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As August 9 draws closer by the day we must continue to remind the electorate in our dear state of t h e i r responsibiliies; the need to vote right and to jealously guard their votes. To use the power of our
VOL. 9. NO.086
Front Page Comment Compatriots, Jealously Guard Your Votes! thumb to vote for continuity - as the state cannot afford to do away with the level of unprecedented development
going on in the state since the inception of Ogbeni Aregbesola's administration - is our first major
responsi bility as responsible citizens of our state. Of course we are not in doubt that the votes of our people will be for Ogbeni Aregbesola who has done the state much good. Continue on pg5
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Who Killed Chief Bola Ige, formerAttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice?
IGE
Osun PDP In Disarray •As Omisore Slaps Party Chair Over N1bn Campaign Fund - See Story On Page 2
•(L-R) The deputy governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, during the Year 2014 Sensitization and Awareness Day on women participation in politics in Osogbo, last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
Osun 2014: How PDP Planned To Rig Election
- See Story On Page 4
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OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
Osun PDP In Disarray •As Omisore Slaps Party Chair Over N1bn Campaign Fund By SHINA ABUBAKAR
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stance and had to challenge him, leading to hot altercation between the two gladiators and both had to go their different ways. According to a source close to the former Customs officer, the man had to stay away from campaign organised by the party, unlike in the past that he moved around all rallies in
solidarity with the governorship candidate. Checks further showed that some chieftains of the party were not happy with Omisore’s disposition on the money, on the ground that the gubernatorial campaign is not being prosecuted with individual money, but a collective action.
ONTRARY to explanations offered by the State of Osun Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the suspension of their rallies last week, fresh fact emerging has shown that the party suspended its campaign for the week because of a rift over money. Investigations gathered by chieftains. OSUN DEFENDER revealed A retired Customs officer that the Federal Government was said to be seriously ferried about N1 billion through angered by the candidate’s a cardinal to the state chapter of the party to prosecute the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the state, but the Governor Aregbesola with the arrival of the cash turned the By ISMAEEL UTHMAN aim of settling disputes political gladiators to HE Senior Special Assistant to Governor Raji Fashola amicably among aggrieved desperadoes. of Lagos State on Justice Sector Reform, Mr. parties in the state. According to findings, it Akinsola, who maintained Olanrewaju Akinsola, has described the establishment was gathered that the formula that access to justice should be of Osun Mediation Centre as a good initiative needed for on how to share the cash and guaranteed, however, urged the in whose possession to keep the promotion of peace and justice in the society. people of the state to see Akinsola, who lauded the money became an issue, as mediation as the best several party chieftains were Governor Rauf Aregbesola for Mediation Centre. alternative to dispute The O’ Mediation was resolution. all eager to have first hand setting up the mediation centre, urged the people of the State established on June 25, 2013 by access to the cash. Earlier in his welcome It was gathered that how to of Osun to employ mediation as a means of settling disputes, share the money led to a battle between the party instead of dragging all cases to governorship candidate, court of law. According to Akinsola, the Senator Iyiola Omisore and the establishment of a dispute State Chairman of the party, resolution body would give Alhaji Gani Ola-Oluwa, leading those that could not afford HAIRMAN, Federal House of Representatives to the former physically legal fees in seeking justice, the Committee on Debt Management, Honourable assaulting the latter. opportunity to seek redress Adeyinka Ajayi, representing Ifelodun/Boripe/OdoThe medium learnt that with the help of the Otin Federal Constituency of the State of Osun, has procured Omisore is not really interested commission. in entrusting the cash with Akinsola spoke on working tools for 500 women and youths, who have completed anyone among his associates, Wednesday in Osogbo while his skill acquisition training. whom he felt were not really delivering a lecture titled: “The The equipment procured materials, catering equipment trustworthy and insisted on Problems and Prospects of by the lawmaker includes among others. personally distributing the Mediation: At an elaborate graduation The Osun sewing machines, hair-dryers, cash, a position which did not Experience”, to mark one year clippers, soap-making ceremony held last week at go down well with other party anniversary of Osun Citizens’ equipment, events decoration St. Saviour’s Primary School, Ikirun, the facilitator, OJENCO Nigeria Limited, issued certificates to the participants, who later received their working tools. Speaking during the formal presentation of the tools, Honourable Ajayi said the empowerment programme was part of his commitment to the Governor Aregbesola’s six-point integral action plan aiming at banishing hunger and poverty in the state. He said the empowerment programme, which was part of his constituency outreach, would give hope to the granduands by ensuring they are economically independent. According to the lawmaker, the four-week training commenced on August 12 last year across the federal constituency, with two centers each in Iree and
It was gathered that it took the intervention of the National Secretariat of the party and the Presidency to make sure the campaign was not totally grounded, hence, the divided house resumed its electioneering campaign. Although, things seem calm among the gladiators in the party presently, it was
gathered that the reason some still stick to the campaign programme is to know how the bounties would be shared after the election. It was learnt that even the sponsors of the campaign, including the presidency, are not hell-bent on winning the governorship poll, but to muzzle about 25-30 per cent of the votes in the state in preparation of the 2015 general elections.
Osun O’ Mediation, A good Initiative For Peaceful Environment
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address, the State of Osun Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr. Ajibola Basiru, noted that the commission in the last one year has received 470 cases in which 142 have been resolved. Basiru disclosed that N8,726,725 have been recovered out of N16,364,990 aimed to be retrieved. The programme, which was
held at Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Abere, had in attendance royal fathers like the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba AbdulRasheed Olabomi, Oloogi of Ogi, Oba Adeleke , Justice Moshood Adeigbe of Osun State High Court, and others important personalities.
Osun Rep Trains, Procures Tools For 500 Women And Youths
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By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI
Ada, another two centers in Ifelodun Local Governmen t, and other three centers in Odo-Otin Local Government. The granduands, according to him, were drawn from the three local government council areas and trained in different nine courses. Speaking earlier, the Chairman of OJENCO Nigeria Limited, Mr Adebayo Sowo, said the beneficiaries, with the training, can compete with any of their contemporaries in Nigeria and abroad. He added that the training was designed and handled by the best instructors and expressed satisfaction on the performance of the granduands during and after the training and urged them to use their skills effectively. Adebayo commended Ajayi for procuring the working tools for the granduands after the completion of the training, saying his company would be expecting millionaires from among them in no distant time. In his remarks, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, commended the lawmaker’s
initiative and urged the granduands not to defeat the purpose of the empowerment programme by practicing whatever they have learnt. He urged other public office holders in the area to emulate the sponsor by supporting the six-ponit integral action plans of Governor Aregbesola to banish hunger and poverty. Adeyemi Kudirat from Ward 6 Ororuwo, Boripe Local Government Council Area, who acquired skills on Fashion Design, commended the lawmaker for the initiative, saying the training was well-organised, by employing competent instructors and thanked the lawmaker for providing the tools for them to take-off. Dignitaries at the graduation ceremony included, Honourable Wale Afolabi, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Honourable Bello Osuolale, representing Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency; Chairman House of Assembly Service Commission, Honourable Olawuwo Hassan and Prince Adeleke Adebayo among others.
Elebu-Ibon Dispels Prophecy Rumours On Osun Gov Election By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
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HE Araba of Osogboland, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, has dispelled rumours circulating around in the State of Osun that an oracle has revealed to him who would emerge the winner of the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the state. The denial came favourite candidate. He noted that apart from following the rumour milling the round that Chief the fact that it is wrong for Elebuibon has been any religious leader in a working for the Peoples society to get involved in Democratic Party (PDP) politics, it is also illegal for candidate, Senator Iyiola any individual to announce Omisore, to win the election. the winner of an election In a statement issued by that is yet to be conducted his Press Secretary, Mr. and concluded by the National Adeshina Adisa, Chief Independent Commission Elebu-Ibon said the rumour Electoral was fabricated by some (INEC). Chief Elebuibon, who politicians, whom he described as mischief implored the electorate no makers, as an attempt to to be deterred by the rumour, discourage the electorate encouraged them to go out from voting for their and vote for their favourite candidate during the
August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the state. He said the antecedents and contributions of each of the candidates for the election are enough for people to decide who they should vote in during the election. The Ifa priest then advised politicians not to engage in any act that could cause disharmony in the state, all in the name of seeking political powers, saying it is only God that puts whoever he wants in power. He also warned those he described as mischief makers to stop using his name to seek political relevance, threatening to invite the wrath of gods on such persons.
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OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
Aregbesola Advocates More Attention On Basic Education By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI
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HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Argbesosla, on Wednesday advocated more funding and government concentration on basic education, which, he described, as the foundation of knowledge. Aregbesola said without be unproductive. Aregbesola said this quality and sound basic education, a large chunk of while playing host to the the Nigerian university Committee of Deans of and graduate may continue to Engineering
Technology in Nigerian Universities, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Osogbo, the state capital. He noted that the education sector in the country is currently in disarray as a result of neglect of basic education, which he described, as the foundation to any good
education. According to him, before education can be meaningful at the tertiary level, the foundation, which is the basic level, must be taken seriously by giving it the necessary attention it deserves. He maintained that a good basic education is capable of guiding,
moulding and preparing the pupils for the future challenges, which according to him, was the major reason his administration concentrates mostly on basic education. The governor held that for tertiary education in the country to have any meaningful impact on the
•Some of the traditional rulers in Ijesaland praying for Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun at Olosunjela’s Palace during his rePhoto: GBENGA ADENIYI election mega rally in Ilesa, last Tuesday.
Osun NMA Flays FG Over Attempt To Polarize, Politicize Association By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
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within the medical profession has been having romance with the Federal Government with a view to polarizing the union, warning the Federal Government not to accede to any request from individuals or groups on behalf of the association.
HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the State of Osun has flayed the Federal Government over its alleged attempt to polarise the organization by sponsoring some political elements to infiltrate the group. According to the NMA, for the system and the Federal Government has ultimately, the patients.” The state NMA chairman been introducing politicians, who are not disclosed that a group trained medical personnel into the union, describing the step as a deliberate attempt to weaken the group and cause disintegration among its members. Addressing a press T was a carnival-like event when a sea of heads, conference in Osogbo on broom-wielding supporters of the All Wednesday, the NMA Progressives Congress (APC) in Ifon-Osun, chairman in the state, Dr. headquarters of Orolu Local Government Council Anthony Onipede, said the Area of the State of Osun, trooped out in a large health practitioners would number without mobilization or invitation, during resist any attempt to the sensitization and solidarity rally organized by politicize the medical the Orolu APC last Saturday. profession, even as he The crowd was stated that the group mammoth and very campaign across the state, deserved proper attention orderly during the rally, he promised that every Orolu indigene would be from the government. which was purposely eating seven wraps of Onipede decried the organized to campaign for creation of multiple directors the re-election bid of Fufu each when he and awarding of political Governor Rauf Aregbesola becomes governor. Indication to show that titles to health in the August 9 every Orolu son and professionals with the aim governorship election. daughter recognizes and of compromising their Members of APC and appreciate good principles, warning that residents of the ancient governance, the solidarity such step might bring town were seen dancing rally for Aregbesola started adverse effect on the and singing against what with an endurance trek, activities of the medical they called, “fufu agenda”. where party men and practitioners. It would be recalled that women, as well as He said: “We are opposed when Senator Iyiola members and supporters, to self-serving and Omisore visited Ifon as c o m m e r c i a l disruptive positions and part of his electioneering motorcyclists, popularly titles that will not augur well
Onipede also advised the government not to grant any request that will turn Nigeria into a laughing stock in the comity of nations. He said: “The NMA and the doctors in Nigeria hereby state categorically that we will not allow our profession and the
healthcare industry to be destroyed by selfaggrandizement and personal interest of the few. “Any attempt to subjugate the medical and dental profession and destroy the internationally established best practices in the health sector shall be resisted with all legitimate means available to us.”
lives of the Nigerian youths, the basic level of education must not be handled with kid gloves. He added that any individual with good basic education can conquer any challenge or obstacle in life, as a complete individual is made at the elementary level. He described the “Opon Imo” project of his administration as a worldbeater, saying his administration decided to invest in the project in a bid to democratise education in the state. Chairman of the Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology in Nigerian Universities, Professor Adagbonyi Obasi, earlier in his remark, said the committee decided to pay the governor a visit to encourage him on his giant strides in the education sector. He described Osun as a role model in terms of educational revolution. He said the passion of the governor in his attempt to revamp the education sector in the state deserves commendation. Aregbesola’s style of governance, according to Obasi, is capable of instilling in the students of the state, the discipline that is needed in making them better individuals. Obasi however, expressed optimism that the achievements of the governor in his first term in office will be enough to make him emerge as the winner in the forthcoming governorship elections in the state.
Osun 2014: Orolu Agog For Aregbesola •Rejects Omisore’s ‘Fufu’ Agenda
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called Okada riders, drivers, market men and women, students and others took off from Ooye Compound to most major streets in the ancient town through the palace, and terminated at the party secretariat at Ooye Compound. An APC leader in Orolu Local Government Council Area, Alhaji Kilani Orisawale, while addressing the crowd, described Ogbeni Aregbesola-led administration as an administration that has people as its focus and will not relent its efforts in making life more meaningful for the people of the state. According to him; “this is the first time the state
has been blessed with a governor that has touched lives positively through his unprecedented developmental projects”, adding that Aregbesola’s continuity in office would benefit the people and the entire state beyond expectations. In a goodwill message, state APC Deputy Treasurer, Prince Adekunle Benson, commended the people of the area for turning out en masse to express their unalloyed support for Ogbeni Aregbesola and the APC, noting that IfonOrolu is known for progressive at all times until when PDP rigged the 2003 election. He therefore, urged members and supporters to ensure that they keep their voters’ cards intact, to be able to exercise their rights as voters
Benson also enjoined them not to be deceived by any politician who might want to buy their cards and make them in eligible to vote. While speaking, Honourable Kamil Oyedele, representing Irepodun/ Orolu Constituency at the state parliament, eulogized Ogbeni Aregbesola for his unusual developmental achievements within the last 44 months, saying, only a progressive party can make positive impact on people of the state. Oyedele therefore, advised youths, as leaders of tomorrow, to avoid being used by desperate politicians, who might want to lure them with money. He also advised them to stay away from anything that can tarnish the image of the party, as well as members of the APC.
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OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
Osun Fulani Community Endorses Aregbesola By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI
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EMBERS of the Fulani Community in the State of Osun on Sunday endorsed the second term ambition of Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Majority of the Fulani you have given us so much community members, who recognition by setting up are mostly herdsmen, this committee that will see stormed the Government to the needs of our people, House in their hundreds to which no government has rally support for the ever done before in this governor. state.” Speaking on behalf of the Within the first term of the Fulani Community in the current administration, state, Alhaji Toyin Sulaiman, Aregbesola has displayed expressed appreciation to uncommon zeal, to banish the governor for advancing hunger, poverty, the course of Fulanis in the unemployment and restore state. healthy living beyond the Sulaiman said most of the imagination of the people. programmes of the present Responding, Governor administration in the rural Aregbesola urged every areas are targeted towards ethnic group in the state to making life better and draw closer to the present meaningful for the Fulani administration in the state, herdsmen and their families as a way of knowing further in the state. the yearnings of every Sulaiman called on the resident of the state. governor to create more Aregbesola, who lauded opportunities for Fulani the efforts of the committee community by assisting in on harmonious relationship boosting their cattle between Fulani herdsmen business. and farmers, said the sixHe also called on the point integral action plan of government to assist them the government touches in the area of building more every live in the state. schools in their He said the Fulanis are communities and create not left out, having been employment opportunities able to supply the state for their educated children. government with about one He said: “We are in full thousand cows for the support of your school’s feeding administration because no programme (O-MEAL) in government has supported the last two years. and assisted our people like According to your administration. Aregbesola: “Our six-point “We are so happy that
integral action plan carries you along in the schemes of things and we are not ready or planning to leave any ethnic group, especially the Fulanis, out in our developmental agenda.” “Our programmes towards development have no preferential treatment for any religion or group. This administration is an
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Professor of Political Science and the former Speaker of the State Assembly of Osun, Professor Mojeed Alabi, has warned that the implication would be catastrophic, if the people of the state could allow themselves to be deceived by the antics of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who want power by all means. He noted that with the feeding of children will stop? foundation that Governor Does it mean the Rauf Aregbesola has laid, construction of new Osun may not be able to get schools will stop? back on line for many years “The implication of this to come, should the people loss, if we can allow it, will allow the antics of the opposition to rob them of be too catashtrophic for the entirety of Osun and we their mandate. Speaking during a chat may not get back on line for with journalists in Osogbo, many years to come. “So, for me, I don’t see the university don said the people of Osun should anything that will stop the display their civilisation and man Aregbesola from ensure that the kind of winning the election. calamity that befell Ekiti “Of course, there are State people during their other things that people are governorship election is not insinuating like bringing allowed to have its way in soldiers, police, using Osun. photocromic voting “The issue in this election equipment, rigging, violence is development versus ‘chop-make-I-chop’ and I and all that, but I think we know that the people of have risen beyond that level. “Our people in Osun are Osun are much more sophisticated to be able to civilised and the kind of see and read between the calamity that befell the lines and know where their people of Ekiti will not befall interest lies. us in Osun by the grace of “I also know that their God. Come August 9, 2014, interest lies in continuation the people of Osun will be of our development that able to show to the world Aregbesola has started, that we can see the because I don’t want to difference between a imagine Aregbesola losing person, who wants to make that election. Does it mean a positive impact on us and all these roads will stop? someone who wants to milk Does it mean O’YES will us. stop? Does it mean school “We should all work hard
life more meaningful and easier for you.” Also speaking earlier, Assistant Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Committee on Harmonious Relationship between the Fulani Herdsmen and the Farmers, Honourable Oguntola Toogun, said the committee, with the support of the state government, has
been able to maintain good relationship between the two groups, adding that other pending issues would be settled soon. He said the committee worked in collaboration with all the executive secretaries in the state, which has made the job easier.
Osun 2014: How PDP Planned To Rig Election By SHINA ABUBAKAR HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the State of Osun chapter, has concluded plans on how to rig the August 9, 2014 governorship election, whether the electorate vote for its candidate or not.
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Findings revealed that the party has resolved to import the Ekiti State strategy to rig the Osun poll, where it would induce voters, whose voters’ cards details and mobile phone numbers had already been collected two days before the poll. A source disclosed to the medium that Ekiti State poll was the most expensive ever prosecuted by the PDP since the return of democracy in the country. It was gathered that voters during the poll were induced with N10,000, N5,000 and small, medium bags of rice, to vote for the governor-elect under the platform of the PDP, a feat the party intends to repeat to rig the August 9, 2014 poll
Osun 2014: University Don Warns Electorate Against Deceit By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
administration for everybody and it will continue to be like that.” “Our six-point integral action plan cuts across every citizen in this state, regardless of your tribe and religion. I implore you not to distant yourselves from this government and the rest of this state because we are one and we want to make
to make sure that these dividends of democracy, which are pleasing to all of us, will continue for quite some time,” Professor Alabi stressed. The university don said Aregbesola has laid a proper foundation for the development of the state and he should be given chance to build on it during his second term in office.
in Osun. It would be recalled that allegations of buying of voters’ cards have been on for over a month in the state, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) accusing the PDP of attempting to use it to contact voters before the poll, with a view to inducing them. Meanwhile, the party also has in its kitty a plan B in the event of the failure of buying votes, as a result of
massive publicity launched against releasing of voters’ cards details to suspecting members of the public. The plan B, which is already in play, is to thumbprint ballot papers for sixteen local government council areas of the state and should the PDP lose the poll, it would collude with INEC to substitute the ballot and proceed to the tribunal. Findings revealed that the party is confident of winning the polls at the tribunal, if the move to buy votes is not successful. It was gathered that some ballot papers had been thumbprinted in the houses
of some notable PDP chieftains in the state capital, who the party believe would not be suspected by the public. It was alleged that the houses of people being used include a former transport union boss and a former national officer of the party in the state capital. Findings revealed that the PDP is also jittery of the increasing popularity of the incumbent governor and agreed that it would be a tedious task to wrestle the state from his grip; hence, it resorted to intimidating members of the public.
PDP Thugs Attack Aregbesola’s Mobiliser By AKINPELUABOSEDE member of De Raufs Volunteer Group, a sociopolitical organization, championing the second term agenda of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun, Mr Lukman Abimbola Bello, was recently attacked by some thugs suspected to be Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyalists. “It is indeed sad the way Relating his ordeal to billboards, posters and OSUN DEFENDER, Lukman, who is the Director offices belonging to the All of Mobilization of the group Progressives Congress in the 30 local government (APC) are being destroyed areas of the state and the by members of the Peoples Area Office in Modakeke, Democratic Party (PDP). “The attacks on the revealed that he was mobbed and in the process, people are pure invitation to lost a sum of N250,000 and anarchy and if we just fold our arms and watch, things two mobile phones. He expressed sadness will definitely get out of over the way he was hands. This may spell doom attacked and noted that as for our democracy in the an indigene of the state, state. “What we are expecting why should loyalists of some political parties be from all the political resulting to violent attack in gladiators contesting for the governorship office is for the name of election.
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them to have the fear of God in all their activities,” He expressed surprise that all other contestants have been imbibing such fear, except for the PDP, whose sole aim, according to him, is to maim, kill and destroy, adding that politics should be aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the people and giving them the dividends of democracy. The Founder of DeRauf, Comrade Amitolu Shittu, while corroborating the claim, said the PDP members have also been involved in the act of tearing all the posters belonging to the APC candidate. He described the act as uncalled for in a democratic state, calling on the security agents to call the attackers to order.
•(R-L) Wife of the governor, State of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola in a discussion with an Assistant Chief of Staff to the Governor, Honourable Toogun Oguntola, during the special gathering with members of Osun Fulani Community by Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the State Government House, Osogbo, last Monday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
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OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
Compatriots, Jealously Guard Your Votes! Continued fromg1 But to guard our votes jealously could even be said to be more important than casting our votes. This is in view of the desperation of the far from being democratic Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial 'wannabe' in the state, Iyiola Omisore Mr. 'Money miss road', to coast home victory in the coming election. Thus while it's important to give our votes to Ogbeni, it's even more important to jealously guard our votes. This is what we need to do to ensure that the PDP doesn't succeed in its evil machinations. Already there are threats of violence from the party on members of the ruling party, APC as they (PDP) are threatening fire against APC members. Going by their antecedent violence and rigging are their stock-in-trade. And since there is no hope for them of winning the coming election through 'One man One vote' then their hope lies in repeating what they know how to do best. Another way through which the PDP is hoping to claim victory is by throwing money and other valuable gifts out to entice voters to sell their votes. In this regard the handwriting had for long appeared on the
wall. With the distribution of kerosene to their members and some members of the public which started last year their journey to entice voters with the aim of buying their votes started. This stratagem rather than strategy, being viciously employed by the PDP in the state of Osun, is what we see as 'jeun s'iku' should citizens get swayed by it. 'Jeun s'iku' literally means 'eat and die' or 'eat the food that will lead you to your grave'. The money and other forms of gift which the PDP and Iyiola Omisore rely on to buy citizens' votes are nothing but 'Greek gift' and 'blood money' and collecting them to do their biding means doing so at one's peril. It simply means sending our state back to the pre-Aregbesola era; backwater of development. May God forbid! But it's not enough to pray to God to forbid evil things. We the citizens must also not use our own hands to bring evil things on our heads. To collect PDP's blood money to sell our conscience in the coming election will be tantamount to 'jeun s'iku' the consequence of which will be dire for our state. Of course the citizens can collect the gift of money and other gifts the PDP is ready to offer them but they must not do so to do their bidding. The votes in the coming election
are for Ogbeni Aregbesola who has raised the bar of good and responsible governance in the state and should never go to any other party let alone the PDP. The PDP and Iyiola Omisore are free to go about to throw carrot to the people in their desperation to capture the conscience of voters but never should the voters allow their conscience to be captured by these unscrupulous elements who have nothing to offer our state. The PDP has been in power for close to eight years here without any positive thing to show for it. All it had to show for its eight years of misrule are purely negative; violence, hunger, unemployment, collapsed school system, bad roads and general under-development across the state. And on the part of the party's candidate, 'Mr. Money miss road' himself, he too had nothing positive to show for representing the state at the highest legislative body of this country even as he held a juicy position in the Senate, being Chairman Appropriation Committee for four years. Rather than serving the people and made positive impact in their lives he was only there to serve his own pocket. So in what way are they - both the PDP and Omisore going to effect any meaningful change in the life of the state as they are shouting around?
We know that the virtuous and responsible citizens of our state who have enjoyed dividends of democracy in unprecedented term under the able and visionary leadership of Ogbeni Aregbesola will not waste their votes. We are sure they are not going to sell their conscience. We believe fervently that their votes will be for Aregbesola as they are not ready to 'jeun s'iku'. However,as we said above it's one thing to vote, the next important task before them come election day after voting is for them to protect their votes. Our people must guard their votes jealously so that these visionless elements who rely on vote stealing like they did in 2007 and who have nothing to offer the state and its people don't succeed in their fraudulent and evil plans. For them not to succeed the ball is in the court of the people. Our responsibilities are clear; to vote and to protect our votes. These are what we must do to ensure the return of the Aregbesola-led progressive government that has done so well for our state.
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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
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
Osun2014: Jonathan Rubbishing Governance – Aregbesola Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, who is also the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, in this interview with TUNDE ODESOLA, comments on the forthcoming Osun governorship election. Excerpt. OUR administration has been severely criticised for your educational policies which include provision of same school uniforms for all students and the merging of schools. We are saying we want to change a new set of Nigerians that will not harbour the weaknesses which our generation harbours. We want to create a new man on which society will be borne and you can’t do it on what is presently here. That is why I said people should visit our mega school in Ejigbo and see what is there. It is named after the best literary icon Africa has produced (Wole Soyinka). It is a worthy investment in education. The idea is you cannot get education and still come out and be the same man. That is how education is supposed to be. Education is supposed to refine you and make you the man or woman you must be. Our high schools are being constructed to accommodate 36,000 students because each of the high schools will accommodate about 3,000 students though the recommendation of UNESCO is that a school must have a maximum of a thousand students. So, what do we now have? We have three schools in one. We will have a school on one side and then we’ll have school A, B, C with three principals and one coordinating principal. Are you afraid that you might lose the oncoming election going by the fact that Ekiti just fell to the Peoples Democratic Party? I don’t even think of it and that is the interesting thing. In the first instance, I resolved to be very conscious of a democratic norm. And what is the democratic norm? It was expressed in a statement I issued after the Ekiti election. I said a genuine democrat must be willing and ready to embrace the state. I will accept the result of the election provided the election is transparent, credible, free and fair. So it is not about you, it is about the quality of the electoral process, once the quality is good, whatever the people say, because they are the ultimate decider of who represents them or governs them. I said democratic choices are expected to be correct, good and right but it is not always that the choice is good, correct and right but human beings are forever in democracy for themselves and in choosing who governs them. Are you worried of losing the election? Even before I assumed this office, I prepared so well for the office to the extent that I should not be working presently the way I am still working. A commentator said something about me. He said I am one of the few politicians that from day one, I designed my campaign. From the very first day I entered this office, I started my campaign. How many governors walk the streets with their citizens? I’ve been doing that since my first month in office. How many governors create an interactive forum in Nigeria? I was the first governor to devote close to 10-12 hours of continuous engagement with the citizenry on a quarterly basis. How many governors create the opportunity for community meeting where the governor sits and all the stakeholders in the community comment on the government, tells you what you want to hear, tells you want you don’t want to hear, asks you pointedly questions about their lives. We did that in every federal constituency. Every month I take a walk round every community, it is carnival-like. There is no household, including those of the PDP and other political parties that our programmes have not reached, none. I feed 300,000 pupils every school day at the cost of N3.6bn a year. I have been doing it since 2012 so I have spent clearly N10.3bn on that. Why is your administration having conflicts with civil servants, commercial Y
•AREGBESOLA motorcyclists, and students of higher institutions? It is impossible for humans to exist without conflicts. Yoruba say even the tongue and mouth fight. The teeth sometime bite the tongue. Please for goodness sake, a sociologist who is a human scientist, will not therefore base his assessment of any sector on where there is disagreements. Let us look at the good that has been done because that is how you must situate your relationship though that you have done well does not mean that some people will not just like you. What should concern you are not those who are opposed to you. What we are doing is to ensure that this section of people that you have mentioned don’t have any basis at all to be opposed to us. But there was a protest against your administration by students last year. We met a condition here where students were given N3,000 as bursary and they were not even getting the bursary on time and it was full of scam. Some people would come and negotiate and collect the money and nobody would get it. They brought it to me to sign and I said why would I have to sign N3, 000 for anybody? It’s best you don’t give this bursary or we give it meaningfully. We raised the money to N10, 000 flat. For medical students and law students, we raised it to N20,000. For students in Law School, we made it N100,000. There was a clamour for the reduction of school fees and we reduced it and we have been investing in developing the institutions as hard up as we are, more than any other administration has done in the history of this state. Yes, we are having challenges with the lecturers but it is not peculiar to us. The demands of these lecturers are such that you just have to bear it. I will not say more than that now because it is
sensitive. ‘Okada riders’ do not have a problem with us. They may want us to do things for them as we have done to other groups. There is no part of this state where we have not constructed a link road. Roads with drainage, concrete, with stone base, with thick asphaltic covers. Motorists and motorcyclists are enjoying the use of these roads. Many see the various construction works your administration is doing as cosmetic and unnecessary. I have two challenges that motivate me: The mass poverty and the hopelessness of the black man. So, I was so determined to get to where I am today because I wanted to make my own little contribution to change those terrible things. Part of what I have started to do is to build roads. We need to lift up our spirits. No city was built in heaven and brought back to earth, they were built by human beings. Are they more brilliant than us? When Maktoum started the construction of Dubai, he was not older than me. He was 40 something while I am 57. So, if people in other parts of the world are using their Godgiven abilities to change their landscape. What stops us from developing ours? Six years ago, I visited Dubai, a semi-desert. Such a nation that was an arid land 15 years ago is now a place that everybody wants to be. Why are you in conflict with workers? As for civil servants, before my advent, they did not know salaries could be paid before the end of the month. Before December 2010, salaries were not being paid before the end of the month for seven and a half years.
Nobody even knew it was possible to pay before the end of the month. I resumed office on November 27 and salaries had not been paid and no one expected salaries to be paid. Anyway, by December 3, I paid November salary. Before the end of the year, which ends at December 25, I paid 10 per cent of basic salaries as 13th month salary. I paid December salary before the end of the year. Since that day, up till December 2013, I paid salaries on or before the 25th of every month but as of January 2014, we ran into problems which we explained to everybody six months ahead. In July of 2013, the Federal Government came up with a story that 400,000 barrels of crude oil were being stolen every day. When we first heard we did not know that a problem was coming. Instead of collecting N4.6bn as allocation, they gave us N2.6bn, 40 per cent was gone. We thought it would be temporary because after that month, the Federal Government said only 20,000 barrels was being lost per day. When the oil being lost reduced from 400,000 to 20,000 per day, should we still expect a 40 per cent cut? From that July till now, the maximum allocation this state has ever received is N3.2bn which was in November 2013. Now ask me, how was I able to cope till December? I had been managing the money such that 10 per cent of allocations and generated money was put in reserve which was also a buildup to my refusal to form a cabinet for 10 months. I saved the money that I should have paid to commissioners for 10 months. Whereas my income fell to N2.6bn at the lowest and N3.2bn at the highest for a month, my statutory expenditures, these are expenditures that I have no control over once you’ve agreed on it. An example of such expenditure is salary and pensions and it costs N3.6bn every month. I don’t have power over it; I cannot say I am not paying it. Between July and December last year, I augmented our income with N5.4bn all in the hope that this thing would go. It has not gone till now. It is even worse. Before, when you get the allocation, you cash it on the 15th of the following month and that is why they were paying salaries on the 15th of every month before we came. But now, because they want to squeeze the opposition government, they are also squeezing themselves. Nobody gets allocation before the 25th of the following month. In your manifesto, you promised that you’ll create a market environment that would make people buy goods in Osogbo for the prices they are sold in Lagos. This has not come to pass. By the sixth month of being in power, I got a deal from a Chinese company to give me five locomotives without paying a kobo. I had this programme then of transporting goods, farm produce from here to Lagos free of charge. I also transported finished products from Lagos to here and it is still there so as to turn this place into a hub for people to come from the hinterland and buy things because once you remove the cost of transportation, goods would sell here at the price of Lagos. I stayed in front of the President’s Office in Abuja for close to three hours in the night just to get the President’s approval to use the rail. By 3am the President came and said ‘Governor of Osun you are here.’ What was I requesting? Allow the use of your tracks. Once you allow it, the Chinese people are ready to give me the five locomotives. I can’t bring the locomotives in here if I can’t use the railway. I went back and they said write another letter which I did. I am telling you what is painful to me. I am not talking about my achievements now but how totally insensitive some of us are to these critical issues. These are issues that I can’t even understand. It is not about whether you are in All Progressives Congress or Peoples Democratic Party. Your mandate is to improve the lives of the people and when you get to office, you must shun partisanship. Culled from The PUNCH
OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
Special Gathering With Osun Fulani Community By Governor Rauf Aregbesola, At Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. The State Governmnet House, Osogbo, Last Monday.
•(R-L) Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Leader of the Fulani Community, Alhaji Toyin Sulaimon and Alhaji Babatunde Bello, Sheriki Fulani in Osogbo.
•(L-R) Professor Olasupo Oladipo and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
•Some Fulani women cheering Governor Aregbesola at the event.
•A cross section of Fulanis at the gathering.
OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
PHOTOTALK
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2014 Sensitization And Awareness Day On Women Participation In Politics In Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
•(L-R) State of Osun Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prince Wale Adedoyin; Special Adviser to the Governor on Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Funmilayo Eso-Williams and state Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Adetoun Adegboyega.
•A cross section of market women at the event.
•Some of the dignitaries during the programme.
• •Some of the Women Leaders (Iyalodes) from various communities of the state at the programme.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
More Pix From The All Progressives Congress (APC) Mega Rally For The Reelection Of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola In Ilesa, State Of Osun, Last Tuesday. Photo: GBEGAADENIYI And SHOLAADERINTO.
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (on the podium) acknowledging, cheers from the ecstatic crowd of his supporters and sympathisers.
• A cross section of APC supporters at the rally.
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•Some members of the Ayeni Support Group under the APC during the rally.
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
Ogbeni Aregbesola, Òrànmíyàn’s Chief Of Staff
•ALL FOR GOVERNOR AREGBESOLA: A mammoth crowd of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s admirers, welcoming him (on top of a bus), during his re-election mega rally in Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, held at the Seventh Day Adventist Grammar School, Ede, State of Osun, recently. By OGAGA IFOWODO
I
had sworn that my first visit to
Osogbo would be to its worldfamous Osun Sacred Grove. Instead, I attended a “mega” rally in the historic town of Iwo, one of many at which Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is asking the Osun people to renew his mandate as their governor. I set out from Osogbo at about 11 am with Mr Solagbade Amodeni, former Commissioner for Natural Resources in Ondo State, childhood friend of Ogbeni’s and now a voluntary political associate. His mission of gauging the level of preparedness and mood of the people for the rally coincides with mine. Very early in the morning, we saw buses, some screen-painted with campaign posters, ferrying supporters to the venue, small roadside crowds brandishing brooms, the symbol of Ogbeni’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). We arrive in Iwo just after noon and feel immediately the energy in the air. On Bowen University Road in the Oke Odo area, all feet, it seems, are heading to the township stadium (actually, only a fenced field), venue of the rally, about a kilometre away. A record store is blasting Aregbesola’s praise in Yoruba. Various tee-shirt groups, walking campaign posters: brown tee-shirts that say “’D’Team proudly support (sic) Rauf;” red-and-black shirts are the Progressive Torchbearers and say only “Rauf 2014 OK;” green shirts proclaim him “Oranmiyan— Yoruba Legend;” lemongreen shirts matched with baseball caps are “DeRaufs,” among many other political aso-ebi. Finally, we are at the venue, a third full, the crowd swelling by the minute. Sounds of competing talking drum groups, in uniforms, can now be heard underneath the amplified music of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, KWAM I, leading his Fuji band to entertain the crowd. Brooms, banners and posters everywhere, and even more tee-shirt
groups, among them a clutch of women in navy-blue shirts advertising Aregbesola’s” tablets of knowledge” programme with the slogan “Opon Imo, Empowering minds, Enriching lives.” I make my way towards the stage—two actually, one covered, with seats for dignitaries, and an open deck with the microphone stands. With the help of Amodeni, I am allowed past security and onto the speakers’ deck where I can more clearly see the crowd. To get there, I have to walk past the covered stage, at the back of which is a big banner announcing Ogbeni’s signature programmes: “O’Reap (rural enterprise and agriculture), O’Schools (rebuilding schools), O’Meals (balanced diet nutrition for pupils), O’Yes (employment). At the bottom of the banner, a sense of rhyme with O’seun! I climb up the speakers’ stage and scan the “stadium,” nearly half-full and quite agog by now. The atmosphere is getting more electric, a red helicopter is hovering above the thickening crowd, circling the vicinity in wide surveillance arcs, and there is very little time to reminisce —that must wait till after the rally. Basiru and Semiu dart off and I turn to read the banner on the wall at the back of the speakers’ stage. “Òrànmíyàn, Leekansi!” it says. “Òrànmíyàn, Once more.” It is a clever pun, as another banner more baldly asserts: “The Return of Òrànmíyàn.” Ogbeni as the re-incarnation of the legendary son of Oduduwa whose fabled staff in Ife is probably the most treasured ancestral relic in Yorubaland. Ogbeni has even had the staff stitched onto the breast pockets of some of his shirts and wears it as a personal logo. If the fastidiously austere Aregbesola can be accused of self-regard, it would be in this appropriation of a hallowed ancestor, but I strain in vain for any outward sign of insincerity. I see, instead, the clever use of myth, blended with pop culture. For soon, Fadeyi Oloro, a popular Yoruba actor famous for his roles as Ifa priest, comes on stage with his entourage, all in danshiki and blackened faces and hands, one of
them carrying a basket of horns adorned with feathers, cowries, strips of red cloth; incantations follow. At their exit, pop culture takes the stage. Campaign and security teams KWAM I has left his band on a stage 50 meters away to join Sir Shina Peters (Afro-juju/Aregbesola, the difference is clear), Weird MC and Tony Tetuila for banter and photos with their fans among the technical crew and campaign and security teams. Then Peters, Tetuila and Weird MC perform. Back with his band, KWAM I leads sweeping-dance choruses in-between his colleagues’ acts: “Igbaletim’owa, DEMO nimotigba.” With this broom, I will sweep the reactionary party away, DEMO being a reference to S. L. Akintola’s Nigerian National Democratic Party which allied with the Northern People’s Congress in the First Republic to break the dominance of Awolowo’s Action Group in the old Western Region. More than three hours have passed since I entered the stadium. And now a loud buzz followed by faces turned en masse to the stadium entrance warn of Aregbesola’s arrival. At the entrance to the stage, he dismounts and half-runs to the speakers’ deck to greet the crowd, not to speak yet, this time serenaded by KWAM I. Then he takes his seat on the canopied stage while Osun’s political worthies in the APC fold address the crowd: Isiaka Adeleke, the state’s first governor, now a senator; Senator Sola Adeyeye, the re-election campaign director; Najeem Salaam, speaker of the state house of assembly; Mrs Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, the deputy governor, among others. At 4:55 PM, Ogbeni is introduced right after his deputy has addressed the crowd. He dances onto the stage, broom in hand, to the pulsating beat of Skelewu. He begins his address with a Muslim chant that progresses into a call-and-response with his audience, and then he goes through a long list of personalities and groups whom he greets.
Very stealthily, Ogbeni works the crowd to a passionate affirmation of his re-election against any machination of the opposition party, brooms hoisted, fists clenched and raised, talking-drums in frenzied rhythms and KWAM I supplying Fuji chants to every applause line. Ogbeni had been speaking for over half an hour to a rapturous crowd. Amodeni comes upstage to nudge me off the loud-speaker box where I am now seating to give my feet a little reprieve. He says we should leave” just before Aregbe finishes his speech and the crowd surges after him, hampering our exit. I follow him. Many others have decided to avoid that scenario as well. Soon, we are back on Bowen University Road for the kilometre-long trek to where Amodeni’s car is parked. Under a large white canopy on the right side of the street, at about midway, is a gathering that will discuss the rally till the wee hours. Stomach infrastructure Nineteen days after, Aregbesola’s brother governor in neighbouring Ekiti State shockingly loses his mandate to a former governor impeached on several grounds, including corruption, in an election that will be known to history by the unfortunate phrase “stomach infrastructure.” The very improbability of that victory gives the opposition in Osun, led once again by an aspirant under a heavy cloud of suspicion, high hopes. If what I witnessed before, during and after the Iwo rally is anything to go by, I doubt very much that it is not a highly misplaced hope. Aregbesola cuts the picture of a man totally immersed in his people and their history, one who comes from and is of the masses. Blessed with boundless energy, he is astonishingly reanimated in their midst to star in the “total” people’s theatre that each of his mega rallies truly is. I don’t believe in reincarnation but I would bet on Ogbeni’s return as Òrànmíyàn’s chief of staff! •Culled from Vanguard
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
Aregbesola’s Homestead Thunderous Welcome
. As Adeojo, Igbalaye, Others Dump PDP For APC
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (left on top of a bus), acknowledging cheers from a mammoth crowd of Aregbesola’s supporters during his re-election mega campaign in Ijesa-South Federal Constituency, held in Ilesa last Tuesday.
The mega rallies of the State of Osun Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are ending on a quite interesting note. As the party and its standard-bearer gain more in prominence and acceptance, more defectors troop to their side of the divide in their droves. This dramatic turn of events send cold shivers of jitters down the spine of the leading opposition. The events unfolding at Ilesa, the venue of the eighth rally last Tuesday threw in the towel for the forlorn party. Would it be able to resist or withstand its imminent total fall as the Gubernatorial Election knocks harder at the door? NIYI OLASINDE acts as participating observer in proffering clues to this and other probing, puzzling questions, which constitute matters arising as aftermath to this latest rally. T was a cool, clement weather last Tuesday, I reminiscent of Providence smiling on the second term bid of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; as the governor’s campaign train moved to Ilesa, the headquarters of Ijesa South Federal Constituency, to keep appointment with destiny as the eighth in the series of mega rallies packaged to hold round the nine federal constituencies of the state settled on the ancient town. The federal constituency comprises four local government council areas, namely Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakunmosa West and Atakunmosa East local councils. With the earlier campaigns held at Ile-Ife and Ibokun, it is the last of the three federal constituencies in the Osun East (Ife / Ijesa) Senatorial District of the state to be so covered by the campaign rally. The mega rally at Ilesa was true to its rightful description in all ramifications, as it turned out to be a homecoming indeed for the incumbent governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, at the instance of whose re-election the rally was convened. Ogbeni Aregbesola hailed from the Ogbon Arogbo Quarters of the ancient town of Ilesa. By this fact, he is from the Ilesa East Local Government Council Area of the state. The fact remains therefore that it was normal and deserving that his own people troop out to accord him a rallying welcome; not only for the fact that he is their kith and kin, but because he took time out, daring the limitations imposed by paucity of funds to cater for the people of his place of birth in the areas of provision of amenities and infrastructure and rendering of quality service. For the first time in a long period, the Ijesas had a genuine feel of a government at work. The town was already set for the event of the day. As early as the dawn of the day, people could be seen rushing up and down, obviously to get themselves adequately prepared for the big gathering. It was as if Ogbeni paved the way purposely for that particular event. The network of roads which
he labored to put in place, which was commissioned sometime early this year; got its test-running as it came into full use on that occasion. This is not to say that the roads had not been in use since date of official commissioning. As a matter of fact, they had been in use like others in their category upon completion, prior to their date of commissioning! The mammoth crowd of the day, coupled with what the degree of attendant gridlock on such occasion would have been justified the paving of such type and quality of roads. All the way from Osunjela, the Ijesa border-end with Osogbo, the state capital territory; through all the communities which adorn the way to Ilesa, people trooped out in droves to await the governor and his train and give cheers of compliments and goodwill to them as they rode to Ilesa. The turnout on the streets of Ilesa was simply terrific. Right from the city entrance at Omi-Aladiye down to the city-centre at Ereja Square, the crowd was tumultuous. The big roundabout in front of Aafin Adimula, where the cenotaph of Owa Ajibogun stands tall became a stadium where spectators had converged to play audience to one of the series of matches in the then ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament. Simply put, the crowd was rousing! At the palace of the monarch, the paramount ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, the crowd was amazing. Right inside the palace square, all available spaces, the runway and car parks inclusive, played host to hordes of people who had converged to bid welcome to the governor of the state. It would not be an overstatement to call it a triumphant entry. Candidly, it relived the experience of a similar entry made into Jerusalem over twothousand years ago by Jesus Christ. The degree of similarity was increased with the presence of brooms – an extraction from fronds of the Palm Tree. So, we would be right if the day is tagged a Palm Tuesday. As is his usual practice, Governor
Aregbesola was on a traditional homagepaying visit to the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran. In addition, the purpose of the visit was to officially intimate the monarch and a galaxy of others in attendance with his second term bid, the raison d’être for the day’s rally and to receive blessings from the monarchs before proceeding to the venue. The monarch was on hand to receive the governor. In attendance at his palace were other Obas in Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Owa-in-Council, Lojas, village heads and all royalties. On the side of the governor, membership of his team was impressive. Governor Aregbesola was accompanied by his counterpart from Ogun State, who had come to solidarize with him, His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Others are selected members of the Executive Council of the State of Osun, selected honourable members of the State House of Assembly, some members of the hierarchy of the State Executive of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other eminent personalities. In his introductory speech at the event, Governor Aregbesola appreciated the auspicious roles played by the traditional fathers in ensuring that peace reigned on their domains. He expressed the high value he placed on their support, guidance and contributions to his administration all this while. He enumerated the achievements of his administration in the area; placing it all on the enabling environment they contributed to provide. The governor then promised that all that had been seen during his first tenure would be miniature, compared with greater laudable programmes and projects which he still had in stock if given the mandate to serve for another term in office. He concluded by soliciting the assistance of the royal fathers in maintaining peaceful conduct, enforcement of law and order before, during and after the Gubernatorial Election that was fast approaching.
In his response on behalf of all other royal fathers, the Owa Obokun applauded the giant strides of the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola, who according to him gad not betrayed the trust and mandate of the people. He congratulated the governor on the successful delivery of his pact and wished him success in his bid to return to office. He promised the worthy son that he would be supporting him in prayers while the struggle lasts and prayed that the end will bring joy and satisfaction to all. Prayers were rendered before the campaign train departed the palace for the venue of the big meet. It was a big and eventful task for the governor’s campaign train to move from the palace to the Irojo venue of the campaign. All through the way, various thick and shades of crowd that had lined the streets cheered and applauded the governor and his train in various forms. Some sang while many more praised him in many other forms. A majority of them held brooms in their hands which they brandished to cheer him. The governor, in response either waved or outstretched his hand with the “V” sign of victory in acknowledgement of praises from the crowd. It was his usual ride on the miniluxury bus all the way. People of various ages, cutting across various age groups and classes trooped out to catch a glimpse of him and register their welcome greetings to him. It was an impressive turnout. The roads earlier brought under reference were filled with humans. Vehicular movements were held in gridlock. People were sighted on balconies and battlements of houses. Uncompleted buildings were not spared. Motorists and commercial motorcycle operators; popularly referred to as okada riders were thrown into ecstatic mood as they all caught the mood of the occasion. Disabilities were thrown to the winds as the blind sought to be led; while the crippled begged to be carried to witness the big event.
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
Thunderous Welcome!
•(L-R) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran and Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun at Owa Obokun’s Palace when Governor Aregbesola’s paid homage to Oba Aromolaran palace during re-election mega rally in Ilesa State of Osun, last Tuesday. Continued from page 12 LL the way to the spacious and expansive venue of the occasion, Governor Aregbesola rode atop the bus with his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. The duo thrilled the waiting audience with admiration as they approached the entrance of the venue. There at the venue, another crowd had awaited their arrival. The events had already kicked off. Speaker after speaker had taken turns to address the surging crowd. All speakers dwelt on the long list of achievements of Ogbeni, with which they convinced the people to poll massively for him in the forthcoming election. On hand to enliven the occasion were D.J. Bazzman and the Fuji music maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1). Some of the speakers who mounted the podium prior to the arrival of the governor include the state chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Lekan Salami, ably represented by Comrade Adebisi Adebowale, a representative each of the Hausa and Ibo communities resident in Ilesa and its environs. In their various speeches which they spoke in their respective indigenous dialects, they took turns to rally support for the governor and his re-election, just as they brought out the all-important benefit of having Aregbesola back in office. In addition, Comrade Adebowale counseled the people not to fear the huge presence of security apparatus on the Election Day. According to him, the presence of soldiers, police and dogs at the election venue was to prevent the breakdown of law and order. Next was enlightenment cum entertainment session by the ace actor and television entertainer, Ojo Arowosafe, a.k.a. Fadeyi Oloro. Fadeyi Oloro cautioned the people against selling their voters’ cards. He however implored them to vote with them and do so overwhelmingly for Aregbesola, who he saw as the saviour and Messiah of the people. The proceedings were intermittently interrupted with musical interludes by King Wasiu Ayinde K1. The programme of events took another positive turn with the arrival in quick succession of the Wife of the Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Abidemi Aregbesola, who arrived the scene at 3:15 p.m. and the husband, the governor, who stormed the venue with his train at around 3:21 p.m.
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These arrivals set the occasion aglow. As has earlier been alluded to, the governor arrived in company of Governor Amosun of Ogun State. After acknowledgement of cheers from the waiting crowd of party members, supporters, party faithful, admirers and sympathizers, the governor and his guest alighted from the bus and immediately proceeded to exchange pleasantries with dignitaries at the occasion, all of whom had been on ground to welcome him. Immediately thereafter, the events-proper kicked off. At exactly 3:37 p.m., the National Anthem and the State of Osun Anthems were sung back-to-back. This was followed with the introduction of guests and dignitaries at the event. Immediately upon his introduction, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun took to the stage to address the crowd. Amosun charged the atmosphere with songs like “E di’bo fun Aregbesola”, “Se e nri’se wa?” and “Dagunro o se e je”. He admired the density and quality of the crowd and sued for people’s massive support by trooping out on the d-day to perform their civic obligations – that of voting for Aregbesola. He expressed his wish for the governor’s overwhelming victory at the polls. He assured the people that their votes would count as the votes cannot be stolen, buttressing it with the Yoruba adage that “Omi t’o ba mo n’iwon la a re ila si”. He cautioned the people to beware of and resist politicians of “stomachstructure”. He pointed it out as a disgraceful trend for our race for governance to be reduced to distribution of rice and beans. He urged the people to shun and discountenance “amala politics”, which he pointed out as disgrace to our forebears. He acknowledged the fact that Governor Aregbesola is in the frontburner of upholding the philosophies of good governance laid down by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Governor Amosun pointed out that all the achievements recorded by the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola since his coming on board are indices of development which are worth the pursuits for a race to move forward. Specifically, he cited schools, roads, quality education and health, care of the old, hospital infrastructure and all the rest as indices of development and good governance. He renewed Aregbesola’s commitment to make his
laudable achievements a tip of the iceberg, compared to what he has in stock for his second term in office and with this; he solicited the people to poll massively for him to ensure the reality of his renewed mandate. He cited the development recorded in the Yorubaland of the illustrious past and recommended that we should keep the furnace of that tradition burning. He rounded off his speech with giving references to the old number of late Hubert Ogunde, titled “Yoruba Ro’nu”. After this eloquent presentation, the Chairman of the Aregbesola Second Term Campaign Committee for the federal constituency, who doubles as leader of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Timothy Owoeye mounted the podium to deliver his welcome address. In his speech, Owoeye commended Governor Aregbesola, who he remarked that had performed valiantly, and who did not let the Ijesas down in government. He thanked the people too for keeping faith with the administration and promised them higher grounds in the next dispensation – the more reason why they should re-elect Aregbesola for the second term. He appreciated the waiting crowd for the huge turnout and the patience exercised. He then rounded off his speech with the song: “O ti mu wa gbagbe, Ibanuje igba kan…”. Next to speak was the Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the State of Osun, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi. Adebiyi entered the stage on the note of song of appreciation, as he sang: “Olorun ku ise o e…” a Christian chorus in Ijesa dialect. He then announced that the State Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had concluded plans that the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for the newly registered voters would be ready for collection on the 26th and 27th of July, and that the distribution would be done on ward basis. He reemphasized the need for prospective voters to keep their voters’ cards and not sell of release the Personal Identification Number (PIN) on them to unscrupulous politicians so as to be able to vote with them. Elder Adebiyi then cautioned the people not to fear security personnel on the Election Day. According to him, their huge presence and the dogs they would bring are measures to secure votes and enforce law and order. He conveyed messages from the leadership
of the Christian body and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that they had not endorsed sentiments in voting; but that voters should exercise caution to vote for credible and God-fearing leaders, not killers, desperate politicians or self-seeking ones. He then presented the candidate of impeccable character and pedigree Governor Aregbesola, who the people had already tested and trusted. There and then, the chairman announced the presence of former stalwarts of the opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who were in attendance at the rally to officially and publicly renounce their membership of the fold party and join the train of progress being championed by the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors are the former state Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief. Yinka Adeojo, former Chairman of Osogbo Local Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye and former Personal Assistant to the erstwhile Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Alhaji Rasaq Oyelami a.k.a. K.K. Others are the ex-PDP chairman for OdoOtin Local Government Council Area of the state, Honourable Moyinoluwa Ogunwole and Mrs. Kemi Adejare. All these came to the rally to join the membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Alhaji Rasaq Oyelami rubbished the old political party he and his colleagues discarded as brain behind all evil that Nigeria currently experiences. He attributed the dwindling monthly revenue allocation accruing to the state to their craft. He remarked that the PDP comprises a bunch of disgruntled, grandiloquent and dare-devil politicians, who equate themselves to God; and who at best should be kept at an arm’s length. In his analysis, Oyelami cautioned all remaining members in the forceful party called PDP to jettison the party and join hands with the progressives. He cited the good examples of positive leadership provided by Governor Aregbesola and Chief Adebisi Akande, who had impacted positively on the lives of the citizenry. He reasoned that the good works so far witnessed should automatically qualify Aregbesola for second term. Finally, he classified their old party as not peoplefriendly and totally disintegrated and collapsed. The speech was rounded off with the formal presentation of flag of the APC to the new entrants as symbol of their official welcome into the party. This was performed by the Leader of the party in the state, the governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola, who raised the Christian Hymn: “Ha Egbe Mi, E w’asia..” and the chorus: “E ji gbogbo okan t’o sun lo…” which the crowd sang enthusiastically. In the speech, former governor of the state Senator Isiaka Adeleke commended the governor and noted that since the governor had remarked at the palace of the monarch that all that he had done was the foundation of greater things to come, them the people had nothing to fear as the next dispensation would bring more dividends of democracy than the current one. According to him, the governor had raised the edifice of governance to the lintel level; all that remains is for the people to do the roofing with their votes on the 9th of August. He then cautioned the people against election fraud. The need for vigilance was hammered, as he charged them to protect their votes. At exactly 4:21 p.m., Governor Aregbesola mounted the rostrum. He entered with two choruses: “Ope l’o ye O” and “Ogo Yi, Oluwa, Ye Ogo Yi”. The governor prescribed as usual the duties of electorate on the Election Day. He enunciated his achievements so far and implored the people to cast their votes en masse for him so that the good work could continue. He then stressed the need for peaceful and orderly conduct on the Election Day.
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FOR THE RECORDS
OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
President Jonathan Is Destroying Nigeria In His Obsessive Bid For Re-election – APC Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun Being the text of a press conference addressed in Abuja on Wednesday, July 16th 2014 by the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun Protocols Good morning, gentlemen of the press. Please permit me to start off this press conference with a quote by Chilean writer Isabel Allende, which goes thus: “What I fear most is power with impunity. I fear abuse of power, and the power to abuse.”Isabel, a victim of the Pinochet military dictatorship, is not alone. All Nigerians must be worried about power with impunity, which is what President Goodluck Jonathan and his party, the PDP, have resorted to in their desperation to crush the opposition and destroy Nigeria in the process. I have called this Press Conference to address the grave dangers facing Nigerians as a people, our country as a nation and our democracy as our hope, at this very critical time. Events in Nigeria in the past few weeks point to a return to the dark old days of state dictatorship, lawlessness, impunity and repression. Our freedoms are being emasculated, our economy being run to the ground, and our only hope of bringing about change – our democratic expression is being smothered before our very eyes all because President Goodluck Jonathan is so obsessed with reelection in 2015 at all cost that he is destroying not just all our key institutions but indeed the entire country. At this critical juncture of our history and despite our desire for restraint and mature engagement with President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) it is evident that inaction is no longer an option and we must resist. Indeed keeping quiet in the face of the ceaseless and unrelenting reckless violations of all known laws of the land and the Constitution will amount to complicity in the lawlessness and impunity that has become the norm under President Goodluck Jonathan. We know it has been the dream of the ruling PDP to rule for 60 unbroken years, not minding if Nigeria becomes a desert land in the process.Their evil machination has manifested in Ekiti. It has manifested yesterday in Adamawa, They have carried it to Nasarawa, and they have Edo, Osun and Rivers in their sights.In the states mentioned, all of them opposition strongholds, President Jonathan and his party have abused national institutions, resorted to a crude use of force and engaged in unprecedented financial inducements to achieve their objectives. All these anti-democratic tactics come under the umbrella of power with impunity! But there is a bigger problem. President Jonathan is obsessed with his re-election in 2015, and he does not mind if Nigeria is destroyed in the process. He does not care whether every institution of state, be it the military, the courts, INEC or any other one, is destroyed. All that matters now is his reelection. This explains why he has embarked on this war against the opposition, this war against all of Nigeria. Having bastardized the army, the police, the courts, aviation and the electoral commission, he has now moved to the next level: Impeachment. Every impeachment or threat of it in recent times has the imprint of President Jonathan. As we speak, the Governor of Adamawa, Murtala Nyako, has been impeached at the instance of the President and his party, they have moved to Nasarawa, their next stop, while Rivers, Edo and Borno, all APC states, are not being spared the destabilization that precedes their new-found weapon. What was Nyako impeached for?
•JOHN ODIGIE OYEGUN
Offences he allegedly committed five years ago. Those offences were not impeachable when he was in the PDP. But the moment he decamped to the APC, they became impeachable. The entire “impeachment” of Governor Nyako is so fraught with irregularities, bias, judicial contradictions and in violation of every procedural and constitutional provisions that it is the worst manifestation of impunity. We intend to mount an immediate and rigorous challenge to this gross injustice to the party and people of Adamawa State. What is Gov. Al-Makura of Nasarawa being threatened with impeachment for? Allegations of extra-budgetary expenditure, the same offence that President Jonathan has committed many times. In fact, on only on the 10th of July 2014, the Senate passed a resolution asking President Goodluck Jonathan to prepare and submit to the National Assembly supplementary budget to cover the over expenditure in the sum of N90.693 billion (US$585 billion) for PMS subsidy 2012 and the sum of N685.910 billion (US$4.430 billion) for Kerosene (DPK) subsidy expended without appropriation by the National Assembly in 2012 and 2013! In Adamawa, each member of the State House of Assembly was allegedly given US $300,000 as part payment to impeach Gov. Nyako; some 500 million Naira has allegedly been moved to Nasarawa to induce the state’s lawmakers to impeach Gov. AlMakura, and in Edo, each lawmaker has allegedly been offered 75 million Naira to impeach Gov. Adams Oshiomhole.
Now, who is more guilty of gross misconduct than a President who is frittering away our commonwealth to induce perfidious legislators to impeach their state Governors? Who is more guilty of gross misconduct than a President who deploys troops to harass, intimidate and arrest the opposition during an election? Who deserves to be impeached for gross misconduct more than a President who uses national institutions against the opposition, and shuts airports arbitrarily? President Jonathan’s desperation knows no bounds, and he is willing to set a record of presiding over the greatest number of impeachments under his tenure. Before Nyako’s impeachment on Tuesday, a total of five impeachments have been carried out in all of the 15 years of the Fourth Republic. But between now and 2015, President Jonathan is championing five impeachments, in Adamawa, Nasarawa, Edo, Rivers and Borno. In doing so, he is subverting hitherto respected national institutions. The army has been so compromised that it can no longer be trusted by anyone to be neutral. The army has been so abused that it now carries out police duties. Soldiers were deployed to guard the residence of the Chief Judge of Adamawa while the impeachment proceedings were on. Soldiers were deployed to guard each member of the impeachment panel. Soldiers were also deployed to guard the venue where the
panel sat. In Ekiti, soldiers were deployed to hunt down the opposition and prevent them from moving around freely, in contravention of the nation’s constitution. In Osun, soldiers are again to be deployed to shut down the state and go after the opposition. By using the military for election duties, President Jonathan is clearly disobeying a court order as the Court of Appeal had ruled as far back as 2005 that the involvement of the military in the conduct of elections is an aberration and therefore unconstitutional. Indeed in the words of Salami, JCA on page 176 in the case of Yusuf v Obasanjo (2005) 18 NWLR (Pt. 956 96@174-5) “It is up to the police to protect our nascent democracy and not the military, otherwise the democracy might be wittingly or unwittingly militarised. This is not what the citizenry bargained for after 1999. Conscious step or steps should be taken to civilianise the polity and thereby ensure survival and sustenance of democracy.” The Akure airport was suddenly slammed shut just to punish opposition leaders who had converged in Ekiti for Gov. Kayode Fayemi’s campaign rally. They had to travel all night by road to Lagos. In Borno, under the guise of ensuring security, the Maiduguri Airport has been closed for several weeks, hence the Borno Governor and the people of the state, including the pilgrims heading to lesser Hajj, have been forced to travel by road to Kano to board their flights. However, the reason for shutting the airport has suddenly vanished as the private plane bearing former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff was allowed to land at the airport on Monday, the same day the Governor had to travel by road to Kano to see his brother who was involved in an accident on the same road! Obviously, President Jonathan is fast turning Nigeria into George Orwell’s Animal Farm, where some animals are more equal than the others. Welcome to Nigeria of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, where the only people who are deemed to be true Nigerians are those under the umbrella of the PDP, where the only people worth protecting are PDP members! Conclusion We have raised the alarm several times that President Jonathan’s obsession with his reelection is a clear and present danger to our democracy. Today, we say this President’s obsession with re-election is threatening the very existence of our nation. Never in the history of our dear nation has any President waged war on the country the way this President is doing. Never in the history of our country has any President desecrated national institutions like this President is doing to the very institutions that sustain democracy. Never in the history of our country has our people been so divided along ethnic, religious, political and social lines, with poverty rising astronomically in the backdrop of a claimed rapid growth in the nation’s GDP. We warn that excessive political greed will always have its consequences. Any student of Nigeria’s contemporary history will realize what acts of impunity and desperation to win elections at all cost did to the country in 1965, 1983 and 1993, just to mention a few. We call on all friends of Nigeria to prevail on President Jonathan to apply the brakes in his obsessive quest for power, because every action has consequences. It is time for those who can still get the ears of this President to remind him that his ambition is not worth the destruction of a whole country. All those who can must act now before it is too late! I thank you all for listening Chief John Odigie-Oyegun
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Sunday, July 20, 2014
More Pix On All Progressives Congress (APC) Mega Rally In Ilesa, State Of Osun, For The Re-election Of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Last Tuesday.
•A sea of heads of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s admirers at the mega rally.
•A mammoth crowd at the mega rally.
Oranmiyan Democratz Organized A One-day Programme, Tagged ‘Let The Light Continue To Shine’, Held At Ila-Orangun Town Hall, State Of Osun, Recently.
•Mr. Titilola Moshood (with mic), National Convener, Oranmiyan Democratz, addressing members of All Progressives Congress (APC) during the meeting.
•A cross Section of All Progressives Congress (APC) members at the programme.
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T is my fervent hope that the democracy we are enjoying today would not be aborted on the platter of inordinate ambition. Some dramatis personae in the current dispensation have chosen to unleash brigandage on the good people of the country in the desire to have their way. When would Nigerians learn from history? The irony of the Nigerian situation is that the real people, who went into the trenches to fight military to a standstill, were not the real beneficiaries of democracy. Unfortunately, the greatest beneficiaries, who were not active in the struggle, did not appreciate the value of democracy served ala carte. This is the bane of our current democracy. Our leaders at the top are so consumed by the perquisite and paraphernalia of office that they hardly care about what is happening outside the confines of their offices. We need to go on historical journey to place what is transpiring now in the proper context. The genesis of the end of the first republic started in the Western Region. The crisis in the ruling party, the Action Group, had internal problems, which seriously affected governance. Rather than the Federal Government led by Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to mediate and caution both sides in the interest of the nation, the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC)- controlled government took sides. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the leader of AG, had by that time been incarcerated by the federal authorities for plotting to overthrow the government of the federation. His deputy, Chief Ladoke Akintola, who was the Premier then, took control of the party. The crisis first reared its ugly head at the Jos convention of the party in 1962, when the Premier was sacked and in his place, Alhaji Dauda Adegbenro was elected. Akintola did not take that lightly and by 1965, he had established his own party, the Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP). The Western Regional election in 1965 was the crisis that precipitated the coming of the military. A Commonwealth of Nation Heads of Government conference took place in Lagos late 1965, when intelligence information filtered in that there was coup de’tat in the offing. But rather than preempt the deed, the
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Is Nigeria Drifting Towards The Precipe?
•JONATHAN
strong man of the first republic and Northern Premier, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello preferred to play the ostrich. His care-free attitude was later to lead, not only to the termination of the first republic by the khaki boys, but also the loss of lives of some prominent political figures, including Bello, Balewa and top military officers. The lack of development in the country is contingent upon the military incursion into our politics. Those of us who spent substantial part of lives under the military know that military rule is not only an aberration but also anti-development. The progress witnessed during the civilian dispensation since 1999 is more profound than what was witnessed during the 28 years of military rule. Above all, human rights are respected and the courts are free to dispense justice without fear or
favour. The election in Ekiti State recently has been touted as the best ever by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). That election is also regarded as peaceful but at what cost? Commuters were restrained from travelling to Ekiti on Thursday preceding the election. There was no inter-state journey with Ekiti State in any form forty eight hours to the election day. Do we have to cut off with the outside world because election was or is to be conducted? Security personnel in the form of Department of State Security (DSS), police, soldiers, Nigeria Security and Civil Defend Corps (NSCDC) flooded Ekiti State days to the election. In the State of Osun, the powers that be are threatening that the security that would be brought would double that of Ekiti State.
If the feelers coming in is anything to go by, the federal might would be imposed on the SouthWest so that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would capture the region. What offends the federal might is that it was only in the State of Osun that President Goodluck Jonathan could not win the mandatory twenty five percent required in the 2011 presidential election. We need to tread softly in view of our recent past history. We need to be extra vigilant and be on guard. To some discernible minds, rather than arm the states going through election why can’t we send them to Sambisa forest Borno State to free our abducted school girls? Besides, should Nigeria practice a sole-party system given our diversity in terms of religion and ethnicity? Even above all, it is not in the interest of political powers at the top to scheme to have oneparty state. The plan seems orchestrated towards emasculating the dissenting or opposition voices. The Governor of Adamawa State, Rear-Admiral Murtala Nyako (retd) has been shown the red card ostensibly by the powers at the top. If Mallam El-Rufai is to be believed, in the line to be ousted by the Abuja forces are Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nassarawa, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo States respectively. Our Commander-In-Chief could not visit the Borno and Yobe axis where the insurgents hold sway until the All Progressives Congress governors visited Borno. Nigerians advised the President to visit the hapless parents of the abducted Chibok School girls. He has refused until the 17-year old Pakistani girls education campaigner, Miss Malala Yousafzai advised him to do so. The stomach infrastructure which is the hallmark of the PDP strategy is bound to fail because it is temporal and ephemeral. The South-West is more developed and sophisticated to be deceived by such petty things. Jonathan should be aware of pieces of advice offered by enemies of progress of Nigeria. We should all be vigilant and work towards the progress of the country. Our immediate pre-occupation should not be our selfish aim of ensuring that our party or candidate win at all cost, but the long term corporate interest of the country.
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.