₦airaland Forum

CSOs Petition Senate, Accuse Gbenga Daniel Of Plot To Destabilize Ogun State


Twenty-one pro-democracy organizations have petitioned the Nigerian Senate, accusing a former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel of plotting to destabilise the state.

The groups said Daniel, who is the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District is creating tension in the Gateway State by his incessant attacks on the state government and Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Speaking on behalf of the groups after submitting the petition in Abuja on Friday, Comrade Johnson Okuwatobi said the Senate must call Otunba Daniel to order.

He noted that Ogun State has been peaceful, devoid of any political gangsterism until recently.

The groups, in their petition, said: "We wish to bring to the attention of the Nigerian Senate and the general public the worrisome actions and statements being made by Senator Gbenga Daniel, which have now contributed to the creation of tension and division within Ogun State.

"Over recent months, Senator Gbenga Daniel has engaged in a series of public attacks on Governor Dapo Abiodun, resorting to inflammatory rhetoric and actions that are detrimental to the peace and progress of Ogun State. These actions have created an environment of unnecessary tension and conflict within the state.

"As advocates for peace, unity, and responsible governance, we firmly believe that political disagreements should be addressed through lawful and democratic means, rather than through the incitement of discord and public acrimony. The people of Ogun State deserve leaders who prioritize their welfare and development over personal or political rivalries.

"In light of these concerns, we hereby petition the Nigerian Senate to call Senator Gbenga Daniel to order, over his actions and statements, which have undermined the peace and stability of Ogun State. We call on the Senate to assess whether his conduct is consistent with the standards of ethical behaviour expected of a member of the Senate."

The groups also urged all political stakeholders in Ogun State to prioritize the well-being of the people and engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation for the betterment of the state.

Ogun State, the groups added, deserves leaders who work together for its progress and prosperity.

"We hope that the Nigerian Senate will act swiftly and decisively to address this matter and ensure that our democracy is strengthened through the promotion of responsible and respectful political discourse," they added.

The petition was signed by Campaign for Democracy and Justice, Centre for Human Rights and Justice, Sustainable Initiative for Good Governance, Activists for Good Governance, Media Rights Concern, Lawyers Network for Change, Coalition of Democrats for Good Governance, Centre for Justice, Lagos, Democratic Youth Council, Coalition for Good Governance, Media Rights Concern among others.

Abiodun Assures Of Stable Power Supply To Boost Manufacturing


Better days are ahead for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and other manufacturing companies as Ogun State Government said it is committed to building power infrastructure that will guarantee stable electricity supply across the State.


Governor Dapo Abiodun stated while speaking as the special guest of honour at the 38th Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State chapter held at the Conference Hotel, Abeokuta.


Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, said the government is taking full advantage of its opportunity as the state with the widest gas reticulation in Nigeria to address the menace of irregular power supply saying when the issues of high cost of petroleum and irregular power supply is adequately tackled, it will forestall the high rate of unemployment and insecurity.


The Governor said: “We cannot pretend not to be aware that many manufacturing firms hitherto operating in Nigeria have folded up due to irregular power supply and the high cost of petroleum products, a situation that has resulted in high unemployment and insecurity.


“It was with that determination to change the narrative and redirect the economy for greater performance in the real sector that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government summoned the courage to address the age-long conundrum in the upstream sector of our oil industry through the deregulation policy that led to the removal of subsidies.”


Abiodun enjoined MAN not to hesitate to interface with the federal government on initiatives they know will impact the sector positively while appealing to members of the association all over the country to support the present administration at the federal level.


Speaking as the guest lecturer at the event, a foremost Economist and Managing Director/CEO, Financial Derivatives Co. Ltd, Mr. Bismarck Jemide Rewane said the manufacturing sector has mostly underperformed in the last five years, highlighting some of the reasons to include the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war as well as forex scarcity.


Rewane said the nation is at a crossroad as the naira is undervalued at 32 percent but acknowledged that the new administration at the federal level has taken a bold step in implementing some key market reforms, reducing the level of market distortion in the economy among others.


The renowned economist advised the federal government to continue on reforms, including rescheduling its debts, institutional reforms, increase private investment in power sector, enumerating the catalyst for growth, road concessioning, implementing the 2023 Electricity Act, digital innovation, boost investment flows, pay at least N75,000 as minimum wage and block revenue leakages among others.


The Chairman, MAN, Ogun State chapter, Mr George Onafowokan in his address, noted that the immediate implementation of the dual policies of Naira devaluation and subsidy removal without putting in place appropriate buffers for all sectors of the economy has caused inflation levels to sky rocket and has put immense strain on the manufacturing sector.


Onafowokan further commented on the high power costs, high interest on loans, post and custom related issues as well as multiple taxes as banes to necessary growth in the sector, urging government at all levels to be committed to engendering policies that promote local survival of companies and facilitate export, simplify the prices for qualifying for loans from government financial institutions coupled with other real sector friendly fiscal and monetary policies to revive and strengthen the manufacturing sector.

Wale Adedayo's false allegation against Gov. Abiodun is politically motivated - Akinmade

The Chief Consultant on Media to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, on Wednesday, said the allegation of diversion of local government allocations against the governor by Mr Wale Adedayo, was politically motivated.

He asserted that contrary to the false claim, the Governor had augmented several shortfalls in allocations to Local Governments from the Federation Account to the tune of N17 billion from the inception of his administration in 2019 till date.

Speaking in an interview on Raypower FM programme, Facts File, as well the Yoruba version on Faaji FM, Akinmade noted that Adedayo was out to tarnish the image of Governor Dapo Abiodun for parochial political motives.

He noted that allocations to Local Governments remain practically inaccessible by any State Governor, going by the recent amendment to extant laws regarding allocations to the third tier of government.

This, he said, followed agitation by some Local Government Chairmen.

The media expert explained that a special committee, known as the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), which comprises all the 20 Local Government Chairmen across the State, members of NULGE, NUT, and Traditional Institutions among others were statutorily saddled with the responsibility of deciding on the sharing formula without any interference of the Governor.

Akinmade, copiously reeled out the sequence of allocations to local governments since the inception of Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration in 2019, indicating a series of interventions by the Governor to augment several shortfalls, occasioned by shortfall in federal allocations, contrary to the claim of diversion by Adedayo.

"The reduction in allocations to States is not peculiar to Ogun State and I can tell you with facts and figures that between 2019 till 2021 and 2022, Governor Dapo Abiodun had to augment the shortfall in all allocations to Local Government to the tune of N17 billion.

"For instance, in July 2019, allocation to Ogun State was just N3.4 billion and the first line charges were N3.5 billion, while the PAYE that was supposed to be paid to government was N146 million. The government had to augment it ditto for August, September and so on. In August of that year, the allocation was N3.2 billion while the wage bill was N3.3 billion. A shortfall of N900 million had to be paid by the government.

"The government continued to augment these allocations to ensure that workers in the local governments were not left out from regular payment of salaries, until recently when the new administration came on board in May and there was the removal of subsidy and the allocation improved to the range of N4.5 billion, " Akinmade disclosed.

Reacting to the question of a possible communication gap between the Governor and Wale Adedayo, which perhaps informed his actions, Akinmade said the impeached Council Chairman had unrestricted access to the Governor, based on their long-time relationship.

He continued: "I have known the Governor and Wale Adedayo since 1996. He presented Governor Dapo Abiodun as his brother to me; that they both came from the same place.

"I later came to realize that Wale Adedayo is one of those people the Governor loved so much. He first made him his media Consultant before supporting him to become the Chairman of his local government. He is one of those who can call the Governor three times a day.

"Also, among the 25 meetings of JAAC held since Adedayo emerged as Chairman, he attended 15, so, he can't claim not to be aware of how allocations were distributed, he was always part of the process.

"Also, this is the man who collected N3 million every month as security vote and despite that, he could not account for the sum of N5.2 million he collected from the Council to execute a project, which led to his impeachment by the council's lawmakers.

"Meanwhile, let me make it clear here, that on the false allegation he made against the Governor, he must come up with evidence to prove his claim. After all, he is a journalist. He knows very well that whoever makes an allegation must be ready to prove it.

"If he fails to come up with evidence and prove the allegation he made against Governor Abiodun, he should be prepared to face the consequences," Akinmade concluded.

You Are A Shining Light In Christendom, Abiodun Tells Oyedepo At 69

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, as a shining light in Christendom.

He described the Bishop as a great man of God and an educationist worth emulating.

Abiodun stated this in his goodwill message to mark Bishop Oyedepo's 69th birthday.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Lekan Adeniran, praised Bishop Oyedepo's commitment to God, saying he daily motivates his congregation and the larger society to live a purposeful life in accordance with God's plan.

"Your teachings have transformed the lives of many and have shaped the destiny of our nation.

"As a preacher, you exemplify excellence and have been a source of inspiration to many. Your commitment to the spread of the gospel has not only brought salvation to countless souls, but it has also helped shape the moral fabric of our society," Abiodun said.

He said that through his involvement in the education sector, the man of God has succeeded in producing many scientists, bankers, lawyers, administrators, among others, adding that one of his universities has consistently been ranked among the best in Africa.

The governor also commended Bishop Oyedepo's humanitarian efforts, particularly through the David Oyedepo Foundation, which provides scholarships, medical and entrepreneurial support to thousands of people.

"I am grateful for your contributions to the development of Ogun State, particularly in the area of education. Your investment in Covenant University and other educational institutions in the state have greatly impacted the lives of our youth and have helped to raise the standard of education in the state," Abiodun said.

He prayed that God will continue to bless Bishop Oyedepo with good health, wisdom, and divine guidance as he continues to impact lives and fulfil his divine mandate.

Abiodun prayed for God's continued blessings and guidance upon the Bishop, as well as for more years of impactful service to humanity.

"Once again, I wish you a happy 69th birthday, and I pray that God will grant you many more years in good health," Abiodun concluded.

Bishop David Oyedepo, who is also the Chancellor of Covenant University and Landmark University, was born on September 27, 1954, in Omu Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.

He founded the Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners' Chapel, which has grown to become one of the largest Christian denominations in Nigeria and the world at large.

Ogun Signs MoU With Indian Auto Firm On Production Of CNG Mass Transit Buses

Ogun State Government at the weekend signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ashok Leyland of India for the supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass transit buses in the state.

Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi represented the state government at the signing ceremony, while Mr. Rajesh R, Head and Senior Vice President, International Operations, signed for Ashok Leyland.

The signing of the MoU signalled the commencement of the project aimed at delivering public transport system (mass transit buses and transport infrastructure) in the state.

The MoU is a fallout of the high-level meeting, which the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun held with potential investors on the sidelines of the Nigeria-India bilateral meeting held in Delhi, India.

"This MoU is in line with the ISEYA agenda of His Excellency aimed at operationalisation of the approved multi-modal transport master plan for Ogun State connecting air, road, sea, and rail," Talabi said.

According to Mr. Talabi, the state will receive more CNG buses when the project fully comes on stream.

This would further reduce the cost of transportation in the state for the benefit of residents, he added.

"Furthermore, the parties will explore areas of collaboration, including the potential setup of a CKD plant for the buses and will create over 2,000 jobs when fully executed," he added.

The meeting also had in attendance, Mr Dapo Okubadejo, Chief Economic Adviser and Finance Commissioner designate; Special Adviser on Justice and Commissioner Designate, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN); Engr. Gbenga Diaro, Commssioner for Transportation Designate; Adebola Sofela, Commssioner Designate and Technical Adviser on Projects, Mr. Seyi Ogunseye.

From Ashok Leyland were; Mr Amandeep Singh, President, International Operations, LCV, Defence and PSB; Mr Sujan Roy, Head Projects; Mr Manu Vijay Kumar, Senior Manager, Projects; Rajeev Narayan, Deputy General Manager and Head West and Central Africa; Yash Pal Sachar, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Raveen Bawamkule, Global Sales and Distribution.

Sunday, September 24, 2022

Press Statement (immediate release)

Ogun PDP nest of cultists

-Ogun APC, urges security agencies to dig deeper

The Ogun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been described as a “nest of cultists” that needs to be further investigated by the security agencies in order to make more arrests and stem the tide of cultism in the state.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Sunday and signed by its state publicity secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, the party while commending the recent arrest of the PDP lawmaker representing Sagamu Constituency One at the the State House of Assembly, Damilare Bello (alias “Dre”) and five other notorious cultists wanted by the security agents at the official residence of the lawmaker in Abeokuta, urged the security agencies not to leave any stone unturned in its investigation of the recent cult violence in Sagamu and other parts of the state.

The statement read further: “Cultism is a menace that deprives the society of peace; kills and maims cult members and even the innocent non-members, cutting down the youths at their prime. It cannot be tolerated, no matter whose ox is gored”, the statement said

“It is no longer a rumour that notable members of the rag-tag PDP in the state are involved in cultism as high ranking members in their various local government areas. We urge the securtiy agencies to track and monitor the type of meetings the so-called honourable members are holding, hosting and presiding over in their constituencies.”

“The PDP after it’s ramshackle petition at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, after losing all its 11 petitions in the national assembly elections against APC, has resorted to high level of absurdity in its vain attempt to distract the Administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun. It was therefore, not surprising that the PDP rushed to town, via preemptive paid adverts, to cry wolf over the recent unwholesome and violent cult clashes in Sagamu and attempted to mischievously tag the APC. It shamelessly tried to link its failure at the polls with the cult clashes. it therefore became ironical when the top brains behind the Sagamu cult clash, after fleeing Sagamu, became the “special guests” of the PDP House of Assembly member, who was using his official quarters to provide cover for the Sagamu escapees.

“Suddenly, the PDP that urged the security authorities to do their jobs, is now blackmailing the same authorities when its House of Assembly member and other top cultists have been arrested in the residence of the assembly man. It is most shameless that the PDP even pronounced that “no weapon was found on the cultists”, against the discovery by the Department of State Security (DSS) that effected the arrest of the senior cultists.

“Our position that there have always been a strong hand behind the Sagamu violence, especially the burning of more than ten banks purportedly over naira-swap protest, has been vindicated. No amount of lies and blackmail should deter the law enforcement agencies from bringing the culprits to book.

“Part of the strategy of these top members/sponsors of the cults, especially in Sagamu, has been to travel out of the country when the planned clashes are being effected, and later return to claim alibi. It is a pattern that could easily be verified by the investigators.

“The wizard cried yesterday and the child died today, it is not too difficult to trace the killer of the child. In Ogun State, for the cultists and their sponsors, the chicken has come home to roost. The PDP cult masquerades are being unveiled and the security agents should go the full hog.”

Return Of Amosun's Loyalists: Abiodun Displays Exemplary Political Maturity-Group

A youth group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), APC Progressive Front, has commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for what it termed an exemplary attribute of political maturity he displayed over the weekend.

It would be recalled that hundreds of APC members, loyal to ex-governor Ibikunle Amosun, across all the 20 local governments in the State, led by the one time Chairman of the party, Chief Derin Adebiyi, were on Friday received back to the mainstream of the party by Abiodun, alongside the Chairman of APC in the State, Chief Yemi Sanusi, and other party bigwigs.

In a statement signed on Sunday by its coordinator, Rasheed Sanusi, and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the group lauded the leadership capacity displayed by the governor, saying it is unprecedented in the political space of the state

According to the statement, the governor has proved his capacity as a leading figure in progressive politics beyond every reasonable doubt, adding that it is now incumbent on the returnees to reciprocate the gesture and prove their loyalty to the party.

It opined that the action of the governor has given new hope of a better future to the party in the state and an undiluted testament that APC is truly a progressive party with clear-cut ideology based on popular interest.

"Prince Dapo Abiodun has truly proved himself as a leading democrat among his contemporaries. He has achieved what other leaders before him could not achieve; he has indeed redefined progressive politics in Ogun State.

"The Governor has exhibited unprecedented magnanimity in power and in governance. No one could have imagined that a governor of a state would navigate such level of gang up and conspiracy within the party to win an election, and after the victory, he decided to reconcile with those who worked against him and warmly received them back to the party.

"The Governor has taught us a big lesson of inclusive governance and purposeful leadership. He deserves an award in progressive leadership. He remains an institution to study," the statement read.

The statement further noted that the party remains a formidable force in the state with focus on aggressive development of infrastructure and human capital through the 'Building our future together' agenda of the governor.

Abiodun pays glowing tribute to late Alaperu's wife, harps on enduring legacies

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has extolled the exemplary virtues of the late wife of the Alaperu of Iperu, Olori Kehinde Idowu Basibo-Odoru, describing her as a strong pillar for her husband and a unifying factor for the entire royal family while alive.

The late queen was born on April 23, 1962 and passed on at the age of 61 on 27th July, 2023; as funeral and thanksgiving service was held in her honour on Friday at the St. James Anglican Church, Iperu, Ogun State.

The Governor, in his remarks expressed his heartfelt condolences to the royal father, Alaiyeluwa, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo, and the people of the town over the loss, as he prayed for necessary fortitude to carry on in her absence.

He recounted the enviable attributes of the late Olori while alive as bold, lovely and supportive; with passion to help those around her, adding that she would be sorely missed by her immediate family, the entire town of Iperu and Ogun State in general.

"On behalf of the government and the good people of Ogun State, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to my brother, the Alaperu of Iperu, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo, on the passing of his adorable wife.

"The late Olori was a friend and reliable companion to her husband till death, she was also a doting mother to her children; we are going to sorely miss her; may the good Lord repose her soul", Abiodun said.

The Governor, subsequently counselled the congregation on the need to be fair to all in all ways while alive, for the purpose of leaving a worthy legacy after death as exemplified by the late queen.

He continued:" Life is a journey, we all have our exit points, we have no power over that, it is inevitable; what is important is what we do while we are here, what type of tribute would be written about you when you are no more".

Wale Adedayo Vs Ogun State Governor and Ors: Court strikes out Motion on Notice praying for Interlocutory Order

The Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu Ode has, earlier today, struck out the Motion on Notice dated 6th September, 2023 filed by the impeached Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Mr. Wale Adedayo, upon the withdrawal of same by the Applicant’s lawyers.

When the case came up for hearing today, Mr. O.T Are, representing the Applicant, told the court that the Motion on Notice has lost its relevance since the Applicant has been impeached and therefore applied to withdraw the Motion on Notice as it has been overtaken by event.

The lawyers to the defendants, Mr. Olusegun Olaotan who is the Solicitor General of Ogun State, who led Mr Adekunle Emmanuel, Assistant Director of Civil Litigation and Mr C O. Obi, Senior State Counsel for the Defendants/Respondents, did not oppose the application for withdrawal. The said Motion on Notice was therefore struck out.

Counsel to the Applicant informed the court that he has just been served a Notice of Preliminary Objection by the Defendants/Respondents and would therefore need a date to respond to same.

The case was therefore adjourned till October 27, 2023 for hearing of the Originating Summons dated 6th September, 2023. The court also urged Counsel for both parties to be prepared to address the Court whether the proceedings has not become a mere academic exercise by the fact that the Litigant/Applicant has been impeached.

Thousands Dump Amosun, Re-Align With Abiodun

Thousands of loyalists of former governor Ibikunle Amosun from the 20 local government areas of Ogun State have rejoined the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

Receiving the returnees led by the factional Chairman of the Amosun-led party Executive at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, the State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun commended them for their loyalty and being steadfast with what they believed in.

The governor said: "I want to congratulate your sense of loyalty to leadership, which I will say is not only commendable, it is enviable.

"This is a culture that we must promote and entrench. It is a culture that is fast eroding; it is a culture that we are fast losing. Loyalty is 100 per cent.

"For some others, they move once things are not working well, but for you, you stay put. This sense of loyalty is worthy of emulation. We must appreciate the fact that there can only be one leader in a party at a time.

"Even when we have ambitions and desires, we must subordinate ourselves 100% to leadership and believe that it is in that subordination that will allow us to flourish and achieve our objectives, our dreams, our desires and aspirations, not by forming factions or by breaking away.

"Because by so doing, it only weakens the fabric of that collective union that we call our party. You must appreciate that there can be only one leader of the party at a time in the state, and that leader is the governor.

"As the leader of the party, I appreciate the task bestowed on me and it is my duty to work towards individual and collective welfare of our members," the governor noted.

The governor urged all members to put the past behind them and work towards repositioning the party to achieve its aims and work for the socio-economic development of the state.

"Let us the past behind us. Let us promote what unites us as a family. I welcome you back. The future of Ogun State is in your hands and it is for us for the taking. The same joy the father of the prodigal son received his lost son back home, the same way I receive you today.

"To those who did not leave, please let us receive our brothers and sisters back. To those who are joining us, please let us display a sense of loyalty. I can assure you, you will be fully integrated. "

Chairman of the State All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Yemi Sanusi, said in every human relationship, there is bound to be disagreement, adding that even in time of war, there is always a place for peaceful settlement of conflict, calling the returnees to fully integrated themselves with other members of the party.

Leader of the returnees, Chief Derin Adebiyi, said they have all agreed to return to the mainstream to contribute to the development of the party and the State in general, thanking the governor and the party members for receiving them back.

Security Operatives Cracked Down On Sagamu Cultists, House of Assembly Member, Six Others In DSS Net

Security operatives in Ogun State on Wednesday tracked six suspected cultists, allegedly involved in the violence that erupted in Sagamu at the
weekend to the official residence of a member of the state House of Assembly.

The member, representing Sagamu State Constituency (1), Hon. Damilare Bello Mohammed, was alleged to have provided shelter to the fleeing cultists.

A team of security operatives, in a sting operation after a tip-off, arrested the suspects in the premises of the lawmaker.

Those arrested, according to sources, include Damilare Bello Mohammed aka DRE, Debbo Animashaun, Bamidele Saheed, Ismaila Onitire, Adewale Otesanya and Tobi Owoade.

They are presently undergoing interrogation at the Department of State Service (DSS).

Sources revealed that many dangerous weapons, including guns, were recovered from the suspects.

It would be recalled that Hon. Bello was arrested by the DSS for masterminding the violent protest that took place in February this year in Sagamu over the naira redesign policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

During the protest, irate youths vandalised about 10 banks and other public infrastructures.

Ogun Considers Special Court To Try Cultists
...mulls amnesty programme

A Special Court is to be established by the Ogun State Government to try cult-related cases.

Also to be set up is a Joint Anti-Cultism Security Task Force comprising all major security outfits, with the mandate to rid the state of the menace of cultism.

The state is also proposing an amnesty programme for would-be cultists who may wish to surrender their weapons.

These decisions were arrived at after a joint security meeting, held at the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State on Wednesday.

It would be recalled that Governor Dapo Abiodun on Tuesday hinted that his administration would enact a law that would pronounce the death penalty on anyone caught engaging in cult activities in the state.

The governor spoke during a visit to the palace of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, following days of cult-related clashes in Sagamu, which left many dead and others injured.

The meeting, according to Governor Abiodun, focused on providing adequate measures to eradicate cultism in the Gateway State.

Prince Abiodun said: "During the Joint Security meeting that took place today (Wednesday), we engaged in fruitful discussions regarding the implementation of measures aimed at combating cultism in Ogun State.

"Our primary focus was on establishing a special court, forming a joint operational force comprising various security agencies, and implementing a death penalty for cultism offences.

"In addition to these measures, we also deliberated on the possibility of introducing a period of amnesty. This would allow individuals who wish to surrender their weapons and renounce their affiliation with any cult-related groups and activities the opportunity to do so without fear of prosecution.

"As an administration deeply committed to fostering a peaceful and violence-free society, we are dedicated to providing the Special Court and Joint Anti-Cultism Security Task Force with the necessary logistics and tools to support their operations effectively.

"The overall objective of our conversation is to address the issue of cultism through a multifaceted approach. This will include legal and enforcement measures, rehabilitation efforts, and community engagement through our respected traditional leaders.

"In conclusion, we are determined to tackle the menace of cultism in our state head-on. By employing a combination of legal frameworks, law enforcement strategies, rehabilitation initiatives, and community involvement, we believe we can bring about lasting change."

https://guardian.ng/news/ogun-considers-special-court-to-try-cultists/amp

Death penalty will henceforth be the end point of every cultist in Ogun State - Gov. Abiodun

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that his administration would soon enact a law that will pronounce the death penalty on anyone caught engaging in cult activities in the state.

Governor Abiodun made this known on Tuesday at a meeting with the Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, and his chiefs at the Akarigbo Palace in Sagamu.

He expressed shock at the wanton destruction of lives and peace of Sagamu and its environs, even as he warned that the government would not fold its arms and watch unscrupulous persons run riots in any part of the State

He said: "I want to sympathize with the good and law-abiding citizens of Sagamu and of course, our referred paramount ruler and the kabiyesis and all those who have lost loved ones.

"We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that we bring any person directly, indirectly or remotely responsible for these occurrences to book. I have discussed with the Attorney General perhaps it is our disposition that allows for these occurrences of heinous crimes.

"It is well within my powers as the governor of this State to pronounce the death penalty on people and we are going to ensure that we enact that because when people appreciate and understand the consequences of their behaviours, perhaps they will begin to have a rethink.

"I have called on the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the State Service (DSS), the Commander of the Civil Defence, our AMOTEKUN Commander and all our security architecture to relocate to Sagamu for this purpose.

"We will rely on our kabiyesis because they are the closest to the grassroots, for all the intelligence support because these people are not spirits. They live within us, they are tenants in our houses.

"The last time I came here, I said any house that we arrest anybody that is connected to either cultism or kidnapping, we will find out where they live and demolish that house. And sadly, it has been very difficult for me to implement because they rent an apartment and the unsuspecting landlords who don't know what they do give their houses to them and after we arrest them and about to demolish the house, those landlords will come and beg us that they did not know the suspects were into that business.

"I am now pronouncing that we will no longer refer to these people as cultists or any other name. We are pronouncing them as murderers and we will mete out punishments that are deserving to murderers," he warned.

The governor said that henceforth, he would not entertain any sentiment from any quarter as the activities of the hoodlums were capable of sabotaging government efforts to bring more development to the state.

"This is an economic sabotage against our state and our people. No body should call me or my SSG nor the Commissioner of Police. I am warning parents, we are going to deal decisively with anybody caught in the act, and we will not spare anyone," he added.

He said his government was committed to the development and prosperity of the state, and no one would be allowed to draw the state backwards.

Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi decried the incessant destruction of lives and properties in the town, saying the needed development would not come to the town when people continue to cause havoc through criminal activities.

He requested mobile Police and military formations in the area for proper maintenance of law and order.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Assistant Inspector General of Police Olusola Subair (rtd) and Consultant on Security, retired Commissioner for Police Awolowo Ajogun traced the genesis of the clash to dispute on the sharing of proceeds from a land transaction, saying eight people were killed while nine suspects arrested in connection with the incident are currently under investigation.

Ogun reaffirms commitment to maintaining Abeokuta-Sagamu road

*To meet stakeholders for support

The Ogun State government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the Abeokuta - Sagamu road remains in good condition for motorists and other road users to ply. The government also revealed plans to collaborate with truck owners and other stakeholders on the road.

Lamenting the continuous deterioration of the road due to the pressure daily put on it by the obvious increase in the number of heavy duty trucks servicing the large number of quarries and housing estates in the area, the state government, in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, said it will continue to seek ways to continue maintaining the road in spite of the huge financial implications to the state government.

According to the statement, there are currently about 30 quarries in Abeokuta, the state capital while not less than another 15 quarries operates along the Abeokuta Sagamu road. "The weight of the trucks bearing the granites, with some of them often overloaded, continue to cause immense damages to the road leading to the need to regularly rehabilitate the road at huge costs.

Akinsanya also added that further pressure is exerted on the road by trucks and other heavy duty machineries deployed by estate developers in the area. "We all can attest to the growing numbers of housing estates and other companies on that axis of the state.

"The influx of trucks and other vehicles bearing granites, cements, stone base, laterites and other materials exerts a lot of pressure on the road and causes a lot of damages leaving the state government with no choice than to constantly maintain the road.

"Everyday, you also hear of accidents that leave street lights damaged by overspending drivers. This, coupled with the incessant vandalisation of street lights and other infrastructure on the road by hoodlums, makes constant rehabilitation of the road a must.

"This is why, among other things, the government meet with the truck owners, quarry operators and other stakeholders to discuss ways of collaboration on the regular maintenance of the road to ensure that road users can comfortably ply the road," the statement said.

Ogun govt restricts movement in Sagamu

Following recent clashes among rival cult groups in Sagamu, a town in Ogun State, the government has announced restriction of government from 7pm to 6am.

The government, therefore, urged residents of the town to abide with the restriction order pending the time the security of the area will improve, as police and other security agencies are on top of the situation to restore normalcy.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Lekan Adeniran, the copy made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Monday, assuring residents of the town of their security and property.

"This is to notify residents of Sagamu and it's environs of total restriction of human and vehicular movement as a way of taking firm control of the security architecture of the area and protect the lives of the people and their property.

"We, therefore, implore the residents of the area to abide strictly to this restriction order and cooperate with security agencies to restore normalcy and bring perpetrators of these dastardly acts to book immediately", the statement read.

Police confirms 8 dead, 9 arrested in Sagamu cult clashes

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of nine suspects following the killing of about 8 persons over the weekend in Sagamu as rival cult groups clashed.

Speaking on the crisis during a press briefing in Abeokuta, the state capital, CP Abiodun Alamutu revealed the remote cause of the clashes to be a land transaction that took place in the town.

"A land was sold and some form of commission or settlement was paid to a cult group by the owner of the land. A rival cult group got to know about the payment and went after members of the other group in a bid to get a share of the commission.

"The situation degenerated into an attack and counter attack situation which started from Wednesday las week and continued till Sunday, leading to the death of 8 persons," the Police boss said.

Speaking further, he revealed the arrest of some of the kingpins of the rival cult groups. "About nine suspects have been arrested as we speak with evidences of their involvement in the killings. Two guns and some rounds of cartridges with evidences that they were recently fired, were recovered from the suspects," he added.

Investigation, according to the Police boss, is still ongoing into the killings. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Local Government Area, has imposed a restriction on the use of motorcycles in the area between 7pm and 6am daily as authorities battle to restore peace to the troubled town.

Abiodun Reads Riots Act, Ordered Crack Down On Cultists In Sagamu

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has directed security agencies in the State to rid Sagamu and its environs of the menace of cultists and cult-related activities in the State.

The directive came in the wake of renewed clashes among rival cult gangs in the town at the weekend, raising tension and panic among residents of the town.

Meanwhile, security agents are already on ground in the troubled town to restore normalcy.

Governor Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, regretted the avoidable loss of innocent lives and wanton destruction of properties by the hoodlums.

According to him, the police and sister security agencies have been given a matching order to deal ruthlessly and decisively with those disturbing the peace of the town.

Reiterating the state government's zero tolerance to acts of brigandage and lawlessness, Prince Abiodun warned that those responsible for this current crisis will find themselves to blame.

He said: " As a responsible and responsive government, we are very sad with the resurgence of activities of criminal elements under different outlawed groups, raising unnecessary tension in the sleepy town of Sagamu and it's environs.

"Let me categorically state that we are more than determined to put an end quickly to these nefarious activities of these hoodlums and enemies of our people; who are hellbent to truncate the peace of our land.

"Let these urchins be rest assured that the State will be too hot for them to operate as we are reevaluating the security architecture for greater surveillance and tactical operation".

The governor noted that the new security approach would be implemented in collaboration with the traditional institution, community and religious leaders, youth groups as well as other critical stakeholders.

Abiodun, therefore, appealed to the people to provide adequate and useful information to security agents for prompt response to prevent future occurrences.

Of Daniel and the ludicrous letters

By Seyi Bakare

THIS, it seems, is the season of propaganda by the lieutenants of Chief Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State and senator representing Ogun East in the Red Chamber. The target is Governor Dapo Abiodun, and the aim is to paint him black and robe the senator in spotless white. The essay, “An open letter to Prince Dapo Abiodun,” written by one Kazeem Adenuga, an entity who claims, for strategic reasons of course, to be “from Iperu,” Governor Abiodun’s home town, is just one out of many darts aimed at the governor. The plot, in case you have missed the memo, is to suggest that even the governor’s flesh and blood are berating him on behalf of Daniel, a politician versed in the art of treachery.


Our writer, “an indigene of Iperu, a member of the APC and someone privileged to know to some extent, the relationship between you and the former Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD),” wants the world to believe that Daniel it was who had “deployed his political structures to support” Governor Abiodun’s “gubernatorial race which”, he says, was “narrowly won with 19,517 votes to beat Adekunle Akinlade, then, of APM.” Hence, “if the OGD's supports (sic) in Ogun East were to be discounted, no doubt, you couldn't have become the Governor of Ogun State.”


Just so we are clear, the writer, even if he lacks the courage to use his real surname, has not been appointed the spokesperson of Iperu people, and certainly does not represent the enlightened, politically savvy and culturally rooted people who inhabit that ancient locus. He is just an errand boy of a well-known promoter of dark and devious courses. To be sure, it takes mental decay and utter lack of integrity for anyone to claim, without batting an eyelid, that it was Daniel who assisted Governor Abiodun to win election, that the governor is fighting the same Daniel, and that he would not have won without Daniel. Our elders say even if you are sent the errand of a slave, you deliver it like a freeborn. It is certainly better, as Abraham Lincoln once quipped, to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.


It is such a pity that the media handlers of Daniel and their principal like to dress themselves in borrowed robes; to give themselves unearned importance in the political space. It is as if in Ogun politics, there is no one else but Daniel. If you give them the opportunity, they may even say that it was their principal who won election for Bisi Onabanjo of blessed memory; for Segun Osoba or even their principal’s arch nemesis, Ibikunle Amosun. They like to daydream and turn facts upside down just to satisfy their whims. We are not surprised because that is their stock in trade. They are professional fabricators and minters of lies. They lie recklessly and without any thought for tomorrow.

The government Daniel ran between 2003 and 2011 was noted for propaganda, lies and bigotry. Those who followed Ogun politics during that inglorious era would know the political temperature then. How Mr Governor lost credibility among the people and even the legislature is well known, including how members of the state House of Assembly were made to swear allegiances in their birthday suits! It is indeed an era better forgotten! It was a time when, for a long period, the legislators could not even sit in the hallowed chambers. It was no wonder, then, that when election time came in 2011, the sitting governor lacked the capacity to nominate a successor. The PDP having been hijacked from his hands, he had to go and borrow another party for his preferred candidate to run on. How ridiculous that somebody who could not install a successor as sitting governor is now being said to have installed Governor Dapo Abiodun long after his days in the political wilderness! How shameless these political imps can be!

If not that these people like to peddle lies as a vocation, how could they have forgotten that Daniel was in PDP until few days to the gubernatorial election in 2019 and was, in fact, the South-West coordinator of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Committee? Daniel identified with Dapo Abiodun just three days before the election and, in that election, he (Abiodun) lost in Daniel’s ward. Thankfully, though, he won across the state and was declared the fifth democratically elected governor of the Gateway State. Yet in their usual character, Daniel and his lieutenants wanted to take credit for the governor’s election. During the eight years of Amosun, they were in the political wilderness, but now they want to claim glory for themselves. Within that period, if Daniel was so powerful, why was his senatorial ambition consistently defeated by Buruji Kashamu? How did Kashamu wrest the PDP political structure within the state from his control, if he was the political titan that he is now being touted to be? What has given him relevance now, beyond Governor Abiodun’s magnanimity and the demise of Kashamu?

In moving to APC, Daniel indeed played a strategic game. He came to APC alone and retained his supporters in PDP. The plan was for those individuals to start hauling stones into the APC house from outside the fold. When you look at all those supporting him, they are not APC members. It is an incontrovertible fact that Daniel deliberately worked against the governor, who helped him get the Ogun East senatorial ticket following the intervention of the Awujale of Ijebuland. The ticket would have been given to the then incumbent senator, Lekan Mustapha. After reportedly being given electoral logistics by Governor Abiodun, Daniel still went ahead and banded with the opposition in order to undercut his benefactor and ruin his governorship ambition. Yet during his own election, he had received the governor’s full support. How could an aspirant without any structure in Ogun APC have won the ticket without Governor Abiodun’s support?


The revisionism by Daniel and his lackeys won’t cut it. Their principal’s place in history has been firmly fixed in the chapter on perfidy, and no amount of deodorization can alter his fate. Undercutting whoever helped him, whether it is Bola Tinubu or Olusegun Obasanjo, is his forte. These “open letters” only reveal the dark souls of the hack and hired writers peddling them and their principal whose black record is known nationally.

Bakare sent this piece through seyibakare@aol.com

An unrepentant impostor and chameleonic Gbenga Daniel

By Olaniyi Ajibola

The raging controversy regarding the demolition of an illegal structure in Ijebu-ode, supposedly belonging to the family of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the former Governor of Ogun State has continued to generate reactions across the country and beyond.

At first, the potency of propaganda machine of the Daniels elicited some level of sympathy in some quarters, especially from those who are not familiar with the personality of the former Governor and who based their judgement on what they read on the social media, mainly from his foot soldiers.

However, the little sympathy was short lived, when facts began to unfold as how the former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District brazenly violated Nigeria's extant laws with regards to business registration for lawful operation as enshrined in the Company and Allied Matters Act of 2020.

Perhaps, the most appalling of Daniel's manipulative tendencies is how himself and his wife continued to deceive the public by parading a mere enterprise as Limited Liability Company and criminally sought for approval to build and own property with the fake status.

Why Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as sitting Governor in 2009 recklessly abused his office by giving approval for an ordinary business enterprise known as DATKEM to build an edifice in the State against the dictates of the law concerning urban development can not be imagined by any critical mind.

Although, the recent revelation of Daniel's recklessness in power and deceptive inclination is not strange to many Nigerians, especially the people of Ogun State; it is on record that Otunba Gbenga Daniel ran the State as a personal business venture and family empire between 2003 and 2011.

The degree of lies and deceit he deployed to keep the people of the State in dark and perpetually at bay on the state of finance of the State for eight years, while he continued to loot the treasury and pilling up humongous debt for the State was
unprecedented.

That is the reason why after over a decade he left power, his shady deals in power continued to be exposed to the chagrin of many and to reinforce the perception of the majority about the chameleonic character.

Many analysts have argued that Daniel's physical appearance psychologically depicts total deceit; they allude to the way he steadily and strangely expose his teeth to reflect unwarranted laughter; in any case, it is incontrovertibly correct that Otunba Gbenga Daniel portrays a very treacherous personality that must not be trusted or taken seriously.

The recent issue of DATKEM practically gives credence to the above assertion. The pubic has become more aware of his atrocities and tissues of lies, I will, therefore, advise the Governor of the State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to just ignore him and continue to deliver on his electoral promise.

Finally, Governor Abiodun should be commended for building strong Institutions in the State for systemic efficiency and functionality, as displayed by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in this case of DATKEM ENTERPRISES.

Olaniyi Ajibola writes from Abeokuta

OGUN: DATKEM and lessons from the lawlessness of Daniel's

Going by the intensity of mixed reactions that trailed the demolition of DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu-ode, and the contradictory narratives that followed from the Project Manager in charge of the Plaza, as well as the former first family in Ogun State, who are the owner of the property; every critical mind will consider it paramount to probe further and carefully dissect the situation to ascertain what truly played out without emotion and sentiment.

It is against this backdrop that further interrogation of the scenario was carried out with damning revelation, Yes, damning!

Thorough investigation revealed that DATKEM is not in any way recognized by the law as a business entity and as envisaged by the Company and Allied Matters Act, 2020, which stipulates that every business establishment must register with the Corporate Affairs Commission before being recognized as an entity to operate in the Nigeria's economic environment.

To my greatest dismay, the family of former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in which his wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel represents the business interest flagrantly flouted the Nigeria's extant law and manipulated the system with reckless abandon.

Findings on the website of Corporate Affairs Commission did not come up with any result about Daniel's DATKEM in any of the categories on the website, except one DATKEM Fashion Centre in Ondo, which was registered in 2022.

Also, on the legality and the right of constructing the demolished DATKEM Plaza, facts have emerged on how Gbenga Daniel, against every decency and moderation in power gave approval for the construction of the edifice in 2009, as a sitting governor without recourse to the state's guidelines and code of building and without any consultation with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development; but just approval by executive fiat. What an impunity!

As if that was not enough, after Daniel left power and subsequent notices on the building indicating a total contravention were served by the Ministry, instead of following the appropriate path to negotiate for quick adjustment and conform with the law, Daniel's, in connivance with their Project Manager played a fast one on the system and decided to apply for regularization through the backdoor by paying the sum of N500, 000 to allow them continue to violate the law as it is done in the banana republic.

To the chagrin of many, after their fruitless efforts to manipulate the process under the pretext of regularization, they even went further to erect more structures beyond what they were seeking to regularize and further contravened the building code in Ogun State.

Unfortunately for them, all the MDAs in the State are working according to the ideals of public service and in line with the philosophy of action as exemplified by Governor Dapo Abiodun, which gives priority to the ultimate benefit of the people above any interest whatsoever.

In line with that ideals, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development swung into action to address this illegality and set a good example of upholding the supremacy of law above any considerations for the people to follow as responsible citizenry.

Several notices were served to intimate them of the legal consequences of their action but they defiantly ignored all and continued with the construction, until the last day of action by the Ministry, and the rest became history and lesson of obedience, integrity and patriotism for the rest of us.

However, the former first family should desist from peddling lies and whipping up unnecessary sentiment and painting the responsive government in Ogun State in bad light.

They should rather be sober and receptively learn from the indelible warning of the late Guinean revolutionary politician, Amilcar Cabral," Hide nothing from the masses of our people, claim no easy victory. Tell no lies. Expose lies whenever they are told. Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures".

Olaniyi Ajibola writes from Abeokuta

DATKEM is an illegal company, not registered with CAC—Investigation

DATKEM Enterprises Limited, the promoter of DATKEM Plaza, Ijebu-Ode is an illegal company as it is not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), according to an investigation.

The illegal company is constructing the equally illegal 5-storey plaza, which was partially demolished on Sunday.

DATKEM belongs to the wife of the former Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunke Daniel.

The Plaza was without an approved plan. The structure also contravened the state’s physical planning laws and the building codes with numerous defects.

However, the most intriguing is that the company is operating illegally and is, therefore, not recognised as a corporate entity.

A search on the website of CAC failed to produce DATKEM Enterprises Limited. But there was DATKEM Fashion Centre Ondo, registered in 2022.

"When we searched the name of the company in the CAC pool of registered companies, we came up with nothing.

"It is curious that a company is purportedly registered as an enterprise and at the same time, a limited liability company. It's obvious that the owners of DATKEM Plaza wanted to use a fake company to obtain approval from the government, an action which ordinarily is unlawful.

"The implication here is that, having not registered with the CA, if the company has any problem, nobody can trace it," a source said.

The source expressed surprise that a former governor, who is also a serving senator could be involved in anything illegal.

The source also alleged that the 2009 building plan approval must have been done with impunity by the then Governor Daniel without recourse to the state's town planning laws and building codes.

Even at that, the structure on the ground was at variance with the approval.

This informed the series of contravention notices served the owners since May 2022.

We Won’t Tolerate Lawlessness, Violation Of Building Codes In Ogun-Abiodun


Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday, warned that the state government will not tolerate lawlessness and the violation of the state’s building codes.

The governor also denied any political motives in the partial demolition of DATKEM Plaza, Ijebu-Ode.

Prince Abiodun formally reacted to the demolition and the attendant accusation after inspecting the 8-kilometre Mowe-Ofada Road, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.

According to the governor, the partial demolition exercise carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development was in line with the laws of the state.

He denied accusations in some quarters that the exercise was political, adding that necessary steps were taken by government officials when contraventions were observed in the course of constructing the edifice.

The governor noted that in Ogun State, and Nigeria, nobody is above the law. The law that governs ordinary citizens, according to him, also applies to the VIPs.

He said: “But for the fact you have ambushed me, I was not prepared to formally address that subject matter. And the reasons are very simple, we are a responsible government. We are responsible to our citizens. We are a law-abiding administration. I’m sure that everyone would testify to the fact that since I assumed office in 2019, I have ensured equity, fairness and upheld the rule of law. I have not in any way attempted to be vindictive or in any form or manner appear like someone who is trying to witch-hunt anyone.

“Having said that, because these are some of the insinuations I have read on social media and nothing could be farther from the truth. You all have seen the position of the Ministry of Physical Planning, which is the ministry that is entrusted with ensuring that people adhere to our different building codes. Because if we don’t respect building codes, if we don’t abide by building laws, it means that we are nothing but a chaotic society.

“These are the people charged with ensuring that our cities and towns are well laid out, well planned and the buildings that are constructed are safe to live in. We are all living witnesses to what has happened in the state and Lagos State when buildings have collapsed. And proactively, our government and across the country have brought some buildings down for violations of different building regulations.

“Only a few weeks ago, the new minister of the FCT said any person who builds in FCT without approval no matter how highly placed they are, be it a minister or anybody, the building will come down. And recalled sometime last year, when a building collapsed on Gerald in Lagos, a building that belonged to someone that I know personally, I held a press conference and said we would not allow for this to happen in Ogun State. You build without approval, you build beyond your approval, if you don’t build in line with our regulations, that building will come down.

“Now, let’s go to this DATKEM. First I can assure you that our physical planning team do not have the responsibility of unmasking who the owner of a company is. It is beyond their mandate. As far as they know, a company called DATKEM had applied for approval to erect a five-story building. That approval was filed in 2009, way beyond our administration. But sometime in 2022, a contravention notice was sent to the owners of DATKEM.

“In Ogun State and in Nigeria, we don’t have a set of laws for the common man and the VIP. That is not the way it works. There is one law for everybody. Nobody is above the law. And the law is not the respecter of VIPs or VIPPs. So, they sent the contravention notice to DATKEM, regardless of who the owner of DATKEM was, which was not their priority. After they sent that contravention notice in May 2022, they sent a stop order notice to DATKEM, saying you are in contravention, stop working on this project until you come and correct these contraventions. They followed that stop order with another stop order. They sent a violation order. They sealed the premises. “The owners of DATKEM in their minds must have felt they were above the law. It smirks of impunity if the Ministry of Physical Planning sends you a contravention order, sends you a seal order and you continue with the construction in violation of the safety of all of us in Ogun State.

“They sent you a demolition order, you still did not respond. You begin to sneak into the building at night, you begin to work there. You begin to attempt to grease palms so that they can overlook your contraventions. But, of course, a day of reckoning will always come.”

The governor said properties are demolished every day in the state without any noise being made, adding that he had instructed that if his property violates state laws, it should be brought down.

Addressing the accusation of vindictiveness, the governor recalled his intervention in another property belong to the alleged owner of DATKEM.

He said: “Let me take you down memory lane. The purported owner of this property, when I assumed office in 2019, had a property in Abeokuta. It was meant to be a hotel. My predecessor had sealed that property for eight years. He had issued a stop order. He was going to demolish that building, but for my intervention. I pleaded with him. That building remained under lock and key until I resumed office. The first day I was sworn in was the very day the owner moved into that property for the first time in eight years. And today, the property is called Conference Hotel in Abeokuta.

“How do you now begin to accuse the same me that facilitated the completion of that project despite different court actions that were brought then, despite different charges by the EFCC that were hanging around the project. I actually commissioned that project alongside the former vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. You are now trying to use media, trying to attract unnecessary sympathy, playing the underdog that I, Dapo Abiodun, demolished a property that first I didn’t know it was yours; your name is not on that property. You never came forward to say this property is yours.

“You expect that someone, who is a serving senator, a former governor of this state, would show a level of more responsibility. I have said it that I, Dapo Abiodun, if I have a building that violates the building code, bring it down.

“And by this, I am sending a strong warning to all of us across the state. There are many of you who have buildings without approvals. There are many of you who don’t even have C of O. If you have built without approvals, the long arm of the law will soon be catching up with you. We will not tolerate lawlessness in this state. We will not be defined by lawlessness and half hazard development when you just build anyhow.”

DATKEM Plaza Is An Illegal Structure, Contravenes Ogun Physical Planning Laws



Ogun State Government on Sunday said DATKEM Plaza, Ijebu Ode is an illegal structure without an approved plan.



The structure, the state government added, also contravened the state’s physical planning laws.



The government, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Olayiwola Abiodun said the structure violated the building codes of the state with numerous defects.



He said several efforts made by the state government to halt further development on site were ignored by the developers.


He said government officials requested the structural engineer in charge of the building to avail the state of the structural equilibrium of the building, a request that was ignored.



The statement recalled the various incidences of building disasters across the country, adding that the Ogun State Government will not fold its arm and allow and such occurrence.



It noted that many of such disasters, such as fire outbreaks at Ikorodu, led to the loss of precious lives.



According to the permanent secretary, what the government did in partially pulling down the defective building was to be proactive.



Engr. Abiodun challenged the owners of the structure to produce evidence of government approval in their possession.



He said that for a commercial building of that status, there must be parking space to accommodate vehicular traffic within and outside the facility for workers and visitors. The provision of the law is for 45 to 50 per cent of available land for construction as a buildable area.



The permanent secretary added that the building lacked stage certification, which is usually issued at every stage of construction.



He said that owners were served the necessary notices, including abatement, contravention, stop work and demolition between May and October 2022, which were ignored.



According to the statement, DATKEM Enterprises Limited submitted application for an office building, located along Ibadan Road, Ijebu Ode in 2009 with registration number CB/05/299/2009.

“The proposal was for five (5) floors with airspace of 3 metres at the right, 5m at the left, 5metres at the rear and a setback of 32.5516 metres to the middle of Ijebu Ode/Ibadan road, Ijebu-Ode.



“The Zonal Town Planning Office observed during routine monitoring that the construction on site did not conform with the plan granted as there was a deviation from the airspaces and setback.



“In addition, the building had been modified and enlarged with an additional storey building at the back thereby becoming over density.



“In view of the above, the following actions were taken:

“Contravention Notice with Serial No. 0106983 was served on 24th May 2022.



“Stop Work Order with Serial No. 000623 was served on 24th May 2022.



“Another Stop Work Order with Serial No. 001065 was served on 22nd July 2022 when the first notice was ignored.



“Demolition Notice with Serial No. 0007549 was served on 11th October 2022.



Notice to seal with Serial No. 000815 was served on 4th October 2022.



The statement noted further that despite all these notices, the developer was recalcitrant and continued with the construction work.



“This prompted the re-sealing of the site on 1st August, 2023. But the sealing did not stop the developer from further construction as work continued on the site.



“However, the developer wrote an appeal for unsealing, which was considered so as to evacuate the belongings in the premises. Thereafter, quit notice with Serial No. 0030750 was served on 31st August, 2023.



“In view of the above, since the developer had remained recalcitrant, the Zonal Town Planning Office’s recommendation for the demolition of the office building was upheld,” the statement added.



The state government reiterated its avowed commitment to ensure the safety of its citizens, adding that any defective buildings in any part of the state will be demolished to safeguard the lives of the people.

Hoooooooo: Laolu Akande is still very pained by the ignominious loss of his Principal and Benefactor. I understand his plight and agony, may God heal his wound permanently.

Abiodun Congratulates Tinubu Shettima over Tribunal Verdict

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on Wednesday congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President, Kashim Shettima on their resounding victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

The Tribunal, in a unanimous decision, threw out the petition filed by the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart Atiku Abubakar, ruling that President Tinubu was duly elected on February 25 as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Prince Abiodun said the tribunal’s verdict was an affirmation of the trust reposed in the President by Nigerians as evidenced in the outcome of the presidential election.

He described the judgment as sound, detailed and comprehensive, noting that the judges displayed unmatched courage in the discharge of their duties.

"It is heart warming that the tribunal judges did not succumb to intimidation by the opposition, who deployed various antics to sway the judgement in their favour.

"The judgement is a further testament to the fact that the judiciary is the last hope of our people," the governor said.

Ogun Clears Air On LG Funding, Says N1.8bn Invested In Executing Projects in Councils



Ogun State Government on Friday gave further insights into local government administration and funding, demonstrating its commitment to the development of the third tier of government.



At a press conference addressed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi, and Economic Adviser and Commissioner-designate, Mr Dapo Okubadejo, held at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the government said the process of funding local governments in the state is transparent, open and in line with constitutional provision through the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC).

The government noted that it has been augmenting allocations meant for local governments in the state from the federation account due to shortfalls occasioned by COVID-19 and the economic downturn in the country.

According to Mr. Talabi, at no time was there any disagreement between the chairmen of the local governments and the state government.

He denied any diversion of statutory allocations and zero allocation, insisting that the present administration has been transparent, accountable, just and equitable in spreading developmental projects to all parts of the State with inputs from local government chairmen in the last few years.

The SSG said the government routinely sends money to the councils to execute some projects to better the lots of the people at the grassroots.

“Up to date, the state government has provided over N1.8 billion for all these local governments to do independent projects, in addition to whatever the state government has done, in addition to whatever the federal government has done and in addition to funding the deficit.

“The concept of zero allocation has not taken place. Otherwise, how have we been paying the teachers? How have we been paying the healthcare workers? How have we been paying the traditional council? How have we been paying the pensioners? How have we been paying the local government staff themselves? How is the chairman getting paid all these years? And then, we have what is called the security vote for the chairman.

“Because we are in an environment where people want to see what you have done, His Excellency, from time to time, makes money available to each of these local governments so that they do some community-based projects; projects that are closer to them.

“At the beginning of this administration, His Excellency asked the local government chairmen and other stakeholders to present three roads that are more important to them in the order of priority. That is why this administration can boast today that it has executed projects in all local governments. And these were not done without the consent and inputs of the local government operatives,” he said.

Giving more insight into the workings of the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), the Economic Adviser, and Commissioner-designate, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo noted that JAAC is a statutory and legal instrument that operates in other states.

Speaking on the process of fund allocation, Mr Okubadejo said: “The process of local government account, financing or funding started many years ago, with the introduction of what we refer to as the Joint Account Allocation Committee. That’s the body that is responsible for the administration and the management of the local government direct allocation from the federal government.

“When His Excellency took over the administration in 2019, and because of his pledge to be accountable and also be transparent, the Joint Account Allocation meeting started not long after that. That meeting is the one that is held every month. It is this administration that commenced, after a long time, the organization of the Joint Account Allocation meeting every month on the allocation of funds from the federal government to the local government and also the distribution of it.

“And that meeting comprises of representatives of local government chairmen and all the regular stakeholders in local government administration. So, you have local government chairmen, the association of pensioners, members of the traditional council and all other members that are seated every month at the Oba’s Complex to discuss every month, how much comes in for local governments and how that money is distributed.

“Now, the process is that the Joint Account Allocation Committee account is a completely separate account from the state government’s accounting process. It is managed and administered by different sets of staff that are involved in local government administration in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

“The account and signatories are separate from the State government. The Accountant General and the Director of Treasury are not signatories to the JAAC.

“On a monthly basis, the Local Government Service Commission prepares the vouchers of salaries and allowances of local government staff, SUBEB prepares that of all primary school teachers, Bureau of Local Government Pensioners prepares that of Pensioners, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs prepares that of traditional council members.

"All the data prepared by all these bodies are sent to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, where they are reviewed, collated, and validated. These figures are referred to as First Line Charges. The figures are taken to the JAAC meeting, and once the allocation comes from Abuja, with respect to the JAAC, they disclosed the amount at the meeting as money for Ogun State local government funding. They table all the distributions, which are the First Line Charges, and distribute on local government to local government basis.”

Okubadejo gave further clarification on the state government's intervention to the local governments allocations to the 20 local governments.

In 2020, N43.121 billion was budgeted for First Line Charges, while N34.750 billion was received from the federation account for the 20 local government areas, leaving a deficit of N6.619 billion.

The commissioner-designate also noted that the total allocation released for local governments in 2021 was N38.723 billion, while payment for First Line Charges was N47.845 billion.

In 2022, N48.074 billion was the total allocation for the local governments from the federation account, while N54.182 billion was the actual amount needed to pay First Line Charges.

“As we were getting into 2023, just for this administration alone, we were coming with a deficit that the state government has paid for of almost N17.4 billion,” he said.



He acknowledged that in January 2023, N7.6 billion was received as against the N7.221 billion total First Line Charges, leaving a little surplus.



In February, it went back to the normal trend, which was lower JAAC allocation and higher First Line Charges of N3.79 billion and N4.3 billion. The same thing in March and April.

In May, he said there was an increase of N6.348 billion to that of First Line Charges of N4.531 billion.



“Now, when you look at the total carried forward as of July just from 2019 to July 2023, you will see that there is a deficit of N13.591 billion.



“The state government covers this deficit because it affects the salaries and pension of local government staff, primary school teachers, health workers, and traditional council members.



“Again, you recall that about two years ago, His Excellency promised that he was going to be paying N500 million every quarter to clear the backlog of gratuities from 2011, which has now been increased to N1 billion for both state and local government staff. And, paying the local government portion of the gratuities is an addition to the state government’s intervention.



“In addition to that, the governor also directed that certain quarterly allocations should be made directly to local governments for them to undertake certain developmental projects.


"When people talk about zero allocation being distributed, they should be enlightened to know that they cannot talk about allocation in isolation of the First Line Charges which is the first thing that must be paid in local government allocation,” he added.

Answering a question on Ecological Fund, the Commissioner-designate, said the fund is periodical as it is credited into the state and local account through JAAC. He stated that the fund has a high level of oversight as it is meant for flood control, afforestation, and clearing of drainages, among others.

Wale Adedayo: Living up to his dark antecedents

CHARACTER, say the Yoruba, is a flame. It cannot be hidden. Because appearances can be deceptive, the Yoruba say you cannot determine a person’s character from his looks (oju o se fi m’owa eda), the same thought that the Bard of Avon expressed in Macbeth, where King Duncan, enquiring about the execution of a thane, says “there’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face.” If you have ever had to engage questions of the darkness of the human mind, like the British Nobel Laureate William does in the epochal novel Lord of the Flies, you cannot help but see how certain persons, in placing themselves on a pedestal above their peers, actually only succeed in hastening their own tragic fall. Which brings us to the ongoing drama of the absurd in Ogun State where a serial blackmailer and turncoat, Wale Adedayo, is being hailed as a hero by certain pernicious individuals.


Adedayo, the chairman of Ijebu East Local Government and member of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), pointedly accused the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, of diverting the funds meant for the running of local councils in the state without providing any evidence to back up his claims. As it turned out, Adedayo only acted a script for which he has been known since the onset of the current Republic in 1999. His stories made the front pages of the nation’s newspapers given its salacious nature, but then, barely 12 hours later, he quickly rallied his colleague chairmen on a pleading mission to the same governor he had just branded a thief before the whole world. He quickly recanted, apparently knowing that the governor had legal options to defend his name and image. Now, contrary to Adedayo’s claims, local governments in the state had actually been receiving their allocations, and in fact had shared N5.2bn in the month of August, the same month during which he made his unsubstantiated allegations.



During the meeting, held at the Governor’s office at. Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta and attended by 18 out of the 20 Chairmen, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, who also doubles as the chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Mr Babatunde Gazal, acknowledged that in May, N4.5 billion was shared by the 20 council areas.First line charges, including primary school teachers salaries and check –off dues, came to about N2bn; payment of retired primary school teachers (about 1bn), retired local government teachers and chairmen’s imprest, which is N60m per month, among others. In June, N4.4 billion was shared, while July also saw the sharing of N4.4 billion. In August, N5.2bn was shared, out of which over N2bn was devoted to the payment of teachers. Coming to Ijebu East Local Government specifically, a total sum of N1.547bn was released to it in 2021. In 2021, the figure rose steadily 1. 955bn, a difference of N408million. In the current year, as of August ending, the council has received a total of 1.257bn. This is quite apart from the gratuities of local government workers that the state government paid on their behalf. Given these figures, how could Adedayo have made such transparently bogus claims?




In unpacking the ongoing macabre drama, a bit of context is necessary. Going by his antecedents, Adedayo is no stranger to character assassination and blatant falsehood. Just like the metaphorical leopard that never changes its spots, he is just living up to his history and image. While working at The Punch, Adedayo was on several occasions accused of character assassination, blackmail and manipulation, and his unceremonious exit from the reputable media house was only a matter of time. For purely political reasons, the then Governor Gbenga Daniel accepted him, rehabilitated him and made him Chief Press Secretary, giving him all the freedom in the world, and an imprest far larger than a commissioner’s. But what did our man do? He allowed all those things to get to his head and came to see himself as being bigger than his boss.


And when he realized that he had played himself out of favour by squandering/diverting the money his boss gave him to do media work, he went on a character assassination overdrive, declaring that his boss was after his life. He would later go on to write a controversial book where he maligned his boss and so many people. In the book, Micro-seconds away from death, Adedayo wrote: “On 10 January 2009, six assassins engaged me in a shoot-out. I managed to kill three of them and barely escaped from the scene. Being Chief Press Secretary to the Governor at the time, I knew it was my immediate boss, who arranged the failed assassination bid, given information at my disposal.” In this fantastic narration, the super hero was driving with one hand and gunning down the two OPC assailants allegedly sent after him by Governor Daniel with the other. He also claimed to have used the car to jump over the median along the expressway.


While pointedly accusing Governor Daniel of maintaining a killer squad, he volunteered the unsolicited information that in his family, people usually died at a very young age, and that his father never attained the age of 40. He went on to add that his (Adedayo’s) attaining that milestone was due to the sacrifices he had offered to the gods. The people he maligned in the book also include the current Aare Onakakanfo, Iba Gani Adams, a man at whose wedding he had served as best man. He claimed that Adams was collecting money across the South-West, and was one of the assassins sent against him. He said the former Vanguard Editor, Jide Ajani, failed a security test when he wanted to get him a job with the then Oyo State governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and that his former boss, Chief Abiola Ogundoyin, must have slept with his wife when he was in detention! The book, Micro-seconds away from death, painted everyone else as a devil, providing ample evidence of a troubled soul, a man under heavy spell, and with a penchant for blackmailing anyone who tries to help him.

Is it any wonder, then, that the governor who chose to be magnanimous and made him consultant on media and later caretaker chairman of Ijebu LG, at his own request, is now the target of his latest attacks? As caretaker chairman, Adedayo contested and won election with the support of the structure that Governor Abiodun had built. Curiously, however, even in his local government, information emerged that he had begun hobnobbing with the opposition and working against his own party. Given his political prostitution, it was no wonder that during the March 18 governorship election, the governor lost woefully in his local government.


When you look at Adedayo’s trajectory and character, the fact emerges that he is not somebody that can be trusted, or that you can say has a stable mind. He is only consistent with blackmail, with no trace of omoluabi qualities, and the lesson for people like Governor Abiodun is that choosing to magnanimous in politics can have terrible drawbacks. Interestingly, though, the professional accuser is now being accused by his own council legislators of perpetrating monumental fraud, and has been handed a three-month suspension. The council says the disgraced chairman withdrew millions from the local government account for empowerment in 2022, but no empowerment was done to date; wasted N2million on August 20, 2022, on Isese festival; and N250,000 duty tour allowance in June 2023 and another N250,000 duty tour allowance for the chairman and other top officials engagement. The list of allegations is long, and he is definitely entitled to the fair hearing he grants no one, but the fact is that people who try to set a state on fire with false allegations ought to be made to have their day in court.

Anywhere Wale Adedayo goes, a dark cloud follows him, and one can only hope it does not push him to an ignoble end.

Ogun: Wale Adedayo and the affinity of Judas Iscariot

By Adewale Fadipe

As it stands today, the most widely acknowledged betrayal in the world is that of Judas Iscariot,one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ; who out of inordinate ambition and sheer mischief betrayed his leader and benefactor with attendant consequence of death.

Judas Iscariot, according to biblical account could not certainly justify the rationale behind his act of betrayal and mischief against Jesus Christ, the reason why he died in perpetual regret and his name etched in the sand of reproach for ever.

In the same manner and tendencies, the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Mr Wale Adedayo, replicated the character of Judas Iscariot, by betraying the confidence reposed in him by the people of his constituency, his party, the All Progressives Congress(APC) Governor Dapo Abiodun, who supported his ambition wholeheartedly in all ramifications and the mass of Ogun State populace.

The statement signed by Adedayo and released to the press on Monday, alleging Governor Dapo Abiodun of diverting allocations meant for the 20 local governments in the state is not only appalling, it is the lowest anybody could go to smear characters of others for mere ambition and other parochial purposes revolving around power and influence.

Though, some people have started considering his pleas and that of his colleagues who prostrated to the Governor to seek for forgiveness on Tuesday as a show of remorse and admittance of guilt, however, I considered this idea of apology after deliberate atrocities as tactics in the hands of obscurantist.

It is a statement of fact that Adedayo was arguably a sound mind when he wrote the fictitious statement, and perfectly aware of how Governor Dapo Abiodun had been helping the local governments since the period of pandemic to the tune of 1bn monthly, and how he stayed far clear from every arrangement through JAAC, to allow local government administration to be viable and financial vibrant enough to fulfil their statutory obligations to the people.

At least, he has been regularly getting his N3m monthly allowance alongside his other colleagues, yet, he claimed they have been running the councils with zero allocations; what a chameleonic character with questionable soundness of mind.

All his colleagues acknowledged the fact that the total of N4.5bn was shared among them in the month of May, and in June, N4.4bn was shared among them, while the sum of N4.4bn and N5.2bn were shared respectively in July and August, so, where is the issue of zero allocations coming from and what exactly did the Governor divert?

Clearly, the style adopted by Wale Adedayo to defame the good personality of the Governor simply confirmed the allegation against him of working in cahoots with opposition PDP to tarnish the image of Governor Dapo Abiodun in the public, having realized their hopeless litigation at the tribunal.

Indeed, the speed and direction in which the party sent out a press statement calling for the impeachment of the Governor without logical analysis of Adedayo's statement confirmed a strong pact of conspiracy.

Finally, one can conclude that Adedayo, out of personal and selfish ambition and possible pecuniary reason was being influenced by external forces to betray his benefactor and leader, in the manner Judas Iscariot did, and ended up in regret obviously, Adedayo must also suffer some level of sanction as consequence of his shenanigans.

Fadipe writes from Ifo.

Ogun: Wale Adedayo and the affinity of Judas Iscariot

By Adewale Fadipe

As it stands today, the most widely acknowledged betrayal in the world is that of Judas Iscariot,one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ; who out of inordinate ambition and sheer mischief betrayed his leader and benefactor with attendant consequence of death.

Judas Iscariot, according to biblical account could not certainly justify the rationale behind his act of betrayal and mischief against Jesus Christ, the reason why he died in perpetual regret and his name etched in the sand of reproach for ever.

In the same manner and tendencies, the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Mr Wale Adedayo, replicated the character of Judas Iscariot, by betraying the confidence reposed in him by the people of his constituency, his party, the All Progressives Congress(APC) Governor Dapo Abiodun, who supported his ambition wholeheartedly in all ramifications and the mass of Ogun State populace.

The statement signed by Adedayo and released to the press on Monday, alleging Governor Dapo Abiodun of diverting allocations meant for the 20 local governments in the state is not only appalling, it is the lowest anybody could go to smear characters of others for mere ambition and other parochial purposes revolving around power and influence.

Though, some people have started considering his pleas and that of his colleagues who prostrated to the Governor to seek for forgiveness on Tuesday as a show of remorse and admittance of guilt, however, I considered this idea of apology after deliberate atrocities as tactics in the hands of obscurantist.

It is a statement of fact that Adedayo was arguably a sound mind when he wrote the fictitious statement, and perfectly aware of how Governor Dapo Abiodun had been helping the local governments since the period of pandemic to the tune of 1bn monthly, and how he stayed far clear from every arrangement through JAAC, to allow local government administration to be viable and financial vibrant enough to fulfil their statutory obligations to the people.

At least, he has been regularly getting his N3m monthly allowance alongside his other colleagues, yet, he claimed they have been running the councils with zero allocations; what a chameleonic character with questionable soundness of mind.

All his colleagues acknowledged the fact that the total of N4.5bn was shared among them in the month of May, and in June, N4.4bn was shared among them, while the sum of N4.4bn and N5.2bn were shared respectively in July and August, so, where is the issue of zero allocations coming from and what exactly did the Governor divert?

Clearly, the style adopted by Wale Adedayo to defame the good personality of the Governor simply confirmed the allegation against him of working in cahoots with opposition PDP to tarnish the image of Governor Dapo Abiodun in the public, having realized their hopeless litigation at the tribunal.

Indeed, the speed and direction in which the party sent out a press statement calling for the impeachment of the Governor without logical analysis of Adedayo's statement confirmed a strong pact of conspiracy.

Finally, one can conclude that Adedayo, out of personal and selfish ambition and possible pecuniary reason was being influenced by external forces to betray his benefactor and leader, in the manner Judas Iscariot did, and ended up in regret obviously, Adedayo must also suffer some level of sanction as consequence of his shenanigans.

Fadipe writes from Ifo.

August 30, 2023.

Press Statement:
Alleged Illegal Deduction : Ijebu East Local Government Political Appointees distance selves from the allegations by the Chairman, demand probe of N100 million revenue

The Supervisory Councilors in Ijebu East Local Government Council of Ogun State have disassociated themselves from the false allegations made by the Council Chairman, Mr. Wale Chairman, Mr. Wale Adedayo.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by Supervisor for Community Development, Hon Folake Adetayo, Supervisor for Agriculture, Hon. Kunle Adesanya, Supervisor for Finance, Hon Jesse Osibanjo and Supervisor for Water and Environment Services, Hon. Fowora Abayomi, the local government functionaries said “we are not in tandem with his actions and wouldn't have been in support of any actions that will stall progress and development of the Local Government under any guise whatsoever.”

The statement reads: “The Association of Supervisory Councilors and other political appointees of Ijebu East Local Government has expressed our displeasure with the manner with which the Local Government Chairman is going about alleging and casting aspersions on the person of H.E Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State.

“We want to sincerely say we are not in tandem with his actions and wouldn't have been in support of any actions that will stall progress and development of the Local Government under any guise whatsoever.

“It is also note worthy to state emphatically that we are not part of the spurious the allegations raised against the Governor of Ogun State who have on several occasions sent monies in batches to the Local Government for development.

“The Chairman, in his own words, has said in his 2023 Budget Speech that the Ijebu East LG Council received N50 million (fifty million naira) from the state government in 2022 and generated another N50 million as IGR in 2022 totaling N100 million (One hundred million. Whether the allocations were judiciously spent is left for the Chairman, the Head of the Local Government Administration and the Local Government Treasurer to defend as they are best placed to state the position of things.

“On several occasions, spendings have been carried out without relating with other members of the cabinet Documents of financial transactions and approvals were never given to the Cabinet members as they are always secretly done between the Chairman, the HOLGA and the Treasurer. We Cabinet members have remain m figure-heads for long. Though, no charges have been made public, but we urge the State Government and the House of Assembly to set up Committees to look into the spendings of the Local Government since 2001 and know its true financial State.

We once again state unequivocally that we remain loyal and committed to the mission and vision of the State for the advancement and development of Ijebu East Local Government and therefore disassociate ourselves totally from the ignoble actions displayed in the last two days by the Local Government Chairman, Mr. Wale Adedayo

The commitment to a brighter future of Ogun State remains our priority and we therefore pledge our unconditional support to Mr Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his Building Our Future Together Agenda

Thank You.

E-Signed :
Ijebu East Local Govt supervisors

Hon Folake Adetayo
Supervisor for Community Development

Hon. Kunle Adesanya
Supervisor for Agriculture

Hon Jesse Osibanjo
Supervisor for Finance

Hon. Fowora Abayomi
Supervisor for Water and Environment Services

August 30, 2023.

Press Statement:
Alleged Illegal Deduction : Ijebu East Local Government Political Appointees distance selves from the allegations by the Chairman, demand probe of N100 million revenue

The Supervisory Councilors in Ijebu East Local Government Council of Ogun State have disassociated themselves from the false allegations made by the Council Chairman, Mr. Wale Chairman, Mr. Wale Adedayo.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by Supervisor for Community Development, Hon Folake Adetayo, Supervisor for Agriculture, Hon. Kunle Adesanya, Supervisor for Finance, Hon Jesse Osibanjo and Supervisor for Water and Environment Services, Hon. Fowora Abayomi, the local government functionaries said “we are not in tandem with his actions and wouldn't have been in support of any actions that will stall progress and development of the Local Government under any guise whatsoever.”

The statement reads: “The Association of Supervisory Councilors and other political appointees of Ijebu East Local Government has expressed our displeasure with the manner with which the Local Government Chairman is going about alleging and casting aspersions on the person of H.E Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State.

“We want to sincerely say we are not in tandem with his actions and wouldn't have been in support of any actions that will stall progress and development of the Local Government under any guise whatsoever.

“It is also note worthy to state emphatically that we are not part of the spurious the allegations raised against the Governor of Ogun State who have on several occasions sent monies in batches to the Local Government for development.

“The Chairman, in his own words, has said in his 2023 Budget Speech that the Ijebu East LG Council received N50 million (fifty million naira) from the state government in 2022 and generated another N50 million as IGR in 2022 totaling N100 million (One hundred million. Whether the allocations were judiciously spent is left for the Chairman, the Head of the Local Government Administration and the Local Government Treasurer to defend as they are best placed to state the position of things.

“On several occasions, spendings have been carried out without relating with other members of the cabinet Documents of financial transactions and approvals were never given to the Cabinet members as they are always secretly done between the Chairman, the HOLGA and the Treasurer. We Cabinet members have remain m figure-heads for long. Though, no charges have been made public, but we urge the State Government and the House of Assembly to set up Committees to look into the spendings of the Local Government since 2001 and know its true financial State.

We once again state unequivocally that we remain loyal and committed to the mission and vision of the State for the advancement and development of Ijebu East Local Government and therefore disassociate ourselves totally from the ignoble actions displayed in the last two days by the Local Government Chairman, Mr. Wale Adedayo

The commitment to a brighter future of Ogun State remains our priority and we therefore pledge our unconditional support to Mr Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his Building Our Future Together Agenda

Thank You.

E-Signed :
Ijebu East Local Govt supervisors

Hon Folake Adetayo
Supervisor for Community Development

Hon. Kunle Adesanya
Supervisor for Agriculture

Hon Jesse Osibanjo
Supervisor for Finance

Hon. Fowora Abayomi
Supervisor for Water and Environment Services

Ogun State Govt Constitutes 29-Member Committee On Palliatives Distribution

A 29-member Central Working Committee (CWC), headed by the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, saddled with the mandate for the distribution of palliatives in the state has been empanelled by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The composition of the Committee is aimed at ensuring that the palliatives reached every strata of the society, in line with the promise made to the people of the state by Governor Abiodun.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr Lekan Adeniran, noted that there will be a similar Committee at the local governments to ensure the seamless distribution of the palliatives.

According to the statement, the Committee has the mandate to implement the various palliatives put in place by the state government for the citizens.

Members of the CWC were drawn from the 20 local government areas. They include Alhaja Salmot Badru, a former deputy governor in the state; Senator Shuaib Afolabi; Hon. Dewunmi Onanuga; Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga; Hon. Latifat Ajayi (Deputy Speaker, OGHA); Hon. Lukman Adeleye, (Minority Leader, OGHA; Alhaja Selimot Ottun; Oyindamola Oyelese Adesina; Hon. Femi Ilori-Oduntan; Ayo Shomide; Hon. (Mrs) Motunrayo Adijat Oladapo-Adeleye; Adewale Adeshina; Angel Adelaja; Ola Oresanya.

Others are Mrs Ogunremi; Mrs Abbas (Iyaloja General); Feyikemi Egbeyemi; Yemisi Dawodu; Mr Aiyelagbe Abduljabar; Damilola Otubanjo; Job Akintan; Kolawole Lawal; Biodun Akovoyan; Ayo Somide; Dr Fred-Omojole Omolayo; Mokesioluwa O. Seun-Adedamola; Hon. Oladele Kayode, Mr Sola Arobieke and representatives of labour unions.

The Committee at the local government level, according to the statement will include the council chairmen; members of the state House of Assembly; Leader of the House; secretary to the local government; former GLOs; two members from the CDAs; representative of the market women association; four nominees from non-governmental organisations and representatives from traditional rulers.

The inaugural meeting of the committee has been slated for Wednesday, August 29, 2023.