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www.osundefender.org SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 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.098
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
Militarization Of Osun Election - See Story On Page 3
•State Assembly Reads Riot Act To FG Aregbesola ‘ll Not Sack Any Worker - SA - Pg 4 Osun Election: Group Disagrees With DSS Over Deployment Of - Pg 4 Snipers
•Inhabitants of Ora-Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Council Area of State of Osun, welcoming Governor Rauf Aregbesola, during a Thank You Visit to the ancient town. INSERT: (L-R) Governor Aregbesola; member, National Assembly, representing Osun Central Senatorial District, Senator Sola Adeyeye and Executive Secretary, Ifedayo Local Government, Mr Kunle Ayantoye, last Monday.
Osun Election: Falana Petitions NHRC Over Observer’s Harassment - Pg 4 By Snipers
Omisore Asks Court To Stop Panel Probe - See Story On Page 4
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
Militarization Of Osun Election •State Assembly Reads Riot Act To FG By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
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HE State of Osun House of Assembly has read riot act over indiscriminate arrest and harassment of leaders and members of All Progressives Congress (APC) by security operatives deployed for the August 9 governorship election in the state. At the plenary of the Opening the floor for House on Wednesday, the discussion, the Deputy legislature resolved to set Speaker, Honourable up a committee to review Akintunde Adegboye, the allegations of arrests representing Osogbo State and harrasment, with a Constituency, recalled view to taking appropriate how masked security men action and if possible, sue stormed the state in the the Federal Government. name of the election and
started shooting sporadically into the air, describing the situation as barbaric. He said the situation got worse on the eve of the election, when the masked men stormed houses of some APC leaders and members and arrested them, only to release them after the election. Honourable Dejo Bello, representing Boripe/ Boluwaduro, criticised the use of masked men as security operatives, saying
that the act was an attempt to subject Osun to total war. According to him, the way the operatives operated prior to the election and especially on the eve of the election, scared many voters to come out and exercise their franchise. In his own address at the House session, Honourable Rasheed Afolabi, representing Ifelodun Constituency, related how the State
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale Afolabi and the Executive Secretary of Ifelodun Local Government Council, as well as members of the party, were arrested without commiting any offence, only to be released after the election. He noted that the security operatives, especially DSS officials that made arrest were being led to the houses of
•Sitting from (L-R): The Special Adviser to the Governor Aregbesola on Water Resources; Hon. Kunle Ige, Honourable Commissioner for Health; Dr. (Mrs.) Temitope Ilori; her counterpart from the Environment Ministry, Prof. Olubukola Oyawoye; the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH; Prof. Femi Fadiora and other dignitaries during the inauguration of committees by the state government on Ebola Virus Disease in Osogbo recently.
Diekola Berates Jonathan, PDP Over Militarization Of Poll By SHINA ABUBAKAR
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chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun, Alhaji Fatai Oyedele Diekola has berated President Goodluck Jonathan for deploying heavy military personnel to the state during last Saturday’s governorship election. He said the way the of Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan and military was controlled by Mr Musiliu Obanikoro in the PDP-led administration using the military to in the state has shown that intimidate voters in the the country’s nascent state in the build up to the democracy is in danger, poll, saying their action particularly as the 2015 was an insult on the general elections integrity of the service. approach. He disclosed that should According to the party the actions of the military chieftain, elections are go unchecked, then supposed to be a routine Nigeria may not have a exercise for the people to successful 2015 election in decide who oversees the the country, as the military affairs of their state for has been turned into a tool four years, frowning at the of intimidation by the way the Federal PDP-led Federal Government used the Government. security outfit before, However, the party during and after the poll. chieftain commended the He wondered who was resilience of the people of in charge of a special the state before, during military group that moved and even after the poll by around the state arresting refusing to be intimidated APC leaders in the middle by the presence and action of the night and in the wee of the security personnel, hours of Saturday, saying particularly the DSS the trend has shown the before the poll. desperation of the PDP to He lauded their win poll at all cost. determination to re-elect Diekola further decried Governor Rauf Aregbesola the role played by the likes for another term based on
his performance, saying the Osun poll would be an eye-opener for all that the people’s will cannot be subjugated by anyone. Also, the party chieftain further commended members of the APC for their loyalty to the party and for working tirelessly to ensure that the antics of
the opposition did not deter them in their efforts at reaching out to the people. He then urged politicians in the state to join hands with the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in his effort to make the state a better place for all and sundry to live and thrive in, saying Osun belongs to all
and must work for its development. While describing Aregbesola as a visionary and passionate leader, working towards developing the state, he charged other stakeholders to cooperate with him to realize his vision for Osun.
APC leaders and members by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members. He wondered why the DSS operatives stooped so low to be engaging in partisan operation, saying that appropriate action should be taken against them. Honourable Folarin Fafowora, representing Ilesa West Constituency, narrated that he was arrested at the eve of the election and detained alongside some NYSC members and electoral officer. He said that though, the NYSC members and the electoral official were released few hours later, he was released after four days in detention. Also, Honourables Wasiu Adebayo (Olorunda), Kamardeen Akanbi (Ede North), Abiodun Awolola (Egbedore), Ipoola Binuyo (Ede North), Folorunsho Bamisayemi (Ife South) and Kamil Oyedele (Irepodun/Orolu) among others, condemned the disposition of the security operatives prior to the election. While speaking, the Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, said he was afraid of the future of Nigeria’s democracy, considering the way power is being abused. He wondered why election should be militarised, as done in Osun, saying that if not for the militarisation and the arrest of APC leaders and members, more people would have come out to cast their votes. According to him, though there were security operatives that are working within the law, but the desperation that greeted the election compromised the system. He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the way it handled the election, saying that with little adjustment, things would improve.
APC Chieftain, Group Congratulate Aregbesola By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI HE clear cut and wide margin with which the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the just-concluded gubernatorial election in the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, beat his opponent, could best be described as a reward for his outstanding performance in less than four years. A chieftain of the party reference point for good and from Ede Federal governance Constituency, Pharmacist development in Nigeria. He said: “This is the first Tijani Muslihudeen Adekilekun, disclosed this in time history is being made, our people a congratulatory message to when the Governor-elect, Ogbeni overwhelmingly re-elected a Rauf Aregbesola on his sitting governor. This is to tell you that people of Osun will victory at the poll. He said being the first do anything to sustain governor to be elected for development and defend second term in the history of their future and that of their Osun, Oyo and even the old children.” The pharmacist noted that Oyo State, was an indication that the people of the state the people have spoken even want Ogbeni Aregbesola to in the face of intimidation and institutionalise good persecution by the men and governance in the state, so officers of the Federal that Osun would become a Government-controlled
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security agencies, who are being trained and paid through tax payers’ money. Osun Development Agenda (ODA) has also saluted the courage of the people of the State of Osun for trooping out to vote Governor Aregbesola for second term, despite heavy presence of security agents. The group also congratulated the governor and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for improving on its performance, while it tasked the body to prepare more for the 2015 general elections. A statement issued in Osogbo by the Deputy Convener of the group, Barrister Ramon Shenge, urged the governor to see the victory as a challenge to be more dedicated to the
welfare of the people to ensure steady progress. Also, the victory of the governor of the State of Osun in the just-concluded governorship election has been described as a victory for good governance. This was contained in a press statement by the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Group (COSEG) signed by its Chairman, Ifedayo Ogunlana, stressing that the victory should be dedicated to the good people of the state, who voted massively for the candidate of their choice, despite intimidation and harassment. The group however, posited further that President Goodluck Jonathan should endeavour to guarantee free, fair and credible elections in 2015.
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
Omisore Asks Court To Stop Panel Probe T By SOLA JACOBS
HE governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the State of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has secured an interim order from the State High Court to prevent the panel of enquiry on disturbance of public peace set up by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, from investigating him.
The chairman of the commission, Honourable Justice Moshood Adeigbe, said the panel had received a court order from the State High Court, ordering that status quo be maintained pending the ruling on the application.
The panel had summoned the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan and Omisore to show up, following a petition written by Senator Isiaka Adeleke. Omisore, who had refused to appear before
the panel, said that the commission lacks power to investigate him. Both Adesiyan and Omisore were alleged to have assaulted Adeleke during a stakeholders’ meeting of the PDP at Ideal Nest Hotel in April,
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (on top a vehicle), acknowledging cheers from indigenes of Ora-Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Council Area of the state, during his Thank You visit to the ancient town recently.
Ebola: Osun Govt Inaugurates Prevention Committees By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
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general body weakness as well as embarking on serious public enlightenment through the media. The committee members were drawn from the ministries of Information, Agriculture and Food Security, Environment,
Women and Children Affairs and Tourism. Members are also drawn from Non Government bodies including the Rotary Club and Red Cross Society. The committee members also include Market Women, Religious leaders,
EQUEL to the spread of the dreaded Ebola virus in Nigeria, the Government of the State of Osun has inaugurated five different committees on the prevention of the disease in the state. The state Commissioner committees would serve as for Health, Dr (Mrs) watch dog over any form of Temitope Ilori, who unusual acute Symptoms of inaugurated the committees stressed the need for the various members of the committees to work towards “It is instructive to note By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI ensuring total prevention of that the conduct of the the disease in the state. HE deployment of soldiers and masked snipers security operatives during According to Ilori, the for the recently-conducted governorship the election showed clearly purposes of inaugurating election in the State of Osun has been that they were on a the five committees are to described as a confirmation of the allegation raised mission, as they were sensitize the public and by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the masked, moved around in deliberate on ways of effect that President Goodluck is having a killer unmarked vehicles and preventing the dreaded squad. intimidating the people. Ebola Virus in the state. The group also democratic norms. The Coalition of Oodua The five committees are According to COSEG: questioned the rationale Determination Medical, Information and Self Environment, Forestry, Groups (COSEG) in a “The deployment of behind the arrest of only political party Education and Women press release signed by its snipers for the last election one chieftains on the eve of the is a confirmation of the coordinating council Advocacy Committees. Comrade allegation raised by former election without any She stated that each of Chairman, the committee will be Ifedayo Ogunlana, in president that President explanation or justification involved in sensitization Osogbo disagreed with Jonathan is having a killer for the arrest. “If not for the and advocacy programmes spokesperson of the State squad. in order to ensure Security Service (SSS), preventive control of the Mariylin Ogar, over her Ebola Virus in the state. claim that the service men Also speaking, the deployed to Osun did not By SOLA JACOBS Commissioner for harass innocent citizens. HE government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has Environment and The group stated that no intention of sacking any worker. Sanitation, Professor deployment of security Olubukola Oyawoye and before and during election The Special Adviser to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. her counterpart in the is mainly to protect the Governor on Local Odewumi stated that Ministry of Lands, Physical election materials, but and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is Planning and Urban posited that it was not the Government Cheiftaincy Affairs, a man that has no intention Development, Mr Muyiwa case in the last Ige commended the state governorship election in Honourable Bisi Odewumi, of victimizing anybody. government for the steps Osun, as most of the stated this at the prayer He added that the taken to wage war against operatives were used to session organised by the governor is committed to of Local the welfare of the workers the dreaded virus in the harass and intimidate Ministry State. Government and of the State of Osun. They stressed that the officials of just one Chieftaincy Affairs to thank The governor ’s aide newly inaugurated political party, which is God for the re-election of further commended the not in tandem with
Traditionalist and security operatives, while medical Personnel are drawn from the Obafemi AWOLOWO University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH)and the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
this year. Adeleke, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) alleged that Omisore and Adesiyan threatened to kill him during the meeting and urged the commission to investigate the allegation. Meanwhile, counsel to the petitioner, Mr. Lekan Olayiwola, urged the panel to allow the petitioner to go on with the hearing of the matter, despite the interim order of the court. The Chairman of the panel, who said that the panel is lower to the High Court, however, adjourned the sitting till August 9, 2014 pending the time the court will determine the interim order. Meanwhile, Honourable Justice Oyejide Falola of an Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo on August 13, has said that the Standing Commission of Enquiry On Disturbance Of Public Peace can go ahead with the probing of the Police Affairs Minister and Mr Sogo Agboola. The commission appeared before the court to seek clarification over the interim order granted to Senator Omisore, preventing the panel from investigating the petition filed by Senator Adeleke. While responding to the matter, Justice Falola said the interim order only covers the applicant, Senator Omisore, saying that since the petitions are three different and separate petitions.
Osun Election: Group Disagrees With DSS Over Deployment Of Snipers
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consciousness of the people of the State of Osun, who defied heavy presence of the security men, who were shooting sporadically with major intention of scaring the peace-loving people before the election. “And to our dismay, these snipers, who claimed to be men of DSS were on mask, which made it practically impossible to identify any of them in the process of committing the crime. This is strange to us and capable of
threatening Nigeria’s democracy because it is clear frustration to a credible electoral process” Ifedayo aslo described the arrest of political party officials as violation of their rights, as no tangible reason was offered for the arrest. COSEG however, warned the president to desist from any act that can lead to chaos or ethnic crises in the country, while insisting that the group will resist any form of invasion by external forces, who are on a mission.
Aregbesola ‘ll Not Sack Any Worker - SA T
people of the state for their peaceful conduct at the last governorship poll. He adjudged the election as the best election ever conducted by INEC. In his own address on the occasion, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Kolapo Alimi, appreciated the support and co-operation of the staff of the ministry, as the
management and staff cannot do it all alone. Barrister Alimi gave glory to Almighty God for the peaceful conduct of the election, saying the result of the election truly reflected the wishes of the people of the state. Present at the prayer session were the Permanent Secretary, Mr Muftau Oluwadare, Directors and other staffers of the ministry.
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
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Osun Election: Falana Petitions NHRC Over Observer’s Harassment By Snipers
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human right lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Femi Falana, has given the National Human Rights Commission a 14-day ultimatum to investigate an alleged violation of the rights of an accredited observer, Mr. Lanre Suraj, by masked snipers during the governorship election in Osun last Saturday. Falana, in a petition dated He said his client was August 12, 2014, threatened to “brutally assaulted by a gang sue the NHRC if it fails to of snipers without any investigate the violation of justification” while monitoring Suraj’s rights during the Osun the election in Osogbo, the August 9 governorship state capital. election. The petition, which was
addressed to the Executive Secretary of the commission, was titled: ‘Request for investigation of the abuse of our client’s fundamental rights by snipers during the Osun State governorship election held on August 9, 2014.’ According to the petition made available to the newsmen, Falana said Suraj was accredited as an election observer by the Independent National Electoral
Commission to monitor the election and was abused by suspected snipers, who claimed to be men of DSS. Suraj, is the National Coordinator of a nongovernmental organisation, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda. He however, added that Suraj could not identify any of the “snipers” who assaulted him because they were masked. Falana also claimed that his client also witnessed how the snipers violated other innocent
persons’ rights on the day of the election. He said that his request for the recording of the “criminal activities of the official terrorists” was rejected by the police. The petition reads in part: “We are counsel for Mr. Lanre Suraj, the National Coordinator of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, a non-governmental organisation, on whose behalf and instructions we write this letter. “Our client was dulyaccredited by INEC to monitor the Osun State gubernatorial election, which held on Saturday, August 9, 2014. “In the course of monitoring the said election in Osogbo, Osun State, our client was brutally assaulted by a gang of snipers without any justification.
“As the snipers were allowed to wear masks, our client was unable to identify any of them. Our client also witnessed the harassment and intimidation of other innocent people by the snipers. “However, our client’s request to the police to record the criminal activities of the official terrorists was turned down. “Having confirmed that the masked persons were not members of any of the security agencies in the country, we hereby request the NHRC to investigate their involvement in the Osun State governorship election and the brutalisation of our client by the extra-legal security outfit. “More so, that the Federal Government had vehemently denied knowledge of the existence of snipers in the country,” Falana said
Aregbesola Is Dedicated To Serving People Better - Akere By SHINA ABUBAKAR
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•Supervising National Commissioner for Governorship Election in Osun, Ambassador Mohammad Ahmad Wali (left), presenting certificate of return to the Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi LaoyeTomori (right). With them are INEC Administrative Secretary, Mr Oladipo Oladapo (2nd let) and other dignitaries during the presentation of certificate of return to Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy the August 9, 2014 governorship election at State INEC Headquarters, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
OVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola has been described has a dedicated man, committed to serving the teeming populace of the state. This was disclosed by the vengeful, hence, the civil Commissioner for servant should concentrate Information and Strategy, Mr on discharging their duties Sunday Akere while for effective development of addressing members of staff the state. He also commended the of the ministry at a thanksgiving programme he people of the state for reelecting the governor organised for the ministry. He said the governor came despite intimidation and with a sole mind of serving harassment by the federal the entire populace of the might deployed to the state. Corroborating the state and make the state of the great among its peers in the position commissioner, the Special country. He disclosed that Adviser to the Governor on Governor Rauf Aregbesola is Lands, Dr Ayodele Owoade, a man that fears God and not said the governor has assured the teeming populace of being the governor of everyone in the state, irrespective of party affiliation. He assured the people that turnout of voters in the areas that were heavily the various developmental projects on going in the state militarised.” would be completed and new The group also ones initiated. He said by the end of the condemned the arrest and torture of its members tenure of the administration the state in 2018, Osun across the state and in would be an Eldorado for all commended the residents of the state. Independent National Similarly, the Special Electoral Commission Adviser to the Governor on (INEC) for sustaining the Youths, Sports and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi trust of the people, as an Odunlade, commended the unbiased empire. entire civil servants in the state for the success the administration has achieved so far, urging them to do more for the success to continue. He described the governor as a selfless man, whose passion for has shown that developing Nigeria is unrivalled by anyone. performance still counts in Also speaking, the Senior electoral contest and that Special Assistant to the the average voter, if allowed Governor on Electronics to make his /her choice media, Engineer Oluremi freely, would vote for the Omowaye, commended the of staff of the candidate and the party that members ministry for always helping has the greater impact on to disseminate objective their lives. reports of events in the build“On behalf of myself, the up to the poll. He also commended Mr government and the good people of Ekiti State, we Governor for investing in the Osun State Broadcasting heartily congratulate Corporation to be able to Governor Aregbesola on his discharge its duties re-election. We also effectively. In his remark, the congratulate the people of the state as they get set for Permanent Secretary of of Information and another term of purposeful Ministry Strategy, Engineer Aduroja leadership under the APC- pledged the commitment of led government of Governor the management staff to Rauf Aregbesola,” Fayemi serving the state objectively and professionally. added.
Osun Election, Triumph Of Peoples’ Will - YRG By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI
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election and sustenance of democratic governance in Nigeria.” “Going by the partisan and unprofessional conducts before and on the election day, including the illegal arrest, torture and detention of some notable party leaders, student leaders, and members of YRG in Ilesa, it was a clear evidence of the security partisanship
socio-political youth organisation, Youth Reformation Group (YRG), has attributed the success of the just-concluded governorship election in the State of Osun to the people, who desired to enthrone the people’s government. The group said it “YRG can authoritatively required serious say that the activities of d e t e r m i n a t i o n , some security agents, commitment to achieve most especially, the State success during the Security Services (SSS, election, considering the are inimical to the conduct security tyranny displayed of free, fair and credible during the election. YRG in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Oludele Abiola, congratulated Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his reelection, which it By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO described as reward for KITI State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has good performance and congratulated the governor of the State of Osun commitment to the and candidate of the All Progressives Congress welfare of the people. (APC) in last Saturday’s governorship election, Ogbeni Oludele also commended the people of Rauf Aregbesola, on his re-election for a second term in the state for standing firm office. Describing the outcome Aregbesola’s exemplary and in the face of security provocation and of the election as an transformational leadership harassment and urged the expression of the will of the with electoral victory. Fayemi in a statement governor to see the victory people, Fayemi said Governor Aregbesola’s signed by his Chief Press as a challenge to make life more abundant for the victory was well-deserved Secretary, Mr. Olayinka in view of the positive Oyebode, said he was people in the state The group however impact of his administration confident that the State of frowned at the conduct of on the lives of the people of Osun would witness a greater level of some security agents the state. He however said that the development in all spheres before and after the election which it Osun electorate deserves of life during Governor considered as a threat to even a much bigger Aregbesola’s second term in congratulations for office. democracy. According to Oludele: rewarding Governor Governor Fayemi, who
and must be condemned by all and sundry.” “ To this end, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, that the Nigeria Army and the DSS lack what it takes to be part of any electoral process without been partisan and as such, should stop using them to intimidate and influence electorate in future elections. Osun example recorded low
Fayemi Congratulates Aregbesola, Osun People
•Says, State ‘ll Witness Greater Development
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flayed the security clampdown on the state and unwarranted arrest and detention of APC leaders before and during the period of the election, said it was gratifying, however, seeing the people’s power triumph in spite of these ugly incidents. He also commended the leadership of APC for increasing its vigilance ahead of the Osun election. “This is indeed a welldeserved victory. We congratulate Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the people of the State of Osun. It is victory for democracy, integrity and performance. “The election in Osun
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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 sociopolitical 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 candi-
date with 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
OSUN DEFENDER Publisher
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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 Saturday, August 16, 2014
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
Presentation Of Certificate Of Return To Governor Rauf Aregbesola In The August 9, 2014 Governorship Election At INEC Headquarters, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle), his wife, Sherifat (right) and the Deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Laoye-Tomori (left) at the event.
•(L-R) Resident Electoral Commissioner, State of Osun, Mr Olusegun Agbaje; Supervising National Commissioner for Governorship Election in Osun, Ambassador Mohammad Ahmad Wali and Administrative Secretary, Mr Oladipo Oladapo.
•A cross section of securitymen at the event.
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•State of Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Honourable Sunday Akere (left) and other dignitaries at the event.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
Thanksgiving Programme To Show Appreciation To The People Of Osun For Declaration Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola For The Second Term In Office During The August 9 Governorship Election At Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. Last Tuesday.
•(L-R) First Civilian Governor in the State of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Laoye-Tomori; Governor Aregbesola and his wife, Mrs Sherifat.
•(L-R) Honourable Ayo Omidiran; Senator Sola Adeyeye and former Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Mojeed Alabi.
•(L-R) State of Osun Commissioner for Environment, Professor Olubukola Oyawoye; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Honourable Sunday Akere; Chief of Staff to State of Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti.
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•(L-R) Senator Bayo Salami; State of Osun All Progressive Congress (APC) Acting Chairman, Elder Lowo Adebiyi and Commissioner for Agric, Prince Wale Adedoyin.
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
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Feature
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
Osun Invests In Biometric Identification And Smart ID Card For All Public School Pupils N line with the commitment of the gov ernment of the State of Osun to use tech nology to improve planning, allocation of resources and service delivery in its education sector, a first-of-its-kind Smart Identity Card with biometric features was launched for all public school students in the state on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Salvation Army School, Alekuwodo, Oshogbo, Osun State. An initiative of Chams Plc, the Smart ID Card is linked back to a central database which provides the government of the State of Osun with accurate and reliable data on the identity and number students attending public schools in the state. Launching the Smart ID Card for Osun students, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor, State of Osun said, “In the history of human inventions, there are not too many inventions that are as useful as technology in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness at providing solutions to human problems. This is the reason why the government of the State of Osun adopted and is deploying technology as the solution to the legacy of inefficiency bequeathed to the civil service by past inept leaders. The Osun Student Smart ID card which is embedded with biometric features is also an ingenious technology solution that we have adopted to further raise the service delivery levels in the education sector.” Ogbeni Aregbesola added that with the card, each student is a unique and identifiable individual that cannot be mistaken for another person. “Effortlessly, government can identify all students in public schools, and have access to their information at the push of a button. It improves the effectiveness of life enriching programmes such as the O’Meals, O’Schools and Opon Imo, among other other innovations put in place for the welfare of students. The Smart Card makes tracking possible, implying that we are provided with more accurate information on the exact number of beneficiaries which eliminates fraud and accounting error of any type.” Commenting on the project, Mr. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, who is also the Commissioner for Education said, “This is indeed a significant milestone for the State of Osun because without accurate data, a holistic transformation of the education sector in Osun may remain elusive. Issuance of smart identity cards to all public school students will ensure that we have accurate data for use in updating our education strategy and sustain our pragmatic work-plan to ensure overall policy success. In no small measure, the smart identity card will also ensure accountability to government by students of public school as it makes it possible for schools to track attendance.” She added that the government of the State of Osun will continue to upscale its investment in education across the state because it regards education of children and youths as one of the prime investments that can guarantee the exponential growth and development of the state in the 21st century’s maturing knowledge economy which places very high premium on human capital. On his part, Mr. Demola Aladekomo, Managing Director, Chams Plc said, “The Osun Smart ID card provides biographical and biometric identification of public school children from elementary schools to middle schools and high schools, equipping government relaible demographic data of the student population in the State. This certainly improves planning, distribution and allocation of educational resources in alignment with population size, and the unique needs of students and schools across the 30 local government areas of the state. It will also aid the judicious use of government resources and improve budgeting, while also providing accurate data that will lead to the enunciation of more transformative policies.” Aladekomo added that Chams is proud to be associated with the giant strides achieved by the government of the State of Osun as its continuously deploys Information and Communications Technology to improve governance and service delivery to the people
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•(L-R) Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Managing Director, Chams Plc, Mr. Demola Aladekomo, during the launch of pupils’ Biometric Card for all public schools in the State of Osun, recently.
•Pupils of Salvation Army School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, flanking the Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Laoye-Tomori; Governor Aregbesola; and Managing Director, Chams Plc, Aladekomo, during the launch of the pupils’ Biometric Card for all public schools in the State of Osun, recently.
•(L-R) Laoye-Tomori; Ogbeni Aregbesola; pupils of Salvation Army School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo; and the Managing Director, Chams Plc, Mr. Demola Aladekomo, during the launch of Pupils Biometric Card for all public schools in the State of Osun, recently. Communication Technology to make goverID Card scheme points to commitment of By SHINAABUBAKAR of the state, irrespective of their location and status. “Without doubt, the State of Osun is indeed becoming a model in e-governance that is worthy of emulation by other state governments because of its shrewdness and foresightedness in using technology to reduce the high incidence of fraud and wastage often associated with the public sector programmes. We can only promise the government of the State of Osun that we will continue to work with you to use Information and
nance more inclusive in alignment with the realities of contemporary times.” Similarly, in April, Chams Plc and First Bank of Nigeria partnered the government of the state to provide civil servants in the State of Osun with smart identity cards embedded with MasterCard prepaid capabilities - which is also the first of its kind by any state government in Nigeria. The card with biometric features can be used by the civil servants outside the country and is accepted by over 16 million merchants worldwide. Full deployment of the Osun School Smart
the government of the State of Osun to its 2011 education policy which sought an integrative and ICT enabled approach to the education of children and youth in the State. The policy evolved from the Osun Education Summit held also in 2011, and it has been described by local and international stakeholders and education regulatory bodies as a comprehensive and holistic response to the deterioration of public school system in the state.
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
Job Vacancies In Nigeria Halliburton recruitment in Port Harcourt and Lagos, August 2014 Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Limited - In the coming decades, energy resources will become increasingly difficult to find and access. As one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the upstream energy industry, Halliburton serves the life cycle of the well. Halliburton Founded in 1919, Halliburton is one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. Halliburton is recruiting for the vacant position: Job Title: Entry Level Field Engineer Requisition: 00264653 Location: Port Harcourt NG Job Description Provides technical and operational expertise to external customer in a professional manner. This is the entry level position for this discipline. Performs assignments requiring knowledge and application of basic engineering principles. Assists in the delivery of services such as pumping. Assists in pre-planning, job execution, and post job analysis. Participates in developmental programs to accelerate learning. Requires ability to interpret well site data. Requirement Typical requirements include a degree in Engineering. Certification as an Engineer-in-Training is desirable. Interested and qualified candidates should visit: Job Title: Senior Field Engineer - MWD/LWD Requisition: 00270879 Location: Port Harcourt NG Job Description Under broad supervision, provides on-site supervision of the Logging While Drilling (LWD) process including tool preparations, data acquisition, log generation and Quality Control (QC), and delivery of the services to the customer. This is the lead position on most jobs and takes the lead to ensure all data presented to the customer is accurate, timely and meets the highest service quality standards possible. Takes the lead to ensure that expected and needed data, including possible problems, are provided to the customer. Takes the lead to provide technical consultation to all of Halliburton’s clients. These areas include mud hydraulics, Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) planning, pore pressure analysis, formation evaluation, drilling tendencies, the mud system, and BHA dynamics. Ensures the proper testing of all tools and equipment before, during, and after each job. Identify and correct operational problems to prevent or minimize service impact. Ensures the accuracy and completeness of all required forms, databases (i.e., Service vouchers, lost/damaged equipment, radiation site survey, End of Job Customer Survey (EJCS) report, First Alert Database (FAD)/Correction, Prevention and Improvement (CPI)). Ensures that BHA’s are assembled as planned including correct make-up torque, doping and handling. Aware of client’s requirements regarding surveying procedures. Leads the effort to interface with the Directional Driller (DD) to ensure BHA compatibility, planned operating parameters are within specification and correct tool face references are applied. Participates in performance improvement initiatives as required by the Company. Ensures all the equipment, personnel, and resources needed to perform the service is available. Must be proficient in the use of LWD computer software and be able to provide advice and analysis to the client representative at the work site. This shall include all survey calculations, Log generation, basic geosteering services and data Quality Control (QC). Ensures a daily LWD report is completed and copied to client’s offshore and onshore drilling teams and to the LWD Coordinator. Where required, responsible for submitting an accurate daily cost for the LWD Services. Assists in the evaluation of individual performance levels of onsite LWD personnel. Assists in training and development of junior offshore personnel. Fosters teamwork among all personnel involved in the performance of the service. Job role contributes directly to value creation. Requirement Skills typically acquired through the completion of an undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science, Geology or other technical discipline, or equivalent drilling/rig experience. Requires a mminimum of three years LWD experience and a minimum of one year experience as a Field Prof-LWD, II. Must have successfully passed company tests or met task guideline requirements. Must have met the minimum competency requirements for the Field Professional-LWD, II. Ability to demonstrate technical aptitude to standards required. Must possess good communication skills, arithmetic, data entry, and recording skills. Able to provide service and interpretation on all tooling available in the country assigned. Must possess relevant offshore certificates as required. This is a field position. Promotes safety awareness and environmental consciousness, and complies with all applicable safety and environmental procedures and regulations. Ensures compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations and guidelines. Promotes and takes an active part in quality improvement processes. Interested and qualified candidates should Click here to apply online Job Title: Consultant - Halliburton Consulting Requisition: 00270468 Location: Lagos Job Description A consultant with a basic level of technical expertise who is capable of functioning effectively under direct supervision. Exploits expertise and experience in hydrocarbon Exploration / Development / Production and pursues innovative approaches; understands how domain data has been acquired and uses crossdiscipline workflows to implement best-practice approaches. Capable of actively participating in a team with members who have various levels of competence in the relevant technical domain (s). Understands and supports the use of best practice work processes, project, quality and commercial management. Recognises and makes use of the talents of colleagues and demonstrates commitment to learn. Is occasionally involved in customer contacts and has limited involvement in business development activities. Effectively exploits a regional network of professional contacts and typically contributes to multi- disciplinary project within the geographical region. Has a basic understanding of consulting practice development, project delivery and business development. Requirement Skills are typically acquired through completion of a B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree with up to 3 years of experience with an E&P operator or equivalent consulting team. Interested and qualified candidates should Click here apply here https://erecruiting.halliburton.jobs/sap/bc/webdynpro/sap/ hrrcf_a_posting_apply Job Title: Electrical / Mechanical LWD Tech II Requisition: 00270290 Location: Port Harcourt NG Job Description Under general supervision, performs maintenance and inspection on Measurements while
drilling and/or Logging While Drilling down-hole tool electronics and other equipment used in the application for down-hole tools including Directional and/or LWD sensors. Assembles and disassembles Measure while drilling and/or Logging While Drilling down- hole tools. Identifies tool usage sheet and determines maintenance schedule required, Verify whether preventative maintenance is scheduled on the inserts. Areas of specialization within Product Service Line (PSL) may include: electronics aptitude, computer skills, surface equipment, and down-hole tools. Job tasks, correctly performed, have minimal impact upon the viability of the organization. Error is readily ascertainable by the supervisor and can be corrected. Requirement Skills are typically acquired through an Associates degree or similar education and 6-12 months experience as a Downhole Mechanical Tech I or equivalent tool technician training or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Basic computer skills are required. Given the nature of oil field service work, the ability to communicate effectively with others is necessary. The ability to perform basic mathematical calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division is required. Basic reading comprehension and writing skills are required. Promotes safety awareness and environmental consciousness, and complies with all applicable safety and environmental procedures and regulations. Ensures compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations and guidelines. Promotes and takes an active part in the quality improvement proces. Military training may be substitued for this minimum requirement. Ability to work 24 hour call and respond to call outs within one hour. Ability to accept calls for off loading equipment and complete the appropriate Quality Control documentation including shipping documents. Knowledge of HMS and Tool Operations manual and Global Maintenance Standards for specific sub PSL. Ability to locate, read and understand tool drawing from PSL-specific Tool Manual. Adheres to HSE guidelines, Safety training compliance including Job risk assessments. Must have a valid driver license. Must be able to pass drug and alcohol testing, as well as all other relevant post offer requirements for job. Basic computer skills required. Interested and qualified candidates should Job Title: Electrical / Mechanical LWD Tech II Requisition: 00270290 Location: Port Harcourt NG Job Description Under general supervision, performs maintenance and inspection on Measurements while drilling and/or Logging While Drilling down-hole tool electronics and other equipment used in the application for down-hole tools including Directional and/or LWD sensors. Assembles and disassembles Measure while drilling and/or Logging While Drilling down- hole tools. Identifies tool usage sheet and determines maintenance schedule required, Verify whether preventative maintenance is scheduled on the inserts. Areas of specialization within Product Service Line (PSL) may include: electronics aptitude, computer skills, surface equipment, and down-hole tools. Job tasks, correctly performed, have minimal impact upon the viability of the organization. Error is readily ascertainable by the supervisor and can be corrected. Requirement Skills are typically acquired through an Associates degree or similar education and 6-12 months experience as a Downhole Mechanical Tech I or equivalent tool technician training or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Basic computer skills are required. Given the nature of oil field service work, the ability to communicate effectively with others is necessary. The ability to perform basic mathematical calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division is required. Basic reading comprehension and writing skills are required. Promotes safety awareness and environmental consciousness, and complies with all applicable safety and environmental procedures and regulations. Ensures compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations and guidelines. Promotes and takes an active part in the quality improvement proces. Military training may be substitued for this minimum requirement. Ability to work 24 hour call and respond to call outs within one hour. Ability to accept calls for off loading equipment and complete the appropriate Quality Control documentation including shipping documents. Knowledge of HMS and Tool Operations manual and Global Maintenance Standards for specific sub PSL. Ability to locate, read and understand tool drawing from PSL-specific Tool Manual. Adheres to HSE guidelines, Safety training compliance including Job risk assessments. Must have a valid driver license. Must be able to pass drug and alcohol testing, as well as all other relevant post offer requirements for job. Basic computer skills required. Interested and qualified candidates should Job Title: Entry Level Engineer - Cementing Requisition: 00271430 Location: Port Harcourt NG Job Description Provides technical and operational expertise to external customer in a professional manner. This is the entry level position for this discipline. Performs assignments requiring knowledge and application of basic engineering principles. Assists in the delivery of cementing services. Assists in pre-planning, job execution, and post job analysis. Participates in developmental programs to accelerate learning. Requires ability to interpret well site data. Requirement Typical requirements include a degree in Engineering. Certification as an Engineer-in-Training is desirable. Interested and qualified candidates should Click here apply online. https://erecruiting.halliburton.jobs/sap/bc/webdynpro/sap/ hrrcf_a_posting_apply He will also manage mega brands while supervising team of 1 Assistant Brand Manager for other herbicide portfolio. Special Skulls & Key Behavioral Competences Analytical Initiative: Willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges Integrity: Being honest and ethical Leadership: Willingness to lead, take charge and offer opinions and direction Courses/Qualification: Bsc in Agric/Marketing with experience in Brand Mgt Relevant Experience: Minimum of 5 years, 2-3 yrs in Brand Management Required Age:30 – 35 years How To Apply Qualified candidates should mail in their Curriculum Vitae and brief profile electronically (in excel format below) to: job@saroafrica.com.ng Excel Format Surname| First Name | DOB | Gender| Years of Experience | Institution | Grade | Course | Year of Graduation | Professional Qualification | Job experience (please state your last 3 recent job) | Phone No | E-mail address Application Deadline: 20th August, 2014
You can subscribe to Job Vacancies in Nigeria, Jobs in Nigeria via your e-mail: www.recentnigerianjobs.com
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, 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.
Who Are The Real Winners And Losers From #OsunDecides? – Ynaija T
HE elections that have gripped the nation’s imagination just ended last Saturday – with Osun voters choosing to return their governor, Rauf Aregbesola, over the corn-eating Senator, Iyiola Omisore. So we know who won the election and who lost it, but who really won from the events of last Saturday?
Attahiru Jega For the first time in as long as any member of this generation can remember, we are all in awe of an electoral commission. Professor Attahiru Jega, who heads the Independent National Electoral Commission, has recovered from egregious errors in previous elections THE WINNERS to restore faith through the conduct in Ekiti and now in Osun. It is now official: APC this man will do right by us. His heart Rumours of the party’s demise were has always been in the right place, but greatly exaggerated. After Ekiti, the now his hands are firmly on the till. narrative spread – with good reason – that Nigeria’s only real opposition party GEJ in a decade had imploded, done in by Of course, 2015 will be the real test, its confusion, its arrogance and its lack but as it stands, President Goodluck of connection with the larger populace. Jonathan has made a very good case Apparently, it was just a question of for himself in ensuring free and fair numbers. The All Progressives elections, which is one of the first Congress went into Osun with all it had promises he made when he got into and it got a crucial lifeline. It’s game power. The toga of desperation that on, again. other presidents (we’re looking at you, OBJ) have carried won’t fit with this Bourdillon man. When the story of our democratic The story of the APC is the story of evolution is told, the man who let the its centre of power, and for that all roads Labour Party, the All Progressives lead to the Kingdom of Bola Ahmed Grand Alliance and the APC thrive will Tinubu, the lion who resides at have pride of place. Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos. Losing Ekiti was a perception disaster for him, just Pollsters as he was consolidating a repitatioon This week, wherever you turned, as the country’s alternative leader. He there were pollsters talking about the had to deploy an Opeds machine across Osun elections. There was TNS-RMS, the media to combat the odour of loss there was the BD Consultants, there around him. Aregbesola is also his right was this one and then there was that hand man, in more ways than one. With one. They all predicted victory for Rauf these results, expect the strut to return. Aregbesola. And they were right. All
suspicion is gone, data is good, and has moved from the PDP to the nPDP, Nigerian elections are the better for it. then to the APC, always in the nick of time. Not only is it nationally confirmed THE LOSERS that loyalty is not his strength, but it Iyiola Omisore appears the former Osun governor is We know we said losers apart from also of no electoral value. He lost in his the two candidates, but Iyiola Okuku Ward polling youth – and badly Omisore’s loss goes far below the loss of this election – it’s the loss of standing too. The PDP got 125 votes. His party and of a national profile following this. got 61. First, unlike his competitor, he has no Omisore’s Deputy existing political job. Second, he has The other half of the losing team also so much baggage leading from the Bola Ige death that his election here would makes it to this list. Adejare Bello, who have done well to wipe away. Third, was running mate to Omisore didn’t just following Ayo Fayose’s victory, his is also lose the election; he also lost in his in fact a humiliation. The only way from polling unit in Ede. The APC got 130 here is not up for him. votes, and the politician? Just 30! With Omisore’s loss, a strong showing by his Femi Fani-Kayode ostensible deputy would have bolstered We’re not sure if this wasn’t his plan the latter’s reputation as an independent in the first place – to somehow find his political force. But right now, he’s just name mentioned when the story of the a postscript moving forward. Osun election is told. That is certainly the only explanation that makes sense Bisi Akande as to why the man half of the country The former National Chairman of the already sees as unstable would wait All Progressives Congress is a former until it had become abundantly clear that the APC was winning the election… and governor in Osun. His party also just then declare that the PDP was. By the won the elections to the seat he once time this man is through with his own held. So, he certainly must have played reputation, not even his gate man will a huge part in that process. Yes? Not if take him seriously. you ask his neighbours. He lost, though only by four votes. Much better than Olagunsoye Oyinlola those before him here, but sir, the title We hope Oyinlola knows that not they gave you is National Chairman. even his new friends in the APC trust You can do better. him? We don’t have any exclusives in that regard, but it would appear Culled from www.ynaija.com madness for them to trust a man who
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
On The Osun Governorship Poll D
ESPITE widespread public concerns of possible rigging and violence, the Osun State governorship election was successfully held last Saturday. The All Progressives Congress (APC) incumbent Governor Rauf Aregbesola was overwhelmingly returned to office, recording 394,684 votes as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) -over 60 per cent of the votes cast. His main opponent, Mr. Iyiola Omisore, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) obtained 292,750 votes; quite impressive, but still a distant second. He was comprehensively beaten and has conceded defeat. As expected and because of the huge stakes involved, the election was closely fought by the main contenders in a long, hard and often bitter campaign. Tension was high in the state and there was a real possibility of violence breaking out during the election. But it turned out to be quite peaceful and, by and large, the results reflected the electoral choice of the electorate. The observers adjudged the actual voting to have been free and fair. Governor Aregbesola deserved to win the election. His performance in government has been quite impressive, with an astonishing development of infrastructure. His schools’ reforms have also been widely acclaimed as innovative. Despite reservations in some enlightened quarters, his populist and charismatic style of government earned him a huge electoral victory in the election. But he also campaigned very hard, leaving nothing to chance. He and the APC leaders had learnt some hard and useful lessons from the Ekiti governorship election, which Governor Kayode Fayemi lost to his PDP rival, Mr. Ayo Fayose. In contrast to Governor Aregbesola, his opponent, Iyiola Omisore, had little or nothing to offer the electorate. When he was in office as deputy governor in the Bisi Akande administration, his record was really appalling. It included his determined and prolonged effort to organise Akande’s impeachment as governor. The source of the friction which paralysed the government was Akande’s refusal to meet his financial claims for a fraudulent contract Omisore had purportedly concluded with the previous military administration. I tried to resolve his differences with Governor Akande, but failed as Omisore wanted his financial claims met. In addition, there is still a considerable public speculation that he may have been involved, or implicated, in the assassination of the late Alliance for Democracy (AD) leader and Federal Attorney-General, Bola Ige, a case which has remained unresolved since 2002. Soon after, he defected from the AD. Because of all these, public perception of him as a politician has been quite negative. His character, or lack of it, has not matched his lofty and remorseless political ambition to be governor of the state at all costs. He tried the Ekiti strategy of ‘stomach infrastructure’ but this did not work. He was rejected. His election as governor would have been a terrible set back for the state. Though the election was largely devoid of any serious violence, this was due largely to the remarkable and commendable restraint shown by the electorate in the electoral process, particularly on the voting date. A week before the election, the PDP Federal Government deployed a large number of military forces, including the Police and the State Security Service, evidently to intimidate and harass the APC and its
•AREGBESOLA
By DAPO FAFOWORA
supporters. There were palpable fears that the security forces would be used to rig the election, which the PDP was determined to win, after its victory in the Ekiti State governorship election. Scores of APC leaders, including its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, were arrested on the eve of the election. What was even worse and totally unacceptable was the deployment by the PDP Federal Government of hooded armed men that were not even part of the regular armed forces of the country, with the clear intention of intimidating the electorate. This is reminiscent of Hitler’s storm troopers, the infamousSS, used by the Nazis to subvert democracy in Germany. Not a few innocent German heads were broken by Hitler’s SS men in his quest for absolute power in Germany. Are these not the men that former President Olusegun Obasanjo warned the nation about in his attack on Jonathan last year? Has he not been proved right in raising the alarm? Those so arrested and detained by these armed men included my youngest brother, Folarin Fafowora, a member of the State House of Assembly. It was claimed that ballot papers were being stamped in his house. But the house was not even searched by the DSS in the first place. In fact, as he has since told me, he was riding an Okada in Osogbo when he was picked up by the DSS officials. He was only released on Tuesday after four days in illegal detention. I have asked him to sue the DSS for his illegal detention and denial of his rights. We cannot continue to have the security forces acting illegally so brazenly against innocent citizens. This is provocative and designed to subvert the electoral process in the state. But undaunted by the heavy military presence, the voters refused to be intimidated and cast their votes in a peaceful manner. They displayed admirable and exemplary courage that the voters in other states should show in
•OMISORE
future elections to restore electoral integrity. Next year’s general elections, including the presidential, are crucial for the future of free and fair elections and the survival of democracy in our country. We cannot accept the continued use by the PDP Federal Government of military and illegal para-military forces to intimidate the electorate. That was why a substantial number of voters simply decided to stay away rather than risk intimidation and illegal detention by the security forces, including hooded and unidentified armed men. The role and use of security forces in future elections in our country should be clearly spelt out and defined by the INEC. Armed forces, regular or irregular, should not be deployed unless asked for by the INEC, or by the contending political parties themselves. When deployed, such security forces must be plainly neutral between the contending political parties. The Federal Government cannot arrogate to itself the right to deploy its security forces anywhere in the country, except where a situation of emergency has been declared, and duly approved by the National Assembly. What happened during the election in Osun State was farcical, disgraceful and plainly illegal. The APC must ask the courts to pronounce on the legality, or otherwise, of the use of the military by the Federal Government during the elections when a state of emergency has not been declared. The Federal Government must not be allowed to unleash a reign of terror in the country, particularly during elections. Even among senior military and security officials, there is a serious and growing concern regarding the deployment of armed soldiers in elections in our country as we saw during both the Ekiti and Osun states elections. These officers are concerned that the Army is being illegally used to determine the outcome of elections in Nigeria. This will inevitably lead to the military becoming more politicised and less professional. It
is a road we have often taken in this country in the past with disastrous consequences. It destroys the professionalism and political neutrality of the military. There are enough security challenges for the military in our country without them being further dragged into the vortex of politics. Now that he has been deservedly returned to power, Governor Aregbesola will be well advised to review and reflect on some of his controversial policies and strategies which have created divisions in the state. I refer here, specifically, to his education policy to which Christian leaders have raised strong and determined opposition. He may have good intentions on this issue, but there are serious concerns that he may have unwittingly fuelled religious tensions in the state. Osun state is multi-religious with both the Muslims and Christians living together peacefully for over a century. The governor must keep things this way and not create among the electorate the impression that the government is in support of one side or the other of the religious divide. His electoral victory would probably have been more comprehensive had the religious factor not crept into the consideration of Christians in the state, most of whom probably voted for Omisore, despite his several shortcomings and lack of electoral appeal. In addition, the quality of governance in the state should be elevated. Governance is a serious business. It should not be handled in a cavalier style as is the case now. The governor must reach out to all sections of the civil society in the state, particularly the workers and teachers. No matter the support and attraction that a populist strategy may generate for the governor, sight should not be lost of the need to ensure that the state is not polarised economically, or religiously. Culled from THE NATION
15
PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 16, 2014
Presentation Of Certificate Of Return To Governor Rauf Aregbesola In The August 9, 2014 Governorship Election At INEC Headquarters, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. Tuesday.
•National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ambassador Muhammed Wali (left); presenting Certificate of Return to the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right). With them are, the Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Secretary of the Commission, Mr .Oladipo Oladapo; Acting Director, Legal, Mr Ibrahim Bawa (3rd left) and other dignitares, at the INEC office, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Tuesday
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogben Rauf Aregbesola, signing copies of his Certificate of Return. With him are his wife, Sherifat (right); his Deputy, his deputy (middle); former Executive Governor of the State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke (2nd left); Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam and other dignitaries, at the presentation of Certificate of Return to Governor Aregbesola at INEC office, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Tuesday.
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•Aregbesola, hugging his wife after the presentation of the Certificate of Return to him at Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Tuesday.
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HAT the gubernatorial election in the State of Osun went peacefully last Saturday is one of the wonders of our time. A lot people are taking credit for what they did not intend or do. However, as somebody who observed it, I personally believe all praises are due to the Almighty God, who controlled everything divinely. To state that there was palpable tension in the state prior to the election is to make an understatement. The campaign of mudslinging, brickbats and tantrums did not help matters. The federal might was also deployed in such a way that created panic and fear in the people. President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to deploy massive security personnel in the state was by every indication not to provide security alone but to perform other surreptitious functions. Locals, who interacted with some of the security personnel deployed to the state, were told that they had instruction from their superiors to come to the state because the governor was alleged to be a terrorist, whatever that means. If that assertion is not to be believed, how does one explain the armada of security on the state? Members of the Department of the State security (DSS) were the first to arrive. They came in two batches with 50 new pick-up vans. Some of them were masked. They shot sporadically into the air on the first day, but were surprised that they were greeted with the broom revolution by the people. By the second day when the second contingent came, the people were amazed by their disposition. Informed sources had it that upon interacting with the people, they discovered that not only was the governor a peaceful man, he was more popular and loved by his people. After that experience, the Police Mobile Force team was brought into town. The personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were also deployed. A contingent of the military was not left out, while police dogs were also brought in to assist in the enforcement of security. It was also at this time that the powers that be at the federal level
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The Other Side Of Aregbesola’s Victory
•AREGBESOLA
especially the Minister of State for Defence, Ambassador Muslin Obanikoro and the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji, Jelili Adesiyan played a strong role at the tail-end of the campaign of Otunba Iyiola Omisore, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard bearer. This was so because the people’s governor goes about without blowing siren. The blowing of siren, which is a bit alien to the people, suddenly became the order of the day. Campaign vehicles were driving at top speed, while the road in front of the PDP secretariat witnessed snail-speed of vehicles, whenever Otunba was in town. As a partaker in election, I was afraid the election might be fraught with some disturbances. A lot of people had that thinking too, but to the surprise of everyone,
everything went on smoothly. In my life time, I have observed certain things that created a lot of fears and anxiety in the minds of people, which God made so easy that we began to wonder how he did it happen so peacefully. One cannot but agree with those who say God is a Nigerian. I remember vividly the post-June 12th 1993 election, when Igbos moved massively to the East in anticipation of an impending crisis. I was sojourning in Lagos then, when the Igbos, under the pretence of going for Yam festival, moved their movable properities to the East from Lagos and other parts of the country. The recent election in Osun was the second one, where many people were anticipating the worst but where everything went on smoothly. It is only Aregbesola, the family
and probably the inner caucus of his government that know what they went through. The massive security operatives were not deployed to provide level-playing ground for the political parties, even though the Presidency is claiming credit for the smooth election. On the whole, credit should go to the people, who stood resolutely to vote and let their votes count. There is no doubt that without such strong determination, the election could have gone anyway. The whole state was in ecstatic mood after the Returning Officer (RO), Professor Bamitale Omole, announced the results of the election. The little delay of about two hours, which it took Omole to tabulate and announce the result, caused apprehension in certain quarters. People were enquiring to know, was there something amiss, when in actual fact, the results was already in public domain. The internet was aglow with the election results. The social media was not left out. The Electoral Officers of the various local government council areas had announced the results of each council area, so the anxious people of the State of Osun were expecting results to be announced in a matter of minutes, which took close to two hours, when journalists started demanding for the results. There is no doubt that the whole experience must have subjected Aregbesola to mental torture and take him off balance, if he was not made of sterner stuff. Above all, what helped him, apart from divine intervention, was his performance and the fact that he related with the people well. His major opponent was seen as being haughty, apart from his other shortcomings. His so-called 8– point programme was unknown to most people in the state, except the boast that the PDP was going to win the election at all cost, come what may. Their supporters claimed to have the federal might that could do anything. He equally boasted of undoing all that Aregbesola has done. Many people were interested in somebody who could build on what the current government has done. It is a lesson to all that you can win election, only if you are in the mind of the people and not because somebody somewhere has the power to impose you on the voters.
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:
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