Osun Defender - October 2nd 2014, Edition by OsunDefender

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www.osundefender.org THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2014 Weeks before the August 9th gubernatorial elections which was won by the pragmatic Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the APC, it was obvious we were up against forces other than the people of Osun state which naturally should be the determinant of

PEOPLE FIRST

Front Page Comment The War Called The Osun Elections-By Segun Tomori

how the elections will swing. The All progressives Congress (APC) still smarting from its shocking defeat in the previous Ekiti elections had literarily sworn it will lose Osun over its dead body. The murderous villain fielded by the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP), outrightly unpopular with barely a few dozens of people trailing him at campaigns however worethe confidence of a Governor-In-waiting. He they

didn’t care a hoot about the people’s wish, all that matters was the full compliment of the paraphernalia of State activated by an

VOL. 9. NO.118 imperial President though utterly clueless, but desperate to add Osun to his conquest in furtherance of his stillborn second term bid. So lo and behold, the die was cast!I have not been emotionally attached to any elections in Nigeria as I was with the Osun elections,

N 50

maybe June 12, 1993 Presidential elections presumed to have being won by my President, M.K.O Abiola could be an exception. It wasn’t because I had affinity with anyone in Ogbeni’s government or because I enjoyed any form of patronage but because Continue on pg5

Osun Guber Election:

Why Osun PDP Chair Did Not Vote For Omisore - Investigation Show Of Shame As Mobile Police Teargas Osun FRSC Sector Command, Beat Corps - Pg 2

- See Story On Page 2

Falana Asks IGP To Arrest, Try Hoodlums Who Sacked Ekiti - Pg 3 Court Osun Water Resources - Pg 3 Ministry Begins Projects’ Commissioning

•(L-R) The Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam; the ‘birthday boy’, Chief of Staff to the Governor, State of Osun, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; and his wife, Kafayat; the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye and Hon. Kamil Oyedele during the 60th birthday anniversary of Alhaji Oyetola at his Iragbiji residence, State of Osun, last Monday.

Phantom, Reckless Claims By Osun PDP On Inspection Of Ballot Papers

- See Story On Page 15

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

Why Osun PDP Chair Did Not Vote For Omisore - Investigation By OUR REPORTER

HAIRMAN of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State of Osun, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, did not cast his vote in the August 9, 2014 governorship election for Senator Iyiola Omisore, the PDP candidate has been revealed by investigation in the state Olaoluwa registered at polling unit, Ward 1, in G o v e r n m e n t Olorunda Local Reservasation Area (GRA) Government Council Area

of the state, where his party scored 95 votes, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the unit with 142 votes. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Olaoluwa was with the self-acclaimed political godfather in Anambra State and a member of the PDP Board

Show Of Shame As Mobile Police Teargas Osun FRSC Sector Command, Beat Corps consumption. “It is an internal affair please, it has been resolved,” the police spokesman stressed. The State Commandant of FRSC, Muhammed Husaini, was not available for comment as at press time, while all efforts to speak to his second-in-comand, Commandant R A Adewumi, was unsuccessful.

of Trustees, Mr Chris Uba, at a hotel located at Ogo-Oluwa area, Osogbo, during the election period. An impeccable source within the party revealed that Olaoluwa was protesting the alleged maltreatment he suffered earlier in the hands of the governorship candidate of the PDP, Senator Omisore, during the campaign period. Olaoluwa, according to his close political associates, was also afraid for his life, thinking that Omisore might send some thugs to attack him on the election day and later blamed the attack on members of the APC as the masterminds. It would be recalled that Omisore allegedly dealt a dirty slap on the PDP chairman at the party

secretariat few days to the election, following a disagreement between the duo on whose custody the election fund would be. Omisore, according to reports, was insisting on keeping the billions of naira released to the party by the PDP national secretariat and the Presidency, while Olaoluwa was also maintaining his right as the party chairman to take the custody of the election funds. The development degenerated into a hot argument that eventually provoked Omisore into slapping his party chairman in the presence of other members of the party. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Olaoluwa had vowed not to vote for Omisore sequel to the development, stating that

the former senator would likely become uncontrollable should he win the governorship election. Sources at the polling unit, where Olaoluwa was supposed to vote, confided in the medium that the PDP chairman did not appear at the voting centre throughout the election period. Olaoluwa and Omisore are currently leading the petition filed against the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the gubernatorial poll. The question on the lips of some members of the public is: What is the moral justification for Olaoluwa to lead a petition, when he did not actually participate in the electoral process and vote for his party candidate?

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI HERE was commotion on Monday at the State of Osun Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) as a detachment of armed policemen of the Mobile Unit of the Nigeria Police Force stormed the command. The policemen were said policemen involved have to have been infuriated over settled the matter as a an attack on a mobile police family affair, which is not for public officer, who was in mufti, by meant the FRSC officers on patrol in Osogbo, the state capital. The Special Protection Unit of the Mobile Police from Zone 11 Police Command, led by its Commandant, Isah Adejo, invaded the FRSC State Command office, firing teargas on its officers. The police team stormed the command around 3.30pm and started beating any FRSC officer they could lay their hands on, while other officers were running for their lives. For about one hour, the sector command was scattered while the crowd stood watching the attack on the command. The FRSC senior officers were unable to safe the situation, as the mobile police officers remained defiant. OSUN DEFENDER reporter, who witnessed the attack, reported that an FRSC officer, who fell into the hands of the rampaging policemen was tear-gassed at a very close range, had his clothes torn into shreds and forced to sit on bare •An ongoing pedestrian construction project along Fakunle area in Osogbo under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola as captured floor at the premises of the by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, last Monday. command. The police invasion of the FRSC State Command office was however learnt to be a reprisal attack. According to an eyewitness, a mobile police officer, who was not in HE Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf people towards positive independence will be be in place for the uniform while riding on a Aregbesola, has identified peoples’ contributions. meaningless unless there enthronement of motorcycle, was arrested by “Democracy as a is absolute respect for acceptable federalism freedom to willingly choose their leaders the FRSC officers, who were as a hallmark of democracy. system of government democratic ethos, and democracy have been on patrol, which eventually only has meaning in an Aregbesola said “Today, weakened deliberately to led to a serious fight, with Aregbesola, in a According to him, a our country witnesses achieve some personal the police officer sustaining message by the Director, refusal to allow peoples’ atmosphere of freedom. “Our nation stands to blatant cases of abuse of political and economic head injury. the Bureau of When he was sighted at Communications and will and aspirations to be benefit immensely if the human rights and total advantages of those who freely expressed most of will of the people disregard for the rights of the FRSC Sector Command had worked over the office, his white underwear Strategy, Office of the the time results in chaos supersedes the individual the people to choose those years against the Governor, Mr. Semiu and confusion. was stained with blood, leader’s ambition. who lead them. happiness of our people.” before he was taken to an Okanlawon, observed He called on leaders “We, as a nation, must “Relentlessly, we have Aregbesola said undisclosed hospital with this in a message to mark and people of the country put our acts together as campaigned for a true collectively all Nigerians the nation’s 54th to come to terms with the from now on and remain the FRSC Toyta Hilux van. federation which takes When contacted, the i n d e p e n d e n c e reality of what democracy focused on how to move into account all the could make independence Zone 11 Police Public anniversary. means, which is the this country to greater freedom of the federating work by compelling Relations Officer, Mr Shola The governor said unfettered freedom of heights. leaders to act with total Babalola, said it was just a independence, in the true units to conduct their respect for the rule of law expression, of choice of “This should be the affairs in the most suitable minor misunderstanding, which has been settled sense of the word, will those whom the people lesson as well as the manner according to their adding, “Our country between the police and the only make meaning if want to rule them. primary message we r e s p e c t i v e stands the chance of covering the lost grounds FRSC, assuring that the people of the nation have Through this alone, should spread around as circumstances. matter has been laid to rest. unrestricted free will to Aregbesola said, will the nation clocks 54 if only we realize the “It is regrettable that He said the FRSC State elect their leaders at all independence benefit the years,” Aregbesola said many of the institutions of need to act in the best Command and the tiers of government. interest of the people.” nation and propel its

Nigeria At 54: Aregbesola Says Total Respect For Democratic Rights Of The People Will Make Independence Meaningful

Adding that Nigeria’s

the state which ought to

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

Falana Asks IGP To Arrest, Try Hoodlums Who Sacked Ekiti Court By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

UMAN rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Femi Falana, has called on the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abbah, to “arrest and prosecute without any delay” those who invaded an Ado Ekiti High Court, beat up a judge, and violated the Court of Justice. Falana put the blame on the June 21, 2014, I expressed the Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr. view that the Ekiti people had Ayo Fayose, whom he said has gone back to Egypt. The justified the shameful attack on mayhem unleashed on a high the rule of law in Ekiti State by court judge, lawyers and saying that his election cannot litigants in the precinct of the Ekiti State High Court sitting be challenged in court. The statement reads: “This in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, is a reminder of the Idi Amin September, 23, 2014, by a gang era in Uganda, when judges of hired hoodlums, has were killed while discharging confirmed that Ekiti people have fully returned to the judicial functions” Falana however, urged that wilderness. “As the thugs were not Fayose and his thugs should not be allowed to kill judges brought to book, they and lawyers before calling him regrouped in the morning and launched another attack on the to order. “In my reaction to the high court. In the process, outcome of the Ekiti State Justice Isaac Adeyeye was governorship election held on beaten up, while the car

belonging to Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, was destroyed. Other judges and lawyers ran for dear lives. “Thus, by desecrating the Temple of Justice with the connivance of the Police, the armed hoodlums left no one in doubt that they have the full backing of the ruling party in executing the premeditated onslaught on the judiciary. “So far, those who perpetrated the barbaric attack and their sponsors have admitted their ignoble role through public statements issued by them. “The Ekiti State governorelect, Mr. Ayo Fayose has justified the shameful attack on the rule of law in Ekiti State by saying that his election cannot be challenged in court. “This is a reminder of the Idi Amin era in Uganda, when judges were killed while

discharging judicial functions. “Mr. Fayose and his thugs should not be allowed to kill judges and lawyers before calling him to order. “Since the Ekiti State Police Command is completely compromised, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abbah, is hereby called upon to ensure that all the assailants are arrested and prosecuted without any delay. “Any attempt to cover up the brazen contempt of court should be resisted by the Attorney-General of Ekiti State, Mr. Wale Fapounda, who should take decisive measures to bring the criminals to book. “Let no one politicise the criminality of those who are bent on replacing the rule of law with rule of force in Ekiti State. “The Federal Government ought to distance itself from the shameless display of brute force by an in-coming governor of Ekiti State.

•An ongoing construction of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Araromi, Osogbo Middle School project under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, last Saturday.

Lawmaker Gives Scholarship To 33 Students By SHINA ABUBAKAR

decency without spreading messages of discord to guarantee victory for APC in the 2015 polls. Ojewale further called on members of the party not to relent in their effort to mobilise support for the party to succeed in the 2015 polls, as they did during the governorship election in the state. Also speaking, the party Chairman in Olorunda Local

HE lawmaker representing Olorunda State Constituency in the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Waseeu Adebayo, recently gave scholarships to 33 students in higher institutions in the eleven wards constituting his constituency. He also gave out a loyal to the party’s success. commercial mini-bus to a He also called on members beneficiary, three commercial of the party and prospective motorcycles and three power- aspirants for elective offices to generating sets to beneficiaries pursue their ambition with from the constituency, as part of his annual youth empowerment programme. Similarly, widows across the eleven wards were empowered to reduce their suffering through a revolving loan RRANGEMENTS have been concluded by the State scheme sponsored by the Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and lawmaker. Community Affairs to start commissioning projects In his address, Adebayo described the empowerment facilitated by the present administration through the programme as a means of ministry. complementing the six-point The projects, which were According to the integral action plan of Ogbeni executed in 61 communities statement, the commissioning Rauf Aregbesola’s under the second phase of programme of 10 locked-up administration, aimed at Replication of UNICEF stalls, palace and electrification improving the lots of the Community Development projects, which have been masses. Initiative Programme would be scheduled for Tuesday, would According to him, his commissioned by the state hold at Oyatedo-Kejo and responsibility is to make law that would improve the welfare governor, Ogbeni Rauf Osunwoyin in Ayedire Local of the people of his Aregbesola, in company of the Government Council Area, as constituency and the state in Special Adviser to the well as Anarun and Agberire in Local general, saying the House has Governor on Water Resources, Iwo not erred in that responsibility. Rural Development and GovernmentCouncil Area of He added that within three Community Affairs, Mr the state. He then enjoined all the years of his lawmaking duties, Adekunle Ige. This was contained in a board members of the Osun he has facilitated employment opportunities for about 100 statement signed by the Rural Development Board, residents of his constituency. Permanent Secretary in the permanent secretaries and Speaking at the gathering, an Ministry, Engineer Adelere directors, community All Progressives Congress Oriolowo. development councils and all (APC) leader in the federal The statement added that other political functionaries to constituency, Alhaji Isa the commissioning of the attend the ceremony. Ojewale, commended members community-oriented projects Oriolowo also appealed to of the party on the success of shall commence as from the Executive Secretaries, August 9, 2014 governorship election, while calling on Tuesday 30th of September Heads of Local Government members to continue to remain and to be completed on Administration in the 30 local October 23, 2014. government council areas and

Government Council Area, Mr Biodun Kilanko, described the empowerment scheme of the lawmaker as commendable, saying it has, to a large extent impacted on the teeming populace in the constituency. He said, the 2014 programme was the third in its series, adding that he believed it would not be the last, as more of such programmes would be organised for the benefit of the people.

Osun Water Resources Ministry Begins Projects’ Commissioning

Ife-East Area Office, traditional rulers in the project communities, religious and youth leaders, artisans, market men and women and other relevant stakeholders to witness the events.

“In view of the duty imposed on the Nigerian Bar Association to defend the rule of law and protect judges and lawyers, the leadership of the Bar in Ekiti State and at the national level should mount pressure on the Police authorities to fish out those who beat up a judge, chased judges and lawyers out of the Ekiti State High Court. “Even under the defunct military junta, judges were never subjected to physical assault over their decisions. Hence, in Garba v Federal Civil Service Commision (1998) 1 NWLR (PT 70) 449 it was held by the Supreme Court (per

Eso J.S.C.) that: “The military in coming to power is usually faced with the question as to whether to establish a rule of law or rule of force. While the latter could be justifiable a rule of terror, once the path of law is chosen, the mighty arm of government, the militia, which is an embodiment of legislature and executive must in humility bow to the rule of law thus permitted to exist. “The rule of law knows no fear, it is never cowed down, it can only be silenced, but once it is not silenced by the only arm that can silence it, it must be accepted in full confidence to be able to justify its existence,” Falana said.

Osun Assembly Commiserates With Speaker, Ogiyan By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

HE state parliament of the State of Osun has commiserated with its Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowuola Oyeyode Oyesosin and the immediate family members of the late the Chief Remi Olowude, over the death of the Ejigbo-born insurance guru, describing it as an irreparable loss to Nigeria and the State of Osun in particular. In a statement signed by the Deputy Speaker, Honourable he had led a worthy life of Adegboye Akintunde, the courage, which exhibited parliament lamented the death humanity and Godliness, of the philanthropist, noting that asserting that the axiom that Olowude passed to the great says, “it is not the life that beyond when his service and matters but the courage that is experiences as master insurer and brought into it”, fits the risk manager were needed to fix impactful life of the deceased. Adegboye, on behalf of the challenges facing the economy of parliament, then prayed to God the nation. The State House of to give fortitude to all concerned Assembly then contended that to bear the irreparable loss.

Osun Lawmaker Rewards Constituents By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

AWMAKER representing Ayedire Constituency in the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Leke Ogunsola, has distributed motorcycles and some other economic empowerment materials to his constituents. Distributing the materials in the lawmaker for coming up Oluponna on Thursday, the with such gesture despite the lawmaker said the gesture was lean resources available to him. aimed at paying back to his He said the gesture clearly constituents for their showed that Ogunleke is a supports. responsible lawmaker, who was He said apart from the committed to the plight of the materials being distributed, he people of his constituency. has been able to attract He then charged him to do development projects to his constituency through more interms of empowering his infrastructural development, people to further give them job creation and in the area of sense of belonging. Honourable Kamardeen agriculture among others. Commending the people of Akanbi of Ede North his constituency for their Constituency, Rasheed Afolabi support for Governor Rauf of Ifelodun Constituency and Aregbesola, he expressed Ezekiel Adedibu of Iwo optimism that the second term Constituency commended the of the administration would be lawmaker for the gesture. Among those at the event better than the first. Speaking at the gathering, were traditional rulers, All the Speaker of the state Progressives Congress (APC) parliament, Honourable leaders and members among Najeem Salaam, commended others.

Osun Again Offers Eid-el-Kabir Free Train Service By REBECCA ADENIRAN

EW days to the 2014 Eid-el-Kabir festival, the Government of the State of Osun has once again concluded arrangements to provide free train services for its citizens, according to the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Industry and Empowerment, Mr. Ismail Alagbada. The commissioner added He said in a statement on Monday in Osogbo that the that the return journey to free train service would be Lagos would start by 11.00am offered between Thurdsay 2nd on October 6 and October 7th. According to him, the and Friday October 3, 2014. Alagbada said the train gesture is aimed at facilitating would by 11.00am convey stress-free homecoming for the people from Lagos to Osogbo people during the Muslim festival. on Thursday and Friday.

The state government had since 2011 been making such similar arrangements for people of the state to travel home during festive seasons, as part of efforts to promote tourism, boost economy by encouraging more people to visit the state. The free train service has been noted to have enhanced Nigerians’ belief in the use of train as an effective means of transportation. The state government had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Railway Corporation on the use of train to enhance transportation of various farm produce to Lagos.

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

Osun PDP Secretariat Turns To Criminals’ Den By OUR REPORTER

HE lives and property of the people living around the campaign office of the State of Osun chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Heritage Hotel area, Osogbo, might continue to be at risk, as hoodlums have turned the place to their regular abode and hideout. The convergence of the of Election Petition Tribunal thugs has commenced since in Osogbo, the state capital. the beginning of the sitting On Monday, a suspected

criminal was trailed to the PDP secretariat by the police, where he was arrested and beating to a coma, while he was making an attempt to resist arrest and escape from the police. A police source, who pleaded not to be named, said the suspected criminal

was trailed from a crime scene to the party campaign office, but however, refused to mention the nature of the crime and the place, saying any information on the matter might compromise investigation. The unidentified suspect was later whisked away by

the police, while the development was said to have destabilised those who had gathered as early as 7.00am at the party office, while residents in the area currently live in fear. When OSUNDEFENDER visited the area, a resident, who pleaded anonymity,

•A cross section of Good Women of The Redeem Christian Church of God, Victory Zone, Osogbo in a group photograph with the children of Enu Photo: SHOLA ADERINTO. Ogbope Orphanage Home, Osogbo, during their visit to donate to the less privileged members of the society recently.

Osun CJ, Varsity Don Canvass Judiciary Independence By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

To the State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale Afolabi, the independence of the judiciary must be respected by other arms of government. This, he said, would be able to guarantee dispensation of justice

accordingly. Earlier in her remark, Justice Adepele Ojo said the issue of independence of judiciary has always been a subject of controversy and unrest in the system. She noted that the issue calls for serious consideration, with a view

to proffering solutions to the judiciary woes, especially in the area of financing. The CJ also urged legal practitioners to bring back the culture of inteletualism into the profession, while advocating for training and retraining of members of the Bar and the Bench.

HE attack on the judiciary in Ekiti State has continued to raise dusts, as a Professor of Law, Olayiwola Oladele, has called for a legislation to set up judicial enforcement and security agencies at the federal and state levels. This was just as the imagination for any society Chief Judge (CJ) of the to try to uphold the rule of State of Osun, Justice law without independence Adepele Ojo, stated that of the judiciary. the reliance of the judiciary on the executive has been the bane of justice system in the country. The duo spoke in Osogbo on Monday during RADITIONAL believers and a leading masquerade in a symposium organised by By ISMAEEL UTHMAN Iwo known as Ogundeji have protested what they the Osun Judiciary to mark treatment and forestall its described as unprovoked and barbaric attack on the another one”. the opening of 2014/2015 masquerade by a Muslim group. The Alagbaa of Iwoland, reoccurrence in the future. Police Public Relations Legal Year, with the theme: OSUN DEFENDER her reaction, disclosed that Chief Ojelana Ojeseyi, in his Officer (PPRO), Osun “Independence of gathered reaction, condemned the that a Muslim the attack had claimed her Mrs. Folashade Judiciary - The Nigerian group called Kamarudeen ancestors’ inheritance, development, describing the Command, Odoro, said police had Experience”. Muslim Society had last urging government to come attack as uncalled for, already commenced Professor Oladele Tuesday, allegedly beaten to her aid by providing N20 barbaric and inhuman. investigation into the matter, Ojeseyi stated that the canvassed for the Ogundeji masquerade, a million to appease the gods action of the Muslim assuring that anybody that resorted and make new regalia for the constitutional guarantee of development group violated the found wanton in the into pandemonium during masquerade. the independence of the Egungun festival. fundamental rights of the case would be prosecuted. She said: “It would cost OSUN DEFENDER was traditional worshippers, judiciary beyond mere The masquerade, almost N20 million to prepare unable to get in touch with calling on the government aspiration and according to sources, concoction and sacrifice to the leaders of the Muslim equivocation, with a view sustained injuries in the appease spirits of the burnt and all the relevant agencies group that allegedly beat the to intervene, with a view to attack and also fainted before masquerade and to design to ensuring that it serves checkmating the inhuman masquerade, as the medium the Muslim group left him on could not get their contacts. its purpose. According to him, the ground. It was gathered that the reliance of the judiciary on Muslim group also allegedly the executive arm of burnt the regalia of the of religion, tribe or age. Falodi-Apoeso, a social government for masquerade, while the worker in the UK, told the enforcement of judgement handler narrowly escaped non- governmental organization which specializes Baale that she was moved with serious injuries. is counter-productive, that death in empowering youths of Makoko, Lagos and taking to start the empowerment However, the masquerade it nullifies the efficacy of Ogundeji has demanded for children of school age off the streets back to school, in Makoko with her the validity of court a sum of N20 million to The ABSMAT and Ayo Akin Foundation, has appealed to project partner, when she visited judgements. prepare sacrifice to avert evil the Baale of Appollo, in Makoko, Alhaji Chief Ibrahim the place years back and He highlighted financial that, he said, might be Aladetan, to help it get a piece of land to build a befitting saw youths and children of office for the NGO in the community. autonomy, non- following the group. school age wasting away The group, during a operations. Masquerade Ogundeji interference in the added that the money would recent visit to the Baale, said Directors of the NGO, through hawking, smoking selection, appointment, also be used to sew new its lack of an office, where Pastor (Mrs.) Margaret and drinking. She said computers and promotion and removal of regalia, saying he could no to operate from is hindering Falodi-Apoeso and Mr. other property of the NGO judges, as some of the longer use the damaged its empowerment project in Semidara Williams told the thrown out of the factors that would regalia. the community and begged Baale that they were in the were office loaned to them by the Speaking with OSUN the community leader to community this time to local government, guarantee independence of hence DEFENDER on Monday on help the organization get distribute school bags and the judiciary. telephone, the handler of the land or an office space in the food items to the pupils of their request to the Baale for The professor of law Ogundeji masquerade, Mrs. an office space or a land to described as a figment of Ogundeji Omo-Babalawo, in community to facilitate their the community, irrespective build one.

said the people in the area are at great risk with the way thugs regularly gather inside the building. He said: “When the police came this morning, our thought was that they would whisk all of them away. That was how they would gather as early as 6.00am, drinking alcohol, smoking Indian hemp and terrorizing the environment.” He added that they had reported several cases of harassment to the police without effecting any arrest. Findings from the area indicated that the party has not disbanded hundreds of thugs it groomed during the just-concluded governorship election, as they are the ones accompanying the PDP legal team to the court and INEC office for the ongoing inspection of election materials earlier granted by the tribunal. The PDP office has always been the convergence point for the suspected thugs before they would move to the tribunal, while they also return to collect money in the evening after each tribunal sitting. Many residents of the areas have been victims of series of harassment and intimidation by the suspected thugs, which is currently creating serious apprehension in the area. The Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Mrs Folasade Odoro, was not available for comment on the development as at the time of filing this report.

Masquerade, Traditionalists Protest Assault By Muslim Group •Demands N20m To Appease Gods

A renowned Islamic cleric in the ancient city prayed not to be named, confirmed the incident but with a different account that the masquerade allegedly trespassed during the Egungun festival. According to the cleric, the Ogundeji masquerade came under attack when he harassed some Muslims women and other members of the society during its outing. The Islamic cleric said no reasonable Muslim would attack masquerade without any provocation, even as he pleaded with the two sides to embrace peace in the community.

NGO Distributes Bags, Food Items To Pupils •Seeks Office In Makoko

Replying, the Baale, Chief Aladetan thanked Mrs. Falodi-Apoeso and her partner, Mr. Williams for their humanitarian gesture in the community. He expressed regret that there was no available land that he could oblige the NGO, as all the land in the waterlogged community had been snapped up for development. He however promised to get the NGO an office space. After the visit, the NGO, assisted by the Baale, later presented pupils with bags of food items.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

The War Called The Osun Elections-By Segun Tomori Continued frompg1 I just couldn’t imagine my home State go back to the disastrous “years of the locust”. I had participated actively n the campaigns, interacted with the people, felt their pulse and the story was the same – Osun has never had it so good, the people vowed to defend their votes by all means possible! From that moment I had made up my mind to give my all and put myself at harm’s way if need be to ensure we form a bulwark of resistance against the machinery of State to be deployed to thwart the people’s wish. When I was about to proceed on my journey to Osogbo, the Osun State Capital on Monday preceding the elections I prepared for the worst. Few associates privy to my trip advised strongly that I removed any APC sourvenir from my luggage,any ID card that can associate me with the party amongst other security tips. They were right to be apprehensive, soldiers, officials of the Department of State Security(DSS) including the hooded ones,lorry loads of mobile policemen had since being deployed across the nook and cranny of Osun State. Bearing in mind the desperation of their paymasters, we knew they could stop and search vehicles and abduct anything synonymous with APC, so I took all the precautions. I took off on the journey which in itself was dramatic. As we got close to Oshogbo, a discussion ensued in the bus and I found out I was not alone in the Save-Osun initiative. Most of the passengers shared the same sentiments with me and were also natives of the State. They spoke emotionally and fiercely about their determination to ensure Aregbesola’s victory. Speaker after speaker reeled out programmes and interventions of the Governor that has brought smiles to the faces of the people. They concluded he was the best thing to happen to the State since its creation. The menacing apparatus of State then suffocating the enviroment will not deter them, they thundered! “Ko si ohun ti soja o se, a ma duro gboin gboin lati dibo Aregbe” they said in yoruba dialect meaning “there is nothing Soldiers can do, we will stand firmly to vote for Aregbe”. I thought to myself, we are about to witness mass resistance unequally in our national history if anything go against the people’s will. Hopefully, the soldiers we met on the various checkpoints didn’t stop and search, they just peeped through the bus windows and passed us on. I heaved a sigh of relief when I arrived Osogbo safely late in the evening. I have attended rallies, mega-rallies , name it, but what I saw on Tuesday at the grand-finale of the campaign was

frightening. A stadium whose capacity can’t be more than 60,000 almost caved in due to pressure from an unprecedented mammoth crowd. Every space on the covered stands were over-filled, the main bowl of the Stadium was virtually unpassable. My associates and I had to hold ourselves to navigate our way through the crowd, it took us about an hour from the entrance of the stadium to find somewhere to perch! Yet thousands more extend to adjoining roads outside the stadium. It was the APC mega-rally and to say it was awesomely mega is an understatement! We even heard that the Lord of Aso-rock caught an instant migraine seeing the magnitude of the rally! The effect of that was seen in the sealing off of the freedom park that was supposed to host workers rally the next day by “hooded soldiers” They got the now familiar, albeit emergency “orders from above” to forcefully if need be halt the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliates endorsement rally for the Ogbeni. Co-incidentally, Wednesday, 6th August was my birthday but I was in no mood for celebrations of any kind. I told my wellwishers, family and friends that you don’t clink glasses in a battle-front! Interestingly, one of my compatriots who was also a major ‘battle-axe” and good friend’s birthday was 8th August so I told him we’ll do a birthday plus victory party on the 10th, a day after the elections,when we triumph at the polls. We know we had the people behind us, we never gave defeat a thought! By Thursday, preparations had reached feverish pitch, the towns, hamlets and villages was now massively flowing with uniformed men of all hues and shades. Some DSS operatives came to the restaurant we were having dinner, Thursday evening, apparently on surveillance mission. We got the message and we left in a jiffy! On our way to our location, we noticed a car trailing us, so we had to take a decoy to a bar. As we turned to the bar, the car also turned in another direction. Their mission still remains a mystery. Thank God for little mercies! When we arrived our abode, we swung into action to put finishing touches to our master-plan which was to run a coordinated and effective live broadcast of the elections on social and online media in collaboration with the APC situation room which was to start from Friday evening till the announcement of the results on Sunday. This was necessary because leaking the plans of our devious opponents was key to frustrate their rigging machinery; announcing results online as we get it directly from our agents was also crucial to frustrate any manipulation at the collation level. By Friday afternoon, I had to tactically separate from my friends who then proceeded to a high security location. The curfew was going to start around 56pm. By 4pm, I arrived at my own secure location and quickly

moved to set up. I surveyed the enviroment to assess the possible threat level. I saw that it was negligible so I settled down for the task ahead. By Friday evening we got intelligence report that notorius election rigger, Chris Uba was in town with a unit of 50 soldiers attached to him. We sent that out and made sure it went viral. Later that night, information about the arrest of our leaders ranging from APC Publicity Secretary, lai Mohammed, the Attorney-general Of Osun State, barr. Wale Afolabi, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on media, Mr Sunday are, Commissioner for Agric among others were swiftly publicised with dispatch. The far-reaching effect of the noise we made contributed in no small measure to the release of most of those picked up by Saturday morning. We discovered by Saturday morning that fake soldiers and policemen had surfaced in many locations. Their logo was a red ankara tied to their left hand. Quickly we activated our instant alert to our people,through all means possible. That again thwarted efforts to manipulate the elections from the beginning. The elections started peacefully however in most locations with accreditation going on smoothly. The only snag was the continued harassment of APC leaders across the State. The case of the 1st Civilian Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke was quite instructive. After failing to assasinate him over-night due to resistance by his security aides, he was trailed from the polling unit to his mother’s residence where he went after accreditation. He escaped the siege by the whisker after he was discreetly notified. He couldn’t come back to exercise his franchise. The results started trickling in by afternoon and the PDP demolition squad sensing their rejection quickly switched to a plan B to disrupt the collation process. We instantly alerted the public about their norturnal meeting and evil plot. What really helped the APC apart from the determination of the people was our access to classified information. We were always a step ahead of them and that frustrated the election riggers. I got an anonymous call from a patroitic police officer around 8pm who claimed he was at a location at modakeke and that results being collated was about to be altered. You could detect the fear in his voice as he asked me to ensure his cover. He was an igbo officer deployed from other states, he wasn’t familiar with the terrain but what was gratifying that there could still be few men of integrity in the corruption-ridden Nigeria Police Force. In order to confirm the authenticity of his Statement, I asked the Apapa Local Government Chairman who was with me to speak to him. He sounded credible, he concluded. So I made some calls to the authorities and sent text message to our men to act immediately.

Speculations Over Shekau's Death

LL the recent drama and stunts being played out by the insurgents (the Boko Haram Islamic sect) has been put on hold, as speculations about the death of their infamous leader, Ibrahim Shekau remains a mystery. A gruesome and defamatory photograph has fuelled the speculations that the leader of the Nigerian terrorist group “Boko Haram” is dead. Although, the news seems true enough and the photograph that was released seemed to show the leader of the Islamic terrorist sect lying dead, as the military has claimed to have killed him during a battle. I would want to put it out to the nation’s security agencies that this whole news about the death of Shekau might just be a ploy to

get the attention of the Nigerian soldiers off their tracks. Members of the Boko Haram sect are known to be very tactical and it would be a total error, should the security agencies believe this story and therefore relent in their quest for the total elimination of the

help to the security agencies, with a view to avoiding another mishap similar to that which hit the Chibok schools girls of Borno State. Speaking of the Chibok girls; what would be their fate now that the leader of the Boko Haram group is said to be dead and some of his followers surrendering to the military? Would any effort still be carried out to locate the missing innocent girls? These questions will obviously remain unanswered, if the Nigerian government does not sit up and attend to the issues that are plaguing and threatening the safety and well-being of its citizens.

terrorist group. I would want to plead with Nigerians not to believe this news also, as we all know that this would not be the first time that a news about the death of Shekau has been aired. We should all be watchful and •OKPOMU SHOLA, Osun at alert at all times and also give State University, Ikire out valuable updates and information that might be of Campus, Ikire, State of Osun.

Before 11pm, we already had all the results and we had won, though unofficially. What sealed the deal for us and put paid to any manipulation the PDP had in stock was the unexpected congratulation of Aregbesola as the winner of the election around 9.40pm by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade. Omisore according to our sources had already informed Asorock that there was fighting in his home-town of Ile-Ife because according to him, the results we were circulating were fake and he was actually leading in the “original” results. The Ooni swiftly debunked that, not only congratulated the Governorelect, but also stated that nobody was fighting in Ife! That took the sail out of the wind of Omisore and his treacherous gang. If we thought the threats have been subdued, we were in for a shocker! The returning officer whose task it is to announce the final result was under pressure to collect a whooping N1b and announce Omisore winner! They were ready to damn the consequences and ask us to go to court. So we had to practically go on our knees! I salute the indefatigable people of Osun State, they were resolute, they stood like a rock, stayed on the streets all through and formed a human shield around the collation centre. Then the returning officer came in around 1.35pm. The results of all the local governments were announced before 5am. Then we now witnessed dilly-dallying of the highest order. It got to a point around 7am, anxious journalists and people started singing asking for the results. Lo and Behold, at about 7.10am, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was finally pronounced the winner! There was instant jubilation across the nook and cranny of Oshogbo. Never in the history of elections have I seen such spontaneous excitement pervade the landscape because of results announcement. Within the twinkle of an eye, the whole town went agog with people clutching their brooms- symbol of the Governor’s party, congratulating themselves, okada riders driving menacingly in such euphoric ecstasy and finally we could say hurray! We won! We didn’t win an election, we won a WAR with a stone like the biblical david. Goliath came to battle with the best arsenal at his disposal but we came with the will of a determined people that vowed that never again shall they go the road of perdition they once trodded. Who says the voice of the people is not the voice of God? Because ultimately the hand of the Almighty saved the day and gave us victory. Osun ti dara ooooooo. Segun Tomori

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FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

TAN’s Fraud And President Jonathan’s Ambition THERE is every reason to be apprehensive as the 2015 presidential election approaches. Not majorly because Nigeria, as we know it ,might shrink on the pages of the world map, as has been loudly predicted, but because certain groups like Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) is poised to rewrite the electoral law on the auspices of the presidency. A cursory look at TAN as an organisation, its agenda and the forcible pimpernels, who drive the group, cast a slur on the dithering state of affairs on the presidency. TAN’s banal, lawless and propulsive avowal to continue its campaign for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 against the grains of electoral laws, which stipulate 90 days period of open campaigns, clearly corroborated earlier indices that President Jonathan values his Aso Rock tenancy than the security of Nigerians and the safety of the adducted Chibok girls. The foulmouthed Methuselah or Olisa Metuh, the PDP propagandist Secretary barely belaboured his vanquished self that his party, the PDP and the presidency have no hands in TAN’s re-election campaigns for the president. How evasive can that be? The fact that key government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the PDP governors and serving ministers, such as Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, are part of the jamboree, moving from one geo-political zone to the other, collecting signatures, suggests that TAN is an organ of the PDP and President Jonathan’s campaign organisation. The presidency is not alone in the revolting TAN saga. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has a responsibility to regulate all electoral activities, including political campaigns, has seemingly capitulated. INEC has become a pathetic aberration, a helpless umpire, driven primitively like a puppet by its master. With its compulsive silence, INEC has squandered the public trust it enjoys over the relatively free, and largely commendation Ekiti and Osun elections a few months ago. The cynicisms arising from INEC’s inability to rein in TAN, the PDP and the presidency to play by the electoral rules is such that dampened INEC’s assurances that it is capable of securing and guaranteeing a level play field for all political parties as the 2015 elections approaches. INEC must rise to the occasion and responsibly too, through official pronouncements and other punitive measures, as a precursor towards the disbandment of any violating political parties or outright disqualification of erring candidate from contesting in the 2015 elections. Nigerians are at a loss as to why INEC has not invoked the relevant electoral laws and bring sanctions to bear on TAN, PDP and President Jonathan for doing violence to the rule of the game and the nation’s Constitution he swore to protect. President Jonathan owes it as a duty

•JONATHAN By ERASMUS IKHIDE

to Nigerians and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to uphold every letter in the statute book. He owes it as a duty to disentangle himself from TAN’s falsehood, repulsive insult and the open mockery of the people’s sensibilities. Given the enormous resources at the disposal of the presidency and its robot TAN, the people’s future and hope have been mangled by needless propaganda and violation of the ethical foundation of integrity; the bases of democracy. Our freedom from all forms of political manipulations are not guaranteed unless all democratic institutions perform their functions well. But these institutions are unable to do so because there is no independent check on the Presidency’s violation of democratic rules. The malfeasance and gross abuse and bare-faced aggression against the electoral laws by President Jonathan and his hirelings is highly proverbial. Any further doubts that TAN’s campaigns and President Jonathan’s acceptance and funding of the group has not blunted the edge of the taunted rule of law? The absurdity in TAN’s campaigns for President Jonathan’s re-election is multifarious. Aside the illegality of the campaigns, whose time is premature, the falsehood of President Jonathan outperforming his predecessors, even his equation with the like of Obama, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, among others in TAN’s bizarre, comical and desultory advertisement; it is the dramatisation of Jonathan’s failure to rescue the Chibok girls, and proceeded to use the same # tag and slogan as an anchor for his presidential

restoration beyond 2015! Is anyone conscious of the #BRING BACK JONATHAN 2015 banners donning TAN’s campaign venues across the country and its desecration of the struggle to free the Chibok girls held hostage by the Boko Haram militias over the last six months? Is it not possible for perceptive Nigerians to see through facade the wall of deception mounted by the president and the cacophony of voices represented by TAN? Can’t we root out this obscenity that has spiralled intermittently with us since the beginning of this Fourth Republic? It is safe to say that the attempt by TAN and their incredible followers to make a caricature of the nation is propelled by President Jonathan’s relentless funding of the roughish and irritable group. This captures Karl Marx’s exposition on materialism; that class interest, greed and hidden motives are the driving forces of vaunting ambition. For, as Marx said: ‘It is not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but their social existence that determines their consciousness.’ This is one of the clearest exposition of Marx’s materialist conception of history, since most modern day philosophers agreed that economic factors play a crucial role in the shaping of social,cultural and political life. Briefly put, there is another anecdotal and ironical angle to TAN. The sponsors of TAN are majorly peopled by South East extraction of the country. Sadly enough, there is no road to Eastern Nigeria! A trip to Anambra State recently to pay the last respect to the Great One of Agulu, Dr Dora Akunyili, invokes the 2012 River Niger horror flood and exploitation of the Eastern people’s emotive

consciousness. Death toll from the flooding after heavy rain and the release of water from a dam in Cameroon rose to 70, with some 120,000 people displaced, 61,000 quartered in 30 camps across the state. After spending six hours on the same spot in a stretch of less than 50 metres before River Niger head bridge and overlooking Onitsha, you could see property damaged and how human sufferings laid bare along the river course before entering the city. I was struck by the squalor of those forced by poverty to live near River Niger and the shanty town hugging its banks. It was a decent to hell! The misery in all its horror and destitution engulfing countless homes did not sufficiently attract the attention of TAN and President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. This degree of deprivation which the people are grappling with are the consequences President Jonathan’s mis-governance and anti-people’s policies. To make the case more harrowing for the denizens, there is already serious squabble over the nonpayment of compensation by the government without which construction works on the Second Niger Bridge would commence. Yet, TAN in daily advertisements in virtually all television stations anchored by Chief Zebrudia, continued daily deception by inundates Southeastern people and Nigerians at large with denuding falsehood. This deceit is further justified by the inclusion of Azikiwe and Ebele amongst the leader’s name. Painfully and pitifully, this is the Charlotte and hogwash Eastern Nigeria and other ethnically blindfolded Nigerians celebrate as governance. To make matters worse, the TAN campaigns are propelled by dishonest characters, whose sources of stupendous wealth are questionable. Also, from available evidence, some of the key personalities from the private sector associated with TAN at the highest levels are facing one case of corruption or the other with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This is one of the absurdities of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration that makes a mountain out of the anti-corruption mole hill. There is nothing wrong for President Goodluck Jonathan to seek to elongate his tenancy in Aso Rock, as long as the Constitution of the Republic allows it, as it were. But everything is wrong when such elongation is based on deceptive premises; roughish permutations of ethnocentric manipulation, exploitation of the people’s emotive weakness, and the oppressive greed of the oligarchs. •Erasmus, a public affairs analyst wrote in from Lagos, Nigeria.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

PHOTOTALK

Faces At The Sensitisation Programme For Ebola Virus Infection And Prevention Organised For Members Of The Joint National Association Of People With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Recently.

•(L-R) The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Oladele Temitope; state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Prof. Olubukola Oyawoye; her Health counterpart, Dr. (Mrs.) Temitope Ilori and other dignitaries at the sensitization programme.

•A cross section of JONAPWD members at the programme. •

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•Dr. Temitope (left), demonstrating how to properly wash hands at the sensitization programme.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

Chief Of Staff To The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Celebrated 60th Birthday Anniversary At His Iragbiji Residence, State of Osun, Last Monday.

•(L-R) Chief of Staff to the State of Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam and his deputy, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye, on the occasion.

•(L-R) Alhaji Oyetola; his wife, Kafayat and the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Olabomi.

•The Aragbiji (left) in a discussion with Alhaji Fatai Diekola Oyedele at the event.

•Acting Chairman, State of Osun All Progressives Congress, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi and the member, representing Irewole/Ayedire/Isokan Federal Constituency, in the House of Representatives Hon. Ayo Omidiran.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

PHOTOTALK

Chief Richard Ola Yoade (ROY) Celebrated His 70th Birthday Anniversary With Fanfare At Cathedral Of St. Stephen Anglican Church, Itaasin, Modakeke, State Of Osun, Last Saturday.

•Alhaji Taju Oke, National President, Modakeke Progressive Union (MPU) (3rd left) with other dignitaries on the high table during the reception for the birthday within the church. premises.

•Chief Richard Ola Yoade (ROY) and his wife, Oluyemi (5th & 6th left) in a group photograph with well-wishers on the occasion.

Pastor (Mrs) Falode Apoeso Empowers The Needy

•Pastor (Mrs.) Falodi Apoeso (right) with the Baale of Appollo, Chief Ibrahim Aladetan, during the visit

•Baale of Appollo, Makoko, Lagos, Chief Ibrahim Aladetan presenting a school bag and food item to one of the recipients. With him is Pastor (Mrs.) Apoeso.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

Hon. Lawrence Babatunde Ayeni Declared His Intention To Contest For The House Of Representatives To Represent Ilesa-West, Ilesa-East, Obokun And Oriade Last Photo SHOLA Sunday. ADERINTO

•Hon. Lawrence Babatunde Ayeni with (mic), addressing his supporters during the declaration.

•A cross section of Ayeni’s supporters during the declaration.

•Alhaji Fatai Diekola with (mic), addressing APC members at the event.

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

Femi Fani-Kayode And Olisa Metuh: The Two Opportunists an article written by Mr READING Femi Fani-Kayode titled: “The APC and the dream that never was” published on the 28th September 2014. I wonder if this fellow has been diagnosed with a disease called ‘APCPHOBIA’ because whatever that goes through his mind these days is about APC and his blinded belief of the party. He has been making an accusation and counter-accusation about the party being a political wing of the Boko Haram without any iota of evidence to back up his claims. While his fellow opportunist (Olisa Metuh) regards the party as a wing of Egyptian Janjaweed party. I have listened to the former, when he was being asked about his evidence, this what was he said: General Buhari said he would make the country ungovernable during the 2011 elections, when in actual fact, the insurgency have been rampaging the country since 2002 but he grew out of hand due to the ineptitude and the clueless of the man in charge of the affairs of the country, whom Femi Fani-Kayode once described as a lame president. Mr Fani-Kayode also stated that because Alhaji Lai Mohammed advised the Federal Government not to proscribe the Boko Haram, therefore the party has something to do with the insurgency. It is only a little-minded and intellectually challenged person like Mr Fani-Kayode would believe this lame theory? What Mr. Lai Mohammed was trying to do was simply to educate the likes of Mr FaniKayode and the lame president (according to Femi) that it is unheard of proscribing what was not registered in the first place. Someone may have a Ph.D or whatever, but if you are not intellectually sound, your education you claimed to have is as useless as tissue paper. If I may ask Femi, since the Boko Haram has been banned, has the insurgency stopped? According to Femi Fani-Kayode: “The greatest error that we as a people ever made and the worst tragedy and misfortune that has ever befallen us as a nation is the fact that a lamb ended up taking a throne that was designed and prepared for a lion. The unfortunate consequences of that tragic error and misfortune are there for all to see. The shedding of the blood of even the youngest, the most innocent and the most vulnerable in our society by Boko Haram on a daily basis is an eloquent testimony to that unsavoury fact.” Mr Fani-Kayode, to so many people, is just a jester and unserious human being that every right-thinking person should just ignore, as if no one is talking. Here is a man that was accusing the president and his men as being responsible for the insurgency rampaging the country, only to be offered a safe landing from his prosecution that would have kept him in jail like a fellow party man in Lagos. He claimed that because a chieftain of APC was asking for amnesty to be given to the Boko Haram, therefore that made them culpable of being behind the insurgency. Here is what this fair-weather man said then: “I

•FANI-KAYODE By TOBI IDAOMI

believe that the carnage that we are witnessing in our country today has come as a direct result of the manifestation of weakness at the top. When a President tells the world that Boko Haram are his ‘’siblings’’ whom he ‘’cannot move against’’, as he did earlier this year, he is asking for trouble. When a President keeps offering Boko Haram amnesty even when they kept rejecting it and whilst they were murdering his people, as he has been doing for the last three years, he is asking for trouble. When a President installs and supports a former party National Chairman, by the name of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who describes Boko Haram as ‘’freedom fighters’’, he is asking for trouble. When a President announces to the world that he is ‘’not a lion or a David’’, as he did approximately two years ago, no one should be surprised when his people are killed like flies before his very eyes. May God bring us a real leader that can save our nation and may He take away this one, who feels no pain and has no empathy when Nigerian blood, nay even the blood of innocent children, is shed with impunity. Under the tenure of our ‘’lamb’’ President, more innocent Nigerians have been slaughtered by terrorists than at any other time in the history of our country, except during the civil war”. Femi Fani-Kayode should be asked why he suddenly changed his former theory as per those behind Boko Haram when he claimed to be a member of APC and now that he has found himself in the midst of the corrupt people where he actually belongs. Simply a case of doublestandard and a man without any

•OLISA

dignity. Firstly it was the Ibo he went against, when he was being accused of being anti-Igbo, he shamelessly publicised his affairs with Bianca Onoh to show that he’s not anti-Igbo. What a man indeed! Now his corrupt pay masters are using him to wage a political war against the Muslims in the country. Femi should be advised not to cry more than the bereaved, because if APC decide to field a Muslim/Muslim ticket, that should not be his headache, rather, he should let Nigerians decide. Politics should not be mixed with religion, but the likes of Femi are the ones making a mountain out of a mole hill. Where was Femi in 1993, when Chief MKO Abiola took a Muslim like himself as his running mate? What we should be clamouring for is to have the best candidate for the job and not this religion nonsense, enough of this Femi and Olisa. Nigerians have seen through the two of you and discovered that you guys are out to grab whatever you can from this corrupt government. It would behoves the errant messenger of the errant ruling party to waste less time in his sophomoric examination of the APC internal dynamics and spend more time trying to figure out and explain the grand failures of policies and promises committed by the party to which both are so proudly members. Why hasn’t this government rescued the Chibok girls, who have been missing for nearly six months now? In a sane party, both Femi and Olisa would have been confined to the fringes, but here, both were given a platform to insult the sensibilities of millions of Nigerians with their twisted logic and rationalization of the actions of Nigeria’s most inept and clueless leadership. According to Dare: “Olisa Metuh represents the pettiness and arrogance

that has made this government blind to the fact that unprecedented tragedy had occurred on their watch they were busily preening themselves and revelling in the sweet soft things that his office provides. The issue of $9.3 million, which we are yet to know the truth between the PDP-led Federal Government and the influential CAN President. The duo of Femi and Olisa were trying to be clever by half. The former was trying to defend both the presidency and Mr Ayo Oritsejafor, and the latter was attacking APC as if it was the APC that fraudulently flew the money to South Africa. Rather than face up to the failures and fraudulent acts of the PDP government, they both have been placed and paid on full time detail attacking the APC and its leaders. This has been their strategy and motto; it is both naked and corrupt. While terrorists are attacking us with guns, bombs and bullets, our government is busy stealing our money; constantly flaunting our laws in the country and they have shamelessly done the same thing in South Africa and the whole world now look at us with disdain. Otherwise, how would they be preaching cashless policy in the country, while they’re stealing cash of up to $10 million to South Africa, without even declaring the said amount to the South African custom officers until those involved were caught. Still, both Femi and Olisa have nothing tangible to say about this national embarrassment. Ekiti is burning; the PDP governorelect led some thugs to the high court to beat up a judge; what a sacrilege! A governor in the waiting behaving like a common criminal? I’m still waiting to hear what Femi Fani-Kayode and Olisa Metuh would say about this ugly incident, if they would have anything to say at all.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

Job Vacancies In Nigeria Weatherford Oil and Gas Jobs in Port Harcourt Weatherford is one of the largest diversified upstream oilfield service companies in the world. Our global network includes more than 67,000 people, 1000 service bases, 87 manufacturing facilities, and 16 technology and training centers in more than 100 countries. Our products and services span the lifecycle of a well, including drilling, evaluation, completion, production and intervention. The Company’s range of production-enabling technologies include evaluation services, directional drilling services, controlled pressure drilling (CPD®) systems, cased hole completion systems, expandable technologies, intelligent completion technologies, production optimization systems and all major forms of artificial lift. Weatherford is seeking to recruit for the below position of: Job Title: Logistics Assistant Location: Port Harcourt Ref Code: 45875 Business Unit: Supply Chain Job Purpose Will assist the Logistics Controller in the handling of the daily logistics for Nigeria re import and export consignments Focus will be on the successful handling of the importation of inbound Weatherford materials and spares for ongoing projects ensuring that imports are processed by the appointed inport agent in compliance with company international code of conduct as well as local/international anti-corruption laws Following instructions of the Logistics Controller process as part of the import procedure manage Form M import notifications and expedite RAR’s from Pre Inspection/Trade Assurance agencies based in Nigeria. Monitor duty payments to Nigerian customs via the banking system expediting duty payments on DDP consignments with weekly reporting to the Logistics Controller. As directed by the Logistics Controller implement cost saving measures to reduce shipment cost. Duties and Responsibilities Assist the Logistics Controller in the coordination of import and export consignments, focusing’ on imports improving lead times in a compliant manner Assist as directed in the generation and capture of revenue by cost control within area of responsibility and ensuring that invoices are processed speedily Maintain customs documentation re import and export records, and will be expected to contribute to the successful passing of internal and external audits Assist in the daily liaison between Weatherford and its appointed import agent in Nigeria, as directed by the Logistics Coordinator. Participate in stock checks and other Asset Control measures as directed by the Logistics Coordinator. Ensure that custom broker invoices are thoroughly checked against rates structure and TLA’s that are in place make sure Prepare freight vendor performance reporting, as well as reporting to Logistics Controller all non-conformance issues on a monthly basis. Track all Weatherford shipments and provision of update on a weekly basis. Actively participate in all QHSE activities and promote good housekeeping. Qualifications Good university degree. Good computer skills. Experience/Competencies: Minimum of 1year experience within the oil and gas, with logistics experience or training, gained from working in customs clearing and freight forwarding environment. Educated to good university level standard Should have logistics and custom based knowledge Experience of Microsoft Software, i.e. Word, Excel. Skills/Knowledge: Must have good numeric and literacy skills. Must have good organizational skills and the ability to maintain records and log events efficiently. Must have good communication skills. Supervisory / Leadership skills. Knowledge of logistics and supply chain management Good knowledge of company policies. Job Title: Procurement Officer Location: Port Harcourt Ref Code: 45854 Business Unit: Supply Chain Job Purpose The Holder is to ensure that all supplies are made in a compliant manner in accordance with the Federal Corrupt and Practices Act or FCPA. He will also play active part in the stores activities ensuring that material is managed in the most effective manner both in terms of cost and service level. To make sure Goods received are correct with the right paperwork. The Job holder is responsible for ensuring that all Weatherford requirements and procedures relating to health, safety, environment and quality of materials are rigorously adhered to, and to also ensure that all contractors comply with these policies and procedures. The principal responsibility of the Procurement/Store Officer is to support the activities that revolve around the purchase of materials for the base or offshore use. Also responsible for the general coordination of the store activities. Making sure that the goods supplied are of proper quality; MSDS data sheet cards issued in the case of lubricants being received, and certificate of conformity issued for slings. Duties and Responsibilities Receive all requisitions for Local Procurement as well as services Achieve and record cost savings Ensure that the items requested for are properly detailed in order to avoid receiving the wrong goods. Actively participate in the setting up of Frame Agreements when and where required.. Collate market survey price Raise LPO’s to successful vendors, also monitor that the good are delivered within two days of the issuance of the Purchase Order. Liase with Vendors and End user to ensure that correct materials specification is provided. Generate Reports as required by the Supply Chain Manager . Maintain an updated LPO log which enables us track and monitor all LPO’s issued. Keep an updated record of LPO’s issued with all relevant documents in the event of an audit. Advise the Supply chain Manager on ways and means to reduce cost. Set up frame Agreement and coordinating activities with the supply base, when and where required. Ensure that the storekeeper keeps track of his min- max balance, which will enable him forecast ahead. Ensure that all store processes are adhered to and according to procedure. Play active part in physical inventory of store materials Actively participate in appraisal performance reviews of commodity buyers with supply chain management To assist other departments in meeting their goals and objectives as directed Provide Technical and commercial assistance to the end user To participate in and to meet the goals of all training allotted to you Any other duties that are deemed required by the Supply Chain Manager. Qualifications B.Sc., Good computer skills, Knowledge of company policies and knowledge of endeca. Qualification covering competency objectives of Local Procurement Coordinator. Experience: Minimum of 2 year experience in Supply Chain Management. Skills/Knowledge: Being proactive The ability to communicate with peers and Managers. Good customer and employee interpersonal skills. Strong written and verbal communication skill, especially in English. Literate on computer software’s; Excel, word, Power point, Outlook. Job Title: Compliance Analyst Location: Port Harcourt Ref Code: 45857 Business Unit: Business Support Services- Finance Job Purpose Responsible for planning and executing work relating to Sarbanes Oxley (Sox) compliance, Internal Audit and other reviews. Also responsible for process improvement and re-engineering within the Finance Team. This position will have extensive interactions with other departments, including the Corporate Office, the Nigeria management team, and other WFT entities. Duties and Responsibilities Implement and maintain the WFT Corporate SOx compliance processes in the Country. Plan and execute the performance of work relating to compliance reviews.

Provide guidance to process owners in executing controls identified in business processes. Ensure all business functions understand and comply with business policies, procedures and controls. Develop and maintain internal control policies and procedures. Distribute SOX flowcharts and communicate any updates made to the flowcharts to the relevant key control owners. Request evidence of the control execution within a timely manner from the key control owners. Review all key control evidence collected to ensure proper execution and documentation Maintain files with key control execution evidence. Design and prepare materials focusing on key business risks and emerging risks for the Controller. Coordinate and assume accountability for specific segments of audits/projects Prepare and submit reports on the results of audits; recommend improvements in policies and procedures where applicable. Identify processes that require improvement or re-engineering. Maintain regular communication with Internal Audit and Corporate Compliance related to SOx control execution status and other reviews. Submit key control execution evidence to Internal Audit on a regular basis. Prepare timely responses to Internal Audit inquires. Coordinate Internal and External Audit work and requests relating to reviews and testing of processes. Act as a liaison between Internal Audit and the Business Unit. Carry out any other duties that may be required from time to time, at the direction of the Controller. Qualifications Minimum 5 years industry experience in similar environment. Knowledge/experience of Sarbanes Oxley and other SEC requirements. Big 4 experience Experienced in US GAAP and IFRS accounting. Experience/Competence/Skills/Knowledge: Ability to handle large volumes of information and reports. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Flexible and adaptable to fast-moving changes. Ability to use initiative, judgment and work with minimum supervision. Must be proactive, and continually looking for improvements and efficiencies in the business and within the F&A function. Strong knowledge and experience in accounting practice and theory. Job Title: Product line Analyst Ref No: 45873 Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers Regular/Temporary: Regular Full/Part Time: Full-Time Business Unit: Business Support Service- Finance Work location: Local hire Job Purpose: This position is responsible for the maintenance of general ledger Accounts for assigned product lines. This position is accountable for the timely preparation of monthly journal entries and the reconciliation of the accounts and related schedules for assigned product lines. Responsibilities: Maintain monthly general ledger, including accruals schedules for assigned product lines in line with GAAP to ensure smooth Month-end, quarter-end and year-end closing. Monthly analysis of balance sheet and income statement accounts, reporting any variances, wrongly captured costs to the Finance Manager, Financial Controller and Product Line Managers. Prepare & input journal entries (monthly, adjusting, recurring) Prepare Quarterly balance sheet and P&L Fluctuation Analysis Prepare Monthly expense variance analysis reports for assigned product lines Ensure accuracy of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and compliance with SOx and internal policies. Interfacing with Product Line Managers and explaining the product line P&L to them and answering their queries. Prepare audit working papers for assigned Product lines during external/internal audits Assist in special projects Other duties as may be assigned by the Finance Manager or the Finance Controller Qualifications B.Sc Accounting Professional qualifications progression will be an added advantage Experience/Competence/Skills/Knowledge: 3-5 years of relevant experience. Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task. Strong technical accounting background Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to interact effectively with all levels throughout the organization. Strong understanding of the accounting cycle. Intermediate level of Excel and Word skills. Good computer knowledge and excel proficiency Head and heart focused on the job Job Title: Intercompany Accountant Ref No: 45599 Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers State Regular/Temporary: Regular Full/Part Time: Full-Time Business Unit : Business Support Services - Finance Internation/Local: Local hire Job Purpose: This position is responsible for the maintenance of general ledger Accounts for assigned product lines. This position is accountable for the timely preparation of monthly journal entries and the reconciliation of the accounts and related schedules for assigned product lines. Responsibilities: Handle all intercompany transactions, accounting, confirmations and reconciliations.the process must be completely timely and at a high level of accuracy. Record intercompany journal entries to clear intercompany transactions with other WFT affiliates and maintain intercompany accounts on a monthly basis Review/monitor intercompany accounts, i.e. invoicing and payables Ensure intercompany accounting policies, processes and operating procedures are clearly defined, in line with WFT policies, up to date and documented Accurate and detailed review of intercompany billings and purchases, including inventory and non-inventory activity Ensure compliance with Transfer Pricing policies, including thorough review/research of intercompany mark-ups on both billings and purchases of inventory and non-inventory intercompany transactions Analyze intercompany balances with other WFT affiliates and coordination of intercompany wire payments and intercompany settlements to comply with WFT and/or statutory requirements Resolve Intercompany Accounting related issues and disputes or escalate as required Other duties as may be assigned by the AP and Intercompany Supervisor or the Financial Controller Month end review/adjustments of intercompany mismatches and clearanceOther duties as may be assigned by the Finance Manager or the Finance Controller Any other delegated responsibilities as instructed by Line Management within the timeframe specified in a safe and efficient manner to meet business requirements, provided the instruction is reasonable and you are capable and deemed competent to fulfil these. Qualifications B. Sc Accounting Professional qualifications progression will be an added advantage First degree in Accounting Working Experience & Skills required: 3-5 years of relevant experience. Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task. Strong technical accounting background Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to interact effectively with all levels throughout the organization. Strong understanding of the accounting cycle. Intermediate level of Excel and Word skills. Method of Application Interested and qualified candidates should: https://careers.weatherford.com/psp/EREC/?cmd=login&errorPg=ckreq&languageCd=UKE Note: When the page opens, select “Nigeria” from the location drop-down box, then click “Search” ——————————————————————————————————————

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POLITICS

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

Ekiti And The Politics Of The Absurd

KITI kete should be in mourning over the repeated acts of partisan political brutalities in their otherwise apparently monolithic state. The state’s image as “the fountain of knowledge,” is fast giving way to a notorious one, namely, that of “the furnace of partisan political violence.” The notoriety of Ekiti politicians’ engagement in partisan politics dates back to 1983, when Ekiti was still part of the larger Ondo State from which it was separated in 1996. It will be recalled that the late Chief Akin Omoboriowo, then the Deputy to Governor Adekunle Ajasin, defected from the Unity Party of Nigeria to the National Party of Nigeria in order to run against his boss in the 1983 governorship election. With the assistance of the central government and its institutions, which were controlled by the NPN, Omoboriowo sought to subvert the people’s mandate but failed. Although his ill-gotten victory was overturned by the court, the political violence following the declaration of rigged election results in his favour engendered a bloodbirth in which notable NPN politicians in the state were killed and their property destroyed. Thuggery, electoral manipulations, and political violence have been central to Ekiti politics ever since. While Ondo State has been able to contain opposition politics since Ekiti was separated in 1996, it appears that the true colour of Ekiti politics has been on display, especially since the return to democracy in 1999. This was especially evident during the re-run governorship election in Ekiti State in April 2009 during which a number of prominent Ekiti citizens were killed. The display of brutalities which characterised the event now lives on forever in cyberspace and in people’s mind. In my commentary on the event, (see Nigerian politicians, Ekiti, and the myth of Sisyphus, The Guardian, May 7, 2010), I likened Ekiti politicians to mythical Sisyphus, who was condemned to repeat forever the same meaningless task of pushing a rock up a mountain, only to see it roll down again. Apparently, Ekiti politicians were not satisfied with a mere analogy. They chose to become Sisyphus in a rather bizarre way. They not only rolled the rock up the hill; they chose to roll down with it. In the process, one group decided to beat up as many judges as could obstruct their political path, while another group maimed and killed suspected leaders of the mayhem. According to various reports, three shameful events followed one another in rapid succession. On Monday, September 22, 2014,

By NIYI AKINNASO

some political thugs invaded the High Court No.6 in Ado-Ekiti to prevent Hon. Justice O.I.O. Ogunyemi from presiding over the determination of the eligibility of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Ayo Fayose. The judge had to be escorted out of his office by a detachment of police officers after he had been harassed and chased around his office by political thugs. Again, on Thursday, September 25, 2014, another set of political thugs invaded the High Court premises in Ado-Ekiti assaulted Hon. Justice J.O. Adeyeye of the High Court No. 3 in Ado-Ekiti. Not only was he beaten up; his suit was reportedly torn into shreds. As judges, magistrates and other members of staff ran for safety, court property and records were damaged or destroyed. A third event followed that evening, beginning with the coldblooded assassination of a former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Omolafe Aderiye, followed by wanton destruction of property. Governor-elect Ayo Fayose is suspected to be associated with the first two events because one of the judges is connected with the

determination of his qualifications for the governorship election he overwhelmingly won, while the other has to do with the election tribunal adjudicating the petition against his election by the All Progressives Congress candidate, Governor Kayode Fayemi. That’s why Fayemi is suspected to be behind Aderiye’s killing, because the latter is a staunch supporter of Fayose and the PDP. He is also believed to be a ringleader of the thugs involved in the assault on the judges and the destruction of the courts’ property and records. Intensifying the suspicions is repeated posturing by Fayemi and Fayose, each denigrating the other in the process. Besides, neither has grown beyond the love-hate relationship between them, which grew out of political alliances and disagreements. Despite his brilliant concession speech, Fayemi’s doubts about Fayose’s victory deepened after the election. He also has made statements to the effect that the APC would get back Ekiti from the PDP. Similarly, many an Ekiti citizen and observers beyond the state never ceased to wonder why and how Fayose could be nominated as a candidate for the governorship in the first place, given the pending court cases

involving him and the thuggery image associated with him. That’s why E-11, a socio-political group filed a suit, questioning his eligibility. The anxiety on the part of Fayose and his supporters, who would like to see his election as settled, led to the disruption of all judicial processes associated with the election. The state must teach them a lesson by bringing them to book. The critical question now is where do we go from here? But before we look forward, let us look back again. On the one hand, many have questioned PDP’s choice of a candidate as controversial as Fayose in Ekiti and Omisore in Osun. Honestly, I do not share such concerns, because neither of them has been convicted of a crime. Politics is about intrigues and manoeuvres. Both candidates were apparently so good at it that they won their party primaries. If INEC approved their candidacy according to its rules, so be it. I also have maintained that the election of Fayose by the Ekiti people is their problem. On the other hand, APC’s petition against Fayose’s victory is unwarranted, given all we now know about Fayemi’s electoral problems and the lack of necessary and sufficient proofs of electoral malpractices that would upturn Fayose’s sweeping victory, which the Ekiti electorate celebrated rather than condemned. This is not to excuse the behaviour of Fayose’s supporters or of Fayose’s poor leadership. His failure to control his band of thugs questions his governance style. True, Fayemi was smart in imposing a curfew, his action was too late. Besides, he too failed to caution his party’s thugs as he demonstrated time and time again during the election campaigns. In order to bring the culprits to book and possibly avert similar problems in the future, many concerned citizens and groups, including the National Judicial Council and the Nigerian Bar Association, have called for arrests and investigations. These are useful suggestions. However, I am of the view that the ultimate solution is in the hands of the good people of Ekiti, in line with the all-politics-is-local philosophy. It is high time Ekiti traditional rulers, religious leaders, business leaders, union leaders, professional experts, market women, artisans, and other stakeholders intervened. Otherwise, Ekiti will be perpetually condemned to rolling the rock of violence up the political hill, only to see it roll back to the bottom from where they would repeat the action. •Culled from THE PUNCH

NEWS

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

2014 Independence Day Is Special - Osun APC By ABOSEDE AKINPELU

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter in the State of Osun has told the people of the state that this year’s Independence Day celebration is a special one of thanksgiving to God for liberating the people of the state from the tyranny of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In its independence message to the people of Osun, the APC said: “The victory of August 9, 2014 marked our ultimate freedom from the terrorism of the so-called federal might, which the PDP is ruthlessly deploying to subjugate those who are opposed to its kleptocracy and stultifying governance. “This reckless misuse of power and privilege by the PDP has brought ruin and poverty to the country, which is making governance across Nigeria needlessly more difficult than it should actually be,” the APC lamented. “However, the great strides which Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s government in Osun has already taken in the last four years, have soften the effect of poverty and under-development, which the PDP inflicted on the state from 2003 to 2010. “That God helped us to defeat the combined machinery of terror from both the PDP and the federal security forces on August 9, is a political miracle for which Osun should be grateful, and today should be seen as a double celebration of freedom,” the party said According to the APC, the people of Osun have perhaps, the more reason to be happy on Nigeria’s Independence today, coming only two months after the people’s victory over evil. However, the party believes that the threat of terror is not over yet.

It says: “Vigilance, courage and resilience are qualities people of Osun should keep in constant focus, so that the enemies of progress will not spring from the darkness to enslave us again.”

OSHA Speaker Extols Oyetola’s Virtue At 60

HE Speaker of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, has extolled the virtues of the Chief of Staff to the Governor of the state, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, as he clocks sixty years of age, describing the Iragbiji-born politician as a humble and humane, dutiful and cool-headed public servant. In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Goke Butika, Salaam said Oyetola has demonstrated sufficiently that being on the corridors of power and managing a personality like a governor does not have to turn the person concerned into a power-drunk. According to the leadership of the state parliament: “Oyetola has raised the bar of public service with his meticulousness and intelligence, his skill to balance all extremes on his desk with decorum has revealed him as a rare breed.” Salaam then encouraged the Chief of Staff to the Governor to continue with his positive drive on the path of humanity, saying that history has shown that the men who are doing the work cannot be perpetually kept down; while also wishing Oyetola long life in good health and fulfillment.

August 9, 2014 Governorship Election Victims If you were harassed, arrested, detained, assaulted by any suspected agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whether in uniform or mufti, during the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State of Osun, visit our office, opposite Guarantee Trust Bank, OgoOluwa, Osogbo, or call either of these phone numbers – 08033927286 and 08033880205. We are interested in your plight by recording it for history. - Management

Congratulations The People’s Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been re-elected to carry on for another term of four years. Ogbeni Aregbesola recorded a resounding success in the justconcluded election. The election shows that the Governor is well embraced by all the people of the State of the Virtuous. In view of this, your popular grassroots tabloid, OSUN DEFENDER newspaper, is doing a supplement to congratulate the People’s Governor. Individuals, corporate bodies, institutions and well-wishers can avail themselves with the pocket-friendly advert rate of OSUN DEFENDER newspaper.

Advert Rate Full Page Colour Full Page Black & White Half Page Colour Half Page Black & White Quarter Page Colour Quater Page Black & White Any of these phone lines can be contacted: 08033927286, 08033880205, 08061197897 and 08023191891

N150,000 N120,000 N80,000 N70,000 N50,000 N40,000 - Management

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 2, 2014

All Progressives Congress (APC) Isale Oba Constituency In Iwo, State Of Osun Celebrating The Declaration Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola On August 9, 2014 State Of Osun Governorship Election, In Iwo, Last Sunday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•(L-R) First civilian governor in the State of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Honourable Toogun Oguntola and Director of Bureau and Communication, Office of the Governor, State of Osun, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, at the event.

POLITICS

Phantom, Reckless Claims By Osun PDP On Inspection Of Ballot Papers O By IBRAHIM LAWAL

UR attention is drawn to the blatant falsehood being bandied around by People’s Democratic Party in the State of Osun, claiming that 11,000 ballot papers have been discovered to be fake in the on-going inspection of electoral documents at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s office, Osogbo. This claim is nothing but a joke taken too far by people who are nothing but enemies of progress and development in our dear state. Their pastime is to use all manners of dubious tactics to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public into believing that their good-for-nothing petition has any shred of credibility. The tribunal granted an order of inspection of all polling documents to both PDP and APC which process was commenced on the 9th day of September, 2014. The exercise at the INEC office is in two folds. The first is getting certified true copiesof all the result sheets which have been obtained by both parties while the second is scanning of all the ballot papers for the purpose of forensic analysis and both are being done simultaneously by both PDP

•IYIOLA OMISORE: Defeated Governorship Candidate

and APC. The only equipment authorized to be brought to the INEC office are the photocopiers and scanners and no other.One wonders how photocopiers and scanners will discover fake ballot papers as claimed by the PDP liars!

Our team of inspectors is also on ground inspecting electoral materials and contrary to PDP’s falsehood, at no time did any PDP representative raised the issue that any ballot paper was fake. So, it is mischievous to state that INEC was unable to explain alleged presence of fake ballot papers. To buttress the point that the promoters of this falsehood are on wild goose chase and are all out to entertain themselves, the basis upon which their petition is based is that in almost all the Polling Units, result sheets were not signed and stamped by the presiding officers. However, the certified true copies of the result sheet have shown that the result sheets were signed, stamped and even authenticated by PDP agents in all the polling units being challenged. In fact, in some units that the PDP claimed that election was rigged, it was PDP that had highest scores on the result forms. What an absurdity of a reckless petition! The phantom claim of discovery of fake ballot papers is a product of hallucinating minds of dishonourable persons who have no regard for truth and integrity of the judicial process. We are in receipt of the certified true copies of all result Forms (EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D and EC8E) particularly Form

EC8A across all the polling units in the 30 Local Government areas in the state and we discovered, contrary to PDP’s claim in their petition, that all the result sheets were not only signed, they were stamped by the respective Presiding Officers and countersigned by the party agents, including PDP agents. It is, therefore, a demonstration of crass irresponsibility for the PDP public image handlers to now turn a mere inspection of polling documents that had revealed nothing positive in their favour to an avenue where they allocate imaginary votes which they failed to legitimately earn in the August 9, 2014 election and disturb the peace of the State with their odious noise of a victory that will never be. We urge our teeming supporters to ignore the falsehood of the PDP which is merely calculated to hoodwink their paymasters in Abuja. For the PDP pathological liars, we wish they will desist from ignoble act of misleading members of the public, an enterprise that ensured their failure at the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun in the first place.

•Lawal, an attorney, is a public commentator.

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THURDAY, OCTOBER 2ND, 2014

AUDACIOUS EXPLOIT

ANBABA Suntai is the elected governor of Taraba State in the North-East geo-political zone of Nigeria. He was involved in a plane mishap sometime in October, 2012 when he decided to fly himself. Suntai has been to hospitals in the United States of America (USA) and of late in Britain to take care of his health. By every stretch of imagination, the ailing governor is not fully fit healthwise to continue with the task of governance in his state. However, his political acolytes and friends, rather than push for his full recovery, are more interested in his political manoeuvre. Since Suntai crashlanded on October 25th 2012, in Yola, Adamawa State, life has not been the same for the 53-year old administrator. In spite of his current state of health, his political menders, who still need him in their political schisms, have been pushing him around. He has been in his present condition for the past two years, which means the mantle of government leadership automatically falls on the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Garba, who incidentally is not in the good book of the governor. According to the sycophants around the ailing pharmacist-turned politician, his deputy wants to have a shot at the governorship slot next year. There is now a mutual distrust between the governor and his deputy, who is acting. Nigerians would recall that similar situation transpired between the late President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and President, then Vice-President, Goodluck Jonathan. The National Assembly had to step in with the Doctrine of Necessity to allow, Jonathan to function as the Acting President. This shows the extent to which we covet power. Political power, the ultimate aphrodisiac is coveted by everybody because of the influence, control and the overriding benefit it bestows on the holder. The defective system we operate makes it even more compelling. The presidential system bestows more powers on the chief executives, either as president or governors. They are the leaders of their parties and they are also the leaders of governments. In practical terms, it translates to the fact that when the chief executive sneezes, the whole state catches cold. Whether you like it or not, you have to be in the good book of the chief executive. The president or the governor dispenses favour at will and one has to be in his good book to be a beneficiary. A politician once summarized the power nexus thus, a

with MURTALA AGBOOLA TEL: 0806-119-7897 E-mail: murtalamuag@yahoo.com

Suntai As A Metaphor

•DANBABA

fifteen minute chance meeting with a governor can change the fortune of a person’s life forever. This tells you how powerful and influential officials in government are. For this reason, people would want to do anything and everything to get power and maintain it at all cost. Power, while you hold it, is so pervasive and pervading that you shudders to imagine it to go away from you. Once in the corridor of power, a person becomes relevant. Little wonder that some people have been in the corridors of power since independence and still hold sway today in public sphere. In a developing country as ours, where political, rather than economic power, determines everything, the desire for the acquisition of elective power is very strong.

It is the strong desire for power that makes some individuals to shift base or political loyalty from the one they are known for, to another one. The late Waziri of Ilorin,AlhajiAbubakar Olusola Saraki was the Senate President in the Second Republic. He belonged to the conservative school of politics. He installed his stalwarts at will. In the second republic (1979 and 1983), he put up Alhaji Adamu Attah of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) as the gubernatorial candidate. He won convincingly. By 1983, the strongman of Kwara politics had fallen apart with Attah. Even though, the NPN represented Attah, he was trounced by the candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Mr Cornelius Adebayo, because Saraki asked all his supporters to vote for him. In the fourth republic, he started off with the All Peoples Party

(APP), which later became All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and ended up in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While in the APP, he won Kogi and Kwara States for the party. Commodore Mohammed Lawal (retd) won the gubernatorial election in Kwara, while Alhaji (Prince) Audu Abubakar won in Kogi. By the time he left for PDP, his candidates on the ticket of the party won in both states. In his life time, Oloye, as he was popularly called, had his daughter, Ms Gbemisola Saraki, who represented Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, while his son, Dr Bukola Saraki, was a twotime governor of Kwara State. Jokingly, people said Saraki owned Kwara and that his wishes were the command of the people. In the State of Osun, Otunba Isiaka Adeleke, can be likened to Saraki. Wherever Adeleke turned to, his people would follow him. He contested and won election as the first Executive Governor of the State of Osun. In the fourth republic, he started with the APP, where his loyalist, Honourable Adejare Bello became the Minority Leader in the State House of Assembly. He later joined the PDP from where he switched loyalty to the APC. As a result of that, the APC won the Osun West Senatorial district convincingly in the last gubernatorial election. His influence spreads to Ejigbo and Iwo besides his foothold in Ede, his home town. There are others too who have gone into political oblivion because they switched camp. In conclusion it is my firm belief that if relatives and friends of Suntai want to be of assistance to him, they should take care of his health first. All other things are secondary. But fundamentally, would Nigerians learn any lesson from the two cases narrated above? Certainly no, because power in Nigeria provides everything. As at the time of going to press, the State House of Assembly has been restrained from setting up a committee made up of medical experts to determine whether Suntai is permanently incapacitated to function as a governor. Whether the committee is set up or not, if the ailing governor is strong enough, the acting governor cannot stand in his way to function. My candid advice to the wife, children and true friends is that they should fix his health first before considering any political relevance. When the chips are down, those who grandstand as his true friends today would abandon him.

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.