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Ogun APC unveils Campaign Council, as Governor Abiodun inaugurates Campaign Secretariat

The Ogun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to inaugurate the State Campaign Secretariat and unveil the membership of the various directorates under the State Campaign Council.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday and signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Tunde Oladunjoye, the party stated that the simultaneous inauguration of the Campaign Secretariat and unveiling of the Chairman, Director General, Deputy Director General, Secretary and members of the State Campaign Council will hold on Saturday, December 10, 2022 by 10am.

“Our new, ultra modern and colourfully branded state campaign secretariat, which will also serve as the Asiwaju/Shetima presidential campaign office in Ogun State, will be inaugurated by the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his capacity as the Ogun State Coordinator of APC-Presidential Campaign Council”, the statement added.

The party commends all party leaders, members and supporters for their efforts so far and assured of all-embracing, issued-based campaign, while urging members to “leave no stone unturned in ensuring overwhelming victory for all APC candidates in our agenda to continue to build our future together”.

The statement reads further: “We are very proud of the numerous achievements of our leader and gubernatorial candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in all the sectors of the economy; health -especially in the containment of Covid 19 pandemic despite sharing of boundary with Lagos, the epic centre; Housing- construction of about 1,500 housing units in different parts of the state, which in an unprecedented manner, have been oversubscribed; ongoing construction of the Agro-Cargo Airport, construction and reconstruction of at least a road in each of the 20 local government areas of the state, construction/reconstruction of flagship roads like the Ijebu Ode-Mojoda-Epe Road, Sagamu-Abeokuta Road, Atan-Lusaka-Agbara Road, and many more; provision of funding, inputs and specialised services to farmers, and so on”.

“Governor Abiodun’s sterling performance has been attested to by local, national and international bodies with various credible awards including the recent award of Excellence in Public Service for Industrial Revolution presented by President Muhammadu Buhari; and Governor of the Year by Vanguard Newspaper and Leadership Newspaper. We are very confident that Ogun people will re-elect Governor Dapo Abiodun having delivered on his electoral promises,” the statement concluded.

... declare support for Gov Abiodun's second term bid



Dr. Leke Otegbeye, a scion of the Otegbeye's family in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State and son of the legendary politician, Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).


The former gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he joined the APC and will lead campaign for Prince Dapo Abiodun’s reelection because he was convinced that if his father was alive "he would be in the progressives fold".

Otegbeye, who led other leaders and stalwarts of the African Democratic Party (ADC) to the ruling party told newsmen after meeting with Governor Abiodun at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, that he and the former ADC members identified the personal qualities of the governor and his style of governance, hence, their decision to join the APC.

"I see His Excellency as a cool, calm and collected individual and a man one will be a delight to work with. His is a compassionate person who has the capacity to lead and it will be good to align with somebody who can lead people in the right direction.

"Apart from me, I am bringing people of like minds and of high integrity who are ready and willing to add value to the party and work for its success.

"We have seen what the governor is doing across the state and I must say he is doing very well. As you know, government is a continuum and we are certain that he is going to do even better. From where he started, he has done a great job and I believe if given another opportunity, he will continue and enhance what he has done so far", Otegbeye stated.

The former ADC chieftain lauded the governor for keeping his promise of even distribution of developmental projects to all parts of the state, noting that the current administration has been able to touch all sectors of the economy in the last three and a half years in the saddle.

On the timing of their decamping to the ruling party, Otegbeye said: "Sometimes it takes time to measure decisions, so once you make the decision, it stands. I am a progressive and if there is any where I should be, I should align with the APC as a progressive. I think that is where I belong".

A member of the extended Otegbeye family, Biyi, is the candidate of ADC that was recently stopped by a court order from contesting the governorship ticket.

Responding, the Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters, Tunji Egbetokun, described the former ADC members as men and women of proven integrity and responsibility who have seen the light and decided to take a stand with the progressives in the state.

He commended them for choosing to align with the ruling party and work towards its total victory in the 2023 general election.

Welcoming the defecting ADC members into his campaign train, Gov. Dapo Abiodun said "it is always good to appreciate good deeds. I assure you that you will be treated as equal stakeholders in the APC".

He thanked Dr. Otegbeye for honouring the memory of his late father by identifying with the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership and accountability in politics.

"We want to assure you that you will be treated with decorum and we will not disappoint you in any form.

"If the ultimate goal is for the welfare, well-being and wellness of our people across the length and breadth of Ogun State is your driving force to join us, you are welcome to join the winning streak of our building our future together", he concluded

Coming shortly after his recent national award for Excellence in Governance, Industrial Revolution category, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has been named by the popular Leadership Newspaper as “LEADERSHIP Governor of the Year 2022.”

In a letter of official notification and invitation to the annual Leadearship Conference and Award, addressed the o the Governor and dated November 28, 2022, signed by the Senior Vice Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of the Leadership newspaper, Mr. Azubuike Ishekwene, Governor Abiodun was singled out for the award “for maintaining a steady pace of development and for execution of people-oriented projects across Ogun State, resisting the temptations of abandoning uncompleted projects initiated by your predecessor who did everything possible to thwart your ambition”

The award letter read in part: “On behalf of LEADERSHIP Group, I have the pleasure to convey to you the decision of our Nomination and Selection Committee which met for this purpose to choose you as the LEADERSHIP Governor of the Year 2022.

“Amid several nominees with excellent credentials, you have been selected for this prestigious award for maintaining a steady pace of development, execution of people-oriented projects across Ogun State, resisting the temptations of abandoning uncompleted projects initiated by your predecessor who did everything possible to thwart your ambition; for keeping all your electioneering promises as encompassed in the ISEYA and ensuring adequate security and peaceful coexistence among all ethnic groups across the state, the selection board found you most qualified as LEADERSHIP Governor of the year 2022.

Among past recipients of the award are President Muhammad Bühari; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN; former Heads of States, Gen Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd), General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd); former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; Captains of industries like Aliko Dangote; Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Dr (Mrs.) Okonjo Oweala; among others.

Leadership is a Nigerian daily national newspaper. It was established in October 2004 by Sam Nda-Isaiah, a pharmacist cum businessman and politician, and is published by Leadership Newspaper Group based in Abuja.

....says Tinubu unfit to govern



A Certified Gold member, international Security Association, Switzerland and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Jackson Lekan Ojo, has thrown his weight behind the presidential ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, describing him as a man with requisite capacity and experience to govern Nigeria.

He said though, he is a member of APC and Tinubu, being a Yoruba man is his leader and brother, however, his pattern and style of politics go beyond political party and ethnicity, adding that he has been attacking Tinubu in the recent past based on conviction.

Ojo made this known on Saturday while fielding questions from newsmen over the phone, arguing that Atiku would bring about inclusive leadership for Nigeria and Nigerians with significant turn-around.

According to the APC chieftain, the selfish and domineering tendencies of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu made the APC National leader to loose amalgam of his followers, including Rauf Aregbesola, Muiz Banire and many others, as he insisted that the APC presidential hopeful has not supported the cause of the Yoruba people in any way.

He said:" I am solidly behind Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP as the next President of Nigeria; he is the best man for the job. He possesses necessary competence to change the present situation of Nigeria.

"My type of politics is beyond ethnicity and party affiliation, while I see Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as my leader and brother, I considered his leadership style and political ideology as too egocentric and self-centered; such tendency can not move this nation forward.

"Unlike the way Igbo leaders supported one of their own, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, irrespective of difference in ideology and states, Bola Tinubu ignored Sunday Igboho, while his followers maligned and lampooned Prof. Akintoye and his group of Yoruba nation agitators, so, I can't consider Tinubu on ethnic ground".

Speaking on his present relationship with Hon. Wole Oke, Ojo said '', Wole Oke is my brother any day any time, despite some differences between us in the past, which made me to attack him constantly, all that have changed now, we are now together on this project, he is one of the major factors that made me to support Atiku asides Atiku's experience and competence.

"I led Wole Oke's campaign to victory in 2014/2015 election, he is a great man with satisfactory humility and large heart, we are going to assiduously mobilize for him to emerge as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives by God grace".

On the level of preparedness of INEC, the leading security expert said INEC is well prepared and commended the commission for recording great improvement in the electoral process, which has made rigging and other forms of electoral malpractices very difficult.

He, however called on the Federal Government to strengthen the Nigeria's security architecture with adequate and equiped security personnel, coupled with tactical dialogue with all agitators across Nigeria to create peaceful atmosphere for credible election.

_Describe him as Emeritus Governor_

The State Publicity Secretaries of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in the South West zone have described the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON as an Emeritus Governor who served both his state and country meritoriously.

The team of publicists visited Fayemi in his Ado Ekiti private residence at the weekend, where they urged the ex-Ekiti helmsman not to relent in giving more of himself to Nigeria and humanity as a whole, despite his serving out his two-term as a governor as statutorily required

They described as patriotic and statesmanlike the decision of the ex-Governor to drop his ambition to rule the country, and pulled his political weight behind Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who eventually emerged as the party's presidential candidate.

It would be recalled that the former minister of solid minerals made a surprise withdrawal from the presidential primary of the APC, and declared support for Senator Tinubu, and has since been working assiduously to ensure his (Tinubu's) victory at the 2023 presidential poll.

Responding, Dr. Fayemi assured his visitors that he was ready to be at the forefront of campaigns to ensure victory for the candidates of his party in the 2023 general election.

Dr. Fayemi, who made history as the first governor to handover to a successor in Ekiti State, warned that Nigeria should *not* be allowed to fall into wrong hands.

"We should do everything possible to ensure the nation continues its journey along the path of stability, prosperity and greatness", he added.

The former Chairman, Nigeria Governors' Forum continued: "As a progressive party, populated by resourceful and passionate patriots, we must ensure that no stone is left unturned to mobilize support for our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is clearly the best among the pack of those seeking to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in office come May 2023. We have the wherewithal to run a successful campaign for our presidential and other candidates. The presidential election, in particular, is ours to lose."

Highpoint of the courtesy visit was the proclamation of the immediate past Ekiti State helmsman as an Emeritus Governor on account of his high-profile stewardship, characterised by numerous achievements and enviable record of service to the country.

The party publicists at the meeting included Hons Tunde Oladunjoye (Ogun), Segun Dipe (Ekiti), Alex Kalejaye (Ondo), Adunola Oyewole (Osun), Olawale Sadare (Oyo) while Seye Oladejo (Lagos) was unavoidably absent.

I joined many of your admirers and loved ones around the globe to celebrate you on your special day.

Indeed, the journey of life has been intrinsically awesome and fascinating, for an impeccable personality like you with blue blood from an ancient town of Ire, Osun State.

Your enviable traits of humility, calmness and tolerance are profound legacies for coming generations, as there is an undisputable consensus that you are a great blessing to your generation.

Sir, as you add another year to your existence, I wish you more fulfilled years ahead in sound health. May you live to see your great grandchildren in abundant joy and happiness.

Happy birthday, Sir.

Olaniyi Olabode Ajibola

.....says such fake news belittles Nigeria's political class


A Civil Society Organization, Advocacy for Advancement of Peace & Harmony in Africa Initiative (ADAPHAI) has called on the Federal Government, through the office of Inspector General of Police and other Federal Security agencies, to quickly apprehend those behind the fake news against Governor Douye Diri, of Bayelsa State, concerning the alleged nude video leak of a South African legislator.

It argued that the notion behind the propaganda is not only a deliberate attack on the personality of the governor and the good people of Bayelsa, it also portrays the Nigeria's ruling class in bad light and denigrates the Nigerian nation as a corporate entity.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the National Coordinator of the Organization, Comrade Sulaimon Suberu, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

Suberu, insisted that the brain behind the fake Facebook Account where the story emanated and it's sponsors must quickly be made to face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to others with such wicked and unpatriotic tendencies, saying if such dangerous lies could be said against a decent and focused governor like Douye Diri, every other political leader is greatly vulnerable.

According to him, security agencies must be proactively monitor social media content during this political season to prevent unscrupulous elements from heating up the polity and cause serious crisis as 2023 elections draw near.

The CSO, however, implored the Bayelsa State Governor not to be discouraged and distracted by such shenanigans from enemies of development and good governance but to be focused and never look back in his decisive move to build a new Bayelsa.

The statement read in part: "As a reputable organization with mandate to propagate peaceful co-existence and non-violent culture in Africa, we considered as shocking and bizarre, the fake news concocted to smear the personality of Governor of Bayelsa State and distract him from his developmental drive in the State.

"This is not only a dangerous trend in our polity as we approach the general elections in 2023, it also denigrates our nation and it's leadership; hence, the urgent need to get those involved arrested and bring them to book as a way of nipping such unpatriotic move in the bud in the nearest future

"It is instructive for political players to play politics according to the rule of engagement and be decent. The institution must rise above divisive tendencies of this type.

"It is quite inconceivable and unimaginable that any individual could link a decent and clearheaded leader like Douye Diri of Bayelsa State with this type of obscene act of high criminality.

"It is indeed very unfortunate that Governor Douye Diri is a victim of murky and lopsided political environment, where people tend to reward good deeds with evils and go to any length to retard purposeful leadership.

"We, therefore, enjoin the governor to take this unfortunate incident in his strides and move on with his developmental drive and inclusive governance in Bayelsa.

"Meanwhile, the governor must not spare any individual spreading such satanic and fake news anywhere in the State and beyond, he must as a matter of exigency take legal action against such persons or groups".

The original slogan of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is "Arise and Shine". The slogan has been changed to " *Arise* *and* *Win* " for the purpose of gingering the teeming supporters of the party and the general populace towards a successful 2023 election campaign. The new mantra is instructive as it sends an unmistakable message to the incumbent governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, his Deputy and other political Office holders that it is time to begin to pack their their belongings so that they can easily sneak out of Oke-Mosan before 29th May 2023.

To the pretenders in power and their co-travellers, this is a huge joke. It will remain a huge joke to them until they are bundled out of power by the loud voice that Ogun State voters shall display in all the elections across board. The Biblical fall of the Wall of Jericho will be a child's play to the fall of Prince Dapo Abiodun.

More than ever before, the ADC is seriously prepared to win the Governorship election in the state. The party is now very strong, and it is proving to be the strongest of the parties in Ogun State. This is due to the passion, hardwork, determination and agility of ADC members and the ostensible weaknesses of the ruling party.

On Sunday, 6th November 2022, the ADC Governorship flagbearer, the irresistible Barrister Biyi Otegbeye, popularly called BOT by his numerous admirers in the nooks and crannies of the state, took time to reflect on the ADC slogan.

He stated: "I am sure you have had it that the slogan "Arise and Shine" is being changed to *Arise* *and* *Win* . There is a purpose for that. I think we have drawn it from Nehemiah that yes, it is important to pray, but it's also important to work. And so we do not want to rest on the rhetoric of Arise and Shine. We want to be driven by the necessity to be focused; that we are not just reaching out to shine, we are going to win". Wow! Applause to the master communicator.

Otegbeye is a leader with sound mind and of profound political communication; his intellectual capacity and pedigree is inspirational and enviable for coming generations of youths, having graduated from a first generation university at the age of 20. He had applied to read Mass communication in the varsity only to be admitted by God's design for Insurance - a field that he has made unfathomable impact.

Again, as God will have it, the Insurer has been on another trail, a political trail in which he's a Trail Blazer.

Being futuristic, he told his media team at a zoom meeting August, 2022 that he is in the race to win, and that it is not tea party. Fortunately for Otegbeye, his competitors continue to bask in the euphoria of spurious endorsements at the expense of people's power.

The ADC has not officially launched its campaign, yet the fear of the party is the beginning of wisdom. But the competitors lack the wisdom required for a peaceful and unblemished campaign. Instead, they issue threats, embark on intimidation and other unbelievable methods that will definitely sound their death knell in the coming elections.

The ADC slogan is a winning slogan. God designs it to be so. It encapsulates optimism, grace, power and companionship.

Students from the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, have been commended by stakeholders in the sector for their excellent performances in innovation and creative inventions in the field of Science and Technology.

According to a statement signed by the Protocol, Media and Public Relations Officer of the institution, Sola Lawal, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Sunday, a mail was earlier sent in the month of October, 2022, by Ubelle Nigeria Limited, on behalf of Federal Ministry of Education to Polytechnics across Nigeria to submit undergraduate students’ inventions and creative innovations in the field of Science and Technology.

To this end, the Federal Polytechnic, Ede was among the few Polytechnics that submitted entries and subsequently scaled through the preliminary stage, in which four students from the institution were selected to participate in the competition, namely:

(1.) Abbey Valentine Ngozi (Mechanical Engineering Technology Department)

(2.) Afolabi Emmanuel Oluwasegun (Computer Engineering Technology Department)

(3.) Alabi Emmanuel Oluwapelumi (Electrical Engineering Technology Department)

(4.) Adeyi Adekunle Samuel (Civil Engineering Technology Department)

The team, which was led by Engr. Babatunde Emmanuel Adewumi, from the Civil Engineering Department at the end of the competition/exhibition clinched the first, second and third positions in the South-West and produced the overall best student in the South-South and South-West, in the event that was held at Vichi Gate Hotel and Suites, 72 Ihama road, GRA Benin City on 2nd November, 2022.

This exceptional feat gave the requisite leverage to Federal Polytechnic, Ede, to participate in the National competition and Grand Finale which has been billed to take place at Verabold Hotel, Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) Headquarters, Dutsen, Kubwa Express Way, Abuja on 15th November 2022.

Meanwhile, the Acting Rector of the Polytechnic, Engr Dr. Joseph Olawole Petinrin, while congratulating the contingent for the honor done to the institution, stated that his earlier admonition for total dedication and restoration of academic excellence during his maiden interactive session with members of staff of the institution is now yielding positive results.

Petinrin, therefore, charged the contingent to be good Ambassadors of the institution, in line with the motto of the citadel, which is Knowledge, Skill and Character, and come out in flying colour at the grand finale of the competition.

"On behalf of the Governing Council, management and entire staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede Osun State, congratulations to all of us", the statement quoted the Acting Rector as saying.

The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, has announced the resumption for the second semester, 2021/ 2022 academic session, slated for Saturday, , 5th November, 2022.

This was contained in a letter signed by the Establishment Affairs Officer, Elder Elkanah Aruwajoye and made available to newsmen on Thursday, by the Protocol, Media and Public Relations Officer of the institution, Sola Lawal.

According to the letter, academic activities will unfailingly commence on Monday, 7th November.

The letter read in part: '' The academic Board at it's meeting held on Thursday, 3rd November, 2022, considered and approved the academic calendar for second semester, 2021/2022 academic session, with effect from Saturday, 5th November, while lectures and other academic activities will start on Monday, 7th November, 2022.

"On behalf of the Chairman and members of the academic Board, I wish both newly admitted and returning students a crises free semester.

"The foregoing is for the information and compliance of members of staff, parents and guardians, as well as students of the Polytechnic".

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate a governorship aspirant of the party, Jimi Lawal, for allegedly forging the delegates’ list.

The PDP said the list was presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the governorship primary election held in the state.

Recall that Lawal and his supporters had rejected a delegates’ list purportedly brought from national secretariat of the party during the May 25 governorship primary of the party which produced Ladi Adebutu as the governorship candidate of the party.

Lawal, who presented another delegates’ list as the authentic list alleged that the names of the persons on the list were not democratically elected at the ward, local government and state congresses.

The party, however, claimed it discovered that Lawal had forged the delegates’ list in collusion with top officials of INEC to “deceive, manipulate and misrepresent facts.”

The party, in separate petitions by its lawyer, Oladimeji Balogun, dated Thursday, October 27, and addressed to the chairmen of the EFCC and ICPC, demanded the investigation of Lawal and some officials of INEC in the state for allegedly suppressing the authentic delegates’ list of the party.

The party in another petition, also dated Thursday October 27 and addressed to the national chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, accused the Head of Department and Party Monitoring of the state INEC and Director of Election and Party Monitoring department at INEC headquarters in Abuja of “deliberate and criminal suppression of the PDP authentic delegates’ list with a view to fraudulently substituting the original documents with an unlawful delegate result purportedly submitted by Lawal.”
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It therefore called for the investigation of the INEC officials involved in the alleged fraud.

The petition read in part, “The suppression of those documents was deliberately effected to give undue advantage to a particular aspirant who, relying on the purported fraudulent delegates’ list went ahead to institute legal proceedings against the party.”

The Coordinator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) South West Publicity Secretaries, Tunde Oladunjoye, has described the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as “someone who could not manage his party, let alone the entire country”.


In a reaction to an interview with Atiku’s media man, Dele Momodu, published in the Saturday Tribune, Oladunoye remarked that Atiku “cannot give what he doesn’t possess”. According to Oladunjoye, “a leader of a party who cannot unify his crises-ridden party cannot unify Nigeria. His claim of being a ‘unifier’ is nothing but a mere populist sloganeering. Let his charity begin at home”.

The spokesperson, who is also a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council“Till now, Atiku has neither denied his very inciting statement at Arewa Forum in Kaduna, nor apologise. That shows he is an unapologetic ethnic bigot”, Oladunjoye added.


On the prediction that Atiku will win states in the South West, Oladunjoye said: “Dele Momodu has lost touch with reality. He probably didn’t know the South West he was dreaming that Atiku will win. Anyway, he has to say something just to promote his candidate. ”

“In terms of experience, the dynamics involved in managing a State like Lagos, the 4th largest economy in Africa, are quite big and incomparable with Atiku’s vice presidency. With the successes achieved by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed in Lagos, his legacies that are still lasting, Atiku actually have a lot to learn from Asiwaju on management of diverse human and material resources.”

“While Momodu said that Atiku was the Vice President of the country when Nigeria’s debt was written off, he should have also pointed out that under the watch of Atiku, the country’s prized assets, companies and so on, were auctioned at ridiculous prices to people alleged to be cronies of the former vice president”

The Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State has announced the appointment of an Acting Rector, Engr. Dr Joseph Olawole Petinrin, following the expiration of the tenure of outgoing Rector, Dr. John Adekolawole.

This was announced by the Chairman, Governing Council, Air Cmdr Emmanuel Jekada mni Phd, at an interactive session with members of staff and subsequently communicated to the Polytechnic community through a letter signed by the Registrar & Secretary to the Governing Council, Alhaji Isiaka Tunji Agboola, the copy, which was made available to the newsmen by the Protocol, Media & Public Relations Officer, Sola Lawal, on Friday, in Osogbo.

According to the letter, the appointment takes effect from 3rd November, 2022 and lasts till the appointment of a substantive Rector or for a period of six months.

The statement read in part:" Sequel to the election for the position of the Acting Rector and in line with the provisions of the Federal Polytechnic (Amended) Act 2019. I am pleased to inform you that the Governing Council of the Polytechnic has approved your appointment as the Acting Rector of the Polytechnic, with effect from 3rd November, 2022, pending the appointment of a substantive Rector or for a period of six months , whichever comes first''.

Recall that Petinrin, until his appointment was a Deputy Rector, Academics, from the Department of Electrical , Electronics Engineering of the Polytechnic.

By Tunde Oladunjoye

As the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, unveiled his campaign manifesto tagged "Renewed Hope 2023" last Friday in Abuja, it can be rightly posited that, now, the fireworks have been ignited.

Campaigns, to many politicians, is like a youtube war. And everything is said to be fair in war! News and information as well as fake news and misinformation have been deployed by Asiwaju's opponents since he made public his intention to vie for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after a consultative visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, January of this year.

Today, Asiwaju Tinubu, who served as Lagos State Governor between 1999 and 2007, is unarguably the most talked-about politician in Nigeria. Not surprisingly too, the APC's Tinubu/Shettima ticket has the largest number of support groups in the political history of Nigeria. Therefore, whatever Asiwaju does, says, or even gesticulates becomes the trending topic.

Every move of his is watched; speeches quoted and misquoted; proverbs reported and misreported. Like the saying of a popular brand: “Everywhere you go,” it is Asiwaju; negative and positive.

His recent trip outside the country generated so much noise to the extent that some obituary copy-writers were already getting set! As this piece was being written, the presidential flag bearer of a major opposition party was out of the country for whatever reasons, but no one seems to bother. Other presidential candidates move regularly in and out of the country but hardly can you hear people talk about them. In fact, a prominent presidential candidate lives virtually in Dubai and no eyebrow is raised about it.

Even satanic death wishes are not ruled out of the political shenanigans by these desperate opposition politicians and their cheeky supporters. As Asiwaju was meeting with the business community leaders in Kano State last Saturday, the mercenaries of doom, in their wild and weird hallucinations, saw him collapsing in Lagos and being rushed to Abuja!

One needs to wonder too far why all these deliberate, mischievous, unending, willful and vexatious attacks on Asiwaju Tinubu. It is simply because Asiwaju is a ripen orange that attracts the stones. He is the most popular candidate. He is the candidate to beat. He has the best records to showcase among all other leading candidates. In him you have a contender squaring up against pretenders.

The fear of Asiwaju’s electoral victory is so real that electrifying and mumbling shivers have colonized the spines of opposition leaders and their supporters alike. Or, how will you describe a state governor saying on a national television that Nigeria will break up if APC/Asiwaju wins the 2023 elections? This is desperation at its peak! And coming from a state chief executive, you can now wonder why not a few people continue to oppose the idea of creation of state police.

Ironically, Asiwaju is busy contacting, consulting, mobilizing and strategizing. He has urged his supporters not to hurl insults at opponents. He has appealed to followers and voters in general to use their PVCs to vote for him on Election Day. In his statesmanly words: “We shall not be hurling abuses at rival political parties. We don’t need it; we are smarter, we are brilliant, we are courageous. We are not like them. Why do we have to worry about them? But just wait for the calendar, the day of the voting.”

And as one of Asiwaju’s countless mentees and official musician of the APC, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1), sang instructively: “E ma se ba won ja, ibo ni’e di o (Do not fight with them, just vote).

-Tunde Oladunjoye (oladunjoyelo@gmail.com)
October 25, 2022

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has felicitated the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on the award of excellence for industrial revolution presented to him over the weekend by the President of the Federal Republic, President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Saturday and signed by the Chairman of APC in Ogun State Chief Yemi Sanusi, the party described the award conferred on Governor Abiodun “as most deserving and coming at the right time.”

Last Friday, at a ceremony held inside the conference hall of the Presidential Villa, Prince Dapo Abiodun along with 43 other prominent Nigerians and governors, including former President, Goodluck Jonathan, were honoured with various awards of excellence in public service.

Chief Sanusi remarked that “the award could not have come at a better time than now when our governor is about to launch his campaign for a second term in office. The award is no doubt, a confirmation of Your Excellency’s sterling performance and excellent strides in good governance and delivery of the dividends of democracy in all sectors of our economy “.

The party urged the Governor not to rest on his oars: “We urge you not to rest on your oars sir, in your determination to continue to serve our dear state. Your best is yet to come sir”.

The governor has, in the last three and a half years, been credited with superlative performances in the area of investments in agriculture, road infrastructure, ICT, urban renewal, the building of an Agro-allied Airport, and security of life and property.

The latest award, coming on the heels of the recent confirmation by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that Ogun State, with 100.9bn revenue profile in 2021, is one of the states with the highest internally generated revenue nationwide, coming only after Lagos, the FCT and Rivers State; is expected to further spur the Ogun governor to achieve greater heights in governance.

The award was being organised by The Best Strategic Media (TBS) in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary General of the Federation.

-End-

Tunde Oladunjoye
State Publicity Secretary
oladunjoyelo@gmail.com

...AS COURT DISMISSES SIUT WITH N6M PENALTY*

The Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta has dismissed a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, Hon Oladipupo Adebutu and Peoples Democratic Party challenging the nomination of Hon. Adekunle Akinlade as the Peoples Democratic Party Deputy Governorship nominee and awarded a total fine of 6 Million Naira as cost in favour of the defendants.

The APC through their counsel Barr. Abeeb Adewale Ajayi filled a suit with number FHC/AB/CS/149/22 claiming that Hon Akinlade was not duly nominated as the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate for 2023 election, the suit contained an affidavit signed by the APC Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye.

APC prayed the court to compel INEC to disqualify PDP from presenting a candidate for the 2023 gubernatorial elections on the ground that Hon. Akinlade contested the APC primary before moving to the PDP.

However, the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta presided over by Justice Joyce Obehi Malik after hearing the arguments of the counsels to the defendants led by Chief Mike Ozakhome, SAN and Prof. A. Amuda Kannike, SAN; others counsel for the defendants include Chief Emeka Okpokiri,SAN; Isiaka Olagunju, SAN, KadiriAsamah, SAN and Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN.

In his argument, Ozakhome urged the court to dismiss the suit inspite of the hurried notice of discontinuance filed by the APC when it knew it has lost the case. He argued further that the case had come up on four occasions for argument, issues had been filed by all parties, citing several appellate courts decisions; Ozakhome finally urged the court to dismiss the suit.

Delivering her judgement, Justice Malik agreed with Ozakhome and dismissed the suit and awarded heavy costs of 2 Million Naira each in favour of all the defendants; Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade and Peoples Democratic Party respectively. The court further warned that parties should desist from approaching the court with frivolous matters.

This judgement has again proved that the PDP is a law abiding political party that is prepared to bring succor and rescue Ogun State from the shackles of bad leadership meted on the good people of Ogun State by the APC.

This suit filed by APC further shows the desperation of the ruling party to work against having PDP candidates on the ballot in addition to sponsoring dissidents in PDP.

Our party members, supporters and the good people of Ogun State should remain calm and focused as we are gradually approaching the light at the end of the tunnel. We are sure of victory and surmounting all the hurdles.

Signed
Afolabi Orekoya
Director of Media, Ladi Adebutu & Akinlade Campaign Organization

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State has withdrawn the suit filed against the Independent National National Electoral Commission (INEC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it’s former governorship and deputy governorship candidates, Hon. Ladi Adebutu and Hon. Tuni Akinlade respectively, who are now aspirants, at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta, Wednesday morning and signed by the Publicity Secretary of Ogun APC, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, the party explained that it was seeking for the discontinuation of the suit owing to the fact that INEC, who is the first defendant in the suit, has complied with another judgement of the same Court by refusing to recognise Adebutu and Akinlade as candidates of PDP.

The Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/149/2022 APC v. INEC & 3 Ors was earlier instituted against Ladi Adebutu and Akinlade when their names were initially published as governorship and deputy governorship candidates respectively. However, by Judgement of the Federal High Court in September, Adebutu and Akinlade were removed as gubernatorial candidates of the PDP in Ogun State. INEC wholly complied with that decision and when it published the national list of candidates on 4 October, 2022, did not publish any names for PDP. Even at court sitting of 13 October, 2022, PDP withdrew its motion to stay the execution of the Federal High Court judgment removing Messrs Adebutu and Akinlade. In doing so, PDP acknowledged and the court ruled that there was nothing to stay any long since INEC already complied with the order and PDP no longer has gubernatorial candidates in Ogun State.

The APC enjoins “the good people of Ogun State to continue to support the administration of Prince DAPO Abiodun that has been delivering good and unprecedented dividends of democracy across all sectors such as housing, health, transportation, infrastructure, agriculture, youth empowerment and social development.

“A disorganised, scattered and crisis-ridden party at the ward, local, state and federal levels like the PDP is totally unfit for Ogun State and cannot govern the Gateway State renowned for many firsts in different sectors of our national life”, the statement said.

“The PDP is like the Bourbons dynasty of France, they have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing”, the statement concluded.

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 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.

Obviously, if the Senate ticket had been given to DA, it would have been a smooth victory for a promising and brilliant Adekunle Akinlade, in 2019.

Thereafter, instead of addressing the pressing issues with decorum and logic, and commence aggressive mobilization towards 2023, Amosun emasculated his foot soldiers on the alter of his presidential ambition by signing off on DA second term.

The Owu-born Chartered Accountant vehemently prevented his foot soldiers from using APM to start political struggle early, only to later reprobate and attempted to use the same platform to promote his vindictive political agenda, in which he was ignominiously blocked.

Because the former Ogun State Governor now became more vulnerable after losing billions of naira on his failed presidential ambitions, he was readily available for manipulation by the likes of Amb. Sarafa Isola and others, which compelled him to pick a once recalcitrant ally, Barr. Biyi Otegbeye, an erratic political character, who snubbed him in 2018 to run on the platform of APC.

In truth and indeed, Amosun’s “choice” of ADC is nothing but a conspiracy to stop his erstwhile foot soldiers from achieving political emancipation after keeping them in suffocating political jackboot for many years.

He recently displayed strange political cowardice while publicly declaring to stop DA from getting a second term, meanwhile, his original intention is to stop PDP at all cost; that is why he is presently in bed with Jimi Lawal, Segun Sohunmi and Segun Seriki (all PDP distractors).

Putting it more succinctly, Senator Ibikunle Amosun cares less if DA wins a second term as long as PDP does not succeed, the reason why he is running around in Abuja to stop the Ladi Adebutu/ Adekunle Akinlade team, who are the real face of PDP in the State from contesting.

There is no doubt that this move is nothing but efforts in futility, it is therefore, incontestable that the PDP in the State is a moving train and highly unstoppable irrespective of the " Amosun Desperate Conspiracy", that is bound to end up in unimaginable ditch and pathetic oblivion.

Akinlaja Ajasa writes from Abeokuta.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital, has dismissed three different cases filed against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, challenging the victory of the state Governor at the party primaries conducted on May 26, 2022.

In the three cases decided, Hon Justice Joyce O Abdulmalik, dismissed the cases for various reasons ranging from lack of standing to sue, to lack of jurisdiction, incompetence, frivolity, academic exercise and being statue barred. The Judge also awarded a “joint cost” of N2 million against the litigants and in favour of APC and its candidate in each of the three cases.

In the suit instituted by Mrs Sherifat Eweje against APC and Dapo Abiodun, the Judge held that a person who did not participate in a primary election for an office cannot invoke the limited jurisdiction of the court to challenge the outcome of that primary.
The Judge remarked that Mrs Eweje bought a form for a legislative seat and did not buy a form for the Governorship. The Judge added that Mrs Eweje even withdrew her candidacy on 10 May 2022 long before she filed the suit and long before 26 May, 2022 when the Governorship primary held.

In that circumstance, the court concluded and declared that Plaintiff (Mrs Eweje) had no locus standi to bring the action. The court also held that Plaintiff's suit is statute barred because it was filed more than 14 days after the cause of action arose. Consequently, the court declared the suit incompetent and struck it out, describing all other issues raised in the case as academic issues, since the court has no jurisdiction. The Court awarded a joint costs of ₦2m in favour of 1st and 2nd Defendants for the institution of the suit.

In the second case filed by Semiu Olanrewaju Alao, the Court resolved the issue of locus standi first. The Judge found that Plaintiffs were not aspirants because by their own averments, they were not even sold delegate forms and as such, did not participate in any election whether primary or delegates elections. This meant that some of the Plaintiffs were not aspirants in the primary elections and as such did not qualify under the Constitution to file the case. The Judge then declared that the Plaintiffs who were not aspirants had no locus standi to file the case.

Regarding the singular Plaintiff who claimed to be a delegate, the Judge remarked that all the Plaintiffs acknowledged that 4th Defendant is the Chairman of 5th Defendant and yet the document that Plaintiffs showed highlighting the alleged delegate's name as a delegate was not authenticated by the said 4th Defendant as sent to the National Chairman. The court concluded that Plaintiffs' counsel failed woefully to establish that 2nd Plaintiff was a delegate and thus failed to establish the locus standi of the Plaintiffs to file the case. The court then declared the case as incompetent. A Cost of ₦2 million was awarded against Plaintiffs in favour of 1st, 4th, and 5th Defendants.

In the third case, Nuberu Olufemi Adesanya & 2 Ors v. INEC & 3 Ors, the Court cited the case of Alli Modu Sheriff v. PDP., to the effect that a political party is a voluntary club and its decisions are binding on its members who must obey the Party or leave the Party. Ruling on objections raised by APC, the court agreed that under the APC Constitution, offences against the party include filing an action against Party or its officials without first exhausting internal remedies. The court found that the purported complaint filed by Plaintiffs was misdirected as under the Party Constitution, it must start from the ward level and climb its way up. The Court held that the Plaintiff did not exhaust the internal remedy of the party and the case filed was “not justiciable.”

The court added that the parties had an obligation to exhaust internal remedies but failed to do so. Instead of submitting complaints to their wards and working those complaints up the ladder of the Party's dispute resolution structure, they rushed to court and filed cases that pertain to matters that are not justiciable, being internal affairs of APC. The court reminded the litigants that APC is a voluntary organisation and the will of the majority will prevail in APC. A joint cost of ₦2m was also awarded in favour of 1st - 3rd Defendants in the matter.

.....says Atiku possesses requisite capacity to take Nigeria to greater heights

A Certified Gold member, international Security Association, Switzerland and astute political analyst, Jackson Lekan Ojo, has described the APC's presidential hopeful in the forthcoming general elections, Bola Tinubu, as unfit with selfish political ideology.

He argued that the incessant allusion to development in Lagos always ascribed to Tinubu was a ruse, adding that Tinubu only leveraged on solid developmental foundation built by his predecessors, in persons of Jakande and Buba Marwa.

He explained that every other milestone recorded by the former Lagos State Governor was predicated on self aggrandizement and prebendal motive.

"Tinubu is not qualified to become a Nigerian President, he does not possesses the requisite credential to pilot the affairs of this country, all those achievements people talk about he recorded in Lagos were nothing but what Yoruba will call" Aluwala Ologbo".

"Every thing he did in Lagos was for self-aggrandizement and selfish tendencies. He raised the IGR of Lagos State from 600m to billions of naira and in the other hand, he brought his company as a consultant to siphon the money into private pocket at the peril of the common masses.

"Because of Tinubu neo-colonial ideology, all his former political allies had left him, including Fashola, Aregbesola, Mamura, Muiz Banire and others.

"Nigerians don't need a character like Tinubu with slavery mentality. That is why I want to implore Nigerians to rally round Atiku Abubakar and vote for him; he is the only one with necessary experience and capabilities to turn around Nigeria and liberate the people.

"Atiku was the one that built strong and reliable democratic institutions for Nigeria at the inception of this fourth republic, while Obasanjo was going around the world, Atiku was the one holding forte for him in his capacity as the Vice-president and de facto President.

"He assembled brilliant technocrats to rejig Nigeria's economy and brought about prosperity, people like Okonjo-Iweala, Charles Soludo, El-rufai, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and host of others. You can't not compare a leader of this type with Tinubu, who ruled Lagos as a Governor for 8 years to better his lot and that of his family only.

"Nigerian electorate should be wary of pretenders this time around and vote for competence", he said.

Sequel to the recent Court verdicts that pronounced the rerun of all the PDP primaries in Ogun State by Justice Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta; the National body of our party in its wisdom decided to appeal the judgements and the appeal actions were immediately taken on Friday, 30th, September, 2022.

Due to the fact that the Federal High Court Judgements were served on INEC and as a law abiding institution, INEC therefore, needed to temporarily step down the publishing of our candidates pending the determination by the Appeal Court.

While we urge our teeming supporters to remain calm and determined as ever, we need to inform them and particularly the general public that we had also filed a Stay of Execution and appealed the two judgements respectively, but due to public holiday on Monday ,3rd October,2022 to mark the 62nd Independence Day Celebration,INEC was unable to receive the notice and act accordingly.

It is worthy of note, to inform the public that the party resolved to appeal the judgements due to many lacunas identified in the verdicts delivered which may continue to linger into other legal battles especially when the hands of the opposition are seriously and adamantly involved.

We thereby appeal to the public that there is no need for panic, they should remain steadfast in the bid to rescue Ogun State from the shackles and maladministration of APC in Ogun State

We are hopeful Justice would not only be done but served timely. We urge the Courts to expedite actions through accelerated hearing, so as to restore the hope of the good people of the State.

Once again, this is an attempt to temporarily distract our numerous supporters from the resoluteness and plans for the general election that will eventually lead to the resumption of PDP to power in Ogun State but we should remain undeterred.


Signed
Afolabi Orekoya
Director Media
Ladi Adebutu/Akinlade Campaign Organisation

OAU Reunion: Accounting Dept. 2001 set embarks on massive renovation, visits Ooni

As part of the reunion programme of the 2001 set of Management & Accounting Department of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, the association has renovated several classrooms and other facilities in the Faculty of Administration.

The association, before commissioning of the renovated facilities on Saturday, paid royal homage to the palace of Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Speaking at the palace of Ooni during the visit, the outgoing President of the Association, Mr Tolulope Ogundipe, stated that it was imperative for heads of various Departments in Nigerian Universities to liaise with their former students towards assisting their alma-mater in different areas of needs, especially in the area of critical infrastructure on campus.

Ogundipe, disclosed that the association aims and objectives were to give back to the University that has served as the bedrock of their life accomplishments and growths.

He said: "We are bringing back memories of good old days and giving back to the society having undergone academic study from this great institution about 21 years ago. Our association has embarked on array of renovations in the Faculty, running into several millions of naira and which are now being used by other departments for accreditation of courses.

"It is our belief that there is no where in the world where university education is solely funded by the government, it requires collaborative efforts of every stakeholder to come together and develop their alma-mater.

" It is on that note that we, the old students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Accounting Department, 2001 set has taken the bull by the horns in assisting the university in that regard".

Ogundipe, however, appealed to ASUU leaders and federal government to as a matter urgency settle the lingering rancour to save the future of affected students and Nigeria at large.

Speaking further, the newly elected President of the association, Dr (Mrs) Tinuade Sanda, opined that the alumni association has the tradition of meeting yearly to discuss pertinent issues of concern and also give back to their alma-mater.

She maintained that for a country to survive and attain appreciable development and growth, university education must be given special attention and adequately funded.

Earlier, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi commended members of the alumni association for deeming it necessary to pay courtesy call to his palace and to give back to their alma-mater and university community, urging them not to relent in their efforts to build an egalitarian society.

He then called on other old students of various Universities across the country to emulate the good gestures of OAU Accounting department 2001 set, describing them as wonderful citizens who have excelled in various areas of human endeavors.

APC OGUN STATE CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES

In line with the timetable of activities released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the candidates for national elections (President and National Assembly) are now allowed to commence campaign activities towards the 2023 general elections.
However, to align the campaign programmes of the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State with the national campaign timetable of the Party and ensure a harmonized and orderly campaign in the State, the Executive Council of Ogun State APC is in the process of constituting its Campaign Committee. The Campaign Committee will liaise with the National Headquarters, the Presidential Campaign Council, and the Governor to draw a comprehensive campaign timetable for the State.
In the meantime, the candidates are encouraged to continue their consultations with various stakeholders, electorate and interest groups ahead of the campaign flag-off.
Consequently, the Ogun State Chapter of the Party hereby directs that all candidates wait for further directives with respect to campaign flag-off activities.
All candidates and indeed all members of the Party in the State should be guided accordingly.

Signed
Chief Yemi Sanusi
Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC)
Ogun State

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, while assuring him and other candidates of the party of victories in the 2023 general elections.

In a communique issued after the party’s monthly state executive committee meeting held on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 in Abeokuta, and signed by the secretary of the party, Prince Aderibigbe Tella, the party resolved that “a vote of confidence and endorsment is hereby
passed on the governor and leader of the party in Ogun State who is also the governorship candidate of the party,
Prince Dapo Abiodun.”

The communique also “commended all our national and state assemblies
Candidates on their preparedness for the campaigns that will culminate into success at the 2023 general elections.”

The monthly meeting presided over by the state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, expressed confidence of victory at the polls: “The party is well prepared for robust door-to-door campaigns that will lead Ogun APC to overwhelming victory at the coming general elections”, the Communique concluded.

I have not seen a single brilliant idea from the dullard called Peter Obi, except torrents of lies and inaccurate statistical figures.

The recent events show that Mr Peter Obi of Labour party is extremely clueless and deceptive. Nigerians must be wary of such pretender.uote author=Nasreports77 post=116970793]Commuters Commend Tinubu/Shettima-NAIRAXI Transit Card Initiative

Commuters across several cities in Nigeria have expressed excitements and gratitude to Tinubu/Shetima-NAIRAXI Transit Card Initiative for the free road transport services which they are currently providing. Commuters say this is coming at a time when the cost of road transportation is fast increasing and unavoidably expensive.

Speaking with one Mr. Abbah, he explained that the cost of accomodation and transportation are the major problems which Nigerians are faced with. Abbah further described the Tinubu/Shetima-NAIRAXI Transit Card initiative as a great intervention, which is really assisting several Nigerians already.

According to our reporter, the Tinubu/Shetima-NAIRAXI Transit Card initiative is currently assisting alot of Nigerians through free and subsidized transportation cost. The initiative was introduced by Nairaxi Nigeria, an Indigenous tech-powered mobility Company.

The Transit Card has been designed by Nairaxi.Nigeria to provide free and discounted transportation services to Nigerians across all her cities. It has been introduced as a preparatory initiative, ahead of the official Presidential campaign flagoff on the 28th of September 2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FSWYT0HCN4
Source: https://www.statepress.ng/2022/09/commuters-commend-tinubushettima.html?m=1[/quote]

A Civil Society Organization, Advocacy for Advancement of Peace & Harmony in Africa Initiative (ADAPHAI) has called for restrain over the process of enthronement of a new king in Oluponna, in Ayedire Local government area of Osun State, following the demise of the former Olupo of Oluponna, Oba Emmanuel Onaolapo Oyebanji, Fadare II, on January 3, 2022.

The group warned that the clandestine and lopsided path followed by some kingmakers in the town, in the process of selecting a new king through the back door would backfire and disrupt the peace of the sleepy town and Osun State at large.

ADAPHAI, in a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Sulaimon Suberu, the copy which was made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Saturday stated that there is palpable tension in the town as a result of resentment on the part of some royal lineages who felt shortchanged by the activities of the kingmakers and other stakeholders in the axis.

The group opined that by the present reality of the necessity for rotational arrangement among different royal families in the town, the recent endorsement by some kingmakers of a purported candidate from the same lineage of the immediate late monarch will throw the town into protracted anarchy.

ADAPHAI, therefore, called on the Governor of the State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola and other traditional stakeholders in the area to quickly prevail on those kingmakers to tow the path of honour and dignity and refrain from any activity that could jeorpardize the peace of the town and ultimately heat up the polity in the state.

The statement read in part: " As a reputable organization with mandate to propagate peaceful co-existence and non-violent culture among all communities in Africa, our attention has been drawn to a surreptitious process that led to the purported endorsement of a candidate to occupy the vacant stool of Oluponna, a town in Osun State, following the death of the former monarch.

"We have substantially gathered through investigation among the disenchanted family members of other royal lineages that the process was largely compromised by the kingmakers, who were alleged to have superintend a lopsided process of selection without recourse to fairness, justice and equity out of pecuniary reasons.

"We are also aware that while some royal lineages that are entitled to the throne had presented competent candidates to choose from as the next king of the town, the kingmakers unilaterally went ahead to endorse a candidate from the lineage of the immediate late king.

"Meanwhile, the aberration committed by the late king's ruling house, parading a purported candidate as Oba-elect is being done with high degree of impunity,despite several petitions by concerned royal families in the town and subsisting action in the law court against this infraction.

"It is even more worrisome that some critical stakeholders in the axis are tactically supporting this ruling house to perpetrate such huge anomaly.

"In view of this, we are concerned that this level of injustice and lopsidedness could threaten the peace of the town and bring about uncontrollable acrimony in Oluponna and Osun State at large.

"It is on that note that we call on the necessary authorities to carefully and thoroughly look into the issue and make sure that justice and equity prevail in the process of selecting a candidate to occupy the vacant stool, in order to avert impending crisis".

2023: S'West APC spokespersons congratulate Akeredolu, call for issue-based campaigns

The State Publicity Secretaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South West geopolitical zone have congratulated Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN on his appointment as the South West Coordinator for the Tinubu/Shetima Presidential Campaign Council.

At a meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Wednesday, the APC image makers resolved to “explore the advantages inherent in unity and cohesion, to maximize potentials in the interest of the party and it's candidates.”

In a statement issued and signed by the Secretary of the Conference of APC Publicity Secretaries in South West Zone, Alex Kalejaye, the body commended the appointment of the Ondo State Governor as the Zonal Director General for the Asiwaju-Shettima Presidential Campaign, and promised to cooperate with the Zonal Director General, and "other stakeholders to ensure overwhelming victory of the party in the South West in the forthcoming elections”

“We acknowledge the vocal and consistent push for the party to zone the presidency to the Southern Nigeria by Arakunrin Akeredolu and all other governors and party leaders from the zone. The appointment of Akeredolu, therefore, does not come to us as a surprise. We see it as strikingly appropriateness, and of strategic values,” the statement added.

The spokespersons called for “issue-based campaigns, devoid of fake news and hate speech, to enhance peace and harmonious relationship among ethnic leaders and stakeholders across board in the overall interest of Nigeria."

To steer its affairs, the meeting unanimously endorsed the spokesman for APC in Ogun State, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye as the Zonal Coordinator, while Hon. Alex Kalejaye of Ondo State will serve as the Secretary.

The meeting also acknowledged the parental role of the Conference of APC State Publicity Secretaries (CAPS) and promised to work in one accord with the State Publicity Secretaries of our party in all other zones of the federation.

E-signed
Alex Kalejaye,
Secretary

alexkalley@yahoo.com

A leading candidate for the Kano State House of Assembly, to represent Fagge State Constituency, Comr. Adamu Abdullahi Fagge, has reiterated his readiness to provide quality representation to the people of the constituency if elected.

Fagge, who is contesting on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP) called on youths to participate more actively in politics, adding that Kano needs pragmatic leadership to attain desired growth and development.

He, therefore, solicited for the support of youths in the constituency, as he stated that his antecedents and rich pedigree give him the requisite capacity and acumen to push for people -oriented legislation at the parliament.

The House of Assembly candidate made these known on Thursday in a telephone chat with our correspondent, while fielding questions on his motivation and inspiration to represent his constituency at the State House of Assembly.

"My greatest aspiration in life has been to ensure better and decent life for my people and the entire citizenry of Kano, that has been my long time dream as a social crusader and humanist.

"I believe there are no better ways of turning around the lives of the people and guarantee sustainable development than through responsible and responsive leadership, hence, my resolve to serve my good people of Fagge State Constituency through quality legislation.

"If elected, I will attract laudable developmental projects into the constituency, and also develop human capital through series of bills. That is why I am calling on the people of the constituency to support me, especially my fellow youths", Fagge said.

ASIWAJU TINUBU IS THE MOST MEDIA-FRIENDLY

By Tunde Oladunjoye

I wrote yesterday about the Tinubu-paranoia affecting the gleeful and gullible in the opposition: “The Tinubu-paranoia manifests in the anti-Tinubu obsession so unashamedly preoccupied with.”

Today there is a trending peddled lie that Asiwaju said he “has no interest with the media”. This is certainly the handiwork of jittery and uninformed opponents.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the most media-friendly among the presidential candidates. He is also the number one investor in media enterprises till date. He established, nurtured and continues to promote media business in Nigeria .

It is very ridiculous for people who peddle lies to also assume that we lack collective amnesia. At a point in our struggle for democracy, the Nigerian media bore serious, and I dare say, worst brunt. At a time when most politicians and investors were hand-in-gloves with the military, executing humongous contracts; Asiwaju Tinubu came to the rescue of independent media in Nigeria. He identified with them. He risked his hard-earned money and investments in other sectors.

He, Asiwaju, supported Nigerian independent media at a most troubling, lonely and critical time. I know this very well because I was not only close to The News/PM News/Tempo Team, I actually contributed articles regularly in Tempo Newspapers. Today, Tinubu’s Midas touch manifests glowingly on his ventures in the media sector with top-notch media establishments like The Nation and Television Continental. The are brand that even the opposition parties and governments cannot ignore.

How many politicians have journalists as their Chief of Staff? Asiwaju’s present Chief of Staff, Tunde Rahman, was formerly an editor with Thisday newspapers. The one that preceded Rahman, Sunday Dare, who is now the Minister of Youth and Sports, was a pioneer member of The News and Tempo Magazine and worked with other top leading media outfits. Asiwaju Tinubu has mentored media men and women too numerous to list here. Many of his mentees have become Commissioners, Secretary to State Government, Minister, Chief Executives of federal agencies and so on.

Those who feel they can turn the media against Asiwaju Tinubu are jittery of his eventual success at the polls. They are those rightly described by Shakespeare: “Cowards die many time before their deaths”.

- Tunde Oladunjoye
Sunday, September 18, 2022.

Exactly!

Osun state Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke has condemned sponsored posts on his alleged admission of over-voting, accusing Mr Gboyega Oyetola and the All Progressive Congress of criminal misrepresentation of facts before the Tribunal.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Senator Adeleke explained that his defence at the Tribunal disproved Mr Gboyega Oyetola's claim of over-voting in 750 polling as it was created by the incomplete data of BVAS based on the unsynchronised BVAS report that was used by the petitioners.


The statement further affirmed that the false over-voting does not represent what is on the BVAS machine itself and the Forms EC8A, explaining that full statement of the Governor-elect filed on oath at the Tribunal was explicit and detailed.

For the benefit of members of the public, there are two aspects to the defence with respect to APC's claim of over-voting.

The first aspect is that the over-voting in 750 polling units as claimed by Oyetola/APC in their petition is false over-voting created by the incomplete data of BVAS based on the unsynchronised BVAS report. This does not represent what is on the BVAS machine itself and the Forms EC8A. The correct result is as captured in the synchronised BVAS report which tallies with the data on the BVAS MACHINE itself.

The defence also affirmed further that even if the false over-voting in the unsynchronised BVAS report is unlikely admitted, the PDP will still be leading if votes from the affected six polling units are removed, adding however that "such admission is however impossible because the Tribunal will never rely on the unsynchronised BVAS report because is at variance with what is contained on the BVAS machine itself.

The statement while clarifying that the digital foot print of the BVAS machine is verifiable, submitting that both Governor -elect and INEC have put the BVAS machines itself before the Tribunal for examination.


The statement further noted that from from the analysis on the BVAS machine itself and the Form EC8A which are the primary source as against BVAS report which is secondary, real over-voting occurred in only six polling units, submitting that if the votes in those six polling units are cancelled, PDP's score will be 402,000 plus while the APC's will be 374,000.

We must emphasize that BVAS report is secondary evidence, while the BVAS machine itself and the EC8A are primary source, restating that "No Tribunal will believe a challenged secondary source while the primary source is physically before it"

We have gone into these details to show that Senator Adeleke never admitted in the polling units challenged by the APC/Oyetola except in only 6 polling units where there is real over-voting as contained in the BVAS machine itself and the Forms.

We therefore urged APC and Mr Oyetola to stop media trial as it will not intimidate the Tribunal nor sway public opinion to believe in the habitual lying and propaganda of the defeated party.

E-signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the Governor-elect

In the last 24 hours, “news” of a poll’s outcome placing the least popular, least prepared candidate ahead of candidates of other more popular and better entrenched parties, has rented the air.

I don’t have the luxury of time to respond to fantasy and tales by moonlight. The only reminder I want to give here is that, recently, ahead of the last presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held in Abuja, a very popular aspirant came out of the polls and ahead of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The aspirant was tipped to win the presidential primary. At the end of the day, at the election proper, the one who was called “the big boy” did not even come second!

Let the polling agents continue to bask in self-delusion and political masturbation. The day of reckoning is here; and not even the sponsored poll can postpone the day of their defeat. As far as the invented poll is concerned, the first shall be the last!