Osun defender - August 12th 2014, Edition by OsunDefender

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www.osundefender.org TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014 The victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC in last Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State reinforces the opposition against a seemingly rampaging political train of President Goodluck Jonathan

VOL. 9. NO.096

Front Page Comment

Osun and 2015: The game changer It was a welcome relief to the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Those who saw him yesterday morning as

the result of the Osun State governorship poll was declared said they saw a man greatly relieved but reinforced for the battle ahead. Besides being an

elixir to the opposition that was badly traumatized by defeat in Ekiti a month ago, the Osunvictory acts as a spring for the

opposition towards the 2015 presidential prize that was being considered a foregone booty of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The message yesterday

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was that 2015 is still within play. Despite earlier claims by the APC that the presidency was determined to rig the election in favour of the PDP’s Senator Iyiola Omisore, the outcome of the election showed the limit to which President Goodluck Jonathan would go in forcing his will on the electorate. Continue on pg6

Osun 2014 Governorship Election:

Aregbesola Floors Jonathan, Omisore, PDP, Others - See Story On Page 2

•Jubilations Galore Across Osun

Omisore’s Running Mate, PDP Chair, Ex-Minister, - Pg 3 Others Lose Polling Units

Omisore, - Pg 9 Akinbade Accept - Pg 4 Defeat

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (arrowed), showing his appreciation to his suppoters of Osun after the INEC declared him as the winner of the 2014 governorship election last Sunday at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Ooni Congratulates Aregbesola Over Re- - Pg 2 election

Let’s Work Together To Develop Osun - Aregbesola Tells PDP

- See Story On Page 3

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

News

Aregbesola Floors Jonathan, Omisore, PDP, Others

N spite of all intimidation and harassment of All Progressives Congress (APC) members by security operatives under the command of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains in the State of Osun, the incumbent governor and candidate of the APC in the just-concluded gubernatorial election in the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has flatly defeated the PDP and its candidate, Mr. Iyiola Omisore. Aregbesola, according to and Alhaji Fatai Akinbade of Professor Bamitale Omole, the Labour Party (LP), who the Vice-Chancellor of came distant third with 8,494 Obafemi Awolowo votes. University (OAU) and the The incumbent governor Chief Presiding Officer for had had a hectic time weeks the election, polled 394,684 ahead of the keenly votes to defeat Omisore, contested election with who polled 292, 747 votes President Goodluck

Jonathan and top echelon of the PDP literarily declaring war on the state and her residents with the sudden invasion of the state by mask-wearing security operatives, who made it clear that they were acting on orders from above. Jonathan had, during his party final campaign rally, told his party men and women in clear terms how important the Osun gubernatorial election was to his second term ambition, and the need for the state to

vote for the PDP, if they truly desire to have federal presence in their state. To ensure walking his talk, the Jonathan-led Federal Government had left its coffers open for the prosecution of the governorship election in the state, from where over N10 billion was withdrawn to implement the presidential directives. The current Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Jelili Adesiyan and his counterpart in the defence

ministry, Mr. Musliu Obanikoro, had used their positions in the Federal Executive Council and powers to the fullest by ensuring unprecedented invasion of the state by security men, all in the name of ensuring security during the election. The rampaging security operatives, especially those from the Department of State Security (DSS) had immediately on arrival, gone ahead to do their master’s bidding by shooting sporadically into the air and harassing innocent members of the public, at a time, when the state was not at war. In the face of all these

provocations, the rulingAPC in the state regularly educated its members never to lose their cool on the sudden appearance of masked security operatives and even on one occasion advised its members to exhibit the virtues of Omoluabi in the state residents by being hospitable to the security men. The harassment and intimidation of the ruling party members in the state did not stop even on the eve of the election as some prominent members of the APC were arrested and whisked away to undisclosed locations.

Massive Voters’ Turnout In Ifetedo, Others •Despite Clampdown On APC Leaders By SOLA JACOBS

ESIDENTS of Ife South Local Government Council Areas of the State of Osun turned out massively to vote during last Saturday gubernatorial election in the state in whicg the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, emerged the winner.

•Some of the Youths carrying a mock coffin and picture of Senator Iyiola Omisore, the defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in 2014 election. Photo GBEBGA ADENIYI.

How PDP Moneybags Politics Failed •Induces NYSC Members, Party Agents By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

The situation remained the same in Ikirun, OtanAyegbaju, Iresi, Oke-Irun, Iree and Eripa, where our reporter visited. The method of distributing the cash, according to the findings, was through phone contact to those from whom they had earlier collected the photocopies of their voters’ cards. A voter, who collected the money in Otan Ayegbaju, who however pleaded annonymity said: “I was called on phone by a known PDP leader in Otan and offered me

Voters in the State of Osun during last Saturday governorship election resisted monetary inducement and security harassment and came out to vote massively for Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (PDP). The party chieftains In Osun Central were also caught Senatorial District, where our reporter visited during distributing money to the the election, the election corps members deployed was adjudged to have for the election, while witnessed highest turnout some rejected the cash in the history of election inducement, as a result of an earlier warning from in the state. In Ila-Orangun, the INEC, it was found out Peoples Democratic that some of the corps Party (PDP) leaders members received the were rolling out cash to PDP cash of N50,000. induce voters, as findings from a polling unit in Ward 4 indicated that they were inducing voters with N10,000 and subjected The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, has them to spiritual oath. However, a PDP party congratulated Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his agent, Suraj Akinjide, at running mate over their victory in the governorship the Ila-Orangun palace election held on Saturday. polling unit, denied the In a congratulatory his domain because one of allegation, saying nothing message forwarded to the his subjects, who is the of such happened at the deputy governor on candidate of the Peoples polling unit, but when he Saturday night, Oba Democratic Party (PDP) was confronted by a Sijuwade assured the hails from Ile Ife. voter, who had collected deputy governor, Otunba “Your Excellency, the money, Suraj said; “it (Mrs) Grace Titilayo congratulations and there was not an inducement. I Laoye-Tomori, that the is nobody fighting in Ife,” just settled him as a despite the outcome of the the Ooni said in his election, there is no and friend.” there will be no fighting in message

Ooni Congratulates Aregbesola Over Re-election

N15,000 and promised that if I should bring a voter with card, I would receive N5,000 commission per voter and assured me that a police officer at the polling unit would monitor me and protect me. “Few hours later, the police officer arrived the residence of the PDP leader and handed over to him N100,000. I collected the money and also took eight people to the party leader’s residence.” Also at Eripa, some corps members were also alleged to have been bribed to be frustrating APC supporters at the poling unit. At Ward 10 in Iree, a PDP leader was confronted at the polling unit at Ansar-U-Deen Primary School for distributing money and later chased away by security agents. However, most of the voters, who collected the money without voting for them were said to have been threatened with death, as a result of the convenant they entered into before collecting the money.

OSUN DEFENDER at Yekemi, Aye-oba, Olode and Ifetedo witnessed massive turnout of voters in their respective polling units, awaiting accreditation. In Ife Central Local Government Council Area of the state, specifically at Iredunmi Unit of Iremo Ward 5, the accreditation exercise turned out be peaceful, but at Ladelatan Unit in Okerewe Ward of Ife East Local Government Council Area, there were pockets of skirmishes for reasons that could not be ascertained as at when the medium visited the area. At Ayeoba and Coker villages respectively, voters had already finished accreditation as at 11.45am, while waiting for the voting exercise to begin. At Oke- Ayepe area of Olode, accreditation exercise had finished as early as 11.50 am, while voters waited patiently to cast their vote. At Akodi Adesigbin Unit in Ifetedo, voters were accredited as early as 8.00pm and the medium saw Honourable Niyi Owolade, the governorship candidate of Accord Party (AP) in the state, affirming that the accreditation exercise was hitch-free. Also at the same unit, Honourable Diran Ayanbeku, in an interactive session with the medium, also confirmed that the accreditation exercise was hitch-free, as there was massive turn-out of voters. At 11.45am, the medium gathered that at Akodi Adesigbin area of the town, armed security-men invaded the unit, which

resulted in APC members fleeing from the unit for safety, as they were not allowed to vote. At Ologede, Odesanmi and Amula, voters were disenfranchised, as people believed to be PDP thugs took over all the polling booths in the villages. At Unit 4 of Ideta in Ifetedo, the exercise went on smoothly. At Oke-Eso, Ikija, Akodi Ajibike, CAC 1 and 2, Baba Akodi, Akodi Famoroti and AUD units, all in Ifetedo, the accreditation exercise was without hitches, as well as the voting exercise. At noon, there was show of might between the men and officers of the Mobile unit of the Nigeria Police and Nigerian Army at the entrance into the ancient town. According to an eyewitness account, some men in mobile police uniform, loaded in two Toyota Hilux vans, had besieged the entrance of the town, only to be turned back by the men of Nigeria Army, who demanded for their identity. As the men could not give any satisfactory explanation to the soldiers, they were turned back and they headed back to GarageOlode. A source from Modakeke, headquarters of the Area Office, in a telephone interview with the medium, said the exercise was hitchfree but there was clampdown on APC leaders, as one Moshood Oni was whisked away by men believed to be security operatives without any reason.

News

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Omisore’s Running Mate, PDP Chair, Ex-Minister, Others Lose Polling Units By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

HE rejection of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the people of the State of Osun was further reechoed at the Saturday governorship election in the state, as majority of the party leaders lost the election in their various polling units. Honourable Adejare Director of Publicity of the Bello, the running mate to party, Mr Diran Odeyemi, PDP candidate, Senator among others, lost in their Iyiola Omisore, former polling units. Minister of State for Bello voted at a polling Defence, Erelu Olusola unit in Ede North Local Obada, the party’s chairman, Government Council Area, Alhaji Gani Ola-Oluwa and where his party scored 30

votes, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 130 votes. Olaoluwa voted at GRA polling unit, Ward 1, in Olorunda Local Government Council Area, where his party scored 95 votes, as against 142 votes of the APC. Former Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, voted at Unit 1, Temidire Primary School, Ibodi, Ward 1, in Atakumosa West Local Government Council Area, where her

party scored 3 votes, while the APC scored 300 votes. The Director of Publicity of the PDP in the state, Mr Diran Odeyemi, was defeated at unit 2, UND, Ward 1 in Obokun Local Government Council Area, where APC had 215 votes against the PDP’s 113. The APC also defeated the Public Relations Officer of the PDP, Mr Bola Ajao, at polling unit 9, Ward 8 in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Council Area,

•(L-R) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun, Mr Olusegun Agbaje; Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Bamitale Omole; Supervising National Commissioner, Ambassador M.A Wali and INEC National Commissioner, Engineer Nuru Yakubu during the announcement of the 2014 governorship election at INEC headquarters, Osogbo State of Osun, last Saturday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

where the PDP polled 126 against the APC’s 208. Also, former Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr Jao Obadare lost his Ward 5, Ijana-Wasare, Atakumosa-West Local Government Council Area to the APC, same with Chief Joshua Ogunleye, former lawmaker from Ward, 3 in Osu in the same council area. Former members of the House Representatives, Honourable Wole Oke, lost his Esa-Oke community to the APC. However, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who voted at Polling Unit 1, Ward 8, Ifofin in Ilesa, Ilesa-East Local Government Council Area, led a profound victory for himself, as he polled 309 votes, while the PDP had only 40 votes. The state Deputy Governor, Mrs Titilayo Tomori also won in her unit in Osogbo. Omisore, the flag bearer of the PDP, polled 149 voted, while the APC had 73 votes at polling 1, Ward 05, in Ife Central Local Government Council Area. Senator Isiaka Adetunji

Electorate Turnout Further Strengthened My Passion For Democracy - Aregbesola By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

E Let’s Work Together To Develop Osun - Aregbesola Tells PDP G By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called on his opponents from other political parties in last Saturdays’s election to join hands with him in the onerous task of moving the state forward. Ogbeni Aregbesola, who The governor made the statement on Sunday at the thanked God and the people NASFAT Prayer Ground in of the state for voting him Osogbo, where he went for during the election, said the marked the a thanksgiving programme victory to mark his victory in the beginning of another round j u s t - c o n c l u d e d of hard work and deliberate commitment to the people. gubernatorial election. He described power as He said opposition will be welcomed to partner with huge responsibility to the present government for discharge responsibilities the upliftment of the state, that will aid the peace, the growth of the nation and progress and development that of the status of the black of the people. “We are getting ready for man. He said their another round of hard work collaboration will be and commitment to the appreciated to enhance the people. We see power as a efforts his government is huge responsibility to that making to improve the living discharge condition of the people of responsibility effectively,” the state, as a step towards he stated. On the rejection of the enabling the black man election results by the PDP, worldwide.

Change Of Name This to notify the members of the public that Miss ADEYEMO BLESSING is the same person as miss A D E Y E M O FUNMILAYO BLESSING. The concern authority should please take note

Change Of Name I, formerly known and addressed as KAREEM K A B I L A T OMOBOLANLE, now wish to be known and addressed as KAREEM K A B I R A T OMOBOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

the governor expressed surprise, saying if any party should condemn or decry the process of the election, it should be the All Progressives Congress, as a

result of the brutalisation and dehumanisation their members suffered before and during the election. The governor also used the programme to urge Muslim faithful to allow the virtue of a good Muslim to manifest in their lives at all times.

Osun Gov’s Poll, A Victory For Democracy - Speaker By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

PEAKER, State House of Assembly of Osun, Honourable Najeem Salaam, has described the Saturday, August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state as a victory for democracy and the people of the state. He said the principled stance freely elect Ogbeni Rauf and doggedness of the Aregbesola, who throws electorate, who credibly took himself into the good their destinies in their hands governance he was hired for. when it mattered in the cloud Thumbing up for the resolve of siege and unprovoked attack of Aregbesola to serve the on their freedom can never be people when it was convenient over-emphasised. to give excuses for nonIn a statement by his Press performance, he noted that his Secretary, Goke Butika, Salaam electoral victory was the congratulated the people of the appreciation of his passion to state for braving all odds to change the world for better than he met it from the masses. Change Of Name He then urged the governor to continue with his trend of I, formerly known development and humanity, and addressed as noting that whoever works for AYEYEMI KAZEEM humanity would never be let ADEDEJI, now wish to down. be known and Salaam also appealed to the addressed as opposition to consider the ADEYEMI KAZEEM electioneering and its attendant ADEDEJI. All former brickbat as history, asking them documents remain valid. to join hands with the General public should government and provide take note. constructive engagement.

Adeleke proved his mettle as a political leader with wide acceptance in Ede- North Local Government, as the APC scored 640 votes, while the PDP polled 9 votes. Interim Chairman of the APC, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, delivered his Isolo Unit in Ward 4, Atakumosa West Local Government Council Area for the party with 108, while the PDP had 59 votes. Similarly, the APC won in Unit 3, Iloro Market, Ward 6, State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere delivered with 79 votes against the PDP’s 42 votes. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Kolapo Alimi, delivered his polling unit 8, Ward 9, in Irepodun Local Government Council Area with 131 votes against 44 vote of the PDP. The APC won in unit 3, Ward 7, in Osogbo Local Government Council Area, where the Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Ajibola Basiru delivered with 214 votes, while the PDP polled 35 votes.

VEN before he was announced as the winner of the Saturday gubernatorial election, the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had singpraised the people of the state for trooping out in large number to cast their votes, describing them as pillars for the sustainability of Nigeria’s democracy. Aregbesola stated this just as he condemned the commitment of the people to clampdown on leaders of democratic process is quite the All Progressives commendable.” Reacting to the attack on Congress (APC) at the late hour of Friday and early of APC leaders, Aregbesola Saturday by some security said: “The arrest of the APC agents, who arrested, leaders is barbaric and harassed, intimidated the undemocratic. It shows that some people are hell-bent on APC leaders. Aregbesola, in an frustrating democratic Nothing interview with newsmen process. shortly after he had cast his whatsoever calls for the of anyone, vote at Polling Unit 1, Ward arrest 8, Ifofin in Ilesa, Ilesa-East particularly the leaders of Local Government Council my party. “The authorities in Abuja Area, stated that the turnout of the electorate was are just using their power, impressive and which is not in accordance with the law. It is an commendable. The governor stated that executive abuse of power. the turnout of the electorate, What they are doing is a civil despite the arrest, coup da’ta against me and victimization, intimidation the people of the State of by some compromised Osun. And I am telling you security agents, has proven that the civil coup da’ta will that democracy is regaining fail because they cannot strength in the country. subvert the people’s wish. He maintained that his Look at the electorate passion for democracy has queuing on the line to cast been further strengthened their votes. They are by the Osun electorate, who committed to democratic trooped out en-masse to process. They are energetic cast their vote. and passionate about their Aregbesola also choice.” commended the people for Aregbesola maintained their peaceful conduct at the that no amount of various polling units, intimidation could deter the saying that they had truly people from exercising their demonstrated the Omoluabi rights and electing their virtues, saying “the choice.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

How Osogbo, Olorunda Delivered Osun For Aregbesola By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Government Council Area returned a total of 39,948 votes for APC and 12,398 for PDP against Ife-Central that Returned 24,555 for PDP and 9,680 for APC. Similarly, Olorunda Local Government returned 26,496 for APC and 7916 for PDP against Ife-South Local Government that returned 12, 811 for PDP and 7,324 for the APC PDP members in the state capital were surprised with the trend of voting even before ballot counting

commenced, as many of them thought the money they distributed, as well as food materials, would work magic for them, but it only got them some votes below their expectations. It was gathered that the PDP members in the state were initially happy with the result the party polled in the four council areas in Ifeland until they heard of the outcome of the poll in Osogbo, Olorunda, IlesaWest and Ilesa-East and attempted to resort to

violence but the heavy presence of security operatives prevented escalation of violence. Meanwhile, Ilesa and Ede were agog with the announcement of Governor Rauf Aregbesola as the winner of the poll by the Returning Officer, Professor Bamitale Omole of the Obafemi Awolowo University in the early hours of Sunday. People in Ikirun, Inisa, Ejigbo also took to the streets rejoicing what they

described as reward for hardwork, believing the governor has done enough to earn him a second term in office. Similarly resident in the state capital thronged major roads in the state as early as 6am to show their joy with the emergence of the governor again, as many converged on Nelson Mandela Freedom Park to meet the governor, who addressed them before heading to the Government House.

HILE voters in the State of Osun thronged streets in major cities celebrating the victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate in the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state, more facts have emerged on ways voters in Osogbo Federal Constituency helped the party coast to victory. It was observed at Sabo area, two buses loaded various polling units in with Anti-riot policemen and Osogbo that voters were soldiers invaded the house conscious of the fact that of a community leader, Alhaji Ile-Ife might want to embark Kasali Owolabi (Kasmo) and on block voting for the PDP whisked away his children, candidate, Senator Iyiola as the man was not at home. Omisore, hence, their This singular act, insistence on ensuring that according to the people of majority voted for the the area, gingered more incumbent governor. residents in the area to troop At most polling units in out en mass to discharge the state capital, voters their civic responsibility. were observed making calls OSUN DEFENDER to party members in Ile-Ife observed in the federal and its environs, asking for constituency that residents the trend of votes in the in the area thronged the area. polling units as early as It would be recalled that 7.00am waiting for the Osogbo Local Government commission ad hoc staffers, Council Area has the with a singular aim of highest number of voters in countering whatever might the state followed by Ife- happen in Ile-Ife and its Central Local Government environs. Council Area and having This was evident in the observed the attitude of the result of some of the units Ife people a day before the in the state capital, poll, Osogbo, Olorunda particularly areas with large vowed to use their votes to registered voters. neutralise whatever He polling unit at happened in Ifeland. Ajegunle area, returned 600 When the medium visited ballots for the APC, while Old Governor ’s office the PDP got only 6, while polling unit, a voter was Oloyede polling unit at heard saying the poll was a Olohunda Ward 8, returned battle between the people of 59 ballot for PDP and 399 for Ifeland and Osogbo, having APC, also, Osogbo local A cross section of newsmen during the official announcement of the result of 2014 governorship election at INEC headquarters, Osogbo, last Sunday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. seen that Ife people had resolved to vote for their son irrespective of the achievement of the incumbent governor. One of the strategies remain in the PDP, just as he secretary, Mr Kayode Oladeji, Aregbesola. In every contest, By ISMAEEL UTHMAN hinted that he was still Akinbade stated that he has no there must be a winner. deployed by the PDP to OVERNORSHIP candidates of the Peoples reflecting on the outcome of the regret partaking in the election However, I must let us know conquer the determination Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore election. that my head remains unbowed as the flag bearer of the LP. of the people and ensure and the Labour Party, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade have In his reaction, the LP He commended the election because I don’t regret anything. that they voted for Omisore Some lessons have been learnt was the distribution of the accepted their defeats in the Saturday governorship election, candidate, Akinbade, said he processes that eventually and I thank my supporters for where Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola won in landslide. had accepted the outcome of produced the winner, sum of N5,000 per voter a their doggedness. bounce back. the Saturday’s election, just as describing it as fair enough. Omisore in a press statement shall day to the election and on “Now that Aregbesola has Congratulations to the people issued by his media aide, Mr he congratulated the winner, Akinbade said: “By and emerged, one can only advise election day. Also, part of the strategy Diran Odeyemi, on Sunday said of Osun State because we all Aregbesola on his victory at the large, the whole process was that he settles down for real polls. fair and I congratulate the business of governance by was the early morning that he would not be deterred won.” Omisore said he would Speaking through his press winner, Governor Rauf divorcing it from politics.” clampdown on community by the outcome of the election leaders, APC chieftains, but move forward in life, polling agents and saying “we would not be identified youths in APC deterred because of the development.” strong base in the state. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED As at Saturday evening, the passed through Alekuwodo/ He said: “What we lost is However, the strategies electorate have started Ola-Iya/Old-Garage, where he the Osun State gubernatorial worked against the party as election, we did not lose lives. HERE was wild jubilation across towns, cities and jubilation, as they received the addressed the enthusiastic the youths and some elderly We thank the Lord for villages of the State of Osun on Sunday, as the results of the election, unit by crowd of his supporters and governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was declared unit and ward by ward. people saw the money everything. In all situations, I sympathisers. offered them as their share will continue to give glory to winner of the August 9, 2014 governorship election. Addressing the crowd at However, the jubilation of the national cake, while the Lord because the Lord In Osogbo, Ikirun, Ila, Iwo, Progressives Congress (APC) went wild in the early morning Freedom Park, Aregbesola others simply rejected it and knows better than us and He Ede, Ikire, Gbongan, Ilesa, candidate, emerged winner of of Sunday, when the result was described the result of the voted for the candidate of alone has answers to all Ibokun, Ijebu-jesa, Esa-Oke, the election, having scored officially announced by the election as victory for the Odeomu, and other major 394,684 votes as against the Independent National Electoral people of the state, saying the their choice. questions. Particularly at Ward 8 of “Falling down is not new in towns and villages, electorate 292,747 of the Peoples Commission (INEC), as outcome of the election would Olorunda Local Government politics, rising up is the were seeing jubilating over the Democratic Party (PDP) residents of the state took to have a serious impact on the candidate, Senator Iyiola the streets with brooms in sustenance of Nigeria’s Council Area around Orita- strength of a good leader. We outcome of the election.

Omisore, Akinbade Accept Defeat

Wild Jubilation In Osun Over Aregbesola’s Victory

Aregbesola,

the

All

Omisore.

Odo-Otin Council Chief Abducted, Released By MURTALA AGBOOLA HE Deputy Executive Secretary of Odo-Otin Local Government Area Council Area of the State of Osun, Alhaji Raimi Shittu, was abducted on the eve of the state gubernatorial election at his country home in Iyeku in the council. Some hoodlums parading The party leader in the themselves as security council area, Comrade Poju officials banged into his Olusola, also had unwanted family house and arrested guests around his house on him along with his brother Friday night, who shot without producing any sporadically into the air but warrant. could not enter his His son who demanded premises. the warrant for search was Meanwhile, election in thoroughly beaten. the council area The duo were however commenced early and went released after the election on peacefully. Saturday. Accreditation began at

8.00am, while voting proper started at 12:30pm in many of the unit. Polling booths were manned by security agents, which included Policemen and members of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local observers were also the ground to assist in ensuring that polling went on as scheduled. However, voting in ward 5 at Ekosin Grammar School, Ekosin did not commence until close to 2.00pm. It was observed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts like Chief

Bisi Jinadu and Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, the former Deputy National Chairman of the party, were going round polling booths in Inisa during the accreditation process, contrary to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) electoral guideline. Aremo Kunle Alao, an erstwhile Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, was also spotted going round the polling booths in Inisa. Our reporter visited the four wards’ collation centres in Inisa and reported that everything went on peacefully.

their hands to celebrate the victory. Vehicular movement was temporarily put at a standstill in Osogbo, Ikirun, Ede, Ilesa and Ile-Ife among others, as motorists and Okada riders also abandoned their vehicles and motorcycles and joined the jubilating crowd. Shortly after the result was announced, the residents moved to the Government House, Oke-fia, Osogbo in thousands to celebrate with Aregbesola, but considering the number of the poeple that stormed the area, it was agreed among the crowd that they should move to the Freedom Park to await the arrival of Aregbesola. Few minutes after, Aregbesola moved out of his official quarters at Oke-fia in his open-roof white jeep and

democracy. Commending the people of the state for speaking with one voice and defied attempts to intimidate them, he said that the Osun people have sent signal to the world that they can never be intimidated. He promised that the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state would never be betrayed, saying, he would do whatever he could to continue to make live meaningful to the people and make Osun a reference point all over the world. Meanwhile, after the departure of the governor, the jubilating crowd stayed behind and were seeing, wining and dining with one another at the park.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Clampdown On APC Leaders: Adeleke Accuses PDP, Presidency Of Sponsoring Attacks By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

HE first Executive Governor of the State of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of using security operatives to intimidate and arrest leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) on the eve and early hours of Staurday governorship election in the state. There was a clampdown election by some security on the leaders of the All agents and armed political Progressives Congress thugs. (APC) in the State of Osun Some of the APC leaders at the early hours of the that were arrested, attacked Saturday governorship or intimidated said the

security agents that carried out the clampdown included officers of the Department of the State Security Service, the Police, the Nigerian Army and some political thugs. Among the attacked and arrested APC chieftains were: Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Senator Bayo Salami, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr Wale

Afolabi, and Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Wale Adedoyin, Executive Secretary of Osogbo Local Government Council, Mr Isiaka Faramade, among others. Salami alleged on Saturday that gunmen invaded his house located at the Government Reservation Area, Osogbo, with the aim of killing him, adding that he and his

•A cross section of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters jubilating after the official announcement of the State of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as the winner of 2014 governorship election in Osogbo, last Sunday.

family members narrowly escaped death when the gunmen, invaded his house at about10:05 pm on Friday. Adeleke said he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on the eve of the election, when armed gunmen invaded his house in the midnight, stating that a team of masked security operatives stormed his house in a Toyota Hilux van marked Road Safety and ordered the door be opened at exactly 1.00 am. The former governor, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER on Saturday at Sagba Abogunde Ward, Ede town, where he cast his vote, said that it took the intervention of available security personnel to foil the assassination plot. Adeleke said: “At exactly 1.00 am or thereabout, we noticed some people, who wore masks and in police uniform, military uniform and SSS uniform in a Hilux van marked Road Safety and another van with no plate number. “They started banging on the door. I saw one of the guys that was pointing from the van and I recognized him to be PDP Youth Leader. You know I was one of them. They were shouting, open the door, open the door. I insisted we would not open the door at 1.00 am because there was no way a magistrate would issue a warrant for you to come and execute at 1.00 am. “We resisted for about 30 munities with hot exchange

Those Arresting APC Members Were Hoodlums Among Securitymen – Akande By KEHINDEAYANYUNJI

HE former Interim National Chairman of All of security agents is a factor Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebisi that is capable of Akande, on Saturday, described the security agents undermining Nigeria’s that were arresting leaders of APC on the eve of the election, democracy and urged the as hoodlums, who were desperate to rig the gubernatorial people to be resolute and come out to vote. election. “Election is supposed to Akande said this while since 1952 and we are more speaking to OSUN serious, when it comes to be a lively exercise, where DEFENDER in his home election. We vote and people will be free of any town, Ila Orangun, on ensure that our election form of intimidation and Saturday after his count unlike Bayelsa State, allow to go about their accreditation alongside his where the President came normal businesses, but you wife at his Isedo Ward 1 in from, where they use to can see what is happening write votes, here we vote here, as if we are in war Ila-Orangun. The former governor said and we don’t want anybody situation”. Also, the state the security agents to disturb us.” He said heavy presence Commissioner for Health, Dr displayed highest level of impunity that was not expected from any security agent funded by the tax payers, adding that their By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO identity was in doubt as OTERS reportedly trooped out immensely on Saturday authentic security agents. morning to execute their civic rights of citizenship. According to him: “I think it is the hooligans among Several polling units in the security agents that the state, as early as 6.00am, Area as early as 6.30am, were arresting our party ahead of the official time of while at Ward 001, Ataoja Estate, so many of the leaders. Let us assume that 8.00a, slated for voters said they were in the constituted authority is not accreditation, were filled ward early to do aware about it or how can with eligible voters before accreditation in time to cast you justify arresting people the commencement of votes as quickly as on the eve of the election? voting activities. possible. OSUN DEFENDER Why did they arrest Lai One of the voters at Unit gathered that although Muhammed? Was it 16 of Osogbo, Mrs. Titilayo because of his big name or there was light rainfall in the Amoo, said she led some to intimidate his supporters? early hours of Saturday, the other women to the unit was impressive. early enough to participate They were arrested and turnout According to Alhaji in the election. freed. It was indeed a Bamidele Suleiman, a party Furthermore, a 76-yearrigging ploy. ward collation agent, old voter, who gave his “But what they failed to confirmed that more than as Mr. Jolayemi know was that in Osun, 100 voters had arrived at name said he was which is part and origin of Unit 19 of Ward 5 in Osogbo Gabriel, impressed that elders like Yoruba people, we have Local Government Council himself were at the polling been conducting elections

(Mrs) Temitope Ilori, commended the people for coming out enmass despite the deployment of security agents, adding that it was a reflection of the consciousness of the people. In most of the polling units visited in Ila-Orangun, which included Isedo, Ejigbo and Iyoko, people trooped out and waited patiently for the exercise, while the security agents were also maintaining law and order.

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent in Ejigbo Ward 4, Rasak Kolawole Olalekan, adjudged the process as free and fair and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for performing better. However, in OtanAyegbaju, there was low turn-out of voters and it was learnt from a source that security intimidations during the eve of election was responsible for the voters’ apathy.

Osun 2014: Massive Turnout Greets Exercise V

unit early enough. Sulieman, however, alleged that the opposition party, PDP, was providing canopies for voters, pointing out that the move was not in line with INEC guidelines. Responding to the allegation, Alhaji Bashiru Ajebade, the leader of Ward 5 Oke-Arungbo community in Osogbo, revealed that the canopies were provided by members of the community and not PDP. He explained that the canopies were to help elderly voters take refuge, in case it rained. A resident of the same ward, Mr. Kayode Odewale, however, expressed satisfaction with the turnout

of INEC and security officials, and commended voters for coming out early to cast their votes. It was reported that among the voters, who came out early for accreditation, were elderly women and men. However, it was reported that at Ward 4, polling units 19 and 20 at Old Governor’s Office, Osogbo, accreditation did not start on time, despite the massive turn-out of voters. The Presiding Officer, who gave her name as Oluwasheyin, apologised to voters for the “slight delay’’, adding that they experienced little challenges in setting up some structures, coupled with the drizzling.

of words as they were shooting. I had to call all the security people I knew before they eventually left. ”Between last night and this morning, over 55 members of our party members had been picked up. Now, can we say that the process leading to this election was free, fair and credible, when a sizeable number of our leaders have been disenfranchised, intimidated, harassed? “The State AttorneyGeneral was picked up, the Commissioner for Agriculture was picked up, Senator Bayo Salami was picked up, Lai Muhammed was picked up. Later, he was released. What for? Nobody knows. Those that were arrested are still in detention camp somewhere. “The Federal Government cannot claim to be ignorant of all these because those that were arrested called me and told me they were detained at NYSC camp, where the soldiers were camped. Some of them were tortured with their cloths left in the water. Some are still there; they are yet to be released. I happened to be lucky, some others are not.” Narrating his own ordeal, the Executive Secretary of Osogbo Local Government Council, Mr Isiaka Faramade, said: “We noticed the presence of very armed men in the premises of my house. They started shooting into the air and shouting that we should open the gate. My dogs were barking heavily and they were ready to attack intruders. “The armed men wore black clothes. They were very agile. The tried to force to their way in but they were afraid of the dogs. My neighbours have been woken up with the gunshots. While we were exchanging words at the top of our voices, I alerted the online media and the story became viral on the social media and online news medium. “Not quite some minutes, the officers of the SSP, the police led by the DPO of OjaOba Police State and other security agents stormed my house, but the attackers had left before their arrival. The armed men were in my house for close to 40 minutes.” In Atakumosa West Local Government Council Area, some APC leaders such as Mr Kayode Ogunniyi, Samson Oriowo, Ibukun Olaleye, Seun Olakolu, Bunmi Saseyi and Sogo Obembe, APC polling agents in Ward 10 units 1,2,3,4 and 5, as well as those for Ward 11 units 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Atakumosa West were picked up by security agents apparently to prevent the party’s representation for accreditation and forced to sit on the ground at gunpoint at St. Dominic.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Osun and 2015: The game changer Continued from pg1 Overwhelming presence The overwhelming presence of security men in the state in the days ahead of the poll did not impede the electorate from exercising their will on who governs them. That indeed, is a reassuring sign for many Nigerians and the international community that the 2015 election could be a free and fair election. Indeed, ahead of the polls last weekend, the APC and its flag bearer, Aregbesola, had in the face of the strong presence of security men around the state betrayed clear signs of unease. The APC’s national spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in statements painted the impression of the determination of the presidency to rig the election in a clear determination to reshape the political configuration of the Southwest ahead of the decisive 2015 election. Such panic caused the opposition party to summon all its elected office holders and political appointees from across the country to show presence in Osun State from last Tuesday as a way of boosting the morale of its supporters in that state. The PDP’s candidate was also lifted by the presence of strong detachment of the security forces whose presence helped to suppress whatever advantages the incumbency factor would have given to Aregbesola. Omisore also had his friends from the Senate including Senators Enyininnya Abaribe, Ehigie Uzamere and some others to lift his heart. But the most decisive factors were the voters on ground who at the end of voting

on Saturday showed their preference for the incumbent. The outcome was, however, not a rout as the Aregbesola camp had predicted it would be without rigging. That underscored the agitation among some PDP loyalists who had sought for an alternative candidate. Omisore, a former deputy governor of Osun State had before this election been on the winning side of all the gubernatorial elections conducted in Osun State. He was deputy governor to Chief Bisi Akande, strongly supported the immediate past governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in 2003 and 2007, but, however, came short in delivering himself into an office he had in the past helped others to enter. Though a very lively man with sound education, the factors against Omisore were mostly fanned by perceptions about him arising from his trial for the murder of Chief Bola Ige, a former attorney general of the federation. Omisore who was acquitted of complicity in that murder, however, did little to clear that perception. Besides, his political foes helped to fan the negative perception about him. Oyinlola, the immediate past governor of the state who himself had a grudge against the PDP rubbed in the Ige wound on the people when he questioned why President Jonathan had surrounded himself with all those who were questioned over the murder of Ige. “The candidate of the PDP was arrested for killing Ige. He was arrested and detained. “The national secretary of the [PDP], Professor Wale Oladipo, was also detained in connection with the killing. The Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, was also detained. “The chairman of the party in this state,

Ayobami Olaoluwa, was also arrested. So, why is everyone who was in detention given appointment or put in a position of authority? We need to ask the government,” Oyinlola said. Great minus Linking anyone or party with the death of Ige was a great minus especially given the adoration that Ige continues to draw from most parts of the state. The election was also an opportunity for political enemies in the Southwest to hit at him. Tinubu had by every indication mounted the platform of political leadership of the Southwest with the dominance of his party in five of the six Southwest states. After the loss of Ekiti, his political empire was trimmed to four states and the prospect of losing Osun, had in the last weeks of the campaign become an exciting lure for Tinubu bashers in the region. Internal dissent It was especially so, given that Aregbesola was generally considered the closest of the APC governors to Tinubu. The internal dissent to Tinubu in the Southwest was especially fanned by vestiges of Afenifere, the socio-political organization through which Tinubu, himself emerged as governor of Lagos State in 1999. But the former governor’s alleged role in splintering Afenifere after his emergence as governor helped to create animosity that today irks many Yoruba leaders. Even though many Afenifere leaders did not come out openly to antagonise Tinubu and Aregbesola ahead of the election, some of them were enthusiastically waiting to celebrate the downfall of the APC in Osun. Celebrating the downfall APC leaders who learnt from their laxity in Ekiti were well prepared for Osun and went out of the way to woo known and unknown enemies. PDP on the other hand did not help its candidate with

Ayegbaju Market: Creative Access To Wealth

salute your effort in the area of information dissemination, most especially, your honest and accurate reportage of activities, events and programmes concerning the giant strides of Ogbeni Aregbesola in the State of Osun. I remain one of your most regular readers. I found out long ago that getting committed to a task like you have at hand could not have been possible without the spirit of courage and patriotism. By the grace of God, your strength, courage and intellect will not diminish. I have been observing with keen interest for close to two years now; particularly when Ogbeni Aregbesola laid the foundation stones of three separate markets within Osogbo metropolis. The markets are the Ayegbaju Market, the Aje Market and the International Market at Dagbolu. At that time of inception, I was wondering how those gigantic projects could be funded to completion stage, not to talk of how they could solve the problem of poverty plaguing our society. To be direct, I felt that siting

markets around had nothing to contribute to solving our problems. Now, I know better. With the recent completion and official commissioning of the new Ayegbaju International market, I begin to view the State of Osun as a fulcrum of trade, commerce and industry. I begin to visualize Osogbo, the state capital being restored to its old place of glory as the commercial

nerve-centre of the O’odua states. I watched the programme of official commissioning of the market live on television. When I saw the market women raining prayers and encomiums on Ogbeni, his family, life endeavours and his administration, I came to a conclusion that those praises and prayers are deserved. This is because he has removed the

veil of obscurity from many of them and brought them to limelight. Locating a market of that status in Osogbo at a time like this is like fulfilling an agenda of bringing Osogbo fully up to the status of a state capital. Not only that, Osogbo is fast becoming a state capital with a difference in the entire nation. By extension, the State of Osun is beginning to find its foot as a

land of prosperity. In other words, by the time Ogbeni’s agenda for commerce, industry and cooperatives comes into full swing, poverty and unemployment would have been completely banished, in fulfillment of one of the tenets of his Six-Point Integral Action Plan. I foresee Osun as a state that offers equal, brighter opportunities to all citizens.

The traders displaced due to ongoing transformation projects in roads and urban renewal can now heave sighs of relief as they become permanently settled at decent, serene, dignifying and vantage market complexes. Petty and itinerant traders can now broaden the scope of their operation by accessing credits at the new Osun Micro Credit Scheme. Now they have stateof-the-art market places where they can daily display their wares conspicuously without harassment or risks of auto accidents. Young unemployed school leavers can now safely venture into various trading enterprises. Above all, employment opportunities of sorts are being created for the people of the state. In sum, the State of Osun is set for the skies, its starting limits, as regards growth and development. I call on all citizens to rally round the incumbent administration so as to attain success in all its efforts at fully transforming the state. Osun a dara o! •FEMI JAYEOLA, OgoOluwa Area, Osogbo, State of Osun.

the clear animosity towards rebels in the party. The treatment of Oyinlola and another former governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke subsequently proved to be one of the major problems for the PDP on Election Day. Though Oyinlola did not muster enough votes to win his booth, Adeleke’s grip on Ede, one of the largest towns in the state helped to firmly deliver the town to the APC. After being lured into the PDP gubernatorial contest, the former governor was allegedly forced out by what he claimed to be impediments put on his way. That was the beginning of his defection to the APC, a move the PDP would now regret not to have stopped. One APC source revealed that Adeleke was the candidate the party feared most could trouble Aregbesola. But even after he withdrew, the PDP hierarchy in the state failed to soothe him giving him room to defect. Tinubu, the APC national leader and the many presidential aspirants in the party would be very gleeful with the outcome of the polls. Yesterday, a source said Tinubu was himself very bouncy as he saw the result as a vindication against the aspiration of his internal foes in the Southwest. For the presidential aspirants, the outcome of the election gives hope that their permutations of forging a Southwest and Northern alliance against the PDP remains feasible. For President Jonathan, the permutation may have been that whatever loss of support he may have suffered in the North would be gained in the Southwest. Now, it is back to basics. By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor is

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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the above mail address. ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

PHOTOTALK

2014 Governorship Election In Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Saturday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI And SHOLA ADERINTO.

•Voters checking their names on the list at Ajegunle area of Osogbo.

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•Voters on queue at Olokada Poling Unit, Dada Estate area of Osogbo.

•A long queue of voters at Tinumola area of Osogbo.

•Another cross section of voters on the queue at Alekuwodo area of Osogbo.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

PHOTOTALK

People In The State Of Osun Jubilating After INEC Declared Governor Rauf Aregbesola As The Winner Of 2014 Governorship Election On Sunday. Photo: GBENGAADENIYI And SHOLAADERINTO.

•A cross section of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s supporters jubilating at Estate area of Osogbo immediately after the election result that gave victory to Governor Aregbesola.

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•A cross section of Aregbesola’s supporters.

•An aged woman who was celebrating the victory of Governor Aregbesola in Osogbo on Sunday.

•Some of the Aregbesola supporters hanging on a billboard trying to catch a glimpse of Governor Aregbesola at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

People In The State Of Osun Jubilating After INEC Declared Governor Rauf Aregbesola As The Winner Of 2014 Governorship Election On Sunday. Photo: GBENGAADENIYI And SHOLAADERINTO.

•A cross section of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s supporters opposite PDP Secretariat, Osogbo, jubilating over Governor Rauf Aregbesola victory.

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•Ecstatic crowd of Aregbesola’s admirers trekking from Okefia to Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo to celebrate Aregbesola’s victory on Sunday.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Governor Rauf Aregbesola And His Family Voted At Ifofin, Ward 8, Unit 1 In IlesaEast Local Government Council Area Of Osun Last Saturday.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, being accredited at Ifofin Ward 8, Unit 1 in Ilesa-East Local Government Council, State of Osun, during the governorship election on Saturday.

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•One of Governor Aregbesola’s sons casting his vote at Ifofin ward 8, Unit 1 in IlesaEast Local Government Council Area.

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola, casting his vote at Ifofin Ward 8 in Unit 1, Ilesa Local Government Council Area, during the governorship Election in the State on Saturday

•Wife of the Governor, State of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, casting her vote at Ifofin ward 8 in Unit 1, Ilesa Local Government, State of Osun, during the Governorship Election in the State on Saturday.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

News

How Voters Collected Omisore’s N5,000 Inducement But Voted APC By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

LECTORATE in the State of Osun showed sense of commitment to the developmental agenda of Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Saturday, as they received N5,000 inducement from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, but voted for All Progressives Congress (APC). In some of the polling others, some PDP units in Olorunda, Osogbo, leaders were reportedly Ifelodun, Egbedore, Ede making gestures to voters North and South among on the queue and

informing them they would be given N5,000 if they could vote PDP. It was learnt that some of the voters played along and received the N5,000 with the promise that they would vote PDP. When it was time to vote, some of those that have received the money voted the APC and displayed it to the people

before putting it in the ballot boxes. Some of the voters, who were not brave enough to display their ballot papers, was heard telling some of their relatives that they collected the money from PDP, but voted APC. However, at a point in some units, where voters were being induced, some

APC members at the units notified their leaders, who confronted the PDP members and put a stop to the act. Meanwhile, plan by the PDP members to dump already thumb-printed ballot papers into the ballot box at ward 1, unit 3, BCGA area, Olorunda Local Government Council Area could not be executed, due to the vigilance of voters. One of the drivers of the PDP State Chairman had led soldiers, mobile policemen and DSS officials to the unit in two vehicles, but when he saw the crowd of voters at the polling unit, he quickly called one of the PDP members at the unit and told him, “this place is rowdy, let us wait for people to vote and leave before we start the operation”.

After waiting for about 40 minutes and discovered that voters still stayed around after voting, the security operatives were led out of the unit by the same OlaOluwa’s driver. Besides, a member of PDP, one Akeem, popularly called ‘Akeree’ was reportedly arrested by Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for attempting to snatch ballot box at Owode area, Olorunda Local Government Area. He had earlier attempted to dump ballot papers in favour of the PDP into the box, but when he was caught, he wanted to run away with the ballot box. He was immediately bombarded by vigilant voters and handed over to the civil defence officers, who whisked him away.

Osun Appreciates Residents For Their Support By SHINA ABUBAKAR

President Jonathan Ignores Omisore’s Calls After Losing Osun By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

so much in Osun election to secure victory for the PDP, with a view to giving him edge in the 2015 presidential election. As at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the PDP camp in Osun and South-West in general was jittery, as the Minister

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan was reported to have refused to pick the repeated calls of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the State of Osun, Iyiola Omisore, after the declaration of the Saturday’s governorship poll. According to him, the The incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf president said he invested Aregbesola, who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate at the election defeated Omisore NAMBRA State chapter of the All Progressive with 394,684 votes to Congress (APC) has congratulated the re292,747 votes, a wide elected governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni margin of 101,937 votes. Since his defeat, Rauf Aregbesola, for what the chapter called Omisore was reported to ‘snatching victory from the jaws of anti-democratic have started calling Mr threats’ President’s numbers, but The chapter urged In a release in Oshogbo the calls were being on Sunday, shortly after Aregbesola to make his ignored. the a declaration of second tenure in office A source close to Ife- Aregbesola and duly better than the first by born politician revealed that the president was elected by the State of consolidating hid legacies apparently angry with Osun returning officer for and further raising the Omisore because of his INEC, and Vice Chancellor human development index poor performance at the of Obafemi Awolowo of a people whose University Prof Bamitale demonstrable love, passion election. The source stated that Omole, Anambra State and commitment have he had been reliably Publicity Secretary of withstood the gun barrels informed that despite the APC, Arc Okelo Madukaife and scaremongering to ‘Aregbeesola’s express their avowed heavy presence of PDP said leaders and Federal victory is one which took confidence in their Government officials, the him across seven rivers of Omoluabi. president was disappointed injustice, seven mountains ‘There is obviously that they failed at the poll of campaign of hatred and something to take away woefully. seven ravines of electoral from the State of Osun to the rest of Nigeria, perversion’.

of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan and Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro are afraid of losing their seats. They have started running helter skelter to seek presidential mercy, for them to be able to retain their seats.

TATE Government of Osun has commended the people of the state for showing their love and support for the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola-led administration by overwhelmingly renewing its mandate through their vote. A statement signed by personnel of Department of the State Commissioner for State Security invaded the Information and Strategy, state and shooting Mr Sunday Akere, sporadically into the air, disclosed that the saying their courage helped unflinching support of the people was the solid rock put the trigger-happy that guaranteed it another security men under check. The commissioner also four years in office. lauded the maturity with He acknowledged the doggedness of the people in which the people handled the face of oppression, issues during the election, intimidation and power the support enjoyed from aggrandizement by some them by security operatives public office holders and INEC staffers and through the use of security making the entire process a operatives in the build up to the August 9, 2014 success. Akere then gubernatorial poll. acknowledged the He commended the show of valour by the people of overwhelming support the the state, particularly the people of the state from all state capital, when the the local government council areas gave the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as he emerged victorious at the poll, saying fall short of the law in the the governor would repay j u s t - c o n c l u d e d the good by rededicating gubernatorial elections for himself to serving them forestall future better. occurrences, noting that He said the new four-year there were obviously mandate they gave to the marginal improvements governor would be a step form the conduct of the towards complementing on Ekiti Gubernatorial the foundation of making elections which must be Osun great, Ogbeni sustained. Here, however urged Aregbesola has embarked INEC to prepare to work upon, saying the people with only Police, Civil would never regret electing Defence and the only such him again. He then called on the arms of the security teeming populace to services trained to engage continue to live with one with the public for future elections, while insisting another peacefully, saying that every human being the period of politicking is involved in the process of over and every resident future elections must be should live in harmony and accredited and tagged, be part of developing the state and take it to greater irrespective of role. height.

Anambra APC Congratulates Aregbesola

particularly in elections yet to come, about how, the voting populace can frame their view, nurture it guard it and find courage to protect it against statesponsored derailment before mid-wifing same to success.’ Madukaife declared , asking the voters to prepare for more rivers to cross as the sacred mandate must be guarded until fully delivered in a swearing ceremony in November this year and supported till the expiration of the tenure in November 2018. Anambra APC called on INEC to go ahead and prosecute all staff members and other members of the public found wanting in areas that

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

FEATURE

Osun 2014 Gubernatorial Election:

Aregbesola In Landslide Victory

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola thanking the people at Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, on Sunday for their support and the mandate freedom given to him despite the security agents’ siege to the state. for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) voters and create apathy would not deter HE Gubernatorial Elections which held By NIYI OLASINDE absconded from signing the necessary people from trooping out to vote their last Saturday all over the State of Osun results sheets, a development which was leaders in the capacity of governor and has ended with a note of victory on The Chief Returning Officer appreciated the part of the incumbent governor, Ogbeni God and the people of the state for a hitch- considered in many quarters to be a sign of deputy governor. At the Station road / Oja Oba / Ilesa Road Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola and his political free election; though some pockets of discontent of the party against the results, party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). hitches were reported in Ward 11 of Boripe even in spite of the prejudices it received axis of the state capital, the same trend of The victory has put final rest to fears and Local Government Council Area, Ward 5 of from the Federal Government during the encouraging turnout was recorded. At the Ataoja Palace / Central Mosque area, the apprehension nursed in some quarters that Ila local Government Council Area and one contest that brought about the results. people of that core area trooped out the election and its aftermath could spell other unit each in Atakunmosa East and massively. The trend was replicated along Osogbo Polled Massively For Aregbesola disasters of grave proportions for the state Ejigbo local governments, where petitions HE entire communities in Osogbo, the Oke Baale and Isale Osun where people were and its people. trailing the polls reported elections State of Osun capital city stood still sighted in large numbers at their polling Declaring the results of the elections in irregularities like over-voting which last Saturday as the Gubernatorial units, ready for their work of franchise. the wee hours of Sunday, the state returning necessitated the results to be cancelled. On The mood was quite encouraging at Omo Elections were held all over the state. Earlier officer, who doubles as the Vice Chancellor the whole, the Governorship election was of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, adjudged to be overwhelmingly successful. on Friday, the State Government had culled West; Ikirun / Offa Road up to Ota Efun and out a holiday to get voters adequately Kobo N Gbodbo E area where people moved Professor Bamitale Omole premised the Displaying the score sheets for the delay in the release of the results which results, the Chief Returning Officer, prepared for the exercise, especially in out massively to perform their civic dragged all through the night on the long Professor Bamitale Omole showed the getting to their various towns of registration obligations within the statutorily stipulated distance which some collation officers and securely sealed forms EC 8D and EC8 E, before the outset of the restriction of time frame. At Testing Ground / Kola Balogun area, other election personnel had to travel to which added credence to the credibility of movement ultimatum, which lasted between the stage was obviously set for a good day 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 6:00 p.m. on Osogbo, the state capital to turn in the the exercise. of prospective move toward the Saturday. results they had. In attendance at the results collation and At various polling units visited by our consolidation of sound democratic culture. In his declaration, the governorship declaration ceremony which held at the candidate for the All Progressives Congress open arena of the State of Osun reporters, voters and election personnel had In all the areas mentioned, politicians across (APC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola polled a Headquarters of the Independent National been spotted on site as early as 7:00 a.m. various divides were seen moving from massive figure of three-hundred and ninety- Electoral Commission (INEC), Gbongan / The turn-out of voters in particular was house to house to mobilize voters to go out four thousand, six-hundred and eighty-four Ibadan Road, Osogbo were National remarkably impressive as they were found for the all-important assignment. The early morning drizzle was not a (394,684) votes to defeat the leading Supervisor INEC, Ambassador M.A. Wali, on queues, their Permanent Voter Cards deterring factor. In spite of absence of means (PVCs) in hand, ready for accreditation. opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Commissioner INEC, Engineer of mobility, voters who had long distances At the polling units lying between Oke candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, whose Nuru Yakubu and the Resident Electoral total number of votes was two-hundred and Commissioner of Kogi State, who doubles Onitea and Old Garage axis of the city, the to transverse from their places of abode to ninety-two thousand, seven-hundred and as the Acting Resident Electoral turnout was quite indicative that the outing their voting units set out early enough. They forty-seven (292,747). The winning margin Commissioner of State of Osun, Mr. of the day would bring great success for were encouraged by the fact that they found Nigeria’s electoral process. At St. Michaels out that they were not alone in the trek. in the polls presented a clear difference of Olusegun Agbaje. At the various polling units, orderly Primary School, Ago Wande / Oke Onitea, one-hundred and one thousand, nineOthers present at the event are directors through BCGA area, people were found in conduct prevailed all through the exercise. hundred and thirty-seven (101,937). from INEC headquarters, Messers Oladimeji In the breakdown of election results, and Telma, H.O.D. Operations for the State their large numbers, comporting themselves At United African Primary School, adjunct Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the All of Osun INEC, Alhaji A.W.O. Azeez, resident in peaceful manner ahead of actual voting to former Fakunle Comprehensive College, Gbongan / Ibadan Road, two polling units Progressives Congress (APC) polled a electoral commissioners for Ondo and Ekiti exercise. were located; peace an orderly conduct From Old Garage through Olaiya Junction rousing majority; making him the winner in states, academic icons who doubled a prevailed throughout the exercise. to Ogo-Oluwa area, the streets were bereft twenty-two local governments. These local collating officers party agents, security Even though there were earlier of the usual hustle and bustle as traders, governments include Osogbo (39,983 operatives and members of the press. speculations of plans by the Peoples motorists and residents in their entirety took votes); Olorunda (26,551); Iwo (20,827); On hand to comment on the exercise were Ilesa East Local Government Council, the the State of Osun Commissioner for their time out that day to stay at home to Democratic Party (PDP) to use armed thugs home of the governor (16,106); and Ilesa Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday perform their statutory civic duty of voting. dressed in military uniform to snatch ballot At various strategic locations in the town, boxes and replace them with already stuffed West (15,427). Akere, the Director of Information and armed military officers and officers of other ones, the way things played out was entirely Others include Irewole (18,328); Ifelodun Strategy for the State of Osun Chapter of (17,447); Boripe (12,723) and others like, the All Progressives Congress (APC), security apparatus could be sighted different as voting went on smoothly Oriade, Ifedayo, Ede North and South, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi and the State mounting road blocks in order to provide throughout the exercise. At the end of the exercise, the results were Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West and a Chairman for the National Conscience Party added security for the .election exercise. Roads and streets were deserted, save flawless at the two units, as voters were all host of others. (NCP), Honourable Waheed Lawal. In their The winning areas of Senator Omisore of separate comments, the trio lauded the for few motor vehicles moving on election engaged in the process of loud counting. the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) include credibility of the entire exercise, though they duty. However, people were seen moving in Recording was done in the full glare of all, his home local governments, Ife Central, Ife noted that lots need be improved in the occasional droves, in attempt to locate their and this added to the credibility of the entire voting units. As at 8:00 a.m. it had become exercise. Voters eventually dispersed fully East and Ife South; Isokan, Ife North, conduct of elections in the nation. crystal clear that the security scam and satisfied as the results and their manner of Boluwaduro, Odo-Otin, and Ayedire. It was however noticed that the agent apparent pressure intended to intimidate counting were fair to all.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Congratulations The People’s Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been re-elected to carry on for another term of four years. Ogbeni Aregbesola recorded a resounding success in the just concluded election. The election shows that the Governor is well embraced by all the people of the State of Virtuous. In view of this, your popular grassroots tabloid, OSUN DEFENDER newspaper, is doing a supplement to congratulate the People’s Governor. Individuals, corporate bodies, institutions and well wishers can avail themselves with the pocket-friendly advert rate of OSUN DEFENDER newspaper.

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- Management

FEATURE

OLUSESI ISAAC writes that Nigeria’s National Conference’s proposal of additional 18 States is good, but not enough without the inclusion of Borgu State with New Bussa as capital.

Reason For A Borgu State T

HE recommendation of the nation’s National Conference for the creation

German explorers, Dr. Heinrich Barth, Machiavellian arch-monopolist George Tubman Goldie, Captain Anderson, Henry Kemble and other Europeans including Mungo Park (who died in 1806 at Bussa rapids), Lt. High Clapperton, Richard Lander, John Lander, and Lord Luggard (who later amalgamated Nigeria, all at different times had visited the tourists centres in the proposed Borgu State.

of the additional 18 new states cannot be said to be exhaustive. And before the decision reached by the conferees goes to the National Assembly or a referendum, creating a Borgu State with New Bussa as capital is not only justifiable, it is also expedient for its population, viability, history, cultural affinity, and contiguity. Borgu State has been part of the behemoth of requests placed before the Committee on Constitution Review of the National Assembly because the social, cultural, political and economic fundaments that determined the creation of states in Nigeria in 1976, 1987, 1991 and 1996 also come to play in creating Borgu State. With the massive consensus of the people of the area, it is only left for the National Conference’s Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government to recommend the creation of Borgu State, having the existing large local government area to be joined by the requisite number of local government areas, contiguous with one another drawn from the neighbouring South-south Kebbi State, North-west, North-north Niger State, and North-west Kwara State. These states, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara States similar or near similar cultural and historical antecedent.

New Bussa as proposed capital extends over a vast area that approximates the territorial stretch of such modern day geo-political units as Kuwait, Swaziland and Lebanon. New Bussa lies between latitude 90N and 110N, longitudes 20E and 40N; it is bounded to the North by Kebbi State, to the West by Benin Republic and to the East by the River Niger; and has a territorial spread extended to Illo and Kooje in Kebbi State, Kaima and Baruten areas of Kwara State and situated in between the south fringes of the Guinea Savannah, Northern Guinea vegetation belt and the Northern borders of the tropical forest (Southern Guinea) region.

The construction of the massive Kanji Dam complex in Nigeria in 1969 by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) opened the floodgates of government presence, sanitation and housing facilities, banking services and investment opportunities and the creation of Borgu local government out of the old native system that over the years continue to improve the economic, social and political lot of people of Borgu.

•MARK

•KUTIGI

The bulk of the population of New Bussa reside in Bussa, Guffanti Agwara, Wara, Babanna, Doro-Malale, Rofia, Luma, and Papyri, with the people having such basic social infrastructure and facilities as motorable roads, electricity, pipe-borne water supply, intra-city transportation, signals of several radio and television stations, networks of the global system for mobile communication, ultra-modern air landing facilities at the Kanji N.A.F base, public primary and secondary schools, specialised tertiary institutions like the Federal College of Fresh Water Fisheries Technology, and government’s several basic health centres.

and credited with curative powers; Pissa cave served as protective refuge during war situations; Old Bussa Ruins situated between Malale and New Bussa; Kanji Lake National Park Tourist Camps and National Park at Oli and Wawa that houses wildlife; Wawa Maot in Wawa town for defensive purposes; Kubeli Hilly Range having layers of feldspar, an excellent raw materials for the manufacturing of glass and porcelain; Kanji Lake and Dam generating electrical currents nationally and sub-regionally; Shagunu Wildlife; Konkosso soil wonder in Babanna, NorthwestBorgu, characterised by different colours of soil which are scooped up into calabashes and refined as face and body powder.

New Bussa has an impressive array of national and man-made tourist attractions that include Zekanna and Kalli Hills located in Wawa

These tourist attraction are still being visited today from across the globe. In the 19th century,

The political will of the Federal government that favoured the Borgu in the past, will certainly not today be a clog to the creation of Borgu State. It will be roundly applauded if the final shortlist of new states includes Borgu State as the national conference resumes August 14. A Borgu State will solve the problem of underdevelopment of the constituents; meet the growth and development aspirations of the nationals and national residents in Borgu; remove discontent and tension; obliterate the aura of domination; and breed good neighbourliness. Nigeria as one single indivisible geo-political entity will be better for it.

•OLUSESI is Assistant Director, Directorate of Publicity, Research and Strategy, All Progressives Congress, State of Osun.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, August 12, 2014

PHOTOTALK

The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Expressed His Appreciation To The Good People Of Osun For His Re-election In Office At The Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo On Sunday.

•A crowd at Mandela Freedom Park Osogbo on Sunday morning as Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, governor of the State of Osun, expressed his appreciation to the good people of Osun for his re-election in the last Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Democratic Victory Over The Tyranny Of Power Electoral Victory Speech By The Governor Of The State Of Osun, His Excellency, Rauf Aregbesola

FTER an unnecessarily tense, tortuous

and even traumatic process, the Independent National Electoral Commission this morning declared me as the winner of the Osun state governorship election on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). On behalf of my party, we are delighted to claim victory for our hard work, focus and dedication in this election. I thank the Almighty God for our triumph at the polls, against all odds. To the good people of Osun State goes our unflinching gratitude. We salute your steadfastness, courage, loyalty, commitment and fierce determination to defend your sovereign rights and the integrity of our nascent democracy. You have demonstrated in this election that in a democracy, power truly belongs to the people. I am humbled and honoured by your trust and abiding faith in me and my party. I pledge that your confidence in us shall never be betrayed or taken for granted. Ordinarily, this should be a moment of joy and celebration consequent upon the hard earned triumph of the people’s will. However, this election shows that democracy is still gravely endangered in Nigeria. We witnessed gross abuse of power and, of due process before, during, and even after the actual voting process. It is so sad and unfortunate that what should be a normal, routine process was maliciously allowed to snowball in to a needless virtual war by the Federal Government and the PDP. Osun state was unduly militarized in an unprecedented manner through criminal intimidation and psychological assault on our people. This election witnessed an abuse of our security agencies and amounted to a corruption of their professional ethics and integrity. The security agencies were unprofessionally utilized in Osun state to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes are used to pay their salaries and provide their arms. Hundreds of leaders, supporters, sympathizers and agents of our party were arrested and detained. Also, hundreds of other innocent citizens including women and the aged were harassed, brutalized and traumatized. In spite of this condemnable repression and abuse of human rights, the unflagging spirit of our

people triumphed. Our victory is due to the steadfastness and resolute determination of our people to assert and defend their rights. The PDP obviously did all it could in a most desperate manner to steal the people’s mandate. A critical analysis of the elections shows a trend of general low voter turnout largely because of the atmosphere of deliberate tyranny and fear caused by the excessive militarization of the state. Despite our victory, it is pertinent to condemn and also point out the fact that the number of accredited voters in most local governments was less than half of registered voters. Against this trend, it is curious that the bulk of the PDP candidate’s votes came from only four Local Governments- namely Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North and Ife South. This suggests an inexplicable large turnout in his stronghold which is a curious departure from the general trend of voting across the state. The outcome of this election, once again, shows the unswerving determination of our people to ensure that democracy triumphs in Nigeria. We have sent a strong signal to all and sundry that no might is powerful enough to thwart the will of the people. This should always strengthen our resolve to ensure that as from now on, every vote must not only be counted but must count in this country. Nobody or party must ever exercise power unreasonably at any level except in accordance with the will of the people to whom sovereignty belongs. Let me assure the good people of Osun state that I appreciate that this victory is a reward for our hard work and commitment to the welfare of our people. I promise that we shall not rest on our oars but shall be spurred to work even harder with all well meaning people of the State of Osun and the generality of Nigerians to continue to enjoy your trust and support. You can be assured that we will leave no stone unturned in our continued effort to transform Osun into a land of progress, prosperity and peace for all with renewed fervour. I realize that this victory and the challenges we went through is a call to greater service and sustained commitment to our people. I pledge a rededication of myself to the service of our people and the strengthening of democratic values in Osun and Nigeria generally. Our country remains in political bondage and we must set her free.

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014 need no further testimonials any more after convincing evidences have been tabled before jurists to either plead for exoneration for the guiltless, or for the offender to be summarily hammered. It is true that even the vilest offender will desire to plead his way out of condemnation, but the meticulousness of an impartial Jurist will not allow the guilty to be exonerated; even if the throat of the offender turns dry in an attempt to prove case out of perfidy.

I still do not understand why we merit the kind of leadership that the people of this country have at the moment. If we are sinners, I believe we have Intercessors, and with the people that are genuinely standing in the gap for us, our God is merciful enough to avail us better options, and give us people with modicum of mere pity to be at the helm of affairs. I don’t think the left option is for us to be stripped of our toga of compassion that we are known and cherished for; all because inordinate obstinacy has subtly crept into our ethos and usages.

By ADE OLUGBOTEMI impact that may justify the position of our ‘Super-powerful Minister’. The minister owes Nigerians explanations as to the modality applied to pick selected areas, and in which states of the federation the areas are located. This is part of corruption per excellence that has become permanent stain on our chequered status in the comity of nations.

Why Jonathan, PDP Must Go

We may appear boastful about our democracy that has been in place for almost fifteen years now; the question we need to ask ourselves is: what democratic values have we really imbibed? Not even the ruling Peoples Democratic Party can boast of valuable democratic tenets. The ruling PDP still believes in rigging as a ‘legitimate’ means of winning elections. They do not believe in the rule of law, and to them, the principle of separation of powers remains a sham; yet, we say there is democracy in place.

Flagrant exhibition of heartlessness has never been as manifest in our creed and character as is presently evident in our national life. We are known to be our brothers’ keepers; with compassion wafting all around us. It is alien to have unbridled impunity displayed so much that all other people now see us as epidemically callous. No evidence is germane anymore when the President disdainfully disregarded scores of lives that perished in the hands of heartless miscreants at Nyanya Motor Park, the outskirt of the Federal Capital Territory. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan displayed the highest level of insensitivity, when less than forty eight hours after Nyanya incident, he consciously, albeit flagrantly, went on political jamboree to Kano, dancing to the hurts of concerned individuals, who were never at the scene of the ugly event, but mourned and groaned for lives’ extermination that just took place. Mr President was physically there with some of his kitchen cabinet members, appearing sober with melancholic and mournful look. He feigned compassion when he put on hold the planned trip to Ibadan to felicitate with the Olubadan of Ibadanland on the occasion of his centenary birthday, only to appear at PDP’s political rally in Kano raining abusive words on the state governor. He later appeared in Ibadan, where mere emotion initially prompted a restraint that later became a derelict, as if nothing calamitous recently took place; when in fact hundreds of Nigerian citizens are writhing with pains in various hospitals all over the Federal capital. There are some people in Nigeria that can succinctly be regarded as thoroughly bred and Gate-Keeper Democrats through their antecedents. Such never had military background that might have shrouded their proclivity for full adherence to democratic norms. Mention cannot be made of the first ten people in this category without due reference to President Jonathan; for having occupied almost all available political offices in the land. They must have understood that in democracy, it is not possible that all voters will vote for one amongst many contestants. Where a contestant is not known to any voters, one of them will make mistake to inadvertently vote in his\her favour. The winner must know at the end that he\she has won for all. It is now a known fact that most states of the federation are groaning under fund starvation that the man at the centre deliberately employed to stifle opposition. Mr President has no justification for this because our revenue has not dwindled. This

The recently-concluded World Economic Forum has been said to have injected into our economy billions of dollars, the manifestation of such benefits may never be felt by ordinary Nigerians because we only hear with our ears, and the more we look, the less we see. We are now in an era when money is chameleonic and occasionally grows wings to fly to unknown destinations. The World Bank expertise in our supervising minister has only availed us illogical explanation about issues that appear comical on missing billions of foreign currencies that ought to have given our economy survival impetus.

•JONATHAN is not what democracy.

obtains

developed

liberal democracy, where no I N constituent unit is allowed to suffer in the overall interest of the whole, systemic collapse is considered grave; it is seen as a misnomer that should be grossly repudiated. This is at variance with what we have at the moment in Nigeria under President Goodluck Jonathan, where the party at the centre seems poised to see that all states being governed by opposition continue in economic quagmire, as if they are not part of Nigeria, to create wrong signals that unless people in those states change their minds to vote-in PDP’s candidates, they cannot perceive the aroma of democratic dividends. The President recently confirmed peoples’ impression of him as being insensitive to aggregate of opinions, when he cancelled the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, for his cabinet members to commiserate with Vice-President Namadi Sambo over the loss of his junior brother in a motor accident. Nobody would have raised any eyebrow if similar concern was exhibited when scores of innocent lives were exterminated in recent Nyanya bomb blast. Another blast in the same area in the night of May Day was responded to with mere verbal condemnation, and the assurance to those billed to attend an international conference in Abuja that there was no cause for alarm.

Minister and Minister of State respectively have further accentuated people’s consternation that the President is resolute in his attempt to recapture the states that were lost to opposition in the fastapproaching elections. The two recentlyconfirmed ministers have also not helped matters because the way they have reacted to issues in their respective states of Osun and Lagos left much to be desired. Jelili Adesiyan recently allegedly maltreated a former governor of the State of Osun in a hotel in Osogbo, using his police orderlies; while Musiliu Obanikoro’s first official assignment was to stop those working in a State’s Housing Estate in Lagos with soldiers on the prowl. The President should be happy that some governors somewhere, though in opposition, are working in tandem with his well-taunted transformation agenda. He ought to have developed a very large heart to make the states that are working some sort of reference models to those in his party (PDP) with the culture of cake-sharing that has labelled us “Profligates who are not poor”, (as the President has emphasized severally) but cannot provide for the basic needs (as opposed to wants in Economics) of the populace. This is to tell us that the much-orchestrated Transformation Agenda is a fluke after all. Recently, the Minister of Finance; and the coordinating Minister of the economy came up to tell the whole nation that the recovered money from Late Head of State, General Sani Abacha has been spent to develop the rural areas. Nigerians are yet to know what exactly the money was used for in the rural areas that depict development. As a rural dweller, I am yet to feel any federal

Recently, a PDP stalwart was arrested with voters’ cards that must have been collected either from the owners for money, or our electoral umpire with financial inducement. Members of PDP in the State of Osun have ubiquitously become boastful that their flag bearer will defeat the incumbent governor in the August 9 poll. It is now crystal clear that the confidence they have is in rigging mastery that will be aided by that unscrupulous source that made it possible for voters’ cards meant for many voters to get to a politician, to be used against opponents illegally. Many Nigerians will not be too surprised if the culprit is let off the hook and the case is unheard of till eternity comes. There is no way a country can develop if the leadership is corrupt. Our own corruption has reached the crescendo of epidemic, and unless the present crop of leaders in the ruling PDP are eased out of power, Nigeria may never have a modicum of progress and peace which can only be availed by genuine and functional democratic culture. It is only in big-fornothing Nigeria that a non-performing central government will be audacious to boast that they will defeat a performing state governor, since the power to hire and fire electoral umpire is vested in an autocratic President. Given the current security challenges, which the ruling PDP has failed to tackle in the past three years, the failed promises on power, transportation, employment generation, and economic meltdown that has brought excruciating devastation, there is no more justification for President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP to either remain in power beyond 2015, or aspire to take over any of the states currently being governed by opposition. People have been bombarded with numerous promises since 1999 and all the promises have failed. There is nothing wrong in trying another political party, so that Nigerians will be able to also assess the alternatives that are available in all the tiers of government, so as to know whether we have respite somewhere or we should send all political gladiators packing.

Recent appointments in which two ministerial nominees from the South West states were given the portfolios of the ministries of Police affairs and Defence as OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the Managing Editor, KOLA OLABISI, Telephone: 08033927286 (kolaolabisi@yahoo.com); Editor, KAYODE AGBAJE, Telephone: 0803-388-0205, E-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com, kayodeagbaje@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org.