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www.osundefender.org THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014
The allegation of planning to cause violence during the coming gubernatorial election in the state of Osun by the PDP governorship candidate,
PEOPLE FIRST
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 O g b e n i Aregbesola, a personage widely known for his pacific inclination. Continue on pg6
VOL. 9. NO.079
Who Killed Chief Bola Ige, formerAttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice?
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IGE
We ‘re Not Owing Workers’ Salaries - Aregbesola •As People Defy Rain At Ibokun Mega Rally - See Story On Page 3
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (with mic), addressing a mammoth crowd of his admirers during his re-election mega rally in Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the State of Osun, held in Ibokun last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Re-election Mega Rally In Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency In The State Of Osun, Held In Ibokun Last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI And SHOLA ADERINTO.
•Governor Aregbesola (2nd right); His Deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori (left); Alademore of Ibokun, land, Oba Festus Awogboro (right) and others.
•A cross section of traditional rulers at the palace of the Alademure of Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro.
•Governor Aregbesola (on the top of a bus) acknowledging cheers from his supporters.
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
We ‘re Not Owing Workers’ Salaries - Aregbesola •As People Defy Rain At Ibokun Mega Rally
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HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has assured the people of Ijesa North Federal Constituency on Tuesday that his second term will be dedicated more for developmental projects that will make life more abundant for the people of the state. Aregbesola said he is seeking power for the public welfare of Obokun Local Government and transformation of the Council Area of the state. society that will be of pride to He said his performance the yet unborn generations. during his first term in office is The governor said this just the beginning of the state’s during the Ijesa North Federal journey to greatness and urged Constituency mega rally held the people of the area to at Local Authority Primary collectively vote All School, Ibokun, headquarters Progressives Congress (APC)
in the August 9, 2014 governorship election. The governor also cleared the air on the non-payment of workers’ salaries, saying his administration has paid May salary and has commenced the payment of June salary, adding that non-payment of salaries is a rumour being peddled around by the opposition to discredit his administration. Aregbesola also alerted the people that the recent antics of the opposition is religious sentiment with a view to
causing disharmony among the people and urged the people to resist any form of religious incitement and provocation that may be coming from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He commended the people for trooping out for the rally despite the heavy rain. Few minutes after the governor mounted the podium to address the crowd, who had stormed the venue since morning, there was heavy downpour, the governor, his
By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Laoye-Tomori, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and other dignitaries defied the rain to address the waiting crowd, while the people also stayed inside the rain till the governor completed his address. Aregbesola, earlier at the palace of Alademure of Ibokun, solicited for the continuous cooperation of the traditional rulers before and after the governorship election. Speaking, the Alademure of
Ibokun, Oba Festus Kayode Awogboro, on behalf of Ijesa North traditional rulers, said Ijesaland is the home of the governor and assured him of massive support from the federal constituency. He reminded the governor of his earlier promise to facilitate a private university in Ibokun and urged other traditional rulers to work seriously for the re-election of the governor and ensure that peace reigns in their domains before and after the election.
Ibokun Agog For Aregbesola’s Campaign Rally By SHINAABUBAKAR
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OVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola’s re-election campaign mega rally for Ijesa North Federal Constituency was held amidst fanfare in the ancient town of Ibokun. The federal constituency, August 9 and stand by their comprising of Oriade/Obokun votes till they are counted. Local Government Council A party leader, Alhaji Fatai Areas, was agog as residents and Diekola, disclosed that party loyalists came out en Aregbesola is a people-friendly masse to be part of the re-election governor, whose dedication to process. serving them is immeasurable. Ibokun, known for its He urged the electorate not to progressive background, was the be afraid of anyone on August 9, fulcrum of activities, the venue saying the security operatives of the event was filled by party would be around to maintain loyalists and admirers of peace and security. Governor Aregbesola, all in a bid Speaking at the rally, Elder to show him their love and Peter Babalola commended support. Ogbeni Aregbesola for his efforts Streets in the ancient town aimed at entrenching peace in the wore colourful look, as males, state since he assumed power in females and children dressed in a 2010, adding that prior to that chosen lemon-green Ankara cloth period, the state was in anarchy. for the rally. Some party supporters, who Yet, various political groups spoke with OSUN also dressed in various polo DEFENDER, said they were not shirts with inscription to affected with the development support the second term in Ekiti State, saying they are not ambition of the governor. ready to sell their votes for Like in the previous rallies, anything at the expense of good Nollywood actors and popular governance. musicians graced the Ibokun Aregbesola’s entrance into the rally and entertained the crowd venue at about 4:09 pm was in their respective ways and greeted with ecstasy, as the added glamour and glitz to the crowd elegantly displayed their programme. brooms in response to the The road leading to the venue governor’s gesture, who was of the event was filled with food displaying his broom while vendors and other traders in the communities, making the town standing on the vehicle conveying him. reflect a typical market day. The entire venue was in Addressing the gathering, the State Commissioner for jubilant mood as more Information and Strategy, supporters followed him from Honourable Sunday Akere, the palace, where he had paid a appealed to the teeming masses courtesy call on the Alademure to remain calm and vigilant, as of Ibokun, Oba Festus the gubernatorial election Awogboro, to the campaign approaches and should not ground. Despite the downpour, the exchange their voters’ cards for teeming party loyalists at the anything. He implored people of the rally waited for the governor to federal constituency and party address them before they loyalists across the state to dispatched for their various come out en masse and vote on destinations.
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (on top of a bus), acknowledging cheers from the crowd during his re-election campaign in Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the State Of Osun, last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI
We Have Offered The Best To The People Of Osun - Aregbesola By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI
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HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday said his administration has kept all his electioneering campaign promises and pact with the people of the state. Aregbesola, in audience concerned about how with the Osun State hunger and poverty will be Christian Association of banished or reduced to the Nigeria (OSCAN), at the barest minimum, in order to CAN secretariat, also extract the full potentials in pointed out that the state individuals. He added that in the area had spent N9 billion on the Osun Youth Empowerment of education, his government Scheme ( O-YES) not only decided to make it programme. free and accessible, but The governor stressed equally strived to take out that despite the position of some of the burdens of some the state as number 34 on households, which affect the list of federal allocation assimilation by pupils, which to states of the federation, explains the reason for the none of the top states on the school-feeding programme. According to the list can attempt what Osun has attempted in terms of governor, “My mission in development in less than government is to restore opportunity for our people to four years . Aregbesola held that progress. We have kept our every right-thinking promises and pact with the government ought to be people of Osun as contained
PDP Destroys Aregbesola’s Billboards By SHINAABUBAKAR
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USPECTED members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilesa have been alleged of destroying billboards and posters belonging to the ruling-All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Rauf Argebesola erected and pasted in Ilesa ahead of the forthcoming governorship election. OSUN DEFENDER the governor located at Holy investigation in Ilesa Trinity area, Omi-Adie along discovered that some posters Osogbo road, as well as his pasted in Ilesa township were posters in the town and no one defaced, while others were torn has been arrested for the acts off and the medium learnt the so far. Some areas where the act was perpetrated during the billboards are still firm are night. It was gathered that since either close to a police station about a week ago, some or in front of residential house, miscreants have launched an effectively monitored by party onslaught on the billboards of members in the areas.
Meanwhile, some residents, who spoke under anonymity, told the medium that the billboards were in perfect condition the previous night, adding that it was surprising to have found them destroyed the following morning. One of the residents stressed the need for police to investigate the issue and punish the perpetrators, so as to forestall violence in the town. According to the source, if the perpetrators of the act were allowed to escape with the dastardly act, others may want to seek vengeance; hence, police must rise to the
occasion and ensure justice is done in the matter. Similar situation was reported in Boluwaduro Local Government Council Area in the build-up to the re-election campaign in Ila, headquarters of the federal constituency. It was reported that members of the PDP in Boluwaduro were caught in daylight destroying billboards and posters erected in OtanAyegbaju and were reported at the Police Station in the area for proper action. However, the perpetrators were arrested and taken to Osun State Police command in Osogbo and later taken to court.
in this green book, which was formulated even before our coming to power. “We have lived up to our six-point integral action plan. Hardly is there a family in the state that has not benefited from our administration because ours is people-oriented. “From November, when we came on board, till December 2013, we have spent N9 billion on O-YES, which has become a veritable tool for engaging youths positively and bringing peace to the state,” the governor told the gathering. Aregbesola also added that his administration has been able to sustain the resources of the state due to his creative and financial re-engineering. He pointed that Osun, at the commencement of his administration, was able to swap a painful N18 billion loan by the former administration, which he described as the first of its kind in the country. In his words: “What we are doing in Osun is even beyond our own comprehension, as it could only be God. Our financial ingenuity and Him is responsible for the growth Osun is witnessing. “When we were receiving excess crude oil money, we were saving for the raining days, so also was the issue of our late appointments of commissioners that afforded us to equally save. These among others gave Osun N35 billion ,” Aregbesola mentioned. The governor revealed that he was initially sad with
the way the re-classification of schools was perceived by some few who brought religion into the well thoughtout policy to rescue the poor level of education in the state. Aregbesola told the Christian gathering that he is only seeking re-election to complete all the good work he has started in the state, saying his second term in office would be a greater call to service. In the health sector, the governor announced that repair work is currently ongoing in all the health facilities of the state, while 74 new primary health centres have been built since the inception of the present administration. Ogbeni Aregbesola, who stated that by December this year, new schools that have the capacity for hundred thousand students, would have been built, added that the present administration has so far spent N7.2billion on the school feeding programme. Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Osun Christian Association of Nigeria, Reverend Elisha Ogundiya, noted that the session was set up to hear from governorship candidates in the state what they have for the state. He posited that two governorship candidates of other parties have been in audience with the association. Ogundiya charged the governor and other candidates to ensure that peace reigns before, during and after the election.
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
Osun 2014: Ijesa North Pledges Full Support For Aregbesola By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO
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S the train of the mega rally for the second term reelection of the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the gubernatorial election in the State of Osun and governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, berthed in Ibokun, the headquarters of Obokun Local Government Council Area, the people of the state have once again pledged their commitment towards the success of the poll and the re-election of the APC candidate in the election. Also, another programme of As expected, the people, armed with their brooms, both Ogbeni Aregbesola that she from Oriade and Obokun Local praised was the health package Government Council Areas had enjoyed by the people, adding trooped out en masse to the that there was no need for them venue of the mega rally held at to travel a long distance before Local Authority School, they could get medical Ibokun to demonstrate their attention. In his words, Honurable support for the governor in the Famurewa, coming polls and to show Ajibola appreciation for the peace and representing Ijesa North tranquility they had been Federal Constituency in the experiencing during the past House of Representatives three and a half years of revealed that the crowd and Aregbesola’s administration in turn-out of the people wasn’t a surprise to him because the the state. First to speak with OSUN man of the moment, Ogbeni DEFENDER; Omolara Aregbesola, had and always Olufunmilayo, an indigene of been a man of the people and Itiya, in expressing her joy with the people at the grassroots. As per the election, he the governor bringing his campaign to Ibokun, said that hinged the victory of the since 2011, things had not been governor on his performance, the same for citizens of the which he described as unparalled and also the love he council area. She particularly has for them, which had commended him for his youth spurred him to work hard. He also advised the empowerment scheme, which she revealed she and other electorate to defend their votes youths in Itiya were and not to trade their permanent voters’ cards for beneficiaries. money because that would
amount to mortgaging their future. Mrs. Fatima Mustapha, an APC chieftain in Oriade Local Government Council Area, stated that the governor had virtually brought enlightenment to the State of Osun, as he had brought dynamism to the style of government administration. She hinted that all his programmes like good roads, O’Meal, O’School, O’REAP had ahieved a 100 per cent success. “Peace has also been a main ingredient of his administration and it is my prayer that whatever would rob us of this peace, God would not allow that to happen.” Mrs. Felicia Adepoju was of the opinion that anybody, who has worked deserved commendation from those he had served and in her words, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, so in that wise, deserved a second term. She stated that unlike the
APC, which had been very transparent in its campaign, the main opposition had been rather carrying about their campaign in a clandestine manner and in the process buying voters’ cards in order to disenfranchise the electorate. “If PDP think they have the stuff in them, they should come out in the open and fight fairly and not going about on motorcycles and wooing people with money. They will not be able to give them again once they grab greedily the power they crave. “Massively, the governor has worked and I really don’t think these people have anything new to offer. They should just wait and try their luck again in the next four years.” Meanwhile, the governor had been called upon to continue the good work of transformation, which had charaterised his government from the very first day and which had touched the lives of
both the rich and poor in the state. Continuing in their support of the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Kolapo Adekoya, an Eti-Oni indigene, stressed that the governor, apart from being an Ijesa son, had succeeded in winning the hearts of the people of Oriade and Obokun Local Government Council areas. According to him, attendance at the mega rally was a pointer to the fact that the vote for Ogbeni Aregbesola would be across board, because his administration had touched everybody in the state, irrespective of the political divide. “The man has virtually transformed Osun to a classless society, where both the rich and the poor have the same public standing.” He praised the decision of the organisers of the mega rally to schedule it in Ibokun, describing it as a very wise one. “Come to think of it, when
you go around Osun today, you would see the hand of government in virtually everything. Where the government is not visible, you would see the government partnering with corporate bodies to bring meaningful development to the people of the area. “This is novel and sincerely Mr. Journalist, it takes somebody with a dream and hardwork to do such and as we are speaking, I don’t think anybody can replicate this, except, of course, Rauf Aregbesola and based on this, he should be given another chance.” A cross-section of the crowd at the venue of the mega rally all clamour for the governor and also attributed the downpour at Ibokun to an omen that God had endorsed the victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as governor of the State of Osun on Saturday, 9th of August, 2014.
Osun 2014: Protect Your Voters’ Cards - Bayo Salami
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N All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in the State of Osun and the Chairman, Campaign Committee for Osogbo/Olorunda/ Irepodun/Orolu Federal Constituency, Senator Bayo Salami, has urged all registered voters in the state to protect their voters’ cards, alleging that agents of the opposition parties are now moving around buying voters’ cards, while some are collecting people’s voters’ cards’ Identification Numbers (VIN) and the Polling Unit Number (PUN).
This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the Osogbo constituency campaign committee’s spokesman, Prince Adekunle Benson. Salami further stated that it is obnoxious and criminal for anyone to be asking for information on people’s voters’ cards and deceiving them that they will be given monthly salary if they surrender their voters’ cards. He therefore, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, to make sure that no evil is done to the voters’ register, as some agents of an
opposition party in the state are going about collecting VIN and PUN of people’s voters’ cards, believing that federal might will be used, so that names of the affected APC voters would be automatically deleted from the voters’ register. The Osun APC therefore, called on voters in the state to neither sell their voters’ cards nor revealing their VIN and PUN to anybody. The committee chairman also enjoined those voters that have not collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) to go and do so before the deadline, so as to allow them perform their main civic duties.
Urban Development: Aregbesola To Pay N2bn Compensation •As Property Owners Pledge Support For Governor’s Second Term
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• (L-R) First civilian governor in the State of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, during his re-election mega rally in Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the State of Osun, last Tuesday. .
Osun’s First Raw Gold To Be Presented Before End Of The Year - Australian Mining Company
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LL is set for the mining of the first gold in Ilesa, in the State of Osun as the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an Australian mining firm, Andalusian Mining Industry. This was as the leader of the exploration and mining of gold mining firm, Colin Miller, in the state. He said the people and the disclosed to the governor that state look forward to having his company would present the first raw gold to the people of maximum advantage of the the state before the end this mining firm’s presence in the state year. The governor described gold The signing ceremony took mining in the state as a major place at the Government to the House, Osogbo last Sunday breakthrough with a moderate ceremony, with government and a business opportunity for the state. the governor in attendance. He stated that government The governor said the looks forward to speedy Australian mining firm had conducted a geological survey, operation and intervention in which confirmed that there is a the prospecting for gold before the end of the year. huge deposit of gold in Ilesa. The state helm man Aregbesola stated that the expressed hope that the state discovery has presented the state with wonderful has joined the league of mining opportunities to partner with of non-oil mineral-producing Andalusian in the breakdown, states in the country.
“With your partnership in gold mining, which will in-turn create wealth for the immediate environment and the entire people of the state, you have a full partner with us. I am joyous for the opportunity that our state will join the comity of states that now mine mineral deposits. “To our dear state, we are on the move to actualise our dream as model of peace, progress, opportunity and growth,” Aregbesola said. He then tasked the company to be conscious of not hurting the people, their means of livelihood and the environment in the course of prospecting the gold deposit at Itagunmodi in Ilesa. In his remarks after the signing of the MoU, Colin Miller said that the summit in Australia on gold mining encouraged his firm to come to
Osun. Miller said his company’s visit to the site of the prospective gold mine has also encouraged them to partner with the government for mining operation for upward of four years. Hetherefore thanked the governor for his foresight and vision for the state, promising that before the end of this year, gold will be struck and the first raw gold presented to the people of the state. “We are looking forward for an enduring partnership with your state. Our presence at the gold mine will create employment opportunities for the people of the state. “With this joint venture for the considerable resource in Ilesa, we promise that before the end of the year, we would be together both with gold in our hands,” Miller promised.
HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has promised to pay a whopping sum of N2billion as compensation to the affected property owners, whose properties were affected by the urban renewal project of the state government before the end of the year. The affected people “We promise that before the included landlords and tenants end of the year, all affected along the popular MDS people would have been duly corridor, Fakunle-Olaiya axis, compensated,” Aregbesola said. Old-Garage-Igbona-Ayetoro, Speaking earlier, the Ogbaagbaa,-Okefia-Rasco, Commissioner for Lands Ajegunle-Moshalashi Gaji to Physical Planning and Urban Orita Baba Onisekere, as well Development in the State of as Railway Line axis, all in Psun, Architect Muyiwa Ige, Osogbo, the state capital. disclosed that various sums of Aregbesola commended the money had been paid to petty peaceful manner with which the affected people conducted traders, whose shops were themselves, while the affected. He stated that about 1,500 separation exercise lasted. The governor observed that shops have already been he understands the pain and allocated to owners of hardship the urban renewal properties along the MDS project has brought to the corridors. In his remark, the people. According him, the representative of the property developmental strides of his owners, Mr. Moshood Oladejo, administration, especially the appealed to the government to urban renewal, is not an fulfil its promise to the affected attempt to cripple people’s people. businesses or inflict pains on He also reaffirmed the their means of livelihood, but people’s support for the to further open the state to the international world for government and the re-election bid of the governor. desirable investment. Many of the property “As at today, the administration has paid about owners commended the N812 million as compensation governor for being forthright in to some of the affected people. his promise to the people, “I have also approved a sum saying they understood the of N2 billion as additional need for sacrifices, in order to funds to those whose ensure the transformation of the properties were affected. state.
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
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NAN Boss Commends OSUN DEFENDER By SOLA JACOBS
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HE Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ima Niboro, has commended the professional stance of OSUN DEFENDER tabloid towards different administrations in the state but urged the medium to do more in its reportage of events and people at the grassroots. He made this comment Women Journalists when the national (NAWOJ) led by its executive members of the President, Mrs Ify Nigeria Association of Omowole, visited him on
Thursday in Abuja. He added that as one of the readers of the tabloid on the internet, in his bid to keep abreast with news and events as they unfold in the State of Osun, he urged the tabloid to do more in its reportage across the length and breadth of the state. The NAN boss commended the
contributions of women journalists to the development of Nigeria in the last twenty five years of its formation, postulating that twenty five years is a long period of achievements in any organisation, adding that he is very proud of the association. Niboro applauded the women journalists as they
have taken the leadership role in all aspects of the media. He added that in most of the vibrant societies across the world, women do contribute in no small measure to the development and growth, which he urged Nigerian women in all spheres of life to follow suit. The media boss said part of the challenges faced in all spheres of the nation’s development is the issue of human capacity building and the only way out is training and retraining of personnel. He therefore, pledged the support of his organisation to the training of women journalists in the nation, but enjoined them to train their male counterparts, especially in reportage of gender issues. Niboro opined that the
various tiers of government need to invest in information sector, with a view to overcoming the challenges that the nation is currently facing, especially that of security. Earlier, Mrs Omowole, the President of NAWOJ, had solicited for a collaborative synergy between NAN and the association for training of its members nationwide. She also sought the support of the agency in the celebration of its silver jubilee which would come up later in the year. Other activities during the visit included the visit of the NAWOJ executives to the various units of the agency. Some of the members of the National executives during the visit included Mrs Timi Idoko, Ladi Adams, Ruth Absalom, Sola Jacobs, Helen Udofia and Chisom Anyawa.
Osun 2014: Stop Dragging Us Into Politics, Osun Workers Warn PDP, Omisore By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO •(R-L) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, during the governor’s 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.
Osun 2014: Lawmaker Tasks INEC, Electorate On Free, Fair Poll By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO
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Also speaking at the event, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in the council area, Alhaji Ibrahim Ganiyu, warned that the party would not allow rigging during the election and charged INEC to ensure that all
HEAD of the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the State of Osun, electorate in the state have been urged to vote their preferred candidate for the seat, based on performance and credibility. A member representing conduct a free and fair Orolu Constituency in the election. State House of Assembly, Honourable Kamil Oyedele, gave the advice while addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Orolu Local Government Council By KAZEEM MOHAMMED Area of the state. Oyedele, who observed HE State of Osun House of Assembly has called that the incumbent, Ogbeni for involvement of more local contractors in Rauf Aregbesola, had the execution of infrastructural development performed well in the last projects, as the state government has always been three years, however, doing. maintained that the voters Chairman, House continue to involve local should demand for more Committee on Works and contents, and follow from the candidates Transport, Honourable financial regulations and presenting themselves for Abiodun Awolola, gave the due processes in the office as the election charge at a meeting with execution of approaches, maintaining team members of the i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l that Governor Aregbesola Osun Special Projects development projects in would do more if given the Office. the state. second mandate. According to him, in all According to Awolola, The lawmaker also though the state the projects that the office appealed to the government has been has been handling, Independent National involving local contractors scientific approach is Electoral Commission and labourers, but there is being used, as all the (INEC), to ensure a free, the need to do more, with necessary tests and fair and credible a view to ensuring that the interactions with governorship election in people of the state benefit stakeholders are carried the state. the more and further feel out. Oyedele urged INEC to the impact of the Isola also hinted that the remain an impartial umpire government. office has initiated the during the poll, saying that Responding, the leader process that would ensure would rekindle the of the team, Engineer that the state government confidence of the Abiodun Isola, said the gets reinbursement for all electorate in the state government would the federal roads executed commission’s ability to by the state government.
stakeholders play the game according to the rules. Alhaji Ganiyu, while appealing to INEC to allow the electorate vote in an organised free, fair and credible election, also implored security operatives to ensure adequate protection for people during the poll.
Osun Assembly Calls For Involvement Of More Local Contents
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He noted that in the past, officials of the Ministry of Works had not been involving federal ministry officials in the execution of federal road projects by the state, saying the Special Project Office has changed the trend. Expressing optimism that the state would now be getting reinbursement for the federal roads being executed, he said if this could come, it would go a long way in doing more for the people of the state. He then reiterated the commitment of the present administration to the provision of massive roads, either federal or state roads for the use of the people of the state. Isola further noted that the officials of the ministry have been empowered and given the mandate of being in-charge in the area of quality control, monitoring and supervision.
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IVIL servants in the State of Osun have asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, to stop blackmailing them in his efforts to rule the state by all means. They expressed governor that we have dissatisfaction with the seen that will sit down way the PDP and its with the workers, candidate have been irrespective of their ranks, mocking their names in ask them to access the order to secure cheap government and make suggestions to improve political gains. The civil servants, who quality of life and spoke with OSUN services. On the delay on DEFENDER under the payment of salaries, she condition of anonymity, said: “Civil servants are lambasted Omisore and not ingrates. We knew it his party for dragging wasn’t his fault because them into the murky we enjoyed prompt waters of politics. payment of salaries for One of them more than three years said: ”Yes! We are aware until early this year that of the way Senator the dwindling allocation Omisore has been from Abuja started telling boasting around that he on the state.” will win this election based She confirmed that on the support of allocation to states across members of organised the federation had labour. dropped unexpectedly “I think he should wake around July/August last up on time and go get his year, but the governor things done by himself ensured workers were because we are not not adversely affected involved.” and even received 13th He however, month full salary for 2013 confirmed the speculation calendar year. “This is the best you of bribery allegations against some corrupt and could expect for now weak civil servants that from a governor that is do not have minds of their laying good and solid own within the union to be foundations in all other sectors of the economy true. “It is true that few of as well.” When asked about us have already sold their votes to the PDP for Aregbesola’s victory at monetary inducements the poll, she smiled and and promises of said she remained neutral appointments and juicy as a civil servant but she heard her family, friends, departments.” In the words of another relatives and neighbours civil servant: “To be saying all their votes candid, Ogbeni belong to Ogbeni Aregbesola is the only Aregbesola.
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 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?
ence? 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 For those who care to know or bet- their job easier. ter still for the purpose of public enlightenment the reason for the purchase But at Osun Defender here we are of the said APCs is for further distribu- not in the least surprised that this altion to the security operatives to aid legation is coming from Omisore's them in their responsibility of maintain- camp. Being a serial liar that he is ing peace in the state. We recall here no serious-minded person should that the governor had earlier distributed take him serious at all because more some APCs and about 120 patrol vans often than not, lie, and nothing but to security agencies in the state. That lie are the words that come out from was in April 2013 at a ceremony where his mouth. the Inspector-General of Police was represented and the governor did promise on that occasion that more would still come. Thus if there are APCs in government house why the fuss about their pres-
Ekiti Election: Mortgaging The Future To Rice And Cash
I
have deliberately kept
mute on the pre, during and post justconcluded Ekiti election issues. I did this on two grounds, firstly, to avert the attacks of my good friends who are APC/PDP/ LP apologists. Secondly, I don’t want to influence some voters, who may wrongly believe in my judgement. Anyway, the election has come and gone and Ayo Fayose is the governor-elect. Congrats! The election, to many pundits, including our dear President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, was free and fair, but to me, it’s far from being credible. Pre-election violence, arrests and harassments of some key political figures, denying some political bigwigs entry visa (If there is need for one) into Ekiti State even 48 hours to the election, sieging the state with military personnel/ police and other paramilitary organisations and shamelessly distributing rice to voters even on the
queue with inscription of a candidate’s name during election and obvious allegation of buying voters with N5000, which one of the candidates even alleged are few issues that eroded the election’s credibility. It’s inexplicable that the supposed FOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE voters could be purchased with
rice and N5,000. What for? Poverty? The mind of the oppressed is truly the tool of the oppressor. In a sane society, a controversial person of Fayose’s stature would either be in prison or be ashamed of holding a public office in Nigeria again, considering his escapades when he managed the state. But alas! this is Nigeria, where
criminals rule and innocents rot in jail. All ruling parties in Nigeria have badly damaged our ever nascent democracy but without apology, the PDP has done it more harm. What is Jonathan’s interest in who becomes what in every part of the federation that makes him/PDP this aggressive, especially
towards crippling opposing voices? Presidential ambition? Is that why the state allocation is perpetually depleting monthly, which has nearly crippled the states? Is that why some states (especially, opposition ruling states) get no capital project in the 2014 budget? Is that why the
security situation is daily deteriorating (Our girls are still missing and some were recently abducted again)? As much as I wouldn’t want to dabble into politics, it is expedient and imperative to sensitise Nigerians on the power of their thumbs to effect positive change in the country, if we are ready to live by democratic principles and ethos to move Nigeria forward. I also urge Osun voters in the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state not to be influenced with rice, kerosene, money etc in voting for any candidate. This amounts to mortgaging your future and those generations coming after you, but rather, vote based on the credibility of the candidates. God bless Nigeria! •JIDE AFOLABI, Coordicator, Christian Foundation, Jos.
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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the above mail address. ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
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8
PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Re-election Mega Rally In Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency In The State Of Osun, Held In Ibokun Last Tuesday.
Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI And SHOLA ADERINTO.
•Governor Aregbesola addressing a mammoth crowd during the rally.
•
•
•Some of the Aregbesola supporters on top of a tree to catch a glimpse of the governor.
•A cross section of Aregbesola’s supporters.
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
PHOTOTALK
9
Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Re-election Mega Rally In Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency In The State Of Osun, Held In Ibokun Last Tuesday.
Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI And SHOLA ADERINTO.
•Aregbesola (on top of a bus), acknowledging cheers from his supporters and admirers.
•
•Governor Aregbesola (on top of a bus), acknowledging cheers from the crowd.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
Governor Rauf Aregbesola's Vandalized Billboards By Suspected PDP Thugs In Ilesa, State Of Osun, Last Monday.
•The damaged campaign billboard of Governor Rauf Aregbesola by hoodlums suspected to be Peoples Democratic Party’s hoodlums (PDP) along Ilesa-Osogbo, Ilesa, road last Monday.
•
• •Another damaged Governor Aregbesola’s billboard in Ilesa.
•One of the vandalized Governor Aregbesola’s billboards in Ilesa.
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
Osun State And The Return Of Aregbesola her creation, the Governor SINCE of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola’s passion to develop the state of the living spring is legendary and unequal. His impressive performance as the Commissioner for works, during the era of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the governor of Lagos state was no doubt the elixir he needed to turn a state like Osun around and make it the envy among other states of the federation. More importantly was the avalanche of ideas and information at his disposal to make Osun great long before he assumed power. Indeed, with the physical development across the nooks and crannies of the state, Osun State can be said to be fortunate to have someone that is fully prepared to transform the state and take it to a greater height as it manifests in the implementation of the six-point integral action plan of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osun State in the past three years. Of particular note is that, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola came into office with the determination to banish poverty, hunger and unemployment; restore a healthy living, promote functional education, and enhance communal peace and progress. According to him, his commitment and determination is to make life worthy of living for the people of the State hence his introduction of programmes that touch the lives of every individual in the State. Therefore, the unacceptable state of education in the State when the Aregbesola’s administration came into the saddle of governance informed the call for an education summit, attended by great educationists and intellectuals of all persuasions. Professor Wole Soyinka made out time to personally attend the summit and made recommendation on which basis a complete overhaul of the education system of the state was done. The most important conclusion of the summit was the restructuring of the system into three basic categories, Elementary, Middle and High schools. Primary 1–4 is the elementary school; 5–9 is the middle school, while grade 10–12 is the high school. But for the effect of the change the new policy brought, it led to misunderstandings, and some have tried to mischaracterize the reforms as having a religious undertone. Whereas, the major features of the new education reform that attracted criticism are: the introduction of a single school uniform to each of the three categories of schools throughout the state, the merger of single sex schools with mixed sex schools, the merger of Christian schools with Muslin schools and vice versa, the total wipe out of some schools, the use of hijab in “Christian schools” and perceived change in the names of schools. Critics of these reforms particularly argued that the introduction of single uniform to schools is capable of
religious sentiment. He warned the critics of his administration and the education policy in particular to exercise patience till the policy begins to produce good results, which he said would be beneficial to all and sundry in the state. He stated that the hallmark of the new education policy in the state was the enhancement of better welfare for both the teachers and students of all public schools in the state. He also said that the government was being motivated by the ideal of development of young individuals in the state; hence the huge amount of money committed into the education sector. Aregbesola who has consistently insisted that the philosophy of his education policy is the development of a new man intellectually, socially and morally maintained that the educational reform policy of his administration would achieve the desired objective in due course. According to him, Government has the plan to build 20 new high schools, 50 middle schools and 100 elementary schools. Each of these schools will be equipped to state-of– the-art standards, especially with digital learning aids, electronic boards, functional and contemporary laboratory equipment, sports facilities, clean water and large power generators. •AREGBESOLA True to his words, the elementary school commissioned by the students across the state. Governor at Ile-Ife apart from being By REMI ODEWALE To solve the issue of identity, unique in outlook, has facilities known government has disclosed the plan to to be peculiar to private schools such causing indiscipline as it will be produce badges for each school and as recreation, sports, laboratory and difficult for schools to identify their smart cards for each student of public library facilities all duly equipped. students. Old students of phased out schools in the state for easy The only way to provide these schools were afraid of what might be documentation and identification as it facilities at affordable costs is to make their lot in case there is need for them is being practiced in some countries the maximum use of the available to come to their Alma Mata for like Brazil, Malaysia Ghana, Benin resources at the disposal of documentation or even the agony of Republic etc. government, hence the need to merge having their history wiped out. The most pronounced problem that small, poorly equipped schools, into Also advocates of single sex greeted the reform is the allegation of larger schools where all the facilities schools felt that the sanity in the trying to Islamize the State by can be provided to large numbers of schools might be eroded apart from government by encouraging the use of students using economies of scale to the loss of identity while some hijab in Christian schools. maximum advantage. religious leaders argued that their Meanwhile government has It need to be emphasized here that schools should be made to retain their consistently debunked the allegation Osun State Government has norms as stipulated in their religion, insisting that hijab was never part of committed the larger part of its hence the resistance that no female the uniform distributed to students financial resource to education with Muslin should be allowed to wear more so that the matter is already in the free launch provided to class 1-4 hijab in Christian schools. court for adjudication. on a daily basis that costs N 3.6billion However, government has argued Besides, Government has been annually, provision of free uniform to for its actions and made remedies emphatic on the fact that all public students across the state with where necessary. For example, the N900Million, the N1.2 Billion spent fear of loss of names of the schools is schools belong to government and that it is out of its magnanimity that on the provision of tablet of no longer there as government has whatever is left of any religion in knowledge, N14.8 billion expended ensured that the schools maintained schools are allowed. on construction of school buildings their names with little modifications, Recently, at the commissioning of under its O’ School programme. hence we have Salvation Army school buildings at the Baptist Besides, government has recruited Primary School, Alekuwodo Oshogbo changed to Salvation Army Elementary Primary School, Ilare, Ile- no fewer than 10,407 teachers to Ife on 18th February, 2014, public schools Middle School, Alekuwodo, Governor Aregbesola charged the Won’t you rather allow the good Oshogbo, Baptist Primary School, people of the state to support the new works in the education sector Ilare, Ile-Ife is now Baptist Elementary Primary School, Ilare, Ile- education policy of his administration, continue? Asks Remi Odewale which he said was for the good of Ife. both the children and the parents. •Odewale writes from Ifetedo, On the issue of single uniform for Aregbesola in his speech at the Ife-South Local Government the three classes of schools, commissioning ceremony which had government wants parents to enjoy the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade •Culled from CHAMPION cheap procurement of school Sijuade and other dignitaries in Newspaper uniforms and further assisted by distributing school uniforms free to all attendance said the new policy of the state government on education has no
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
FEATURE
False Analogy Between Ekiti And Osun T HE outcome of the governorship
election in Ekiti State which went in the way of former Governor Ayodele Fayose, took not a few people, especially the progressives, by surprise. The details showed that 360,000 votes were recorded with Fayose, beating 17 other candidates, garnered 56 per cent and his closest rival, the incumbent Fayemi, a paltry 33 per cent. Coming in a distant third is Opeyemi Bamidele who barely scraped five per cent. Since the result came in bits and pieces from Saturday evening to Sunday morning when it was officially announced, reactions to Fayose’s victory has been that of consternation, perplexity, befuddlement, shock and outrage. In an election that is adjudged to have fulfilled the minimalist demand of freely casted polls and honestly counted ballot, the outcome is against the run of received wisdom that Ekiti people would ordinarily vote a party parading the likes of the incumbent, Dr Kayode Fayemi. This is not just on the strength of his achievements in office, but also the quality of their personalities. Many meanings have expectedly been read into this development. The first is the resurgence of the PDP in the South West. Of course, this victory was well savoured with pictures of President Goodluck Jonathan and party chieftains beaming with smiles and clinking glasses of the choicest wine. The president evidently had a resurgence of hope that his dipping electoral fortunes in the South West might be reversed. But then, the flipside is that this victory will soon turn to ashes for him since it signposts the defeat of an incumbent by the most unlikely challenger. Let him then be sober. For indeed, Fayemi was considered a performing governor whose programmes were considered to be well-conceived, well executed and well received and yet he lost. This is in sharp contrast to Jonathan who is seen largely as a clueless tourist in government whose only capability is sadistic preying on opposition, the weak and easy targets, even as his failures continue to mount ininability to provide security, unmitigated corruption, grinding poverty and dimming hope for Nigerians. The second assumption, flowing from the first, is that this trend may extend to the August 9 governorship election in Osun State. Everything is wrong with this assumption. With the benefit of political science, we know that no two elections are the same and that two months is still a long time to consolidate or inverse a political trend. Every election, to be credible, must have an element of ‘bounded uncertainty’. This is the assumption that in-so-far as the election has not been conducted, the people could decide to go one way or the other in the exercise of their sovereign right to decide who governs them. This assumption of ‘uncertainty’ is however within certain boundaries of rationality and subject to scientific evaluation and therefore prediction, and in most cases, with pin-point accuracy. Osun is not like Ekiti in many material respect and therefore cannot bring the same outcome. The first is that the PDP does not have as much grip in Osun as it does in Ekiti. Indeed, the projection before the election was that Fayemi would do well in Ekiti South, split the Centre and make the
•AREGBESOLA
•OMISORE
•FAYEMI
•FAYOSE By SOLA FASURE
required 25 per cent in the North. Whereas in Osun, PDP has no stronghold in the West, Central or South. Virtually all its heavyweights in the state have joined APC. Ede, the last bastion of the party, fell when former Governor Isiaka Adeleke defected to APC and has since joined the campaign train of Governor Aregbesola. The two main governorship candidates, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his challenger in PDP, Senator Iyiola Omisore, are from the same Osun East, Ijesa and Ife constituencies, respectively. While Ijesas will deliver 90 per cent of the votes for Governor Aregbesola, not only because he is their son, but also for the many programmes he executed in the zone, including 15 township roads which were commissioned recently, Senator Omisore will count himself lucky if he can get 30 per cent of the votes in IleIfe. This is in light of the unprecedented crowd that welcomed the start of his campaign, in the ancient city, the effusive royal blessings and endorsement he received from Oba Okunade Sijuade and also the projects he executed in Ile-Ife. On the contrary, Senator Omisore, when asked, could only point to one project, the Airforce Training School in Ipetu-Ijesa which has since been disputed and credited to former CDS, Air Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin and
former Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada. Secondly, Osun did not join the tragic bandwagon of 2011 in the South West when the whole region regrettably voted for President Jonathan. It was the only state that saw the future and voted for the presidential candidate of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu. Of course, it is a moot point that in spite of his living in denial, President Jonathan is the most hated politician in the South West today and it flies in the face of logic that Osun that soundly rejected him in 2011 will now endorse his party and candidate in 2014. What on earth has changed that could have endeared him or his candidate to them? Thirdly, if the point is on grassroots support and connection. Aregbesola is far ahead of his closest competitor. There is no artisan or trade union group that has not endorsed him and openly supported his second term bid. Any doubter should take the local cab (korope) or a commercial motorcyclist (okada) and start discussion on ‘Aregbe’ and gauge the political mood in the state. Fourthly, most of his projects are of direct mass munificence. Take the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), through which 40,000 youths were taken off the streets with the first batch of 20,000 given soft landing in employment and empowerment in various schemes. They are fanatical in
their support of the governor. The beneficiaries of other programmes like O’REAP and other ‘O’s are also rooting for their benefactor. Also, the parents of the 300,000 school children given free meals every school days, the 750,000 given free school uniforms, the 10,000 given computer tablets are all touched at the grassroots. We must also not forget the thousands of the elderly and vulnerable citizens that are receiving free healthcare services and monthly stipend from the government. What do we make of the thousands who enjoy free train rides every festive period? These are all grassroots impacted programmes that will count in political decision making at that level. Lastly, Ekiti and Osun are not operating from the same moral values wavelength. The ethical revolution that gave birth to the Omoluabi consciousness in Osun will serve as a bulwark against the philistinic wholesale ceding of electoral birth right for a mess of pottage as witnessed in Ekiti on Saturday. Osun people value honour and integrity and have always voted on principle. They have withstood the most rampaging dictatorships and have defied the most brutal siege to make a forthright political statement. We will be looking forward to a free and fair election and, of course, the return of Oranmiyan. •Fasure lives in Osogbo.
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INTERVIEW
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
‘Omoluabi Fund Has Aided Osun’s Financial Stability’ As the race to occupy the Osun State Government House draws nearer, accusations and counter accusations have continues to trail political camps each passing day. The Chairman of Aregbesola Campaign Committee for IjesaNorth Federal Constituency, who is also the State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro addressed some journalists where he took a swipe at the Gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Mr. Segun Akinwusi who was also a former Head of Service in the State, especially at the inception of Aregbesola’s administration. He took time to explain the management of state resources, dispelling alleged huge debt as well as other sundry issues. Correspondent Gbenga Faturoti was there. Excerpts:
W
HAT is your take on the SDP governorship candidate’s accusations of the present administration considering his involvement in it at inception? An honest man would not pick information and intentionally misinterpret it for cheap political points. Neither Social Democratic Party (SDP) nor its gubernatorial flag bearer, Mr. Segun Akinwusi has good recognition within or outside the state to dissuade the good people of Osun about the need for continuity of good governance and excellent leadership of the current administration in the state. Though the recent comment of Mr. Akinwusi on the financial transactions in the state, as usual is mischievous, malicious, laughable and worthy of no attention, for the purpose of enlightenment however, I wish to reemphasise that the guiding principle of the current administration in the state is transparency and accountability. How has the state been able to cope with the prosecution of its programmes of activities in the face of economic downturn? To start with, the Osun State government, like any other good administrator, leverages on present value of money, plans her cash flow and manages same efficiently for optimal financial benefits. In order to hedge against spiral inflationary trend in the country, and the cost implication on same, the government innovatively and intelligently leverages on its robust relationship with the financial institutions in the country. The unparalleled financial strategies of the current administration has been receiving lots of commendations with several awards and emulated by some other visionary leaders in and outside the country. Effective financial planning supported with ingenious financial management and leveraging is certainly the pillar of economic developments in advanced countries like Great Britain, Canada and other Western cities. Are there any observable lapses in the previous administration’s approach on the economy? It is rather unfortunate that Mr. Akinwusi who had ample opportunity to counsel the PDP administration in the state during his time as Head of Service failed to advise the previous administration to save the extra revenues the state collected from Excess Crude Federation Account (amounting to over N40 billion). Instead, the fund was frittered away while Akinwusi was a prominent member of the Funds Allocation Committee of the state. It was learnt that Mr. Akinwusi couldn’t have offered any sincere advice given that he also benefited through many proxy companies and projects (such as Staff Development Centres etc). What do you see as a mark of difference in the two administrations? In contrast, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola denied himself and saved the excess crude funds for the state and encourages the local governments to also save theirs. The total savings built up to about N30 billion. The governor consequently created Omoluabi Conservation Fund to take care of future generation, infrastructure needs and shortfall in revenue. It was the saving edge that was used to create a deposit draw back facility that was used to finance the salary payments promptly on 26th of every month for three years, despite the delay of one or two months before receipt of federation revenue. This edge allows the state to swap and minimize the interest to three percent
•BOLORUNDURO per annum. With this creative structure, the state was able to roll out its infrastructures without delay. Also, it was the savings that was used to augment the revenues, when allocations from federation accounts fell by 40 percent. This drop in revenue started in May 2013 and without the referenced savings, the state wouldn’t have been able to keep its tradition of prompt salary payment till December 2013, at the same time pay end of year bonus. How would you react to accusations of huge debt of about N350billion leveled by the oppositions, especially SDP and PDP? The fabricated huge debt portfolio of N350billion always mentioned by Mr. Akinwusi is quite amusing. As I had mentioned earlier in several interviews and public addresses, the whole banks in the country put together cannot afford to lend such a colossal amount as loan to a single borrower, and neither can any state in the country be adjudged buoyant enough to access such huge amount from the country’s capital market. This is so given the regulatory frameworks guiding borrowing from money and capital market, as well as state’s financial transactions. You were quoted as saying that all the monitoring agencies cleared the state from the highly indebted states? For instance, the Central Bank of Nigeria prescribes certain limits known as “single obligor’s limit” for commercial banks, benchmarking the total loan a single borrower can take as loan from commercial banks as a proportion of a bank’s shareholder’s funds. In the same direction, the volume of loan any state can access from the capital market is also tied to its total revenue and current indebtedness to commercial banks. Going by the above clarifications, and considering the state’s current level of revenue both from the Federation account and internally generated revenue, it should be seen that Akinwusi’s comments are mere guess work. For avoidance of doubts, details of each state’s level of exposures to both local and foreign creditors can be accessed from the Federal
Debt Management Office and Fiscal Responsibility commission. How have the state being coping with pensioners’ problems on arrears? On the issue of the N1 billion loan accessed by the state for pension liabilities, aside from that the state’s huge pension liabilities were product of the last administration under Akinwusi, it should be noted that this money was credited directly about five weeks ago to the savings accounts of the pensioners, as further payments to them. So it is quite laughable that some charlatans would call this provision for forthcoming polls. Would you expatiate because you made some reference to the former Head of Service who is now the SDP governorship candidate on the issue of gratuity? I am sure Akinwusi would have learnt the tenets of responsibility under Aregbesola, and this is why am surprised that a man, who collected his gratuity upfront and converted his outstanding leave to cash, could be this ungrateful to his master. All these benefits he processed before his last days in office despite his failure to run efficient, transparent pension scheme and follow contributory pension law of the state. He could not also save to take care of the surge in the pension despite his introduction of Contributory pension scheme. His intention for forcing many workers to leave the state’s service without providing for the surge could better be imagined. Osun currently has the biggest pension bill that is next to Lagos as a result of lack of foresight and sense of responsibility. A bank guarantee is proposed to be issued in favour of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to support Civil Servants that are willing to access Mortgage Loans directly from FMBN at incredible single digit interest rate. A financially sound mind should know that this is a contingent liability that would not involve any disbursement of funds into the State Government coffers but directly to the civil servants that applied independently for the Mortgage Loans from
FMBN. The state government will only guarantee repayment to support the concerned Civil Servants. This is what the former “Head of Service” referred to as Mortgage loan! It is unfortunate to note that Osun is the only state in the country that has not for once accessed the FMBN mortgage loans due to the failure of the PDPadministration to support its workers with guarantee for the mortgage. An irresponsible Head of Service had allowed this opportunity to escape the good workers of Osun. Federal Government of Nigeria provides financial support for primary basic education in a counterpart funding arrangement with the State Governments. This implies that the Federal and State Governments provide 50% each. Although the UBEC sum of N860.0million represents very negligible portion of the funds committed to education reforms in the State, it is not out of sense to leverage this. More so, that usage of the intervention fund under the arrangement is well guided by dynamics that make diversion practically impossible. Under Akinwusi, Osun was never up to date in providing its counterpart funds and therefore could not improve its educational infrastructure. With the dwindling federal allocation, how have you been able to pay workers? One also wonders why the state’s concern and effort to pay salary before receipt of the monthly allocation from the Federation is being viewed as election financing. The usual delay in receipt, and unprecedented dwindling in the monthly allocation from the Federation account is a national issue and trivializing this issue for politics shows that SDP candidate is an unserious technocrat. But Mr. Akinwusi made comments alleged that there is renegotiation of obligations? On Akinwumi’s comments on the purported renegotiation of existing obligations. Assuming there is need for renegotiation, the Nigerian money market is perhaps one of the most volatile, and efficient management of loan portfolio requires some very rare savvy and ingenuity, such that may not be comprehensible to Mr. Akinwusi. How is renegotiation for more favourable terms be interpreted as fresh loan for election financing?. I wish to use this medium to reemphasize that the current administration does not need to spend a fortune to facilitate re-election of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola; his tremendous and unprecedented achievements over the last 42 months are convincing testimonies. It is very obvious that Mr. Segun Akinwusi who could not easily interpret simple financial indices and understand the rationale behind some financial strategy definitely lacks the mental capacity to administer the rapidly growing state of Osun. All opponents certainly have realized by now that the PDP administration of seven and half years, is nothing but a siege against development and good governance. The veil of blindness has however been lifted and no amount of blackmail and campaign of calumny could any longer blindfold the citizens of the State of Osun. They see clearer and clearer by the day. Ofcourse, There is a clear difference between light and darkness. Rebirth of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the State of Osun is a ‘still birth’. Bye Bye forever to deceit, oppressions, killings, sabotage, recklessness and ineptitude. Rest in Peace, SDP, PDP, and all other oppositions to development and empowerment of the good people of Osun. •Culled from DAILY INDEPENDENT
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, July 3, 2014
FOR THE RECORDS
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 3, 2014
PHOTOTALK
15
Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Re-election Mega Rally In Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency In The State Of Osun, Held In Ibokun Last Tuesday.
Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI And SHOLA ADERINTO.
•Some of the little children waving to Aregbesola.
•Some of the Aregbesola supporters waving to him.
•A cross section of members of Oranmiyan group.
www.osundefender.org
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THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014
A
slip into the pit by
By ADE OLUGBOTEMI
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. 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 instruments were used in Ekiti so that so many potential voters were disenfranchised through what
Ekiti Election: A Presage For Osun People
•JEGA
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. Heavy presence of armed security personnel all over Ekiti State prior to and during the election also played some 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. It was alleged that a high-tech fraud was masterminded by PDP in connivance with INEC, whereby thumbprints got obliterated after a period of time, whereas the box in front of PDP logo would carry predesigned thumbprint, as if PDP was the party of choice. This was said to have been responsible for the single vote recorded for All Progressives Congress in former Governor Segun Oni’s polling booth, where he went to vote alongside twelve 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. 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? 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 that was voted in by stark minority of people for four years after the tenure of Governor Kayode Fayemi; unless the tribunal rules otherwise. No minority government has ever performed to satisfy the majority because it is always imprinted in their sub-consciousness that they need not satisfy the majority that never voted them in. Osun people must therefore avoid any pitfall that may likely draw us backward by critically 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.