Osun Defender - June 3rd, 2014 Edition by OsunDefender

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TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014

If the much talked about plan of the far from being People's Democratic Party in the state of Osun to perpetrate violence as the election draws closer was real, then they

VOL. 9. NO.066

Front Page Comment Osun PDP's plan orgy of violence better have a rethink. To have a re-think is a necessity for Osun PDP before

they embark on Russian-roulette. Of course any plan to, yet again, embark on what they are best

known for; perpetration of violence, will be tantamount to embarking on a dangerous game with dire consequences for them. Continue on pg4

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

N50

IGE

PDP Is A Party Of Thugs, Violent People - Adeleke •As Aregbesola Says Omisore Has No Mental Capacity To Govern Osun •Ex-Gov Leads Thousands Of PDP Members To APC In Osogbo - See Story On Page 2

•Senator Isiaka Adeleke, first civilian governor of the State of Osun and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant (arrowed) on top of a bus, waiving a broom to ecstatic APC members and supporters on his way to Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, venue of his defection from the PDP to APC last Saturday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Osun Gets 27 Lawmakers In 2015

- See Story On Page 3

News

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

PDP Is A Party Of Thugs, Violent People - Adeleke •As Aregbesola Says Omisore Has No Mental Capacity To Govern Osun •Ex-Gov Leads Thousands Of PDP Members To APC In Osogbo By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

HE first Executive Governor in the State of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, on Saturday lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as he publicly tore the umbrella, the symbol of the party, which according to him, marked the end of the PDP in his life and the State of Osun, saying the party is full of thugs and violent individuals. Public declaration of the Freedom Park, Osogbo, former governor for the venue of the programme, ruling-All Progressives was filled beyond capacity, Congress (APC) in the state, as people hanged on the had ended the long roadside waving as the speculation of his defection former senator from the from the PDP, the party he Government House, Oke-Fia to the venue. joined since 2001. The anxious-waiting He was a senator on the platform of the party from crowd went into jubilation as the former governor, in 2007 to 2011. Adeleke’s defection the company of Governor attracted party faithful Rauf Aregbesola, arrived the within and outside the state. venue in an open-roof bus, Nelson Mandela waving a broom, the symbol

of his new party, the APC. Former PDP chieftains, who also dumped the party alongside Adeleke were former State PDP Deputy Chairman, Dr Bello Salaam, Prince Adesoji Baderin, a former commissioner, Honourables Musbau Ayinde, Samson Siyanbola, Adekola Aliu all who were members of the House of Representatives. Former council chairmen, who also defected with Senator Adeleke were Kareem Adegoke, Kamoru Ajisafe, Kamorudeen Adegoke. Others were Honourable Taofeek Bello, Alhaja Hauwa Hammed, former Executive Assistant, Rasheed Iranlado, Bayo

Aminu, Jimoh Oyekanmi, Alhaji Fatai Pepper, Bimbo Oyedele, Musa Bilau, Saka Laoye, all PDP executives in Ede-North and South Local Government Council areas among others. The ceremony was presided over by the APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, National Legal Adviser, Dr Muiz Banire alongside Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who was also in attendance. Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Senator Adeleke expressed gratitude for returning to the progressive party, APC, which he described as his original home. Adeleke, who

appreciated the people of the state for their support so far, said he started his political career in the progressive fold, as a member of NADECO and state governor under Social Democratic Party (SDP). He said: “I am a party man to the core and when you are in a party, which leadership has lost sanity, you cannot feel comfortable in such a party. I was never interested in the governorship seat, but some of them came to persuade me that Omisore cannot win any election and that I should contest. “I reluctantly accepted because I was in a dilemma on how to campaign against

•Vehicular gridlock in Osogbo last Saturday during Senator Isiaka Adeleke’s defection from the PDP to All Progressives Congress (APC). Governor Rauf Aregbesola on top of a bus waiving a broom to his numerous admirers on the occasion. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Adeleke’s Defection: PDP Is Dead In Osun - Akande, Fayemi, Others By KAZEEM MOHAMMED HE Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, have said that the defection of the first Executive Governor of the State of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, to the party has shown that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is dead in the state. He stated this in Osogbo, his original home, adding the state capital, on that others who want to back to the Saturday, while receiving come progressive fold would be Senator Adeleke, who led thousands of leaders and accepted with open hands. “We know that the people members of PDP to join the are always with us and we ruling party in the state. Akande stated that when are not bothered about that, Adeleke left the PDP, he but for the successes we would have gone have recorded and still somewhere else, but for his recording, it should be clear progressive mind and the to everybody that God is excellent performance of the with us. “In the coming elections present administration under Governor Rauf in Ekiti and Osun, there is no violence they can cause Aregbesola. Describing the APC and and there is nothing they the state under Aregbesola can do that we will not as peaceful, he defeat them,” he added. The Interim National congratulated Adeleke for leaving the party where he Legal Adviser of APC, Dr Banire, while had been marked to be Muiz addressing the gathering, killed. In his own address at the recalled that from the event, Fayemi stated that beginning, Adeleke has Adeleke, by joining the always been a progressive APC, has only returned to politician, saying his

defection was a testimony to his progressivemindedness. He also added that the defection was another testimony that Aregbesola has performed well in the governance of the state. This, according to him, has given the party and its followers confidence that Aregbesola would emerge for a second term. Also speaking, Chairman,

Aregbesola Campaign Committee, Senator Sola Adeyeye, said the appointment of Mr Jelili Adesiyan as the Minister for Police Affairs was to use him to cause violence and use police against the APC leaders and supporters. He said the intension for the appointment was clear to everybody, when Senator Adeleke was attacked and nearly killed when he was

contesting with Senator Iyiola Omisore for governorship ticket of the party. He said the plot to kill the former governor failed, for his return to the progressive fold to become a reality. Adeyeye was however optimistic that any attempt to cause violence, kill people and rig election would fail.

my brother, Governor Aregbesola, who is performing excellently. Things rather took a new twist, when we were invited by the Congress Committee of the party to the Ideal Nest Hotel, Osogbo, where I met the highest shock of my life. “When I got to the venue, I met my supporters, a former council chairman, a former House of Representatives member, who were forced to lie down at gunpoint by the police, who accused them of being thugs. I had to intervene before they could be released. I moved into the venue of the meeting to complain to Jelili Adesiyan that the police outside were harassing my supporters. “To my surprise, Adesiyan and Sogo just jumped up and gave me blows on the chest and Omisore was also beating me shouting at them to shoot me. When some party members are ready to terminate your life, it is better to leave. “I have nothing against the PDP. I was a senator under the PDP, but I cannot work for criminals. Omisore and his friends are violent people. I cannot work with a team of hoodlums, who have nothing other than violence.” Adeleke pledged his total support for the realization of the second term ambition of Governor Aregbesola. Governor Rauf Aregbesola, while receiving the defectors said, Adeleke was only outside the progressive fold, saying he was born as a progressive, adding that Senator Adeleke Balogun, his father, was a progressive throughout his life. The governor said: “I have been telling Senator Adeleke for long that he did not belong to the PDP. It is a party of destroyers. the PDP has no good history in Yorubaland. Their reign is always associated with, poverty, hunger and civil unrest.” He assured the defectors of equal opportunities for them in the APC, adding that the spirit of the party is equality and justice. Aregbesola also assured the people of the state that his second term will witness steady progress and development and dismissed the rumour of workers’ retrenchment, saying his administration would never sack any worker, but would rather employ more.

Osun Speaker Lauds Adeleke’s Defection By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

PEAKER, State Assembly of Osun, Honourable Najeem Salaam, has lauded the decision of the first Executive Governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, to pitch his tent with the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a smart move for an astute politician. Salaam, who is the the first governor and an Chairman, Governorship erstwhile ranking Senator of Campaign Committee in Ede the Federal Republic of Federal Constituency, Nigeria, Adeleke is not only stated that Adeleke’s action a factor in Osun politics, but has shown his desire for also a statesman, whose accelerated development experience is still considered and progress of a state he a valuable asset to the state. He further extolled the loves and cherishes. In a statement issued by non-violence approach to his spokesman, Mr. Goke politics adopted by the EdeButika, Salaam said, being born politician, saying his

exit from the camp of reactionary forces was the only credible alternative for a man who seeks peace and conducive environment for investment drive in the state. Salaam added that he was not surprised to see Adeleke returning to the APC, saying, “from begining, Senator Adeleke belong to the progressive fold”. “The decision of Senator Adeleke to join APC was a smart move for an astute politician who desires accelerated development and progressive progress

for a state he loves and cherishes. “His exit from the camp of reactionary forces whose stocks in trade are violence and killings was the only credible alternative for a man who seeks peace and conducive environment for investment drive in the state”, he said. Salaam then admonished other politicians with progressive traits to quickly retrace their steps from the reactionary camp and join hands with Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who has elected to take Osun to the next level.

News

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Ekiti, Osun Elections: Group Calls For Vigilance Amongst Stakeholders By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

call has gone out to all traditional rulers, religious leaders, elders, youth leaders, market men and women, NURTW leaders and members, public servants, students and civil rights activists in Ekiti and Osun States to resist any attempt at rigging by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through dubious security and INEC officials. This call was contained in ordinator; Akin Akintola a press statement issued by and made available to the National Progressive OSUN DEFENDER. Movement of Nigeria and The group accused the jointly signed by its Goodluck Jonathan-led National Chairman; Alhaji administration of Misbaaudeen Kayode concocting plans to thwart Adekojo and National Co- the peaceful atmosphere

that the South-West has been enjoying after derailing peace in the North, SouthSouth and South-East. “For the peaceful SouthWest, the Jonathan PDP-led Federal Government is planning to rig elections in Ekiti and Osun States as a test case for the 2015 general elections. “Hence the appointments of chief murder suspects and thugs as Ministers for Police Affairs, Defence and governorship candidates.” It also condemned the

Federal Government for paying lip service to the funding of the nation’s security, thereby allowing the violence being experienced in the Northern part of the country to spiral out of control, noting that with the best and most modern equipment, Nigerian security personnel recorded great feats when on international peace-keeping duties with the United Nations. While describing the kind of work environment in

which the nation’s security personnel find themselves, it explained that they were easily overwhelmed by the Boko Haram insurgents because the funds allocated for the funding of the different security apparatuses only existed on the pages of papers and not in reality. “These security personnel are being wasted serving in the Boko Haramravaged North and kidnapped-ravaged SouthEast and South-South often confronting jobless youths and miscreants, who are the result of corruption and capital flights of PDP federal

office holders. “In comparison with political office holders, who retire with billions of Naira as their severance allowances, retired security and public officers, who have served Nigeria all their lives, starve to death with non-payment of their gratuities and pensions. “Their barracks are the worst in the world. We also discover that the security and public personnel in Nigeria are the least paid in the world, whereas the political office holders are the highest paid in Nigeria,” it added.

Osun Gets 27 Lawmakers In 2015 By SHINA ABUBAKAR

•Wife of the governor, State of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, the lawmaker representing Isokan, Ayedaade and Irewole Federal Constituency, Hon Ayo Omidiran during their visit to Igbona and Oluode Markets in Osobgo, State of Osun, recently.

Osun To Establish First Automotive Mechatronics Institute In Nigeria •Sends 30 Abroad For Training By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

Nigerians at Esa-Oke . He emphasised that the exercise is purely a practical delivery project, as trainees shall be tested and certified before graduation from the centre. “Our auto engineers, technicians and mechanics are getting out of job because of technological changes, as the era of trial-and-error to fix auto maintenance is gone. Everything is knowledge-based

and Osun is ready to empower not only the indigenes but all Nigerians willing to seek knowledge at the BIMI, EsaOke. “We plan to offer through National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Universities Commission (NUC) approval for upgrade of the Polytechnic syllabus, a degree course on Auto Mechatronics using the facilities in future,” he pointed out.

N its continued quest to make life more meaningful for the citizens, create more job opportunities for youths and enhance their capacities, the government of the State of Osun is establishing an Automotive Mechatronics Specialist Institute christened: ‘Bola Ige Mechatronics Institute (BIMI)’, hosted by the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke. In a statement by the “End-user training and Director, Bureau of associated maintenance Communications and Strategy, support for two years was Office of the Governor, Mr. integrated to allow Osun Semiu Okanlawon, the workers master the repairs and institute, when completed, will routine maintenance under be the first in Nigeria. leadership understudy scheme. He pointed out that the “Following due process, institute will deal with the advertisement was placed to latest technology involved in attract qualified Automotive, modern vehicles, which consist Mechanical and Electrical RANMIYAN Group Worldwide has set up eight different of combined electro-mechanical Engineers and technicians, committees to ensure mobilisation of support and fund systems with fully automated who were tested/recruited and for the re-election of its Grand Patron and the governor controls termed: shall be going for a two-month “mechatronics” that reduces in-plant, end-user training at of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. The committees are Finance governor, tagged: ‘Oranmiyan use of kilos of wires, making LN, Germany from 5th May way for light weight and greater – 30th June, 2014 before and General Purpose; Mass Project 2014’, in Osogbo on efficient motor vehicles of returning to participate in the Mobilisation; Communication Friday, the President of the and Publicity; Planning, group, Prince Felix Awofisayo, today. installation and commissioning Research and Strategy; Contact said the setting up of the The statement also revealed at Esa-Oke,” he stressed. and Relationship; Strategy and committees was aimed at giving that the state has concluded Okanlawon added that the Tactics; Audit and Finance support to the party, the All arrangement to send 30 local experts having trained in Control and Women Affairs. Progressives Congress (APC) indigenes of the state to Germany will in turn serve as Inaugurating the committees and Aregbesola Campaign Germany to master the train-the-trainers to train other for the re-election of the Organisation to ensure his retechnology. Okanlawon added that fund for the project is an intervention soft loan provision prominent businessman in Osogbo, Chief Michael by the National Automotive Olaosebikan Oloke popularly known as Oke-Ayo, is dead. Council, using part of its Auto According to one of the chil- Osogbo; Mr Yinka Oloke who Development Fund Loan Scheme domiciled with the dren of the deceased, lives in the United States of Deaconness (Mrs)Bisola America; Miss Adeola Oloke Bank of Industry (BOI). According to him: “ Osun is Onigbinde, he died last Friday who works in an oil company in the first of all states and May 23, 2014 in his home at Lagos; Mrs Iwalola Ugulu who federal institutions to establish 79. teaches in Lagos; Mr Olagoke this world-class automotive Chief Oloke who was a Oloke, a businessman in Osogbo skill-gap bridge in Nigeria businessman till his death and and Mrs Bolanle Olubi who also meant for promoting skills hailed from Modakeke, is sur- works in America. needed for employability of our vived by seven chilren. They The deceased is also survived graduates, technicians and are Mrs Bunmi Kumapayi, a by his widow, Mrs Oloke. improvement for artisans in the nurse in America; Deaconness Burial arrangement would be sector. Onigbinde, a businessman in announced by the family later. •The Late Chief OLOKE

Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, the State of Osun capital, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct election in Orolu State Constituency for a lawmaker to represent the area in the State House of Assembly during the 2015 general elections. According to the judgement the court to order the electoral delivered by Justice Babs commission to conduct election Kwewumi, the Osun State in Orolu State Constituency to House of Assembly, as increase the number of presently constituted by 26 members in the House of members, is illegal as a result Assembly to 27 in compliance of act of INEC suppression of with the said section of the the 27th constituency created Constitution. The presiding judge in his in 1996 and restored in 2004. He ruled that the electoral judgement relied on a letter commission does not need the attached to the plaintiff approval of the National originating summons dated Assembly before conducting June 2, 2004 written by former election in the suppressed INEC Chairman, Sir Abel Orolu State Constituency, Guobadia, informing the Clerk affirming that having being of the National Assembly that lawfully delineated and created the commission erred in by the combined effect of suppressing Orolu Local State sections 91 and 112 of the 1999 Government Constituency. Constitution. It further disclosed that the Orolu Local Government had in suit number FHC/OS/ Orolu State Constituency was CS/10/2013, urged the court to legally delineated and created declare the State House of since 1996 and restored the Assembly, as presently suppressed constituency. The court further relied on constituted, as unconstitutional, by virtue of two similar judgements earlier sections 91 and 112 of the delivered by a Federal High Constitution of the Federal Court, Ibadan, involving the Republic of Nigeria 1999, due State Attorney-General and to the act of INEC that INEC and a Judgement of a suppressed the constituency Court of Appeal involving Orolu Local Government and created since 1996. It also sought the relief of INEC.

Oranmiyan Group Sets Up Committees To Mobilise For Aregbesola’s Re-election

Chief Oloke (Oke Ayo) Is Dead A

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

election. He said: “Being our Grand Patron, if Aregbesola is aspiring, he does not need to tell us before we rally round him to ensure that he is re-elected. “We are not contesting with the party, having chosen him as the flagbearer or the campaign committee, but we, as Oranmiyan, are at the background to ensure that the lapses that might be experienced in the party and the campaign organisation do not affect the outcome of the election, so that we will not be sharing blames. “Ours is to give support to the party and Aregbesola Campaign Committee,” he stressed. Awofisayo then noted that the group has started looking out to raise funds for the project and it has started receiving good responses from friends, lovers and associates, saying, Aregbesola’s personal money would go into the project. He then urged the committee members to be active in the assignment given to them, with a view to ensuring the reelection of the governor. Meanwhile, the Mass Mobilisation Committee has the

mandate of ensuring management of mobilisation of members, maximum attendance at rallies and participation of supporters during voting period, as well as putting in place mechanism that would guarantee maximum protection of votes. The Committee on Planning, Research and Statistics has the mandate of liaising with relevant statutory agencies like INEC, Police and SSS among others, as well as collating, analysing and applying data that are relevant to the success of the election. Contact and Relationship Committee is saddled with the responsibilities of establishing positive and beneficial relationship with communities, liaise with traditional institutions and professional bodies, as well as establishing contact with interest groups within the state. Also Women Affairs Committee has the mandate of sensitising and mobilising women for the election, educate them on why they should be involved in the election and defend their votes among others.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Osun PDP's plan orgy of violence Like former President Olusegun Obasanjo - employing a yoruba axiom in his letter last month to President Jonathan - rightly said; "the person on whose head coconut was broken may not live to savour the taste of its sweetness". This is most true and the Osun PDP cannot pretend not to understand the meaning of this witty saying. Before it's too late for them it's better they make a U-turn from the journey they are planning to embark on because this time around it won't be business as usual for them. Should they go ahead to hatch their diabolical plan as they did in 2007 then they must also be ready to face the dire consequences of their actions. And for them the consequences will be dire indeed. Thus let them not live with the erroneous impression that they will get away with murder this time as the case was in 2007. Never! It continues to bug the minds of right thinking people why the Osun PDP revels in perpetrating violence

whenever election is approaching. This philosophy of spilling the blood of innocent people in the name of election is anachronistic, uncivilised, ungodly and basically undemocratic. And it basically contradicts the name the party answers. For any party that lays claim to being democratic as PDP's name implies should steer clear of violence. It should have nothing to do with violence. But for Osun PDP the reverse is the case.

administration and its party isn't disputable due to its sterling performance. Everyday the people of Osun continue to queue behind the governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for having demonstrated exemplary leadership. And these facts are known to Osun PDP. They know that the Osun electorate is for Ogbeni but not for them. The people are not ready to waste their votes as they have tasted two governments and they know which one has genuinely worked for them.

Whereas it's a known fact that the PDP isn't in the least popular in the state (contrary to her claim of popularity), that it thinks of nothing but violence whenever elections approach in the state sort of lends credence to two facts; one, that it's not a popular party and two, it's far from being a democratic party. Of course it's basically foolhardy for any popular party and a self proclaimed democratic party for that matter, to revel in unleashing violence on the very people amongst whom it claims popularity. We find this to be purely absurd.

Thus having performed woefully for eight years, and as the time for another gubernatorial election draws nearer the PDP knows it has no hope in the coming election. And as a desperate party this is why it's planning to start unleashing violence as a way of harassing and intimidating the electorate. But it's important to let the PDP know that its vicious plan is dead on arrival as the security agents in the state will not fold their arms and watch anybody to disturb the peace that has found abode in the state of Osun since the inception of Ogbeni's administration.

For the political thugs whom sponsors of violence want to use to perpetrate their planned heinous act, the advice by the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal will suffice; "tell politicians who want to use you for political thuggery to bring their children to lead it". Half a word, they say, is enough for the wise.

The popularity of the incumbent

Aregbesola Deserves Commendation Over Intervention In Education want to use this medium to again commend the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for his efforts at revamping the decayed educational system in the state. In addition to some of the new schools I have been able to visit, I watched the visual of some of the new schools completed and ongoing on the state television during the weekend and I gave kudos to Aregbesola. It was a daunting task before the government could convince the people of Osun, including myself that there was the need to demolish some of the old schools for new ones to spring up. Our belief then was that this government would not be able to fulfill its promises.

We will not advise the good and peace loving people of Osun to engage in violence with PDP hooligans because two people cannot be mad at the same time. Thus whenever the PDP rascals and their sponsors start or want to start their madness, our people should immediately report to the security agents in the state whom we trust will perform their duty accordingly. The law is there to deal with anyone who is out to perpetrate violence. And we appeal to our security operatives not to compromise the peace in the state. They must deal decisively with agents of violence, and without mercy too.

Don’t blame us, it was what the people had witnessed under past governments that caused it. With new schools now springing up across the state, I am now convinced that there is justification

for the demolition of the structures and the reclassification of the schools. I have seen the new Salvation Army Middle School at Alekuwodo; St Andrew Elementary School at Oke Baale; AUD Elementary School and the ongoing Osogbo High School, all in

Osogbo. I have also seen the Baptist Elementary School at Ilare, the ongoing middle schools and high schools in Ile-Ife. I have also seen many others, ranging from elementary, middle and

high schools in Ilesa, Ikirun, Ila, Iwo, Ikire and many other places. While some of these schools have been completed and now being used, some have been completed and awaiting commissioning, while some are still ongoing. While I am commending this

government for what it had done so far, I still need to charge this adinistration to do more for us to regain our lost glory in education. There is no doubting the fact that this administration has been able to judiciously manage the resources of the state to have what we have on ground now, but this is an opportunity for us to make demands, because people see this government as a listening one. The truth is that the intervention of this government in the area of education has seriously helped the people of Osun and people are now showing interest in public schools because the quality has improved. • A D E W A L E ADEYEMO, Osogbo, State of Osun.

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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

Infrastructure OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Ona Baba Ona In The State Of Osun

Counting The Costs; Celebrating The Benefits (V) With this concluding phase, NIYI OLASINDE rounds off the chronicles on the recently commissioned roads in the State of Osun. He concludes that the harvest of dividends of democracy still continues in the state; and that the state and its residents are better for it. The fact remains that the state is being rapidly transformed into a model that it was destined to be at creation. Other ground-breaking achievements of the administration shall be accorded deserved prominence in our editions.

â&#x20AC;˘The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right), commissioning the completed 21 roads in Osogbo. With him - his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd left); Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (left) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) RATCON Construction Company, Mr Elias Zaad (2nd right), during the occasion when the governor commissioned the completed roads in Osogbo recently.

MAGAZINE

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Counting The Costs; Celebrating The Benefits (V)

One of the completed 21 roads by the governor, at Oroki Estate, Osogbo, during the commissioning. Contiuned from page 5

Continued from last week.

WE find it a convenient point to commence this week edition the closing remarks of the governor at the event last showcased in our last edition. Aregbesola stated that he was not perturbed by the huge amount of money committed to the road projects, because they would have unquantifiable benefits on the lives of the people. He added that at the inception of the administration, he had a vision of progress for the state; of which road infrastructural development was a vital component. Governor Aregbesola further stressed that because of the paramount importance of road transportation to the movement of people and goods in Nigeria, including Osun, government accorded it priority attention in it development scheme. The helmsman of the state pointed out that his administration was not deterred or discouraged by the little details of short-term inconveniences but focused on the big picture and the long-term value of the sacrifices it is making today. In furtherance of his speech, he said: “When we started these roads, our traducers scoffed and mocked the project, claiming that we would never have the funds or the presence of mind to see them through. But to the glory of God and their eternal shame, we have delivered on our promise. “We are not resting on our oars; our greater vision is to tar every road in the state since we cannot conceive of a beautiful environment without good roads. “We will therefore continue to convert our visionary road map for Osun into concrete and enduring legacy of asphaltic surfaces for the engendering of socioeconomic development, progress and prosperity for our people”. He stressed that as the state capital, Osogbo Township and development project stands out as the product of a visionary roadmap, intentionally aimed at making Osogbo the truly modern state capital it deserves to be. In his further exposition, the governor stressed that the roads were designed to ease transportation within the city; as well as in and out of it, adding that the total number of roads being commissioned in Osogbo on that occasion was twenty-one (21) of a total stretch of 26.31 kilometres. The governor went as far as listing one-by-one the roads being commissioned. A substantial part of the itemized road projects have already made our list in this series of OSUN DEFENDER Magazine edition. The governor’s list includes the following: Station Road to Ebenezer Hotel Road; Boorepo to

Elelede Junction Road; Elelede to Gbaemu Road; Gbodofon to Gbaemu Junction Road; and Ilobu Road to GRA Road. Others include: Oja Oba Road to Plantain Area; Balogun / Biiro to Oke Baale Road; Alafia Street to Church Street; Awolowo Way; Coca-Cola to Capital Hotel Road; Oke Onitea Road to Anaye Market Junction; Okefia to Ita Olokan Road; the Road from Opposite Capital Hotel to Oroki Road; Oroki Estate to Ilobu Road; Odetoyinbo to Heritage Hotel Road with Spur; and Kola Balogun Road Junction to Fiwasaye Olorunosebi Junction. There are also the Osunbukola to Ede Road; John Mackay Road to Oke Baale; the road from Tanisi to Keji Adigun Street; Adams Street to Mercy Land and Road Spur; Steel Rolling Camp to Kabelo Filling Station; and Rehabilitated Ifeloju Omo-West Road. Giving the nitty-gritty of the roads, the governor said: “A closer look at these roads would reveal a deliberate pattern of an Inner Ring network of roads within Osogbo which connect and complement the existing Outer Ring Road around the city. The Inner Ring Road takes off from a point directly opposite First Bank along Osogbo-Gbongan Road, from where it winds through Gbodofon to Jaleyemi and Gbemu Junction Road, and up to Isale Aro. This stretch covers 1.79 kilometres. It then cuts across the Oja-Oba Road to connect Gbemu Junction to Oluode Market through Elelede Junction and Abaku Road, and on to Boorepo, covering a distance of 1.47 kilometres. “From there, it links up with the ongoing dual carriage Osogbo-Ikirun-Ilaodo Highway. From across the Highway, another stretch of the road runs from Church Street to Bisi Bankole/Anaye Market Street, through Alaafia Street to Oke Onitea Road and up to Anaye Market Junction, to connect with the existing West Bypass Road. Here it covers 2.08 kilometres and loops into a semi-circle inside Osogbo. Another 1.35-kilometre section of the Inner Ring continues from GRA Road to Adesina Crescent and up to Osogbo-Ilobu Road around Lameco Junction. From here it branches off into the dual carriageway Oroki Lane. Up this lane, an L-arm of the road turns right to connect with West Bypass at Jerry Paul Filling Station. “The other arm goes up through Oroki Estate onto Tinumola/ Wonderful Road to intersect with the Iwo Road to Okefia, at a point directly opposite Capital Hotel. Another span of the road goes in from beside Capital Hotel to Alekunwodo right through Coca-Cola. This 2.33-kilometre section bursts out onto OsogboGbongan Road, but this time beside First Bank, from across the point where it took off, to complete the Inner

Ring Road formation in the Osogbo Road Master Plan.” He further revealed that: “These roads are constructed to last between 15 and 20 years. They feature drainages that are fortified with iron and concrete thickness of between 60mm and 70mm. The accompanying drainage channels will further enhance the life span of the roads by draining flood water away from the roads and thereby preventing their being washed away by erosion. “To improve the engineering integrity of the roads, they have been constructed with various layers consisting of laterite, stone base and asphaltic overlay of 50mm. Their asphaltic thickness is of the same quality because they will be plied by all grades of vehicles. “All these roads put together have cost us tens of billions of naira. But we are not perturbed by the huge amount of money we have committed into the road projects, we have our minds on the unquantifiable benefits they will have on the lives of our people and the overall socio-economic development of Osun. In what we do, we do not allow ourselves to be detained by the little details of short-term inconveniences; that is for small minds to get in a stew over. Instead, we focus our minds stoutly on the big picture and the long-term value of the sacrifices we are making today”. EARLIER in the year, precisely on Tuesday April 15, 2014, another ground-breaking occasion had been held; consisting in the official commissioning of roads. The venue of that occasion was not Osogbo, the state capital; neither was it another location within the confines of the Osun Central Senatorial District. Rather, the location substantiated the claim that the various ongoing works in infrastructure development of the state are spread all over the state. To set the record straight, the site of the commissioned road projects was the ancient city of Ilesa in the Osun East Senatorial District of the State of Osun. On that very day, the frenzy atmosphere that pervaded the air in Ilesa suggested that whatever it was brought that brought about the mammoth convergence was something that does not occur at frequent intervals. Earlier than that date, any resident or passer-by at the ancient town could not deny the strong and bold presence of ongoing developmental projects, obviously jump-started by some governments at some levels or tiers. On top of these were other visible ones that had been brought to a logical conclusion and that had been put to use. What was surprising is the fact that there were no formalities surrounding their official commissioning prior to their use by their end-users. Contiuned on page 11

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

PHOTOTALK

First Civilian Governor In The State Of Osun And Former 2014 Governorship Aspirant Under The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) In Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Defected From The PDP To The All Progressives Congress (APC) With His Supporters At Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Last Saturday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•(L-R) Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Sherifat; APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; Dr Muiz Banire and a member, House of Representatives, Alhaja Ayo Omidiran, at the event.

•A sea of heads at the programme.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

PHOTOTALK

•Mammoth crowd during the programme.

•(L-R) Honourable Ayo Omidiran; Sentaor Sola Adeyeye; Alhaji Fatai Oyedele Diekola and Senator Bayo Salami on the occasion.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

First Civilian Governor In The State Of Osun And Former 2014 Governorship Aspirant Under The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) In Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Defected From The PDP To The All Progressives Congress (APC) With His Supporters At Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Last Saturday.

•(L-R) Senator Jide Omoworare; Honourable Yinka Ajayi; Honourable Lasun Yusuf and Elder Peter Babalola.

•(L-R) Chief of Staff to State of Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and APC Secretary in the State of Osun, Prince Gboyega Famodun.

•Mammoth crowd during the programme.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

•Another huge crowd at the event.

•APC supporters displaying brooms during the programme.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

MAGAZINE

Counting The Costs; Celebrating The Benefits (V) Contiuned from page 6

That kind of simplicity had become rare in this part of the globe where many governments spend millions of hard-earned currency, raised from the taxes paid by their citizens to commission projects that are clearly destined not to survive their commissioning date. It was the same Ilesa that in some years past paid host to crowd of witnesses who were deceived into believing that electricity transformers had been install to assuage the untold hardship experienced by the people, occasioned by epileptic power outage; only to wake up the next day to resume into the selfsame hardship. The same Ilesa was part and parcel of the mirage called mini water schemes that once dotted the state yet there were no drops of drinkable water on the household tables to justify the huge investment claimed to have been committed into the projects! Those were the unholy practices which thrived under the close watch of some deceivers in power. This is not to talk of the long-standing water dam project of the Federal Government which till date had not been brought to completion; yet huge sums of money had disappeared into thin air on its bill! This time around the purpose of the gathering was to celebrate and dedicate a successfully completed, tested and trusted collection of projects, jumpstarted and bankrolled on the bills of the Government of the State of Osun. This time around the people gathered to celebrate the provision of yet another infrastructure that had constituted a set-back for the large and well-populous community for quite some time. It was indeed a celebration of consummate demonstration of purposeful governance. Early that day, the governor inspected the sites of the 29-kilometre stretch of roads. This was done with the active involvement of a mammoth crowd that thronged the city to witness history being made. At the end of this first part of the assignment, the governor and his entourage returned to the expansive premises of Ibala Community Primary School where the commissioning was billed to take place. The crowd of admirers that converged to greet the governor on this occasion was not drafted from a faraway place or from some unknown planet. They are mostly made up of the members and residents of Ilesa community and the entre Ijesaland; for whom the road projects were initially intended. They are the same people who had suffered decades of rough, pot-hole riddled roads and who are now fully prepared to savour and relish the dividends of good governance, courtesy of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. That was the more reason why they emerged from all corners of the town to catch a glimpse of the prime achiever behind the feat and register their applause for him. On his own part, the governor was on hand to gleefully acknowledge their cheering applauses. At the instance of the occasion, Governor Aregbesola assured the people of their maximum protection before and after the August 9 Gubernatorial Elections in the state. Obviously excited over the success of the

•AREGBESOLA: Governor, State of Osun

completed road project, the governor said: “It will be practically impossible for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or their agents to foment trouble in any part of the state”. He warned those who were planning to use federal might to rig the Gubernatorial Elections in the State of Osun; cautioning that such groups or individuals will have themselves to blame. Commenting further on the issue, Aregbesola cautioned that his administration has the capacity to humble and humiliate any trouble maker through the instrumentality of the law. It would be recalled that the same city of Ilesa was one of the worst-hit spots by the mandate robbers who stole his earned mandate in the April 2007 polls in the state. In his words at the occasion, he said: “The time of brigandage, violence and election rigging in the state has gone for good; whosoever makes such an attempt will surely regret it. This is the seventh year that my mother and I were chased out of Ilesa because of election and such trend will meet serious resistance; they will be dealt with beyond their imagination. “They picked the most violent candidate among them to intimidate our people. That time has gone. They said someone is a Minister of Police Affairs, another is a Minister of Defence, thousands of them cannot unseat me because it is by the grace of God and the support of the people. “Out of the PDP aspirants, Omisore is the least competent, but because of his criminal records and tendency, they believe he is capable of unleashing terror on our people. He lost his ward in the last election, so Omisore is of what value before the electorate? He lost woefully in the election and failed to challenge the election in court, now he is crying wolf gain the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner without any evidence to prove that any manipulation existed during the last election. We are watching if INEC will succumb to their baseless and ridiculous sentiments”. The governor went ahead to call on the people to be vigilant and exercise no fear ahead of the Gubernatorial Elections, saying the ongoing good work will not be truncated. On the commissioning of roads, he said the same gesture would be extended to the six other zones of the state and commended the people for their support. Taking toll of the achievements so far recorded, the governor pointed out that there was no town or community in the state that had no benefitted from the road project and other infrastructural development in the past three years, which presented a completion from the PDP tradition, which, in his words “was characterized with violence, hunger and poverty”. The selected roads, numbering fifteen (15) and spanning up 20.71 kilometres include Tosho obembe – General Hospital, Oke Opo Community, Irojo – Sabo junction, Ilerin / Leventist – Obokun Avenue, Lejoka / Abiola / Imo Junctions, Omo Olupe Street and Old Omieran Road. Others are Isokun / Osogbo, Ibala / Ido Oko Junction, Oladokun Ibironke, Oke Omiru and Otekunrin roads.

In his speech at the occasion, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transport, Engineer Sabitu Oladepo Amuda said that since the assumption of office of the governor, he had been giving serious priority attention to roads and infrastructure across the cities and towns in the state. In his estimation, a whooping sum of N3.7 billion had constituted the total cost which the administration had invested on the commissioned road infrastructure in Ilesa. According to him, the road transformation made it evident that the state had virtually become a road construction site with the regular construction and rehabilitation projects across the state. In his royal compliments, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran remarked that governor Aregbesola had brought unprecedented development to Ijesaland and the state at large; adding that the people of Ijesaland remain solidly behind the governor. The monarch urged the governor to carefully and intently take a look at the various communities’ requests for local government to prevent communal clashes, while not abandoning the welfare of royal fathers and traditional rulers, especially, the issue of mobility. Speaking on behalf of transporters at the occasion, Mr. Olalekan Salam, Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Group 4, commended the governor for the construction of Ilesa Township roads; which, according to him would give a boost to commercial activities. It was fanfare galore, as the venue of the occasion, Community Primary School, Ibala Road, Ilesa became a beehive of activities as several entertainment groups and individuals added flavour, glamour and life to the charged atmosphere. Ijesas from home and abroad were sighted exchanging pleasantries with one another and guests from other towns of the state and beyond. Different societies, groups and individuals in Ijesaland thronged the venue to pay special homage to the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in commemoration of the landmark achievement of roads that were commissioned. Remarks By The Governor Of The State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola At The Official Commissioning of 15 Selected Roads In Ilesa Township, Held At Community Primary School, Ibala Road, Ilesa, On Tuesday April 15m 2014. On The Road Again We have come together again to witness the completion of another set of our road infrastructure development projects. Today’s ceremony I one of those events that serve to reassure us as a people that we remain firmly on course on the path of socio-economic development we have charted for ourselves. When we came aboard, we made a promise to our people to progressively transform their condition of living for the better. We have since been driven by a passionate desire to fulfill that promise. As part of that fulfillment, we made a commitment to change the physical landscape of Osun in a manner that will facilitate progress and Contiuned on page 12

•LAOYE-TOMORI: Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education

MAGAZINE

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Counting The Costs; Celebrating The Benefits (V)

•A newly-commissioned road at Oroki Housing Estate, Osogbo. Continued from page 11

prosperity for our people. The development of our road infrastructure in our state is our chief means of actualizing this commitment. The reason for this is not far to seek; in our part of the world roads are simply the most important means of transportation of humans and materials. There is also a linkage between roads and our health. Bad roads cause accidents and travelling on bad roads makes one sick. Bad roads also hinder physical interaction between people. Unfortunately, this is the same infrastructure that has suffered unspeakable neglect and underdevelopment. However, since our own desire as a government is the socio-economic development of Osun and the well-being of our people, we have developed unparalleled attention to the development and modernization of our road infrastructure. Our road development plan is ambitiously unprecedented in the history of the state. It covers township roads, intra- and inter-city roads, as well as inter-state roads. The extent of our commitment to changing the face of Osun through the construction of modern road networks can be seen in the huge amount of road construction going on simultaneously all over the state. It would amount to no exaggeration for us to restate that Osun is currently a massive road construction site. We are constructing new roads, extending existing ones, and rehabilitating those that have gone bad. We are deliberately concentrating on those roads that have very high impact on the socio-economic lives and existence of our people. As I speak to you, road projects are going on in the cities and towns spread all over Osun. Most of these roads are in advanced stages of completion. In Osogbo, a total of 21 township roads are being constructed or rehabilitated and have gulped N4.095 billion. In Ede, 13 township roads have been repaired through direct labour, at the cost of N873, 817,458.85. Most of them have now been completed. In the different Federal Constituencies in the state, 79 kilometres of intra-city roads are under construction and rehabilitation. Similarly, most of them are now completed. In addition to the intra-city roads, 20 other roads traversing the cities, and covering a total of 294.27 kilometres, are also at advanced stages of completion. They are worth N10.62 billion. We are also constructing six selected roads, covering more than 74.1 kilometres, in the six geo-political zones of Osun. They cost the government N17.5 billion. We inherited eight road rehabilitation projects of 144.29 kilometres from the previous administration which we have almost completed. There are of course four more gigantic road construction projects that we have embarked upon. These are: the reconstruction into a dual carriageway of the 36.85-kilometre road from Osogbo to Ila-Odo on the state’s border with Kwara State; the GbonganOrileowu-Ijebu-Igbo Road, which is also a dual

carriageway. The third is the construction of the Omoluabi Motorway, a dual-carriage road from Akoda to Gbongan Junction, with its Bisi Akande Trumpet Interchange. The construction was officially launched on the 15th of June last year at the cost of N29.23 billion. Of course, the Osogbo East Bypass Road is in the list of our major road construction undertaking. The East Bypass is a 17.5-kilometre road that will have a railway underpass at Ofatedo, an interchange at Ataoja, ad two bridges across Osun River. The government is investing N14.5 billion in the project. In continuation of our road development plan for Osun, we have since January last year embarked on the construction of 218 kilometres of road in all of our local government council areas, including the Area Office. Because these road development projects are aimed at achieving socio-economic development in Osun, we have adequate consideration and coverage for our rural areas. It is our belief that opening up the rural areas is of vital importance to the success of our development programme, especially with agriculture in focus. Our road projects in the rural areas have been so impressive that even the World Bank could not help noticing. The Bank accordingly gave its commendation to our high-level performance in the Rural Access Mobility Programme (RAMP), and enlisted Osun for participation in RAMP II. This comes with the opportunity for the state to access about USD 79 million (N1264 billion) in World Bank AFD credit. Today’s commissioning is part of the township road development projects for Ilesa. The 15 township road rehabilitation works have been completed to the glory of God and for the greater good of the people. On these roads, totaling 20.71 km., we have expended N3.7 billion. I must let you know that these are not just roads that catch the fancies of government officials or the ones leading to the homes of their girlfriends. These are the roads that impact most on the socio-economic lives of the people. The ring road for instance encircles the entire town and it is now possible to enter and egress Ilesa without getting into the centre of the town as was the case in the past. Our dream indeed is to put every road in the best possible shape and make driving on them a pleasure. We are happy, however that we have taken the right steps and on course to the destination. We are convinced that the huge amount we have committed into these road infrastructure projects is money well-spent. With what you are witnessing, you can all testify to the prudent and judicious use to which we have deployed the resources of the state. For us, governance is about making a commitment to the people and going all-out to fulfill that commitment. It is the only way to earn the trust and confidence of the people in order for them to continue to trust leaders with their sacred mandate. As a responsible and progressive government, we have committed ourselves to the development and progress of our people. We will remain true to our

commitment and we will stay on course for its actualization. I thank you all for your warm reception. Osun a dara o! MORE recently, another convergence was made on the city of Ilesa at the instance of the BusinessWorld Newspaper to confer the award of the Most Innovative Nigerian Governor In First Term on the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola. The governor in his response after receiving the award, titled “Willing and Ready to do More” enumerated his landmark achievements with expressed determination to strive harder to better the lots of the people. Particularly, in the area of road infrastructure development, the governor had the following to say: “Moreover, there is solid proof of innovation in our rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of rural, local, intra-city, and inter-state roads. Good road infrastructure will not only enhance human living, it will equally boost trade and commercial activities. We have spent billions of naira in ensuring that roads in Osun do not serve as death traps but greatly enhance socio-economic activities for the well-being of our people.” Earlier in his speech, Governor Aregbesola bared what served as impetus for his strides to improve on the general living conditions of his people. “What we have done in Osun since we assumed office is what anyone entrusted with power is unavoidably expected to do. We saw manifold, human-made socioeconomic and political problems eroding the human dignity of our people and we responded with the requisite solutions. I must, however, note that the unique thing about our obligatory intervention is its unprecedented, markedly innovative and unconventional nature. In its philosophical outlook and underlining framework, the blueprint of our administration is decidedly and unalterably people-centred. “We had clearly realized even before we took office that viable, sustainable development would be a sorely dispiriting mirage if it is not comprehensively peoplefocused and intensely innovative. Such people-regarding governance, I am confident to aver, is the efficacious balm with which we have healed Osun of its many avoidable socio-economic and political disorders. And this happened just within a single term of our being in office. “To be precise, the innovation we have engendered in purposefully translating our practicable vision of development into enduringly beneficial reality is evident in the public education system of the state”. Continued on page 13

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

We Left PDP Because Our Lives Were In Danger - Adeleke, PDP Chieftains A

S events continue to unfold ahead of the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State of Osun, the All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to be gaining from the war of attrition that has eaten deep into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), both at the state and the federal levels. It would not be out of place to state that the PDP in the state has been losing majority of its finest members to the numerous crises that has been rocking the party from 2010. The crisis was not unconnected with the gubernatorial ambition of some chieftains of the party, who wanted to succeed former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. First to leave the party among its strong chieftains was Elder Peter Adebayo Babalola, popularly called ‘Peter Power’. Babalola left the PDP when it was obvious that his ambition would be jeopardized, as the party had favoured Senator Iyiola Omisore for the governorship ticket of the party. Elder Babalola joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in December 2010 and was personally welcomed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola and notable chieftains of the party at the Technical College, Osogbo. Presently, Babalola is the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission Board in the state. Babalola said he could no longer cope with the politics of wickedness, hatred and bigotries, hence he resolved to take solace in the then ACN. He joined the APC with all his structures, loyalists and supporters, who were in thousands. His exit from the PDP was the first political hurricane that hit the party and almost tore its umbrella totally. Unfortunately for the other PDP governorship aspirants, who were at logger-heads with one another on the contest to obtain the party ticket, the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, sacked Oyinlola and declared Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the winner of the April 17, 2007 governorship election in the state. Aregbesola’s declaration demobilized and demoralized the PDP in general. Every ambition of the PDP chieftains perished. Not even one of them won a single office in the 2011 general elections. Aregbesola is the game changer. Scores of the PDP had been defecting to the APC ever since. Ayedaade, Ayedire, Boluwaduro Ibokun, Ifelodun, Irewole and Ila were among the few local government council areas, where notable PDP chieftains have dumped the party for the APC. The 2010 scenario repeated itself in the PDP. The devilish governorship ticket of the party turned the party members against themselves. The party was finally factionalised and the unity of purpose disappeared into the thin air. Three chieftains of the party had signified their intention to contest the August 9 gubernatorial election under the party. They were: Senator Bayo Olasunkanmi, Honourable Woke Oke, and Senator Iyiola Omisore. The handwriting was very clear on the wall then that Omisore was the favoured aspirant, as the PDP chairman, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa and other decision makers of the party had thrown their weights in support of Omisore’s ambition right before the primaries of the party. Suddenly, Senator Isiaka Adeleke majestically walked into the governorship race. His ambition was controversial and timely as well. Adeleke’s interest in the governorship ticket of the party generated hues and cries both within and outside the party. The APC was not also comfortable with it, because he has the integrity, structures and credibility to contest with Aregbesola. It would give Aregbesola a tough time if he contested, so they said. At the same time, the APC was also happy to have Adeleke in the contest with general submission that: “Adeleke is a civilized politician. He would not engage in thuggery and violence, unlike a particular notorious governorship aspirant. There would be peace in the state if Adeleke was given the gubernatorial ticket.” Adeleke was seeing as the stabilizer for the PDP, as many aggrieved members of the party, including those who had left, were ready to return. But all was not well with the aspirants, especially Senator Iyiola Omisore. On May 3, 2014, there was a stakeholders meeting of the PDP held at the Ideal Nest Hotel, Osogbo. The meeting was called by the Congress Committee of the PDP. It was the day things totally fell apart for party. Senator Adeleke was allegedly attacked by the Minister for Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, Omisore and his aide, Sogo Agboola. Adeleke alleged that Adesiyan

•A cross section of APC supporters at the event. By ISMAEEL UTHMAN jumped over the table to launch a punch on his chest, Sogo strangled him, while Omsiore was dealt a blow on his head. Before Adeleke’s arrival at the meeting, five of his supporters had been attacked at the hotel. Adeleke met the five lying down on the ground helplessly. The five Adeleke’s loyalists included: Honourable Debo Ayinde, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye and former PDP Chairman in Ede North Local Government. Adeleke was traumatized by the incident and he resolved to withdraw from the governorship race. He claimed that his life and those of his supporters were under threat and that Omisore was after his life. Uneasy calm pervaded Ede, the home town of Adelele, as people were anxious to know what would be the next step of the Asiwaju of Edeland. According to sources, Adeleke’s supporters insisted that he should no longer remain in the PDP, and that they did not care which party he chose to join. Senator Isiaka Adeleke finally dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday, May 31, 2014. All his structures, loyalists and supporters in every nook and cranny of the state followed him into the APC. Notable PDP chieftains that joined APC with Adeleke included: State Deputy Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Basiru Tokunbo Salami, former Chairman, Irepodun Local Government, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, former Chairman, Boripe Local government, Mr Bimbo Oyedele, former Chairman, Ayedire Local Government, Alhaji Musa Bilau, former Commissioner for Local Government, Prince Adesoji Baderin, former Chairman, Iwo Local Government, former Vice Chairman, Ede-South Local Government, Alhaji Rasheed Adio, former leader, Ede-South Local Government, Honourable Bayo Aminu, Chief Adeleke Okinni, Engineer Lambe, Honorable Nathaniel Adetona, Honourable Akeem Bello Atanda, Waheed Oni, Jimoh Oyekanmi and Sikiru Olayiwola. Others were: Ebenezer Adeniyi, Sikiru Yusuf, Ganiyu Olaniyan, Femi Olatoye, Hon Olarwnwaju Olagoke, Chief Ayo Akinsanmi, Kayode Dairo, Dr Alade Akanmu, Chief Kayode Dairo, Hon Moruf Ayofe Prince Adesoji Baderin and Adelowo Adebiyi. Addressing the gathering during his open declaration, Adeleke said: “I appreciate the Christians, Muslims and the traditionalists. In 1992, Christians, Muslims and traditionalists supported and voted me as the first Executive Governor of the state. In 1992, I was a progressive and I am back to into the progressive fold. I was in SDP then and I was the Assistant Financial Secretary of NADECO. Chief Olu Falae was the Chairman. Honourable Osinowo, Bola Tinubu

and I always worked together then. I was one of the people that fought for June 12 because I believe in it. “I have not seen any party misbehaving and notorious like the PDP. Some people came to me to woo me for the governorship race, which I did not even think of. They said Omisore cannot win the governorship election, so they wanted me to contest with Omisore and get the PDP ticket. Two days to the PDP governorship primaries, there was a meeting at the Ideal Nest Hotel. My people had gone ahead of me to the meeting. When I got to the hotel, I met five of my people lying on the ground, with police pointing guns at their heads. I enquired and the policemen told me they were thugs. These people were Ayinde, Akinleye and others. I told the police that it was not possible. I went straight to the meeting room to meet Omisore and the Minister for Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan. This Jelili Adesiyan (Jalo), was brought to me by my party leaders in 1992. He was speaking poor English like that of Gani Olaoluwa, the current PDP Chairman in the state. Jelili said he had NCE certificate. So my party leaders wanted me to fix him in my campaign team. I did not mind his certificate but felt uncomfortable with his poor grammar. Eventually, I employed him. “At the meeting room, I met Sogo, Omisore, Jelili and others. As I was complaining of the harassment of my people, Jelili jumped over the table and punched me on the chest. Sogo strangled me and was punching me from the back. Omisore said: “Shoot him, take him out and shoot him.” I swear to God with this. These people are thugs. Imagine a whole minister jumping over the table and punching me! I cannot stay in that party. I would not support a criminal. I beg you all not to vote for Omisore. He is a thug; all of them are thugs. I wholeheartedly joined APC. They have forgotten I am a son of Balogun. Anybody that beat the son of Balogun will witness shock. “When I was asked to contest the governorship election, I could not have any manifesto because I did not know what I would say, rather than I would develop the state. Aregbesola is working. You cannot deny that. The PDP only wants to rig and use violence. But we will resist them. I trust my people in Ede. We are back peacefully in APC and we will work in unity. Progressive is our background, we just strayed away and now we are back.” The PDP Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Basiru Tokunbo Salam said: “We left PDP because there is no security. There was insecurity in PDP. Our own leader, Adeleke and former Chairman of EdeNorth Local Government, Alhaji Akinleye were

attacked at a meeting. I met Akinleye on the ground. He had been beaten mercilessly. He was vomiting blood. He was saying: “If you want to kill me, don’t shoot my boss.” I saw him vomiting blood. As I was entering the hotel, chairman, Gani Olaoluwa, did not even care about Akinleye. The three of us were council chairmen. Adeleke was 35 when he became the governor of the state. To threaten and attack Adeleke was an insult on the people of the state. If they could threaten Adeleke, a powerful politician, what else could they not do to us? Change is a global language. Politics has changed. The politics of guns and violence has changed. We don’t want that again. That is why we have come to APC. When I read my about suspension in the newspapers because I cut a birthday cake with Ogbeni, I told them that I had already suspended myself before they did. We have passed the threat and fear level. We know there is security in APC; we believe our lives are secured here. APC is now a platform that will accept the oppressed people from other politician party.” Honourable Debo Ayinde said: “There is serious crisis in PDP. They will shoot themselves as they always do. We have seen the difference. Osun has changed. Aregbesola is working; Osun is developing. One of the PDP chieftains, who is aspiring to become a deputy governor, confessed that Aregbesola is indeed working. But he said the PDP would be discrediting his work by spreading false information on the debt profile of the state. Adeleke deliberately chose APC because he is a progressive. He said there are two parties in Osun: APC and other political parties.” In his own remark, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe said: “I have finally come back to the progressive fold. There is no party you cannot join. But when you are being threatened, it is time for you to exit. I joined APC because I acknowledge the good works of Aregbesola. Aregbesola has performed beyond expectations.” Engineer Lambe said: “Aregbesola’s household is known for victory. Aregbesola is unique. I am proud of him. All the Aregbesolas I have known are victors and are always successful in everything they do. I want to be part of the good people.’

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 3, 2014

PHOTOTALK

•One of the decampees from the PDP to APC, Honourable Samson Siyanbola, House of Representatives’ member (right) displaying a broom, while Oyetola (left); Adeoti (2nd left); Fayemi (3rd left) Adeleke (4th right); Aregbesola (3rd right) and his wife, Sherifat (2nd right), watch.

•Another decampee, Kamoru Olagoke, former Chairman, Ede-North Local Government Council Area in the State of Osun, displaying a broom during the programme.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014 have suddenly met ourselves in a country that is in serious dilemma by reason of visionary leadership that is abysmally lacking. Those who have a better understanding of what Nigeria’s problems really are have just discovered that unless they get the instrument of purposeful rulership, there is little or nothing they can do. The tested hands have so far performed woefully, to the end that no one is sure of what direction the ship is drifting. That is why it has become archaic for any leader to stick to the toga of sectionalism. It has therefore become imperative for any leader to think beyond sectional politics that may only be beneficial to one state or region of the country. W

By ADE OLUGBOTEMI

Load Of Pacesetting In Contemporary Nigeria

The general elections are also very much around the corner with major stakeholders playing cat and mouse game. No one is left in doubt that with the body language of Mr President and the various jingles that appear like the replica of Late Sanni Abacha’s inglorious era, the ruling PDP will surely present the incumbent President as their standard bearer. The major challenger: All Progressives Congress (APC) is also playing a waiting game to ensure that they make no mistake in arriving at picking a challenger, who will suppress the power of incumbency to provide this country with visionary leadership that will remove the never-do-well emblem that Nigerians have gotten accustomed to these past fifteen years.

Nothing can be more paramount than for a section to showcase the roadmap to greatness. The pilot scheme within that section or state must be made workable, so that others that have to entrust their freedom and franchise into their hands will have unfettered confidence to do so. This is so because everybody has lost faith in the ways government businesses are run in this part of the globe. We only hear of promises and budgetary provisions; excuses upon excuses then begin to trickle in to justify the failures that such promises heralded. We have examples in the well-orchestrated transformation agenda that only manifest in paper works, as against the concrete benefits that such efforts are supposed to gravitate. The geographical location of the State of Osun would not have been coincidental or accidental; although I did not observe this personally until someone, who is keenly interested in how location has become a major determinant of what roles a particular state can play, or is capable of playing in the task of emancipating a subset of our society or the whole structure called the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The state is centrally-placed within the South-West geo-political zone, and if the remarkable influence the region has had on the socio-political development of the country is anything to go by, the State of Virtue (Osun) is pivotal in the quest to liberate Nigerians from self-inflicted slavery, if the good works we are seeing now extend beyond her geographical boundary. The flurry of activities that are changing the physical outlook of the state must take a centre stage, if any meaningful message is to be passed across. This is where another comparison becomes imperative between the projects being undertaken by the state and Federal Governments around here. While all projects being superintended by the state government under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola have either been completed or are still progressing, those being executed by the Federal Government are all suffering from the menace of abandonment. To be pragmatic, none of the thirty local

centre for fifteen years, as against the magic wand being displayed by the incumbent Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, whose power expedition is less than four years? With the task of spreading the tentacles of revolutionary governance to the entire SouthWest in the front burner, the PDP have the burden of their lives in convincing Ekiti and Osun people, and indeed the whole nation that they are still qualified to hold the ace in the face of numerous failed promises and projects that dot the length and breadth of the whole country.

Nigeria is at the lowest ebb of being one of the most corrupt nations in the entire world. This singular reason has made Nigerians to be inundated with the litmus test of having to go for dependable leaders, both at the State and Federal levels, in the fastapproaching elections. There is the need to part ways with that ugly identity that has categorised us amongst the nations of the world that are wallowing in abject poverty in the midst of plenty. We now need to exhibit highest level of sensitivity that will motivate us to elect leaders that will fill generational gap that has been created through profligacy and selfcentredness that have constituted the hallmark of our National life for more than two decades.

•JONATHAN

government council areas and the Area Office in Modakeke can complain of neglect under the Rauf’s Revolution. There are three major roads that are undergoing rehabilitation under the federal road category, namely, OsogboIlobu-Ifon-Oyo State boundary, the Osogbo-Ilesa road; and the dualcarriageway linking Ile-Ife to Ilesa axis of Akure-Ibadan dual-carriage-way. All the three roads highlighted here were awarded over five years ago, with none of them nearing 30% completion. Recent visits to all the three federal roads showed that they have all been abandoned; with all equipment removed from sites. All the three roads under review are now worse than the conditions the respective PDP contractors met them. This is an indication that truly, our almighty PDPcontrolled Federal Government has permanently signed treaty with inefficiency and failure.

The party at the centre; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now has a self-acclaimed engineer as her candidate for the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the State of Osun, with nothing being done by the party and Iyiola Omisore (the candidate) to ensure the completion of these important roads. The three roads are now impassable due to their states of disrepair. Most unfortunately, the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has boasted severally that PDP is going to reclaim the state alongside its Ekiti counterpart, which elections are around the corner. Campaigns are gradually gathering momentum with all the candidates struggling to outwit one another in the quest to occupy the seat of power later in the year. The question now is what pacesetting magic can be performed by the party that has been in power at the

Nigerians have been cajoled much long enough. Unfulfilled promises have characterised our leadership traits, such that truth has become absolutely alienated from our psyche. This is the right time to open a new chapter that will reorientate especially our youths for a glorious future. Our bond with poverty and ideological squalor must now be broken; and that permanently too. It is time to test a new set of leaders that will prove their mettles beyond rhetoric at all levels, so that our youths can once again look into the future with hope and determination for industry that will foster an image that all of us can be proud of. This change must start from the gubernatorial elections in both Ekiti State and the State of Osun, and be made to climax in the general elections of 2015. It is high time we shone our eyes, so as to remove once and for all, the dictum of “the more we look, the less we see”.

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.