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TUESDAY, JUKY 1, 2014
The allegation of planning to cause violence during the coming gubernatorial election in the state of Osun by the PDP governorship candidate,
VOL. 9. NO.078
Front Page Comment
Omisore's figment of imagination is to say the least former Senator Iyiola Omisore against the state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,
ridiculous. Coming from Omisore we see this as the most irresponsible
and preposterous allegation to levy against Ogbeni Aregbesola, a personage widely known for his pacific inclination. Continue on pg4
Who Killed Chief Bola Ige, formerAttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice?
N50
IGE
Osun 2014: Aregbesola’s Popularity Soars - See Story On Page 2
•Survey Gives Him 80 Per Cent Winning Chance
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori (left); Project Manager, Andalusian Mining Limited, Perth Western Australia, Colin Miller (centre); Managing Director of the firm, Wayne Miller (2nd left) and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mineral and Natural Resources, Prince Tunde Ajilore (right), after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Australian firm for gold mining in Ilesa at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Saturday.
News
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 1, 2014
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Osun 2014: Aregbesola’s Popularity Soars •Survey Gives Him 80 Per Cent Winning Chance
By KAZEEM MOHAMMED acceptable to the people and signed by the Coordinator servants, artisans, market have given him popularity HE second term bid of the governor, State of Osun, chance. men and women and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the All Progressives The Labour Party (LP) of the group, Pastor above other candidates. Congress (APC) candidate in the August 9 candidate, Alhaji Fatai Mathew Adenrele, said that students. “The largest percentage Respondents were governorship election, has received a boost, as findings of Akinbade, according to the random selection approach of the respondents drawn from minimum of six a survey scored him high in terms of popularity. report, has 7 per cent chance was used to conduct the major attributed their love for towns and In the report of a survey per cent chance of winning of winning, while other poll in all the nine federal communities in each of the Aregbesola to his policies conducted by a socio- the election, while the political parties shared 2 per constituencies of the state. federal constituencies of on education, ranging from The respondents in the political group, Good Peoples Democratic Party cent, with an error margin of construction of new poll, the report said, cut the state. Governance Vanguard (PDP) candidate, Iyiola 2.5 per cent. schools, initiation and The report said the The report, which was across politicians, civil largest percentage of the distribution of Opon-Imo to (GGV), Aregbesola has 82 Omisore, has 9 per cent respondents attributed their students, distribution of free love for Aregbesola to his uniforms to students, free developmental programmes meal to elementary school and policies, while they pupils, cancellation of PTA rejected Omisore for what fees by students and they described as his increment of grant to “perceived criminal schools and encouragement conduct” and his of teachers. “In the area of unfavourable antecedents when he occupied political infrastructural development, all the respondents attested offices in the past. Some of the respondents, to the fact that Aregbesola’s has according to the report, administration identified the reformation in constructed a number of the education system, roads that no government ranging from construction has ever done in the past. “While some of the of new schools, distribution respondents also affirmed of tablets of knowledge (Opon Imo), increment of their support for Aregbesola grants to schools and due to his approach to youth distribution of free uniforms employment, especially, as some of the policies that through OYES and other job have positively affected creation strategies, some their lives and made them said their supports were show interest in the borne out of their interest in governor. his social security The report read: “In the programmes like Agba-Osun course of compiling the welfare programme, care for •The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (centre); Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mineral results of this poll, it was physically-challenged and and Natural Resources, Prince Tunde Ajilore (left); Special Adviser on Commerce, Co-operatives and Empower- established that the mentally-ill people,” the ment, Dr Yinusa Dauda (right); Project Manager, Andalusian Mining Limited, Perth Western Australia, Mr Colin programmes and policies of report read. Aregbesola’s Miller (2nd right) and Managing Director of the company, Mr Wayne Miller (2nd left), during the company’s visit to Rauf The respondents, the governor in the Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Friday. administration are according to the survey, have made up their minds to re-elect Aregbesola, with a view to appreciating his By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI developmental programmes reaching out to the various saying it was a demonstration and allow him complete the OVERNMENT of the State of Osun on Saturday said state capital and not to make claimants by allocating about of how sensitive the present projects he had started. arrangements have been concluded to pay the sum of the people suffer. 1,500 plots for shops and told administration is to the feelings On the other hand, the N2 billion as compensation and palliatives to He added that the state them to come and apply for and aspirations of the people. landlords and tenants, whose buildings were affected by the government has paid shops, all in a bid to alleviate While appreciating the respondents who voted in separation exercise during the construction of major roads compensation to the majority their sufferings,” he stated. governor for his efforts in favour of Omisore and in Osogbo, the state capital. of shop owners, whose Alhaji Mushood Oladejo developing the state, they Akinbade, according to the businesses were affected. and Alhaja Sidikat Dauda, who appealed to him to ensure that report, The state governor, Ogbeni the development of the state. were mainly “The delay in the payment spoke on behalf of the the compensation and Rauf Aregbesola, stated this in “It’s not because we want politicians of PDP and LP of the compensation was as a palliatives are paid on time, so landlords and tenants, Osogbo during a meeting with to inflict sufferings on you that Governor as to alleviate the sufferings of extractions, who want their the affected landlords and we are constructing good roads. result of shortfall in our appreciated party to be in government. allocation. We have been Aregbesola for the meeting, the affected people. tenants at the Government We are doing it because we have
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Separation Of Structures: Aregbesola Assures Affected Landlords •To Pay N2Bn Compensation
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House, Oke-fia, while promising that the money would be paid up in batches before the end of the year. He said the state government decided to embark on massive road construction in the state, so as to speed up the economic development of the state and not because his administration wanted to inflict sufferings on the people. He however, explained that government realises the suffering that those whose buildings and properties were affected by the separation might have been going through, saying the delay in the payment of the compensation and palliatives was as a result of the shortfall in the federal allocation to the state. Aregbesola explained that despite the paucity of funds, the current administration in the state had spent about N812 million as compensation and palliatives to people, whose properties have been affected as a result of the infrastructural development his administration is embarking on. He therefore, urged the people to continue to have faith in his administration, as it is ready to continue to work for
signed a pact with the people of Osun to develop our state. “It is something we have signed with the people through the “Green Book.” “I know your pains and we are doing everything possible to alleviate them. Since last year, we have been experiencing a shortfall in the allocation that is due to the state, which has been reduced by N2 billion. “I urge you to please exercise patience and continue to cooperate with our government to develop our state. The palliatives and compensations would be paid before the end of the year,” the governor promised. Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Architect Olumuyiwa Ige, thanked the landlords and tenants for their continued cooperation, affirming that the delay in the payment was as a result of the shortfall in the federal allocation. He stressed that governor’s efforts in embarking on the separation exercise was in a bid to make Osogbo, the state capital, look like a befitting
Omisore In Trouble Over Faking Okada Rider
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HE photograph of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, sitting on a motorcycle in what appeared a stage-managed show of being with the masses, has elicited a trending wave of mockery, as commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders, and observers have described the photograph as a fake. A commercial motorcyclist never known to have identified in Osogbo, the state capital, with the ordinary people Kamil Olaoti, said Omisore was before.
He said it was clear that now that Omisore needs votes, he is trying to fake identifying with the people. “We have seen photo of his Okada riding. That tells us that Omisore is a fake. Fayose of Ekiti that he is trying to copy is naturally a street man. Omisore thinks the Ekiti magic
Ramadan: Aregbesola Asks Muslims To Pray For The Nation By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI
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S the holy month of Ramadan begins, the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has charged Muslims all over the country to pray for peace and security. In a statement issued by the religion that promotes peace Director, Bureau of and its adherents have no Communications and Strategy, choice but to be peaceful and Office of the Governor, Mr. peace-loving in their Semiu Okanlawon, the behaviours and conducts. governor said Ramadan is a The governor said: “This is month in which Muslims a month that comes once in a redouble their spiritual efforts year. It is a month designed by for the attainment of piety. Allah to open the door of Aregbesola tasked the mercy, favour and forgiveness Muslim Ummah to use the to His creatures. holy month to pray fervently “We should seize this for peace and security in the opportunity to pray for the nation and the State of Osun. country to overcome all the He reiterated that Islam is a socio-political upheavals and
insecurity we are been battling with. “Our dear state is also going through a historical political journey, as the day of election draws near. It is our duty to pray for free and fair election on August 9 election. “We must extend hands of fellowship to both Muslims and non-Muslims; use the month to share, care and show love to others. “Above all, we must strive to be agents and promoters of peaceful and harmonious coexistence in our communities, as well as resolve not to revisit whatever anti-social vices that Ramadan has prevented us from engaging in,” the governor said.
can work in Osun,” he stressed. Another Okada rider, Mr. Oriade Ajasa, who spoke with the medium at Ota-Efun area of the state capital, said it was obvious that Omisore was desperately looking for what will make him appeal to the common man, while wondering how could he appeal to the common man, when he has not been doing that before now. A leader of the commercial motorcyclists in Osogbo, Mr. Samson Egbetokun, said the picture has shown Omisore to be a confused politician. “If he likes, let him go and eat Booli (roasted plantain) and epa ( groundnut) on the streets of Ilesa or Ila or Osogbo, that does not change the fact that he is not seen to be committed to the welfare of the common man. “He is a fake and nothing but fake. He was a senator and what did we benefit from him. He should go and tell his party that riding Okada and looking odd on it is not what we want in a governor,” he stated.
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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Aregbesola Promises To Enhance Teachers’ Welfare G By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI
OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has stated that the purpose of his administration is to cater for the welfare and wellbeing of the people. Aregbesola stated this at a economic base of the vast meeting held with the majority. He stated that his vision Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools and Head and mission for the state is to Teachers of all Elementary arrest the mismanagement of human and financial resources Schools in the state. The governor observed that inherited from the past since the inception of his administration. According to the governor, administration, he has continuously put in place people are the wealth and programmes and policies that capital of politicians and so have brought poverty to its they are the targets around barest minimum and boost the which government is centred.
“A responsible government has people at the centre of its policies. We are in government to make sure that the welfare of the people gets better day by day. “Our government was able to survive the economic impasse brought about by injurious reduction in the federal allocation, following the sacrifice for not forming cabinet for 10 months and not being frivolous with the excess crude oil account. This offered us the opportunity to save about N5 billion,” Aregbesola said. Appealing to the teachers to further make sacrifice in the interest of the state, the
governor announced that despite the not-tooencouraging revenue accruing to the coffers of government, the administration still managed to sponsor some principals of secondary schools to Tanzania for a workshop between 2012 and 2013. He refuted the rumours that the state government would sack workers, saying when he came to the office in 2010, he was pressured to sack but he refused. The governor, who said there is a grand plan to stifle the state with allocation until after the election, assured the teachers that his government
will pay salaries as and when due, adding that his administration needs support and understanding to ensure a better state for all.” Earlier in his remark, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, who doubles as the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Saka Adesiyan, highlighted some of the grey areas the teachers are desirous of government’s quick intervention. The labour leader listed contributory pension scheme,
special subvention for teachers in rural areas and international seminars and workshops, as some of the areas that require urgent government attention. Adesiyan noted that the interactive session with the governor was an opportunity to disabuse the minds of some people, who are insinuating that the teachers do not support Aregbesola’s second term bid. Adesiyan also commended the governor for paying salaries as well as 2014 leave bonuses, despite the shortfall in federal allocation to the state.
Omisore Vows To Scrap OYES If Elected By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
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•Wife of the governor, State of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, at Orisunmibare Market, Osogbo, last Friday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
Osun Govt Approves Construction Of Ifedayo Rural Roads By SHINA ABUBAKAR
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areas are important to the governor because of his drive to develop the state’s economy through massive agricultural programmes, saying the governor would not relent in providing more financial assistance to the farmers. He added that the state government would not relent in providing more infrastructural facilities to make them comfortable in a bid to make them major contributors to the growth of the state economy. He also promised that if the people vote for Aregbesola again, the governor would not relent in fulfilling his electoral promises again, as he has been doing in the first term of office. In their separate responses, the heads of the various communities acknowledged the performance of the governor in
TATE Government of Osun has approved the construction of Oke-Ila-Ayegunle-Ikoro-Asaba roads in Ifedayo and Ila Local Government Council Areas of the state to bring succour to the farmers in the rural areas. This was disclosed by the roads in the rural areas. Chairman of Governor Rauf He added that good roads Aregbesola re-election enhance the price value of farm Campaign Committee, produce and reduce waste Honourable Sunday Akere, because farmers could get their while visiting wards in the produce to market in good time. council areas canvassing for Similarly, Akere disclosed votes for the governor’s second that he and the State term bid. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Among the areas the (Mrs) Temitope Ilori, who campaign train visited were was also on the entourage, Ajebamidele, Oyi-Ayegunle, were taking note of some Obasikin, Adion, Asa-Oye and communities in the area, whose Aba Legemo, where teeming needs are maternity centres supporters of the party and and promised to provide such residents bearing brooms for them. trooped out to show solidarity According to the campaign with the All Progessives committee chairman, the rural Congress (APC). Addressing the heads of communities separately, Akere disclosed that the state government has approved the construction of the road from Oke-Ila through Ayegunle, HE refusal of supporters of Peoples Democratic Party Ikoro linking Asaba road in Ila (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Iyiola Omisore, Local Government Council to allow the intervention of Osun Ambulance Scheme, Area. has resulted to the death of three PDP members, who were He added that besides the involved an accident on Thursday. road in question, another three The deceased were Kehinde, lane and crushed them. kilometres of road has been popularly called Alausa and About 10 of the motorcyapproved for lawmakers in the Kazeem, who were both from clists were seriously injured in State House of Assembly for Inisa. The third person hailed the process, while others estheir various constituencies and from Ikirun, but his name could caped the accident unhurt, but that of Ifedayo is scheduled to not be ascertained as at the time their motorcycles were badly cover Ayegunle through of filing this report. destroyed. Obasikin to Ajebamidele. An eye witness told OSUN Motorcyclists, who were The commissioner stated PDP supporters, numbering DEFENDER that Osun Ambuthat the current state about 12, were reported to be lance vehicles were quick enough government understands the awaiting Omisore and PDP to arrive the scene of the acciplight of rural dwellers, who leaders to their campaign in dent, but the PDP supporters are predominantly farmers, to Inisa, a community in Odo-Otin reportedly rejected their interget their farm produce to Local Government Council vention and chased them away. The witness noted that if not market centres, hence, its Area of the state, at the entrance resolve to constructing good point of the town, when an ar- for the quick departure of the ticulated vehicle veered off its Ambulance officials, they would
all sectors in the state, however, they requested for the extension of roads to their communities, which according to them, is the major way of impacting on their farming activities. Ayegunle, Ajebamidele and Adion requested for the extension of mobile service to the areas to enable them communicate effectively with their relatives and customers in the cities. The campaign train comprising of its Secretary, Mr Bisi Bawala, Dr. (Mrs) Temitope Ilori, Alhaji Azeez Moshood, Honourable (Dr) Atolagbe Afolabi, were bewildered by the large turnout of youths and women at Oyi-Ayegunle and Obasakin, professing their loyalty and support for the governor’s reelection.
HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship can didate in the August 9 election in the State of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has planned to scrap Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme (OYES), if elected. The OYES was the scheme after the number might have initiated by Governor Rauf been reduced, the name of the Aregbesola through which scheme would be changed and 20,000 youths were engaged make it a means of compensatwithin his 100 days in office and ing members of the party. another 20,000 engaged two As at the time of filing this years after, bringing the total report, the source said Omisore number of those engaged under has not agreed to the suggestions the scheme to 40,000. of the leaders, as he was still The scheme has been ad- insisting on total scrap of the judged the first of its kind in the scheme, if elected. country and considered to have Meanwhile, a public analyst, reduced the crime rate in the Comrade Adebayo Badru, has state. stated that scrapping the However, Omisore, as part scheme would spell doom for of his proposed policies if the security of the state. elected, has decided to scrap the “Security of lives and propscheme, with a view to com- erties does not only involve the pletely rubbishing Aregbesola’s number of security of personachievements. nel or ammunitions that are According to a reliable source, Omisore was reported available, it also includes engageto have noted that if the scheme ment of the youths. “If youths are not idle, I can is sustained, Aregbesola would tell you, security operatives continue to take the glory. This, the source said, would have a lesser job to do Omisore considered dangerous and that is what the OYES has for his future political ambition. done. “If somebody is now thinkHowever, because some of the party leaders have kicked ing of scrapping such sensitive against the move, they have sug- scheme, then we are doomed and gested the reduction of the num- that is why we should vote ber from 20,000 to between wisely, so that we will not be 2,000 and 5,000, which would returned to the period when comprise PDP members alone. people could not sleep with They further suggested that their two eyes closed,” he said.
Osun APC Urges Muslims To Pray For Sanity, Peace
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USLIMS in the State of Osun, as well as in other states of the federation, have been urged to use the period of Ramadan fast to reflect deeply and pray earnestly for peace to prevail in the country. Besides, they should also signed by its Director of pray that “political sanity Publicity, Strategy and should become dominant in the Research, Barrister Kunle hearts of politicians, especially Oyatomi, to Muslims, as the those in the State of Osun, who Ramadan fast starts. appear desperate for political “As a religion that promotes power.” peace and brotherliness, Islam This was the plea contained and true Moslems should be in in a goodwill message from the the vanguard of peaceful coOsun Chapter of the All existence amongst the different Progressives Congress (APC), peoples of our society,” the APC said. “At this period of great challenges facing Nigeria and By KAZEEM MOHAMMED the political class, fasting and praying for divine intervention “I wonder why politics have been attacked, as the PDP is a great necessity,” the party could be taken to that level. This supporters continuously booed is a clear desperation on our stressed. them. According to the APC, there The PDP supporters subse- part. My brother and two othquently rushed the victims to ers died because we didn’t want is a significant degree of political desperation in the two separate private hospitals, to concede anything. “The truth is that the ambu- State of Osun, which requires where they were rejected, before they were taken to Seventh lance responded on time but it prayers for a change of heart was our people that denied Day Hospital in Inisa. on the part of politicians, who From the Seventh Day Hos- them access to the victims. If want power at all and any cost. we had allowed them, the Ampital, they were referred to “Let us use this period of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, bulance would have taken the victims to LAUTECH straight Ramadan, as effectively as we Osogbo. It was in the process of rush- and probably, all of these people can, to fast and pray for sanity ing them to LAUTECH that would not have died just like and peace to reign in Osun before, during and after the three of the victims lost their that,” the witness recounted. Meanwhile, as at the time of election of August 9th,” the lives. filing this report, some of the A family member of one of APC said wishing all Moslems the victims, identified as victims were still receiving treat- and their neighbours a sublime Kazeem, who pleaded anonym- ment at LAUTECH Teaching period of reflection and ity, said chasing the Ambulance Hospital, while some other spiritual communication with away was a clear show of no were still at Seventh Day HosAllah. pital in Inisa. respect for human lives.
3 PDP Accident Victims Die After Chasing Away O’Ambulance
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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Omisore's figment of imagination Continued from pg1
Apart from virtues of hard work, humility, dedication, commitment to service , one other quality Ogbeni Aregbesola possesses which endears him to people is his pacific nature. More often than not messages of peace always come out from his mouth. But he (Ogbeni) doesn't only preach peace, he also walk the talk. Even when his mandate was stolen by the PDP in 2007 rather than encourage his supporters and party members to engage in violence he continued to appeal to them to toe the line of peace. As a peace loving individual he headed for the Court where he finally got justice after three and a half years of perseverance. And even after regaining his stolen
mandate he never avenge in spite of all the persecutions he went through in the hands of electoral bandits. He preferred to forgive his tormentors. Thus isn't it the height of mischief for anyone to come up with allegation of planning to cause violence against a personage of this nature? Of course it is! And even if such a wrong allegation would come from anybody it shouldn't be Omisore whose stock in trade is perpetration of violence and who derives so much joy from disturbing public peace. We see this as a case of the pot calling the kettle black or a situation whereby the thief starts to catch the farm owner because the farm owner is slow in catching the thief. In his figment of imagination or out of deliberate mischief Omisore had alleged that "the governor had
bought 20 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) which would be used to cause violence during the coming governorship election". He had alleged further that "Aregbesola has a premeditated strategy to release these APCs during the election". What a spurious allegation? For those who care to know or better still for the purpose of public enlightenment the reason for the purchase of the said APCs is for further distribution to the security operatives to aid them in their responsibility of maintaining peace in the state. We recall here that the governor had earlier distributed some APCs and about 120 patrol vans to security agencies in the state. That was in April 2013 at a ceremony where the InspectorGeneral of Police was represented and the governor did promise on that occasion that more would still
PDP's Destructive Mental Sickness
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FTER thorough analysis of Senator Isiaka A d e l e k e ’ s comments on his experience in the hands of his former political associates, it is finally confirmed that the generality of PDP members across Nigeria are criminals, ex-convicts, thugs and assassins. Omisore, Jalo, Sogo and the rest of PDPigs will ever remain sick in the brain until something is done to rehabilitate them mentally. In my personal
suggestion, let all concerned citizens of Osun assist with a contribution of N50 each and bring in foreign psychotherapists (experts in treatment of mental-related
unconsciousness) to rehabilitate them immediately. There were cases of mentally-sick political figures like Omisore in the past across the world like, Hitler of former
East Germany and Idi Amin of Uganda. People of this level of infirmity are sick but equally influential, rich and catastrophic in nature. They are dangerous to the
destructive, vicious and callous. Good people of Osun, it is high time for us to unite and save the lives of popular sick Nigerians like Omisore before they ruin their world. For the last time, we must all unite to stop criminals from becoming governors and presidents in this nation, if we are to ever prosper and for the peace of our generation and those yet to come. Abo oro laaso f ’omoluabi, toba d’enu re, a dodindi (A word is enough for the wise).
existence of h u m a n i t y particularly when they rise to places of high authority. They are always wicked, • A D E WA L E b l o o d t h i r s t y, A D E N I Y I , m e n t a l l y Osunjela, State of i n c o n s i s t e n t , Osun.
come. Thus if there are APCs in government house why the fuss about their presence? We believe common sense should simply tell anyone that these APCs are not purchased for any other ulterior motive other than to be given to the security personnel in fulfillment of the governor's promise to further empower them to make their job easier. But at Osun Defender here we are not in the least surprised that this allegation is coming from Omisore's camp. Being a serial liar that he is no serious-minded person should take him serious at all because more often than not, lie, and nothing but lie are the words that come out from his mouth.
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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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Politics OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Aregbesola On The March Again
Iwo Mega Rally: Convergence Of Unanimous Endorsement The Iwo Mega Rally of the State of Osun All Progressives Congress came as the fourth in the series of open campaign gatherings convened across the nine federal constituencies with the motive of garnering support for the massive re-election of the incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, and ensuring his victory at the Gubernatorial Election holding in the state on August 9. The rally, held at the instance of Iwo/Ayedire/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency, played out as a convergence of unanimous endorsement. This is NIYI OLASINDE’s submission as he chronicles the highlights of events which unfolded there. His reports are here dissected.
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (arrowed), acknowledging cheers from the mammoth crowd during his re-election mega rally in Iwo Federal Constituency, Iwo, State of Osun, recently.
MAGAZINE
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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Iwo Mega Rally: Convergence Of Unanimous Endorsement
• Contiuned from page 5
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UESDAY, the 17 of June 2014, like every other day, came and went. But it was indeed a different day in the annals of an ancient settlement in the State of Osun. Going by its antecedents, the settlement under reference has long-standing reputation as to its significance to the politics of the state, right from the pre-independence era of the illustrious defunct Western Region, through the time of the old Oyo State. All through these facets of the chequered history of the state, the place of Iwo axis in the political chessboard of the various formations that the State of Osun had been known with cannot be over-emphasized. This fact has been most especially true for the unwavering commitment and loyalty which the ancient community exuded for political camps of the progressives in all the forms it has so far been known. It is not surprising therefore that the events about to be captured unfolded quite satisfactorily and with many exceeding feats. On that red-letter day, the ancient town of Iwo played host to the fourth in the series of mega rallies of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the State of Osun which are packaged to herald the second coming into office of the incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, come August 9, 2014. This time around, organizing and hosting of the rally concerned three local government council areas situated in the Iwo Federal Constituency, and which is headquartered in Iwo. The three local government council areas of which the federal constituency is comprised are Iwo, Ayedire and Ola Oluwa local government council areas. The present-day Iwo, Ayedire and Ola-Oluwa local councils are headquartered at Iwo, Ile-Ogbo and Bode-Osi respectively. Added to the important vantage and prominent position of that axis in the politics of Osun is the fact that the three local councils are firstgeneration in nature, as far as the almost twenty-three-year-old state is concerned. The three local government areas had been in existence prior to the carving out of the state from the old Oyo State in 1991. The foregoing is for the purpose of driving the point home that the council areas predated the state itself; being fond legacies from the earlier structure with which it had been known. It was therefore at the instance of constituents in these three mentioned councils that the mammoth crowd converged on Iwo on that day. On account of the overwhelming crowd and that of the ultimate success of the programme, big thumbs-up of commendation goes to the local organizing committee, that is, the Aregbesola Second Term Campaign Committee for the federal constituency, ably chaired by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and former State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti. In similar vein, all others who contributed to the eventual success story of the programme deserve commendation. An attempt at making a list will surely snatch the responsibility of the write-up, thereby causing an awful derailment. Above all, all and sundry who made up the gathering, members of the cheering crowd inclusive are appreciated, since all of them, one way or the other mean one or other thing to the ruling party in the state. The programme at Iwo replicated my earlier judgment that the All Progressives Congress (APC) does usual things uniquely and in grand style, as far as the State of Osun is concerned. In aggregation, the fold of the political party all over the country has proven my verdict right via the success recorded at the first-ever National Convention of the party held about a fortnight ago at the Eagle’s Square in Abuja. At that programme also, a surging crowd converged to attest to it that the party of progressives is not just appearing to façade the usual opposition threats, but to contend and win the seat of government at the centre – that is government at federal level. The manner of emergence of elected national officers of the party showed clearly that there still exists bright radiant hope for Nigeria, not only in the aspect of internal democracy, but also
orderliness, peaceful conduct and other ingredients of lasting democratic culture. Of greater joy is the fact that such programme of such great magnitude and significance came up at a time like this; otherwise, detractors would have classified our earlier judgments as product of parochial, sectional assessment. Now the truth has been affirmed by the fact that even in events of nationwide significance, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a formidable force to reckon with in breaking barriers to unity and harmonious peaceful co-existence. Surely, with this particular progressive party, there is hope for Nigeria. Like earlier ones held in Ile-Ife, Ikire and Ila-Orangun, the Iwo Mega Rally showcased the best attributes that a virtuous people should radiate. Central to this is the spirit of love. Love in this context implies love for all that is noble, good and worthwhile. Governor Aregbesola and other speakers at those held rallies never minced words in showing gratitude to the people for the love they showed, not only by attending, but also by waiting almost in day-long expectation of the arrival of the campaign train and the subsequent take-off of proceedings, even by staying glued till the end of speeches. As a matter of fact, it takes love to withstand all the rigors imposed by surging crowd, weather uncertainties and other hazards, especially, the opportunity costs of putting up attendance at the expense of other engagements that people could have been preoccupied with. Another quality of the people which made those rallies a rallying-point is the spirit of appreciation, which is also characteristic of any truly virtuous people. Something interests me in the manner that one highly reputable monarch in the state asked from the gathering at any public event within his domain in recent time, as to if they would show sincere appreciation for the good gestures of Governor Aregbesola. The rousing and thunderous chorus of affirmative response to this question each time it was asked thrilled the heart with joy. It is not in doubt that people are sincerely appreciative of all developmental efforts of the incumbent administration since its ascension into office. All that we pray for, which forms the central core of all the rallies is that the appreciation, be translated into trooping out massively on Election Day to exercise that civic responsibility that is a leveler for all. That one civic responsibility requires that which all persons who have attained the stipulated voting age do with their thumbs. That responsibility requires one man, one woman to thumbprint only once on the ballot paper on election date for the candidate of their choice – Aregbesola of course – and be an active, vigilant observer of events up till counting and recording time. The all-important value of this task by voters was stressed over and over again by speakers at the rally. Another attribute observed in the people of the state, which instills in me great pride of belonging here is the people’s rapturous desire for continuity. With all that we have seen and heard, a large majority of our people is insistent on defending the change they collectively effected, consciously and deliberately in 2007. It is so far widely demonstrated that elections in the State of Osun shall no longer be exercises where people are coerced or over-swayed with financial or material gratifications. Desperate moneybag politicians who are hell-bent to assume political offices by all means and at all costs have no business here. Their time has expired for good and all! The role of security agents of sorts in maintaining peace and orderliness is indicative of the fact that they are getting up to defend the masses, which is their constitutional role in the democratic society. At the Iwo Mega Rally in particular, Governor Aregbesola announced the reassurance given by the authorities of the armed forces that they would be protective rather than destructive in their disposition henceforth. This undertaking, if carried out to the letter shall infuse soothing relief into the hearts of the people. Lastly, the spirit of oneness and unity which prevailed among the people, measurable in terms of the hitch-, rancor-free conduct is praise-worthy. It is with unanimous accord that a vote of
confidence is being passed on Aregbesola and his political platform, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ride on. Surely, as God Himself concluded in the scriptures, if the people are united and speak one single tongue, there is nothing they endeavour that shall not be accomplished. May this divine will find practical expression in the life of our state, in the aspiration of Ogbeni and in our collective overall interest, come August 9 when we shall be approaching the polls. God bless the State of Osun; God bless Nigeria. BUT the Iwo Mega Rally was unlike the three which came before it in many dimensions. In fairness, there has been no fresh rally held so far without its uniqueness. However, that of Iwo tends to have surpassed. This was to the extent that the first civilian governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, increased his usual prediction of votes to be polled by the ruling party in the state from 80 per cent to between 80 to 90 per cent! According to him, the people of Iwo gave unanimous assurance in an unusual manner – a development that is impressive and good indeed for democracy and good governance. He however promised that the unanimity of Ede electorate would be more robust. That revelation makes things better still! In his erudition, the Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Professor Senator Sola Adeyeye was more eloquent than ever. He made the fifth and sixth lines of the first stanza of Nigeria’s National Anthem the theme of his speech, which is: “the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain”. He then went ahead to checklist the heroes past against their noble deeds while alive. The heroes’ honour roll began from the great Sir Herbert Macaulay, through the First Republic leaders like Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, Right Honourable Sir Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello (all of blessed memory), to the felled Cicero of Esa-Oke, late Chief Bola Ige. On the shrouded mystery surrounding the assassination of Ige, Adeyeye asked many probing questions which required voters to beware of casting their votes in the direction of the yet-to-beabsolved dramatis personae fingered in the killing plot. Voting in favour of those accused persons, he concluded, shall make vain the exertions of our illustrious heroes. The foregoing is not all. The convergence on Iwo penultimate Tuesday, as attested to by the governor himself was astonishingly overwhelming. The Iwo Central Stadium venue of the occasion was another class of its own. Except it has the mind of keeping date with disappointment, shame and showdown; no opposition party in the state dare choose such an auspicious space for the biggest of its (so-called) mega rallies. Not even the noisy, flatulent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that believes strongly in financial / material enticements. The crowd at Iwo was so large and tumultuous that even the governor remarked that the volume of crowd outside the stadium outnumbered that within! Great crowd; good people! The crowd at these rallies were not enticed or attracted with money or other material inducements. There were no hired thugs, killers or odd-jobbers. Upon the largeness of the crowd at Iwo, there were no reported cases of violence or other mishaps (ditto for the three earlier-held rallies). In spite of the teeming crowd, lost items were still found and reported, signifying the absence of pickpockets and pilferers at the event. This should not be surprising in the State of the Virtuous, the various empowerment programmes embarked upon by the administration of Ogbeni has mopped up miscreants and odd-jobbers from the streets. The handful remaining are confined to where they are needed – the camp of the leading opposition. Iwo axis is one of the settlements with which the State of Osun shares ample borders with adjoining states. One of the greatest delights ever was how passers-by and passengers to other states en route Iwo hastily deserted motor parks to enjoy Ogbeni and give him his deserved respect and admiration for all
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Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Parley/Meeting With Members Of Landlords And Tenants Affected By Separation Of Buildings As A Result Of Road Dualisation In Osogbo, At State Government House, Last Saturday.
Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
•Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle), acknowledging cheers from his admirers.
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•(L-R) Alhaji Fatai Diekola; State of Osun Commissioner for Lands, Architect Muyiwa Ige; Chairman, House Committee on Lands at State of Osun House Assembly, Honourable Johnson Ojo and Honourable Biodun Awolola.
•A cross section of members of landlords and tenants in Osogbo during the programme.
•(L-R) Comrade Waheed Lawal; state Commissioner for Commerce, Mr Jayeoba Alagbada; Special Adviser to State of Osun Governor on Lands, Dr Ayoade Owoade and Chief of Staff to State of Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Customers’ Forum And Official Roll-out Of 50cl New Essence Table Water By Wife Of The Governor, State Of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, In Osogbo, Last Friday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
•(L-R) State of Osun Commissioner for Health, Dr (Mrs) Temitope Ilori; Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola; Managing Director (MD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), OSICOL, Mr Bola Oyebamiji and State of Osun NAFDAC Coordinator, Mr Kayode Fagboro.
•(L-R) SUBEB Chairman in the State of Osun and President, Oranmiyan Worldwide, Prince Felix Awofisayo and General Manager (GM), Water Corporation in Osun, Engineer Olugbenga Omojuyigbe at the event.
•A cross section of dignitaries at the programme.
•Mrs Aregbesola (2nd left), presenting gifts to one of the OSICOL distributors, Mrs Suliat Abimbola (right); with them are Oyebamiji (1st left) and Fagboro (3rd left).
PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Spare Parts Sellers In Ajegunle In Osogbo, Showed Their Support To The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s Second Term In Office Recently.
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (arrowed), acknowledging cheers from Ajegunle Spare Parts Dealers, during his unscheduled visit to them in Ajegunle, Osogbo, recently.
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•Aregbesola (arrowed), acknowledging cheers from Ajegunle spare parts dealers in Osogbo.
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Iwo Mega Rally: Convergence Of Unanimous Endorsement Contiuned from page 6 they had heard and seen. It is no fiction that not less than four of the passengers inside a bus that conveyed one of my friends to Iwo on that day cancelled their earlier-planned journeys on hearing that Aregbesola was billed to be in town! Instead of carrying on with their trips as scheduled, they took the momentary decision to stay put and identify with a man whose imprints of good governance had become a reference point all over the country and whose like they covet to saddle the mantle of leadership in their respective states. It is astonishing that in spite of the fact that the stool of the monarch of Iwo had become vacant, following the demise of Oba Ashiru Olatunbosun Tadese, the last Oluwo on February 19 last year; royal fathers, traditional rulers and community leaders still converged inside the auspicious palace of the ancient town to hold the forte and receive Governor Aregbesola with honour, splendor, prestige and finesse. This kind of unity and transparent reverence for traditions is rare these days. We have heard of cases where tussles among living monarchs had nearly wrecked the ship of kingdoms and states. The prevailing love, peace and unity among these community leaders deserve commendation. In spite of the sad reality felt at the conspicuous absence of Oba Tadese, it was a joyous crowd that gathered to accord Aregbesola a rousing welcome. Another departure that would have cast a shadow on the event is the recent home-call of the elder statesman, respected politician and religious leader in the area, Alhaji Lateef Katayeyanjue. Instead of casting shadow on the event, the occasion turned out to be a summit for the celebration of the life of the departed icon. Speaker after speaker eulogized the good deeds of the deceased. A minute silence was observed and prayers were offered for the repose of his soul in Aljana Firdaus. There was hardly any speaker at the event that had nothing to say of the impactful and accomplished life of the deceased. The big deal in all these is that the Iwo Mega Rally brought to the fore and amplified the hand of peace with which Aregbesola has handled the State of Osun since his assumption of office. One of the cardinal objectives of his administration as contained in the Six-Point Integral Action Plan encapsulated in his pact of governance for the people of the state is that his administration will: “Enhance Communal Peace and Progress”. All said and done, events at Iwo Mega Rally and other rallies are testimony enough to it that peace and progress are the success story of the Aregbesola administration in the State of Osun. Iwo people prayed through their massive turnout at the event that our state shall continue to experience greater measure of peace and progress. We all pray along to the same effect. May God grant our hearts’ desire. It would be remembered that the event of the day was not the first organized one that brought the governor to the town in person since his assumption of office. Either at party level or at the level of government, Aregbesola or his representatives had on earlier occasions graced occasions in the town. Fresh in memory is the Iwo episode of the audience-participation programme of the administration, through which the governor rubs mind with the people in order to feel their pulses and know exactly where the shoe pinches. That live programme is called GbangbaDe’kun. I remember vividly that the inaugural edition of that programme took place in Iwo. Even though the governor was for greater part of the event represented by the Deputy Governor due to some other crucial exigencies of office that took his time that day; the fact alone that the programme took debut at the town demonstrates the importance it wields in Osun politics and government. That event, though crowd-pulling in nature, could not be compared to the one the town was warming up for on that day. Also of recent, following the crisis which erupted over the issue of wearing of hijab as part of female student uniform in public schools, and in trail of the submission of report of the commission of enquiry into the root-causes of the crisis, chaired by Barrister Gbadegesin Adedeji, the Deputy Governor first visited the town to hold a peace session with the people before the governor himself capped it with his presence and presiding at a Town Hall Meeting to settle the crisis. On both occasions there was impressive turnout, but as both events only concerned stakeholders in religious faiths and public education, the crowd could not compare with the present one under reference.
THE programme at the Iwo Mega Rally that day kicked off with an unofficial prelude, which commenced as early as daybreak. Right from the twilight of dawn till dusk, the rusty ancient town was rocked to its foundations as people moved about in droves to express joy, satisfaction and appreciation for having in place a government they can genuinely call theirs; a government which fulfils the yearnings and aspiration of the people; a government that listens; a government that gives what is needed in abundant doses. The venue of the big event was the Iwo Central Stadium, where a tumultuous crowd had converged in expectation of the kick-off of events for the day. Since daybreak, people had been moving in droves toward the location of the venue, understandably, to secure a vantage position to accord a rallying welcome to the man of the people, Ogbeni Aregbesola as soon as he put up appearance in the town for the rally. Many more who found it more convenient tarried around the palace of the monarch of the town; knowing full well that it was the practice of Aregbesola and his team to give honour to who it is due. The standard practice everywhere else they had been was to first pay homage to the paramount traditional ruler. The case of Iwo was not an exemption as royal fathers from the three local government areas in the federal constituency had begun to arrive at the palace of the town, even in the absence of a sitting monarch. This event justified the calculations of those who thronged the palace as correct, accurate and roundly in place. At the outskirts of the town, it had already become visible by eight o’clock in the morning that the .ancient ton was about to play host to an event which would make history for a long period of time to come. At the Ibadan end, right from the junction through the Adeke area/ Baptist High School / Aipate to the centre of the town; arrival of dignitaries could be noticed. Also from Osogbo end, the arrival was more prominently noticed. From Ogbaagbaa Junction through Aawe / Oyo Junction downtown; it had become a beehive of activities from seven o’clock in the morning. From that Oyo Junction to Odo Ori downtown, it was too visible that the stage had begun to be set for an epoch-making convergence. Motor Parks, roadsides and other available places began to host hordes of people who were either newly arriving or are residents of the town who were just setting out to find suitable places to hibernate in wait for the commencement of the big event. Similar experience of teeming crowd was recorded at other ends of the town; towards Oluponna and Gbongan in Ayedire and Ayedaade local government council areas respectively; and towards Ikire the seat of Irewole Local Government Council Area, the traffic was thick as well. New areas within Iwo Township, like the Low Cost Estate and areas adjoining the Approved School for Boys also became crowd-pullers. It was indeed a day nor to be forgotten in a hurry, especially for motorists, commercial motorcycle operators (popularly called okada riders), sellers of snacks, fast foods and confectioneries. Also, traders who hawk kolanut, sachet water, fruits and beverages made brisk sales owing to the teeming crowd which the event attracted to itself. It was another glorious day for the fold of progressives in the All Progressives Congress (APC) as people showered accolades and prayers on the party for how its leadership had raised the bar of governance in the State of Osun in the space of almost four years that it had occupied the saddle of government. The venue of the event, located at the precincts of the popular Bowen University had been agog for several hours prior to the arrival of the man of the moment, and the eventual kick-off of the programme proper. At the preliminary events were a number of Nollywood artistes and music entertainers. Also, speaker after speaker had addressed the waiting audience, with all of them exalting the many virtues of Aregbesola’s administration and imploring the electorate not to consider embracing any other choice in the forthcoming elections. Notable among the musical icons present to add colour and glamour to the occasion are Sir Shina Peters, Tonny Tetuila, Wild MC, LKT and King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1). Numerous are the Nollywood actors who showed appearance at the event. Those ones were on hand to provide interludes of playlets intermittently as the programme progressed. There were also several political groups and associations in attendance. Among these, those that were most noticeably conspicuous are the New Breed, Committee for Positive Change, the Raufs, Aregbesola Vanguard Group (AVG) and the Oranmiyan
•A cross section of traditional rulers at the Oluwo’s Palace.
Worldwide. These multifarious groups carried banners to make their presence known, just as they appeared in various uniform dresses particularly made for the occasion. Songs of various kinds were raised and each time a new one was raised, the crowd was thrown into a fresh round of frenzy jubilation. In a nutshell, the Iwo Mega Rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun, measured by any parameter, recorded a huge success. The turnout was impressive, the crowd conduct was sportsmanlike, the atmosphere was friendly, the organization was superb, the candour and mien of the host communities was clement, friendly and inviting, and above all, the resolution spoke nothing less than an overwhelming unanimous adoption of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola to proceed with the business of governing the State of Osun for another term of four years. With the endorsement given to the governor to carry on, the people also expressed strong determination to troop out en masse on August 9 to make him emerge by polling clear majority votes cast; thus giving him a clean bill of health for a landslide victory over his desperate antagonists who are hell-bent to grab power by all means and at all costs. With little or no effort, they brag about of an imagined victory against the will of the majority of the people. The ball is now in the court of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the law enforcement agencies, the election monitoring teams of sorts and above all, the generality of our people. Our watchfulness and vigilance, coupled with courage to come out to cast votes and protect the votes such cast will go a long way to ensure that our collective will prevails. Latest by August 10, we shall all be beaming with radiant smiles that we have spoken with our thumbs and that our common voice had spoken loudest. By the grace of God Almighty, the wishes of our captors of old shall never again prevail over us and our state. Above all, OSUN DEFENDER Magazine lends its voice to the caution being sounded on our people not to sell or dispose their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for peanuts. Doing so is tantamount to selling one’s future, birthright, prospect and destiny; alongside those of generations yet unborn. The best agenda for our state now is for Aregbesola to continue with all his good initiatives and such other ones he has in the offing. By the time he is through with all we have seen or visualized, the State of Osun must definitely be on course to those higher, loftier grounds dreamt by her founding fathers. We shall get there. THE arrival time of Governor Aregbesola and his thronging entourage at the venue of the big event was 3:12 p.m. On hand to receive him were King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1), a large retinue of party stalwarts and a large crowd of enthusiastic, broombrandishing members, supporters, admirers and sympathizers of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The ovation was so heavy that any passer-by whose thoroughfare through Iwo coincided with that moment would mistake the ongoing event for a World Cup tournament or the visit of an international evangelist of high repute. It was mighty and ecstatic. The man Aregbesola alighted from his usual mini-luxury van. He was enthusiastic as well; wielding his enormous broom vehemently in acknowledgement of cheers from the crowd. Alternately, he stretched out his hands into thin air in the “V” sign of victory. The spectacle resembled that of late Obafemi Awolowo. Having exchanged pleasantries with dignitaries on ground at the occasion, the governor took his seat to give room for the occasion to commence. The National Anthem and the State of Osun Anthem were sung back-to-back. Then came another footnote anthem, which was to later become the delight of all at the event. It runs thus: On your mandate we shall stand! On your mandate we shall stand! On your mandate; On your mandate On your mandate we shall stand! The anthem shares the same tune with the conventional State of Osun Anthem, so it was with no stress or difficulty that its strains spread across like wildfire. Thereafter, the introduction of guests and dignitaries was done, with interlude of songs as appropriate. The intermittent music was supplied by the duo of K1 and the DJ on duty. The presentation of welcome address came up next. This was performed by the Chairman of the Aregbesola for Second Term Campaign Committee for Iwo Federal Constituency, who doubles as the Secretary to the Government of the State of Osun, Alhaji
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Iwo Mega Rally: Convergence Of Unanimous Endorsement
•Governor Rauf Aregbesola (arrowed), acknowledging cheers from the mammoth crowd during his re-election campaign at Iwo Federal Constituency, Iwo, State of Osun, recently. Continued from page 11 Moshood Olalekan Adeoti. Being the host at the event, Adeoti welcomed all and expressed profound appreciation for their endurance and patience from the early hours of the day till that juncture. He then dwelt on the benefits of the Aregbesola administration and emphasized the much greater benefits to come upon his re-election into office in the next election. In furtherance of his speech, Adeoti recollected with special thanks to Almighty God, similar gathering in Iwo in 2007. He broke into three or four songs of praise, which the crowd sang along. He then promised full support by constituents of the area, demonstrated by the massive votes they would cast on the Election Day. Recounting the wonderful exploits of the party, Adeoti made it known that it had witnessed massive defection from towns and villages in the constituency in recent time. These droves of defectors was said not to have spared Ogbaagbaa, the homestead of the Gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the forthcoming election, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade. Immediately after this opening address, a one-minute silence was observed in honour of the departed Islamic Scholar and community leader of the area, who also was an arrowhead of longstanding in the democratic struggle of the progressives, Alhaji Lateef Bakare Katayeyanjue. Much has already been remarked on the life and times of this departed icon in earlier parts of this report. After this eloquent presentation, speeches were aired by the senator representing Osun West Senatorial District of which the Iwo Federal Constituency is a vital part at the National Assembly, Senator Mudashiru Hussein; the member of the Federal House of Representatives from the area, Honourable Gafar Amere; and the just-elected national officer of the party, also an indigene of Iwo, Honourable Rasheed Salinshile. In their separate speeches, the central message was that Iwo Constituency would poll votes massively for Aregbesola in order to make his second term bid a reality. Next to speak was the senator representing the Osun Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, who doubles as the Chairman of the state-wide re-election campaign committee for Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Senator Professor Sola Adeyeye. His eloquent contribution to the rally has already been touched in earlier part of this write-up. Next to come on stage to speak was the State of Osun Acting Chairman of the party, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi. He expressed the party’s heartfelt appreciation to the attendees; not only for heeding the clarion call, but also for standing and enduring for long till the time of take-off. He went ahead to urge electorate in the area to vote massively for Aregbesola and the party, so that the good work embarked upon so far could continue. After that speech, there was an interlude, as young Kazeem Olatunji a.k.a. Kazzy Roll was call on stage to perform. This was the same boy who was reported in Ila-Orangun report to have performed excellently well on stage. That same feat was recorded at Iwo Mega Rally. Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke was the next speaker. Part of his speech has been referred to in earlier parts of this report. He however observed how the opposition had been running abusive verbal diarrhea on him, his family and parentage. He referred in particular to remarks credited to the former speaker of the state parliament, Honourable Adejare Bello who was quoted as bragging that in Ede, their birthplace, he would floor Adeleke in any election. Rather than engaging in verbal altercations with him, Senator Adeleke simply concluded that August 9 was close by, when men shall be separated from boys. He rounded his speech off by enumerating the numerous achievements of Ogbeni Aregbesola, just as he solicited the people to vote massively for him. In the words of the Chairman, State of Osun Local Government Service Commission and former Chief of Staff to former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Elder Peter Adebayo Babalola, a.k.a. Peter Action, he recounted the woes currently befalling the leading opposition at their campaign rallies which he said were ill-fated with poor attendance. He remarked that their efforts
started with the fruitless offer of kerosene for sale; and that even when they resolved to give it out free, the offer was massively rejected by the good people of the state. He then urged the people to spurn their monetary offer, and not to exchange their voters’ cards for any monetary enticements. He then cautioned that the money being circulated by the leading opposition is accursed; being ritual money issuing out of a coffin. When it was the turn of the Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly to speak, Honourable Najeem Salaam announced that there were plenty of issues to speak on and that the apt time to speak was ripe. He then went ahead to sound a note of caution against peddlars of rumours, lies and deceit. He cited the rumour making the rounds over alleged plan of the incumbent administration to down-size the state’s civil service. He debunked that rumour and pointed out that instead of retrenching, the administration would recruit more workers into the civil service. He also debunked the rumour that it was the administration’s intention to cancel the activities of commercial motorcycle operators (i.e. okada riders) in the state; saying that it is totally false. According to him, the governor had never forwarded such a bill to the House of Assembly for passage into law. On the wagging tongue of the former Head of Service in the state, Mr. Segun Akinwusi, he falsified the debt profile being spread around by the former functionary of government; cautioning the people that governorship seat is not meant for busybodies and slight, petty men; but for the virtuous, the upright and the intellectually alert. The Deputy Governor of the State of Osun was the next to speak. Otunba Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori called on the people to troop out massively to cast their votes on the d-day. She tasked the women folk to go all out to summon their counterparts in purdah so as not to be disenfranchised. She spoke in details on the laudable achievements of the administration before taking her seat. Finally, it was the turn of the governor to speak. His speech at the occasion was direct, pungent and straight-to-the-point. It was intermittently laced with musical interlude from him and K1. He praised the people of Iwo Federal Constituency. He also eulogized the departed father, Alhaji Katayeyanjue. He then went ahead to evaluate his works so far, just as he promised to do more. He announced that the military authorities had promised that they would not come out on Election Day to terrorize or brutalize but strictly to maintain law and order. Aregbesola then promised a four-lane newly-constructed Osogbo / Iwo / Ibadan Expressway. He promised the people of provision of good potable water. He then rolled out his achievements so far in all sectors. These include the achievements in the Education, Health, Agriculture, Employment and Human Resource sectors, as well as those in other sectors. On the forthcoming election, he cautioned the electorate against intimidation; charging them to vote, stand by to protect their votes and vigilantly be their own watchdog by observing as well as using their camera phones to record all that transpires at their respective polling booths. Finally, he cautioned the people against violence at the polls. In its entirety, the Iwo Mega Rally was a huge success, well attended and one that produced one of the most unanimous resolutions. The people willingly showed their readiness not to allow their choice to be subverted. The rally stands in memory as one that opened a new positive phase in the series of rallies held in this election season. Among dignitaries who graced the occasion are former governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Wife of the Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Abidemi Aregbesola and the Deputy Governor of the state, Otunba (Mrs.) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori. Others include the rank and file of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun led by the Acting Chairman, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi and Acting Secretary, Prince Gboyega Famodun. Among the members of the State Executive Council in attendance are the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Olalekan Adeoti, who doubled as the Chief Host at the event, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Honourable Sunday Akere and a
host of others. Also in attendance are federal and state legislators, executive secretaries of local government council areas, political bigwigs, traders, artisans, representatives of trade and professional associations and groups and others. Nollywood actors and musicians were not left out as usual. The chief entertainer at the occasion was King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1). AT this juncture, OSUN DEFENDER Magazine shall draw excerpts from the pact given to the people of the state upon rolling out of the Oranmiyan campaign team of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola eight years ago; for the purposes of reference and setting the records straight: My mission and ambition are to restore to the people, a state of peace, opportunity, for progress and room for the pursuit of prosperity in our time under a people friendly government. I give you Six-Point Integral Action Plan, to the intent that they constitute my actions of faith concerning which I want to be held accountable at any time during my stewardship. SIX POINT INTEGRAL ACTION PLAN · Banish Poverty · Banish Hunger · Banish Unemployment (Create Work/Wealth) · Restore Healthy Living · Promote Functional Education · Enhance Communal Peace and Progress BANISH POVERTY COMMERCE Vision: To make Osogbo the second hub in international trade in goods and commodities in the Southwest. Osun people’s natural affinity for commerce has been dampened over the years by unfriendly and unfocused economic policies of government thereby popularizing poverty among a people, who are naturally hardworking, industrious and adventurous. Our purposeful government of ACN shall revitalize commerce and restore wealth back to the land through: · Market friendly policies that will revive the customary commercial activities in Osogbo and other towns in Osun. · Promotion and support of activities focused on wealth promotion for our people. · Transformation of Osogbo into an International market where goods will be procured at prices comparable to any other part of West Africa. FINANCE& ECONOMIC PLANNING I shall increase the internally generated revenue of the state and also improve in mileage on every kobo accruing to the state by: · Ensuring real time online access to actual position of the state finances to prevent misuse and other forms of abuse by receiving agencies. · Reducing leakages in the tax collection and administration process. · Running a transparent and accountable government. · Ensuring prudent management of the state’s resources. · Ensuring that the funds of the state are used for developmental purposes. · Create viable Public/Private sector partnerships to jump start the economy. · Our overall goal is to reduce dependence on federal allocation as a means of funding the government. BANISH HUNGER FOOD& AGRICULTURE Vision: Our government shall banish hunger in Osun and enhance wealth through massive increase in food production and agriculture. Every farmer shall sell his products and be prosperous. The labour of the farmer shall no longer be in vain because we shall provide assistance and support to farmers in finding and exploiting profitable market for their goods. We do not presently grow enough food in Osun to feed us round the year and this should concern a government that cares for its people.
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MAGAZINE
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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Iwo Mega Rally: Convergence Of Unanimous Endorsement
••Enthusiastic crowd at the Iwo mega rally. Continue from page 12 Our government shall support farmers to attain increase in food production, better storage and delivery. We shall provide assistance to farmers in exploiting profitable markets and market opportunities for their products. To maximize the benefit of resultant massive increase in food production, we shall improve: · state.
We shall do a comprehensive review of civil service names and conventions as part of our efforts to create a people- friendly civil service. Appropriate nomenclature will enhance accountability and promote public access to the services of the ministry. A citizen with a complaint of blockage of drainage will find a Ministry of Roads and Drainages easier to identify with than Ministry of Works, a Ministry of Human Resources and Development will more appropriately communicate its services than a Ministry of Establishment.
Access roads and general transportation to even the most remote areas of the
·
Storage process and capacity.
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Processing of agricultural produce.
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Rural electricity and water supply.
TOURISM Vision: Tourist’s cradle in Africa The State of Osun is the cradle of Yoruba people and our rich culture. The opportunities for wealth creation in Osun state through tourism have been underexploited. We shall: · Develop State of Osun tourism potentials to its fullest to promote employment and wealth among people of the State of Osun.
CASH CROPS · Encourage production of cash crops which can enhance farmer’s income and provide basis for an effective agro-industrial society in the state of Osun. · Specified to vigorously develop extensive farming in palm trees to create a fully integrated oil palm processing industry. · To target and capture minimum of 10% of the multibillion naira- per day food market of the neighbouring states. ·
Support cooperative efforts by farmers
· Be a catalyst to the development and promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises that will exploit available raw materials. ·
Set up price support scheme for farmers through commodity exchange board.
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Encourage development of Yoruba museum and world heritage centre at Ile-
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Encourage programmes that nurture and promote arts and talent.
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Enhance the image of traditional rulers and institutions.
sharpen our already proven entrepreneurial skills and stop Nigeria from importing:
TOOTH PICK (IGI OPARUN FUN ITAYIN) FROM CHINA, ORANGE JUICE (OROMBO) FROM KOREA, SHOES (BATA) FROM SPAIN/ ITALY, FAN BELT/ CAR TYRES (RUBBER) FROM JAPAN AND FRANCE. When I know that these can be easily manufactured here. I shall turn the State of Osun into a creative agro-industrial zone God willing. INDUSTRIALISATION Key to banishing unemployment permanently anywhere is promoting conducive atmosphere for manufacturing and production. Our Government shall: · Develop integrated industrial estates for mini, micro and large manufacturing enterprises in the three senatorial zones of the State of Osun.
Ife.
· Mobilize our traditional rulers to showcase the state’s tourism potentials to Yorubas in the diaspora (e.g. Brazil, Cuba and West Indies).
· Provide the estates with infrastructural facilities that reduce the cost of setting up industries (roads, electricity, water and telecommunications). ·
Provide incentives targeted at attracting manufacturers/ investors.
· Develop skilled personnel through our Life Academies, Universities and colleges to service specialized industrial and manufacturing needs.
ROADS Vision: Roads to and in all towns and villages in Osun. Road construction and maintenance shall be used to generate employment for the indigenes of the State of Osun. · Community based road maintenance units will be established to ensure timely repairs and deduce overall maintenance costs.
RESTORE HEALTHY LIVING Vision: To work to save our people from all avoidable deaths due to accidents, emergencies, poverty and inadequate health facilities. To achieve this for all and particularly our children and senior citizens, we shall:
· priority. BANISH UNEMPLOYMENT (CREATE WORK& WEALTH) No job loss, more jobs. Osun people are peaceful, dignified and hardworking people who desire and deserve gainful employment for their children and themselves. Rather than policies that will create employment and wealth for the people, the policies of the PDP government in place serve to enrich few at the expense of majority of our people. As part of our GOVERNMENT UNUSUAL programme, I Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola make a pact with you good people of the State of Osun, in the presence and by the grace of God Almighty that our government shall create immediate employment for 20,000 people within our 100 days in office. 5,000 of these places shall be reserved for those who were retrenched and are still willing and able to work. As a people-friendly government, our policies shall help to: · indigenes.
Development and regular maintenance of urban and rural roads to get top
· Access roads to evacuate agricultural produce shall be constantly improved and expanded. · Create partnerships with the private sector on road development and provision of infrastructure. TRANSPORTATION We shall produce a transport master plan to provide direction for development of the sector. The safety of the lives of the indigenes of the State of Osun is of great concern to us. We shall: · Reduce to the barest minimum, road traffic accident within 6 months on all roads starting with Federal roads. · Create a motorized division of the Osun troopers to patrol roads to prevent accidents on the highways and organize rescue and recovery operations.
Create economic environment that ensures availability of jobs for all Osun
· Establish one LIFE ACADEMY in each of the three Senatorial constituencies for the building of life- long skills in out of schools, youngsters as well as adults seeking alternative competencies. · Promote labour exchange centres to facilitate employment of graduates from our Life Academies. CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS There is the need for a civil service reform that will not lead to any loss of jobs as I Rauf Aregbesola do not believe in laying people off in the name of reforms. Our reform will make the work environment more conductive, stimulating and development oriented. Bonuses, incentives and regular awards shall be instituted to promote a culture of excellence in the civil service along with the prompt payment of salaries, allowances, leave bonuses and year-end performance bonuses. Promotions and comprehensive salary reviews and increases shall be regular.
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Provide effective and available healthcare for all.
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Provide efficient accident and emergency ambulance service.
· Provide primary health clinics within 10 kilometre radius of every Osun town, with special attention to the needs of children, women and the elderly. · tation. ·
Provide functional General hospitals within 20 kilometre radius of human habi-
Provide referral hospitals within 30 kilometre radius of human settlement.
· Establish free blood pressure checks in conjunction with private organizations at every local government office. · Undertake special programmes for the upgrading, retraining and working comforts of all health personnel. ·
Encourage and nurture alternative medical therapy.
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Free treatment for malaria to children below age 18 and senior citizens (60+).
ENVIRONMENT INNOVATION Europe, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and now China have made life for their people permanently comfortable through innovation, research and development, thrift and hardwork. We Africans especially the people of the State of Osun are thrifty (a ki se oni nakuna) and hardworking (ati agbe at onise owo lo ka imele si aida nile Yoruba) but we have been backward in looking forward. We have not been innovative enough, we have not invested enough in research and we have not developed the fruits of innovation and research. In other words we remain backward, poor, unscientific and losers (eni igbehin) among the family of nations. It is a matter of concern that our leaders do not car or worry enough about these issues. I care and I’m deeply concerned. As your Governor I will do everything possible to:
Vision: To embrace current scientific methods in controlling the generation of waste and the conversion of waste to wealth. The state of the environment, especially waste generation, management and the embarrassing filth in our communities demand special attention. The CAN government shall: · Encourage all houses in the State of Osun to have a modern and affordable toilet facility through a special scheme. · Provide private sector driven waste management and beautification schemes to rid our communities of filth which threaten public health. ·
Beautification of town centres as a starting point of general urban renewal.
· Work with the private sector to establish appropriate waste-to-wealth projects under a composite waste management policy.
· Create awareness and dissatisfaction among all in the State of Osun about our position among the world’s people and the need to move up the ladder of human ascent and development away from permanent and persistent poverty. WATER
Internal and external training, work exchange programmes and overseas training shall be actively reinstituted for comprehensive human development in the civil service. New Tutor General/Permanent Secretary Cadre shall be created for Teachers in new education districts for better school administration. We shall institute Home Ownership Scheme for public servants and also support and encourage their backyard food production business ventures.
·
Ensure that ideas with original creativity are tapped for the enrichment of all. Vision: Water for all in the state of the living spring.
· Give real importance to education with skills development so that we can make what we need and become more competitive in the world as a people by creating more skills development centres in the State of Osun. ·
In these centres we shall teach Men and Women to think with their hands,
It is a painful regret that most cities in Osun do not have potable water running at any time and Osun is the state of the
Continued on page 15
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 1, 2014
14
FOR THE RECORDS
CHANGE...
Ekiti Election Process Badly Skewed In Favour Of PDP - APC Communique issued at the end of the inaugural meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Thursday, June 26th 2014 I T is no longer news that the governorship election in Ekiti State has been won and lost, and that our candidate, Governor Kayode Fayemi, has shown rare sportsmanship by conceding defeat and congratulating the winner, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.
In the presence of AIG Baka Nasarawa, Mrs Florence Ikhanone (National Director of SSS) and Brigadier-General Momoh, who was the head of the military to the election, Mr Ayo Fayose’s Chief Security Officer, Kayode Adeoye, and Chris Uba addressed the curiously-named Special Task Force, which included 67 SSS operatives, 30 soldiers, 30 NDLEA operatives and 70 mobile policemen.
We are very proud of Governor Fayemi for his conduct and comportment before, during and after the election, and we hail him as a true democrat in the true spirit of the APC’s belief that election is never a do-or-die affair, and that Nigerians must always be free to elect those to govern them. After all, it is said that the just powers of governments are derived from the consent of the governed.
Adeoye and Uba reminded the officers of the Special Task Force of their duty to President Goodluck Jonathan, who was identified as their benefactor, and how the officers must ensure that their benefactor wins the election.
Gentlemen, election is a process, and whatever happens on the voting day is only an integral part of that process. What happens before, during and after the voting day completes the process. If, therefore, we view the just-concluded election in Ekiti as a process, then we can confidently say that while the events of the voting day itself may have led many to believe that the election was free and fair, the same cannot be said of the events before, during and after the election. We therefore believe that we owe it a duty to the continuous improvement of our electoral system and indeed the sustainability of our democracy to X-ray this election within the context that we have outlined above and draw the necessary lessons Incidents before election day We believe that the events leading to the D-Day in Ekiti negate the principles of a free, fair and credible election. From the militarisation of the election to the police attack on our supporters, arrest and detention of our leaders across the state and the use of huge funds to induce voters, the federal authorities skewed everything in favour of the PDP. Militarisation of the process: With thousands of armed troops, police, state security and civil defence personnel deployed to Ekiti, the state was simply under a total lock-down. While we believe that the police and the civil defence corps indeed have a role to play in providing the necessary security for the election, we do not see why soldiers, who were armed to the teeth, need to be deployed to a non-belligerent situation like an election, especially at a time that their services are more needed elsewhere to turn around a slow motion war that is daily claiming the lives of our compatriots. The questions to ask are: Who ordered the deployments of the troops and for what purpose? Who gave the orders to stop Governor Rotimi Amaechi from reaching Ado-Ekiti, as the Army Captain, who stopped and threatened to shoot him, said he was acting under ‘’Orders From Above’’?
This was the same team that went round the state from Friday evening and throughout the duration of the election, picking leaders of the APC from across the state in speciallydesignated black buses with Presidency plate numbers. The case of the Campaign Manager of Governor Fayemi, Mr. Bimbo Daramola, was particularly traumatic and saddening. His fiancée and aged father were harassed by armed soldiers, who invaded his country home in the middle of the night, with guns being pointed at them, as if they were common criminals. The Campaign Manager himself, an honourable member of the House of Representatives, was hounded to an unknown place by soldiers; all this because of an election! Also on the receiving end of the brutality by security agents were accredited journalists, some of whom were ‘’deported’’, so to say, to neighbouring Kwara State by paid agents of state, who turned themselves to enforcers for the ruling-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The MOPOL Commander, who led the operation to ‘’deport’’ journalists from Ekiti, was the same fellow who led policemen to attack harmless APC supporters, who were holding a peaceful procession in Ado-Ekiti. This obviously poorly-trained and unprofessional police officer, who was on a mission in Ekiti, acted with such impunity because he once served as the ADC to Goodluck Jonathan, when he was a deputy governor in Bayelsa State, and felt he was not accountable to anyone. Incidents during and after Election Day While our leaders and supporters were being hounded and arrested across Ekiti during and after the voting, some PDP ministers and PDP stalwarts were moving around freely, with armed escort, even with a restriction on movement in place. What business did these ministers and their cohorts have in Ekiti during the election? What was their role in the election? These are questions begging for answers. Conclusion
It is worth mentioning that the physical prevention of Governor Amaechi from joining his colleagues at the final campaign rally of Governor Fayemi in Ekiti was a direct function of the unnecessary deployment of troops to Ekiti for the election. This event will go down as the biggest affront to democracy in our country in recent times.
At a press conference addressed by our Chairman on June 20th, we warned that our democracy was in clear and present danger from anti-democratic forces, who are bent on winning elections, especially in the South-West, at all cost. Today, we restate that warning and call for a reversal of the incidents that made sure a level playing ground was not provided for all the candidates at the just-concluded election in Ekiti.
Also worth mentioning is the flagrant abuse of national institutions that led to the country’s aviation authorities shutting down airports in Akure and elsewhere on the same day that our party had its last campaign rally in Ado-Ekiti. This act of impunity was targeted solely at the opposition, and it runs against global standards. Lest we forget, on the same day, the helicopter ferrying Governor Adams Oshiomhole from Benin Airport to Akure en route Ekiti for that final rally, was prevented from taking-off. Airports are never shut without the issuance of a NOTAM -Notice to Airmen. Again, who gave the orders for the closure of the airports?
While voting on Election Day may not have been characterized by the usual brigandage and violence, we submit that the entire process was everything but free and fair. If an integral part of the process was badly tainted as we have clearly and fully demonstrated above, then the entire process cannot but be tainted. Voting in Ekiti may have been free of the usual violence or manipulation at the collation centres, but the entire electoral process in the state was neither free, fair nor credible.
While still on this, it was widely reported that two aircrafts made a total of three flights to Akure Airport ferrying what was suspected to be raw cash for use in the Ekiti election. This was neither denied nor investigated, just like no one investigated the police attack on our peaceful supporters during a peaceful procession in Ado-Ekiti on June 8th that led to the death of one person; the tear-gassing of Governor Fayemi, when he intervened to save the situation; the interception of over 200 boxes of electoral materials by security agents in Ekiti and the busting, three days to the election, of a proFayose and PDP gang in a resort owned by Fayose’s Campaign Manager, while they were thumb-printing ballot papers ahead of Saturday’s election. The 22 young men, who were arrested, were also caught preparing INEC form EC8. Incidents during Election Day On the eve of the election and on election day, without any reason, security personnel arrested APC leaders and supporters across Ekiti, ferrying them far away from where they could vote or monitor the conduct of the election. This is an attestation to the fact that the security operatives were in the state more for a sinister motive than just to provide security for the election.
Therefore, in order to prevent a recurrence of what happened in Ekiti, especially the militarization of the process, the harassment and intimidation of citizens, especially those in opposition, our party has decided to challenge in court the role of the military in policing elections. We will also encourage our leaders and supporters, who were arrested, harassed and intimidated to seek the enforcement of their constitutionallyguaranteed fundamental rights that were recklessly abridged by the security agencies, especially soldiers. In this regard, we commend the good people of Nigeria, who have spoken out openly against these bare-faced acts of hooliganism by the very agents of state paid by taxpayers to prevent such acts. Our decision to act is not only to ensure that these irresponsible and unconstitutional acts are not repeated in subsequent elections, especially in Osun in August and next year’s general elections, but also because we have always said that evil thrives when good men do nothing!
ALHAJI LAI MOHAMMED In fact, the compromise by the security operatives became more obvious when a socalled Special Task Force, comprising of Military, Police, SSS and NDLEA officers were summoned to a meeting on Friday afternoon, a day before the election, near the Tantaliser fast food eatery in Ado-Ekiti.
National Publicity Secretary All Progressives Congress (APC) Abuja, June 26, 2014
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MAGAZINE
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Iwo Mega Rally: Convergence Of Unanimous Endorsement
•Governor Aregbesola (arrowed); his wife, Sherifat; the deputy governor, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salam and other dignitaries, during Aregbesola’s re-election Campaign at Iwo Federal Constituency, Iwo, State of Osun, recently. Continued from page 13 living spring!!! Our Government will do everything possible to bring potable water to all parts of the State of Osun and correct this anomaly. All abandoned water schemes shall be reactivated and speedily completed. AFFORDABLE HOUSING Our ACN Government shall: · Help Osun indigenes realize their dreams of house ownership or rehabilitation of failing structures through deliberate programmes that improve their income earning capacity. · friendly.
Support mortgage schemes that make house ownership pocket
· Actively support research and development on the use of local materials to force down building costs. ELECTRICITY Electricity for all shall be the creed of ACN Government in Osun. We shall: · Ensure that electric energy is available in the state for domestic, commercial and industrial activities. · We shall endeavour to provide electricity to all villages, hamlets and farm settlements in the state. · Private sector-led power agencies shall be encouraged to set up energy stations in the state. SECURITY Security of lives and properties are of paramount importance to us. Our Government shall: · outfits.
Have special programmes for the police and neighbourhood security
· Provide special allowance to all security agents deployed to Osun State and enhance their operational facilities for efficiency. · Respond to the operational needs of security agents through provision of mobility, communication gadgets, protective gears and conducive working environment. FIRE SERVICES We shall improve capacity of fire services to respond to emergencies. PHYSICAL WELL-BEING Our Government will promote physical exercises as a deliberate policy which will form a crucial aspect of our healthy-living programme. This is in keeping with the adage that a sound mind only resides in a sound body.
PROMOTE FUNCTIONAL EDUCATION Vision: Eradicate the frustration of youths caused by education that does not lead to employment. To achieve this, the government of AC under Rauf Aregbesola shall: · Provide free education at all levels in Osun State. Focus on functional education. Education that makes one useful to himself and society. · Improve incentives to teachers and work with the NUT to restore the dignity of the teaching profession. · Restructure administration of school management and create TutorsGeneral (Permanent Secretary Cadre) from among Head Teachers in three Educational Districts which we will establish.\ ·
Fix all collapsed educational infrastructures in all the schools.
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Support with modern teaching aids and well-stocked libraries.
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Ensure cooperation with parents and teachers to improve discipline and morality. · schools. ·
Introduce non-partisan community-based governing boards for all
Reduce number of students per classroom immediately.
· Introduce home development plans for teachers who wish to build houses in their home towns, through access to special mortgage packages. ·
through: SAGES COUNCILS (EGBE AGBA) Our state is blessed with a large pool of elderly folks who are invariably well educated, have enjoyed successful careers, travelled widely in the world, but are currently reduced to irrelevance in the society. Our Government will support the formation of non partisan community based sages councils, capable of providing guidance in management, moral and ethical development in our society. Our Government will seek elderly guidance and advice as inputs to our policy formation and implementation. Government will support the senior citizens and help in their management of socio-economic problems peculiar to the group (pension, health and education). YOUTHS COUNCIL (EGBE ODO) People age 30 and below constitute the majority of our population but unfortunately are often frustrated and unfulfilled as a consequence of intolerable social and economic policies. Our ACN Government shall support the creation of non partisan community based youth councils to provide a platform for them to articulate and work out solutions to various problems confronting them. Our Government will encourage cross fertilization of ideas between the Sages and Youth Councils through which public policies would be influenced. Government will promote sporting activities and creation of physical facilities for sporting and related activities.
Promote mass adult literacy and numeracy programmes.
· Promote and support Special programmes that give special attention to education of girls and women. · Establish institutions that impart life-long skills for all, in and out of formal schooling. ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY
We shall reinstate the abandoned ‘boys’ and girls’ clubs’ and name them Omoluabi Boys’ and Girls’ club to perform the roles similar to boys’ and girls’ scouts, boys brigade and more. JUSTICE SECTOR REFORMS An attribute of good governance is to promote justice, equity and fair play amongst citizens of the state.
· I am committed to ensuring that an Osun State University takes off on a sound footing and becomes a first-class institution with linkages to renowned universities in the developed world.
Government of ACN will e3nsure speedy access ti justice try all individuals in Osun State, by reforming the courts system and procedural rules, introducing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and fee legal services.
· I will make every tertiary institution in Osun State an independent degree-awarding one.
To complement these, ACN government shall improve welfare packages of Judicial Officers and upgrade courts with modern IT and communications facilities.
· Encourage use of services of retired, but not tired dons and administrators, from reputable institutions.
COMMUNICATION Our Government will restructure OSBC to:
ENHANCE COMMUNAL PEACE AND PROGRESS Vision: To restore the bond of trust between the Governor and the governed. Over time, people have disconnected from government because those in authority have not shown enough concern about their welfare or actively engaged them in formulating policies that affect them.
Ensure its professional are motivated and continuously trained for competency Provide digital equipment and infrastructure upgrade to conform to international best practices in broadcasting. Exploit its tourism promotional capacity and capability.
Our Government shall restore partnership between government and people
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slip into the pit by a compatriot is a lesson for others to take heed, so that multiple calamities will not betide. It may not be apparent now, but the victory alluded to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State is a major setback to democratic evolution in the country. The arrogance that was fast waning among the political gladiators in the ruling-PDP suddenly rebounds to the extent that it is now considered fashionable. This may portend a great danger for our democracy that has already been battered, unless it is stemmed right on time before the damage becomes irreparable.
By ADE OLUGBOTEMI
of his supporters. The security personnel were also alleged to have danced to the tune dictated by the party at the centre. The veracity of these claims will be unravelled by the court of law.
Ekiti Election: A Presage For Osun People
Our political umpire that has been brand-coded INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) may have her officers; including Commander Attahiru Jega, basking in self-adulation, the fault they did not see, or feigned ignorance of may become a time bomb, which detonation may consume even the innocent that have nothing to do with the grand conspiracy that is now drifting the country towards the precipice of political oblivion. We need to also act fast so that what betided Ekiti State and her people will be averted in the State of Osun. Also, as we are preparing for the 2015 general elections, possible machinery must be put in motion to ensure that an entity called Nigeria is not reduced to historical relics. The first question we need to ask ourselves is what percentage of registered voters actually voted in the just-concluded Ekiti State gubernatorial election? Secondly, why was it that the proportion of disenchanted onlookers outnumbered the jubilant ones? Incontrovertible answers to these two questions will definitely remove the fog that is beclouding our political horizon at the moment. My findings need to find space for themselves here so that Nigerians and the people of Osun in particular may know that the time is now to act against what may constitute serious debacle to all attempts at self emancipation and discretional determination so far. The distribution of kerosene by opposition PDP in the State of Osun a few months ago was greeted with widespread condemnation, not only because of the traffic gridlock that innocent road users experienced throughout the period the exercise lasted along Gbongan road in Osogbo, but also because kerosene scarcity was artificially brought on innocent Nigerians. A sizeable proportion of tax payers’ money goes into kerosene subsidy but the benefits of kerosene utility go to a few opportunistic Nigerians, who believe that they must continue to oppress the majority through instruments of governance that are accessed through fraudulent means and are applied indecorously.
The same methods are being allegedly contemplated in the State of Osun. In reality, many people have already been made to part ways with their voters’ cards through pittance, with the promise that they will be handsomely rewarded on, and after the Election Day. Some of these people have been recruited into a branded Vanguard that now has staple foodstuffs shared in their rendezvous on regular basis. As a matter of fact, many voters’ cards were confiscated from a PDP Stalwart in Boripe Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun much earlier, but we have not heard the conclusion of the matter till date. I do not believe that Osun people will condescend so low that the future will be mortgaged in their own eyes. The youths in particular must realize that there is a remarkable difference between someone just making promises and someone who has already matched his words with action in the area of youth recruitment and empowerment. PDP candidate in the fast-approaching gubernatorial election in Osun was a two-term Senator of the Federal Republic, but he could not boast of empowering the youths of the miniature called his senatorial district. How then can we entrust the future of our teeming youths in the whole of Osun into his care?
•JEGA
Ekiti so that so many potential voters were disenfranchised through what people call money-for-voter’s card usage. People believed to be loyal to the ruling-All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State were made to part with their voters’ cards for a token so that it became impossible for them to vote at polls. The implication of this was that majority of people, who voted were PDP members and sympathizers, whose voters’ cards were not withdrawn, even though they also got their own part of the largesse. That is why a polling unit that has four hundred registered voters could have had only seventy nine people that actually voted. At the end of the exercise, less than five hundred thousand people actually voted in Ekiti gubernatorial election.
tricks on the voters, especially the older ones, who had the consternation that they might harm them. They deliberately stayed indoors, believing that it was better to do so than to go out to vote and meet their untimely death. This is likely to happen in the State of Osun election, unless people make up their minds to resist being disenfranchised by any pranks or ploys from the Federal Government.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola promised the youth employment and empowerment; today they have been empowered and many of them are in government employ as civil servants. If he now offers himself for second term in office; so that the good works he is doing can continue, we all have no reason to say NO to this request. We only need to take four years (assuming he has even completed this term) out of the twenty three years of the existence of Osun as a state and make unbiased comparison of the two. Your conclusion is as good as mine on this matter, if only a rational juxtaposition and comparison is made.
Circumspection must gain currency before Lovers of progress and peace settle down on what to do come August 9, 2014. The people of Ekiti State must receive their fate under a PDP governor It was alleged that a high-tech fraud that was voted in by stark minority of was masterminded by PDP in people for four years after the tenure connivance with INEC, whereby of Governor Kayode Fayemi; unless the thumbprints got obliterated after a period tribunal rules otherwise. No minority of time, whereas the box in front of PDP government has ever performed to logo would carry predesigned satisfy the majority because it is always thumbprint, as if PDP was the party of imprinted in their sub-consciousness that choice. This was said to have been they need not satisfy the majority that responsible for the single vote recorded never voted them in. Osun people must therefore avoid any pitfall that may likely Heavy presence of armed security for All Progressives Congress in former draw us backward by critically personnel all over Ekiti State prior to and Governor Segun Oni’s polling booth, The same instruments were used in during the election also played some where he went to vote alongside twelve considering the credentials of the two major contenders before voting decision is finally made. 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.