear markings of the voice of Jacob but the hands of Esau. Hopefully many will understand this metaphor.

Let it be known from the outset that though the libellous and false article was ascribed to one of Segun Seriki’s minions, it was clearly the bombast of Segun Seriki and exhibited the wrongheaded logic that he is well-known for. The needless naked dance in the market square has shown that truly a guilty conscience needs no accuser. Otherwise, how does one situate the thoughtless blackmail, half-truths and outright lies that they churned out?

Expectedly, it was long in rhetorics but lacking in substance. Titled “Why We Acted” – a mimicry of Adewale Ademoyega’s “Why We Struck”, an account of the first military coup in Nigeria, the piece was a mere rehash of the jaundiced opinion of a self-confessed wheeler-dealer and conman who brainwashed Olaosebikan and his co-travellers into a voyage of self-immolation.

Away from all the empty boasts of pedigree and moral background, these reactionary elements, whose god is their belly, cannot justifiably lay claim to any ennobling ideological bent. They are only looking for what to eat. They are the kind of the kind of people that can be described as “anywhere belle face politicians”, a colloquial description of unscrupulous politicians. And like they described themselves, they are merely actors in the make-believe world of fiction. Unfortunately, this is not fiction. This is politics! This is life where the law of seed time and harvest time cannot be wished away.
Like the title of the jejune piece, they are mere actors who acted a script written, directed and funded by the Adebutus in their desperate bid to govern Ogun State and annexe it to their personal estate. But, just like it happened with the first military putsch in Nigeria, nemesis would catch up with these “actors” sooner than later. For, as Dele Giwa once said, “No evil deed can go unpunished. Any evil done by man to man will be redressed, if not now, then certainly later, if not by man, then certainly by God, for the victory of evil over good can only be temporary.”
No one has said that the Ogun State PDP belonged to our late leader, Senator Buruji Kashamu. But, the indubitable fact is that he has a formidable structure within the Ogun State PDP that cannot be wished away or bought over, no matter the dollars on offer! Anyone who tries to wish that away does so at his own peril and events will soon bear us out.
To be sure, that article is actually a grasp at straws by a drowning Segun Seriki, who is seeing his grand plan of a big sale of the Kashamu structure to the Adebutus evaporating before his eyes.

Everything Segun Seriki promised Ladi Adebutu and his father concerning the compromise and destruction of the Kashamu structure in Ogun PDP has failed till date.

Everyone noticed the agony on Segun Seriki’s face when the Ogun State PDP case to establish the authenticity of the Kashamu-sponsored Ogun PDP Exco came up in Abuja before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on the 14th of January, 2021.

Seriki had thought he was a strategist of the calibre of Senator Buruji Kashamu and (having used Adebutus’ money to buy over the erstwhile State Chairman, Samson Bamgbose) promised that the case, which continues to pose an existential threat to the gubernatorial ambition of Ladi Adebutu, would be discontinued and struck out.

To achieve this objective, a plan was hatched to debrief Barrister Ajibola Oluyede before that date and install Barrister Segun Odubela (SAN) as the new lawyer for the Plaintiffs. Odubela’s brief was to act for the Plaintiffs in the place of Mr. Oluyede and surprisingly ask the court to strike out the case under the guise of some false settlement. Of course, after stuffing their mouths and pockets with dollars.

Although Mr. Oluyede was not personally in court, his frightening spectre dominated that court session as his partner, Mrs Ifeoma Esom, worsted Odubela SAN and Chris Uche SAN, to completely demolish the Seriki plan. You should have seen Seriki and his co-travellers leaving the court that day with their heads bowed in defeat and disappointment.

Soon after that court hearing, Seriki was jettisoned by Ladi Adebutu as the go-between in the buying spree of anyone that was willing to sell out from the Kashamu structure.

Ladi started dealing directly with leaders like Chief R.A Adenaike (a.k.a Baba Ololu who has also messed himself up in his bid to do Ladi’s bidding in Ogun East) and others who would never follow Seriki because of his waspish nature.

It is this trend that has caused Segun Seriki to panic and to think that he can regain relevance by this characteristically mediocre outburst against Mr. Oluyede and the faithful, principled and dogged members of the Kashamu political family. He claims that he is still the leader of the mercenaries who are going “to the negotiation table” with Ladi Adebutu. Thus the pitiable self-eulogy at the conclusion of that “write up”.

Concerning the attempt to insult the widely respected Mr. Oluyede, I have no doubt that he (Mr Oluyede) can certainly fight for himself against the libel. However, knowing him as I do, I would not be surprised if he probably does not respond to the stupid outburst since he is a man of action and not of boasts like Segun Seriki. He won’t condescend to Seriki’s pitiable level. He would rather use the law to teach them judicial and political lessons. That’s his turf.

I am sure that in no distant future, it will become clear that Mr. Oluyede remains the most cerebral and effective lawyer that Ogun PDP has ever encountered. His track record and highly professional reputation cannot even be dented by the spurious rubbish being bandied around by a hustler.

However, I believe it is important to put the records straight in respect of the blatant falsehoods in that unfortunate “write up”.

First of all, it is only in Segun Seriki’s and his minions’ warped imagination that the advice given by Mr. Oluyede (when consulted about an invitation to the police on a Friday) can be considered a wrong advice. That advice was not only correct, the basis for it was well-articulated to those who sought Mr. Oluyede’s advice at the time. The Police were parties to a case in which the Court had given judgment that only the Kashamu-sponsored Exco (then led by Chief Adebayo Dayo) could conduct congresses to elect their successors. The Police were also parties to the new action (by the then Bamgbose-led successor to Dayo-led Exco) in which an order was subsisting that forbade any action against the new Exco.

So, it was clear that the Police could not claim validly that they did not know that the Sikirulai Ogundele-led gang, which Seriki, Bamgbose, Olaosebikan and others are now hobnobbing with, were the illegal contraption they should stop from taking over the Party secretariat.

Hindsight now reveals that the premonition that the plan was to arrest and detain the new Exco members on that Friday (to allow easy takeover of the secretariat from them while they were detained) was correct and Segun Seriki who was insisting that the Exco members go to the Police on that Friday was in on the plan. The plan also included an idea to use the detention of the members of the new Exco as a political trump to demoralise them and coerce them into signing documents in favour of Adebutu before regaining their freedom.

Seriki, as a double-agent, would then be posing as their saviour in all these and blaming the lawyer who allowed them to go see the Police on a Friday. That plan failed because of Mr. Oluyede’s advice. If one may ask: was it also Mr. Oluyede that advised the erstwhile woman leader, Mrs. Bimbo Lanre-Balogun, to depose to an affidavit that PDP congresses never held in Ogun State? This was the same woman who had earlier deposed to other affidavits that congresses were held and even spoke on camera to that effect.

Let it be stated that the invasion of the secretariat is also now a serious nail in the coffin of the Sikirulai Ogundele contraption and any congress or primaries they may conduct. Mr. Oluyede made it clear that it would play into our plan and so it has. Segun Seriki is incapable of seeing this because of his myopia but it will soon become evident, regardless of the number of people that they claim to have bought over.

Concerning meetings called by the PDP leaders for Mr. Oluyede’s advice, the records of those meetings are available and show that Mr. Oluyede’s role never exceeded that of an adviser. It was Seriki who has been fomenting trouble in a bid to control the new Exco and carry out his publicly declared intention of “making money like Buruji”.

His mediocre thinking did not allow him to understand that Kashamu had thriving businesses and stood for higher ideals than money and never lost sight of the public good in all he did politically. Seriki, on the other hand, is just a mercenary with negligible political capacity, as Ladi Adebutu has now begun to discover.

It was Segun Seriki that took Bamgbose to meet with Ladi Adebutu and his father at Sheraton Hotel in Lagos last year in his first step to sell the structure to Ladi Adebutu. That negotiation was inconclusive because it was pointed out to him there that his promises were flat because he was not perceived as having the clout to dictate to Mr. Oluyede to withdraw the court case that continues to threaten Ladi’s ambition, no matter how many people he buys.

After that meeting, I was with Mr. Oluyede when Segun Seriki called him and started begging him to attend a meeting with the Adebutus at their Iperu home. Mr. Oluyede flatly rejected the idea.

Subsequently, Seriki secured the support of Senator Kashamu’s younger cousin, Prince Yemi Ajibola to visit Mr. Oluyede in his office to persuade him to grant audience to Aare Oyefeso, who was an emissary from Chief Kessington Adebutu (a.k.a Baba Ijebu). After much pressure, Mr. Oluyede agreed to grant Aare Oyefeso audience and Prince Yemi and Segun Seriki were present at that meeting where Mr. Oluyede rejected the veiled purchase offer from Chief Adebutu’s emissary and insisted that there must be political rapprochement with the Kashamu group and not the outright purchase plan being mooted.

I am aware that the meeting was recorded by Mr. Oluyede and at no time was anything about money discussed. Segun Seriki is a liar and probably is the one who went behind to request for the money he mentioned in his “write up”.

While it is true that PDP needs to get its acts together and create a unified platform to win any election in Ogun State, let it be clear that Segun Seriki does not want that. He has made it clear publicly that he has no political ambition (that’s because he has no reputation anywhere anymore) and is only interested in money. He will do anything to achieve his selfish aim, including destroying the PDP in Ogun State.

It is hoped that the Adebutus would have seen through him. The empty boast that Segun Seriki is leading some losers to a “negotiation table” is of no moment. Segun Seriki can only lead them to the slaughterhouse where their own political careers (if any) can be destroyed. How a man who was expelled by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP in 2018 will lead them to the “negotiation table” remains to be seen! The expulsion is still subsisting as it has not been reversed. So, in effect, he is not a member of the Party. It is even more so now that he and his lackeys have sold their conscience for a meal ticket. Having been bought over with amounts ranging from $10,000 and above, what moral right do they have to “negotiate” for the good of all?

Ultimately, it is the real Kashamu group that will win as it always has. This is because of the God factor and the superior legal support from TRLPLAW as evidenced on the 14th of January 2021. Segun Seriki and his cohorts are going nowhere and cannot help the Adebutus in anyway. He is a loser and everyone should know it by now!
In vainly seeking to justify their treacherous acts, the pretenders quoted Chuba Okadigbo. That shows they are very good students of his school of politics but not of history. Need we say more?

God bless the soul of our departed leader, Senator Buruji Kashamu! God bless PDP!! God bless Ogun State!!!

• Sunkanmi Oyejide
State Publicity Secretary

Steer Clear of Ogun PDP Politics, Youth Groups Warn Fayose

Coalition of PDP Youth Groups (CPYG) in Ogun State has warned the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose to steer clear of the politics of PDP in Ogun State and the entire South West in general or else be declared persona-non grata and barred from setting his foot on any part of the state.

“We say this without prejudice to Fayose’s rights to take political apprenticeship in a drunken spoilt brat, but any attempt to foist such on the good people of Ogun State will be highly resisted.

“Fayose needs to know that Ogun State is not Ekiti and we have managed our uniqueness and peculiarities in a lot of ways over the years even long before Ekiti was carved out of the old Ondo State. We therefore wonder where Fayose derives his Authority to want to Lord it over the people of Ogun State and the entire South West.

“We consider it an insult for such a garrulous person to try to put himself in a position of eminence over and above those who are better than him in all ramifications.

“The Yoruba culture and ethos was founded on the Principle of Omoluwabi, all tenets of which have been found wanting in the character parading himself as a leader of PDP South West. We consider this a grace insult on the sensibilities of well meaning people of the South West to call Fayose to order and rein in his madness before he destroys everything left of the integrity of PDP in the South West region.

Ogun PDP Mourns Martins Kuye's Death, Says It's A Huge Loss


The Ogun State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has mourned the death of its chieftain and former minister of Commerce and Industry, Sen. Jubril Martins-Kuye.

Reacting to the sad occurence, the party in a release signed by its acting chairman, Barr. Boladale Sanni and made available to newsmen on Sunday morning described Kuye's death as "a huge loss" to the party and the nation given his patrotick contributions and zeal in fighting for unity and stability of our nation.

"We have lost a patriotic Nigerian who during his life time contributed immensely to the stability of our nation. This is a huge loss to Nigeria and our party (PDP).


"Sen. Kuye's wealth of experience will be greatly missed. This is a collosal loss. He was a grassroot politician who is always around his people. We have lost a national figure.

"We commiserate with the Kuye family, the Ogun State government, the people of Ogun state, as well as his friends and associates," Sanni said.



The party prayed that the Almighty God grants eternal repose to the elder statesman’s soul and fortitude to the family and the nation at large, to bear this irreparable loss.


He was born on 16 August, 1942 in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Late Kuye was appointed Nigerian minister of Commerce and Industry on 6 April 2010 by the then Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan.

According to the lawmaker representimg Ogun East Senatorial District at the upper legislative chamber, Sen. Lekan Mustapha, Sen. Kuye died on Sunday morning after a brief illness.

Battle for the Soul of Ogun State PDP Resumes in Abuja Today

...Court adjourns till March 18 to determine issue of legal representation

The legal battle for the soul of the Ogun State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) resumed on Thursday at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

When the matter (Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/44/2020) came up today, it was dogged by the issue of legal representation.

The first and second plaintiffs are Messrs Samson Bamgbose and Adeleke Shittu who sued for themselves and on behalf of the Ogun State PDP Executive Committee (Exco).

The first, second and third defendants are the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector-General of Police.

However, Bamgbose and six others were cajoled by a certain Segun Seriki who is a close ally of the Adebutus to sell out, compromise the case and hand over the party structure to Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu in pursuit of his (Adebutu's) forlorn governorship ambition in 2023.

As part of their evil plot, the erstwhile State Woman Leader of the PDP in Ogun State, Bimbo Lanre-Balogun, who is on record in audio-visual and affidavits to have said congresses were held in Ogun State between March and April, 2020, suddenly made a volte-face and fraudulently deposed to another affidavit that congresses never held in Ogun State.

How a so-called lawyer will depose to two contradictory affidavits on the same issue is a subject of concern to her professional colleagues and a matter for another forum.

Unknown to Seriki and his cohorts, their selfish plan to trade away the structure for pecuniary interest blew up in their faces as the other vigilant members of the State Executive Committee called a meeting on the 9th of November, 2020, where they suspended Bamgbose and five others for anti-party activities and other sundry offences.

It was after their suspension that Bamgbose wrote a letter dated 8th January, 2021, purportedly debriefing Prince Ajibola Oluyede's TRLP Law firm as counsel to the State Exco.

The aim is to appoint another law firm who will cooperate with Adebutu's lawyers who are pretending to be representing PDP and INEC.

The game plan is for the new lawyers purportedly appointed by Bamgbose and his gang to either concede or offer a feeble resistance to the prayers of the defendants in the case - the national leadership of PDP and INEC.

It is even more so when some of the supposed beneficiaries and erstwhile officers of the State Executive Committee like Bimbo Lanre-Balogun had been compromised to swear to affidavits that congresses never held in spite of obvious facts and evidence to the contrary.

In a nutshell, like Esau, they are ready to sell their birth right for a meal ticket!

Contrary to their denials, two of Adebutu's close associates, Seriki and Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, led Bamgbose, Raphael Olaosebikan, Bimbo Lanre-Balogun and others to the court in Abuja today.

As a matter of fact, Lanre-Balogun who had deposed to two separate affidavits that congresses were held and later said congresses never held in this extant suit, appeared in the matter as one of Adebutu's lawyers.

Following the hot argument that ensued among TRLP Law's Mrs Ifeoma Esom, Mr. Segun Odubela of Ricky Tarfa & Co and Chris Uche over the issue of legal representation and on whether or not Bamgbose and his gang can rightly brief and debrief a lawyer after their suspension, which has not been set aside, the trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjourned till the 18th of March, 2021, for parties to either file the report of settlement of the issue of legal representation or the court will determine it one way or another.

Oyinlola-led Reconciliation Committee Meets Ogun State PDP Stakeholders

*Sues for Peace

As part of its ongoing efforts at reconciling aggrieved members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, the former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola on Wednesday led the South West PDP Reconciliation Committee to a meeting with stakeholders of the party in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Other members of the committee are the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Chief (Mrs) Koforola Akerele -Bucknor; former Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda,
Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru; foremost physician turned politician, Dr. Saka Balogun and
Barrister Monsuru Kukoyi who is the secretary of the panel.

The stakeholders, who were drawn from the three senatorial districts, commended the initiative of the Oyinlola-led Reconciliation Committee.

They urged the committee to do its job justly and without fear or favour.

All those who spoke at the meeting appealed to the committee to prevail on the national leadership of the party to stop taking sides in intra-party disputes. Rather,
they should make efforts to resolve them as "the father of all".

They also urged the committee to intervene on the issue of the illegal occupation of the party secretariat by some dissidents whom they said had signed a three-year agreement with the Allied People's Movement (APM).

One after the other, the speakers said it was imperative for the two-term governor produced by the PDP in Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to step up and take over the leadership of the party in the state and return it to winning ways.

It would be recalled that the committee had interacted with Daniel and some selected leaders of the party on Tuesday ahead of today's meeting.

They also declared their support for Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, as the leader of the party in the zone.

"We express our unflinching support for the leadership of the PDP in the South West by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde. It has always been the tradition that sitting governors lead the party, especially when you have only one governor as it was in the immediate past," they said.

Responding, Oyinlola assured the leaders and members of the party that the committee had dutifully noted their submissions and will do everything within its powers to bring about peace in South West PDP.

Chieftains of the party in Ogun State who attended the meeting include the Chairman of the Ogun State PDP Elders' Council, Chief Robert Adenaike; Secretary of the Elders'Council, Chief Kola Sorinola; spokesman, Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Segun Sowunmi; Acting State Chairman, Barrister Boladale Sanni; State Secretary, Mr. Adeleke Shittu.

Others are the member, Ogun State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, Hon. Sylvester Abiodun; State Woman Leader, Chief (Mrs) Nike Ejioye and State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Oyejide Sunkanmi, State Legal Adviser Barr. Vivian Uwanokonye just to mention a few.

YULETIDE: Shote distributes Christmas gifts to party faithful


In a bid to enable party faithful have more joyous Chrismas and New Year celebration, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Reps Candidate for Ijebu Central Federal Constituency in the 2019 National Assembly election, Barr. Taiwo Shote has began the distribution of rice, chicken and other items as Christmas and New Year gifts to party leaders and members in Ijebu Ode, Ijebu North East and Odogbolu local government areas.


In his goodwill message, Shote admonished party faithful to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ as a projection to redefining their faith in God through Christ Jesus and rebranding their hearts towards forgiveness and love for mankind and enter into 2021 with a rekindled spirit of patriotism and oneness so that together we can make our society better for all.


Speaking further, Shote made it known that the gesture was borne out of his desire to put smiles on the faces of party loyalists during the yuletide.


"Let us see the birth anniversary of the begotten son of God ( Jesus Christ) as a projection to redefining our faith in God through Christ Jesus and rebranding our hearts towards forgiveness and love for mankind and cross into 2021 with a rekindled spirit of patriotism and oneness


"I have decided to put smiles on the faces of my people in Ijebu Central Federal Constituency in the spirit of New Year and Christmas celebrations.

"As Jesus Christ demonstrated during his life time, we must learn to show love to one another by putting smiles on the faces of people especially on special moments like Christmas and New Year celebrations.


"Lastly, I wish my people a hitch free Christmas and New Year celebrations, " Shote said.

South West PDP: Ogun PDP Backs Governor Makinde


ABEOKUTA: Ahead of the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zonal congress in the South West, the Ogun State chapter of PDP has thrown its weight behind Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

The party made this known in a release jointly signed by its Acting State Chairman, Barr. Bolade Sanni and the State Secretary, Prince Adeleke Shittu on Wednesday.

The party expressed confidence in the leadership of Governor Makinde, describing him as "the one with the temperament and leadership qualities to move the party forward in the South West.

"It is evident that Governor Makinde has what is required to move our party forward in the South West. As the only PDP governor in the South West, he is automatically the leader of the party in the South West zone.

"Ahead of the forthcoming South West congress, we are declaring our support for Governor Makinde and the Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led Reconciliation Committee. This decision was unanimously taken at an extra-ordinary meeting of the State Executive Committee of the party.

"Leaders and Stakeholders of the party in Ogun State, including the Chairman of the Apex Caucus, Dr. Remilekun Bakare; Secretary of the Elders Committee, Chief Kola Sorinola, Member, Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Abiodun, Members of the State Executive Committee who are automatic delegates to the zonal congress, including State Working Committee members, Local Government Party Chairmen and others endorsed the choice of Governor Seyi Makinde as the leader of the party in the South West.

The statement reads further, "Leaders and genuine stakeholders of the Party in Ogun State have decided to pitch their tent with Governor Makinde. We are solidly behind Governor Makinde. He is the right person to lead the South West PDP."

It urged the national leadership of the party and other South West states to support Governor Makinde and other well-meaning leaders of the party in their efforts to reposition the party in the zone.

Ogun PDP suspends Bamgbose for anti-party activities

ABEOKUTA: The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its State Chairman, Mr. Samson Bamgbose, for anti party activities.

The State Executive committee of the party at an extra-ordinary meeting held on the 9th of November, 2020 suspended Bamgbose and others for anti-party activities.

Barrister Boladale Sanni from Yewa North Local Government was appointed as the acting chairman in line with Article 47 (6) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

Other suspended Exco members are Chief Kehinde Oladeinde (ex-State Deputy Chairman), Barr. Kunle Bolujoko (ex-Ogun East Senatorial Chairman), Mrs. Bimbo Lanre-Balogun (ex-State Woman Leader), Hon. Sunmola Kayode (ex-Ogun West Senatorial Chairman), Alh. Kola Akinyemi (ex-Ogun Central Senatorial Chairman) and Hon. Alaba Adewunmi (ex-State Auditor).

While Bamgbose has been referred to the National Executive Committee of the party for further disciplinary actions, other suspended exco members are to appear before a seven-man disciplinary committee headed by Dr. Remilekun Bakare.

...Visits Ifo local government area

The Chairman of Ogun State chapter of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Asiwaju Abdulateef Adedamola, alongside principal officers and stakeholders of the council has commenced the tour of Local Government Areas in Ogun State.

The tour according to Adedamola, is one of the duties of IPAC as enshrined in its "Code of Conduct" to monitor and acess developmental projects embarked upon by the leadership of the council.



He added that apart from identifying the various projects embarked upon at the grassroots, IPAC will also have an interactive session with the management of the council to identify challenges faced by the local government and advise as appropriate.


Welcoming the team to his office, the Chairman, Transition committe of the council, Hon Fatiu Salami reel out his achievements in office since taking over the mantle of leadership in the council, thanking Gov. Dapo Abiodun for fulfilling his electioneering campaign by giving life back to local government administration in the state.

"I must specifically commend the governor of Ogun state, His Excellency Gov. Dapo Abiodun for fulfilling his electioneering campaign by restorimg life back to local government administration. We now have autonomy to run our local government on our own.


"So far, my administration has graded and rehabilitated 57 roads within the local government. We have empowered farmers so that there will be food security in the local government area. We have supported sporting activities for youth development across the council area.


"This administration has commissioned a Health Centre at Maidan with the one in Lisa Village still under construction. Through the support of the state government, we have also delivered a block of 3 classrooms at Zumuratul Islamiyah Pry School, Ishasi Akute. In a bid to ensure provision of portable water in the local council area, we have delivered 3 modern boreholes to our people in Oke-Nla, Sunren and Olose," he said.


Hon. Salami disclosed to the delegation that the council is one of the 5 most performing local government in the state.


Responding to the Transaction committee chairman's speech, Asiwaju Adedamola commented the chairman for putting the public fund into judicious use.


Speaking on the occasion, the immediate past chairman of IPAC and the Ogun Labour Party chairman, Comrade Abayomi Arabambi, said the only way to develop the grassroots is by giving local council areas the freedom to operate on their own, commending Gov. Abiodun for restoring back to local government administration.

The duo of Chief Sola Coker of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Otunba Femi Sholuade of Peoples Coalition Party (PCP) also applauded Hon. Salami for his landmark achievement.

The news coming out of Akoko in Ondo State, where the thugs of the All Progressives Congress’ Rotimi Akeredolu, under his supervision, ran amok in front of the Oba's palace, shooting and destroying the vehicles of his rival, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party, requires the attention of all men of goodwill, especially President Muhammadu Buhari.

History must not repeat itself, as this ugly incident draws my mind back to 1983 when another Owo man was governor like Akeredolu in Ondo State. Those who were around then would shiver when they think back and remember the public disorder that became known as 'wetie'.

A piece by Bayo Olupohunda in The Punch of November 8, 2016, captures the issue.
“The Second Republic, which was barely four years and three months old, was truncated when the military struck again in December of 1983 to bring to an end another corrupt and violent civilian regime. Once again, Ondo State, which had been carved out of the old Western Region as one of the five states created by former military ruler, Yakubu Gowon, erupted into an orgy of violence during the election of that year. One of Awolowo’s protégés, Adekunle Ajasin, was contesting re-election under the umbrella of the UPN. His deputy, Akin Omoboriowo, who had also fancied his chances had defected to the ruling NPN.

"He was backed by the federal might of the Shehu Shagari-led government. At the election, Ajasin had a clear lead, but the NPN, intent on taking the state from the UPN, had put Omoboriowo in a clear lead as a result was being announced. Then, the inevitable happened. The widespread protests that followed the announcement of Omoboriowo turned violent, and the state became a war front. Political thugs and supporters of both parties turned the state into a theatre of war.

"There were fears and apprehension as people loyal to one of the parties were targeted and killed. Houses were torched. The security agencies were powerless in a bid to rein in the perpetrators of the violence. In the end, Omoboriowo was driven out of the state and spent some time in exile. The 1983 violence was a repeat of the Western Region crisis. The effect of the violence was instant. It provided a further excuse for the military to put an end to the Second Republic that was already wracked by monumental corruption.”

Ondo is different in the Yoruba nation. They have demonstrated the ability to act their intention. They are brave, independent and fearless. Whosoever allows Ondo to go the way of violence risks too much. Mr President, you have a duty to read the riot act to all parties. Ondo must not go to the dogs. Rotimi Akeredolu, lose if you will, and go in peace, that you may salvage whatever is left of your battered image.

SOUTH WEST PDP: FAYOSE LACKS MORAL RIGHT TO CRITICISE MAKINDE - OGUN PDP

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose, lacked the moral right to complain about the leadership of the party in the South West.

The party spoke against the backdrop of media reports that Fayose on Wednesday warned the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to steer clear of the leadership of the party in Ekiti and other South West states.

A statement issued in Abeokuta on Thursday by the Chairman of the party in Ogun State, Hon. Samson Bamgbose, quoted him as saying that it was an irony of fate that Fayose who refused to allow legally-recognised Ogun State PDP Exco to function since 2016 could be complaining of interference.

"We are surprised that Mr. Fayose could be talking of the need to allow some persons to complete their terms and run the party in their states, whereas he is the master of impunity and meddlesomeness. He is the brain behind the impostors that he has been associating with in Ogun State. He has been supporting them against the Rule of Law since his days as governor of Ekiti State. He truncated the tenure of the South West Zonal Exco as well as that of Prof. Wale Oladipo and the late Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju as National Secretary and National Auditor. He ran the party like his personal business when he was the only PDP governor in the South West."

The statement reads further, “We have been following Mr. Fayose’s forlorn dream to be the imperial leader of the PDP in the South West in spite of the fact that he is not the only former governor of the PDP in the zone.

“We do not know what he stands to gain in undermining notable leaders and elders of the PDP in the South West, especially the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who God has chosen to be the new leader of the PDP in the South West.

“It is high time Mr. Fayose woke up from his dream and faced the reality that his time has passed and a new leader has emerged; and we must genuinely accept Engr. Makinde without any dispute as the one who has been anointed by the Almighty God to lead us in the South West PDP at this point in time

“When Mr. Fayose held sway as the Governor of Ekiti State, he never allowed anyone to challenge him. He bamboozled and supressed everyone as governor even when we had the more experienced and mature Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as governor of Ondo State.”

The party appealed to notable leaders and elders of the PDP like Chief Bode George, Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, Senator Abiodun Olujinmi and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, among others, to rally round Makinde to take PDP to greater heights.

It wondered why Fayose enjoys destroying other people’s legacies while protecting his own.

“Mr. Fayose takes delight in betraying his friends because of his selfish interest. After our beloved leader, the late Senator Buruji Kashamu supported him to emerge as the Governor of Ekiti State in 2014, he betrayed him and nearly drove him out of the PDP. He worked against the PDP and Senator Olujinmi’s re-election but God disappointed him. We would have thought that that would have taught him a lesson. But no, he continues with his unbridled arrogance and bloated ego,” the party added.

It urged the Governors and other national leaders of the PDP “to call Mr. Fayose to order before he plunges the PDP in the South West into another round of avoidable crisis because of his unbridled ambition and insatiable hunger for power.”

Western Lotto, Western Bet Reiterate Commitment to Corporate Governance


Western Lotto, Western Bet Reiterate Commitment to Corporate Governance…As CBN Slams Baba Ijebu, BetKing, Nairabet, Others





Following the “Post No Debit” (PND) order slammed on “all the bank accounts” of some betting and lottery companies by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over some regulatory infractions, the management of Western Lotto Nigeria Limited and Western Sportsbet Nigeria Limited have reiterated their commitment to promoting transparency and best global practices.

In separate statements issued on Sunday in Lagos by the management of the two companies, they expressed their commitment to conducting their businesses in line with extant regulations and laws of the land.

The companies spoke against the backdrop of the freezing of all the bank accounts of six gaming companies by the CBN.

The affected gaming companies are Premier Lotto (Baba Ijebu), R & S Limited (R & S Lotto), SV Gaming Ltd (BetKing), Over The Top Entertainment Limited (Nairabet), TM Gaming (Accessbet), Beaufortbet (Betabet)

The Managing Director of Western Lotto, Dr. Olumide Adedeji said, “We wish to reassure all our stakeholders’ that we would remain committed to our core values of transparency and integrity even as we conduct our businesses in line with best global practices.

“Western Lotto as a going concern will continue to conduct its operations and businesses with utmost respect for the laws of the land.

“Towards this end, we shall not waiver or falter on meeting our obligations to all our business partners – the regulators, agents and stakers.”

Also, the Managing Director of Western Bet, Remi Ohiorenoya assured bettors and the general public of the firm’s commitment to raising the bar in corporate governance, accountability and transparency.

“We wish to restate our renewed commitment of sticking to best global practices in our business as a going concern and raising the bar in corporate governance, accountability and transparency.

“All the stakeholders – regulators, agents and bettors – should be rest assured that we will continue to be open, transparent and play by the rules to the satisfaction of all concerned,” Ohiorenoya said.

OGUN PDP: Illegal Takeover of Our Party Secretariat Will Be Reverse in Due Course

The Hon. Samson Bamgbose-led Ogun State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has frowned at the illegal takeover of its party secretariat on Friday, saying the "illegal action" will be reversed in due course.

A statement issued on Friday by Bamgbose quoted him as saying that it was "most disturbing that in a democracy, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Mr. Edward Awolowo Ajogun could allow himself and the Command to aid and abet some dissidents to invade and forcibly take over our Party Secretariat in flagrant disregard for valid and subsisting orders and judgments of courts."

The statement reads in part, "At about 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd of September, 2020, a member of staff at the secretariat of our Party informed some members of the State Executive Committee (State Exco) of an invitation letter dated 2nd September, 2020, through which I and other members of the State Exco were asked 'to report to the office of the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command through the DC, CID on or before 4th September, 2010 by 10.00am'.

"The State Exco briefed a lawyer to represent us and asked for a new date because of earlier scheduled appointments outside Abeokuta.

"However, as law-abiding citizens and given the information at our disposal, we are aware that this invitation was related to the control of the Ogun State chapter of our Party. A tussle which has been settled by various court judgments and orders but continues to be maintained by the recalcitrant elements who daily ploy illegal measures by which they may disrupt the activities of our Party in Ogun State.

"Proactively, we chronicled events leading to the present state of affairs within the Ogun State PDP.

"Specifically, we referred the Police to our earlier correspondence, particularly our petition to the office of the CP dated 24th March 2020, regarding our emergence as the Executive Committee of the PDP in Ogun State elected at duly conducted congresses of the Party in March and April 2020 pursuant to the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016.

"We also referred him to our letter of 24th July, 2020, which was received on the 27th of July, 2020.
There is yet another letter of 1st September, 2020, which was also received at the CP's on the 3rd of September, 2020.

"In all the correspondences, we acquainted the Ogun State Police Command with our emergence - in line with the position of the law and subsisting judgments of the court.

"We also informed the Police Command of the attempts by some dissidents to use extra-judicial means to achieve what they could not get through due process and the courts.

"Following the issuance of Notice of Congresses by the PDP in February, 2020, and in line with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016, the PDP Ward, Local Government and State Congresses were held in Ogun State on the 7th of March, 21st of March and 3rd of April 2020 respectively.

"The Ogun State PDP Exco under my leadership has since assumed office having taken the oath of office on the 8th of May 2020.

"When we became aware that some fifth columnists were planning to disrupt the smooth running of the affairs of the party in the state, we filed an action at the Federal High Court in Abeokuta.

"On the 24th of April 2020, the Abeokuta court in the said Suit FHC/AB/CS/44/2020 ordered that '…the parties shall respect the principle of lis pendens and maintain status quo antebellum pending the hearing and determination of the Applicants’ Motion on Notice which is already filed before this court'.

"The Police, the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are parties to the suit and the said order had been served on all the parties, including the Police and DSS.

"To our utmost surprise, CP Ajogun allowed his office and officers to be used to assist the dissidents to invade our Party Secretariat and forcibly seize it in criminal contempt of the court, its orders and judgments."

Bamgbose urged the party loyalists to remain law-abiding, adding that the action will be reversed in due course.

"We wish to implore our teeming supporters and party faithful to remain calm, knowing that this illegality like others before it will not stand the test of time and the law," he said.

Erinlakatabu Kashamu is Gone


What can remind us of death and its finality but the fact that when any mortal is pronounced dead, nothing else can bring him back.

It is with devastation and heavy heart I mourn Sen Buruji Kashamu, an irrepressible strong-willed personality, sure footed fighter, streetwise, intelligent, bold like a tiger; a political gladiator that has left trails of impression everywhere and on all people he met in his rather short 62 years.

Oofo ijo keji oja, a phrase he used often to demonstrate that once life is over, that is it, and all over in deed. I am numbed and sober for I knew him closely; I knew his strength, I knew his generosity, I knew his excesses. Above all, I knew him as my worthy Egbon and leader.

How do I begin to console Sheri and her siblings that a dotting father is no more. Kashamu was not your usual type of guy, learnt to survive on the street and acquired many life skills and intellect that would make a Harvard degree holder jealous. He knew his game and he applied it to both admiration and concern.

He would normally outfox the most cunning of them all that you would wonder how the mastery of the court room became such a play field for one who truly was barely lettered. I guess it was from the numerous experiences in many jurisdictions, across many oceans and borders that created the insight with which he made mincemeat of the high and the mighty.

Kashamu kept his word most of the time, and if he would change it, it was like him to inform you that he had moved from the previous position and why. Buruji was usually the last man standing in other people’s battles. Sometimes, you wondered where he got the stamina for the numerous multidimensional issues he involved himself with.

I have asked myself why, but then I said why not? There is a time and a season for all men, and if the COVID-19 pandemic would take millions of people, unfortunately including Kashamu, perhaps that is how he would have wanted it. A fighter through and through, who fought to the very end and left not in defeat but defeated by death.

Hmmm, the Quran is correct with the saying, “Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion?”

Eso Jinadu Sodipe aka Buruji Kashamu, Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, good night. You outfoxed them all. Now go and face your creator in peace.

-SEGUN SHOWUNMI

Ogun PDP: Your Visit to Wadata Inconsequential, Bamgbose tells Ogundele, Others

The Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Samson Bamgbose has described the visit of Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele and others to Wadata Plaza, the National headquarters of the party as "inconsequential", saying he remains the validly and legally elected chairman of the party in the state.

Speaking in Abeokuta on Friday, Bamgbose said the National headquarters of the party is a public place that is open to all Nigerians.

"Our National Office in Abuja is a public property that is open to all Nigerians. You do not even have to be a member of the PDP before you can access our party headquarters. It is chidish that some persons would have to travel all the way to Abuja in search of a forlorn legitimacy - in continuation of their politics of deceit.

"All politics is local. You have to be relevant in your base before going outside.The national headquarters of our party cannot confer legitimacy on anyone. Our party and Nation are creations of the law. Even the national leadership of our party got into office through the instrumentality of the law. That is the same right that we enjoy.

"Before the 2019 general election, these same elements who went on yet another jamboree were always going to Abuja, it did not change anything. In fact, Abuja presented forms and flags to them, it all came to nought.

"Going to Abuja to present some mercenaries and traitors who had been validly removed from office and replaced as evidence of reconciliation and unity without the genuine stakeholders, leaders and elders is nothing but an illusion of grandeur. At the right time, they will be jolted from their slumber and everyone will see that they have once again embarked on a wild goose chase.

"We are on a familiar terrain. At the appropriate time, the law will take its course. One thing is clear: their visit to Abuja does not invalidate the State Executive Committee under my leadership as the Ogun State PDP Chairman which has been given judicial imprimatur by the Federal High Court, Abeokuta and Abuja," Bamgbose added.

DAY 04 OF THE FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS OGUN STATE COMMAND EID- EL KABIR SPECIAL PATROL OPERATIONS /CONTINUATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON COVID - 19 ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS

DATE: SUNDAY 02 AUGUST, 2020

TIME 0700HRS

WEATHER CONDITION: Cool and Clear

FUEL SITUATION: Normal

SECURITY SITUATION: There were no threats to patrol personnel and equipments.

TRAFFIC SITUATION:
As the COVID - 19 special enforcement operation continues in Ogun State , the various security task forces are carrying out the directives contained in the Ogun State Government
Orders on COVID 19.
The impact on motorisation is felt mainly around the border points of Ogun State, where temporary barricades erected, restricted vehicular movements in strict compliance to the Covid -19 protocol

Apart from the above mentioned areas , traffic in Ogun state are generally free from gridlock.

This route includes the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway. Freely moving traffic is also at the Sagamu Interchange - Ìjẹ̀bú-Òde ; Abeokuta - Ibadan and the Ota - Idoroko International road, which are all free from obstructions as at time of reporting.

ROAD TRAFFIC CRASHES .
Two Road Traffic Crashes were recorde yesterday Saturday 01 August, 2020

The crash occurred at about 1428HRS on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway around Ibafo bus stop .
A total of four persons were involved, all male adult and they all sustained injuries . No death was recorded from the crash

02 vehicles were involved with registration numbers
1, KTU 367 XY
MACK
TRUCK and
2, KRD 373 YA
The suspected
Cause of the crash was excessive speed which led to loss of control. The injured victims were rescued to Divine Touch Hospital Ibafo for medical attention.


The second crash occurred at about 1310HRS on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway around COMART KARA TURNING.
02 Persons were involved all male adult , no injury sustained nor death recorded from the crash.
01 vehicle was involved with registration number
RUW 330 XA , a MAZDA BUS
The suspected causes of the lone crash were mechanical deficiency & excessive speed.
The vehicle was successfully towed off the road.


TRAFFIC ADVISORY
The Eid El Kabir special operations include continious collaboration with sister security agencies in implementing the COVID - 19 directives issued by both the Federal and Ogun State Governments, especially as they relate to preventing overloading of vehicles with passengers and goods ; enforcing physical distancing; compulsory use of face masks and restrictions of movements across Ogun State

Accordingly, motorists have been advised to drive cautiously, obey traffic rules and regulations.

The Sector Commander , FRSC Ogun State Command , UMAR AHMED reminds motorists
not to travel beyond the maximum speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour, at construction zones, as prescribed by the National Road Traffic Regulations,2012.


EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER:
To report a road traffic crash or road obstruction, please call the FRSC Toll Free Number, 122.

Additional information about this Special Patrol Operation is available on www.frsc.gov.ng and www.facebook.com/frscnigeria, as well as the Twitter handle
www.twiter.com/frscnigeria

Also it is available if tuned to the National Traffic Radio 107.1FM Abuja, which can be streamed online.

Listeners can download the radio's App from the google play store or listen directly through the FRSC's website with the URL www.frsc.gov.ng

The National traffic Radio can be streamed online by clicking on the link
https://ntr.com.ng/

SIGNED: Superintendent Route Commander Florence Okpe FRSC Public Education Officer Ogun State Sector Command.
For Sector Commander
FRSC Ogun State Command

PRESS RELEASE

FHC/L/CS/636/2016 EMPOWERS THE STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, NOT BAYO DAYO

Our attention has been drawn to a release titled "OGUN PDP UNDER OGUNDELE HAS COME TO STAY"

For clarity sake, we wish to state as follows:

1.The State Executive Committee (Exco) does not consist only of members of State Working Committee. The State Exco includes the substantive holders of the respective positions and their assistants. It also comprises the Party Local Government Chairmen, serving members of the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, serving and former members of the National Executive Committee of the party like Senator Kashamu. Most of those Dayo claimed to be members of his imaginary State Exco were former State Working Committee members who either resigned to contest elections or simply defected to other parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and were replaced in line with the provision of Article 47 of the PDP Constitution which stipulates that “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the Party, the Executive Committee at the appropriate level shall appoint another person from the area or zone where the officer originated from to serve out the tenure of the officer".

2. Chief Adebayo Dayo had in the Punch publication of 28th February, 2020, whilst announcing the suspension of Semiu Sodipo condemned his actions and stated that “Sunday Odunjo (who they now claim is their Deputy Chairman) among others that were taken to Abuja are not our members, they have all resigned except Semiu Sodipo who was our secretary before his suspension".

3. Going by his own submission as captured above and in line with Article 35 (1) (c) of the PDP Constitution which stipulates that, “In the event of resignation, removal, death, incapacitation or absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman shall assume office as Chairman in acting capacity without prejudice to Section 47 (6) of this Constitution"; Dayo’s suspension created the kind of absence which Article 35(1)(c) of the PDP Constitution contemplates.

4. It is after they lost the Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020 that they instituted that they remembered FHC/L/CS/636/2016 which empowered the Bayo Dayo-led State Executive Committee not State Working Committee or Dayo himself to conduct Congresses before the 9th of May, 2020. Let us also not forget that for four whole years, these same elements who know claim that the contraption they had was in line with the 636 judgment had always acted in total defiance of the same judgment! They had publicly claimed that the judgment "expired" on the 9th of May, 2020. In fact, Suit FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020 that they instituted and lost on the 21st of July, 2020 read, "

PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) -------------- Plaintiff

AND

EGNR. ADEBAYO DAYO -------- 1st Defendant
[For himself and as representing other members of the State Executive Committee of PDP whose tenure expires in April 2020]."

5. Besides, let us not forget that their contention in the suit they lost at the FHC Abuja was that it was the national leadership of the party that could conduct Congresses in Ogun State but we told the court that Suit No FHC/L/CS/636/2016 had resolved that issue and the congresses had been held in line with that judgment. The court agreed with us and said it could not review that judgment. So, for Dayo, who aligned with them and swore to affidavits in support of the suit to now say he conducted Congresses in July, 2020, in accordance with the same 636 judgment after he voluntarily waived his rights which led to his suspension and eventual expiration of his term on the 9th of May, 2020, shows clearly that he is either confused, ignorant or mischievous.

6. Furthermore and contrary to their assertion, on the 24th of April, 2020, the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/44/2020, ordered that “…the parties shall respect the principle of lis pendens and maintain status quo antebellum pending the hearing and determination of the Applicants’ Motion on Notice which is already filed before this court.”

7. On a lighter note, they said how could we have held congresses during COVID-19? The question to them now is: why didn't they wait till after COVID-19? We hope they would have learnt that, "Equity aids the vigilant, not those who slumber on their rights".

8. In all, it is clear even to the blind that Dayo and his co-travellers had no valid and legal grounds to organise the jamboree they called congresses.

Signed:
Oyejide Sunkanmi
Publicity Secretary, Ogun State PDP
30th July, 2020.

DATE: THURSDAY 30 JULY , 2020

TIME 0700HRS

WEATHER CONDITION: Clear and cool

FUEL SITUATION: Normal

SECURITY SITUATION: There were no threats to patrol personnel and equipments.



TRAFFIC SITUATION:

Traffic have started building up especially on corridors leading travellers out of Ogun State . Specifically on the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway, heavy but moving traffic is around the outward Lagos section of the Expressway around Ibafo before Mowe where the lanes narrowed from three to two lanes . Motorists are to note this impediment and drive through without attempting to drive against traffic around this area.

Generally road corridors in Ogun State are free of gridlocks "including Lagos - Ibadan Expreeway, Sagamu-Ìjẹ̀bú-Òde, Sagamu-Mosinmi-Ikorodu,Abeokuta-Ibadan, Abeokuta-Ọ̀tà-Lagos and Ota-Idiroko international corridors are free from obstructions.

The entire stretch of roads in Ogun State are free, devoid of gridlocks, except pockets of areas around construction zones . Ogun State roads are also safe as at time of reporting.

ROAD TRAFFIC CRASHES .
A total of four road traffic crashes were recorded yesterday Wednesday 29/7/20 across Ogun state

The first crash occurred at about 0850HRS on OTTA-Abeokuta route
around JOJU. A total of 14 persons where involved which comprised of 09 male adult and 05 female adult . 04 persons sustained injuries, 02 male adult and 02 female adult.
Fortunately no death was recorded from the crash .

01 vehicle was involved with registration number
GGE 87XP
a MAZDA BUS E2000. Suspected cause of the lone crash was excessive speed.
The Injured victims were rescued to General Hospital Otta for medical attention.

The second crash occurred at about 1450HRS on the
IDIROKO -ATAN ROUTE
KM41. 04 Persons were involved all male adult , 01 person sustained injury
and 01 death was recorded from the crash.

02 vehicles were involved with no registration numbers ( motorcycle)
The suspected cause of the crash was excessive speed .
The Injured victims were rescued to General hospital Otta while The Corpse was deposited at Ifo Mortuary and the motorcycle was handed over to the policemen at Atan.

The third crash occurred at about 1520HRS on the IJEBU-ODE-ORE EXPRESSWAY
around Ije Ife (Beside MRS petrol station)
02 persons were involved all male adult, 01 person sustained injury and no death was recorded from the crash

01 vehicle was involved with registration number
ABC363ZW
Iveco truck
The suspected cause of the
Lone crash was excessive speed which led to loss of control.

The injured victim was rescued to Ijebu Ife General hospital for medical attention

The fourth crash occurred at about 2150HRS on the Lagos- Ibadan expressway
around ALAPAKO. A total of 05 persons were involved, all male adult
03 persons sustained injuries and 01 death was recorded from the crash

02. Vehicles were involved with registration numbers
1. LLA 469 AA
A TOYOTA
COROLLA
ASH colour and
2. AGL 110 XA
M/BENZ
Truck
The suspected causes of the
MULTIPLE crash were excessive speed which led to loss of control
The injured victims were rescued to Idera Hospital Sagamu for medical attention and the corpse was deposited at FOS morgue Ipara


TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Motorists are enjoined to drive cautiously especially as traffic has started building up

The FRSC Ogun State Sector Commander, Umar Ahmed has cautioned motorists to drive cautiously as motorisation is increasing owning to gradual easing of the Lock Down Orders and has drawn motorists attention on need to exercise greater restraints when traveling especially along the Lagos - Ibadan and Sagamu - Ijebuode Expressways, around the portions where traffic is diverted/ narrowed lanes on the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway between Ogere and Fidiwo , near Ogunmakin, as the axis around the diversion, have reconstruction works resumed .

The Sector Commander further reminds motorists to note that the ongoing rehabilitation works on the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway, by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC from Sagamu Interchange to Lagos and Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) from Sagamu Interchange to Ibadan, which have resumed require extra care to avoid unnecessary road traffic crashes, with motorists cautioned not to travel beyond the maximum speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour, at construction zones, as prescribed by the National Road Traffic Regulations,2012
He remarked that the FRSC Operations would include continious collaboration with sister security agencies in implementing the COVID - 19 directives issued by both the Federal and Ogun State Governments, especially as they relate to preventing overloading of vehicles with passengers and goods ; enforcing physical distancing; compulsory use of face masks and restrictions of movements across Ogun State during the period of the curfew .


EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER:
To report a road traffic crash or road obstruction, please call the FRSC Toll Free Number 122.

Additional information about this Special Patrol Operation is available on www.frsc.gov.ng and www.facebook.com/frscnigeria, as well as the twiter handle
www.twiter.com/frscnigeria

Also it is available if tuned to the National Traffic Radio 107.1FM Abuja, which can be streamed online.

Listeners can download the radio's App from the google play store or listen directly through the FRSC's website with the URL www.frsc.gov.ng

The National traffic Radio can be streamed online by clicking on the link
https://ntr.com.ng/

SIGNED: Superintendent Route Commander Florence Okpe FRSC Public Education Officer Ogun State Sector Command.
For Sector Commander Ogun State Command

EID EL- KABIR : FRSC OGUN STATE COMMAND DEPLOYS 1,707 PERSONNEL

The FRSC Ogun State Command has deployed 1,707 Regular and Special Marshals for the EID EL-KABIR Special Patrol Operations in Ogun State.

The personnel were added in line with directives from RSHQ in compliance with the daily enforcement of the Presidential Directive on COVID - 19 protocol Operations in Ogun State

Other logistics deployed to ensure a road traffic crash - free operations, include a total of 37 patrol vehicles ; 05 Advanced Life Support Ambulances ; 04 high capacity Patrol Motor Bikes and a Heavy Duty Tow Truck have been deployed across the state during the period of the EID EL- KABIR Special Patrol Operations which commences from Wednesday 29 July to Sunday 08 August ,2020.

The FRSC Operations would include continious collaboration with other Security Agencies in implementing the COVID - 19 directives issued by both the Federal and Ogun State Governments, especially as they relate to preventing overloading of vehicles with passengers and goods ; enforcing physical distancing; compulsory use of face masks and restrictions of movements across Ogun State during the period of the curfew .

The special patrol operations is also priotising prompt attention and care to victims of road traffic crashes and immediate removal of road obstructions with recoveries of valuables from scenes of road traffic crashes
handed over to their lawful owners .

The FRSC Sector Commander, Ogun State Command, Corp's Commander Umar Ahmed , has enjoined all the operatives deployed to display high level of diligence and professionalism during and beyond the special operations.

The Sector Commander, while wishing Muslims faithfuls Happy Eid El Kabir , remarked that motorists arrested for contraventions of traffic rules may be prosecuted by Special Mobile Courts, while also particularly warned against driving under influence of drugs and alcohol.


Signed

Superintendent Route Commander Florence Okpe
Public Education Officer FRSC Ogun State Command
For: Sector Commander, FRSC Ogun State Command

Ogun PDP Describes Fresh Congresses As Illegal



The Ogun State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as illegal the fresh party congresses purportedly conducted in the state.



The party spoke against the backdrop of the State Congress purportedly conducted on Monday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, the state capital.



A statement issued on Monday by the State Chairman, Hon. Samson Bamgbose, said: “The contraption called congresses were a deliberate and criminal affront on the rule of law.



“It is even more so that they resorted to self-help and criminal contempt after they lost the suit that they filed against us at the Federal High Court, Abuja.



“In the Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020, they sought the permission of the court to conduct these same illegal congresses

“The Federal High Court Abuja in its judgment delivered on the 21st of July, 2020 denied them the permission and pointed out that such an exercise would be illegal in view of the previous judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016.

“That judgment delivered by the Honourable Justice Ahmed Muhammed expressly stated as follows: “the finding of this court that the issue in contention herein has been successfully and adequately put to rest by my learned brother, I.N. Buba in suit FHC/L/CS/636/2016.

“In consequence thereof, I find this suit as an invitation on this court to examine or review the decision of my learned brother, I.N. Buba in Suit No. 636/2016, which invitation I will not accede to. I am not competent to do that.

“The plaintiff (PDP) and all the defendants are bound by the decision in Suit FHC/L/CS/636/2016.”

Bamgbose said before the final judgment of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, the Abeokuta Division of the same court had on the 24th of April 2020 held in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/44/2020 that “…the parties shall respect the principle of lis pendens and maintain status quo antebellum pending the hearing and determination of the Applicants’ Motion on Notice which is already filed before this court.

“Although we understand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not monitor or attend the contraption called congresses, we reasonably believe that the Commission ought to know that the purported Notice of Congress vide the letters dated 21st and 22nd July, 2020 is incompetent having not been issued in line with the provisions of Section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which states that, ‘A registered political party shall give the Commission at least 21 days notice of any convention, congress, conference or meeting convened for the purpose of electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under this Act’.”

Bamgbose appealed to all members of the party not to be dismayed, adding that “the congresses purportedly conducted by the defectors and fifth columnists within the party will not stand the test of time and the law. It is like a house built with spittle. It cannot stand; it will crumble like a pack of cards sooner than later.”

Federal High Court Judgement: No Victor, No Vanquished, it is a family quarrel, Bamgbose

The Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Samson Bamgbose, has urged party faithful in the State to close ranks and build a PDP that is capable of winning elections in 2023, describing the Tuesday FHC Abuja rulling in favour of Senator Buruji Kashamu backed Exco as victory for party faithful.

Speaking after the rulling, Reamgbose said despite the fact that the rulling was in favour of Sen. Kasuamu backed Exco, “there was no victor, no vanquished.”

He urged party faithful to come under one umbrella and build a PDP that is capable of winning elections in 2023.

"Let us close ranks and work to deliver Ogun for PDP. There is no victor, no vancquished. It is victory for all. We are members of the same family. We may have our differences in the past. At the end of the day, it is the party that wins, not any individual or group.

"If truly we love this party, let us put the past behind us and return this party to the summit. let us unite and work as a team In the overall interest of our party and people of Ogun State.



"Lastly, I want to commend the judiciary for standing firm on the side of justice and the rule of law," he said.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a suit by the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the powers of the Ogun State chapter of the party to conduct party congresses in the state.

In a judgment on Tuesday, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020, Justice Ahmed Mohammed held that the case amounted to an invitation to his court to sit on appeal over a question already determined by another judge of the same Federal High Court.

Justice Mohammed, who declined jurisdiction over the case, held that the subsisting judgment was delivered on June 24, 2016 by Justice I. N. Buba in a suit marked: FHC/L/CS/636/2016 has resolved the issue on whether or not the Ogun State PDP Exco could conduct congresses in the state.

The judge, who noted that the 2016 suit was filed in the Lagos division of the court by Chief Adebayo Dayo as Ogun State Chairman and on behalf of the state PDP Exco, held that parties in both the old and the new cases are the same.

He proceeded to strike out the new suit.

The national PDP had, in the latest suit, prayed the court to among others, hold that by virtue of the party’s amended constitution of 2017, the 2020 PDP Guidelines for the conduct of congresses, the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, it is the exclusive function of the National Working Committee of the PDP to appoint congress committee members for the purpose of conducting elections into the party’s executive offices from the ward level to the national level.

Listed as defendants in the suit were Chief Dayo, Mrs. Bimbo Lanre-Balogun, Samson K. Bamgbose, Mrs. Mulikat Kusimo, Segun Awoyemi, Alhaji Kola Akinyemi, Hon.Bola Odumosun and Oyejide Sunkanmi.

The Bamgbose-led State Exco, which succeeded the Dayo-led Exco whose tenure ended on the 9th of May, 2020, is supported by Senator Buruji Kashamu whereas Honourable Ladi Adebutu leads the other group believed to be favoured by the national leadership of the party.

Justice Mohammed, in the judgment on Tuesday, held that “it is not in doubt that that court (the Lagos division of the court) was called upon to determine whether the plaintiff therein (Engr. Dayo), who is the first defendant herein, and the Ogun State’ Executive Committee have the power to conduct Ward, LGA and state congresses of the plaintiff in Ogun State.”

The judge further held that the main question determined in the 2016 case has rendered this case (FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020) incompetent.

The judge, in holding that parties are the same in both cases, noted that the plaintiff in the earlier suit, who is the first defendant in this suit, sued for himself and on behalf of the Ogun State EXCO of the PDP.

He also noted that the national body of the PDP was the second defendant in the case decided in 2016 and that in the instant case, the national PDP also sued members of the Ogun State Exco.

The judge said the parties in the instant case, having been part of the 2016 case, are bound by the decision in the earlier case.

Justice Mohammed said it is “the finding of this court that the issue in contention herein has been successfully and adequately put to rest by my learned brother, I. N. Buba in suit FHC/L/CS/636/2016.

“In consequence thereof, I find this suit as an invitation on this court to examine or review the decision of my leaned brother, I. N. Buba in suit number 636/2016, which invitation I will not accede to. I am not competent to do that.

“The plaintiff and all the defendants are bound by the decision in suit: FHC/L/CS/636/2016.”

The judge faulted the argument by Chris Uche (SAN), for the plaintiff, to the effect that the judgment in FHC/L/CS/636/2016 is not a judgment on the merit because the defendant’s lawyer in that case conceded to the plaintiff’s claims.

He said there can not be a better judgment on the merit than that in which the counsel to the defendant appeared in court and conceded to the clams of the plaintiff.

Justice Mohammed noted that, from a copy of the 2016 judgment tendered in court, it was noted that O. O. Fakunle (SAN) appeared for the second defendant in that suit (PDP) and told the court that he was conceding to the plaintiff’s claims.

He said although there are decisions of appellate courts on which body, between state and national EXCOs of a political party has the power to organise and conduct state congresses, he cannot apply such authorities because of the peculiarity of this case.

“My hands are certainly tied by the decision of my learned brother alluded to above. I cannot sit on appeal or review the decision of my learned brother, I. N. Buba for the reasons I adduced above,” the judge said.

The judge noted that if he should proceed to hold that it is the national Exco of the party that has the power to organise and conduct state congresses, he would have sat on appeal over the decision by Justice Buba, who has the same jurisdiction as his.

He said such a development will create a situation where there would be two separate decisions on the same issues by two judges of the same court.

Justice Mohammed said the option opened to the plaintiff is to apply to the Court of Appeal to set aside the decision by Justice Buba in the face of the decisions of the appellate courts on the issue.

“It is the decision of this court that this suit is caught up by the doctrine of issue estoppel. I also hold that this court has no jurisdiction to hear this suit. It is hereby struck out for being incompetent,” the judge said.