₦airaland Forum

Who becomes Tinubu's Chief of Staff? -By Jackson Lekan Ojo

Making a deeper allusion to the Nigeria's political history, from the beginning of this fourth republic in 1999, one can convincingly infer that the role played by the President -elect and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu can never be over-emphasized, in terms of political conceptualization and progressive ideology, including frontline pattern of administration.

While his impacts in civil administration cut across many areas of governance, I will limit my discussion on his brainchild, which swiftly became the model adopted by all, including the presidency. That is the concept of 'Chief of Staff'.

While I don't want to bother myself on his thinking at that time that resulted into that kind of idea or where he had learnt that instrument of administration, I want to clearly state here that it was a brilliant initiative brought to bear in civil administration, it was indeed a game changer as far as democratic process of governance is concerned in Nigeria.

Conversely, as the nation warms up for the transition into another administration that will be piloted by the former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the progenitor of the office of Chief of Staff, many as wondered who fits into that shoe of herculean administrative task at that level of government and governance.

Beyond array of narratives from different quarters on who occupies the exalted position in the new administration, I consider it imperative to first dissect the requisite qualifications that make a good Chief of Staff to the Nigerian President.

Because of the heterogeneous nature of our country, a Chief of Staff to the President must be a detribalised Nigerian with satisfactory exposure and liberal posture. He must be approachable , calm, tolerant and diplomatic, with cordial relationship among people across the country. To say it all, the person must be a Populist.

Meanwhile, several names have been flying around in the media space, among those names, three of it continued to appear prominently in the narratives, namely: Former Governor of Lagos and incumbent Minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbjabiamila and a member of the House of Representatives from Lagos, who hails from Kogi in the North Central Geo-political zone, Hon. James Falake, he held sway as the Secretary of the APC's Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for the 2023 election.

Engaging in a thorough evaluation of the three personalities in tandem with various attributes of a good Chief of Staff has analysed above, only one person clearly fits in to that office without blemish, and that is Hon. James Falake from Kogi State, a very clear-headed personality, brilliant, friendly, gentle, cool and calm at all times.

He is the only one among the three that will not make more enemies for the President in the course of discharging his duties, he knows his onus when it comes to administration and diplomacy, as his door is always open to everybody irrespective of status and language.

The level of maturity Faleke displayed in Kogi when he was robbed of becoming the Governor of the State in broad daylight and his subsequent commitment to the ideals of progressive politics and development of humanity is profoundly enviable, we need such a character at the presidency for inclusive governance, purposeful leadership and even development.

I, hereby, urge the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to consider Hon. James Falake, as the man to occupy the position of the Chief of Staff in his administration.

Jackson Lekan Ojo, a Chieftain of APC and leading security expert writes from Abuja.

Oliyide’s and the fresh attacks on Governor Dapo Abiodun



By Gbemisola Saliu

Steve Oliyide, the loutish and vainglorious buffoon who launched series of vile attacks on Prince Dapo Abiodun and his Government in the failed bid to turn the tide against him ahead of the March 18 governorship election, is at his familiar game again. This time, he is once again on the online platforms and social media, the space where he is understandably most comfortable, cooking up allegations and casting aspersions on the Governor and the Government of Ogun State.


Canvassing illogic and throwing innuendos about, Oliyide is apparently trying his level best to mobilize a mob against the people’s Governor by re-writing the story of his service to the Ogun people and the March elections. He and his paymasters failed woefully only two weeks ago, but the devil in them is never tired of mischief. There is no need to soil this piece by quoting the imprecations he heaped on Governor Abiodun. As our people say, he who points a finger at an innocent person, the remaining four fingers will be for him.

In a brazen display of stupidity, Oliyide claims that Prince Abiodun didn’t win the March 18 election and couldn’t have won. Pray, is this fellow INEC? From where did he derive the competence to declare election winners and losers? What is his pedigree in determining electoral victors? Bad blood is indeed a disease.

Oliyide launched endless attacks on Governor Abiodun before March 18, thinking that the mischief prepared by his paymasters would consume the Governor. He got some money from Ex Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his principal, Gbenga Daniel, and he is desperately trying to justify his pay by publishing fake news. But there is one good thing about his latest cant: whereas his former epistles represented the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau, this latest piece has been unmistakable in exposing his sponsors. He has cast off his cloak of pretence and the big masquerade behind his mischief has been unveiled. How interesting that it is a media aide to Gbenga Daniel, a notorious politician, that is being used to manipulate public opinion after the gubernatorial election in Ogun State has been won and lost!

Oliyide apparently thinks that people have forgotten history so soon. He thinks that they cannot recall the inglorious circumstances that surrounded his boss’ exit from power. As a sitting governor, Daniel had to form a political party outside his political party in order to install a crony as governor, but failed woefully. His government was riddled with scandals. He was continually at loggerheads with lawmakers, some of whom were caught stark-naked carrying sacrifices. Under him, Ogun became a theatre of scandals and even political assassinations. Are we talking of the same Daniel that desecrated Government House but only got a facelift in APC? Does Oliyide think that he can put an undeserved garment of honour on him?

Daniel, to set the records straight, betrayed his party during the gubernatorial election. He was the South-West coordinator of the Atiku Presidential Campaign in 2019 but he joined APC after the presidential polls to better his lot. Sensing that his political future in PDP would be in ruins, he quickly aligned with APC and was extremely happy that Governor Dapo Abiodun won. Governor Abiodun’s win meant that he could now walk as a free man in the state after the eight warlord years of Amosun during which he was persona non grata; the years during which his big hotel in Abeokuta was marked for demolition and during which he had been a regular guest of the EFCC.

Ahead of the 2023 polls, Prince Abiodun went out of his way to get Daniel the Ogun East senatorial ticket following the intervention of the Awujale of Ijebuland but what did he (Abiodun) get in return? Perfidy. Having won election as senator, Daniel turned traitor very quickly. He started instigating the people against the governor, asking them if he had done well and such like. Pray, why did Daniel not play his Judas Iscariot card before the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections? Where was Oliyide then?


Inded, who is this guy and where is he coming from? He has no stake in Ogun affairs. He is a tramp who writes for a bottle of Henessey. In one breath, he said he was working for Amosun in order for Biyi Otegbeye of the ADC to win the gubernatorial election. Yet in another breath, he claimed to be working to actualize the failed electoral bid of PDP’s Ladi Adebutu. He is the kind of felon who according to the Yoruba dines at the house of oro, and yet also dines in egungun’s house, a bag of contradictions whose dead conscience knows no loyalty. Well, he is working to justify the N4bn his boss allegedly collected from Baba Ijebu; tarnishing an innocent man’s image is nothing to him. Let him continue; he and his boss will cry many more tears in vain.

Saliu is of Psychology Department, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State

Protect election materials from Adebutu, PDP and thugs

- Ogun APC charges INEC

The Ogun State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “provide maximum security for its staff and the election materials in its possession, especially all the ballot papers pertaining to the just concluded general elections” in the state.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday, and signed by the State Publicity Secretary of APC, Tunde Oladunjoye, the party said “it has become pertinent to demand for the provision of watertight security for INEC offices across the state, its officers and election materials.”

The statement read in part:
“In view of the recent happenings in Ogun State, particularly the last week’s invasion of the State’s INEC headquarters by the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, who lost in the March 18, 2023 elections, we are duty bound to call on INEC and all other relevant statutory bodies, including the security agencies, to ensure that nothing untoward happens to the election materials, especially the ballot papers in the possession of INEC.”

“Or where in the world has it been reported that a loser at an election, along with hundreds of hired people, marched on the office of the electoral umpire purportedly “to submit a letter”, as we saw in Abeokuta last week?”

“Hon Adebutu not only took thugs to INEC to 'submit a letter' but also insisted that officers of INEC must come out to address his hired crowd and respond to the so-called letter?”

“But for the steadfastness, professionalism and civility of the joint security men on guard, Hon. Adebutu and his hirelings would have overrun the INEC headquarters and this, most probably, would have led to loss of lives and destruction of property, including election materials“.

“It is an already established legal process that parties who wish to challenge an election result and intend to gain access to INEC materials can only do so through the order of the Court after an application has been filed and granted. It is, therefore, worrisome to see someone who wanted to govern a state of many firsts like Ogun State, lead misguided crowd to submit ordinary letter.

"Everyone knows that INEC has an interactive website! Besides, in this age of courier services and other communication avenues, why would anyone resort to crooked and illegal route to ventilate his grievances? We can only thank God that such person was unable to buy his way into the office of the Governor of Ogun State at the just concluded election.”

“The invasion of INEC head office by Hon. Adebutu was a desperation of the highest order, which depicted poor sportsmanship. Having lost the election and having failed to get to office via purchase, the PDP and its candidate lack the moral rectitude to make allegations of electoral impropriety against anybody or INEC.

“It would be recalled that around November 9, 2022 the INEC office in Abeokuta South LGA of the state was razed down by hoodlums who reportedly gained access around 1.00am. Even as the arsonists are yet to be arrested and prosecuted, we do not want a repeat of such incident in Ogun State. INEC must live up to expectation by safeguarding all its staff and offices from the PDP and its rampaging candidate!"

Probe Adebutu, Ogun PDP’s electoral infractions, group tasks security agencies

A group, Ogun Integrity Vanguard, has tasked the leadership of security agencies in the country, particularly the Nigeria Police, to ensure comprehensive probe of the electoral infractions allegedly perpetrated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, during the March 18 governorship and state assembly elections in the state.


The group made this call in a statement signed by its secretary, Duro Thomas, and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday.

Making reference to the incidents that happened during the polls, the group noted that PDP agents were arrested in the Agbado area of the state by Agbado Police officers with cash, more than 300 PVCs and Verve prepaid ATM cards with the name Caroline Oladunni Adebutu Memorial Endowment Scheme written boldly on them, pointing out that the action was a clear contravention of the Electoral Act.

It said: “It was not only the police that arrested agents of the PDP and other parties carrying out such devious acts.

“As amply documented by the spokesman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, operatives of the agency on election duty stop and search intercepted four party agents with hundreds of money credit cards meant to buy votes at Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta.

“Each card contained N10,000 and was meant to be activated with a code.

“The suspects, who were PDP agents, were subsequently handed over to the police. It is clear that Adebutu’s bloated image is underpinned by corrupt tendencies.

“ If we want this election to be a litmus test ffor future elections where Nigerians say no to manipulation and corruption of the electoral space, there is a need for the police to not only investigate but to also invite the PDP governorship candidate to explain why he carried out such infractions.”

The group added that a situation where some people believed that they could have their way through manipulation and corruption of the electoral process must stop.

“If INEC is sincere, this is the time to prosecute and make some people scapegoats,” it said.

Ede Poly resumes for new session, as registration, lecture commence March 20, 10th April respectively


The Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, on Thursday, announced resumption for new academic session and commencement of online registration as well as lecture.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, , Alhaji Isiaka Tunji Agboola, the copy, which was made available to newsmen by the Protocol, Media and Public Relations Officer of the institution, Sola Lawal.

According to the statement, while online registration had opened to both returning and new students since Monday, 20th March, 2023, lecture for the new academic session has been scheduled to begin from Monday, 10th April, 2023.

The statement read in part:" The Federal Polytechnic, Ede, hereby wishes to notify the general public, particularly students, parents and guardians that the institution has opened the online registration since Monday 20th, March, 2023, for both freshers and returning students.

"Please, note that the earlier directives for medical registration to all freshers still remain in the following order". See below:

Attention Mr Adebutu: Ogun State not for sale!

The efforts made by Ladi Adebutu to use money to buy people’s votes last Saturday indicate that his focus is not governance. He just wanted to fulfill his father’s lifelong ambition that one of his children should become governor, and he pumped an incredible amount of money into the process.



They made thousands of ATM-like cards preloaded with money and distributed them across polling units. This is contrary to the Electoral Act 2022. Indeed, many of their accessories to the crime were caught by security agencies with the ATMs bearing the name of his mother’s foundation.



The sum of N10,000 was purportedly preloaded into each of the cards. For these jesters to have tried to induce the people with money, they ought to be banned from politics forever.



But to make matters worse, the Chief Vote Buyer even scammed the people. Like many notorious criminals, he was incredibly dishonest even in his dishonesty. After results had been declared and it was clear that he had not won the elections, most of those activating the cards found that they had been rendered useless!





Think about it, if politicians can buy votes, why should they serve the people? Is it not just a matter of giving them a pittance every four years? Criminals such as this shouldn’t even be allowed to participate in the political process because the only thing they can offer is corruption.



Adebutu and Akinlade's antics in the March 18 election are not surprising to close watchers of Ogun politics, though. Were these not the same set of criminals who struck a pre-election deal to share the patrimony of Ogun people among themselves, turning Ogun resources to apapin (kill and share)?


All of those arrested must be made to face the music. They showed utter contempt for the people of Ogun State. They reduced voters to N10k-per-election hungry people. They undermined the people’s resilience to elect a governor of their own choosing, a proven performer. They are political robbers. The man behind the entire scam must be hauled before the court of law and sentenced according to the degree of his involvement in the crime. Ogun is not, and will never be for sale!!

INEC invasion: You 're divisive, Labour Party carpets Adebutu, PDP

The Labour Party has berated the People's Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, for instigating it's members into violent protests after loosing the governorship election held on Saturday, March 18, in which the incumbent, Prince Dapo Abiodun was declared winner by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This was contained in a release signed by its National Publicity secretary, Dr Abayomi Arabambi, the copy which was made available to newsmen in Abuja 9n Wednesday, where it warned PDP and its governorship candidate in particular, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu against setting the State on fire over personal ambition.

According to the release, the invasion of the Commission's office in Abeokuta was barbaric and antidemocratic, and against every tenet of civil administration and egalitarianism society, adding that the shameful act could snowball into serious crisis and palpable tension.

The release reads this: “It took the professional intervention of law enforcement agency to prevent what could have led to serious mayhem as they had to shoot into the air to save guard the INEC office from being vandalised by the rented protesters.

“We have read in the papers how some hoodlums invaded INEC offices in some states and set it on fire, also recently, the Abeokuta South office of INEC was attacked by arsonist, the action of Adebutu and his supporters if not condenmed may degenerate to an alarming situation.

“As a law abiding Party, we call on the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Frank Mba and other security agencies to ensure that they forestall all intentions of PDP to return the State to the dark period as Ogun State is known to be a peaceful State.

“Apart from going on the streets or invading INEC office, PDP should have thread a more humane step of approaching the court if truly they were short-changed

“Though, we knew how Adebutu bought voters on the election day with credit cards and other incentives, he should know that Ogun State residents are intelligent who can not trade their future with any morsel of porridge, and in spite of his so many dubious way of getting to power at all cost, and the rejection that followed, it’s amazing that such a corrupt individual is still complaining of been short-changed.

"LP, however, warned against violent protest, citing the current challenges and the fact that the polity is tensed up already.L



"LP implores Adebutu and his co-travellers as an obligatory duty to go to the election tribunal establish to the supremacy of law and to teach our younger generation the value of resolving disputes through legal means rather than violence.

“The polity is already very tense, and we call on law enforcement agencies to call Adebutu and his supporters to order so that we can continue to enjoy the peace the State is known for.

“Adebutu should take a more refine way of settling mater’s by approaching tribunal and allow the entire litigation process run its course.

“Fortunately, that is the only step in seeking legitimacy rather than street protests.

Adebutu pollutes Ogun political space with large scale electoral fraud, must be prosecuted

The large scale of electoral fraud perpetrated by the gubernatorial candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, in the just concluded governorship election in Ogun State, Mr Oladipupo Adebutu, was scary and unthinkable.

This large scale electoral malpractice beats the imagination of many residents of the State, who continued to wonder the state of mind of the self-acclaimed farmer.

The monumental fraud committed by Oladipupo Adebutu and his cohorts in PDP was in two folds, while he led the gang that compromised the electoral process in fragrant disobedience to the electoral law, Adebutu also scammed many electorate.

Many unsuspecting and gullible electorate, who ignorantly fell for his gimmicks of vote buying have been crying around the town on how the credit cards used by Adebutu to buy votes eventually turned out to be mere fraud.

Thousands of the victims on social media narrated their ordeals, as the initial promise of Adebutu and his gang that the credit cards carry a monetary value of ten thousand naira became farce.

While some were lucky to get N1,500 on the cards many could not get a dime, forcing them to start calling out the PDP candidate on different social media platforms.

Point-blankly, Adebutu and his party, the PDP, has brought unimaginable disgrace to Ogun State and as well polluted the democratic environment in the most shameless manner.

Such a character must not be allowed to participate in an electoral process again. Also, his case should be used as a deterrent to others like him who are hell bent to get to the corridor of power through the backdoor, after realizing they are not popular among the people and their attendant paucity of intellectual capacity.

It is obvious that somebody with this degree of electoral fraud on his neck lacks the moral standing to discredit any democratic process, to that end, Adebutu and his gang should immediately apologize to the people of Ogun State with that charade called protest they embarked upon on Tuesday

They must quickly stop their cheap blackmail against INEC with the satanic notion of compelling the commission into submission, such campaign of calumny will never work.

Samson Odubiyi writes from Abeokuta.

Ogun PDP's false expectations


The pretenders in Ogun PDP must learn to mind the thorns. Sure, using the instrumentality of bribery and thuggery, PDP put up a strong performance at the just concluded gubernatorial poll in Ogun State. It proved that it is a force to reckon with in the state. That is not surprising given that it is a major political party in the state. It was once in power in the state.




Working with APC turncoats, it even won Governor Dapo Abiodun's local government where its candidate, Ladi Adebutu, also comes from. That cannot be denied. But claiming that it won the election is pushing its luck too far. It did not. And could never have.



Going by the results of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, APC is in firm control of Ogun State. It won all the three senatorial seats and all the nine House of Reps seats. PDP won nothing. The implication, quite simply, is that the majority of the Ogun people have decided to part ways with PDP's pestilence. Know that and know peace.




Let's look at the results of the March 18 election again. There are 20 local governments in Ogun State and Governor Abiodun won in 12 of them. Ladi won in eight, and must indeed be acknowledged for the feat, however crookedly obtained. But to claim that 8 is more than 12 is to engage in demonic calculations. The implication of Governor Abiodun's win in 12 local governments as against Adebutu's 8 is that he is politically far ahead of Adebutu in Ogun State. That's the simple, undiluted and untrammeled truth. No two ways about it.



Then look at the House of Assembly results. The gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections were held on the same day and what was the result? APC won 17 out of the 26 seats in contention, leaving PDP and the other opposition parties to share the remaining 9 seats. How could a party which gained the majority seats at the state Assembly elections lose to a party which had far less, when the elections were held on the same day?


Governor Dapo Abiodun is ahead of his adversaries.

*Re: PDP calls for rerun of Ogun governorship election*

*’PDP and Amosun Are Sore Losers’ -Ogun APC*

The Ogun state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the reported call by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a rerun of the just concluded gubernatorial election in Ogun state as an indication that the PDP and one of its major promoters, former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, are “a bunch of sore losers”.

The APC through its State Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, said in a statement released on Sunday in Abeokuta that such a vile call, coming barely few minutes after the declaration of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and published by an Amosun-founded and funded rag sheet, could only have come from people who knew of their electoral loss, well ahead”.

The statement reads further:
“It is unfortunate that we have to react to this baseless demand purportedly from PDP but intriguingly published by one of Amosun’s lackeys even when major newspapers are yet to report or give details of the governorship election results.

"The just retired former political gladiators should first go back home and drink water and relax even as they lick their wounds. With their failure at the polls, it is still appearing to them as a dream because it is unbelievable to them that they could lose the election despite the humongous ill-gotten wealth and violence that the grandstanders displayed and deployed.

“It is a big shame, glaring disrespect for the dead and an acute moral deficiency for the PDP’s guber candidate, Ladi Adebutu, to involve the name of his late mother in record-breaking electoral bribery; the scale of which has never been witnessed in the annals of politics not only in Ogun state, but also in Nigeria.

“While it is charitable to set up a foundation in one’s late mother’s name; however, it is most uncharitable, unacceptable and ridiculous to use such an otherwise good gesture as an avenue to induce voters; a grave criminal act, as we saw in the case of the PDP agent arrested in Ado Odo-Ota by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and also as reported in all the nooks and crannies of Ogun State.

"While joining His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun to thank our people for keeping faith with our party, despite serious and devious financial temptation, we urge our supporters to be, just like our Governor, magnanimous in victory, avoid provocation, and report any threat to peace to the nearest police station.”

E-signed
Tunde Oladunjoye
oladunjoyelo@gmail.com

END

Breaking News

PDP agent arrested by Agbado Police officers with more than 300 PVC, Verve Prepaid ATM Cards with the name "Caroline Oladunni Adebutu Memorial Endowment Scheme, and cash at Agbado.

""Amosun going into political oblivion, should be ignored" - Ogun APC

Following several calls from well-meaning people on what action our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is taking against the outgoing Senator for Ogun Central, His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on his open disloyalty and anti-party activities, the APC wish to state that “Senator Amosun is better ignored as he is going into political oblivion and perdition”.

This was contained in a press statement issued on Thursday in Abeokuta and signed by the Ogun state APC Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye.

The statement reads in part, “We do not wish to join any issue with the man famous for disloyalty and boastful egoism. But we just have to explain to persistent inquiry and demands for sanction against the controversial Senator.

"If we may ask, what bigger shame and disgrace could face a man who, as a sitting Governor and APC senator-elect, was suspended from the party. That was, perhaps, the first time such will happen in the annals of Nigeria’s politics?.”

It added, "The party felt he has repented and that was why the suspension was later lifted. However, from all indications, the leopard will never change its spots. The dog has gone back to its vomit.

“But for the endurance of Ogun people generally, particularly people of Yewa, Amosun will not be strutting the streets of Ogun state pretending to be a friend of Yewa and purportedly clamouring for an Ogun West Governor, whereas he is actually planning to install a stooge to achieve his well-known third term ambition.

"Amosun marginalized Ogun West more than any government in history. One of the foremost leaders of Yewa, Professor Emeritus Anthony Asiwaju, in his book published in 2018 described Amosun as a Governor whose tenure, far more than any other, witnessed the emergence of Yewaland as the historic zone in the state known for abandoned projects. He cited the two principal examples of the Ilara-Oja Odan-Ilashe road and Ipokia Polytechnic/ University projects as highpoints of hopes raised and dashed with reckless abandon during the era of the former Governor.

“Amosun also abandoned more projects in Ogun Central than any government in history even as he shunned Ogun East in the execution of projects.

“While we appreciate the concerned raised by genuinely worried people, we urge the good people of Ogun state to remain steadfast in their support for Prince Dapo Abiodun for second term in office based on his unparalleled performance in his first tenure, while ignoring Amosun - the puppeteer and his puppets.”

E-signed
Tunde Oladunjoye
oladunjoyelo@gmail.com
Following several calls from well-meaning people on what action our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is taking against the outgoing Senator for Ogun Central, His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on his open disloyalty and anti-party activities, the APC wish to state that “Senator Amosun is better ignored as he is going into political oblivion and perdition”.

This was contained in a press statement issued on Thursday in Abeokuta and signed by the Ogun state APC Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye.

The statement reads in part, “We do not wish to join any issue with the man famous for disloyalty and boastful egoism. But we just have to explain to persistent inquiry and demands for sanction against the controversial Senator.

"If we may ask, what bigger shame and disgrace could face a man who, as a sitting Governor and APC senator-elect, was suspended from the party. That was, perhaps, the first time such will happen in the annals of Nigeria’s politics?.”

It added, "The party felt he has repented and that was why the suspension was later lifted. However, from all indications, the leopard will never change its spots. The dog has gone back to its vomit.

“But for the endurance of Ogun people generally, particularly people of Yewa, Amosun will not be strutting the streets of Ogun state pretending to be a friend of Yewa and purportedly clamouring for an Ogun West Governor, whereas he is actually planning to install a stooge to achieve his well-known third term ambition.

"Amosun marginalized Ogun West more than any government in history. One of the foremost leaders of Yewa, Professor Emeritus Anthony Asiwaju, in his book published in 2018 described Amosun as a Governor whose tenure, far more than any other, witnessed the emergence of Yewaland as the historic zone in the state known for abandoned projects. He cited the two principal examples of the Ilara-Oja Odan-Ilashe road and Ipokia Polytechnic/ University projects as highpoints of hopes raised and dashed with reckless abandon during the era of the former Governor.

“Amosun also abandoned more projects in Ogun Central than any government in history even as he shunned Ogun East in the execution of projects.

“While we appreciate the concerned raised by genuinely worried people, we urge the good people of Ogun state to remain steadfast in their support for Prince Dapo Abiodun for second term in office based on his unparalleled performance in his first tenure, while ignoring Amosun - the puppeteer and his puppets.”

E-signed
Tunde Oladunjoye
oladunjoyelo@gmail.com

Steve Oliyide, political scavenger in the media space

By Tunde Sulaiman


You may or may not have read the diatribe by Steve Oliyide, a self-seeking saboteur and media hustler, against the Dapo Abiodun administration in Ogun State, but it is so true to type. Oliyide, apparently blinded by his lust for attention and the antics of his paymasters, rambled on and on about the cost of the flagship projects of the Abiodun administration, including the Cargo Airport; the cost of road construction, and items in the state's Budget. The answers Oliyide ostensibly seeks are already in the public domain, but he is not seeking clarifications; his criticism is driven by pure mischief.



Pray, if Mr. Oliyide wants to know the cost of projects, why doesn't he take a look at the Budget? And if he is not satisfied about any item, why not approach the relevant agencies? Does he mean to say that the Budget does not contain facts and figures or is he simply being a dunce?


Sincerely, no serious person should take this clown seriously. How can anyone who claims sanity say that the Cargo Airport, an ongoing project, lacks basic facilities? Does the fact that the control tower is not yet completed, for instance, mean that the airport, widely hailed as one of Nigeria's biggest airport projects, lacks one? Has this fraud actually been to the site or is he just relying on hearsay?


It is not for nothing that many have learned to ignore the loudmouth.He isn't a stakeholder and he lacks the integrity and capacity to talk about Ogun State.


Having worked only for a gossip newspaper and being perpetually unable to cope in organised environments, he has left a trail of scandals in many places. He is a nobody in the media space.
His foray into the media space was by accident and without the requisite professional and intellectual pedigree of a thoroughbred newsman. It was this paucity of professional philosophy and guiding principles that turned him into a media scavenger.



Many of those who have had an encounter with the character known as Steve Oliyide have had only unpleasant things to say about him. His docility and proclivity for dirty jobs for filthy lucre is legendary. Oliyide's greatest strength in the social media space, the only space in which he can comfortably operate without unraveling very quickly, is peddling rumour and cheap propaganda for pecuniary gain.



This is a man that had lobbied Governor Dapo Abiodun's handlers for consideration as Special Assistant on Media. Unfortunately, discreet investigations revealed that he is a man without principle and the culture of loyalty. He was adjudged to be controlled perpetually by his belly, not critical thinking and value, hence his total rejection by the Dapo Abiodun administration. That, apparently, transformed him into a venomous adversary of the administration.



This charlatan has no moral standing to talk about governance and leadership, he lacks any atom of decency and temperament for organized environment. He should be ignored. Oliyide will still write another diatribe, but he and his paymasters will shed premium tears on Saturday when the good people of Ogun State renew their contract with the Abiodun administration.

Comrade Sulaiman, a students' activist, writes from Olabisi Onabanjo University, , Ago Iwoye

Ogun APC Raises Alarm Over Sponsored Social Media Attacks

Ahead of Saturday's Governorship and House of Assembly elections, the Ogun state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has uncovered a sinister plan by some unscrupulous politicians and fifth columnists to launch and sponsor a campaign of calumny against Governor Dapo Abiodun-led Administration on various social media platforms.

A statement issued in Abeokuta on Wednesday, quoted the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Tunde Oladunjoye as saying, "The campaign, which is being sponsored and oiled by the father of an opposition party's candidate whose camp has continued to suffer depletion by the day, is to take the form of coordinated attacks and sponsored articles, half-truths and outright lies against the person and administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

"Whilst many would wonder why any genuine party man would want to join a wobbling opposition candidate to work against the interest of his party and symbol, we urge the good people of Ogun state to be circumspect and see through the shenanigans of these selfish politicians who do not mean well for the state. Otherwise, how would they want to handover our dear state to an arrogant and boastful drunkard and gambler who simply wants to harness Ogun to his father’s empire?

"We trust that the electorate and the good people of Ogun state in general are too sophisticated to be swayed by those masquerading their selfish interests as that of the people.

"The Governor Dapo Abiodun-led Administration in Ogun state will continue to use the resources of the state for the growth and development of the state and not for a few, no matter how powerful. This is a commitment that Governor Dapo Abiodun will not compromise for anything.

"We urge the sophisticated people of Ogun state to continue to stick with the APC just as they did in the Presidential and National Assembly elections so that the state and its people can benefit from being part of the government at the centre."

E-signed:
Tunde Oladunjoye
Oladunjoyelo@gmail.com

*Ogun Governorship Race: Adebutu’s aspiration, insult on Ogun people*

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the gubernatorial ambition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu as an insult to the collective intelligence of the good people of the state.

In a statement issued by the APC’s Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, the party said, “Anyone who aspires to govern our dear gateway state must have attained a verifiable record of managing a public or private organisation successfully in the past.

“For the PDP candidate, it is not enough to say my father has money. What has he managed successfully on his own in the past. Even the family company he was asked to oversee was eventually taken away from him when he could not pay salaries and the company became debt-ridden. That is a company of less than 250 members of staff. It is his siblings who are more business inclined that are managing the company now.”

The statement added, "Apart from this, the office of the Governor of any state is solely meant for an Omoluabi (a thorough bred gentle man) to the core. We all recently witnessed how this desperate candidate openly abused royal fathers in the Ogun West senatorial district because they prayed for the success of Prince Dapo Abiodun at the polls. We are witnesses to how he abused and cursed some leaders of APC at a public rally, and his many other shenanigans.

“Such a person is certainly not fit to occupy the exalted office of the Governor of Ogun state; a state of many firsts in Nigeria. Ogun state people know who is qualified to continue in office as Governor and that is why on a daily basis, many people, including PDP leaders and candidates are trooping into APC to support the re-election of Prince Dapo Abiodun and all APC candidates in the Saturday elections.”

END

10th National Assembly:Wamakko remains the best as Senate President -Jackson Lekan Ojo

A leading security expert and political pundit, Jackson Lekan Ojo, has canvassed for the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as the the best to occupy the position of Senate President in the coming 10th National Assembly.

Ojo described Wamakko as a political phenomenon with grassroots content, who is widely known as highly detribalize, humble and sagacious in all ramifications.

He argued that asides being a raking senator as constitution stipulates, Wamakko antecedents and political credentials stand him out, adding that the President -elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs someone like Wamakko.

Ojo, made these known on Monday in a telephone conversation with newsmen, as he asserted that the only rallying point and unifying factor for all senators that will constitute the Senate in the 10th National Assembly is Wamakko.

"Going by the political configuration of Nigeria presently and the intrinsic atmosphere, the only person that can stabilize and strengthen our democracy at the parliament, as harbinger of good governance and detribalize politics is Senator Wamakko.

"Obviously, Nigerians and the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu do not need a nepotist and someone with politics of prebendalism at this point in time.

"We need a politician with grassroots mentality, who is loved by all irrespective of tribe, religion or social status and that is the former Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.

"He is a cosmopolitan personalty with deep knowledge of human relations and developmental ideology; Nigerians and Nigeria need him as the head of the 10th parliament.

"Because the parliament is a bastion of democracy and the house of the people, the best person as the head of such house is someone who is passionate about the people irrespective of status like Wamakko.

"In the same vein, based on parliamentary knowledge and dexterity, I hereby suggest Honourable Woke Oke, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, he is a man with requisite capacity and competence to superintend the parliament with Senator Wamakko".

On the suborned anti-Abiodun crowd in Amosun’s Abeokuta residence

By Yemi Balogun

But for sheer political mischief, there is no possible way the charade staged at the residence of ex Ogun State governor and senator representing Ogun Central in the National Assembly, Ibikunle Amosun, on Saturday could be construed as a genuine protest against Governor Dapo Abiodun and his second term bid.

In this clime, a mob ruled by its muscles rather than its brains and kicking up a ruckus just for a bottle of beer complimented by a pittance is nothing new. Hiding under hoodlums masquerading as protesters to attack performing governors with intent to subvert democracy is a familiar tactic, and we make bold to say that Senator Amosun is the mastermind, planner and chief executioner of the charade staged at his residence by “protesting youths’ on Saturday.


This matter is as clear as the sun: it is a known fact that Senator Amosun, jolted by his neutralization in the power matrix within Ogun APC, had on several occasions expressed his deep hatred for the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and stoutly opposed his second term ambition. On countless occasions, he has expressed his evil desire to truncate Governor Abiodun’s desire to serve Ogun State people, taking advantage of the free political atmosphere nurtured by the people’s governor to hold political revivals across Ogun State and dress him in the garb of a villain while portraying himself as Saint Amosun. Since 2019, Amosun has perfected the practice of promoting people from other parties while holding on to his APC membership, and his present romance with Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is just the latest scene in his failure movie.

In a normal clime, Amosun’s action would have been quickly punished as a gross violation of the party’s constitution and utter disrespect to the party. It was the APC that made Amosun a governor and also a senator, but he has never ceased working against the party. The so-called protesting youths are part and parcel of his agenda; those are the guys he is using to campaign against the governor. He and his pathetic and confused crowd will fail woefully on March 18.


This is not the first time Amosun has vowed to work against Abiodun; the youths that supposedly visited him to solicit his support in undermining their own governor are his street soldiers, and what they did is not new. With some money and hard drinks, they can carry placards from morning to midnight. Their principal is somebody who views himself as a god and who desperately seeks to cultivate a larger than life image even when he is mired in political shipwreck.


The last election showed the folly of these political buccaneers, and the coming governorship election will further accentuate it. There is a limit to which concocted stories in the mould “Civil servants reject Abiodun”, etc, can go.


Publishing Amosun’s delusions without contacting Governor Abiodun’s campaign negates fair hearing. We state with all sense of responsibility that all major stakeholders in Ogun State have endorsed the governor and they did not endorse him for endorsement sake, but for his track record. By this time next week, the “protesters” would have learnt the results of their failure. For now, they can keep providing political theatre.

Asiwaju Supporters' Group, Osun, congratulates President -elect on his landslide victory

The Asiwaju Supporters' Group in Osun has congratulated the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his landslide victory at the poll, held on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

Tinubu, having polled the highest number of votes in the exercise was declared winner of the election in the early hours of Wednesday.

The group, therefore, in a congratulatory message signed by the duo of Dr Adebowale Shadare and Prince Bunyamin Sijiwade Zakariyah, described Bola Tinubu as a leading political leader in Africa.

It further eulogized the President-elect as someone with requisite capacity and competence to change the fortunes of Nigeria in the same way he did in Lagos, adding that Nigerians and indeed Nigeria were lucky to have elected Tinubu as President.

The group, then enjoined Tinubu to be magnanimous in victory and run an all-inclusive government like never before in Nigeria for the purpose of taking the country out of the present quagmire.

The message reads in part:" As one of the leading groups supporting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his presidential ambition, we heartily congratulate the Jagaban of Borgu on his landslide victory at the poll to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

"Indeed, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one of the great leaders in Africa with enviable antecedents of democratic culture and leadership dynamics.

"We are so confident in his capacity and ability to take Nigeria to greater heights through pragmatic and dynamic administration of immense value.

"As we wish him well on this special assignment to reset the nation on the path of speedy development and socio-economic growth, we want to implore him to be meticulous in the way he constitutes his cabinet for him to choose the best hands for the country as usual".

100 days in office: OSEMA's boss hails Gov. Ademola on his giant strides

The General Manager of Osun State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Amos Adejinle has commended the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on his proactive move towards inclusive governance within his hundred days in office.

Adejinle said the manner and speed in which the Governor responds to issues of welfare and wellbeing of the citizenry is unprecedented, adding that Osun has truly come alive for better days ahead.

He stressed that the ultimate goal of every administration is the security and welfare of the people, in which the present government in the State priorities above any other considerations.

The OSEMA GM, therefore, enjoined the Governor to sustain his tempo and style of governance and leadership.

"From all of us at OSEMA, we heartily congratulate our Executive Governor in Osun, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, on his enviable achievement within the first hundred days of his administration.

"We are indeed proud of his inclusive leadership and developmental drive; obviously, he is a man of special traits of good governance.

"We are particularly impressed and encouraged by his response to every issue of safety and welfare of our citizens in the State, most especially, the way at which he solved our infrastructural deficit that have been hindering our operational effectiveness in the past.

"The Governor has displayed exceptional chacater in the way he had been responding to every issue from our end, the speed of his response is unprecedented and inspiring.

"He is is a good leader in all ramifications", Adejinle concluded .

2023: Osun Civilian Joint Task Force congratulates Tinubu

The Civilian Joint Task Force in Osun has felicitated with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, over the victory in the presidential election that was conducted on Saturday, February 25th.

The group, comprises of Vigilante Group of Nigeria(VGN) Odua People's Congress(OPC) Harmonized Vigilante Group, Agbekoya , Omo Ode Agbekoya and Hunters Group of Nigeria are working in collaboration with police and other security agencies in the State to curb insecurity.

In a press statement signed by its Commander General, Alhaji Hussein Yahasalam, the group commended Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for displaying what it termed unwavering capacity and requisite doggedness before and during the electioneering campaign.

According to the statement, Tinubu remains the best candidate for the top job, based on his past experience in both public and private sectors and his antecedents as a democrat and dependable leader of note.

The statement also opined that Nigeria needs a civilized and cosmopolitan personalty like Tinubu to set the nation's economy on the path of prosperity and sustainable growth.

The statement read in part:" On behalf of my team members, we heartily congratulate a leader par excellence and one of the leading political juggernauts in Africa, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his resounding victory at the poll on February 25th.

" While his victory didn't come as a surprise to us; we, however, salute his doggedness and tenacity in the face of suffocating antagonism from different quarters.

"Having said that, we want him to heat the ground running with his usual proactive trait and developmental drive, for Nigerians to have a sigh of relief from this present quagmire.

"Also, of great importance to us is the issue of security, we, therefore, enjoin him to work with the National Assembly to institutionalize effective community policing system for the purpose of viable local intelligence gathering".

The Civilian Joint Task Force in Osun has felicitated with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, over the victory in the presidential election that was conducted on Saturday, February 25th.

The group, comprises of Vigilante Group of Nigeria(VGN) Odua People's Congress(OPC) Harmonized Vigilante Group, Agbekoya , Omo Ode Agbekoya and Hunters Group of Nigeria are working in collaboration with police and other security agencies in the State to curb insecurity.

In a press statement signed by its Commander General, Alhaji Hussein Yahasalam, the group commended Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for displaying what it termed unwavering capacity and requisite doggedness before and during the electioneering campaign.

According to the statement, Tinubu remains the best candidate for the top job, based on his past experience in both public and private sectors and his antecedents as a democrat and dependable leader of note.

The statement also opined that Nigeria needs a civilized and cosmopolitan personalty like Tinubu to set the nation's economy on the path of prosperity and sustainable growth.

The statement read in part:" On behalf of my team members, we heartily congratulate a leader par excellence and one of the leading political juggernauts in Africa, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his resounding victory at the poll on February 25th.

" While his victory didn't come as a surprise to us; we, however, salute his doggedness and tenacity in the face of suffocating antagonism from different quarters.

"Having said that, we want him to heat the ground running with his usual proactive trait and developmental drive, for Nigerians to have a sigh of relief from this present quagmire.

"Also, of great importance to us is the issue of security, we, therefore, enjoin him to work with the National Assembly to institutionalize effective community policing system for the purpose of viable local intelligence gathering".

Head of Harmonized Vigilante Group, Alhaji Yahasalam, congratulates Tinubu

The Head of Harmonized Vigilante Group, Alhaji Hussein Yahasalam, has sent a congratulatory message to the President -elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his victory at the poll.

Yahasalam, described Tinubu as a thought leader with enviable capacity and requisite competence to rewrite the story of Nigeria for better and change the ugly socio-economic situation of the country.

According to the security expert, Nigeria needs a personalty like Tinubu that possesses necessary courage to face daunting national challenges and proffer solution.

He opined that the global connection of the former Governor of Lagos, coupled with his wealth of experience in governance and private business would work for him immensely in his quest to turn around the economic situation of Nigeria.

Yahasalam, also stressed the need for other contestants and people from the opposition to join hands with the President-elect to build a new Nigeria of dream, adding that Tinubu is a master of the game and not a winner take all.


He explained that the level of maturity and sagacity Tinubu deployed to change the story of Lagos between 1999 and 2007 has shown that he has what it takes to provide inclusive governance in Nigeria more than any other leaders before him.

In his words", I heartily congratulate a leader par excellence and one of the leading political juggernauts in Africa, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his resounding victory at the poll on February 25th.

" While his victory didn't come as a surprise to people like us; I, however, salute his doggedness and tenacity in the face of suffocating antagonism from different quarters.

"Having said that, I want him to heat the ground running with his usual proactive trait and developmental drive, for Nigerians to have a sigh of relief from this present quagmire.

"Also, of great importance to me is the issue of security, I want to implore him to work with the National Assembly to institutionalize effective community policing system for the purpose of viable local intelligence gathering".

Amosun Desperate Conspiracy (ADC): The path to political ditch in Ogun

One of the most instructive postulations of a celebrated political philosopher and leading thinker, Socrates, is that," A good leader must recognize problem before it becomes an emergency".

A critical evaluation of the above thought simply implies that majority of political leaders around the world, especially in the third world countries, who ended up in irredeemable political oblivion were those with spontaneous response to issues without recourse to proper planning and empirical analysis of situation as a guide to logical conclusion and subsequent decision.

In line with this thought of Socrates, the former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, is one of the leaders with absence of requisite temperament to recognize problem before it becomes an emergency, he is a man with fire brigade approach out of self aggrandizement and egocentric tendencies.

Suffering from chronic self-delusion, Ibikunle Amosun, completely failed to realize the dwindling trend of his political influence and popularity in Ogun State at the tail end of his administration in 2019. Unfortunately, that problem eventually became a serious emergency situation for him now.

Going into historical allusion, it can be safely conclude that Amosun's draconian attributes solely responsible for the present woes that befell his once virile and vibrant political structure and formidable family.

He started this journey of no return with his unrepentant hostility against his estranged friend and incumbent Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who wanted to secure a senate ticket in the first place but met a stiff resistance to his ambition from Amosun, and the rest became history.

Thereafter, instead of addressing the pressing issues about his political future with decorum and logic, and commence aggressive mobilization towards 2023, for his party, the APC, Amosun delved into another opaque path of political misadventure.

The Owu-born Chartered Accountant was adamant in promoting his vindictive political agenda without recourse to critical reasoning and realities of political climate in Ogun State.

Because the former Ogun State Governor now became more vulnerable after losing billions of naira on his failed presidential ambitions, he is gradually becoming a mere utopian out of desperation, as he settled for a once recalcitrant ally, Barr. Biyi Otegbeye as an instrument of vendetta.

In truth and indeed, Amosun’s “choice” of ADC is nothing but a conspiracy to stop Prince Dapo Abiodun's reelection on the basis of myopic selfish tendencies, and not on the prism of competence or performance.

The level of maturity and civility in which Prince Dapo Abiodun controls the affairs of the State and his consistency in the quest of transformation and speedy development have endeared the governor to the majority of the electorate.

The campaign of calumny and cheap propaganda adopted by Amosun and his docile stooges in ADC against the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun is clearly known to the people and obviously can not change the resolve of the people of the State to return their Governor.

Every individual in the gateway state detests the years of suffocating political jackboots of Ibikunle Amosun and it's attendant turmoil across the State.

From all indications and feedbacks from the Ogun electorate and political stakeholders alike, Amosun and his cohorts are traveling alone, there is no doubt that his present move is nothing but efforts in futility, it is therefore, incontestable that " Amosun Desperate Conspiracy"(ADC) is bound to end up in unimaginable ditch and pathetic oblivion.

Solomon Raji writes from Abeokuta.

A socio-political organisation in Ogun State, the Gateway Tower, has described as unfortunate, the statement credited to the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State, Barrister Biyi Otegbeye, condemning the Agro-Allied Cargo Airport built by the Governor Dapo Abiodun administration to lift the agricultural fortunes and economic profile of the state.

In a statement issued by its coordinator, Jacob Adigun, the group wondered how a governorship candidate who meant to be taken seriously would claim that Governor Abiodun abandoned the Wasimi Agro Cargo Airport initiated by the Ibikunle Amosun administration in order to prevent the Egba division from attaining the full status of state capital.


It accused the ADC governorship candidate of spinning deliberate falsehood despite being aware that unlike the proposed Wasinmi airport over which humongous sums were expended with no work done at all and without necessary approvals by the regulatory authorities, the Agro-Allied Airport initially conceived by the Gbenga Daniel administration in 2007 had all necessary approvals, including the Environmental Impact Assessment from the aviation regulatory body, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).


The statement added that only a hater of good things would thumb down an airport already designated by the Federal Government as the export terminal for non-oil exports in the country.


The statement said: “Falsely tagging the inaugural flight on the airport an inauguration exercise, Otegbeye, placing politics over patriotism, dismissed a project meant to turn around the economic fortunes of the very people he wants to govern, thus casting himself in the mould of an enemy of the people


“By condemning the project, he openly cast aspersions on the integrity of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who, only last week, said that Ogun State had taken a huge step in fulfilling the dreams of the forebears to have a vibrant, modern and industrious community with the cargo airport as an engine room of the nation’s economy, commerce and business, and that of the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who noted that the airport is meant to improve the socio-economic development of the people of Ogun.

“Otegbeye, presenting himself as an oracle with supernatural knowledge, cast aspersions on the senator-elect for Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, who conceived the project and on President Buhari who promised to personally commission the project once completed.


“It is clear that a candidate playing ping-pong with the destiny of Ogun people should not be given access to power, as he is clearly bereft of ideas.

“Just how can a governorship candidate, because of mere lust for power, condemn the creation of a heteropolis (complete airport city) fitted with a special agro-processing zone, with factories where raw materials could be turned into final products for export, and complemented with the first international testing centre where goods would be evaluated for export?

“Is Otegbeye saying that he is unaware that the AFROEXIM Bank has begun the construction of the first African International Testing Centre here in Sagamu; a centre where items for export would be evaluated and approved for export via the cargo airport?

“Is he unaware of the fact that the location is already booming with activities, as the Nigeria Customs Service and private agencies have already booked their individual space in the place? Is he unaware of the fact that the Kajola Dry Port will become operational in a few months time?”

The statement urged the Ogun State electorate to reject Otegbeye at the governorship polls on Saturday and re-elect Governor Abiodun in order to keep enjoying life-changing projects in the state.

Ogun 2023 : Hiding under fictitious state workers to smear Abiodun won't stop his re-election--Group


A socio-political organisation in Ogun State, the Gateway Tower, has described as pure fabrication, a story credited to some individuals parading themselves as Ogun workers and campaigning against Governor Dapo Abiodun's second bid.


The group asserted that those behind the fake news were frustrated politicians afraid of the intimidating and stellar performance of Governor Dapo Abiodun in the last four years.


This was contained in a press statement signed by Jacob Adigun and Kemi Ilori, the Coordinator and Publicity Secretary, respectively.



According to the statement, contrary to the smear campaign by the fictitious and faceless workers, the majority of civil servants in the State are grateful to the governor on several pro-workers policies and the exceptional welfare package for the work force.


It asserted that the thinking of the propagandists is backward and primitive, adding that by all standards and principles, civil servants in Ogun are responsible and highly cerebral , and beyond such divisive tendencies.


"We consider as laughable and lacking logic, the smear campaign by failed political players in the State led by a despotic and megalomaniac former Governor of the State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.


"It is obvious that Amosun and his co-travellers have become jittery and intimidated by the larger than life personality of Prince Dapo Abiodun and his style of governance, which had endeared many of the electorate to him, especially the civil servants.



"Indeed, this story is nothing but the hallucination of drowning politicians. To set the records straight, nothing of such emanated from any civil servants in the State.


"As a matter of fact, all civil servants are ready to reciprocate the good leadership and inclusive governance of Governor Dapo Abiodun come March 11, and massively vote for his reelection to continue his good deeds.


"We indeed understand the plight of these individuals behind the propaganda; we, therefore, advise them to change their ways before nemesis catches up with them", the statement read.

The politically motivated protest in Sagamu.


Early this morning, a politically motivated violent protest took place in Sagamu during which innocent people, banks and public infrastructures were attacked by some disgruntled members of the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose members and some of the party’s candidates were seen leading the demonstration.

While the protests was purportedly against the “scarcity of naira notes”, the real intention of these elements became obvious with the involvement of the known PDP members.

It is on record that the campaign tour of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which moved through Simawa to Ogijo and back to Sagamu, where two road were commissioned yesterday, ended without any hitch. The APC rally was attended by tens of thousands of people at different locations, lasting from about 8.00 am in the morning and 8.00pm in the evening without any violence, quarrel or disagreements whatsoever.

We believe strongly that it was the success of the APC rally of yesterday that got the feeble opposition PDP frustrated and therefore made their members to embark on the mindless destruction of properties.

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has been on top of the fallouts of the naira re-design issues. The Governor had visited the Central Bank headquarters in Abeokuta and some other commercial Banks’s branches, met with the bankers forum , met with Mr President alongside with other Progressive Governors and made a state broadcast to empathize with Ogun people with a reassurance that efforts are on to ameliorate the negative impacts of the implementation of the CBN policy on the people. .

Attacks on innocent people and destruction of private and public properties cannot solve the current problem but will rather worsen the situation. Therefore, we must not allow desperate politicians to mislead members of the public and use them as cannon to vent frustration.
THIS IS NOT WHO WE ARE WE ARE OMOLUABIS . We are the MOST PEACEFUL STATE IN NIGERIA AND THE INDUSTRIAL CAPITAL OF THE COUNTRY.
Our people should exercise patience and be law abiding, while waiting to cast their votes to the party that has stood by the populace even at this critical period.
Our Law enforcement team are already investigating this unfortunate development and any persons directly or indirect culpable will face the full wrath of the law no matter how highly placed.

2023: Only prayers of the righteous can save Nigeria from collapse -Yahasalam

...says large scale crisis awaits Nigeria after polls.

An Islamic Scholar and founder of Harmonized Vigilante Group, Alhaji Hussein Yahasalam, has raised alarm over what he termed an impeding crisis in Nigeria during and after the presidential election slated for Saturday, 25th February, 2023.

He opined that going by what he saw ahead through a spiritual exercise, the continuity and survival of Nigeria after the 2023 election is so much in doubt, adding that the presidential election might mark the inglorious end of Nigeria .

The Islamic Scholar made this known during a phone interview with newsmen on Monday in Ede, Osun State.

The security expert, however, stressed that the only panacea to the imminent post-election chaos is fervent prayer and supplication by genuine clerics from both religion of Islam and Christianity.

Yahasalam, further warned politicians from across the country to desist from dangerous comments and acts that could trigger unimaginable implosion and truncate the emerging democracy in Nigeria, as he implored the teeming Nigerian citizenry to be careful and watchful.

In his words:" What I saw about the coming presidential election was scary and dangerous; is either the election fails to hold as a result of large scale crisis or the poll fails to produce a winner, with attendant crisis of unimaginable dimensions that will ultimately truncate our democracy and destroy our corporate existence.

"The only solution I could see is the quick spiritual intervention of genuine men and women of God, otherwise, Nigeria is heading towards political ditch in the coming days".

Speaking on the political debacle in Osun, following the gubernatorial election of July 16th, 2022, Yahasalam said the judiciary and the presidency must exercise caution on the issue, saying the atmosphere in the State is sensitive as it is dicey.

"The judiciary and the presidency must be very careful on the issue of Osun, the outcome of the last governorship election truly reflected the genuine wish of the people without any controversy, so, any attempt to change the trend portends a serious danger.

"You will agree with me that Osun has been a catalyst for many political decisions and activities in Nigeria, so, any disorder in the State could affect the entire nation", he concluded.

David Hundeyin's blackmail against Gov Abiodun, exercise in futility--Group

A group, Ogun Political Watch, has described as laughable, statements credited to a blogger, David Hundeyin, describing Governor Dapo Abiodun as an ex-convict following the governor's directive to residents of the state to continue using old naira notes in line with the extant order of the Supreme Court on the issue.

It said that it was regrettable that in order to score cheap political points, Hundeyin, a social media investigator, resurrected discredited allegations made by Governor Abiodun's detractors in their failed bid to scuttle his bid for a second term of office.

The group made this declaration in a statement released by its secretary, Alhaji Wahab Adeyemi, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

It noted that Governor Abiodun's declaration that he was never convicted for any offence in the United States and has never changed his name have never been disproved by anyone.


It wondered how Governor Abiodun's resolve to uphold the principle of separation of powers, rule of law and sanctity of the apex court in the land became an insurrection plot as alleged by the discredited blogger whose penchant for blackmail and yellow journalism is legendary.


The group said: "It is unconscionable and criminal for bloggers to make unfounded allegations on social media with intent to cause disaffection among the citizenry, then cry foul when invited by the security agencies to substantiate those allegations.


"Hundeyin, serial blackmailer and criminally minded youth who has been credibly accused of blackmailing his own wife, who he "married" and divorced at 28 by his own admission, resorted to the already discredited antic of using a badly photoshopped image of Governor Abiodun to make his libelous tweet for which he should be ready for legal recompense.


"As already pointed out many times, a close look at the picture in question reveals two lines on the right, one for the passport and one for the other line, while a finger is clearly visible on the left.

"Apart from the fact that checks in the office of the District Attorney and in courts at the purported jurisdictions of the crime put a lie to the claims of Abiodun’s detractors, the circulating image was nothing but concocted documents superimposed on Governor Abiodun’s younger picture, probably taken from his old passport.


"To please his social media mob, Hundeyin habitually makes sundry but utterly ridiculous allegations against public officials, giving the impression that he is superior to the true journalists in Nigerian newsrooms, some of whom had been practising before he was born.


"He regales the country with fantabulous tales of subjects like June 12, causing the actual participants in the crises to look at him with utter contempt. He thinks himself to be a super investigator superior to the police and DSS!

"This is the same criminal who claimed that the hero of Nigeria's democracy, Bashorun MKO Abiola, a man whose source of living was known to all, including the United States government which testified to the cleanness of his wealth, was a drug dealer!

"We make bold to say that David Hundeyin, who is on record ridiculing his own mother on Twitter, would not last a week in a reputable media house; his office is social media where he purveys falsehood."

Gov. Abiodun to shut commercial banks rejecting old naira notes



Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has warned that the State government would shut down any Commercial Banks operating in the state that refused to accept old naira notes.


The warning is sequel to complains received from the people by the state government that commercial banks and some filling stations are rejecting the old naira notes as legal tender.


The governor spoke on Tuesday while addressing market men and women at Itoku Kampala market in Abeokuta, as part of his reelection campaign to Abeokuta North Local Government Areas.


Abiodun , who frowned at the action of the banks, noted that since the new naira notes was not available, commercial banks must accept the old notes to ease the suffering of the people.


He called on the people to remain calm, assuring that his government was working assiduously to ensure that the present situation was brought under control.


Speaking on the epileptic power supply affecting the market, the governor assured that he would reach out to the appropriate authority to improve on the power supply to the market.


Abiodun added that the controversy surrounding the non-issuance of documents to some shop owners at the market would be addressed.


He promised that some of the outstanding issues currently affecting the market would be given a priority during his second term in office.


The governor appreciated the traders for their support so far, imploring them to vote all the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25 and March 11 election.


The governor promised that 200 market men and women would benefit from the government's loan arrangement, saying that the Oko Owo Dapo scheme would be extended to them.


Abiodun expressed dismay that the transformer given to the market was not functioning effectively and directed that new ones be brought to the market immediately.


Addressing the people at the Mokola-Elega Under Bridge, Abiodun stated that his administration would complete the road during his second term, calling for their maximum support in the elections.




The Otun Iyaloja of Itoku, Mrs Simbiat Oyetola, commended the governor for the boreholes provided in the market, urging the governor to assist the traders in resolving the problem of epileptic power supply.

Dear Sir,

MR PRESIDENT, RUN O!

The whole town has been agog and the media space filled with news about certain elements in the Aso Rock Villa allegedly working to truncate the presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and, by extension, the victory of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the upcoming general elections.

Top leaders of our party, who should know, insist that these people called “cabal” are within the Villa, while some other top leaders, equally acknowledged the existence of the members of this amorphous cabal outside the Villa. The discernible and inevitable conclusion, therefore, is that these people are within and outside our party!

Mr. President sir, there is a popular expression in Nigerian comedy skits, which is: “Run o!” Mr. President, I say: RUN O!

The people ganging up to frustrate Asiwaju Tinubu’s feasible and imminent victory at the polls are actually gunning for you and not basically against Asiwaju. Please Mr. President, RUN O!

The whole world knows that you cannot be pushed around sir. The world knows that you are genuinely committed to Nigeria, the world knows you are nobody’s pawn. The “cabal” has painfully tolerated you for about eight years and, therefore, feverishly dreads the emergence of another President that cannot be pushed around, dictated to or be manipulated for their ulterior objectives.

Sir, you are aware the flamboyant exhibitors of wealth went low-key after your emergence; and the rat race, car racing and demonstration of opulence on the streets and highways of Abuja have become a thing of the past. Sir, some of these people initially parked their private jets outside of the country. Your reforms and achievements are what they now want to reverse and undo in a way to spite you. Mr. President: RUN O!

Never in history have such highly placed people and politicians, especially in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) been so exposed. The hitherto untouchables were not only touched but also scorched. Many abandoned their mansions in prime locations of Abuja or had them taken over by the emboldened Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during your tenure.

Recall that the EFCC found $38m, £27,000 N23m abandoned in Ikoyi by unknown owners. On March 14, 2017, at the Kaduna International Airport, N49m was abandoned! The many of the collective patrimony of the Nigerian people auctioned by these people have been recovered by your administration. Sir, these people want a return to the status quo, they want to continue business as usual, they want to take their pound of flesh on you sir, like a baby whose feeding bottle has been taken away for long longing to bite the breast.

They are much aware that Asiwaju Tinubu as President will stand by you, protect you, defend you, not out of exceptional favour, but because he will not allow your name to be rubbished by people who are not qualified to lace your shoes in terms of integrity and commitment to the Nigerian project.

Mr. President sir, your landmark infrastructural achievements in eight years, though not too publicized, will however, live long after your departure from office. So, the only way to get at you and destroy your legacy, in their warped, self-serving clandestine calculations, manipulations and shenanigans, is to stop the person that is best placed to continue your legacy. That person, undoubtedly, is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It is true that Asiwaju Tinubu wants to be President of Nigeria and deservedly so, but the destinies of too many people, in fact, millions of people, are tied to Nigeria continuing on the path of reforms and recovery, and not in going back to Egypt where people unabashedly said they collected hundreds of millions of naira for prayers from the $1billion money meant for arms and ammunitions to fight insurgency; where people claimed in broad daylight that they took N500m to pay amorphous journalists and media owners from the funds meant for purchase of arms and ammunition to fight Boko Haram.

Mr. President sir, the Northern Governors who are unitedly, courageously and commendably clamouring for power shift to the south after eight years of your presidency, are your die-hard followers who are aware that those planning to stop Asiwaju’s presidency will not only come after you, but will also come after them, the Northern Governors. Their major sin will be that they supported Buhari.

My dear President it is not about Tinubu. It is about you. Mr. President RUN O!

-Tunde Oladunjoye
February 5, 2023

Tinubu's presidency is non-negotiable - Otunba Yemisi Oladeji

A Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State and former Governorship aspirant, Otunba Yemisi Oladeji, has declared that the presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would come to fruition with utmost certainty.

The ICT expert opined that going by the antecedents, competence and strength of character of Tinubu, the APC Presidential candidate remains a candidate to beat in any contest, describing him as an " African political juggernaut".

Oladeji, made this known at the sidelines of the APC Presidential rally held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Thursday.

He explained that beyond sentiment and predilection, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu posseses the requisite capacity and acumen to provide responsible and responsive leadership to Nigeria.

According to him, the knowledge and perspectives of functional economy and sustainable development is what Nigeria needs at this critical time, saying Tinubu by his background and training perfectly matches that requirement.

The Otunba of Iresi kingdom further asserted that the impressive turnout of Osun electorates at the rally signified unanimous resolve among the people of the State to massively vote Tinubu as the next President of Nigeria.

In his words:" Can't you see the mammoth crowd that came out to endorse the candidacy of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu today in Osun, despite the shenanigans of PDP's temporary presence at the corridor of power in the State, the people are absolutely resolute to vote Asiwaju as our next President.

"This should not come as a surprise to any of us, especially people like us who are close to him and painstakingly follow his steps; the man Tinubu is a juggernaut of highest regards.

"His unprecedented accomplishments in Lagos can never be over-emphasized, in which his landmark remains a model for development across the country in all the critical sectors of economy.

"Many analysts around the world have adjudged him as the leading political figure in Africa. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu indeed knows the way and shows the way to his teeming followers and Nigerians at large.

"Obviously, the victory of Asiwaju in the forthcoming presidential election is completely non-negotiable, he remains the candidate to beat anytime in all ramifications.

"Every individual that matters in Nigeria today supports Tinubu out of implicit conviction; from north to the south and in all communities of our nation-state. We shall indeed laugh last after February 25th".

Speaking on the conspiracy of some cabals in the Presidency to frustrate the presidential ambition of Tinubu, as alleged by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai, Oladeji said it is all " macabre dance of the century ", adding that no individual or group of people can prevent the former Lagos Governor from becoming Nigerian President.

"Forget it, Tinubu is a moving train with the speed of light, nobody, I repeat, nobody can thwart his ambition, he is an ordained leader from above. E lo fokan bale", he posited.