Osun Defender - July 24th 2014, Edition

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www.osundefender.org THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2014

As August 9 draws closer by the day we must continue to remind the electorate in our dear state of t h e i r responsibiliies; the need to vote right and to jealously guard their votes. To use the power of our

PEOPLE FIRST

Front Page Comment Compatriots, Jealously Guard Your Votes! thumb to vote for continuity - as the state cannot afford to do away with the level of unprecedented development

going on in the state since the inception of Ogbeni Aregbesola's administration - is our first major

responsi bility as responsible citizens of our state. Of course we are not in doubt that the votes of our people will be for Ogbeni Aregbesola who has done the state much good.

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VOL. 9. NO.088

Who Killed Chief Bola Ige, formerAttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice?

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IGE

August 9 Governorship Election Rally:

Tumultuous Crowd Welcomes Aregbesola To Ejigbo - See Story On Page 3

•As Adeleke, Ajimobi Caution Against Rigging

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Oyo counterpart, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi (on top of a bus), acknowledging cheers from the mammoth crowd, during a campaign rally for Aregbesola’s re-election at Unity School, Ejigbo, State of Osun, last Monday.

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Phototalk

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

All Progressives Congress (APC) 2014 Re-election Governorship Mega Rally At Unity School, Ejigbo, State Of Osun, Last Monday.

•(L-R) First civilian governor of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his Oyo State counterpart, Governor Abiola Ajimobi and others addressing the crowd during Aregbesola’s Re-election Campaign at Unity School, Ejigbo, State of Osun, last Monday.

•A mammoth crowd at the mega rally in Ejigbo. INSET: (R-L) Oyo State governor, Senator Ajimobi; his State of Osun counterpart, Ogbeni Aregbesola; first civilian Governor of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke; deputy governor, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori and other dignitaries

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

Osun Election: Tumultuous Crowd Welcomes Aregbesola To Ejigbo •Adeleke, Ajimobi Caution Against Rigging

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

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9 gubernatorial election.

Ajimobi said Aregbesola’s achievements are intimidating the PDP, hence they are jittery and relentless, saying that what the PDP was doing now is just to appeal to sentiments and sympathy that could not save them from the imminent defeat.

The Speaker, House of Assembly, State of Osun, Hon. Najeem Salam, welcomed the crowd to the mega rally, describing the gathering as enthusiastic and thrilling. Salam called on the electorate and members of the APC to be vigilant on the antics of the PDP

in preparatory to rig the election.

Salam alerted that the PDP was distributing expired rice, adulterated kerosene and ritual money, calling on the people of the state to reject the PDP’s satanic offers. He maintained that the people of the state are not cheap to be bought by mere rice and petty cash.

The speaker enjoined the electorate not to sell their voter cards and not to be intimidated by the presence of security on the election day, stating that no security officer would dare harass them as long as they are peaceful and law-abiding.

In his speech, the first Executive Governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, trilled the gathering with French Language, before declaring that Ejigbo had been originally a progressive community.

He said Aregbesola has no problem in Ejigbo again, saying: “We are the ones that were disturbing you in this area before and we are now in APC. From Ola, Isundunrin, Soungbe, Majiyagbe, and other communities, we were the ones.”

Adeleke therefore, called on the people of the state to go out and vote for Aregbesola without entertaining any fear.

“In 1969, I was in

Ogbomoso Grammar School during Agbekoya. All the soldiers and policemen that attacked the people were burnt alive. They could not remove their uniforms.

That thing is still in existence.

We still have our people on ground. We are ready to resist any attempt by anybody to perpetrate electoral fraud. Do not be intimidated; go out and vote and surely, your vote will count,” Adeleke declared.

Earlier in his address, Senator Mudashir Husain, who is from Ejigbo, stated that the mega rally marked the end of the PDP in Ejigbo and its environs, calling on the people of the state to come out en-masse and vote for Aregbesoola.

N what could be described as fanfare and pageantry, the people of Ejigbo and environs trooped out in thousands on Monday to welcome Governor Rauf Aregbesola to the ancient town.

Ejigbo, the headquarters of rectification. the Ejigbo Local Government Aregbesola promised that his Council Area of the state, is an administration would complete important ancient town in Osun all the projects embarked upon West Senatorial District for by his administration in the politicians. state, lamenting that the Aregbesola who was in shortfall in the federal allocation Ejigbo, as part of his campaign was responsible for the delay train for his re-election, hit the in the completion of the community like a tornado. The projects. crowd that welcomed the The governor described the governor and his entourage to August 9, 2014 governorship Ejigbo was massive and election in the state as a electrifying.

Though, decision-making day, on which Aregbesola is a crowd puller and the people would decide how the most popular amongst all they would live for the next four the governorship candidates in years and more, calling on the the state, but the crowd that people to vote wisely. received the governor was lively He charged the people to go and responding at every point out and vote without hesitation, of Aregbesola’s speech. maintaining that the security Expressing his appreciation personnel that were to be to the people, the governor deployed to the state on the commended the gathering for election day do not pose any their perseverance for staying threat to them, and that they at the campaign ground from should not be intimidated. morning till the evening all Aregbesola declared that any because they love him and want of the security personnel that to re-elect him as their governor. misbehaves or perpetrates Aregbesola, while reading his misconduct would meet the manifestoes, said his first term wrath of God, saying that no achievements were just a tip of law forbids the people from the iceberg, when compared to voting and that anybody that his programme for his second attempts to forbid the people term, stating that the OYES, from voting would be severely OREAP, O MEAL and other death with. intervention programmes of his The governor added: “We administration would be have been hinted that the PDP improved upon to further and the Presidency are planning benefit the people of the state. to arrest the APC leaders before The governor said by the end the election day. We stand firm of his second term, there would and we are unshakable. If they •An old woman in Ejigbo town (waiving a broom), cheering Governor Rauf Aregbesola. INSET: Governor Aregbesola not be dilapidated schools, like, they should arrest me, acknowledging cheers from the old woman.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. poverty, dilapidated roads and Isiaka Adeleke, Moshood hunger in the state and that Adeoti and other leaders of our neither would there be party; people would still go out unemployment. to vote. We will still win. This Aregbesola therefore, urged vote is massive and nobody will colourful, as residents and in the state to come out en mass

By SHINA ABUBAKAR the people not to be enticed by stop our victory. supporters dressed in a lemon- on August 9 this year and vote what he described as satanic gifts HE twin mega rally for the Ede Federal Constituency coloured ankara to make the for Aregbesola for another four “We will take the people of of the Peoples Democratic Osun to the promised land. shifted to the ancient town of Ejigbo, where the people rally unique, as old men, years in office, saying it is the Party (PDP), saying that all the After the August 9 election, we of Ejigbo, Ede and Egbedore Local Government Council women and youth showed only way to guarantee the gifts were accompanied by would have cause to smile and Areas thronged the town to show support for Governor Rauf enthusiasm for the governor’s development of the state. curses. re-election. the PDP will be crying. God Aregbesola’s second term bid last Monday.

Nollywood actors and He also urged the people to will not let us down, it is a Similarly, the Oke-Oyo area musicians were not left out of Residents of various The Ejigbo-Iragberi road disregard the Omoilu promise from our God.” communities thronged the major roundabout was jam-packed of the town was a beehive of the rally. Some of them, led by Foundation forms being In his address, the governor roads leading to the Unity with traffic, as vehicles could activities, as most people, who Toyin Adegbola and Saheed distributed by the PDP, telling of Oyo State, Senator Abiola School open field, venue of the not manoeuvre their ways could not cope with the stress Balogun, added glamour and glitz those who have released their Ajimobi, who accompanied rally. of the venue, lined up the road to the rally. Similarly, Tony through to the venue. voters’ cards to the PDP agents Aregbesola to his campaign As early as 10.00am, party The venue of the rally was to cheer the governor, as he Tetula led other musicians to the to go and collect their cards ground, relayed the message of loyalists began to troop to the filled to capacity at about return from the palace, where venue and entertained people at back. the people of Oyo State that venue, in anticipation of party 12.00noon, as several groups he had paid a courtesy call to the rally.

For those that have entered Aregbesola has won the election, leaders, who thronged the venue competing for recognition the monarch.

As Governor Rauf into oath with the PDP, saying that no Jupiter would to show solidarity for the dressed in various uniforms.

Speakers after speakers at Aregbesola drove into the venue, Aregbesola prescribed Quran stop his victory on the August governor’s re-election bid.

The whole community was the rally charged the electorate swamps of brooms were and Bible verses for them to dancing in the air, welcoming the unburden themselves from the him and other party leaders into oath. the rally ground.

Aregbesola stated that his He said INEC will also Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, while administration has provided N4 distribute PVCs on 26th and addressing the crowd, disclosed billion loan without interest and of July for those who that Governor Aregbesola is not the state, while poverty and 27th

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI oath, disclosing that the PDP recently registered or just seeking second term in office hunger would have also forms and loans are meant to transferred their voters’ but seek the support of the HE ancient city Ejigbo on Monday hosted political become history. enslave the people and subject cards to Osun and advised people of the state toward gladiators in the Osun Chapter of the All He said his administration them to the PDP dictates Progressives Congress (APC), as the campaign train has laid a very solid the people to go and check making Osun a pride for through spiritual means. names on the already indigenes at home and in the of Governor Rauf Aregbesola moved to the town. foundation for development, their The governor called on the pasted voters’ registers.

Dispora. which would manifest in no Also speaking, Oyo State electorate who have not He urged the people not to It was hailing, jubilation chiefs. distance time and urged the collected their permanent and rousing welcome for The governor, after people to take august 9, governor, Senator Abiola be afraid of anyone that might described be attempting to intimidate or voters’ cards to go and collect the governor by the people leaving the place, moved 2014 governorship election Ajimonbi, them at their various local of Ejigbo, who trooped out with the crowd to the Unity seriously by voting him Aregbesola as the leader, harass them before or during the who has restored the hope polls, charging everyone in government council areas, in their thousands, to show High School Ejigbo, venue again. a common man and make Ejigbo and its environs to come saying that those that do not their support for the of the rally, where He said: “The August 9 of have their PVC would not be governor. out and vote en mass for thousands of APC election is a serious election life abundant for the poor.

He said: “Aregbesola is Aregbesola, come August 9.

The old and young supporters were already that will determine how we allowed to vote on election day.

Aregbesola said by 26 of July, thronged into jubilation waiting for him.

Senator Mudathir Hussain are going to live for the next a leader, who makes life the Independent National with the appearance of the Aregbesola arrived the 20 years. Therefore, we meaningful for the poor. He also disclosed that the APC-led Electoral Commission (INEC) governor, who sat in an venue amidst loud ovation must work very hard not to has restored their hope. I administration in the state has would be distributing the PVC, open-roof bus waving his in company of Oyo State allow the charlatans to come congratulate the people of delivered on its 2007 urging the people to go out and broom, the symbol of APC governor, Senator Abiola to power again because Osun for having him as your electioneering campaign to the people. promises and should be recollect their cards.

Ajimobi and the first what they represent is evil.” governor.”

The governor also elected for another four years to Aregbesola, who came to Executive Governor of the He also urged the electorate He encouraged the people to go out and check their names the town through Ara road, State of Osun, Senator not fear the threats by the advised the people to troop further make Osun proud. and vote for He then charged Ejigbo on the voters’ register, which has was followed by a huge Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.

PDP, saying they cannot out Addressing the crowd, match the strength of APC Aregbesola massively on people both at home and in the been pasted in every polling unit crowd of people to the in the state, adding that those palace of Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Aregbesola promised that in all ramifications and urged August 9, saying he is Diaspora to ensure that they all Omowonuola by the time he would have those who are yet to collect confident of winning the come home to vote for Governor that do not see their names on Oba Oyesosin, where the completed his second term their cards to go and collect election with the presence Aregbesola during the August 9 the register should complain to INEC and their party leaders for governor paid homage to in 2018, there would not be the PVC as their instrument of the crowd and popularity poll in the area and stand by their of the governor. the royal father and his any dilapidated school in for election. votes and ensure that it counts.

Ejigbo Residents Elated As Town Hosts Aregbesola’s Mega Rally

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By 2018, Dilapidated Schools Would Be History In Osun - Aregbesola •Aregbesola Has Given Hope To The Poor- Ajimobi

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

Osun 2014: Ejigbo Mega Rally Raises Hope Of APC Victory

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

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JIGBO town in Ejigbo Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun was bubbling with supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as they thronged the Unity School, Ejigbo, venue of the special mega rally for the second term re-election bid of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as governor of the state on August 9, 2014.

As usual, the venue was on the many developmental a beehive of activities, as projects he has executed in politicians and different the past three and a half groups, all tried to outdo one years. another in showing their Alhaji Isiaka Ahmid loyalty and allegiance to the stated that he has been on ruling party in the state and the electioneering trail of the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola since he kicked Aregbesola. off his campaign in Ile-Ife in Some of the party May. supporters, who spoke with Alhaji Ahmid disclosed OSUN DEFENDER, were all that his reason for in support of the governor supporting the candidature winning at the polls and of Aregbesola was because ruling for a second term, as he was happy with what he most hinged their decisions had been seeing in all the

nooks and crannies of the state.

According to him, he doesn’t need to be told that Osun has and is still transforming since Aregbesola assumed office as governor of the state in 2010.

He posited that Aregbesola had introduced a new dimension into governance in the country.

“This is a man who introduced the many ‘Os’; OYES, OREAP, OMeal, O’School, OYESTECH, O’HUB, O’ROADS, O’PEACE among others.

“Not only that, all the programmes that the governor embarked on have been completed. No other administration has achieved such. I am not saying that

other administrations didn’t do as much, but not many embarked on different projects and were able to complete all in a record time.

“This is where Ogbeni Aregbesola bests them all.

For me, it’s Aregbesola all the way.”

Sidikat Azeez said that the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola brought meaningful development to her community because before his advent as governor, it was difficult transporting farm produce to towns to sell them, but with this government came the construction of roads, which to their surprise, was extended to her community and with that, transformation was experienced.

She maintained that it was the APC or never, as she was not ready to waste her vote on any party that would not benefit her when it gets to power.

Such a government, in her opinion, was only out to get from the masses and not to give to them.

Citing the news about the delivery of adulterated kerosine by a certain foundation, she said this was all part of a grand plan to manipulate the election.

“I would advise Osun people to go and take the kerosine and use it because it was bought with the money of Nigerians.

After that, on election day, they should vote for the APC and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.”

Bashir Alabi noted that no single individual in the state could say that he had not benefitted from the lifechanging programmes initiated by this administration.

Based on that, he contended that Ogbeni Aregbesola should be given a second term because he would use it to consolidate all what he had so far

achieved.

He added that by far, the best mega school in the whole state was cited in Ejigbo town and for that, he has the support of the people of the council area.

“Ogbeni Aregbesola has shown us that he has what it takes to take Osun and its people to the desired height and he is coming back again to do just that.

“The opposition are just shouting and making empty threats. The most painful thing is how they go about rubbishing all what Aregbesola has done.

“Even a blind knows that Aregbesola has worked and for that, he is coming back again. As for me, I am voting APC in the election.”

A party chieftain in the local government, Alhaji Asiriabo Ajibola, revealed that the APC is presently enjoying the best time, yet, in Osun as they are set to clinch the victory on August 9th.

He also stated that the continual defection of party members from the opposition to the APC was a strong indication of what would happen at the polls.

DPO Commends Community For Support

By MURTALA AGBOOLA HE Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ataoja Police Division, CSP Abdul-Rauf Abdul-Rasaq, has commended the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) for the support it is giving the police in the area.

He gave the assisting the police commendation at the operatives in no small monthly meeting of PCRC, measure to carry out their held at the police station duties effectively.

On the issue of Maritime premises recently. operating/ He said the supports of Security the community have been domiciled in the area, the police chief stated that the police went to the area undercover to ascertain their mission.

He said the State Police biometric data would soon be captured for an information Commissioner, Alhaji management system and Maishanu, acknowledged produce identity cards for the receiving their letter from pupils to differentiate their their headquarters in Abuja, but no formal approval has schools.

Earlier in his address, the been given yet, reiterating PTA Chairman commended the the fact that they are to re-classification policy of the serve as private guards and government, most especially, not as policemen, hence the creation of education they are under police districts in the three senatorial monitoring. districts and the appointment He added that they of Tutors-General. should not be equated with He declared that the the police. association has endorsed the Abdul-Rasaq then governor for second term for warned members to be very his infrastructure and careful when hiring technological transformation in domestic servants, saying the education sector. that some people are out basically to dupe unsuspecting members of the public. minimise the suffering of the In some cases, he noted, less-privileged in the housemaids collude with the people that brought society.

Asiwaju Badmus them to dupe their masters.

Members of the PCRC, implored Muslims to pray for peace and unity and while responding to the speech of the DPO, thanked also to make the State of him for ensuring that the Osun a focal point, so that level of crime is low in the the state would have a free, area and commended the fair, credible and peaceful prompt response to distress election come August 9th, calls in the state.

The Chairman of the 2014.

Part of the item PCRC, Chief Gbadebo distributed included Adeyemo, urged members be up and doing and foodstuffs, grains, to refrain from standing as chickens, beverages and sureties for offenders to be cash gifts. admitted to bail.

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•O’ Meal vendors in the State of Osun endorsed Governor Rauf Aregbesola for second term in office at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, recently.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Basic Education In Osun’ll Continue To Be Free – Aregbesola •As PTAs Endorse Aregbesola For Second Term

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

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OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said on Monday that his administration will never support any form of levy at the elementary, middle and high school in the state.

He said such trend the request at an event contradict the ideology of his organized to award the political party and his six- teachers, educational who have point integral action plan, inspectors, saying his administration will performed excellently and continue to pursue free and endorsed governor Aregbesola functional basic education in for a second term in office held at Government Technical the state.

The governor said this while College, Osogbo, the state responding to the request of the capital.

Ademola also requested the State Chairman of the Osun Parent Teachers Associations re-introduction of school (PTA), Dr Ademola Ekundayo, hostels system, grants for the that the state government association, to efficiently should at least consider N100 monitor the school system and PTA levy to assist the school provide a bus for the funding and serve as association among others. reimbursements for the Aregbesola said he will association. never support any levy at the The PTA Chairman made basic education level, adding that it is the responsibility of Change Of Name the government to ensure at all cost to reduce the burden of I, formerly known and the people, which is the main addressed as reason his administration is O L A N R E WA J U providing free education.

IBRAHEEM, now wish to According to the governor: be known and addressed as “As I understand that your O L A N R E WA J U demand is important to you IBRAHEEM LAJA. All and import to the education in former documents remain the state, you must also valid.

Osun State understand that it is the Polytechnic, Iree and general responsibility of government to public should take note. ensure that no burden is added

to the burden of the people.

“That was why we took the pains of leadership. That was why we decided to cloth their children for them, we feed them and we reorganized the education sector and at no time are we are going to add any levy. We shall continue to be responsible for that as a government.”

He advised the association to seek for fund independently, including dues from the PTA members without collecting fees or involve the government as an independent organization.

“But our government will have nothing to do with levy collection in schools. We are committed to our ideal of ensuring that education at the basic level is absolutely free.

Education at the basic level is a responsibility a government must bear, and we are going to stand by that commitment.”

He said his administration introduced the same school uniform to boost the economy of the state and instinct the culture of solidarity and equality among the pupils.

He added that students’

Muslims Urged To Give During Ramadan

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

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call has gone out to all Muslims to share whatever they have with others, especially the less-privileged in the society, so that their supplications can be answered and the world will be a better place to live for everybody, irrespective of tribe, sex or religion.

This call was made by the distribution of items was Asiwaju Musulumi of borne-out of the Yorubaland, Asiwaju determination to cushion Khamis Olatunde Badmus, the effect of Ramadan during the distribution of fasting among the Muslim foodstuff and cash to community towards the Muslims as a means to promotion of religious enourage them during the activities. holy month of Ramadan.

He noted that his giving According to the Muslim back to society was a way cleric, the aim of the of thanking God and also to

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

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‘PDP Antics Are Exhausted In Osun’ S

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

PEAKER of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam and the Acting State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, have stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and members have exhausted all their antics to win the August 9, 2014 governorship election.

They said that inspite of for the re-election of all the lies being told by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Salaam said: “They have PDP to portray the government of Ogbeni Rauf no other lies to tell again, as Aregbesola as inhuman, the they have exhausted all the people of Osun have lies they know how to tell refused to fall for their and the people have refused to fall for their lies. antics.

“People of Osun know The duo, among other leaders of the party, spoke where they are going and we in Ejigbo on Monday, while can never be distracted addressing the crowd of because we don’t want the party supporters and ongoing development in our sympathisers during the state to stop.

“Don’t be afraid of APC mega campaign rally

security operatives that would be deployed on that day, because their role is to protect us and our votes. Go out enmasse to cast your votes for Aregbesola and stand by your votes,” Salaam said.

Adelowo, in his own address, said the APC is not bothered about the antics of the PDP, adding that inspite of all the antics of the PDP, Aregbesola is receiving massive support everyday.

According to him, the APC is confident of victory at the election, as the masses have seen reasons to re-elect the governor and have made up their minds to stand by him.

Adelowo said: “No matter the intimidation, we have

the support of the people and that is the most important thing in any election. People of Osun also know what they want and they have seen it in Aregbesola.

“Though, we are aware of the antics of the PDP to win this election by all means, but people of Osun are also aware of it and they will not fall for it because they want the development going on in Osun to continue,” he said.

According to him, the sensitisation of the people, especially on the illegal purchase of voters’ cards by the PDP agents has opened the eyes of the people to the PDP’s plan to rig the poll.

The party chairman then alerted the electorate to be wary of the opposition politicians, who are collecting the voters’ cards of innocent people of the state in exchange for money, rice and kerosene, saying it was another effort to extort the people of their voting right.

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the state parliament, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye, said the support that Aregbesola is receiving on daily basis have strengthened confidence that he would win the poll.

“When you see the support that Aregbesola receives everyday, you will have no cause to doubt his popularity and the fact that he would emerge winner at the election.

“Everyday, the confidence is being built up due to the support he is receiving based on the development he has brought to the state within his first tenure in office,” he said.

Also, a National Ex-officio

member of the APC, Honourable Rasak Salinsile, said Aregbesola’s administration has done well in transforming the state and he deserves to be given another chance of governing the state for four more years.

He added that the supports being received by Aregbesola were signals to his victory in the August 9, 2014 election, while urging the people of the state to translate their supports to massive votes for Aregbesola on the election day.

In his own address on the occasion, the House of Representatives member representing Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Honourable Ajibola Famurewa, called on the electorate not to allow the opposition politicians to deceive them into collecting their voters’ cards, saying that doing so would amount to selling the future of their children for a pot of porridge.

Ilesa APC Mega Rally: Why Police Whisked Suspects To Abuja

By SHINAABUBAKAR

T •All Progressives Congress (APC) 2014 governorship re-election of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s rally in Ifon-Osun, Orolu Local Government Council Area, State of Osun, recently.

Photo SHOLA ADERINTO.

Osun 2014: CACOL Frowns At Militarization Congress (APC) members and

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO its visiting governors in the HE Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has state some days to the election frowned at the use of military men to provide security was uncalled for. Everyone during the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in should be given equal the State of Osun. opportunity because a pan for the goose is good for the This came on the heels of processes.

“As we have been made to gander.” the statement by the Resident Speaking further, the human Electoral Commissioner (REC) believe that Ekiti gubernatorial in the state, Mr. Segun Agbaje, election was free and fair, the rights activist argued that the who said that the state would events preceding it and the militarization of Osun may not be less-militarized during heavy presence of military influence the outcome of the the forthcoming gubernatorial made a mess of the result that election and therefore, urged election, as it was the case came out of the poll. The that the soldiers should be kept during similar election held on evident presence of the federal in the barracks until the might before and during the situation demands their coming June 21 in Ekiti State.

Agbaje said this in Abuja at poll with the reported out.

“Basically, the military men an event organised to assess the harassment of All Progressives level of the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the gubernatorial election in the State of Osun.

Residents and observers of the June 21st gubernatorial

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI election had witnessed heavy IVE months after the closure of the State of Osun-owned presence of military men and four tertiary institutions, as a result of an industrial other security agencies across action embarked upon by the academic and non-academic Ekiti State during the poll. staffers of the institutions, the striking workers have agreed Reacting to the statement to suspend their action. credited to the State of Osun The unions suspended their resumed academic duties on REC, the Executive Chairman action after the state Friday. of the coalition, Mr. Debo government agreed to meet some The affected institutions Adeniran, averred that the of their demands. were Osun State Polytechnic, The Chairman of the Ire; Osun State College of intervention of military men in democratic process is an Academic Staff Union of Technology, Esa-Oke; Osun Polytechnics (ASUP), Osun State College of Education, Ilaaberration.

State Polytechnic, Iree and Orangun and Osun State College In his word: “The Public Relations Officer of of Education, Ilesa. government must realise that Council of Academic Staff Omisore stated that the state the use of military men to Union of Osun State-owned government and the unions had provide security during and Tertiary Institutions, Mr. agreed on some of the demands election is an aberration. It is Dotun Omisore, disclosed the of the unions and members antithetical to the spirit of true decision of the union to believe that they have to move in Osogbo, the state on. democracy. The police should newsmen capital.

He noted that the state be well-equipped to provide It would be recalled that the government had signed into law, security during elections; we non-academic staff union of the the elongation of their shouldn’t be inviting the khaki tertiary institutions had on retirement age from 60 to 65 boys from their barracks to Monday returned to work, years, as it obtained in the intervene in democratic while the academic staff university system, adding that

T

should be kept in their barracks, not within the towns to intimidate the people. As a matter of fact, military men could even instigate violence, with a view to tilting the outcome of election in favour of the candidate that has better relationship with their commanding authority. We are not saying that the citizens should not be protected during the election, all we are asking for is that the military men should not come out until there is a clear threat of violence not contrived violence,” Adeniran said.

Osun Tertiary Institutions’ Academic Staff Suspend Five Months’ Strike

F

on the issue of contributory pension scheme, the state government had set up a ministerial committee to look at the problems associated with its implementation and members of the unions are part of the committee.

On the issue of recruitment of more staff, Omisore noted that the state government had agreed to make it a priority issue and promised that within the shortest possible time, the government will make new recruitment to beef-up academic and non-academic staff of the affected institutions.

On the hazard and medical allowances, Omisore said that it was agreed that the issue should be negotiated with the each of the governing councils and management of the institutions.

He stressed that it was based on the above agreement that the unions decided to suspend the strike action and return to their duty-posts.

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is edging close to its alleged plan of arresting chieftains and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun, using the police and get them out of reach ahead of the fast-approaching August 9, 2014 poll.

It would be recalled that the between them and some party PDP governorship candidate in members from Ile-Ife, before the poll, Senator Iyiola one Lawrence Dada intervened Omisore, had publicly boasted with a view to settling the that the party would use the issue, especially as the police police to intimidate and harass tear-gassed the atmosphere, chieftains and members of the only for the police to arrest APC in the build-up to the him.

A police source informed election to create apathy and OSUN DEFENDER that the fear in the electorate.

However, the PDP was police had earlier released the waiting for an opportunity to said Lawrence after establishing strike but could not get one, that he had nothing to do with hence, it started the campaign the clash, but was asked to against state boys, tagging them return to the state CID on an as a violent group to create an order from Abuja.

A reliable source revealed impression that the APC uses that the reason for transferring thugs at campaigns.

The party’s first attempt to them to Abuja was to make polarise the group was at Ede them implicate some chieftains Mega Rally, where the PDP of the party that the PDP sees attempted to use some thugs as a threat to their ambition in dressed in APC polo shirt to the state, as it was done in infiltrate, with a view to 2007, so they could be whisked causing chaos, but the away again.

It would be recalled that infiltrators did not know that the group had a means of after the 2007 elections in the identifying each of its state, there was an explosion members, a situation that led to at the State Secretariat, after fighting between the APC and which Police colluded with the PDP to disclose that a diary PDP in the town.

Having failed in its plan to was found containing names of infiltrate the group, the PDP then ACN chieftains, which began unleashing terror on was used to put them in and members of the group in Ife- out of prison, only for the South, Boluwaduro, Ife- police to later claim that no Central, Ife-East Council Areas such diary existed.

The medium gathered that but the attacks were resisted by the group, who were well the alleged suspect would be prepared for the party’s style tortured to implicate some bigwigs of the party and the of intimidation.

Findings revealed that after police would return to arrest its petition to the IGP over the them, with a view to making state boys, the Minister of them disappear before the poll Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili and give PDP an advantage in Adesiyan, had instructed the the polls.

It was gathered that should police to work with the PDP to ensure arrest of the group the guys resist torture, Adesiyan may meet them members on any occasion.

This informed the presence personally with promises of of heavy security at the Ilesa goodies, just to make them rally and the police created a implicate notable APC scene out of an incident chieftains in the state.

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

Compatriots, Jealously Guard Your Votes!

Continued fromg1 But to guard our votes jealously could even be said to be more important than casting our votes.

This is in view of the desperation of the far from being democratic Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial 'wannabe' in the state, Iyiola Omisore Mr. 'Money miss road', to coast home victory in the coming election. Thus while it's important to give our votes to Ogbeni, it's even more important to jealously guard our votes. This is what we need to do to ensure that the PDP doesn't succeed in its evil machinations.

Already there are threats of violence from the party on members of the ruling party, APC as they (PDP) are threatening fire against APC members. Going by their antecedent violence and rigging are their stock-in-trade. And since there is no hope for them of winning the coming election through 'One man One vote' then their hope lies in repeating what they know how to do best.

Another way through which the PDP is hoping to claim victory is by throwing money and other valuable gifts out to entice voters to sell their votes. In this regard the handwriting had for long appeared on the wall. With the distribution of kerosene to their members and some members of the public which started last year their journey to entice voters with the aim of buying their votes started.

s'iku' the consequence of which will be dire for our state. Of course the citizens can collect the gift of money and other gifts the PDP is ready to offer them but they must not do so to do their bidding. The votes in the coming election are for Ogbeni Aregbesola who has raised the bar of good and responsible governance in the state and should never go to any other party let alone the PDP.

This stratagem rather than strategy, being viciously employed by the PDP in the state of Osun, is what we see as 'jeun s'iku' should citizens get swayed by it.

'Jeun s'iku' literally means 'eat and die' or 'eat the food that will lead you to your grave'. The money and other forms of gift which the PDP and Iyiola Omisore rely on to buy citizens' votes are nothing but 'Greek gift' and 'blood money' and collecting them to do their biding means doing so at one's peril. It simply means sending our state back to the pre-Aregbesola era; backwater of development. May God forbid!

The PDP and Iyiola Omisore are free to go about to throw carrot to the people in their desperation to capture the conscience of voters but never should the voters allow their conscience to be captured by these unscrupulous elements who have nothing to offer our state. The PDP has been in power for close to eight years here without any positive thing to show for it. All it had to show for its eight years of misrule are purely negative; violence, hunger, unemployment, collapsed school system, bad roads and general under-development across the state.

But it's not enough to pray to God to forbid evil things. We the citizens must also not use our own hands to bring evil things on our heads. To collect PDP's blood money to sell our conscience in the coming election will be tantamount to 'jeun

And on the part of the party's candidate, 'Mr. Money miss road' himself, he too had nothing positive to show for representing the state at the highest legislative body of this country even as he held a juicy position in the Senate, being Chairman Appropriation Committee for four years. Rather than serving the people and made positive im-

This Election Season: Voters Beware appreciate you and I your team for rendering good and honest service for our state and for providing a veritable front for opinions to be aired and shared. I pray that as you go through this election season, God Almighty will shield and protect you from arrows of oppressors. At the end of it all, I pray that we shall have a cause to smile, rejoice and jubilate. None of us shall be sacrificial lamb in the struggle.

Each election period is greeted with feelings of fear and uncertainties. There is also the tendency on the part of the desperate bunch who has realized that they are far from being the people’s choice to want to stultify the process; so that they render the election inconclusive as long as they cannot emerge winner.

With happenings around, which form a

build-up to the elections, we have sufficient proofs on ground as indicators to it that the opposition shall be restive and reckless during the polls. The matchet attacks on adjudged supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ile-Ife and Ilesa; coupled with all other pockets of violence from the side of the opposition which trailed the declaration of results of similar exercise in nearby Ekiti State is one reference in hand to support this stand. The Ile-Ife bomb scare and the massive destruction of billboards and posters of Aregbesola in Ilesa are cases which add substance to this line of reasoning.

One puzzling question which deserves to be answered is the reason why Omisore has become

so deeply in covenant with violence, thuggery and killing. It has become his stock-in-trade to threaten anyone whose face he does not like with death sentence!

Should a politician wield the power of life and death?

Must a true politician unleash elimination project on the same people he intends to govern?

For these reasons, I feel

obliged to caution voters to beware who they choose to govern them. The maxim that a people get the kind of leadership they deserve is true and quite apposite here.

We in Osun are virtuous people; so we deserve none less than a virtuous person at the helm of affairs. There are people who we dare not entrust with political power.

Omisore and his likes should

not be given a trial test in governance. Without attempting to be a prophet of doom, I prophesy that the state and its people may never get off the hook if such a deadly mission is experimented.

If Omisore and his comrades-in-crimes could threaten the like of Adeleke with elimination threats, I wonder who can resist or escape their gulag if vested with political power.

I caution the voters to tread the path of life and wisdom by voting credible people – people with Godlike nature and nurture; people we have tested and trusted; people with clean sheets of antecedents.

Those who knew Omisore from Adams are still on this planet. They all testify to his satanic tendencies and bent.

Truly, he is behaving to type! Voters, beware!!!

Osun a dara o!

•SEGUN OWOYELA, Mayfair Area, Ile-Ife, State of Osun.

pact in their lives he was only there to serve his own pocket. So in what way are they - both the PDP and Omisore - going to effect any meaningful change in the life of the state as they are shouting around?

We know that the virtuous and responsible citizens of our state who have enjoyed dividends of democracy in unprecedented term under the able and visionary leadership of Ogbeni Aregbesola will not waste their votes. We are sure they are not going to sell their conscience. We believe fervently that their votes will be for Aregbesola as they are not ready to 'jeun s'iku'. However,as we said above it's one thing to vote, the next important task before them come election day after voting is for them to protect their votes.

Our people must guard their votes jealously so that these visionless elements who rely on vote stealing like they did in 2007 and who have nothing to offer the state and its people don't succeed in their fraudulent and evil plans. For them not to succeed the ball is in the court of the people. Our responsibilities are clear; to vote and to protect our votes. These are what we must do to ensure the return of the Aregbesola-led progressive government that has done so well for our state.

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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun.

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

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8

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

All Progressives Congress (APC) 2014 Re-election Governorship Mega Rally At Unity Photo: GBENGAADENIYI And SHOLAADERINTO. School, Ejigbo, State Of Osun, Last Monday.

•(L-R) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode; first civilian governor in the State of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke and Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, at the Ogiyan’s Palace.

•Aregbesola (on top of a bus), acknowledging cheers from his supporters.

• •(L-R) Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Governor Aregbesola; his counterpart from Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, at the Ejigbo mega rally, State of Osun, last Monday.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

PHOTOTALK

9

All Progressives Congress (APC) 2014 Re-election Governorship Mega Rally At Unity School, Ejigbo, State Of Osun, Last Monday.

Photo: GBENGAADENIYIAnd SHOLAADERINTO.

•Governnor Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from the crowd.

•

•

•Senator Adeleke acknowledging cheers from the crowd.

10

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

All Progressives Congress (APC) 2014 Re-election Governorship Mega Rally At Unity School, Ejigbo, State Of Osun, Last Monday.

Photo: GBENGAADENIYIAnd SHOLAADERINTO.

•Some of the Governor Aregbesola supporters welcoming the governor to Ejigbo .

•Another cross section of elated Aregbesola’s supporters welcoming the governor to Ejigbo . .

•A cross section of APC supporters at Ogiyan’s Palace when Aregbesola paid homage to the monarch during the rally.

11

INTERVIEW

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

Aregbesola Is Planning Governance With Osun People - B.T Salaam Dr Bashiru Tokunbo Salam is a former Deputy State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the State of Osun, the party, under which he had served as the Chairman, Ede South Local Government Council before joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In this interview with our reporter, KAZEEM MOHAMMED, Salaam spoke on what distinguishes the APC from the PDP, the developmental efforts of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the August 9 governorship election.

Excerpts:SDF: Why did you leave your old party, O PDP, where you were holding a strong position and joined the APC as an option?

SALAAM: It is multi-dimensional. Every party has its constitution, but as good as that constitution might be, it lies with the people, who constitute the leadership of that party.

We discovered that those at the helm of affairs of PDP are those we believe will be unjust, and cannot deliver. And if personalities like us get involved in that kind of arrangement, it might damage our names and reputation.

Secondly, that a person like the first Executive Governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, was not given any regard as a leader in the party to the extent of physically attacking him, it shows the thought some of us hold about those that constitute PDP in Osun. In a very ideal society, you will never expect people of that calibre to be picking up guns to harass members of the party. If that is happening within the party, then, what will happen to the society at large and as such, we can’t associate ourselves with such people.

So, we have to look for a party, where we think we have people of like minds, people of polished character, people with a goal for the State of Osun and people that are ready for the development of Osun and we observe that APC is the right place because of the manner the party is ruling the state. Even from the physical appearance of the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, you will see him as somebody that is focused and building a very solid foundation for the state and that is why we feel we should associate ourselves with him. It is not about money, but the truth is, I am now much happy than when I was in PDP, because we are seeing things that are making us happy, interms of development.

OSDF: Are you saying the APC actually represents the ideals of progressive politicss in Osun?

SALAAM: That is exactly what we are saying and that is why you see Aregbesola embarking on programmes that people actually need. This is because he is planning with the people and when you see him, you see a man with passion that is dedicating 95 per cent of his life, planning for the state. So, the governor is placing the state on a very good foundation, and it will be suicidal for Osun to derail from that path.

OSDF: What are those things you have seen and considered to be in line with focus on development?

SALAAM: There are fundamental things and road is one of them. Where there is no road, there won’t be development, but if there are good roads, no matter how remote a place might be, it will build up and development will come. So, Ogbeni Aregbesola is placing Osun on a developmental base and I can sum it up to be economic base.

Secondly, the focus of the current administration on education is so massive that you will see that the new schools being constructed are real structures for learning, considering the environment and all the facilities in there. It was not like that before this government came on board. When you go to those schools, you will see structures, facilities and environments that will be attracting students to want to go to school, due to their confortability for both students and teachers. What you are seeing in those schools are the styles you see abroad, whereby there will be nothing to distract the students.

He is not just building schools, he is running a total free education, whereby all the burden of paying fees like PTA and the rest have been taken off the shoulders of the parents, just as he is encouraging teachers.

Apart from that, the welfare programme for the elderly citizens called Agba Osun is so purposeful. These are purposeful programmes and if all these programmes can be converted to a national programme, there would not be these problem of insecurity we are currently facing. The basic things that we are lacking in

•SALAAM Nigeria are happening here in Osun and I am proud I associat myself with such developmental programmes.

OSDF: (cut in) There are some of the programmes of this government like OYES among others that have been criticised by the opposition, as a programme that is being used to underme the young graduates, what is your comment on this?

SALAAM: When I was in PDP, there were some good things you see and you just close your eyes, that is politics. If the PDP had done the same thing like Aregbesola is doing it, we might not be having the problem of insecurity as we are having now. When youths are given jobs to do and know that something is coming to their pockets at the end of the month, is that not better than to be idle? An idle hand is dangerous. The beneficiaries too are happy that they are doing something that is getting them money, no matter how small.

Apart from that, we have to get the concept of OYES very well. The scheme is not a permanent scheme, it only opens doors for you to be employed somewhere else or stand on your own after being given skill acquisition training. It is just a relief programme. Today, I have seen several OYES cadets that have been employed into the civil service and I have seen some that are now doing their businesses independently having managed the money they got from OYES very well. Whether you like or not, the level of crime had drastically reduced in Osun under this government and OYES is the major contributor to that. Inspite of all the effort this government has made on security, it would have been useless if youths are not engaged. Taking 40,000 jobless youths off the streets under OYES is not a joke and I can say those that are condemning it have nothing reasonable to say.

OSDF: What do you think are the economic benefits of those programmes?

SALAAM: When you have good roads, investors would come, and from there, youths would get more jobs to do. This would automatically translate to more development in our economy, which would in turn create wealth for our people.

Secondly, when you are focusing on education, you are building the nation and the economic benefit is a long term. The school children are the future of tomorrow and when you invest in them, as Aregbesola is doing, you are building the state. Before now, the school fees in our tertiary institutions, especially the state university, was so high to the extent that if you don’t have money, you won’t be able to send your children there, but now it has been cut. It has economic benefit on the parents, the students and the public at large, because these youths are the people that will develop the state in the future.

OSDF: But the opposition, especially the PDP, are saying that this government is just grandstanding and nothing reasonable has been achieved, what is your take on this?

SALAAM: It is mere political statement and I said it once when I was there. Even among the PDP, we have some people saying if you want to condemn Aregbesola, don’t do that based on performance oh, condemn him on something else. Aregbesola’s performance is physical. It is there for everybody to see.

You can’t deceive people on that. If anybody is saying Aregbesola is not performing, then, they are saying nonsense and such a person must be checked. The development that we are witnessing in Osun today has never happened in the history of this state. This is a government that is doing things for the rich and the poor and that is reflected in the new school construction, road construction and many more.

I want you to take time to listen to the campaign of the PDP, there has never been a concrete thing they promise to do and that is

because they have no good plan for the people of Osun. Aregbesola has laid a good foundation for the people of the state and we can not derail. The developmental programmes that are pervading the environment in Osun is something you cannot condemn and if you do, the public will fight you back. I know the man is working with a blueprint and he is following it to the letter. That is why we need to pray that nothing should stop Aregbesola from winning the election and I know that even the rigging intimidation would not stop him.

Anybody that is fighting Aregbesola is fighting God, because he is doing what God directed leaders to do. That is why you see support for him here and there. All the good things that Chief Obafemi Awolowo has done are still there today and that is the legacy Aregbesola is also trying to leave behind.

OSDF: There have also been accusations that Aregbesola is over-shooting the cost of his projects, what is your comment?

SALAAM: When you see a good thing, it must be costly. The schools he is constructing are schools that will just need maintenance unlike what we had in the past. Do you want to compare the price of the concrete drainage he is doing now with what they did with blocks? Or you want to compare the thickness of the asphalt he is laying on the road?

Aregbesola is embarking on projects that will last longer and you cannot expect him to use the same amount they use for sub-standard projects. So, there is justification for the cost of his projects and he should even be commended for being prudent. I am sure it is those that don’t want good thing for us that will be condemning him, but they have forgotten that that is what our people need.

OSDF: There have been several rumours against Aregbesola, ranging from the fact that Osun has borrowed N350 billion; that he wanted to Islamise Osun and many more, do you see issues in the rumours?

SALAAM: I know Aregbesola is a politician and he is aware that the rumours are just distractions. Those that are also spreading the rumours know they are telling lies and people have known that they are lying.

Recently, the Debt Management Office of the Federal Government has said Osun is not owing such money and if that could come from such agency, what else do we want to hear? They just want to use lies to curry favour from the people, forgetting that people are aware of their antics. They have never come up with any evidence to back up their lies and that tells you that they are confused.

It shows that they are not there to serve the interest of the people, but for their selfih interest.

OSDF: Election is about few weeks away and there have been accusations and counteraccusations on the deployment of security personnel as it was the case in Ekiti election, what do you have to say about this?

SALAAM: No matter what, people of Osun should not be intimidated and I know Osun people will never be intimidated. The case of Osun and Ekiti are different; different personalities, different environment.

Aregbesola is a grssrooter, a dogged fighter, a fearless politician and fortunately, he is surrounded by people that are focused, no matter the intimidation. So also, people of Osun want him to rule again and that is why you see old and young, wherever he goes, trooping out to cheer him. There is no cause for alarm because nobody can execute the ongoing jobs as Aregbesola has laid it down.

He has that concept and the intelligence to execute them. He is the beginner of the programmes and he will spend eight years and complete the jobs. We learnt that they will arrest some people, but I am sure that if somebody is arrested, there are hundreds who will take it up from there.

12

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

Osun 2014: Aregbesola And Matters Arising I believe that all men and women of peace, should commend the current administration in the State of Osun for the far-reaching developmental programmes it has initiated for the benefits of our people.

It is our duty to see to it, that these positive programmes of development succeed and the momentum maintained. Our people should commit themselves to this noble cause. What others could not do in seven years of their being in the saddle, Aregbesola has done in three and half (3½) years of coming into office.

Indeed, anything is possible if we have faith, the will and heart. I know we all have the will to play our parts in this campaign for accelerated development in the State of Osun. I know we have faith in the present regime and we have the hearts to face the challenges ahead. Our people are urged to support this administration’s laudable programmes of economic reconstruction, social justice, unity and religious tolerance, that will guarantee our present happiness and future prosperity. Test of faith can only be ascertained by God Almighty, in Whose hands is the sovereignty of heaven and earth.

The cause of Aregbesola’s regime is the cause of the common people and the less-privileged members of our society; the villagers, the labourers, the farmers and those millions of unemployed. It is a cause that compels our serious attention and commitment.

What is therefore left for us as a people of Osun, is to make a pledge from now on that we will bury all our differences and come out fully to consolidate on the achievements of Ogbeni Aregbesola.

Let the politicians pledge that they will not misuse the trust and responsibilities that are thrusted upon them by the people. Let them pledge, that they will speak for those who have no voice, and to remember those who are forgotten. Let them pledge that they will love us as themselves and that looting of public treasuries will not be their major preoccupations. Let them remember Hisab-accountability before God Almighty, on the day that all would be assembled before Him. The challenges for the electorate is to give voices and votes to people of integrity and for those fundamental democratic principles of human freedom, free economic enterprises, self respect and accountability.

Indeed, Aregbesola’s administration has offered us new hope. New hope of gainful employment and selfrespect for those thousands of our school-leavers, graduates; skilled and

•AREGBESOLA

By OLUMIDE LAWAL

continue to reinforce the attributes of good leadership with which he is unskilled through O’YES; new hope already identified. of economic recovery through the The school merger programme by dedicated pursuit of individualistic and the government should be vigorously collective approach to agrarian pursued, possibly with modifications. revolution and small-scale The structures being put in place are industrialization in the state, through of world standard and a legacy that O’REAP; new hope of good quality will outlive Aregbesola. I am of life for the rural populace through impressed that the various sites the faithful execution of populistdemolished are now been beautified oriented programmes, like the with walkways. Definitely, we need to DAGBOLU scheme, through embrace modernity in all aspects of O’HUB. our life, though no changes come Socially, we must build bridges of about without temporary pains. understanding and economically, we Aregbesola’s government has been must narrow the wide gap between listening not only to the clamorous the rich and the poor, if we want voices of the priviledged few and the peace and stability in this country. opportunists at the corridor of power, Indeed, we stand at a great turning but also the hardly audible voices of point, when the State of Osun and the proverbial silent majority. indeed Nigeria is looking for a new Aregbesola had declared that his direction, through a second term for administration does not presume to Aregbesola and an APC federallyhave a monopoly of knowledge. He controlled government. has brought ‘dissenters’ into policy A time like this calls for leadership discussions, rather than freeze them like Aregbesola that can set a firm focus and positive vision for the future out. He has invited constructive and rally the people of Osun behind it. criticisms, because he believes the critics have a right to be heard. We We thank God that at this point in should realize that the lamps of time in Osun, we have such leader in enlightenment are lit by the spark of the person of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji controversy and that their flame can Aregbesola. Let me commend all his good efforts toward ensuring progress be snuffed out by the blanket of consensus. in the state since he took charge.

In this regard, we must concede, However, the governor himself must

that out experience in this state between 2003 to 2010 was not particularly edifying. We saw hatred and sorrow on our faces waiting for love and happiness. We saw families divided against themselves, waiting to be brought together again. To find answers to all these unwholesome acts, we must look within ourselves.

Let us forget the past and come together to build this state, for nobody else can do it for us because it belongs to all of us. We must close all sullen pages and open a new chapter.

Let us give unalloyed support to Ogbeni Aregbesola, so that those who were left out in the cold in those years of inaction, could be accommodated for positive contributions. Let us know that we cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another; until we speak quietly enough so that our words can be heard, as well as our voices.

Let us remember that if we succeed, generations to come will say of us now living, that we mastered our moment; that we helped to make Osun safe and prosperous to live in.

This is our summon to greatness. Let us pray that strength and courage abundant be given to us; that the good that lies in each of our hearts may day by day be magnified. That we may come to see more clearly not what divides us, but that which unites us.

That the true spirit of this time – its joy, its hopes and above all its binding faith may live among us. The State of Osun must always be many steps ahead of others.

We must build a virile state and improve the standard of living of our people, because the worth of a nation is the worth of the men and women in it. We must not lose hope, for in ashes there can still be spark. For as the passage in one of the Shakespeare works put it “there is a tide in the affairs of men which taken in time leads to good fortune.” We must not allow this golden opportunity to slip by.

The prelude to August 9th governorship election should be devoid of violence and acrimony in whatever forms. We should know that our leaders can only govern over the living. Both APC and PDP should call their supporters to order, as there is no cause to make the forthcoming election, a matter of do-or-die.

Aregbesola is working. Osun is progressing.

•LAWAL wrote in from Ede, State of Osun.

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FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

Incurable Psychosis Of A Psychopath In Osun Gubernatorial Race

T

HE flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party at the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Osun State is undoubtedly a character in the above heading, judging from his flaunting of a masked Mafia dressed terrorist as a security at campaigns and other public outings, which signifies the impending doom and terror to be unleashed on the State of the Virtuous, which only a tragic fate could foist on the people by the emergence of such a character as a governor.

In an unholy attempt by the PDP Campaign Team to brand the flag bearer in an appellation that depicts honour deduced from Iyiola, a name with both positive and negative effect on the carrier. Iyiola could mean Folajiyo – a ruthless wealthy oppressor.

People are no more carried away by meanings of sweet names earlier used by politicians to coarse masses as supporters, rather the antecedents of the personality is now germane to the masses to determine their level of support or rejection.

A thorough dissect of the antecedents of Iyiola Omisore and culpability in allegations of inhumanity against him justifies his heinous stance and threat to good governance in a sane society as detailed below.

The year 2000 witnessed the worst communal war between Ife and Modakeke where countless lives were lost and worthy properties destroyed.

Chief Iyiola Omisore was labeled a strong financier of the war in favour of Ife township against Modakeke, which should ordinarily not be an issue as most personalities in both communities were guilty of that act, but Chief Iyiola Omisore was the Deputy Governor of Osun State within the period with responsibility to avail his office to facilitate an end to the crisis while it lasted, but fuelled the crisis to an alarming level and does not enjoy good relationship with the people of Modakeke till date.

Chief Iyiola Omisore has never hidden his hatred for the Modakeke people to an extent of drawing the irk of Modakeke Youths as a result of his unguided utterances during his campaign, where he bluffed the votes of Modakeke people leading to the issuance of an ultimatum against him by Modakeke Youths. A Deputy Governor that failed to negotiate truce in a war concerning his home town will certainly set the state at blaze, against seeming oppositions.

On 19th December, 2001, the eloquent and most vocal Honourable Member in Osun State House of Assembly (the late Hon. Odunayo Olagbaju), was gruesomely murdered in Ile-Ife which was preceded by an instant protest organized by activists against his wicked murder and called for justice. The ruthless Chief Iyiola Omisore dressed in a war mode apparently threw decency into the winds, personally led dreaded armed thugs to invade the Osun State

•Senator Iyiola Omisore and his securityman in a mask during one of his campaigns.

By AGBOOLA ABDULRAHMAN

Government House on 20th December, 2001 in a calculated attempt to attack his rival in the bid to get the ticket of Alliance for Democracy to succeed Governor Chief Bisi Akande who was saved by the security aides, which later led to Omisore’s impeachment as deputy governor.

Chief Bola Ige was murdered on 23rd December, 2001 leading to the eventual detainment and trial of Iyiola Omisore, Jelili Adesiyan and others, between December 2002 to June 2004 prior to their discharge and acquittal over lack of sound evidence to convict them for the murder allegations. One issue that baffles the mind is the contest and winning of Senatorial Election by Iyiola Omisore in 2003 while in Agodi Prison. It could be recalled that the PDP succeeded with the operation kill Alliance for Democracy in most South Western states in a fraudulent election facilitated by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Chief S.M. Afolabi and cohorts, which many alleged as the reason behind the murder of Chief Bola Ige at the first instance.

The eventual fate that befell the late Chief S.M Afolabi and his inglorious exit is enough as insights to a conscious Yoruba man on grey political occurrences in Osun State between 2001 and 2005, which Iyiola Omisore is a great beneficiary.

At the 2007 general elections, where the late Hon Kayode Idowu of Boripe Local Government in Osun State, led mobilized thugs to attack voters, shot an electorate at Methodist Primary School, Otapete, Iragbiji and massive rigging of election in Boripe LGA,

leading to the burning of ballot papers by youths at the collation centre, Chief Iyiola Omisore launched an unprecedented attack against Hon Rotimi Makinde of Ife Constituency who resistes Iyiola’s usual electoral misconducts, leading to deaths of electorates at the instance of Omisore and was repeated at the 2011 Senatorial Election where Iyiola Omisore eventually lost to a more fortified Senator Babajide Omoworare.

In 2007, Senator Iyiola Omisore personally delivered the votes cast in all Ife Constituencies to the INEC Office, Osogbo to pave way for the forceful declaration of Oyinlola as the winner in 2007, which served as a good reference used by the Governorship Election Tribunal to cancel the votes cast in Ife Constituencies in 2007.

Indeed, Iyiola Omisore has penchant for electoral fraud and violence which is his hallmark, since 2001 and does not in any manner represent honour as dubiously being packaged to the electorate, by the shenanigans in the fruitless and vain labour to foist Omisore on the people of Osun.

During the previous reign of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, the whole state was enveloped in fear and persecution of oppositions by the intolerable PDP agents that punished the good people of the state with inept leadership at all spheres of governance, total absence of peace and development, high rated confusion and poor fate suffered by an average resident of the state prior to the emergence of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who restored the lost glory of the state to the overall benefit of the people.

The administration of Rauf Aregbesola has laid solid templates for

the overall transformation of the state as manifested in the effectual rural and urban development projects in road, education, health, agriculture and social amenities. The most fundamental responsibility of government is the enhancement of safety and security of lives and properties of residents, in which the current administration of Aregbesola has excelled to a great extent with the creation of an enabling society for peace and tranquility, in spite of financial strangulations by the PDP-led Federal Government of Nigeria.

The people of Osun State deserves absolute peace as an avenue for both individual and collective progress and development and the character depict by a gubernatorial candidate fooling around with comical corns and shabby dresses to mock the needy at variance with his usual extravagant outfits is a clear manifestation of deceit, stupidity and mania. A candidate moving openly with masked men is a warning of the terrific terror that characterizes the negative personality of Iyiola Omisore which should be rejected by any rightthinking person.

Honour (Iyi) is just an item under Virtue (Omoluabi) with more positive values of respect, dignity, prestige and excellence. In essence, the people of Osun are enjoined to remain virtuous as OMOLUABI in support of the Governor of the OMOLUABI People of Osun.

•Comrade Agboola is the National Coordinator, Mass Action for Good Governance and Grassroots Developments in Nigeria.

•Culled from BLOGSPOT

14

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

A Meta-commentary On The Ekiti Election

•AREGBESOLA

•OMISORE

•FAYOSE

Although the Osun State governorship election is around the ‘corner, speculations about the possible influence or bandwagon effect of the Ekiti election on that election must consider the realities of Osun politics. Three things are clear: Osun is not Ekiti. Rauf Aregbesola is not Fayemi. And Iyiola Omisore is not Fayose, although they both caught the same bolekaja figure. Aregbesola’s popularity in Osun is not a fluke, while Omisore’s negative baggage tops his positive attributes.

In a way, Aregbesola has Fayose’s mass appeal, but without Fayose’s negative baggage. True, Aregbesola has delved into some controversial projects, but the controversies were politically motivated, being drummed up by the opposition, precisely for its possible electoral value. The truth is that Aregbesola’s policies, programmes, and projects are as widely accepted as he is popular.

- By NIYI AKINNASO

’

•Culled from The Punch of July 1, 2014.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 24, 2014

PHOTOTALK

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All Progressives Congress (APC) 2014 Re-election Governorship Mega Rally At Unity School, Ejigbo, State Of Osun, Last Monday.

Photo: GBENGAADENIYI And SHOLAADERINTO.

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•A mammoth crowd of Aregbesola’s admirers during the campaign.

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•Another crowd at the Ejigbo rally.

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TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2014

THE late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was well-known more for his political philosophy in those days. His literary works, which are well documented for generations yet unborn, speak volume of a political philosopher. Awolowo wrote volumes on his thoughts regarding how Nigeria should be governed, what are expected of politicians, as well as how society should be ordered.

Most political writs of contemporary Nigerian society have continued to borrow from his wisdom of thoughts known popularly as Awo’s Philosophical Thoughts. Awo was a political warrior in his days and he generated so much controversy because of his forthrightness, unparalleled discipline, boldness and vision.

In fact, Awolowo saw far beyond his time. This may be responsible for his frequent bruises with those who could not see beyond their noses. He was betrayed, abused, cursed and even jailed. He was undaunted even till the end of his life.

Awolowo’s legacy could not be matched even by the best of politicians till date.

It is quite rare to find a combination of political philosopher and true politician like Papa Awolowo. This is where the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, has continued to be different from the pack. He stands out and he is still being seen as a wonder, which the Almighty has bestowed on the people of Osun.

Governor Aregbesola has not ceased to amaze me as a politician and political philosopher combined in one personality, a rarity. In these days of politics of no direction, the governor of Osun has confounded critics that you can be a political philosopher, as well as a good politician.

He shared so many attributes with Chief Obafemi Awolowo, some of which include

By AYO AKINOLA

only a few. In these days, when application of deceptive rhetoric to get what you want, Aregbesola has been very honest with the people, saying it as it is. He lives a modest life known only to philosopher kings. You can hardly associate him with crass opulence, which is prevalent in today’s men of power.

His Walk-to-Live physical exercise programme, which he carries to the grassroots has almost turned into a movement of sort; the Apalara youth engagement scheme (O’YES) has literarily bailed out our youths out of idleness and unemployment; his education reform has been applauded both at home and outside.

In a recent encounter, the General Overseer of the Living Faith Church (a.k.a. Winners Church) Bishop David Oyedepo, had this to say of him: “Any governance that is producing results and affecting the lives of vast majority of the people, must be deeply appreciated.”

He also declared that the new education policy, which had culminated in the building of mega schools in the state, deserves global applause.

He said: “I deeply appreciate the infrastructural development.

Besides, the education revolution is for us a great achievement. I can see the massive road construction going on.

•AREGBESOLA “This is to the benefit of the people.

No policy can remove forthrightness, discipline, verbal abuse. As if these are not the roads. I am very boldness, and vision. It is enough, he was even faced impressed”. therefore not surprising that he with financial decapitation.

As the election day draws also shares from some of His political philosophy spans nearer by the hour, the people Awolowo’s education woes, reformation, have the choice as to whether “Governor Aregbesola has not they would want to go back to which welfare, ceased to amaze me as a politician include governance, the old days of the locusts represented by the opposition in betrayal, and political philosopher personal the state. misunderstanding combined in one personality, a and from a rarity. In these days of politics of no environmental •Akinola is a social and section of direction, the governor of Osun has health, political analyst. those who confounded critics that you can be food should security, a political philosopher, as well as a know just to better and good politician.” mention

Aregbesola: Intellectualism, Grassroots Politics In Osun

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the Managing Editor, KOLA OLABISI, Telephone: 08033927286 (kolaolabisi@yahoo.com); Editor, KAYODE AGBAJE, Telephone: 0803-388-0205, E-mail:

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