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SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2014 The recent approval given by the ever forward looking Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for the establishment of National Agency for the prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) in the state is quite patriotic and deserves commendation.
VOL. 9. NO.071
Front Page Comment NAPTIP Centre: A commendable approval The centre, which Mr. Governor prefers to be established in Ejigbo town due to the history of constant migration of the
people of the ancient town to neighbouring countries, will make the agency to live up to its responsibilities of
checking incidents of non-profitable migration of people from the state to nearby countries in search of greener pastures. It needs be mentioned that one of the challenges facing our society and which Continue on pg5
Who Killed Chief Bola Ige, formerAttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice?
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Soldiers Impound Truck Loaded With Ballot Papers •Omisore’s Aide Fingered
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•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (in a glasses), acknowledging cheers from his admirers. He is flanked (right) by Special Adviser to State of Osun Governor on Youths, Sports and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade and Comrade Waheed Lawal (left) during the 2014 June 12 programme at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Thursday.
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
Soldiers Impound Truck Loaded With Ballot Papers •Omisore’s Aide Fingered EMESIS seem to have caught up with three
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gathered to have been one of Senator Omisore’s Personal Assistants, whose name could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report. Sources further revealed that the vehicle with registration number:
feet, as he ran into the bush, men believed to have been hired to transport while the soldiers equally some ballot papers meant for the forthcoming fired several shots at his Ekiti State gubernatorial election to a secret direction with the aim of location in the State of Osun, where arrangements getting him arrested. have been concluded for their thumb-printing The escapee was before they would be smuggled back to Ekiti State ahead of the election. According to impeccable sources, the Nigerian military team on patrol at Itawure in Efon Local Government Council Area of Ekiti State arrested a truck allegedly belonging to Senator Iyiola Omisore, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate in the State of Osun with bundles of ballot papers. On sighting the soldiers at the check-point, one of the three men inside the vehicle was reported to have dialogued with his •Faces of the three suspects caught with ballot papers along Ekiti-Osun road on Thursday.
APP 952 XL, was sighted and stopped at Itawure while on its way to a location in Osun. The white truck was also gathered to have been taken to Ado-Ekiti, the state capital by some men of the Nigerian Army, who
June 12: Why You Must Defend Your Votes - Aregbesola •As Civil Society Groups Organised Mass Rally For Credible Election By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
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assumed election does not take place where there is no Form EC08. The governor also charged the people to record the voting activities at their areas with phones and other recording gadgets, saying that no law forbids the recording of the voting process. “Never again would we allow charlatans to rig our elections again. Never again shall we allow the impostors to lord themselves over us again. The last time they could do that was in 2007. But presently, they would not dare to unleash terror on our people. Anywhere that over 200 people are killed is no longer a national matter but a matter of the International Criminal Court. “We voted in 2011 and it was peaceful and we won. We should expect the same thing in 2014. The voice of the people must be heard. Our votes must count and democracy must continue to grow in Nigeria. That is the doctrine of June 12,” the governor stated. Earlier, members of the civil society groups had thronged major streets in Osogbo, the state capital, in a mass rally to campaign for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in Nigeria, particularly in the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.
The pressure groups included the Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC), the Osun Development Agenda (ODA), the Peoples Welfare League (PWL), the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), the Independent Masses Forum, the Democracy Vanguard, the Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People among others. The placards carried by the people were inscribed with words like: “Our votes must count; we want free fair and credible election, no to rigging, no to violence, let democracy grow, bring back our girls, one man-one vote, don’t gag the press, let the press be free, freedom of the press is constitutional, etc. Speaking at the rally, the Senior Special Assistant to Aregbesola on Civil and Popular Affairs, Comrade Waheed Lawal, said the rally was staged to express the pressure group’s displeasure on some national issues, which might jeopardize the country’s democracy. Lawal condemned the recent attack on the media houses by the Nigerian military, describing it as undemocratic and uncivilized, just as he called for total freedom of the press from harassment, intimidation and
oppression from any quarters. He also joined the call for free fair and credible Osun and Ekiti governorship elections, warning that any attempt to rig the elections would be resisted by the electorate. In his own address, the Deputy Convener of the ODA, Comrade Shenge Rahman, stated that June 12 is meant to campaign for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy through the conduct of violence-free and credible election. Rahman warned the military not to intervene in any form in Nigeria’s democracy, stating that the military regimes were responsible for the underdevelopment of the country.
parked it in front of an eatery, while awaiting further instruction from their superiors. Meanwhile, some buses with PDP inscriptions on them have been parading where the vehicle has been parked apparentely, looking for an opportunity to persuade the soldiers to release the truck and the boys. The officer in-charge of the operation, one Brigadier J.J. Momoh, while briefing journalists on the development, confirmed the incident and said his men arrested the truck at 1.15pm on Thursday at Itawure. According to him, two men have been arrested with the truck, while the third person escaped into the bush with ongoing effort by his men to track him down. “The accused on interrogation said they were contacted by one Mr. I.K. of INEC Office, AdoEkiti, who claimed to have clients in Lagos and Akure, who deals in such materials,” Momoh revealed. Those arrested were Biodun, who claimed to be a driver working with Lacasera Bottling Company in Lagos and Erinfolami, who claimed to be working with an iron company, also in Lagos. The Army officer however warned politicians to play by the rules as his men are on redalert to apprehend anyone who runs afoul of the law.
N line with the spirit of democracy, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun has challenged the electorate to vote and defend their votes in the forthcoming governorship and future election in the state. He charged the people not Aregbesola said it is by so doing that the voters could to be afraid of anybody that guarantee the sanctity of their wants to intimidate them in the votes and democracy, adding cause of defending their votes, that democracy without the true adding that they must all representation of the people’s prepare to spend the whole day at the polling stations to ensure will is a fallacy. The governor stated this on that the election results at Thursday at the June 12 Mass polling units were counted and Rally organized by civil society declared by the INEC officials. The governor said: “You groups in the state. According to the governor, must not leave the polling June 12 became a heroic and stations after voting but stay special day in Nigeria’s history at reasonable distance that will as a result of the fights put not undermine the voting forward by the electorate, process. It is by that you can particularly the Yoruba, in the guarantee the security of your defence of June 12, 1993 votes. Do not be afraid of presidential election, which was them. Stay at the polling station annulled by retired General and maintain peaceful conduct.” Ibrahim Babangida. Aregbesola also enlightened Aregbesola reiterated that June 12 would not have come the electorate on the need to to stay, had the voters caved in ensure that the election results IGERIANS have been urged to exempt children from to intimidation, harassment and at the polling stations are child labour, in accordance with the law of International threats from the military written on the Form ECO8, Labour Organization (ILO), but rather give the children saying that they should not government and the usurpers. social protection from such vices. He said: “We must vote. Vote accept results written on any is our constitutional right. We paper, except the official The Commissioner, media chat on World Day must also defend our votes. FORM EC08. Ministry of Women and Against Child Labour 2014, He added that any election Nothing must stop us from Children Affairs in the State of which was held on June 12, with doing that. We must not be result written on any paper is Osun, Mrs. Mofolake Adetoun the Theme: Extend Social intimidated to defend our votes. not valid; stating that it is Adegboyega, disclosed this in a Protection: Combat Child Yoruba people defended the sanctity of June 12; and that is Labour. why we are gathered here today. Mrs. Adegboyega frowned at “If not for the electorate, the large number of children especially the Yoruba that being engaged in forced, paid or fought in defence of their votes unpaid domestic work, which on June 12, 1993, we would not had made the children have had the civil rule we are vulnerable to abuse and enjoying now. It is very deprived them of adequate important to vote and defend education, health, leisure and that vote with all legal means. basic freedom, thereby violating The Yoruba had no guns, no their rights. weapons, yet they fought for She stated that Ogbeni Rauf June 12. We must also ensure Aregbesola’s administration that our votes are secure in this does not support child labour coming election. and that it has in place, “Your vote is your right. You numerous policies in favour of must vote wisely. We must children, who he believed before the election, register as should be safeguarded from the voters and certify that our abuse of child labour. names are on the voters’ list of According to Adegboyega, the Independent National the World Day Against Child Electoral Commission (INEC). Labour this year is a call to Do not allow anybody to take introduce, improve and extend your voters’ cards. That is your social protection and reach out licence to choose who governs to vulnerable groups of children. you.” She thereby called on Aregbesola maintained that if the people wait behind at the organisations, civil societies, polling stations fully armed schools, youths and women with legitimate weapons, •A cross section of LAUTECH staff showing their appreciation to Governor Rauf Aregbesola during the presentation groups, media, as well as nobody would dare unleash of an award of Excellence to the governor by Hoplink Solidarity Forum (HSF), LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Nigerians in the campaign terror on them or make attempt against child labour to highlight Osogbo Chapter, at GMT Hotel, Osogbo, last Thursday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. to rig the election. the plight of child labourers.
Exempt Children From Child Labour - Adegboyega
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
Osogbo Honours Aregbesola As Aare Akinrogun By SHINA ABUBAKAR
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OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been honoured with the title of Aare Akinrogun of Osogboland by the Ataoja of the town. The honour was was held at the Nelson bestowed on him at a Mandela Freedom Park, was programme put together by presided over by the Ataoja members of Osogbo of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh community, to appreciate Olanipekun (Larooye II). and officially endorse the The programme brought governor for a second term together eminent sons and in office. daughters of the town from The ceremony, which far and near, including the
Asiwaju Muslumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Olatunde Badmus, Senator Bayo Salami, Alhaji Sulaiman Daodu, Alhaji Fatai Diekola among others. Speaking, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun said that the gathering was specially organised to show appreciation to the governor and throw their support behind his second term ambition. He said the town has never had it so good since
Osogbo was made a state capital many years ago, stressing that the touch of the governor is very visible in every part of the city. “We are so happy and grateful to Aregbesola for the wonderful work he is doing in Osogbo and the state at large. Our town is now wearing the look of a true state capital.” “Osogbo has benefited so much from the various life-changing policies of this administration and we shall
•The newly-completed AUD Middle School, Araromi, Iwo under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, in Iwo, last Wednesday.
forever be grateful to Aregbesola, who has made us proud of our town, because the town is on a steady progress almost every day.” “From “OYES” to O’ Ambulance, to the building of modern schools, feeding of our school children, the abattoir projects going on Osogbo and Iwo and construction of roads, I can boldly say that Osogbo has highly benefited from the administration of Aregbesola.” “We are here today to appreciate the governor and to tell him that we want him to continue, because the good work he has started in Osogbo and Osun as a whole must continue,” the royal father stated. In a keynote address, Alhaji Olatunde Badmus said that Aregbesola’s administration has changed the status of Osogbo from that of a town into a modern city, which the sons and daughters of the town can now be proud of. The renowned business mogul recalled the dredging of waterways in the city immediately the administration came on board, which he said went a long way in eradicating the incidence of flooding, which had always wrecked havoc in the town every rainy season. He said: “Aregbesola has
Osun 2014 Election: Egbedore Monarchs Promise To Work For Aregbesola •Speaker Dispels Opposition’s Lies By KAZEEM MOHAMMED RADITIONAL rulers in Egbedore Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun have given their commitment to sensitise the people to make informed choices in the August 9 governorship election, with a view to ensuring the sustenance of developmental programmes going on in the state. The monarchs gave the programmes. assurance in their palaces At Olojudo palace, the on Wednesday when Babakekere of Ido-Osun, members of the All Chief Yekinni Aderogba, Progressives Congress who spoke on behalf of (APC) Campaign the monarchs, said that the Committee in Ede/ construction of Airport, Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Aje International Market Constituency visited them and Plank Market in Idoto seek their votes and Osun have made royal blessings. Aregbesola the toast of the Among the palaces people of the area. visited were of the He stressed that through Olojudo of Ido-Osun, Oba the August 9 governorship Adedapo Aderemi; election, the people of the Aragberi of Iragberi, Oba ancient town and its Folorunsho Makanjuola; environs would Olojo of Ojo, Oba Olayinka reciprocate what Gbolagade; Alawo of Awo, Aregbesola has done for Oba Musa Olatunbosun them. and Oluwoye of Iwoye, Also, the Aragberi, Olojo Oba Abdul Rasheed and Alawo said Aregbesola Ademola among others. has justified the reason he Receiving the campaign should be re-elected, team in their palaces, the charging him to bring traditional rulers affirmed more development to their that only an ingrate would areas when returned. not appreciate what Speaking in each of the Aregbesola has been able palaces, Speaker of the to do to develop the state. State of Osun House of They said that it is Assembly of Osun, important for the people of Honourable Najeem their various communities Salaam, who is the to votes massively for the Chairman of the APC APC governorship Campaign Committee in candidate to allow him the area, said the tour was complete his aimed at disabusing the d e v e l o p m e n t a l minds of the people on the
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lies being spread by the opposition. According to him, though, Aregbesola’s achievements are enough to campaign for him to win the election, the tour was aimed at sensitising the people not to allow themselves to be deceived by those he tagged: “Enemies of progress”. “Having realised that none of their lies is having effect on the people, they have now come up with another lies that Aregbesola wants to sack workers. “Aregbesola is not ready to sack any worker. He would rather employ
more. If he is ready to sack workers, he would have done that for long, but rather than sacking anybody, he has been employing more workers, more than any government has ever done. “Aregbesola is vying for second term in office, with a view to finally placing Osun on a progressive path that is totally irreversible by any government. “Aregbesola has been fulfilling his promises within the last three and half years, but the projects of cleaning Osun cannot be concluded in four years, considering the rots
that we met, hence, the need to seek re-election,” Salaam stressed. Also, lawmakers; Honourable Abiodun Awolola representing Egbedore constituency and Johnson Ojo of Ede South Constituency, as well as APC leaders, including Professor Mojeed Alabi, Alhaji Gbadebo Ajao and Alhaji Sule Alao said Aregbesola has matched vision and passion with action. They therefore urged the people to vote for Aregbesola again and defend their votes, with a view to allowing him complete the various projects he has started.
changed the image of our town into a modern city through massive infrastructural development. Osogbo can now be described as a true state capital.” “I remember when this administration came on board, the first thing it looked into was the yearly erosion problem, which has always caused a lot of problems for us. Ogbeni Aregbesola made sure that the issue of erosion and flooding became a thing of the past in this town.” “We are also very happy and grateful that over 70 percent of roads in Osogbo have been put in good shape by Aregbesola’s administration. We are so happy about the massive roads this government is constructing in and around Osogbo. The four corners of this town are witnessing u n p r e c e d e n t e d development.” He then assured the governor of the support and votes of the people of Osogbo in the coming gubernatorial election in the state. Speaking, governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, appreciated the Osogbo community for their support since the advent of his administration and their public declaration for his second term ambition. Aregbesola stressed that his administration is committed to the development of the state, promising to complete all the ongoing projects in Osogbo and other parts of the state. He stressed that despite the huge financial challenges facing the state, his decision to move the state forward is still in motion, describing as idle and baseless, the opposition’s claims that he’s yet to complete the projects embarked upon by his administration. “We are committed to continue to develop our state, despite our challenges. It is a job God has backed us to do and we shall do it.” “The achievements of the administration in the last three and a half years were made possible through God’s support and encouragement we have been getting through you.”
Adejare Bello Has Sunk Himself Politically -Adeleke •As PDP Members Decamped To ACN In Osun collected money to decamp centre of governance. By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO
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ORMER Governor Isiaka Adeleke of All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the former Speaker of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Adejare Bello, has sunk himself politically. Adeleke’s aide, Alhaji Adeleke, speaking through one of his aides Debo Badru, had led other at Oluponna in Ayedire loyalists of the former Local Government governor to cross over to Council Area of the state, the APC in Iwo Federal said for Adejare to allege Constituency of the state. The erstwhile PDP that he (Adeleke) took money from the APC to chieftain in Iwo told the destabilise the Peoples gathering that he and his Democratic Party (PDP), party members decided to it was a most fraudulent leave PDP for a better party that has people at the political claim.
Alhaji Badru likened the PDP to darkness, which cannot stand the test of APC’s light. The former PDP chairman said since he and other members left the PDP, emissaries have been sent to them to return to the PDP fold. He described as outright lies, the insinuation that Senator Adeleke and other party members, who left the PDP, were given money to do so. “They said we
to APC. I say this lie is too cheap. Is it Senator Adeleke that will collect money from APC to decamp? For what reason? “PDP is like darkness and APC is the light. Both cannot meet. Light will always triumph over darkness. “The PDP has sent many people to beg us to come back. They are still sulking in PDP since we left. August 9 election victory for Aregbesola is a reality. No one can stop his second term ambition,” Badru said.
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
Adejare Woos Okada Riders With Cash By SHINA ABUBAKAR
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HE deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the August 9 governorship election in the State of Osun, Honourable Adejare Bello, has started inducing commercial motorcyclists popularly called Okada with cash to secure their votes. Investigations revealed to a meeting at his that as soon as the former Osogbo GRA residence Speaker was picked as last Wednesday, where he the running mate to told them to go on and Senator Iyiola Omisore, search for others, who he started making effort have voters’ cards, with towards impressing the a view to inducing them party that he is a crowd with cash and vote for the puller and could help the party. party win the election. According to a source It was gathered that at the meeting, the EdeAdejare had summoned born politician told the commercial motorcyclists gathering that the non-
availability of cash is the doing of the APC-led administration in the state, saying once the party is voted out, money would flow into circulation. It was gathered that he charged the Okada riders to organise themselves into groups with coordinators, who would be liaising with the party to ensure smooth communication between them. The medium learnt that the party had also concluded plans to instigate commercial motorcyclists individually, having failed to lure the
unions into believing that the APC administration would cancel the business if elected for a second term in office. At the meeting held at Adejare’s house, the former Speaker was said to have told the commercial motorcyclists that if they vote for the PDP in the forthcoming governorship election, they would stop FRSC from arresting them for traffic offences. Also, the party was said to be moving from one local government council area to another, wooing Okada riders by deceiving
them that the governor would ban their business if voted back into office and should therefore do everything possible to stop him. Another move embarked upon by the party is to create an acrimony between the APC and the electorate by spreading falsehood that the governor is the one mopping up fund from circulation. However, Adejare assured the gathering at his house that the Federal
Government is hell-bent on removing the governor from office and that once the PDP is voted into power, more fund would be released to the state for its development. He told those at the meeting that even if the people of the state continue in their support for the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration in the state, the Federal Government would still work towards removing him from office.
UN Lauds Osun ADR Approach In Justice System By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
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•The newly-completed Kuta road under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, at Kuta, State of Osun, last Wednesday.
UNICEF Commends Osun On School Feeding Programme By SOLA JACOBS
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TATE governments across Nigeria have been advised to emulate the School Feeding Programme of the Government of the State of Osun to reduce the dropout rate in the elementary schools and create jobs through the programme. Governor of the State of rate in the state. Osun, Ogbeni Rauf “The State of Osun Aregbesola, made the call presently enjoys the least on Wednesday in his office unemployment rate in while playing host to United Nigeria with three percent Nations Children Fund unemployment rate (UNICEF) delegates, who resulting from series of were on an official visit to p e o p l e - o r i e n t e d the state. programmes we are He stated that the Osun embarking upon.” School Feeding Programme “Our state presently ranks tagged: O-Meals, is geared second behind Lagos State, towards employment as the state with the highest generation and economic Gross Domestic Product promotion, which has led to (GDP),” the governor the empowerment of 52 stressed. youths in fish-growing Applauding the efforts of business, 3,007 caterers and the local farmers for making an appreciable number of dreams of the state local farmers. government in the O’Meals According to the scheme a reality, the state governor, aside the job governor said over 300,000 created through O’ Meal, his fish, 10,000 crates of eggs, administration has also an appreciable quantity and employed 40,000 through quality vegetables, along the Osun Youths with different varieties of Empowerment Scheme seasonal fruits, are (OYES), employment of over consumed on weekly basis 10,000 teachers and by children between the engaged 3,000 people at the ages of 6 and 9, who are Omoluabi Garment Factory, benefiting from the scheme. which has assisted in the “I am bold to say that as reduction of unemployment a result of our efforts, Osun
is now a haven for willing investors because the state is now the safest and most peaceful state in Nigeria.” “I urge you to come and partner with us in the actualization and sustainability of these programmes, most importantly the O’Meals, as it is a sure way in helping children from poor homes have quality education,” he said. Reacting, the Country Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Ms. Jean Gough, said her team had earlier visited elementary schools across the state and other ongoing project sites of the state government to physically ascertain the level of achievements the state government has attained in this regard, which she said
was tremendous. She said: “We have gone on an inspection of some of your elementary schools and what we saw is highly commendable and we totally salute your efforts in this regard”. “I am assuring you that UNICEF is willing and ready to partner the state in this efficient, effective, innovative and peopleoriented programme called O’Meals, with a view to impacting positively in the lives of more kids, which could become a reality, if the programme is sustained.” She thereafter advised the state government to be involved in exchange programmes with other developed nations across the globe so as to add value to the scheme.
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HE United Nations (UN) has acknowledged that the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approach of the State of Osun government has facilitated access to justice in the state. A consultant of the UN look at opportunity Office on Drugs and through which UN Office Crime (UNODC), Mr can assist to ensure more Saka Azimazi, stated in access to justice. Responding, the Osogbo, the state capital, on Thursday during an Speaker, Honourable interactive session with Najeem Salaam, who was members of the state represented by his deputy, parliament over the Honourable Akintunde situation of justice system Adegboye, said that within the last three and half years, in the state. Describing the approach Osun has been very as meaningful and effective in term of easy appropriate, he said that access to justice in the the State House of state. He said that the ADR Assembly should legislate on it and make it a law, as system of the state and being done in some other such other systems would states that have adopted be backed up by laws, having seen its positive the system. Specifically, he effect on the justice system mentioned the Directorate of the state. Also speaking, the of Public Defender of the House state, saying that by giving Chairman, Committee on Judiciary the system a legal backing, it would further increase and Public Petitions, the rate of access to justice Honourable Ademola Ajiboye, said the state in the state. Identifying long term legislature has been good remand as one of the maintaining factors responsible for relationship with judicial justice delayed, Azimazi institutions to ensure recommended that the quality justice system in lawmakers should, the state. through legislation, give This, according to him, limitation to remand has assisted a lot, as many warrant period instead of of the challenges being keeping accuse in prison encountered in the system for years. The UN consultant, who have been resolved. Also, the Chief Whip, also commended the Honourable Ipoola Binuyo, government for the recommended that the UN domestication of the Child should assist in ensuring Right Laws of the state, the autonomy of legislature observed that copies of the laws were not well- across the country, so as circulated, charging that to make their work more this should be corrected. effective. Doing this, he said, He also recommended would further educate the that the organisation should people about the law and assist in finding a way of how to make use of it. removing the stringent Explaining the basis for conditions being attached the interactions, Azimazi noted that he was engaged to bail to ensure along with others to make decongestion of prisons an assessment of justice and facilitate access to institutions in the state and justice.
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
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NAPTIP Centre: A commendable approva Continued from pg1
successive governments especially in the state of Osun have not seriously addressed or paid much attention to, is the migration of people to neighbouring countries due to their belief that life is better in those worlds and that their chances of making it in those places are higher than staying here. But of course this is an erroneous belief. It's an erroneous belief because experience have shown that majority of such migrants who went to these countries like Ghana, Republic of Benin, Ivory Coast etc for this purpose hardly achieve their aim as more often than not they return home empty handed. After spending several years in those countries for majority of them there is always nothing to show for their long stay there. Thus for majority of
them it's always a case of double jeopardy. Double jeopardy in the sense that; one, they failed to achieve the purpose behind their migration and two, by the time they return home integrating themselves back into their aboriginal society becomes a big challenge which may even prove insurmountable for them for the rest of their lives. Most of them don't have a home to return to; they are homeless even as their age groups and colleagues they left behind by the time they traveled are already living in their own houses. From the foregoing we can see how pathetic the case of majority of these migrants can be. But there is a fundamental question to ask here; can we really blame our people who engage in this non-profitable venture? For us the answer is No. The answer is 'No' be-
cause lack of good governments for years is mainly attributable to this trend. When people lose the hope of making headway at home due to bad governments; governments that have failed to provide the enabling environment for people's survival then the next alternative people think of is to move out perhaps the grass is greener at the other side of the wall. Thus lack of confidence in government, lack of opportunities at home do - more often than not - push people out in pursuit of what isn't lost. And this is why as we yearn for good governance in this country we must appreciate the one that has found abode in the state of Osun under Aregbesola. There is surely no alternative to good and responsible government such as the one we now have in the state. Good governance no doubt fast-tracks
development as it attracts investors and also encourages people to stay at home to also contribute their own quota towards the development of their home states. With what presently obtains in the state - good government - we believe that traffic in persons will drastically reduce because when people are comfortable at home, then there will be no reason for them to want to migrate elsewhere for a better life. Thus we commend the approval by Ogbeni Aregbesola for the establishment of this centre and more commendable is the fact that it's the state government that will foot the bill. o
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INTERVIEW
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
‘I Warned Ige’ Alhaji Musbaudeen Kayode Adekojo, the National Chairman of the National Committee on Arbitration and Discipline of Alliance for Democracy (AD), explains how he warned Uncle Bola Ige about those who wanted to kill him in this interview with ABD’LATEED OTTAN. Excerpts: compensate him. Q: Can you explain your relationship with late Uncle Bola 1ge? A: I was the state organising secretary of the Unity Party of Nigeria in the Second Republic (1979-1983). My boss then was Chief Biodun Falade who was the chief organising secretary and also doubled as the political adviser to the government of Bola Ige. By the same token, I was the political secretary to the government. Uncle Bola 1ge was the chairman of UPN as well as the executive &ovemor of Oyo State. I was by this position responsible to him and to the party. I was very close to him during. his life time. One thing I found strange about him was that he was too trusting and not security conscious. He was totally blind to security because of his faith in God. If he was security conscious, it would have been hard for the cowards that took his life, even if they are ten thousand. I believe that It is only cowards-that take lives. This is the saddest moment of my life. He was not only my leader, he was my father. He took me as his son and I took him as.my father. I like him more than my biological father, and now he was killed like a chicken. Q: Could you shed some light on the murder? A: I asked his cook- Akam and ltan - where they were that day because, they used to be around. And Okonkwo his personal security, employed by him. I. could not get the security personnel of the house, Ezekiel and others whom 1 understood are being interrogated. When I asked from Okonkwo, he told me he was not around, that he had closed for the day. That very Sunday, I was in the house in the morning. I saw all the security personnel, including Okonkwo, the steward and ‘the cook. That was why I decided to question all of them. I asked to know how what happened, why it should happen at all, if visitors were there. The house used to receive several visitors were they not there? So 1 needed to interview them. Akam said Uncle Ige sent him to buy a bulb, but that when he returned somebody held his neck from the back and signaled that he must not talk. He said he was taken to mama’s (Ige’s wife) room where he met others lying down. He was ordered to lie down with them facing the floor. Mama and Muyiwa too were there, so also was the gate man. He said mama’s room was jammed and that nobody could come out. That after a few minutes, they heard a gunshot. He said all these while they were praying that nothing should happen to· anyone of them including papa. According to him, after a few minutes, the grandson of Uncle Ige Kayode, who IS the first son of Mrs. Funsho Adegbola, opened the door along with his mother. He said Kayode’s mother asked what happened and the people replied ‘armed robber’. That when they rushed to papa’s room, they found him in a pool of blood. He said papa was rushed to the Catholic Hospital at Oluyoro, where he gave up the ghost. Q: Is it true that you had a phone call with a threat to kill some political leaders including Uncle Bola Ige? A: Yes, I had a phone call on the night of Saturday from an anonymous caller who claimed to belong to Iyiola Omisore camp - the deputy governor of Osun State. He said he had made
•ADEKOJO up his mind to quit the camp, but due to the oath they had taken, it was not possible for him to leave. He said the camp was planning to eliminate some political leaders in AD states including Uncle. According to him, members of the camp met in an uncompleted building at Bodija area, very close to Uncle Ige’s residence. He warned me to be careful or else I would be killed too. I remembered what I saw in Osogbo on Tuesday and Thursday where the deputy governor, Iyiola Omisore, threatened to shoot the photographer to the governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, with a gun. He was prevented from carrying out his threat by security personnel. I witnessed the incident. I was there in my capacity as the chairman of the Arbitration and Discipline Committee of AD. The duty of the committee is to identify the source of any political crisis and to suggest ways by which it can be resolved. Due to what I saw in Osogbo, I organised a vigil to pray for peace to reign in Osun and elsewhere. While the alfas were doing their prayers, I was also praying in my room. Suddenly, I received a call from someone who said he commended the efforts of Governor Bisi Akande’s programme in trying to improve the living condition of the masses. He said he had opted out of Omisore’s camp, but that he could not leave for fear of being killed, If they suspect anybody trying to leave Omisore’s camp, they will eliminate the person if they can. That they have taken oaths to remain in Omisore’s camp. I asked for his name, his
whereabouts, that I will try to compensate him for the information he was giving me. But he did not disclose his name or his whereabouts. He said I would know him later, but not then. He spoke in fluent English. He disclosed the location of their meetings in Ibadan. He said they meet at night. That they meet in an uncompleted budding, adding that Omisore is their leader. He said the building was uncompleted, but now, it has been completed. That it is (the building) a stone’s throw from Uncle Ige’s house. When I asked him about the members of the group, he said, the legislator or lawmaker that was killed recently was a member of the group, saying he was their ring leader. The thugs took him for another person. It was a case of mistaken identity. The persons that called said the lawmaker died through his own evil machination. He said their ring leaders are Wale Adesiyan and Kunle Alao both of whom he described as wild and fierce. If the two ring leaders have their way, they would have killed all the political leaders. He said they are more ferocious than Omisore. It was Omisore that said they should do the killings one after another. He said Omisore used to say that they will start from the top down to the bottom in Osun State. The caller said Omisore’s camp intends to eliminate all top political leaders in Osun State. Starting from Akande. But he did not mention any political leader in Oyo State. I asked the caller to meet me at a neutral place, preferably in a hotel and that I would
I asked the caller where they got the money to execute their programme. He told me that they obtained money from PDP chieftains and IBB. He said their boss – Omisore used to visit IBB and the PDP chairman in Osun State. He said they used to go to a secret place not known to him. The caller said Omisore used to tell them that IBB is a good person. After the conversation with the caller, I went to Uncle Ige’s house that Sunday. I was told that he was not around, but I waited when I heard mama was sleeping. I waited until mama woke up and told her that some people were being used by Omisore’s group to perpetrate their evil doings. Mama said wlien chief (Ige) arrives, I should tell him. I insisted on knowing his whereabouts but mama told me that chief had gone to Lagos to bring his sickly elder brother, George Ige, to Ibadan. She revealed further that she was waiting for her husband since they were to travel together to Esa-Oke for Christmas on Sunday. I discussed with mama on how to beef up the security of the house when Uncle gets back because, I don’t trust the security arrangement in the house. I offered to take up the security arrangement in the house. That I wanted to follow him whereever he went to avoid the kind of embarrassment that happened to him in Ile-Ife. The incident happened at the palace of Ooni of Ife - what did he do to stop the harassment. I don’t trust Ooni of Ife himself because he was the one that supported Iyiola Omisore to become the deputy governor. Now, he is using that post to destabilise Osun State. Mama agreed with me after my explanation that there were security lapses in the house. She also agreed that when the husband comes, she would convince him to let me take over the security arrangements in the house and follow Chief Ige to whereever he goes. When Chief Ige did not come on time, I went to Uncle Dele Ige’s house-his younger brother. Uncle Ige met me there in compariy with his ailing brother, George Ige, that was around 5pm in the evening. Later, I told him everything about the security arrangement, including what I saw in Osun State and the poor security arrangement in his house. He agreed with me and said I should meet him in Esa-Oke. He said security around him does not matter, that he committed his life to God. When Uncle Dele Ige saw that I was worrying Chief Bola Ige, too much on security, he found a way to dismiss it. Q: How did you here about his death? A: On Sunday, around I lpm, I received about four phone calls from different persons. They spoke in Yoruba, English and Pidgin. The callers threatened to eliminated some political leaders of AD comprising Governors Lam Adesina, Niyi Adebayo, Bisi Akande, Ahmed Tinubu; Uncle Bola lge; two state secretaries of Oyo and Osun governments including two commissioners frorn Oyo State. They spoke in croaked and guttural voices. They threatened to eliminate me too. It was the fourth caller that said that they, had killed the biggest of the fish, but he did not mention any name. Some minutes later, a senator called to confirm ifthe rurnour of the death of Uncle Ige was true and I said it was riot possible. Later; I had a call from a journalist from the Tribune who wanted to confirm his death. The time was between I am and 2 am Monday. Later, it dawned on me that they have carried our their threat. •Culled from TheNEWS Magazine
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
2014 June 12 Programme At Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Photo: GBENGAADENIYI. Last Thursday.
•(R-L) Governor Rauf Aregbesola in a handshake with Comrade Waheed Lawal. With them are the Chairman, 2014 June 12 Organising Committee, Comrade Shenge Rahman; the Coordinator, People Welfare League (PWL), Comrade Abiodun Agboola and former President Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Oyebade Olowogboyega at the event.
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•(L-R) Special Adviser to State of Osun Governor on Commerce, Dr Olalekan Yunisa; State Commissioner for Commerce, Mr Ismail Alagbada and State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Honourable Sunday Akere.
•A crowd at the event.
•(L-R) Comrade Wole Folaranmi, Coordinator, Independent Masses Forum; Comrade Lukman Abimbola, Committee for Democracy and the Right of the People (CDRP) and Engineer Sola Oladepo.
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
PHOTOTALK
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2014 June 12 Programme At Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Thursday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
•A cross section of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) members at the event.
•Senator Sola Adeyeye (left) and some activists.
•A cross section of dignitaries at the programme.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
More Pix On All Progressives Congress (APC) 2014 Governorship Campaign At Ila Stadium, Ila-Orangun, State Of Osun, Last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI, SHOLA ADERINTO AND JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM.
•Some of the nursery school pupils hailing Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the occasion.
•Some of the governor’s supporters hanging on the fence struggling to catch a glimpse of their political idol during the rally.
• •A cross section of Okada operators leading Governor Aregbesola’s convoy.
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FOR THE RECORDS
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
APC Govs Have Set Good Records In S’West Dr Olapade Agoro, a cleric, traditional ruler and politician is known for his bluntness on any issue of national interest. Though, the leader of the National Action Council (NAC), one of the political parties in the country, he in this chat with CORRESPONDENT Oladele Ogunsola makes a serious case for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-West geo-political zone in the coming elections based on the performance of the governors and asks the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to keep off. Excerpts: was moribund became a living has always been THERE his call on the Yoruba by some people on the need to belong to the mainstream politics of Nigeria, what is your take on this in view of Ekiti and Osun States governorship elections in June and August First and foremost, I’ m not one of those who believe in mainstream or downstream politics. Politics to me is for service. If mainstream will be denying of right to the common man, then may God remove that mainstream. You are here about the right time. I never knew, I stumbled on an interview I granted one of the newspapers 15 years ago where I defended strongly the cause of the Yoruba, those now talking, where were they then? I defended them strongly then during the late Gen Abacha era. You see, we have the problem, Yoruba are great people unequalled in Africa, we don’t have rivals, but the problem there is, we can sellout. We are easily bought. Start from the home, hardly will you find Igbo girl coming to marry Yoruba unless under circumstances beyond the reach of social comment. Hardly will you see an Hausa man giving his daughter in marriage to a Yoruba man, but if there Hausa men looking for wives, they come over there to marry our daughters. In the business clime, just give the contract to a Yoruba man, he will forget his own people. that has been the problem with us; we are readily bought; we are easily purchased at a low price. So, this issue of mainstream or no mainstream, must we allow for mainstream at the expense of performance? How? I’m not in the All Progressives Congress(APC), but at my age and national calling embossed with international respect, I think I’ m in a better position to speak on national issues. If you look at the translation of reality into performance in Osun, in Ekiti, particularly here in Oyo State, tell me any sane mind that will want to vote those who are there out of power? In Osun State, my junior brother, Olagunsoye Oyinlola was there for seven and a half years, he is a living person, he is a gentleman, I respect him for that. I know that in his right senses, he will know that
•Dr OLAPADE AGORO
Aregbesola has dwarfed his performance. I was in Osogbo a few days ago, I deliberately went round Osogbo town, the other time it was Ife, then later Ilesa, the performance of this young man since the state was created has no equal. The only man that did something fantastic was Chief Bisi Akande, the secretariat he built for Osun can never be rivalled by anybody in the next 50 years; he was Awolowo in performance. Look at Fayemi, he met Ekiti in tumble and rumble, in dirty shape. People play politics in Ekiti and this is an opportunity for me to commend this young man, Segun Oni for willingly teaming up with Fayemi, it is one of the best that ever happened, that’s fantastic. On a comparative basis, don’t forget Ayo Fayose is a son to me; Ayo Fayose was himself in government, whereas Fayemi is people in government. Go to Ekiti, if Ayo Fayose is even reasonable, if he has his eyes in his sockets, I think he must say, look I surrender, you have performed nobly. Go to
Abeokuta, I was at Ijebu- Ode, I went round, I have never done anything like this in my life, this young man, Amosun, to turn Ijebu-Ode round, if only for this, I don’t know why any reasonable person will want to deny tilting to the winning horse. But the argument has been that they have not performed? By who? By the opposition that has not gotten anything to show for 15 solid years that they have been at the centre? So, when you talk of mainstream, is the Federal Government performing per excellence as we have in these APC States? I was in Edo, what I saw was fantastic. Why will you deny right to the wining horse? I’ m not talking of politics, PDP is politics, these people are performers; there is a difference between politics and performance. I was born and bread in Ibadan, Oyo State, although an Ijesa man by birth, but I must say that this man, Abiola Ajimobi, must be one of the best that we ever saw. Ibadan, my birthplace has been
transformed, likewise Oyo, Ogbomosho, then, I went to make enquiry, where did he get his money? He has not borrowed one kobo. If there was any governor that has great respect for me, it was Adebayo Alao-Akala, I think Alao- Akala, because he is a Christian must say let me keep quiet, if he is talking, he is only talking politics. I will call such talk by Akala jingoism politics, jingoism, just noise-making politics. But, if it is performance, nothing could be said to have been near the performance of Ajimobi. Let’s look closely, in the last 40 years; we are having Ibadan getting transformed. Have you gone to MKO Abiola Way, commonly known as Ring Road and see the gigantic development going on at a disused refuse dump? We have now a store there, supermarket, the type not seen in the whole of Africa than in the South Africa. We are having sine-qua-non in terms of development. Suddenly, Ibadan has been transformed, suddenly Cocoa House that
entity, suddenly you can move from Apata to Gate within 20 minutes as a result of dualisation. Aregbesola, I don’t even know that a man who was brought out from the lion’s den could have performed that creditably; he is performing. What could have happened if the young man were not allowed to enjoy his mandate, that place would have been in mess? Omisore that wants to contest, does he have his eyes in his head? Does Omisore have his eyes in his head? Can he see the transformation going on in his father’s place? Look at what Aregbesola has done in the whole state! As the opposition in hellbent on chasing all of them away, what is the implication? Backwardness, retardation of progress, retrogression, simple! My fear is that if they are not allowed to come back, God forbid bad thing, what becomes of all the ongoing laudable projects? They will all go ‘’fiam’’, PDP as far as I am concerned has no business in Osun State, Ekiti State or even in the entire Yoruba land. Lets give those performing governors the ticket to come back, if you like call it open campaign, I’m campaigning openly for them, I’m a traditional ruler in politics, nobody can do me anything. I’m using this medium to give them pass mark, they have all excelled. You want to move from here and go to Oyo, Alaafin, baba is stubborn, if Ajimobi has not been doing well, you know Alaafin would have made noise, people are happy across the state. Ajimobi will need more than one term to complete the projects at hand, there is no way Ajimobi can complete the ongoing projects in this term, he will need an extension of about nine months. I was at IjebuOde, nobody can complete the work going on within the next one year. The work going on in Osun cannot be completed within the next one year, so if we send them out, we send progress out. If only for the good work they are doing, lets put politics aside, they deserve to continue. On this O’meal, O’uniform and all sorts, Aregbesola is a socialist; forget about the goatee bear he carries about, he is a hard-core supporter of Fidel Castro. What he is doing in Osun are what operate in Cuba, the school children wear the same uniform, you can’t differentiate between the rich and the poor. He is practicing socialism-communism. Culled from DAILY INDEPENDENT
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
These Mega Rallies: Their Uniqueness And Peculiarities The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun does usual things uniquely and in grand style. This was NIYI OLASINDE’s conclusion as he captured events at the mega rally recently held at Ila-Orangun. Here, he brings out the peculiar qualities of the rally, vis-à-vis the two preceding ones.
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (arrowed on top of a bus), acknowledging cheers from the mammoth crowd, during his re-election mega rally in Ila/ Ifedayo/Boluwaduro Federal Constituency at Ila Township Stadium, Ila-Orangun, last Tuesday.
ALL roads led to Ila-Orangun, the seat of Ila / Boluwaduro / Ifedayo Federal Constituency of the State of Osun last Tuesday where an unprecedented crowd comprising party members, loyalists, faithful, supporters, sympathizers and residents, converged on the ancient town to grace the third in the series of mega rallies convened by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across the nine federal constituencies in the state. Two weeks earlier, two federal constituencies in the state had taken turns to host the incumbent governor and his campaign train to their territories. These are the Ife Federal Constituency, where the series of mega rallies intended to usher in the election of the governor for the second term kick-started; and the Irewole /Ayedaade / Isokan Federal Constituency, which turn it was last week. It was the exigencies imposed by this successive timetable that drew people to converge on the headquarters of Ila / Boluwaduro / Ifedayo Federal Constituency where a large crowd, the largest so far, gathered to accord the governor deserved recognition and approval; as well as give their solidarity to him for his second term bid. This was at the instance of the Ila Federal Constituency Campaign Committee chaired by the State of Osun Commissioner for Information and
Strategy, Honourable Sunday Akere. One unique and salient feature of the rallies held so far, that of IlaOrangun inclusive, is the atmosphere of peace, tranquility, tolerance and serenity that prevailed before, during and after the crowd-pulling events. The length and breadth of the matter is that the mega rallies so far held were devoid of rancor; they were hitch-free; and they were rich in all qualities of endearment and persuasion. The implication of this is that the ruling party in the State of Osun has mastery in the skill of conversion. As a matter of fact, members of the leading opposition subsist in those constituencies where the rallies have been held; not to talk of other parties. In the particular towns which played host to the rallies, it is a matter of stating the obvious, that dwellers and residents are not absolutely consisting of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). What then contributed to the huge success recorded at those rallies? What factors won the unprecedented crowd recorded to the side of the governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola? The first and central in the list of most probable factors is the fact that the hallmark of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a broad-based political party is love, good brotherliness and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians; irrespective
of considerations to ethnicity, religion, socio-economic statuses, background or state-in-life. In other words, the focus of the founding fathers of the party is not that of “capturing” areas of governance “by all means”; but through loving entreaties and more importantly, through imprints of quality selfless service consisting in lifetouching programmes and projects. In the last four years in the State of Osun, this pace has been set clearly. Aregbesola has demonstrated that the best way to govern is to add value to the lives of those you lead without any taint of discrimination. It is sure and certain that the prevailing climate of political contests in the State of Osun has today changed for better. Since the period of election campaigns preceding the 2011 General Elections, the state had begun to turn a new leaf, as “do-or-die” money-bag politicians who would spare nothing to lord it over the electorate began to lose grip over the political terrains. I bet that the best form of voter education is leadership by example. When people are offered the best quality of service; when they are provided with the abundant doses of what they need; and when the provided services have populist consideration, then trust is built and people hold their leaders in confidence. The climate of distrust, fear, tension, suspicion and pent-up anger which dominated the attitude of
the led toward their leaders in the past was brought about through careless neglect on the part of leaders during those dark eras. Give it to him; Aregbesola has opened a new chapter in the socio-political terrains of our state. Today, it is no longer business as usual. All fraudulent, violence-prone and self-seeking politicians would fare better, should they have a rethink or else, let them find other engagements. At Ila-Orangun, reflections expressed by the teeming crowd showed that of a people whose hearts were filled with profound gratitude to their liberator. In the case of the jubilant crowd, it comprised people whose wholesome demonstration of gratitude could not be suppressed. They came all-out from all strata and divides to give support, approval and endorsement to the man they fully trust: Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC). HE ancient town of Ila-Orangun T was stretched to full capacity as all nooks and crannies of the town shook under the weight of the mammoth crowd that gathered to bid Aregbesola a rallying welcome. In his description of the experience of the rally, former governor of the state and National Chairman of the All Progressives Continued on page 13
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
These Mega Rallies: Their Uniqueness And Peculiarities
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) addressing the crowd, during his re-election campaign in Ila/Ifedayo/Boluwaduro Federal Constituency at Ila Orangun, last Tuesday. Continued from page 12
Congress (APC), an indigene of IlaOrangun, Chief Adebisi Akande could not hide his marvel at the density of the crowd. According to the septuagenarian politician, he had never witnessed such a large convergence on the town, his pace of birth. Further in his speech at the event, Chief Akande cited the soaring popularity, acceptance and endorsement of the progressive APC in the nation’s core north; an area hitherto known to be the foothold of conservatives. He attributed this recent trend to the manifest hand of God, charging the people of the State of Osun not to renege on their support for the party. Governor Aregbesola, who rode unto the venue of the occasion around 2:45 p.m. rode in his characteristic mini luxury van, could not conceal his delight at meeting a huge crowd at the Open Field Arena directly overlooking the IlaOrangun country home of Chief Akande. This was mindless of the fact that his trip to the venue had all along been slowed down by another crowd that accompanied him from the palace of the paramount monarch of Igbominaland, His Royal Highness, Oba Abdul-Wahab Oyedotun Bibire I through the town toward Ora-Igbomina / Kwara State Boundary road. The governor and his entourage had earlier been at the palace of the monarch to seek his royal blessings. All along the streets of Ila-Orangun, the experience was that of an unimaginable crowd
trooping out. The atmosphere is currently generating into a contest; with each particular area struggling to outdo the other in giving the much-deserved honour to the governor. Or how else could we describe the apparently jocular remarks of the first executive governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, who in his consummate acknowledgement of the crowd, promised that Ede Federal Constituency, his indigenous constituency would do better when the lot shall roll to it to host the campaign train? The coveting is good and pleasant. In his words of assurance at the event, Governor Rauf Aregbesola charged voters and entire residents of the State of Osun to shun threats and intimidation ploy of the opposition, which had been the clear motive of the mishap recorded in neighbouring Ekiti State earlier in the week. That unfortunate occurrence was viewed a sad dimension to the build-up to the forthcoming Gubernatorial Polls in the state. The governor dropped this entreaty as he addressed an unprecedented jubilant crowd that people should troop out massively on the Election Day to cast their votes, which they should stand by to protect till counting and record-taking stage at the respective polling booths. He did not allow the opportunity provided by the occasion to slip by without reminding them to be calm, peaceful, yet watchful and vigilant. It was an enthusiastic broom-
brandishing convergence that gave the governor their best wishes for a victorious election experience. On the entourage of the governor were the Deputy Governor, who doubles as the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in the State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs.) Grace Titilayo LaoyeTomori, Wife of the Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Abidemi Aregbesola, Speaker, the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Folasayo Salaam and the First Executive Governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke. Others are the Senator representing Osun East (Ife / Ijesa) Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Babajide Omoworare, the Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Professor Olusola Adeyeye, who doubles as the Chairman of the Governor’ Central Campaign Committee, member representing IlaOrangun / Boluwaduro / Ifedayo Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Fakeye and the lawmakers representing the three local governments comprising the federal constituency in the State House of Assembly, Honourables Ajiboye Ademola Adebiyi (Ila); Atolagbe Afolabi (Ifedayo); and Dejo Osuolale Bello (Boluwaduro). Other dignitaries present at the mega rally include the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), former Governor of the state and father
of the day Chief Adebisi Akande, commissioners in the State of Osun, party chieftains, and party hierarchy in the state, including the state Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, state Interim Secretary, Prince Adegboyega Famodun, party executives in Ila Federal Constituency and the here local governments as well as from all the thirty local government council areas of the state as well as the Ife East Area Office, who came to identify with their comrades. The occasion also showcased the defection of some scores of politicians from the leading opposition; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the fold of progressives. Among other eminent personalities at the occasion are State of Osun House of Assembly members and executive secretaries of the three local governments in the area, Honourable Victor Segun Awotunde (Ila); Honourable Stephen Dosumu (Boluwaduro); and Honourable Kunle Ayantoye (Ifedayo). Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Honourable Stephen Dosumu promised the support of all his colleagues for the programmes and causes of the administration while charging voters to vote massively for Aregbesola and protect votes such cast. Also, executive secretaries of the remaining twenty-seven (27) local governments and that of Ife East Area Office were in attendance to solidarize with their colleagues.
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
A memorable quote from Senator Isiaka Adeleke on the PDP candidate in the State of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan and another PDP chieftain in the state, Sogo Agboola. Omisore, Police Minister Beat Me Up - Adeleke “On entering the hall, I saw Omisore, Adesiyan, Sogo Agboola sitting together. I went to Adesiyan to complain that police officers and DSS operatives were holding party men outside. But, instead of listening to me, he jumped over a table before him and hit me with a blow on the chest. Sogo Agboola also attacked me. Before I knew what was happening, Omisore hit me with a blow from the back. About seven guns corked were pointed at me,” Adeleke asserted. •Culled from Nigerian Tribune, Thursday April 3, 2014
•OMISORE
•ADELEKE
•ADESIYAN
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 14, 2014
Donation Of Four Campaign Vans To Support Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Reelection By Otunba Olabisi Oladitan At Onirun’s Palace, Oke-Irun, State Of Osun.
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (centre); the Onirun of Oke-Irun, Oba Isaac Adetunlurese (2nd left); President, JMI Investment Limited, Otunba Olabisi Oladitan (2nd right); Assistant Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barrister Gbenga Akano (left) and Executive Secretary, Boluwaduro Local Government, Prince Stephen Dosunmu (right), during the handing over of four campaign vans to support the governor’s re-election at Onirun’s Palace, Oke-Irun, State of Osun recently by Otunba Olabisi Oladitan.
•The donated vans for the campaign.
Appreciation And Endorsement Ceremony For Aregbesola’s Second Term In Office By Osogbo Community At Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Week.
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (centre), acknowledging cheers from his admirers while his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Deputy Speaker, State House of Assembly of Osun, Akintunde Adegboye (left) and other dignitaries watch, during the appreciation and endorsement ceremony for Aregbesola’s Second Term in office by Osogbo Community at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Monday.
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HAT happened in Ado-Ekiti last Sunday was to say the least abominable. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the VicePresident, Alhaji Nnamdi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihediohia, were all present at the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) campaign in Ado-Ekiti, where the flag of the party was handed over to the candidate of the party, Mr Ayo Fayose last Saturday. Also present were the governors of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, Abia State, Mr Theodore Orji, Cross River State, Mr Liyel Imoke and that of Kogi, Captain Idris Wada. Also not left out was the deputy governor of Bayelsa State. The presidential team campaigned for the party’s flag bearer for the June 21st election without any hindrance. In conformity with the tradition of All Progressives Congress (APC), party members trooped out the following day to clear-up whatever mess the PDP must have created. However, this innocuous act was to attract ‘punishment’ from an unlikely source; the police. Ordinarily, the police is meant to be a friend of the people, who should protect all citizens, regardless of whatever party is in power. Basically, the police institution is apolitical, which means it is insulated from partisan party politics. If PDP came on a campaign and the APC, the party in the helm of affairs at the state decided to clean up whatever the hangover left behind, is there any crime in it? It was not even the PDP that attempted to settle scores, if any, with the party in power in the state. The convoy of the Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, was attacked by a police team led by the Commander of Police Mobile Force in Ado-Ekiti, Gabriel Selenkere. He was alleged to have fired the shot that killed one Akinsola during the symbolic sweeping of roads that the PDP members passed through during their rally. Dr Fayemi took his case to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and asked the police czar to look into the issue dispassionately and mete out appropriate punishment to the culprit. Fayemi saw the issue as a clear case of assassination attempt on the governor of Ekiti State. What is incomprehensible was that even during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, the then sitting President in 2003 went to the Onikan Stadium in Lagos to campaign for Dr Funso Williams, the then PDP standard-bearer. The following day, the then Action Congress (AC) members trooped out after, to engage in the symbolic sweeping of Lagos streets. Nothing untoward happened. Even when the then governors of the PDP in the South-West went to complain to Chief Obasanjo in Abuja for what the
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The Ekiti State Police Misadventure
•FAYEMI
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu administration did, Obasanjo was reported to have rebuked them for the inability of the five governors to stand up to Tinubu. They were reported to have encouraged the President to hold on to the illegally withheld funds of the Lagos State local government councils, as a result of the creation of Local Development Areas (LCDAs). President Jonathan cannot on one hand preach peace, while on the other hand subtly encouraging violence. It does no good to the office and person of the president, that a day after his campaign in Ekiti State, the governor, who is the supposed Chief Security Officer of the state had his convoy
attacked. It is also coming against the background of the clampdown on newspapers considered critical to the federal authorities. If some newspapers have fallen short of their standard professional ethics, are there no statutes to handle such? The PDP and the presidency seem hell-bent on throwing everything against the standard norms all in a bid to capture the APC states, especially in the South-West. Most Nigerians thought that it was Obasnajo’s background as a retired military officer that informed the “capture” states at all cost. To the discerning minds, however, this
did not come as a surprise. People saw the appointment of Musiliu Obanikoro and Jelili Adesiyan as Minister of State for Defence and Police Affairs respectively as a purveyor of what to happen later. The timing of their appointment and the insistence of the President that they should be assigned to security related issues easily gave the PDP up that the two-some were out to undertake an unholy task. In the interest of everybody, I think it is paramount that we should allow the wish of the people to prevail during election. At this juncture, we should try to be students of history, but the tragedy of history is that more often than not, people refuse to learn from it. The first republic collapsed as a result of political crises in the Western Region. Even though it was an implosion within the Action Group (AG), it would have been brought under control, if the federal authorities had been impartial and tried to intervene with open mind to settle the problem amicably. But rather than do what was needful, the federal authorities led by the Prime Minister, Alhaji (Sir) Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, who was also the Northern Premier, felt they could take sides. This they did, but unfortunately, that became their greatest undoing. The two Northern leaders and other top politicians and top military men lost their lives in the first coup de tat, It is my humble consideration that we should be interested in the sustenance of the country and its democracy, which will enable us to achieve our personal political desires. On this page, I have written severally on the fact that we should slow down our over-ambition in the interest of the corporate existence of this country. If, however, we allow our over-ambition to ignite conflagration in the country, we would be the greatest losers. The voters are no longer fools to be led by the nose. They know who will best serve their interest. The statement of Akpabio, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum that the party is prepared to assemble Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANS) to handle brief after election in Ekiti suggest that they are up to some mischief. I will end up by saying people who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Akpabio has been in the news of late for controversial reasons. If he is not talking recklessly like he did in Ado-Ekiti, he would be engaging in initiating a pension bill for his state, Akwa Ibom, which he would be the first beneficiary whenever he leaves office. By statutory allocation today, his state gets the largest revenue allocation. Is it why he believes he is entitled to N100 million as health expenses in a state, where the minimum wage is N18,000. Do some of these leaders ever think about the future? The police hierarchy should explain to the public their ignoble role in Ekiti State last Saturday. Not only that, they should rekindle our interest and hope in the forthcoming election.
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