₦airaland Forum

The joy of two patients at a private hospital - Alhaji Kayode Alayo and Elder Niyi Ogunboyejo -knew no bounds when last Friday (24th June, 2016)  when they were presented with cheques for the sum of N250, 000 and N150, 000 respectively for them to undergo partial surgeries, courtesy of the Omoilu Foundation.

The gesture, which came under the healthcare programme of the Senator Buruji Kashamu-led foundation, is part of the series of programmes lined up by the foundation to uplift the people.

Both patients are undergoing treatment for heart disease and vision defect (Myopia) at the Skylark Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State.

Presenting the cheques, the Ogun East Senatorial Coordinator of the Foundation, Hon. Folarin Akintunde, who represented the State Coordinator of the Foundation, Comrade Niyi Osoba, said the gesture was part of Senator Kashamu’s humanitarian efforts to bring succour to the less-privileged in the society.

“Over the years, it has become the tradition of Senator Kashamu to reach out to the sick, the less privileged and the needy. The state coordinator informed me moments ago of this development.

"I was only directed to come here and go through the wards to select the beneficiaries with the recommendation of the hospital management. That is Senator Buruji Kashamu for you; he is such a cheerful giver who believes in giving back to the society,” he said.

An elated Elder Ogunboyejo expressed gratitude to Senator Kashamu for the kind gesture.

"This is unexpected. When I saw them going round the ward, I thought it was the pastor that normally comes around to pray for us. I still can't believe this is happening; this is very strange to me.

"God will bless Senator Kashamu the more so that he can touch many more lives through Omoilu Foundation,” he said.

GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE GETS VEHICLE FROM OMOILU FOUNDATION

The Senator Buruji Kashamu-inspired Omoilu Foundation has donated a Sienna bus to the governorship candidate of the Mega Peoples Party of Nigeria (MPPN) in Ogun State, Mrs. Iyabo Ogunmefun.

Mrs Ogunmefun, who is of the Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of the state, was stupefied at the kind gesture.

Presenting the vehicle to the beneficiary, the State Coordinator of the Foundation, Comrade Niyi Osoba said the gesture was part of Senator Kashamu's commitment towards putting smiles on the faces of people irrespective of their socio-political leaning.

"This is to once again demonstrate Senator Kashamu's commitment towards uplifting the living standard of the people not just in Ogun East Senatorial District where he is representing at the red chamber but across Ogun State. This donation clearly shows that Omoilu Foundation is totally committed to adding value to people’s lives," he said.

Osoba enjoined the coordinators of the foundation across the state to concentrate on identifying “agents of change” and “development catalysts” in their respective local government areas for immediate assistance.

This, according to him, will give rooms for more people to benefit from the foundation's empowerment scheme.

An elated Mrs Ogunmefun expressed gratitude to Senator Kashamu and also prayed for divine protection over his life.

“I want to specially thank our distinguished Senator Buruji Kashamu for this wonderful gift. This vehicle will add value to my family in no small measure. Our movement around will be easier. I pray for God's protection over his life. If other politicians can be this generous, Nigeria would be a better place to live," she said.

The Senator Buruji Kashamu-inspired Omoilu Foundation has donated a Sienna bus to the governorship candidate of the Mega Peoples Party of Nigeria (MPPN) in Ogun State, Mrs. Iyabo Ogunmefun.

Mrs Ogunmefun, who is of the Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of the state, was stupefied at the kind gesture.

Presenting the vehicle to the beneficiary, the State Coordinator of the Foundation, Comrade Niyi Osoba said the gesture was part of Senator Kashamu's commitment towards putting smiles on the faces of people irrespective of their socio-political leaning.

"This is to once again demonstrate Senator Kashamu's commitment towards uplifting the living standard of the people not just in Ogun East Senatorial District where he is representing at the red chamber but across Ogun State. This donation clearly shows that Omoilu Foundation is totally committed to adding value to people’s lives," he said.

Osoba enjoined the coordinators of the foundation across the state to concentrate on identifying “agents of change” and “development catalysts” in their respective local government areas for immediate assistance.

This, according to him, will give rooms for more people to benefit from the foundation's empowerment scheme.

An elated Mrs Ogunmefun expressed gratitude to Senator Kashamu and also prayed for divine protection over his life.

“I want to specially thank our distinguished Senator Buruji Kashamu for this wonderful gift. This vehicle will add value to my family in no small measure. Our movement around will be easier. I pray for God's protection over his life. If other politicians can be this generous, Nigeria would be a better place to live," she said.

Delivering the leading judgment of the seven-man panel of the Supreme Court on Friday 10th day of May, 2002 on whether a governor can be investigated, Justice S.O. Uwaifo, J.S.C (as he then was), held inter alia:

"That a person protected under section 308 of the 1999 constitution, going by its provisions, can be investigated by the police for an alleged crime or offence is, in my view, beyond dispute. To hold otherwise is to create a monstrous situation whose manifestation may not be fully appreciated until illustrated. I shall give three possible instances. Suppose it is alleged that a Governor, in the course of driving his personal car, recklessly ran over a man, killing him; he sends the car to a workshop for the repairs of the dented or damaged part or parts. Or that he used a pistol to shoot a man dead and threw the gun into a nearby bush. OR THAT HE STOLE PUBLIC MONEY AND KEPT IT IN A PARTICULAR BANK or used it to acquire property. Now, if the police became aware, could it be suggested in an open and democratic society like ours that they would be precluded by section 308 from investigating to know the identity of the man killed, the cause of death from autopsy report, the owner of the car taken to the workshop and if there is any evidence from the inspection of the car that it hit an object recently, more particularly a human being; or to take steps to recover the gun and test for ballistic evidence; and generally to take statements from eye witnesses of either incident of killing. OR TO FIND OUT (IF POSSIBLE) ABOUT THE MONEY LODGED IN THE BANK or for acquiring property, AND TO GET PARTICULARS OF THE ACCOUNT AND THE SOURCE OF THE MONEY; or of the property acquired? The police clearly have a duty under section 4 of the Police Act to do all they can to investigate and preserve whatever evidence is available. The evidence or some aspect of it may be the type which might be lost forever if not preserved while it is available..."this should be a lesson to all politicians who want to use "law" to do wuruwuru...make sure u get it right (im referring to the sham that is going on re PDP national caucus) - Barrister Adedamisi Pegba-Otemolu 21st June, 2016.

KASHAMU TO FAYOSE: LEAVE BUHARI’S WIFE OUT OF YOUR WOES; FACE THE ISSUES

 The Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Buruji Kashamu has urged Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose “to stop the needless mudslinging against the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari and face the allegations against him”.

 In a statement he issued in Abuja today, Kashamu likened Fayose’s attempt to link Mrs Buhari with the Halliburton scandal as a “needless distraction and an amateurish shadow-boxing. His action could be taken for a drowning man clutching at a straw”.

 The statement reads in part, “It is interesting that Mr. Fayose is talking about the rule of law and the need to do things within the ambit of the law. I never knew that he has ever heard of the concept of the Rule of Law. When he trampled on other people’s rights in a bid to abrogate their tenure in office where was the Rule of Law? Now he is crying out because he is afraid he might have to get a taste of his own medicine because a man must certainly reap whatever he sows.

 
“Mr. Fayose is talking about the fact that he enjoys immunity under the law. If I may ask: can a governor who disobeys the law with reckless abandon seek protection under the law? You cannot say because immunity covers you, you should not be investigated if you are suspected to have benefitted from the funds that were meant to buy arms for the protection of Nigerians. I think it is high time that we, as a people and government, address the issue of people committing crimes and hiding under the immunity clause.”

 The statement further added, “Fayose must stop chasing shadows and address the allegations against him. It is preposterous that he suddenly remembered that someone was involved in the Halliburton scandal at exactly the same time that he is being investigated over the funds he allegedly collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

 “The questions are: Was he a beneficiary of the ONSA funds? Is it true that over N300million was frozen in three accounts traced to him? Were suspicious cash deposits made into the accounts in 2014, in clear violation of the Money Laundering Act and other enabling laws?

 “It is said that you can fool some people all of the time but you cannot fool all the people all of the time. Nigerians can now see that what is playing out is a confirmation of my earlier position that the loudest among us are not necessarily the most pious.   If he is being asked questions about his campaign funds, he should be bold enough to give explanations without necessarily casting aspersion on anyone. He should allow necessary investigations to go on unimpeded. That will not only help to prove his innocence or otherwise but could possibly boost his rating. He could even choose to waive his immunity to aid the investigation if he does not have anything to hide. Immunity does not preclude any public officer even a governor from explaining how he funded his election campaign or the source (s) of deposits made into his account (s).

 
“The reality that Mr. Fayose must come to terms with is that the allegations against him are too grave to be sidelined for a seemingly spurious allegation against the wife of the president. Months of workers’ salaries are yet to be paid in Ekiti State; development partners have abandoned state, just as families are languishing as a result of his ill-advised political scheming.


 “This current campaign of calumny and juvenile tantrums cannot sweep the issue of corruption under the carpet; neither can it kick enough dirt to make any right-thinking Nigerian to shut his or her eyes to the truth. This is not about party affiliation or dog eating dog. It is about the plundering of our commonwealth and there should be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption. This is a fight that all patriotic Nigerians should lend their weight without any primordial sentiments or prejudice.”

PDP crisis: Exparte order has expired, court rules
… to deliver judgment on July 4

Justice Mahmud Liman of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital today upheld the argument of the lead counsel to the embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and National Secretary, Prof. Adewale Oladipo that the exparte order given in favour of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee has elapsed.
He took the position following the submission of the lead counsel to the plaintiff, Oladejo Olamikonra (SAN) that application to discharge the exparte order was incompetent.
The judge held that while it is true that the application to discharge the exparte order had been overtaken by events, it was competent.
In one of three applications filed before the court in opposition to the suit, Sheriff and Oladipo had urged the court to discharge the exparte order because, according to them, it was obtained by deceit and suppression of material facts.
The application was filed on the 26th of May, 2016.
According to the rules of the court, an exparte order automatically elapses either upon its discharge by the court or 14 days after the application to discharge it is filed. In this case, the application to discharge the exparte order having been filed on the 26th of May, 2016, the order automatically lapsed on the 9th of June, 2016.
That was why when the plaintiff’s counsel, Olamikonra (SAN) argued today that the application to discharge the order was incompetent, the upheld the arguments of the defence counsel that it was competent.

Meanwhile this happened just as the court adjourned till July 4, for judgment on the matter brought before him by the members of the National Caretaker Committee on behalf of the PDP on issues relating to the National Convention of the party held in Port Harcourt on the 21st of May, 2016.

The Party held parallel National conventions in Port Harcourt and Abuja. While the Acting National Chairman, Ali Modu-Sheriff convened that of Port Harcourt, the Party’s Elders organised the Abuja meeting. They were to elect their new executives in the convention.
The conventions however ended in deadlock. Instead of electing new leaders, the convention produced National Caretaker Committee headed by Senator Markafi, to the chagrin of Senator Sheriff who vowed never to relinquish his office. He maintained that he remains the Acting chairman of the Party.
The newly appointed Caretaker Committee approached the Court on May 23 to seek an exparte order to stop Sheriff from parading himself as the National chairman of PDP. It is also asking the court to validate the Port Harcourt convention which produced the committee.
Sheriff had shortly after the abandoning the Port Harcourt convention headed for the court in Abuja to challenge the legality of the Port Harcourt convention which produced Markafi, hinging on a purported order by the Abuja conveners to stop that of Port Harcourt.
Justice Liman granted the exparte order, and adjourned the matter till June 7, for hearing.
 On June 7, when the matter came up, the plaintiff counsel sought an adjournment to enable him reply the processes parties filed by the defence counsel. The matter was then adjourned to today for hearing.
At the resumed hearing today, parties canvassed their positions and the court adjourned till July 4, 2016, for judgment.
Four motions were filed and argued by both parties. While the plaintiffs, Senators Markafi and Ben Obi filed the originating summons on behalf of the PDP, Senator Modu-Sheriff and three others, who are the respondents in the suit, filed three applications.
They included a motion to discharge the exparte order; notice of preliminary objection and a motion to dismiss the suit, all dated and filed May 26, 2016. Three of the motions were heard together.
On the motion seeking to discharge the exparte order, the court agreed that the timeline of 14 days for an exparte order has ended and should therefore not be over flogged.
However, arguing on the originating summons, which bordered on the validity of the Port Harcourt convention and the agreements reached there, counsel for the Plaintiffs, Olaminkoran (SAN) urged the court to declare the convention legal, as against the contention of the defence counsel, Oluyede.
In his argument, Olaminkoran claimed that the convention was legally convened and by the right persons empowered by the Party constitution to do so and therefore should be upheld.  
“One of the reasons we have come to court is that only the court of law can declare a particular action as legal or illegal. But, the position of the PDP is that the convention was lawful, legal, backed by the PDP convention and was convened by the body that is constitutionally empowered to call such convention, the National Executive Committee of the party which included at that time Sheriff and who was the Acting National Chairman and the National Party Secretary, who are the main respondent in this suit,” he said.   
Moving his motion earlier, lead counsel to Modu-Sheriff and Oladipo, Olueyede urged the court to strike the name of PDP as plaintiffs in the action, thereby dismissing the entire suit.
He argued that the use of the name of PDP, a corporate entity in the suit by Senators Makarfi and Ben. Obi, who are the plaintiffs in the suit, is illegal.
“The reason for the submission is because, the use of the PDP corporate entity as a plaintiff to commence this action by Senators Makarfi and Ben Obi is predicated on the illegal usurpation of the functions of the appropriate organs of the party, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, which they claim to lead. The Caretaker Committee is an illegal contraction set up by their own admission on May 21, 2016 in defiance of express prohibitory orders of this honourable court, made respectively in suit numbers, FHC/CS/L/ 613/ 2016 and FHC/ CS/L/637/2016 on May 12 and 16, 2016, and by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court judgment in suit number FCT/HC/1443/2016.
“We also seek that the court make an order dismissing this action for reason of ex-facia illegality represented in the title of the action and their admission of those who are behind the use of the name of PDP as plaintiff in this action that their authority to represent the political party and to invoke its cooperate personality is contested and requires validation by this court’s orders, which they seek.
“Also that this suit be dismissed by reason of ex-facia illegality as the right sought to enforce this action and the assumed personal rights of Senator Markafi and Ben Obi and other members of the Illegal CTC which they lead and not at all the corporate right of the PDP.
 “And finally, for such ancillary and consequential orders as this court may deem fit to make in the circumstances,” Oluyede said.
He relied on the grounds of the applications, the affidavits and exhibits annexed in the processes and urged the court to grant his application and remove the name of PDP from the suit.
Earlier, the plaintiff had insisted that the three processes be dismissed for incompetence, but the court overruled the position and upheld them.
Justice Liman also upheld the application of the defence for an amendment, saying that striking out the processes on technical grounds would delay quick determination of the suit.
The court further held that, “In a case where no application is filed to set aside the irregularity or was not filed timeously, the court might view the party to have waived his right to complain.
“Where however an application to set aside have been properly filed, the court has a range of options in the exercise of his discretion either to set aside the process, wholly or partially or the order amendment, subject to the cause of amendment.
 “In the instant case, the Plaintiff has not shown what prejudice it will suffer if the motion to amend the defect is granted; more so that this being a political case in which a major political party is battling with its life, which calls for conscientious efforts to address the legal conflict expeditiously.
“I think to strike out the processes filed will roll back the entire proceedings to the beginning, and this will signal the triumph of technicality and tragic expense of substantial justice.
“In the like of the above analysis, I dismiss the motion to strike out the three processes filed and grant the application for amendment.”

Contrary to report making the rounds that some pro-Ahmed Makarfi youths have taken over the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, the authentic information is that the pro-Senator Ali Modu Sheriff camp is still very much in control of the national secretariat.

The pro-Sheriff group mobilized and took charge of the secretariat when they got wind of the invasion of the party secretariat by some hoodlums allegedly hired by two PDP governors.

Over 1,000 youths loyal to the Sheriff Camp coalesced and besieged the party secretariat when they heard of the illegal occupation of the national secretariat of the party by the thugs who were on a mission to manhandle party officials, vandalise and loot the secretariat.

A source at the party secretariat said, “When they sighted the multitude of pro-Sheriff youths, the hired hooligans fled in different directions and abandoned their despicable mission.

“It was the sheer number of the pro-Sheriff youths that made their sponsors, which included a media mogul and the illegal caretaker committee members who were planning to take over the national secretariat, to make a quick detour and scurry to the relative safety in the adjoining streets.”

The Police have since stepped into the situation and restored normalcy, the source added.

A group, Northern Youths United Against Impunity in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has faulted a report credited to the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP that the dejure National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, was being used by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against PDP, stating that the statement is a propaganda and cheap blackmail against the former governor of Borno State.

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by the group's national coordinator, Alhaji Tanko Yunusa, the youths said the view by the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led panel lacks the facts and adequate information to address the contending issues.
"If they say it is the APC that is using Senator Sheriff to destabilize our party, shall we also say it was the APC that used Governor Ayo Fayose and others who brought him and sold him to other stakeholders as the “messiah” the party needed?"

Speaking on the alleged complicity levelled against the police by the caretaker committee, the group said security agents at the party's National Secretariat are acting within their constitutionally guaranteed powers to maintain law and order.

"They (Police) acted responsibly and respectfully in obedience to the orders of the Federal High Court, Lagos made on the 24th of May, 2016.
"On that day, the court said, “The Inspector-General of Police is hereby directed that there is a matter pending in court filed by the warring PDP and the court has made an order of interlocutory injunction in respect of offices occupied by the Plaintiffs and there are applications and appeals pending.

“The Police is directed to enforce the orders of this court until all the applications before the court are disposed off, so that there will be no anarchy.”

On the purported decision of the party's National Convention, Yunusa queried if there could be a valid National Convention if the National Chairman, who is mandatorily expected, according to provisions of Article 33 Section1 and Subsection 1a of the PDP constitution, to preside over the National Convention had announced the postponement of the convention after a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) to that effect?

The group's leader also highlighted that Article 29 1(b) of the PDP constitution empowers the NWC to act on behalf of the National Executive Committee in case of emergency as in the extant case.

"On whether or not the exparte order granted by the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State is still subsisting or not, credible information available to us has it that when the matter came up on the 7th of June, 2016, the motion to set aside the Exparte Order made by Justice I. Liman of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on the 23rd of May 2016, the application to strike PDP out as Plaintiff due to the illegitimacy of the caretaker committee to invoke the corporate personality of the PDP and the challenge to the court's jurisdiction were introduced by the lead counsel to Sheriff and Prof. Wale Oladipo, Prince Ajibola Oluyede.
"The court could not proceed with the matters because the Plaintiff was not ready with a response to the three applications though they had been served five days earlier.

"The Plaintiff's lawyer insisted on an adjournment though the court pointed out that its ex parted order made on the 23rd of May, 2016 would lapse 14 days after our lawyers file a motion to discharge it, and wanted to hear it before it lapsed. It is trite that since the motion to discharge the order having been filed on 26th of May 2016, the exparte order automatically lapsed on Thursday, 9th of June, 2016.

"The matter was adjourned to tomorrow (Thursday), 16th June 2016, for hearing of all the other pending applications and the Originating Summons.

"It should however be noted that the same people who vilify Sheriff and others for going to the courts have also resorted to the same court seeking to confer legitimacy on the happenings in Port Harcourt."

Speaking further, Yunusa said the issue of tenure shouldn't have been a point of discord within the party if elected officials are allowed to serve out their terms.

"It is an indubitable fact that our great party held a Special National Convention on the 10th and 11th December, 2014 where the National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Muazu; National Secretary, Prof. Adewale Oladipo and National Auditor, Alhaji Adewale Adeyanju were elected. At that same convention, Section 47 (6) of our party constitution was amended by substituting the last phrase “pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy” with a new phrase “to serve out the tenure of the Officer”.

"It is the considered view of not just the plaintiffs but also some stakeholders that since these officers came into office or were deemed to have assumed office in December, 2014, they have a four-year tenure which elapses in December, 2018.
"But, their opponents think otherwise and that is why they are in court in order for the court to make a pronouncement on who is right or wrong.

"Again, we are not unmindful that these are issues that concern a political party and they are better resolved politically. But a situation where the supposed conscience of the party and those who are supposed to be the custodians of the law seek to violate the constitution of the party and flagrantly disobey court orders leaves much to be desired.

"For instance, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP should not have allowed the same elements who brought this mess upon the party to hurry it to handover the party secretariat to the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee without pacifying the contending parties and resolving all the issues in a give and take manner.

"Perhaps whatever decisions are reached in such negotiations could be entered as consent judgments which could fast-track the out-of-court settlement and the resolution of the issues."

Succour came the way of a 60-year-old woman, Mrs Abiola Alausa, of No.1 Iga Street, Oke Agbo, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State when the train of the Senator Buruji Kashamu-inspired Omoilu Foundation today stormed Shiloh Hospital in Oke -Agbo, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State where it picked the hospital bill of the woman.

Mrs. Alausa is said to be having issues with her respiratory system as she was said to be having breathing difficulties before she was rushed to the hospital.

Making a N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) donation on behalf of Omoilu Foundation, Mr. Leke Shittu, who represented Senator Kashamu on the occasion, appealed to the management of the hospital to transfer the patient to a special ward for proper attention.

Recounting her ordeal, one of the children of Mrs. Abiola Alausa, Bukola said, “I did not know what to do, or where to start from until one of my friends gave me the address of Omoilu Foundation, and I went to their office.

"Omoilu Foundation has made me happy. I did not imagine that we could ever get the required money to get her treated this quickly.

"I still could not believe it will be this fast. I only dropped a letter with the receptionist at the office of Omoilu Foundation and in no time, an official is here with the sum of N100, 000.My only prayer is that God will continue to bless Senator Buruji Kashamu. He is truly a friend of the masses."

Shittu said the foundation had no special relationship with the beneficiary prior to this time.

He said the foundation receives requests from the general public and also pick out some interesting cases from the media.

Earlier this year, the Omoilu Foundation picked the hospital bills of four people – a man and three women – in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. Each of the beneficiaries got between N100, 000 and N200, 000 to pay their respective hospital bills.

They were suffering from various ailments, ranging from cataract to fibroid and broken arm.

By:Bolaji Adeniji

Much has been alluded to how the party leadership was supreme during the second republic especially within the NPN under the chairmanship of Chief Meridith Akinloye and the story was told to us, how the then President (a member of the party), Alhaji Shehu Shagari  would have arrived the venue of party meetings much earlier; and whenever Akinloye arrived, Shagari would join others to stand up and give a rousing welcome applaud to the chairman who is the symbol and authority of the party. Indeed nobody was superior to the chairman. That was the finest period of true democratization of the political party process in Nigeria.

Years down the line, that pristine process has been made caricature and bastardized. The drums to the dirge of party supremacy began beating in the post-1999 era under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and upon assuming his second term in 2003 precisely. We all recall how the party was largely dominant in his first term and it became a challenge to secure a second-term ticket; infamously prostrating (as widely reported) for Alh. Atiku Abubakar - not to contest against him and also to help him prevail on the party apparatchiks to allow him a second bite at the cherry.

Obasanjo, on assuming office for a second time realized the need not only to have executive control but also political control. This, he achieved by stifling the voice and control of the chairman and replaced it with presidential orders he barked out at will. He frustrated dissenting voices and clamped recalcitrant leaders. Sooner than later, the chairmen cleared from him before making a single statement and if a chairman disagreed, he is forced out. Many examples abound for this.

Consequently, Obasanjo was then addressed as "the leader of our party", a novel appellation to add to his presidential buzzwords. Concomitantly, the governors simply took a cue and aligned with the new realities by merely dishing out orders in their states and since they have the ears of Mr. President, their words became law in their respective state chapters. It was therefore wisdom for any Chairman to be in cahoots with his governor and all will be well with him.

That was the beginning of executive supremacy over the party. The anomaly became the norm as elected executive heads immediately became party leaders. More discomfiting is that many other groups were formed for self-preservation. Not only have governors become lords of their states, they usually ganged up to force their interests on the party and sometimes forcing the hand of the president, as they did to Obasanjo, Yaradua and Jonathan. They became law unto themselves and whatever they didn't support became 'ultra vires'.

Not to be outdone, we began to have PDP governors caucus, National Assembly caucus, Party caucus, Founding fathers caucus and many of such groups which have today overwhelmed the party. It is even worse off nowadays because individuals now push to have party leadership at their beck and call. Even individuals with ambitions routinely balkanize and factionalise the party (at all levels) just to protect their future aspiration. Such is the sorry situation today whereby The Party has become the proverbial grass that suffers when gladiators bicker among themselves.

The foregoing narrative into history became imperative for us to appreciate where the decay began. The cascading PDP national leadership conundrum (Sherrif-Makarfi tussle) is a metaphor of this decay. For us in Ogun PDP, we are not immune from this deprecating descent. Between 1999 and 2003, Sen. Jubril Martins Kuye held way as the party leader (in a liberal form though).  Otunba Gbenga Daniel became governor and enjoyed the status of party leader (in its supreme form) for eight years. For a number of years now, Sen. Buruji Kashamu wields the leadership wand of the party (also in absolute form). Tomorrow, another person may emerge to chart a new path for the party and in a totalitarian form too.

In all of these years, there exists Chairmen for the party, yet the above leaders arbitrated the course of the party in Ogun state. There was Chief Lekan Ojo, Elder Joju Fadairo, Bashorun Dayo Soremi and Engr. Adebayo Dayo at the moment.  Therefore, if blames are to be apportioned, it will definitely not be to Senator Kashamu and neither will it go to Otunba Daniel because they both practised a tradition inherited and which has inadvertently and  unwittingly become the norm even when it is not explicitly enshrined in the party's constitution.

Going forward, the challenge is for the Nigerian political space (not just the PDP) to be truly liberalised. Political parties must be made regal once again. Constitutional reform will take care of this aberration by inserting clear provisions that makes it impossible for executive leaders, groups and individuals to trample or usurp the roles, powers and functions of the party. Not until that time, we must live with the present model.

Bringing it down home, the issues in Ogun PDP is clear to all, especially those who know the interplay of forces and events since 2009. Also, the origin of judicial adjudication on Ogun PDP matters is also known to those that understand how the cases were built based on the NWC order of harmonisation which was done and ratified by Justice C.N Okeke in 2010 and Justice Kafarati only ruled on this order in 2011. Every other judgements delivered by Justices Charles Archibong, Okon Abang, Mosun Dipeolu, Abdul Kafarati and Ibrahim Buba, only relied on subsisting antecedents; with none of them starting a case 'de novo' that means afresh; because in law, you cannot build something on nothing (a la, Lord Denning).

While we cannot retrieve the past , we can possess the future. All the arguments and solutions proffered on various WhatsApp platform on how to resolve the protracted bickering within Ogun PDP will only work if we recognize that there are two higher principalities, a lesser principality that will mediate and also shoulder responsibility; and then some powers that will align with the top two.

Senator Buruji Kashamu and Otuba Gbenga Daniel are the PRINCIPALITIES. Prince Gboyega Isiaka (as a two-time mandate holder of these structures) is the LESSER PRINCIPALITY while the likes of Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, Alh. Sarafa Ishola, Hon. Adesegun Adekoya, Hon. Jelili Amusan, HE. Salmot Badru, Hon. Isiaq Akinlade and others are the POWERS that must align themselves with the top principalities as they remain subsets of same.

If the higher principalities agree to work together, and the lesser principality plays the role expected of him (as the inheritor of the process) and the many powers shelve their ego to align as appropriate, then a true reconciliation process would have been deemed to begin. No amount of hoofing and puffing by supporters of these gladiators can amicably resolve the issues unless the gladiators call themselves to order and do a thorough soul-search. But if people violate the law, taketake extreme positions and are not willing to bend or shift ground, then the courts becomes the final arbiter.

Good enough, there is a starting point and ongoing discussions points to a top-down alignment which will work, rather than the bottom-up approach canvassed by one of our leaders few days ago. The crowd at the bottom is too huge and irredeemably aligned on group interest to push through any meaningful unity agenda but we can save that energy and work on the few henchmen at the top to reconcile. If we achieve an understanding among the top principalities and the powers agree with them, then the fault lines will disappear and the motley crowd at the bottom will stop the group war.

Finally, the soundbite from the party leadership in Ogun state under the leadership of Engr. Bayo Dayo has been quite encouraging. Its openness and willingness to reconcile feuding groups and disgruntled party faithfuls is also commendable. More importantly, the current executive of which this writer is a key member, is ready to help anyone achieve their ambition albeit within the confines of the law. The big question is, has any executive, in the true sense of it, determined candidates for any election? If NO, do we need to bicker further?

The challenge of unity in Ogun PDP belongs to everyone. It is beyond party control. It is not about who nominated who , it is about working with existing organ to create a strong party capable of winning election in 2019. God bless Ogun PDP.


Bolaji Adeniji, is a communications consultant and public affairs pundit. He is the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Ogun state.

OGUN PDP INAUGURATES AD-HOC COMMITTEES

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun state under the leadership of Engr. Adebayo Dayo has inaugurated five ad-hoc committes  for the smooth running of the party. In a statement released at the event by the party's State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Adeniji, the committees include: Finance committee, Publicity committee, Youth mobilization committee, Women mobilization committee and Mobilization & Reconciliation committee.

The inauguration which held Thursday 9th June 2016 at the state secretariat, IBB boulevard, Abeokuta, was chaired by the State Deputy Chairman, Hon. Boye Adesina, who acted on behalf of the State Chairman who was unavoidably absent. Adesina in his opening remark urged all members of the committee to see the assignment as a call to duty.

He said, "We have decided to remove the burden of running party affairs off ourselves by involving members of the party to take up roles in helping to grow the party. The task ahead is huge and everyone must be involved".

Thereafter, the state legal adviser, Barr. Bimbo Lanre-Balogun proclaimed the oath of allegiance on members of the five committees and declared them inaugurated with active approval of the the State Deputy Chairman. Members of the committed vowed to hit the ground running. They promised to work hard in meeting the mandate given them.

In his closing remark, the state State Secretary, Alh. Semiu Sodipo urged committee members to work assiduously for the growth of the party. In his words, "the times in our party are challenging and this is a call to duty. This task does not have any renumeration or financial gain and that is why we have chosen people that are ready to sacrifice for the party rather than benefit from it".

He said further, "this committees are not a closed circuit and anyone that is deemed useful can be co-opted at anytime into these committees".

Sodipo also assured party members that the executives at all levels in Ogun state remains valid until 2020; and that whatever is the rumbling in Abuja and its expected outcomes have no effect on what has been concluded in Ogun.

The committees will begin their assignment immediately and report to the State Working Committee every two weeks. Present at the event were party leaders and the media.

SENATOR BURUJI KASHAMU’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE SENATE AT A GLANCE


Below is a list of the achievements of the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Prince Buruji Kashamu.



A. Projects/Programmes

*Construction of one block of three classrooms, office and VIP toilet at Ansar deen High School, Ijebu-Isiwo

*Construction of one block of three classrooms, office and furniture at Japara High School, Ijebu Igbo


*Construction of one block of three classrooms with VIP toilet at Idomila, Ijebu Ode

* Construction of one block of three classrooms, office, furniture with VIP toilet at Ansar deen Primary School, Irolu-Remo.


*Distribution of 40 wheel chairs, 150 sewing machines, 160 grinding machines, 40 motorcycles and 120 generators across Ogun East Senatorial District as part of Senator Buruji Kashamu’s constituency projects/empowerment initiatives.


B. He has sponsored the following bills:
The Mental Health Bill
The FRSC Act Amendment Bill


The National Security Tax Fund Bill, and
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act Amendment Bill.
2016 Budget:

He has initiated and influenced the inclusion of over 20 projects spread across the nine local governments in Ogun East Senatorial District in the 2016 budget. One of such project which has delighted many constituents is the Rehabilitation of the Old Benin/Ijebu Ode-Itele Road which cuts across five local government areas in the senatorial district.

SENATOR BURUJI KASHAMU’S 365 DAYS AT THE SENATE: A REPORT CARD

Several things account for why some days are significant in the life of a person, place or an organisation. It could be the sheer magnitude or importance of such events that make such days significant or a constellation of events that make it so. The generally accepted relevance given to such a day or days by a people determines how it is marked or celebrated. It is usually a memorial to be marked either solemnly or loudly depending on varying indices, notions and factors.


Today is one of such days. Today, June 9, 2016 marks the one of year anniversary of the 8th Senate. It is significant for many of the lawmakers in several ways. For Distinguished Senator Buruji Kashamu, it is significant in many ways than one. It was a day he chose courage over fear. It was day he opted for audacity over ambivalence. It was a day he embraced grit over grovelling.


The inauguration of the 8th Senate this time last year came barely a few days after some powerful forces orchestrated what no less a personality than the highly revered Hon. Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has described as “a show of shame” by laying a siege to the Lagos residence of Senator Kashamu and attempting to abduct him for allegedly committing an offence several courts abroad and at home have said he knew nothing about.
Following public outcry and the timely interventions of the judiciary, which has been rightly described as the last hope of the common man, “the oppressive agents of darkness” left Senator Kashamu’s residence on the 28th of May, 2015. So, when the 8th Senate was being inaugurated on the 9th of June, 2015 – exactly 12 days after the siege – a lot of people were sceptical whether Senator Kashamu would be among those to be sworn in.


To be sure, the major reason the unsuccessful plot was executed was to prevent him from exercising the mandate freely given to him by the good people of Ogun East Senatorial District.

That perhaps explains why he remains the only senator who got a resounding round of applause and a loud ovation when he was called to take his Oaths of Office and Allegiance during the inauguration of the 8th Senate and the election of principal officers. Simply put, he was the cynosure of all eyes.

Not done, the “powerful forces” again coalesced and sought to use his younger brother and friend, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, who contested against him on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to undo him. He not only filed a petition to challenge Senator Kashamu’s election, he told everyone who cared to listen that he had been assured that Senator Kashamu would be sacked from office.


True to his words and rather curiously, the National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal purportedly “set aside” the declaration of Senator Kashamu as winner of the 28th of March, 2015 Senatorial election into the Ogun East Senatorial District despite leading Mr. Abiodun with over 37, 000 votes after the so-called cancellation of voided and irregular votes by the tribunal!


But as God would have it, the appellate court upturned the verdict of the lower tribunal and reaffirmed Senator Kashamu’s victory in a landmark judgment delivered on the 8th of December, 2015.


Thus, it could be safely said that the first six months of Senator Kashamu’s one year sojourn at the Red Chamber was full of needless distractions. Yet, he has since put all of those behind him and settled down to give quality representation to the good people of Ogun East Senatorial District in particular, and Nigerians in general.


There is no better proof than the number of bills he has sponsored for the well-being and good governance of Nigerians, and the projects and items he has attracted to his Senatorial District in the last one year or six months, if you like.


As at the last count, he has sponsored about four bills which are at various stages in the National Assembly. The bills include the Mental Health Bill, the FRSC Act Amendment Bill, the National Security Tax Fund Bill and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act Amendment Bill.


While the Mental Health Bill seeks to provide a frame work for the admission and treatment of persons with mental health conditions, the FRSC Act Amendment Bill is meant to protect the sanctity of our Constitution by ensuring proper delineation of duties and responsibilities between Federal and State agencies as concerns traffic issues for optimal performance and effective service delivery.

Perhaps drawing inspiration from the success of the Security Tax Fund in some states and abroad, the National Security Tax Fund Bill seeks to devise new ways through which the security agencies can access additional funds in order to make them more efficient and responsive to today’s security challenges.

The intention of the NESREA Act Amendment Bill is to rejig the enabling Act setting up the agency and make it come to terms with present realities as they relate to the Environment.


Beyond all these, Senator Kashamu has influenced and seen to the construction of schools in four primary schools in Ogun East Senatorial District. They include the construction of one block of three classrooms, office and VIP toilet at Ansar deen High School, Ijebu-Isiwo; construction of one block of three classrooms, office and furniture at Japara High School, Ijebu Igbo; construction of one block of three classrooms with VIP toilet at Idomila, Ijebu Ode and construction of one block of three classrooms, office, furniture with VIP toilet at Ansar deen Primary School, Irolu-Remo. Over 10 of such projects spread across the nine local government areas in Ogun East Senatorial District have been initiated and included in the 2016 budget upon careful consultations with community leaders and elders.


There is also provision for the construction of skill acquisition centre in Ogijo, the sinking of motorised and solar-powered boreholes as well as electrification of various rural communities.
Perhaps the most audacious of all the projects influenced by the senator is the inclusion of the repairs of the old Ijebu-Ode/Ore-Benin Expressway in the 2016 budget for which about N90million has been budgeted. The road cuts across five of the nine local government areas that make up Ogun East Senatorial District.


It is instructive to note that Senator Kashamu opted for this strategic road to be included in the budget when he saw that the Sagamu-Ogijo-Ikorodu road – another major road which had been of concern to him – had already been captured in the original budget estimates sent by the Federal Ministry of Works to the Senate Committee on Works of which he is a member.


What is more, over 40 wheel chairs, 150 sewing machines, 160 grinding machines, 40 motorcycles and 120 generators have been shared to his constituents and even those outside his Ogun East Senatorial District in the last one year. Of course, these are exclusive of the vehicles distribution and other humanitarian and empowerment initiatives that he has been known for over the years through the Omoilu Foundation.
His altruistic disposition to his job at the Senate in the last one year has made a lot of his constituents to wonder if a lawmaker could attract so much to his constituents even when he is a member of the opposition. They imagined what he could have been done if his party was in power. While that remains to be seen, this is the report card of Distinguished Senator Buruji Kashamu in the last 365 days at the Senate!

Austin Oniyokor is a Media and Legislative Aide to Senator Kashamu

FAYOSE, ADEBUTU PRINT FAKE CONGRESS FORMS FOR OGUN STATE PDP

The Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Buruji Kashamu has accused Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, of conniving to print fake congress forms/results purporting same to be forms for the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), almost one month after the exercise.

In a statement issued today in Abuja, Kashamu said the fake congress forms, which have been delivered to Adebutu and filled under the pretext of hosting some party faithful in Iperu-Remo, were delivered to Fayose on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

Fayose, it was learnt, has promised Adebutu that he will deliver the forms/results to the member representing the South West on the illegal National Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who is expected to help them smuggle the fake congress forms/results into the National Secretariat of the party.

But unknown to them, the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led State Executive Committee, which was duly elected at the 10th May, 2016 State Congress and the other officers elected at the Local Government (on 4th of May, 2016) and Ward Congresses (30th April, 2016) had already applied for and received Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the results of the congresses from the National Headquarters of the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The authentic State Exco also has in its possession reports of the various PDP National Congresses and Appeal Committees as well as INEC reports which confirmed that widely acceptable congresses were held and certain officers elected to run the affairs of the party for the next four years.

Political observers say it remains to be seen how the duo of Fayose and Adebutu intend to turn the table against a far more organized and foresighted Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led State Executive Committee which had obtained the CTCs of the results of the various congresses.

OGUN PDP DEMOCRACY DAY PRESS STATEMENT

NIGERIANS SHOULD ENDURE THE REGIME OF LOCUST; GOOD DAYS SHALL RETURN AGAIN

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun state is using this medium to empathise with the good people of Ogun state and indeed, all Nigerians on the occasion of this year's democracy day. A day like this in some other clime, serve as a  reminder of not only the freedom and liberty that citizens enjoy under their government, but also the many dividends that come with it; which in the end enhances their quality of life.

Unfortunately and sadly so, the situation of the Nigerian state at the moment does not call for any celebration because of the dire condition of our economy and the attendant social dislocation which has put the masses in varying degree of sufferings. The persistent energy and power crisis are clear signposts of the failure of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the last 365 days.

Its monetary and fiscal policy continues to defy prescription as the exchange rate now sits at over N320 to $1 from under N200 a year ago and access to forex for critical sectors has become a nightmare. More repugnant is the crass failure of the APC regime to fulfill its many outlandish electoral promises and not one of such promises have been fulfilled today.

Nigeria has been on a steady decline and government, rather than sit on the job to creatively move us forward, continues to blame the PDP for its own incompetence and visionlessness. Security is worsening with Boko Haram still virulent in its attack and the new scourge of Fulani herdsmen now festering.  Our corporate image as a nation is in a decline as Buhari continues to demarket Nigeria with his corruption singsong everywhere he goes.

For us in Ogun state, the situation is even more pathetic as the last one year has been motion without movement. As an opposition party, we find it hard to criticise the Amosun adminstration because nothing serious has been done in the last one year to warrant a critique. Governance has been on a recess and Mr. Governor has mostly busied himself junketing with Mr. President.

Most if the road projects started out in the first term remain largely abandoned, the state's economy continues to stagnate and the people are mourning in silence. Ogun PDP is desirous that the country moves forward and it is expedient that the APC moves out of the pre-election mode and get into governance mode. The APC at all levels, must also know that it cannot continue to befuddle Nigerians with its operation 'blame PDP'. It is a worn out strategy and the people are now clamouring for responsible and responsive leadership; which is clearly lacking at the moment.

We urge the people of Ogun state and Nigerians in general not to be further deceived by the shenanigans and elaborate propaganda of the APC and its agent on the social media. They must endure, as this negative phase shall surely pass and the locust years shall be restored when a more liberal and sensitive party returns to power.

Signed:
Adeniji Bolaji
State Publicity Secretary, Ogun PDP

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE EXPANDED STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (SEC) MEETING OF OGUN PDP HELD AT THE STATE SECRETARIAT, OKEMOSAN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE. 25/05/2016

The expanded meeting of the State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, In Ogun State, held today, 25th May, 2016 at the state secretariat in Abeokuta. In attendance were the fourteen members of the State Working Committee, Party Chairmen of the twenty local governments and two strong leaders from each local government. Also present was the Zonal Secretary and other invited observers.

The State Secretary, Alhaji Semiu Sodipo gave the protocols and welcome remarks. The State Chairman, Engr. Adebayo Dayo gave the ‘State of the party address’ where he briefed the audience on issues around the congresses, the national convention and judicial matters. Several top leaders of the party also gave goodwill messages and worthy contributions. Highlights and resolutions arrived at the end of the exhaustive deliberation are as follows:

(1). That the congresses in Ogun state were very successful, they remain valid and that the new executives across the ward, local government and state - are all here to stay; as the national secretariat of our party, INEC, security agencies, the courts and the NEC of our party- have all validated it. Therefore, the leadership of the party, under Engr.  Adebayo Dayo remain sacrosanct and unalterable; ditto for the local government and ward structures.

(2). That the aftermath and outcomes of the congresses requires that urgent and high-powered reconciliation process be put in place to placate and woo back all those that are aggrieved so that we can have a united party for the task ahead. Importantly too, nobody’s position in the executive is sacrosanct in this peace move and anybody can make sacrifices in the larger interest of the party.

(3). That the aborted Port-Harcourt national convention of our party remains suspended and invalid. Two separate court orders barred the conduct of elections into 3 offices and 18 offices respectively and for this reason, the National Chairman postponed the convention; making it ‘fait accompli’. Subject to article 33 of the PDP constitution (as amended 2012), no convention of our party can stand without the presence and convocation of same by the National Chairman.

(4). Therefore, the gathering in Abuja and a caretaker committee purportedly constituted on the Port-Harcourt convention ground after the Chairman’s press briefing (suspending the convention) is ‘ultra vires’, illegal, null and void and of no binding effect. Ogun PDP clearly stands by the rule of law and consequently, we support the National Working Committee, under the leadership of Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff.

(5). That the current State Executive Committee of the party in Ogun state (according to the leaders) is a composition of credible people with the required capacities for the various offices; suffice to say, they are round pegs in round holes. The executives have also acquitted themselves well since coming to office barely a month ago.

(6). That the PDP has been a blessing to most of the leaders of the party today and therefore, they must not abandon it but rally round to build it back to governance. For this to happen, members must be loyal to the party’s course and focused on the task ahead.

(7). That huge commendation must go to Sen. Buruji Kashamu for his untiring effort, unwavering commitment and huge sacrifices deployed to sustain the PDP in Ogun state for the past few years. Despite the distraction and guiles of detractors, he has remained steadfast in protecting the interest of the majority. The State Executive Committee and leaders in attendance unilaterally passed a VOTE OF CONFIDENCE in the leadership of the Sen. Buruji Kashamu, urging him to keep going and defending the ordinary man

(Signed)
Adeniji Bolaji,
State Publicity Secretary, Ogun PDP.

RE: KASHAMU’S DOLLARS CAN’T BUY PDP LEADERSHIP

My attention has been drawn to the comments made about me by a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, in an interview published in the Vanguard newspaper of today, 23rd May, 2016 in which he said, “My dollars cannot buy PDP leadership”, among other things.

First, I am not aware that PDP’s leadership is for sale, let alone anyone angling to buy it. Chief Bode George remains one of my leaders and a foremost leader in the PDP. As a leader, he should know that he would have different followers who will see things differently and approach them from different perspectives. Now, assuming without conceding that I have made some mistakes in my approach to issues within the party, as a leader and an elder, Baba Bode George should call me and advise me privately. But, if he has chosen to go public, it is fine by me.

Secondly, it is preposterous for anyone to insinuate that I am promoting parallel structures within the party in the zone. Infighting and intra-party bickering have always been part of our politics in the South West. From Lagos to Ogun, Oyo to Osun, Ekiti to Ondo states. History is replete with the promotion of various contending interests and interest groups. It has nothing to do with me or any individual. It has always been and will continue to be so, as long as there is no fairness, equity and justice. What matters is the way and manner the contending interests and groups resolved their differences.

Chief George also talked about some people seeing politics as an investment for which there must be returns. It is on record that I have given more to the party and its members than most of our respected and respectable leaders in the zone. I have neither received nor embezzled party and campaign funds. Some of those who see politics as an investment and did not know where to draw the line have been named in the Dasukigate and more will be named in the coming days. I am certainly not one of them.

The leaders of our party who associate with me are well-exposed, educated, comfortable and experienced politicians who cannot be bought with money. They are attracted by the fact that unlike most of our leaders, I do show love and care for people irrespective of their background and status. They have seen that I have demonstrated my belief in the saying that you cannot love without giving, but you can give without loving.

Finally, I acknowledge that Baba Bode George is entitled to his opinion about my person and activities but I must say that I am misunderstood. I do not have any agenda other than to put a stop to impunity and uplift the living condition of the masses through my unwavering commitment to fairness, equity and justice.



Signed

Senator Buruji Kashamu

Unveiling the "TAG HIGHJACKERS" association of Ogun state PDP!

Behold a new group, a new name beckons in the political lexicon of Ogun politics, they are the TAG HIGHJACKERS association. The group is a product of blind ambition, a product of Illegality, a product of Subterfuge and a product of Tomfoolery.

The "TAG HIGHJACKERS" association, aka TA, is led by a social nuisance, spoilt brat and son of a tolerant rich Dad, ably assisted by a nincompoop, failed politician and failed hotelier. Their tendencies are criminal and their current claim to political fame is likewise criminal!

In the contemporary world of criminal highjacking, we have heard of Car Highjacking, Plane Highjacking, Ship Highjacking by sea pirates and even Human Highjacking/Kidnapping, but these group have elevated their shenanigans and odious tendencies to base and ridiculous levels when they became Paper Tag Highjackers at a public event!

When Highjackers perform their heinous and reprehensible acts, they lie low and savour the gains of their loot but the "TAG HIGHJACKERS" have embarked on an odoriferous and putrid voyage of celebrating their shameful, debasing and criminal display.

And like the Yorubas will say about "the man that stole the King's special flute, it remains to be seen where he will blow it". The world waits to see where this delusion of grandiose proportion will take them and how far the highjacked tags will go in helping them get a firm grip of Ogun PDP. It also remain to be seen, how the Grand patron of the TAG HIGHJACKERS, Ayodele Fayose will help them collect the keys of Ogun PDP.

For now, when you see them outside, please recognise them as the LADI ADEBUTU TAG HIGHJACKERS ASSOCIATION of Ogun state (LATHA) or simply, the TAG HIGHJACKERS (TA). And when any of Ladi, Sikirulai, Steve, Lukman, Ashaye, AOB, Fakoya and others come on any loop to talk or you meet them on the road, first greet them that, TAG HIGHJACKER, how you dey?

Kind regards to the TAG HIGHJACKERS.

LADI ADEBUTU X-RAYED

I have watched with keen interest how gullible politicians has been signing praises of Hon. Ladi Adebutu. I am not surprised that this is happening because many of us are bread and butter politicians. They all want a share of the largesse of 10 billion Naira that his father we heard has earmarked for this aspiration. No wonder we are where we are in this country when all we praise in a political aspirants are their money and not their track records and achievements.

Let me ask those that have been shouting SAI LADO; One Nigeria some pertinent question;

1. What is the administrative record or experience of Hon. Ladi

2. What is his achievement or record as a business manager. We are not talking of achievement like his piggery farm. We are talking of serious business entity.

3. What can we point to as his achievement in the National assembly. Yes his still fresh in the National Assembly. Don’t you think we need to wait and assess him properly before we can say he can be our governor for a state like Ogun that has intelligent and well versed individuals that has record in both public and private sector

4. A man that is grossly lacking in human management; how does he want to manage the state effectively when it is very difficult to manage even the number in his Federal constituency.


5. Where is Hon. Ladi Adebutu's constituency office that the people he represent can use to get to him.

6. A man that finds it exhaustive to manage his Federal constituency comprising of 3 local government that he sleeps during the day at any given opportunity.


I'll want to stop for now but before I do, I will want to say one more thing, the leadership is a representation of the people. I can say categorically that Hon. Ladi Adebutu will not be a true representation of the standard of people that the party (PDP) can push forward to represent her unless we want to become a source of mockery for other parties. Infact, doing so will be insulting the sensibility of some of us in the party.

It is high time we need to re-orientate ourselves and start thinking like serious minded people. We should begin to gravitate towards people with great accomplishments that wants to lead. Having deep pocket should not only be certificate to aspire to political office. Individuals in the populace that are not politicians mocks our conduct.

Ogun 2019: Mass Exodus hits Ladi Adebutu’s camp
Segun Seriki, Ex-DG mobilisation, Rev. Salau, others desert him
Say he’s a sinking ship





By Alabi Eletiofe
Confusion has hit the camp of a member of the House of Representatives, Ladi Adebutu, who is aspiring to succeed the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
Besides observers wondering how intemperate someone who has not even spent a year out of his four-year mandate could be angling to be governor and thereby abandoning his primary responsibility at the House of Representatives, there are growing concerns about his state of mental health.

However, that is a story for another day. The news now is the rate at which stalwarts of the party who had hitherto flocked to him are abandoning him.
As at the last count, over 20 leading politicians across the states and thousands of their supporters have deserted him.
Some of them are a former member of the House of Representatives in the Third Republic and Director-General of the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign in Ogun State, Hon. Segun Seriki; Director-General in charge of Mobilisation for his forlorn ambition, Rev. Olusola Salau; Lola Soyombo and Otunba Kola Akinyemi.
Others are Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi (a.k.a Collindale), who has been described by those who know him as erudite and eloquent; Boye Olusola (a.k.a Uncle B), Hon. Jigan Taiwo, Hon. Ladi Olabinjo and Chief (Mrs) Josephine Makanjuola (a.k.a Mamak).
Seriki, it would be recalled, was the arrowhead of the Lado for Governor Project. Now, he has been used and abandoned. (We shall soon serve you the salacious details of how they fell apart).

According to sources, besides losing these party stalwarts and thousands of their supporters to the structure led by Senator Buruji Kashamu which also enjoys the support of the majority of the party exco in the state, it is a major source of concern to the shrinking Lado group that they may lose more members as the party congresses draw nearer.
The party congresses have been scheduled to begin on Saturday, 23rd April, 2016, with the Ward Congresses. This will be followed by the Local Government Area, State and Zonal Congresses billed for Saturday, 30th April, 7th May and 14th May, 2016 respectively.
The National Convention comes up on Saturday, the 21st of May, 2016.

by Kashimawo Odutola

 

 

The surety in a two-count charge of Obtaining through false pretence (419)and theft involving  one Basiru Dawotola has been arrested at the premises of Isabo Magistrate court Abeokuta today,16th may,2016 and to be arrange before Isabo magistrate court to inform the court on the whereabouts of the accused after he (the accused) was reported to have jumped bail.

Alhaja Idayat Adeboye ,a member of Hon Ladi Adebutu campaign Organisation from ward 4 in Abeokuta South local government in Ogun State, who volunteered to serve as surety for the accused Mr Basiru Dawotola,now took over the burden of the two-count charge should the accused remain at large.

Alhaja Idayat was in court today to show solidarity to one Mr Deji Ashaye who is standing trial for calling a serving Senator from Ogun State a jail breaker. Luck ran out of Adijat as one of the court officials spotted her and raised an alarm and she was arrested immediately by security agents.

Scores of Hon Ladi Adebutu's supporters were seen loitering the court premises lobbying for the release of Alhaja Idayat.

Alhaja Idayat Adeboye was formerly the chairperson of the Peoples Democratic party in ward 4 Abeokuta South Local government and she is at the moment a key member of Hon Adebutu campaign Organisation.

SOUTH WEST PDP ZONAL CONGRESS – MATTERS ARISING

By Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe

PREAMBLE

The issues leading to the purported conduct of the South West PDP zonal congress are too familiar to begin a recount here. But suffice it to say that history is about repeating itself in the South West.  It should be recalled former Ekiti State Governor, Engr. Segun Oni-led zonal exco was sacked because of the same executive lawlessness and disobedience to a valid court order.  What happened then? The rightful delegates from Ogun State under the leadership of Engr. Adebayo Dayo were prevented from taking part in the zonal congress and they went to court to invalidate the outcome of the congress, saying that whatever was done without them could not stand.

THE ISSUE

In this instant case, seeing that our tenure was being threatened by some powerful interests within the party in the South West, the Secretary of the Zonal Exco, Chief ‘Pegba Otemolu, approached the court to seek to interpret the constitution of the PDP on our tenure of office.

In the Suit No. FHC/L/CS/605/2016, which was filed by Chief Otemolu against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, its National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff and National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, the plaintiff submitted that it was wrong for the party and its national officers to contemplate organizing a zonal congress for the South West since the Zonal Executive Committee members were elected on the 11th of October, 2014.

He contended that since we were elected to serve four years tenure, our term will end on the 11th of October, 2018.

Chief Otemolu also prayed the court to grant him an interlocutory injunction preserving members of the zonal exco in office pending the determination of the suit.

Granting the plaintiff’s prayer, Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos held, “That an order of interlocutory injunction is granted to the Plaintiff/Applicant restraining the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants from conducting or permitting or recognizing any election into the offices of the South West Zonal Executive Committee pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Summons”.

The background to this was set on the 4th of May, 2016 when two separate meetings were held in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State and Akure, Ondo State. While the Ijebu Igbo meeting was called by the Zonal Exco, in consultations with some BoT members and majority of the state excos in the zone, Governors Ayo Fayose and Olusegun Mimiko called the Akure meeting.

While we stated our resolved to support the incumbent National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to continue his efforts to reposition the party at the May 21, 2016 National Convention, the Akure gathering was silent on where it stands even though it agreed to share the positions zoned to the South West PDP by the National Zoning Committee and approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party, to wit, the National Secretary, National Publicity Secretary and National Auditor.

Another point of divergence was on the tenure of the zonal executive. While the Ijebu-Igbo meeting noted and resolved that since the zonal exco came into office in October 2014, it should remain in office till 2018 when its four year tenure will elapse; the Akure named the Zonal Executive as some of the positions to be shared afresh among the states.

This was the first indication that there was an imminent threat to our continued stay in office, against the dictates of our party’s constitution. It was when all attempts to make those who felt threatened by our continued stay in office to see reason with us that the zonal secretary decided to approach the court for a judicial interpretation of our constitution.

After going through the bundle of evidence, which included the party’s constitution, the result sheet and the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among others, the court in its wisdom gave an order restraining the national leadership of our party and INEC from going ahead with the congress.

The order was duly served on INEC and on the National leadership of our great party, as attested to by the National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo.

But, surprisingly while the National Secretary, who is the head of the party secretariat, acknowledged that he had been served the court order and said that the party had decided to abide by the order, Fayose boasted that the congress would go on in spite of the court order, saying the party should ignore any “abracadabra court order”.

Of course, members of the Congress Committee who he had single-handedly handpicked also parroted his views, saying the congress would hold. They claimed that the National Chairman had given them the go-ahead to conduct the congress.

True to their boasts, they purportedly held the zonal congress on Saturday where Fayose again demanded the judiciary to be wary of those who only seek to win elections through the courts and not through elections.

OUR POSITION

From the foregoing, it is clear that no one seeks to perpetuate himself in office or seek to win elections through the courts as claimed by Fayose. But, what we have invited the court to do is to simply interpret the party’s constitution as it relates to our tenure in office.

The court then said the zonal congress should be put on hold, pending when the issue placed before it is determined.

But, rather than obey the court, those who were supposedly elected and took the oath of office to uphold the law have chosen to deride and circumvent it. Governors Fayose and Mimiko are in office today because the law permits them to be. They derive their legitimacy to be in office and compel their citizens to obey them because of the law. That is why there are no two governors in Ekiti and Ondo states. They cannot be governors and be party administrators at the same time. They cannot be governors and be judges in their own case, all at once.

The drafters of our constitution inserted the immunity clause not just to stop the executives from being distracted in the performance of their functions and duties but also because they thought them to be reasonable people who would not abuse their offices and the trust reposed in them. It beats my imagination that Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, who, to a large extent, has remained silent, could lend himself to such acts.  Governor Mimiko is a more matured and balanced character. What is more, he is a product of the law. That is why the governorship election is going to hold later this year in Ondo State and not in 2019. He came into office in 2009, after a long drawn legal battle. Thus, his first four years tenure ended in 2012 unlike his other colleagues who came into office in 2007 and whose four years tenure ended in 2011. He was re-elected in 2012 and that is why his second and final term will end in 2016. So, what is different in our case?

What is clear from the contraption called the zonal congress held last Saturday and which Governor Mimiko seems unaware of is the fact that he has been given the short end of the stick. Fayose encouraged him to host the illegal congress even when he knows it cannot stand; so as to clear the way for the emergence of his anointed candidate for the National Publicity Secretary of our party, among others.

He wants to be in firm control of the party’s structure in the South West in order to position himself as a Vice-Presidential candidate in 2019.  It should be stated that Fayose’s outright dismissal of the court is not unexpected. He seeks to foist his choice of candidates on the party. The PDP does not need such acts of impunity; impunity belongs in the PDP of yesteryears. We need a more temperate and matured set of people who will strategically sell the party to Nigerians

Leadership goes beyond populism and playing to the gallery. Some of our so-called leaders lack manners. They talk and act in a manner least expected of them – queer and irrational. Yet, they seek to justify their actions even when they know they are wrong. They lack the grace and gumption to accept their mistakes. Otherwise, what is difficult to understand in the fact that an exco has four years tenure of office? Why do they want to stand truth on its head and ride roughshod over a legitimate exco?

CONCLUSION

The decision of the national leadership of our great party and INEC to obey the court order is commendable.  However, they must go beyond mere rhetoric and stand firm, going forward. They have a duty to issue reports invalidating the exercise even before the court nullifies the contraption called zonal congress. They should show to all and sundry that the age of impunity and political cum executive recklessness is gone for good. And that no one, no matter how powerful, is bigger than the law.

It is on this note that I wish to implore all our respectable governors, leaders, elders and other stakeholders, to stand up for the truth and call Governors Fayose and Mimiko to order. They should desist from plunging the party into avoidable crisis. For instance, the so-called officers and delegates who emerged from the illegal congress could contaminate the National Convention and render its outcome null and void, if they are allowed to participate in the convention at the expense of the legitimate officers and delegates.

All we are saying is that there is no justification for the election of new officers into executive positions in the zone when the tenure of the current officers has not expired.

·        Ogundipe is the National Vice-Chairman, PDP, South West

OGUN PDP PRESS STATEMENT

COLLAPSED ABEOKUTA MARKET BUILDING: WE SYMPATHISE WITH VICTIMS; BUT IT IS ALSO AN INDICATION OF OGUN GOVERNMENT'S IRRESPONSIBILITY

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State under the leadership of Engr. Adebayo Dayo hereby condemn the collapse of an about-to-be completed market structure at Itoku market in Abeokuta, the state capital in the early hours of today with many dead casualties, many still in critical conditions while many are severely injured.

While the total casualty figures is yet to be fully ascertained as many bodies are still being recovered from the rubbles, we quickly use this medium to condole with the many Ogun state families that have been thrown into untimely mourning owing to this sad but clearly avoidable incidence.

Let it be stated that accidents by their nature are unintentional and unforseen events which happen and thus, may not be attributed to be the deliberate doing of anyone, but for this particular incident, it is unfortunate that the APC government under the suffocative regime of Sen. Ibikunle Amosun is not just culpable but deliberately and wickedly so.

The PDP have always stated that this government is insincere and biting more than it could chew. Most of its projects are poorly conceptualised, unnecessary and self-aggrandizing; without any meticulous or rigorous planning. The projects are never subjected to competitive bidding and usually awarded to lackeys of the governor who receive ridiculous monies to execute poor jobs while government pockets the padded balance.

Of all the jamboree projects of governor Amosun, only the Ibara-Totoro road barely passed the integrity test of structural scrutiny. The flyover bridge on the Ijebu-Ode expressways is a disaster waiting to happen as many of its joints are already giving way and had been patched several times even before commissioning.

The NNPC-Leme-Abiola way road was always being reinforced before it was hurriedly tarred to meet up with President Buhari's visit few weeks back; suffice to say the dual flyover bridge at Iyana-Mortuary Abeokuta (needless in the first instance) is another potential future disaster because of its steep bend and poor joints. And back to the markets, the Omida market that was commissioned by Buhari two months back is still undergoing works and far from usage; ditto for others.

These are few of the many poor jobs across the state and we wonder how many lives will still be lost in future. This government prefers quantity to quality and prefers to invest in eye-service projects rather than invest in critical areas like Education, health and economic infrastructure that are in decay. Many Bridges, roads and markets remain abandoned across the state and to save its face, government may just patch- up their finishings with attendant future consequences.

Our party condemns this development in its entirety and urge the government to immediately accept responsibility and apologise for the disaster. It must also compensate the families of the dead and injured. Compensation must also go to many Ogun families that are psychologically injured owing to failure of government to compensate them (or adequately so) for their houses and sources of livelihood that was destroyed to pave way for these self-seeking and unsatisfactory projects.

It is indeed a sad day for Ogun people and we sympathise with them. We urge them to be strong and bare the pains for three more years when a more reasonable, people-focused and compassionate party will return to power to assuage their pains and wipe away their tears. We pray for the repose of the soul of the dead and may God grant their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.


(Signed)

Adeniji Bolaji
State Publicity Secretary

The National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe has reacted to the comments by the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose that the South West zonal congress scheduled for Akure on Saturday, 14th May, 2016, will go on despite a subsisting court order restraining the party from going ahead with the exercise.

In a statement today, Ogundipe said Fayose was not the party, adding that the National Legal Adviser and other principal officers of the party had been served the court order.

The party chieftain noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had also been served the court order.

Ogundipe therefore urged delegates and the other well-meaning leaders and elders of the party not to join Fayose in his usual characteristic lawless conduct and impunity, saying that any such exercise conducted in spite of the court order will be an affront to the judiciary, a nullity and an exercise in futility.

He added that officers and delegates who emerge from such an illegal gathering and consequently participate in the national convention will contaminate the convention and make it illegal and a nullity.

“Fayose is on his own. He is not the party and he cannot speak for the party. He is the architect of abracadabra, illegality and thuggery. All well-meaning members, leaders and elders of the party should not follow him in his latest journey to self-destruction and ignominy,” Ogundipe said.

The crisis rocking the South West Zonal chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assumed another dimension as a Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday restrained the party and its officers from going ahead with the zonal congress scheduled to hold on Saturday, May 14, 2016.

In the case with Suit No. FHC/L/CS/605/2016, which was filed by the incumbent Zonal Secretary, Chief ‘Pegba Otemolu against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, its National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff and National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, the plaintiff submitted that it was wrong for the party and its national officers to contemplate organizing a zonal congress for the South West since the Zonal Executive Committee members were elected on the 11th of October, 2014.

He contended that since members of the zonal exco were elected to serve four years tenure, their term will end on the 11th of October, 2018.

Granting the plaintiff’s prayer, Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos held, “That an order of interlocutory injunction is granted to the Plaintiff/Applicant restraining the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants from conducting or permitting or recognizing any election into the offices of the South West Zonal Executive Committee pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Summons”.

The case has been adjourned till 24th of May, 2016.

With the latest development, any attempt to conduct the zonal congress scheduled for Akure, Ondo State and Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, by the contending groups within the zone will be an illegality, a contempt of court and nullity.

According to informed sources, by implication, the Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe-led zonal exco will continue to be in office until either 2018 or when the suit is determined.

It was not an easy ride for Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade, the Chairman of the Zamfara State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Electoral Committee and his members during the State Congress which was held at Gusau on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. The members were held hostage for more than four hours by a faction of PDP led by Senator Sahabi Yau Kaura, who had come to the party secretariat with a prepared list of delegates different from the authentic one.

Trouble started when the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Obinna Anosike‎ started calling out delegates for accreditation. Senator Kaura leading some thugs started shouting on top of his voice saying the list prepared by his team must be used for the conduct of the Congress.

All attempts by Akinlade and the security agents to prevail on Kaura to abide by ‎the decision of the party fell on deaf ears and the situation became tense.

‎The situation became uncontrollable and the venue became rowdy and war songs were being chanted. Sensing the situation may lead to loss of lives and properties, the authentic delegates were asked to move to a safe location in outskirt of Gusau metropolis.

However, the Chairman of the Committee, Akinlade and few other members were prevented from leaving the venue. They were held hostage for more than four hours. They were held inside their vehicle pleading for their lives. After about four hours, the security agents at the venue called for reinforcement and they were eventually rescued at around 7pm.

AFTERMATH OF STATE CONGRESSES: NEW PDP CHAIRMAN SUES FOR RECONCILIATION AND UNITY AMONG MEMBERS

The newly elected chairman of our great party in Ogun State, Engr. Adebayo Dayo has urged every member of the party to join hands with his executive to move the party foward. In his acceptance speech delivered immediately after being sworn-in for a second tenure , he pleaded with members of the party who feel aggrieved to join hands with him to forge a united and prosperous party.

Sounding philosophical and inspiring, the Chairman recognized the onerous task ahead and wants all leaders of the party to contribute to it. He praised the efforts of certain leaders and recognized their importance to the task ahead. In his words, he said, "We are today humbled in victory but it would have been better if all our leaders are on the same page".

"We recognize former Governor Gbenga Daniel a two-term governor under the PDP, he is our leader, my benefactor, we respect him and want him to continue to offer us his wealth of experience. Rt. Hon Dimeji Bankole is also my leader, a former Speaker and our good brother. We regard him and want him to join this progressive march.

Engr.Dayo further heaped kind words on Hon. Ladi Adebutu  and other leaders, urging them to please sheath their swords and allow for unity. Continuing he said, " In politics, there are bound to be competing  interest but it must not be at the detriment of the party. Personal ambition must not override the collective prosperity of our party. We are open to everyone and ready to reconcile anyone aggrieved".

The chairman also praised Sen. Buruji Kashamu for his untiring efforts and contribution to the continuous survival of the party stating that it could have gone to extinction in 2011 had he not staked all his resources and energy to keep it afloat and viable for everyone that now seek to take a pick from it. Engr. Bayo Dayo was also of the believe that if all hands are on deck, the party is poised to chase away the APC and form government in 2019.

Finally, we again use this medium to reiterate that there are no factions in Ogun PDP and only one validly conducted Congress held yesterday 10th May 2016. Any other arrangement anywhere that purports to be another "parallel" Congress is nothing but a gathering of people whose motive and intentions are not clear and definitely not in consonance with the mood of the larger percentage of our members that are desirous of a rejuvenated, peaceful and progressive party.

(Signed)

Adeniji Bolaji 
State Publicity Secretary

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun state joined other state chapters to elect its new officers to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years. The Congress which held at the Party Secretariat, Abeokuta, was conducted by the Congress committee from Abuja led by Mohammed El-Yakub and monitored by INEC and all relevant security agencies.

The Congress returned Engr. Adebayo Dayo as the State Chairman and Alhaji Semiu Sodipo as State secretary among others. It is instructive to state that the party remains strong and poised to achieve great things in coming years. The new chairman in his address pleaded with members of the party who feel aggrieved to join hands with this new executive in forging a united and prosperous party.

Importantly, we hereby notify the good people of Ogun state that there are no factions in Ogun PDP and only one validly conducted Congress held today. Any other arrangement anywhere that purports to be another "parallel" Congress is nothing but a gathering of people whose motive and intentions are not clear and definitely not in consonance with the mood of the larger percentage of our members that are desirous of a rejuvenated, peaceful and progressive party.

Below is the full list of the newly elected and sworn-in executives. Also included is the signed result sheet of the painstaking and rigorous event.

OGUN PDP NEWLY ELECTED STATE EXECUTIVES

(1). ENGR. ADEBAYO DAYO-STATE CHAIRMAN

(2). HON. ADEBOYE ADESINA -STATE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

(3). ALH. SEMIU SODIPO-STATE SECRETARY

(4). PRINCE ADELEKE ADEDOYIN-STATE VICE CHAIRMAN (EAST)

(5). ENGR. TUNDE AKEEM ADESINA-STATE VICE CHAIRMAN (CENTRAL)

(6). HON. LEYE ODUNJO -STATE VICE CHAIRMAN (WEST)

(7). DR. TOLANI HASSAN-STATE ASST. SECRETARY

(. KOYE IJADUOYE-STATE ORGANIZING SECRETARY

(9). OMOLADE LATEEF-STATE ASST. ORG. SEC

(10). ALH. MORUFU AJISEGIRI-STATE FINANCIAL SEC.

(11). GBOYEGA ODUFOWOKAN-STATE ASST. FIN. SEC.

(12). MR. ADENIJI BOLAJI-STATE PUBLICITY SECRETARY

(13). CHIEF WOLE ADEYI-STATE ASST. PUB. SEC.

(14). ADEDEJI IBRAHIM-STATE AUDITOR

(15). HON. SAMSON BAMGBOSE-STATE ASST. AUDITOR

(16). BARR. BIMBO OGUNLOLU-BALOGUN- STATE LEGAL ADVISER

(17). MUSEDIK OBISANYA-STATE ASST. LEGAL ADVISER

(18). MR. FEMI ALAO -STATE YOUTH LEADER

(19). MRS. ROSEMARY O. REMILEKUN-STATE WOMAN LEADER

(20). MRS. WUSU FUNKE-STATE TREASURER

(21). ALH. SAULA MAKINDE-STATE ASST. TREASURER

(22). BOLA ODUMOSU-STATE EX-OFFICIO

(23). HON. MICHEAL AGBOLADE-STATE EX-OFFICIO

(24). NURUDEEN OLALEYE -STATE EX-OFFICIO

(25). ENGR. FIDELIX OLUSEGUN AINA-STATE EX-OFFICIO

(26). MRS. AZEEZ FATIMA- STATE EX-OFFICIO

(27). MR. FEMI FOLALU-STATE EX-OFFICIO


(Signed)

Adeniji Bolaji
State Publicity Secretary

This is what democracy is all about.... When the oposition is doing great you commend that government and not the other way round.

Buruji Kashamu must be commended for this interview... His type is not common among our politicians.

Why can't we learn how to do things the proper way?

The fact that senator KASHAMU is a Pdp man does not mean he should not commend Buhari's admistration if there is need for it.

It is only in Nigeria that you can't commend your opponent for a job well done.lets learn to say it the way it is.... Senator Kashamu is still in order with this interview.

Prince Buruji Kashamu is the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly. He has been in the news lately for being among some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West who are rooting for the North to retain the National Chairmanship of the party. This has made some to insinuate that he is promoting a Sheriff/Fayose ticket ahead of the 2019 general election. In a recent encounter with journalists in Lagos, he denied promoting any presidential ticket and bared his mind on other sundry issues. Excerpts:







Some South West PDP leaders, including Chief Bode George, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe and Doyin Okupe have condemned your position describing you and others as ragamuffins and bastards. How would you react to this?

No amount of abuse will make me descend into the arena. I am focused on what I and other well-meaning leaders think is in the best interest of the good and highly regarded people of the South West and the party. They can call us any name they want to call us; it does not move me. I have done nothing wrong. At least, no one has accused me of stealing party or campaign funds and materials. Neither have I abused my office as a Senator. Of course, every practical politician knows that those they refer to as ragamuffins are prolific strikers and foot soldiers; they are the ones who can go out to get things done and then report back to our esteemed leaders who are naturally slowing down as they advance in years.Our foremost leaders like Baba Bode George, Chief Babatope and Senator Ogunlewe remain our superior leaders. It is true that they can no longer run and strike like they used to do in their youthful days. However, we need to combine the provenwisdom of the old with the astuteness, strength and agility of the younger ones to reposition the party. It is a fact of life that parents and the elderly prayerfully train and nurture their off-springs to grow up to be better and be more adept at what they do when they eventually take over. It is true that Baba Bode George told me he wanted to be the National Chairman and I told him I will support him, provided he was able to consult widely and carry others along; contrary to Chief Babatope’s claim that Chief George was not interested in the position. But, after a deep reflection on the situation of things and due consultations with other well-meaning leaders and members of the party in the South West, we felt there was the need to retain the position in the North. As for Chief Ogunlewe, we have collaborated politically in the recent past. I am surprised he is now saying that those who hold a view contrary to his are bastards. It is most unfortunate. And then I saw my friend and brother, DoyinOkupe, trying laboriously to justify their agenda. He too had told me that he wanted to be the National Chairman. But, the reality is that some of those scheming to be National Chairman just want the title; nothing more. What we need now is somebody who can rebuild the party. That is why many people are rooting for Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.



You are on record as having granted several interviews where you hailed the Federal Government’s anti-corruption fight. Why have you been supporting the anti-corruption fight of the Government and President Buhari?

As a senator, I represent an arm of the government which is the legislature. And by virtue of my being a member of the National Assembly, I am part of the Federal Government. All elected and appointed officials are critical stakeholders in the Nigerian project. We are individually and collectively liable for the success and failure of our current democratic experience and government. Once a President, lawmaker, governor or local government chairman emerges, he is no longer a President, governor or chairman of the party that produced him or its members. He becomes the leader of all the people. For me, the truth and the interest of the masses are paramount in all I do, in and out of politics. These notions are the guiding principles that inform actions. For me, the call to national patriotic duty supersedes all other considerations and interests.



But Nigerians are complaining and frustrated with the myriad of challenges confronting them, from fuel scarcity to poor power supply, among others; what would be your reaction to this?

I know that Nigerians are crying that there is no money in circulation and that things are hard. But I think that the prevailing austerity measures put in place by the Federal Government are meant to block leakages, wastages and mop up excess funds in the system. No more free money or slush funds anywhere.Hopefully, the money being salvaged by these measures will be used to rebuild our socio-economic infrastructure. Already, the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the Treasury Single Account (TSA) are saving the country trillions of naira.It was outrageous to hear that as much as N30billion of public funds have been traced to the accounts of a certain permanent secretary? Can you imagine how much would have been stolen by other functionaries when you realize that we have over 260 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)? You would have noticed that more discoveries and startling revelations are being made almost on a daily basis. There are moments I ask myself: can all these be true? How can people be this heartless? No one is perfect. No assemblage of human beings can be perfect. But, I am saying that there are visible signs that things are now being done differently. The fake and flamboyant lifestyle that most Nigerians were used to is now giving way for a more realistic and moderate lifestyle. Furthermore, the demonstrable political will of the President inspires hope. Hispersonal integrity and uprightness is having a ripple effect on how government operates. People can at least strive and succeed on merit. Money can no longer be used to buy people’s loyalty. The trend now is that if you must get the people’s loyalty, you must work for it and earn it. The years of decadence that tainted our national psyche are being rolled away. Our common wealth that was stolen and hidden in other countries is being brought back as the war against corruption is being won. Anti-graft agencies, such as the EFCC and ICPC have found their rhythm. There is now a glaring difference in the posture and operations of the EFCC under Ibrahim Magu and his predecessor Ibrahim Lamorde. It is only those who have things to hide that will be criticising the renewed anti-corruption fight in order to weaken it. I read the other day that contrary to what we had thought all along, the arms deal fund that was diverted is not $2.1bn but a whopping $15bn! Imagine how many roads could have been built with that! Imagine how many hospitals would have been better equipped and new ones built with that! Think of how much impact a share of that money would have had on our power supply! Mercifully, the war against insurgency is being won, thanks to the doggedness of the Federal Government. Those who sent our brothers, sisters, children, fathers and mothers to their early graves have unwittingly committed murder and they should know that their lives are not better than those whose lives they have and continued to cut short in their prime. With the lurid details we hear every day, I am ruminating on the need to propose and lobby my colleagues in the National Assembly to amend our laws to make corruption a capital offence or attract a life sentence. It is high time the immunity clause is revisited because I cannot understand why people who committed crime against humanity by looting arms funds and using them to fund their elections would hide under the immunity clause.I trust that sooner than later the level and details of their involvement in the arms fund scandal will soon be revealed. It should be noted that this fight is greater and fiercer than any political party or individual. This fight cannot be fought by the President alone; the challenge is certainly not confronting only the APC. When we criticise blindly, for the purpose of distracting or de-marketing the government of the day, we put our collective destiny on the regress and subsequent regimes will be compelled to begin working from that disadvantage.And like I have repeatedly said, it is easier to destroy than to build.

I have even read posts condemning the President and his team for apologizing to Nigerians over certain things. If the President and his appointees are apologizing to Nigerians over certain actions and inactions; they should not be vilified. Such character is rare to come by among many African leaders. Therefore, it should not be used against them. It is not an admittance of failure. Rather, it shows the strength of their character, humility, and the level of their love and concern for the masses. Like I have often said, it certainly will take more than a year to build what has been destroyed over the years. Revelations and updates on various incidents of corruption clearlyindicate that the country has been badly plundered over the years. Let us give this government an enabling environment to work. We are quick to agree that Rome was not built in a day but when challenged to go through the process that it took to build Rome, we begin to complain. The great men who conceived, designed and executed the master plan must have been the target of public outrage because of how long and painstaking the process must have been. Rome is a metaphor for Nigeria. Nigerians like the Romans desire to have a nation that is indeed the giant of Africa and pride of black people all over the world but we are not willing and patient enough to undergo the process that will birth the nation of our dreams.It is common knowledge that fiscal indiscipline and impunity in public spending almost crippled the economy. Those with the capacity to do the mathematics know that we have been living in a fragile fiscal bubble for years now. They said Nigeria had been broke and it was just a matter of time for the roof to cave in on us. It is irresponsible to play politics with the truth at a time when the people need to know and understand what exactly is going on.The past governments failed to heed the call to save, and depleted the resources that were saved in the Excess Crude Account (ECA). Investigations into the aged misappropriation of N23billion by the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison – Madueke is revealing very offensive details. The oil sector was vandalised and treated like a personal treasury by a select few but now the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is being repositioned for effective profitable operations.



But your views are contrary to those of your fellow party man, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State. He has been criticizing the current administration virtually on everything; one of the recent being his opposition to the President trip to China as well as the $2billion loan being sought from the Chinese Government. He has also said recent happenings have vindicated his stance that President Buhari is too old for the job. What would be your reaction to these?

Like I said earlier, as elected or appointed officials, we are individually and collectively liable for the success or failure of the government of the day. Fayose is a part of the government and he knows that there are more reasonable channels to make his opinions known, contrary to the media frenzy that he kicks up each time he wants to make a point. As a member of the National Economic Council (NEC) and Council of State, he has extraordinary access to speak to those responsible for various aspects of government without necessarily making his views come through like a tantrum. To whom much is given, much is expected; respect is mutual and reciprocal. It is mandatory for us as leaders to treat each other with due respect. Democratic values and liberties should not erode our sense of decency. Dr. Kayode Fayemi was an opposition governor under the immediate past administration, yet he maintained a high level of decorum. He was a balanced character. He was not cantankerous. He represented and still represents the best of Ekiti people – suave, urbane and cool-headed. It is said that those who come to equity must come with clean hands. We are witnesses to how some people who began fault-finding at the advent of this administration were found wanting when the searchlight was beamed on them. Governor Fayose should endeavour to be a good student of history and take his learning from what happened to him in 2006. He did claim he was a changed and matured person when he was seeking re-election. The jury is out as to whether he has changed or not. You cannot be doing something the same way and expect a different result. If the good and humane people of Ekiti State have shown him love and returned him to office, the least he can do is to reciprocate their kind gesture by giving them quality governance and effective representation; being confrontational will be detrimental to their fortunes at the end of the day. The energy dissipated on playing to galleryand acting like a thug and toutthat is obsessed with the bashing of the Federal Government and President Buhari as if it is an official policy of the State Government will consequently retard the progress and prosperity of the good people of the state. For, as it is said, when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.There are other PDP governors, who also hold strong views about developments in our polity, but they are not confrontation. They explore more appropriate and diplomatic ways of airing their views. If anyone decides to shun such official platforms to air his views and suggestions, whose fault is it? As a member of the legislative arm of government, I dare to say that there is a deficit in the enterprise called Nigeria, and we must first clear the deficit before talking of profitability. It is pertinent to note that Nigeria cannot be a pariah nation; we must be proactive members of the comity of nations. Such pro-activeness is imperative in the process of recovering stolen funds hidden in foreign countries as well as the task of building investors' confidence and attracting foreign direct investments into a country that is stigmatized by corruption, impunity and bad governance. The President’s trips should not be politicized. It is not right to make it look as if the present government is not working. We have clearly seen that a lot of things went wrong under the past government. Public officials at various levels travel in the course of their duties. We should refrain from politicizing everything and making a mountain out of a molehill.On his letter to the Chinese Government, I think that was extreme and totally condemnable. I cannot agree less with someone who described it as a treasonable act. It is an offence against the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the sovereignty of our beloved country. I do not agree with Fayose’s style of politics. You do not demolish the whole community because you want to build your own house. He advised that instead of borrowing, the Federal Government should make use of the recovered loot. But, I am sure that those who recovered the loot are also patriotic citizens of Nigeria. The government is made up of seasoned technocrats and experts in various fields and they certainly do have plans for the recovered loot. They will look at the terms and conditions of the facility and if they do not favour us, they will not go for it. Besides, the details of the facility will be sent to the National Assembly for scrutiny. If Governor Fayose says he has indeed been running his state without borrowing money, the questions are: what is the major source of funding; is it not the Federal Allocation? What is the percentage of Ekiti State’s contribution to the Consolidated Revenue Account? No one needs a soothsayer to know that if anything untoward happens to the Federal Government, it will also affect the component parts! Has Governor Fayose paid up all the debts he inherited from his predecessor? Is he not accessing new facilities from other sources? To what extent has he gone in meeting the basic needs of the good people of Ekiti State? Government is like a business venture. If you relate this to a business which you built with a bank facility, your obligation will be to first defray your deficit before talking about profit. But here, we had a situation where the credit facility was mismanaged. It has almost become a bad loan. And since government is a continuum in which you inherit the assets and liabilities, the new government has to find a way to strike a balance between keeping the body polity afloat and managing the mismanaged facility or bad loan. Such is the situation we have found ourselves in and I think it is high time politicians stopped being selfishly divisive and playing to the gallery. That is certainly not how to be in opposition. Don’t get me wrong; it is not unpatriotic to be critical of the government but blind criticism is bad. He should say the truth and not be blindfolded by personal interests.

On the age issue, there is no verifiable fact on ground that supports his opinion that the President is too old for the job. It is outrageous for a pot to call a kettle black and growl from its little corner like a creature we call awawa in Yoruba land. I remember that before settling for the current Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Governor Fayose had chosen an octogenarian as his running mate. Besides, Governor Fayose is also on record for having appointed a 72-year-old man as chairman of a local government in Ekiti State. In fact, the man was said to be an illiterate. So, why fault the judgment of the over 15 million Nigerians who entrusted the country into the hands of President Buhari at the 2015 polls when you have also done same as Governor? For me, I do not think that performance or lack of it has anything to do with age as long as you are certified to be medically fit and sound. I think it is too simplistic and a worse form of politicking to seek to taunt a man – more so our President.

That is unfair and he should desist from such. The President deserves our respect as the President of the country. The Presidency is a distinguished institution and he must refrain from always deriding the institution in the public arena. The Presidency represents the epitome of sovereignty and dignity of a nation and her citizens and must be respected at all times; irrespective of who is the president. This was primarily the basis for the disposition of some of us to the immediate past administration, in spite of its shortcoming. And the mere fact that some people relentlessly vilified that administration does not set an acceptable precedent, going forward. There must be boundaries that we must not cross even when we play politics. But, if he wants to continue to ridicule the President and call him all manner of names in the name of politics, I will also not hesitate to join issues with him. This is not about President Muhammadu Buhari as a person but about the dignity and respect for the office of the President and by extension Nigerians who freely entrusted in him their mandate. I wish to say for the umpteenth time that some of those who are loudest in criticising the anti-corruption crusade are not doing so selflessly. They may have been involved in some corrupt practices and think that the only way they can evade justice is to systematically pull the wool over our eyes. Some of them have been indicted and others including past and serving governors in the South West will still be indicted.

Senator representing Ogun-East, Buruji Kashamu, yesterday, said he will mobilise delegates from the South-West to vote for the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, at the planned national convention of the party. Kashamu said though he had been called names over his support for Sheriff, he would not be deterred from whatever he believes is in the best interest of the PDP.

He spoke in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State even as the controversy continued over the zoning of party positions ahead of the May 21 National Convention of the PDP.

The senator had last Wednesday at the expanded executive committee meeting of South-West PDP in Ijebu-Igbo, also said he had no apology for supporting Sheriff’s ambition.

But justifying his decision yesterday, Kashamu pointed out that it was in accordance with resolutions of the South-West PDP stakeholders’ meeting held in Ibadan in March and the 70th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) held in April.

He said, “The NEC has also zoned the offices of the National Secretary, National Auditor and National Publicity Secretary to the South-West.

“We would mobilise delegates from the South West to support the incumbent National Chairman to continue in office if he indicates his interest in contesting for the position of the national chairman at the convention in Port Harcourt. “Although we have been called names over our proposals and actions, we remain committed to whatever we believe is in the best interest of our party, the good people of the South- West and Nigeria.”

Kashamu urged all interested aspirants and stakeholders to return to their various domains for consultations.