Osun Defender - September 23rd 2014. Edition by OsunDefender

www.osundefender.org TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 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

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

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Front Page Comment imperial President utterly clueless, The War Called The Osun though but desperate to add Osun to his conquest in of his stillElections; By Segun Tomori furtherance born second term bid. 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

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,

N50

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

Governorship Election:

Osun PDP Plans Abuja Protest - APC •Sustained Mayhem Across The State To Make It Ungovernable Also In The Plan • Motivates Protester-thugs With N10m

- See Story On Page 2

APC Files 600 Witness Statements Against Omisore’s Petition - Pg 3

Aregbesola Has Demonstrated Exemplary - Pg 9 Leadership - Kumuyi - Pg 2

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (with mic), addressing a congregation of the Deeper Life Bible Church during a three-day crusade tagged: ‘Explosion of Supernatural Miracles’ at Deeper Life Bible Church Campground, Agunbelewo, Osogbo, last Friday.

Ebola: Osun Holds Sensitisation Workshop For Traditional Rulers - Pg 3

Fresh Problem For Kashamu As US Court Says He Has A Case To Answer Over Drug Trafficking

- See Story On Page 3

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

News

Osun PDP Plans Abuja Protest - APC •Sustained Mayhem Across The State To Make It Ungovernable Also In snatch the victory it could destroy lives in thousands not achieve at the ballot,” and properties. The Plan • Motivates Protester-thugs With N10m The APC is therefore, be transported to Abuja to theme of the Abuja protest the party further stressed.

ROUBLE may not be over yet in the State of Osun as the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been alleged to be planning sustained mayhem across the state to make it ungovernable for the All Progressives Congress-led (APC) administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola. The APC made this in the past two weeks after allegation in Osogbo last the election, arranging for weekend from intelligence hundreds of youths, reports it said the party got consisting principally, through insider sources most of the thugs within the PDP. imported into the state According to the APC, from neighbouring states the PDP leadership in the during the last state has been quite busy gubernatorial election, to

protest the victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the August 9 governorship election. This protest, according to the source, would be based on the yet-to-besubstantiated allegation by the PDP that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) colluded with the governor and the APC to “rig” the election. According to the APC source, the underlying

by the PDP would be that INEC gave the election to the APC, with a view to preventing President Goodluck Jonathan from winning the 2015 presidential election, thus making the protest to be against the INEC and the APC. “Although, the PDP has already gone to the tribunal on the same allegation, the party is reportedly not depending on the tribunal alone to

The source further disclosed that the state PDP has therefore, fashioned an elaborate plan to create mayhem in the state to give the impression of popular displeasure on the outcome of the election. It further informed the APC that the first phase of the plan is to hire 10 buses that would convey young men and women to Abuja to protest Aregbesola’s victory, with a whopping sum of N10 million for their motivation. After this Abuja protest, APC sources alleged, the PDP thugs would descend on the state, targeting APC leaders and known supporters in a sustained reign of terror that would

alerting citizens of Osun to brace up to defend their votes and protect themselves and their properties from the rampaging horde of PDP thugs that would soon begin to run riot across the state. However, the APC also advised the PDP that no amount of violence, illegal plots and political shenanigans could overturn the people’s verdict as expressed on August 9. Meanwhile, the APC has indicated that it would commence a s u p p l e m e n t a r y membership registration drive from Monday in all the 332 wards of the state to augment what it did last May.

Kumuyi Canvasses Voting Credible Leaders, Lauds Aregbesola By KAZEEM MOHAMMED and ABOSEDE AKINPELU

HE General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Folorunso Kumuyi, has urged Nigerians to cast their votes intelligently in 2015, so as to choose leaders, who will transform the country and make it great again.

•Beautification of Osogbo at MDS area in the State of Osun under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, last Friday.

Aregbesola Has Demonstrated Exemplary Leadership - Kumuyi By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

HE General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Folorunso Kumuyi, has stated that the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has demonstrated exemplary leadership with his disposition to all religions and massive infrastructural development in the state. According to him, the He wants the progress and attitude of the governor has development of individuals not suggested the and the state not minding if promotion of one religion you are a Muslim, Christian, above others in his policies non-Muslim or nonand programmes. Christian.” The prominent man of He said, the crusade was God stated this while brought to Osun for the addressing journalists manifestation of God’s during a courtesy visit to the power and love for the governor at the Government people to heal and turn House, Osogbo, before the every life around, adding commencement of the three- that the event would be day crusade of the Church, wonderful for all. tagged: “Explosion of Kumuyi expressed Supernatural Miracles”. gratitude to God for the Kumuyi, while reacting to peaceful conduct of the a previous allegation that the August 9, 2014 governor wanted to Islamise governorship election in the Osun, said: “For those who state and the emergence of are saying that, I’m not Governor Aregbesola for living in the State of Osun. I second term. don’t know what they have The clergy man urged the observed or what they have governor to double his seen. But what I have efforts as the number one observed is that Aregbesola citizen of the state during his is governor for everybody. second term in office. He is a man for everyone. He said: “I have moved

around and seen what you have done in the first term, but there is still more to do. There is no way people will not point out deficiencies in government, but you must not be distracted; you must be focused and move closer to God. We are looking forward to a better and more successful second term. “We want you to believe in God that he can conquer any challenges. That is the most significant aspect of our crusade here; to remind the people that no matter how bad it may be for individuals, state and nation, God can still turn things around and can move things forward,” Kumuyi said. Responding, Aregbesola appreciated Pastor Kumuyi for bringing the crusade to Osun, noting that the crusade would definitely manifest spiritually in his administration and the lives of the people of the state. The governor stated that Osun is blessed with the leading lights in Christendom with Pastor

Kumuyi as one of them, which, according to him, informed the state government decision to build an inter-denomination convention ground for revivals and crusades. He said his administration was determined to do better during the second term and tasked Pastor Kumuyi to pray for the success of the administration. Aregbesola said: “We thank God, we have remarkable four years. Our wish is to put into the next four years, programmes and policies that would only be possible in 20 years and we are believing God through the prayer from somebody like you, it will be possible”. He urged Pastor Kumuyi to pray for him and the people of the state, sound health and the mental capacity to carry out the assignment. The governor also urged the clergy man to pray against Ebola virus, which is disturbing Nigeria and rest of West of Africa.

He gave the charge just as he scored governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, high on his performance towards the transfomation of the state. The cleric spoke in Osogbo on Thursday at a press briefing to herald his three-day “Power packed Crusade”, with the theme, “Explosion of Supernatural Miracles”, slated to hold between Friday, September 19 and Sunday, September 21. “When we are going to cast our votes, we should cast our votes intelligently. We know where we want to be as a country in various areas of development and the leaders that will get us to where we want, are those we are going to cast our votes for at all levels. “We should also understand that many nations have their peculiar problems, some similar to ours, while some are different, but many of the countries have survived it and I want to say with prayers and hope in God, we will get out of our problems,” he said. C o m m e n d i n g Aregbesola for his efforts in the transformation of the state, Pastor Kumuyi said his leadership has been translated to development, just as he lauded the governor for embarking on programmes and

projects that have direct positive bearing on the people of the state. He added: “We thank God for the progress we have seen in this state, as we have seen that a lot have taken place interms of transformation under Ogbeni Aregbesola. “I want to rejoice with the governor that God has granted him focus and vision to actually carry on the works for the development of the state,” he added. He said he was impressed with the facelift that Governor Aregbesola has given the state, when he saw various completed and ongoing developmental projects on his way to Osogbo from Lagos driving through IkireGbongan- Odeomu. Congratulating the governor on his victory during the August 9, 2014 governorship election, the clergyman expressed optimism that the state would witness more development in the tenure ahead. Responding to when his church would have her own university and why they held the programme within a school compound, Kumuyi stated that although the church currently has no university, but their secondary school would be in all the states of the federation.

News

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Fresh Problem For Kashamu As US Court Says He Has A Case To Answer Over Drug Trafficking By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

HIS may not be the best of time for President Goodluck Jonathan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the South West Chairman of Mobilisation and Organisation Committee of the PDP, Buruji Kashamu, as the United States government has said that the latter has a case to answer on the allegation

of drug trafficking. OSUN DEFENDER learnt on Saturday that the United States Court, sitting in Chicago, has released Kashamu’s case file number “No 94CR172” for the first time and urged President

Jonathan to hand the PDP chieftain over to the US authority for prosecution. Kashamu had earlier been indicted by a US court in 1998 on an allegation that he was a key player of an international smuggling

ring dealing in narcotics. The Ogun Stated-born politician was charged along 13 other persons with conspiracy to import heroin into the United States and distribute it. However, the PDP stalwart on August 18, 2014 filed an order of mandamusmotion for dismissal of his

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi (3rd left)i; his wife, Esther (2nd left); Acting State Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Famodun (left); Acting State Chairman of the party, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi (2nd right) and Alhaja Ayo Omidiran, during a visit by members of Deeper Life Church to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Friday

Ebola: Osun Holds Sensitisation Workshop For Traditional Rulers By SHINA ABUBAKAR

federal and state medical N its efforts to curb the spread of Ebola Virus institutions to curb the Disease, the State of Osun State Ebola spread of the virus to the Monitoring and Prevention Committee has state. organised a sensitisation workshop for traditional In his enlightenment rulers in the state. address, the Director of Dr (Mrs) Primary Healthcare and Speakers at the Health, programme, held at the Temitope Ilori, disclosed Disease Control in the Ministry of Local that the state government State Ministry of Health, Government and is collaborating with both Dr Kayode Ogunniyi, who Chieftaincy Affairs Conference Hall, stressed the need for the monarchs to join hands with the state government in the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease. In her contribution, the State Commissioner for By KAZEEM MOHAMMED Environment and HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has filed Sanitation, Professor written statements of 600 witnesses against the (Mrs) Olubukola petition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Oyawoye, stressed the governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, on the need for the traditional August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State of Osun. leaders to re-sensitise The statements were local government council members of their various filed along with the reply of areas being challenged by communities, using the the APC, which is the the PDP. “We started filing the knowledge they acquired second respondent in the reply on Saturday; we have petition on Sunday. from the workshop. Omisore is challenging She called on the re-election of Governor monarchs to liase with the the Rauf Aregbesola, claiming appropriate authorities in that the election was marred the state in ensuring that with fraud. people maintain hygenic Filing the reply, lead environment in their counsel to the APC, Barrister Kunle Adegoke, communities. She called on monarchs said the respondent, in its was asking the and members of the reply, tribunal to dismiss the general public to adhere to petition of the PDP and its regular washing of hands candidate for it is baseless, at all times and ensure that frivolous and contentious. He said the reply of the their environment is clean APC contains about 257 always. Speaking at the event, pages, where explanations offered on the the State Commissioner of were happenings in the various •OMISORE

traced the origin of the virus to Congo, stressed the need for hygienic living, as the potent protection against it. He also charged the traditional rulers to implore their subject on the need to stop moving dead bodies into the state for the

time being. He disclosed that the virus is more contagious in dead bodies than in a living being, while urging the public to stay from holding a dead body. The workhop was attended by several traditional rulers from across the state.

APC Files 600 Witness Statements Against Omisore’s Petition T about 600 witnesses that we have prepared their witness statements to counter the allegations of the petitioners. “Our reply is to the effect that the allegations raised by the petitioner are completely frivolous, baseless, vexicious and constitute abuse of court process. “We are saying they

don’t have any business being here; they are only here to waste the precious time of the tribunal and our own precious time too. “In addition, we are saying there must be punitive cost to be awarded against the petitioners for wasting the time of the court and our own time too,” he added. Adegoke further noted that the tribunal was further informed in the reply that if not for the vigilance, resoluteness and the preparedness of the electorate that stood firm to say no to rigging, the election would have been rigged by the PDP and its candidate. The APC counsel then noted that if the petitioners are serious, and desirous of driving the petition the way it should be done, the petition would be concluded within the stipulated 180 days. He noted that steps the petitioners have taken so far do not portend them as people that are serious about the petition.

indictment. The motion was turned down by Justice Richard Norgle, urging him to submit himself for trial, according to The Newswatch newspaper. Deputy US court room, Mr. Eric Bright, as quoted by the Sunday Newswatch, said there was need for the Nigerian government to allow Kashamu to pay for his alleged misdeeds without wasting time. Bright noted that the PDP chieftain was intentionally delaying the case from proceeding, saying: “We learnt that Alhaji Kashamu is deliberately delaying his case before the court. ‘We are waiting for him to appear because the case before him is still pending. We therefore, urge Nigerian government to release him. We learnt that the man in question is a powerful politician in Nigeria.” It would be recalled that Lord Justice Pill and Mr. Justice Bell of the Royal Court of Justice in England in 2003 had granted unconditional release to Kashamu, following the failure of the the US Justice Department to diligently prosecute its allegation that Kashamu was the most wanted Alhaji being mentioned by other arrested suspects as their principal conspirator. However, the United Kingdom authority declared that it has discovered that Kashamu’s case was a case of mistaken identity. The UK authority stressed that the Chicago prosecutors handling Kashamu’s case at that time had also tainted their eyewitness identification evidence by failing to disclose that one Mr. Nicolas Fillmore, one of the co-defendants, failed to pick Kashamu out of a photo line-up. Faulting the British government’s handling of an extradition case filed against Kashamu,the Chicago District Court Judge Norgle, who claimed the testimony and evidence produced by the Nigerian government on Kashamu led to his release in England. According to the judge, Kashamu’s status as a political figure in Nigeria and his relationship with President Jonathan would not make an extradition attempt against him successful in England. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has always addressed Buruji as a fugitive wanted in the US over drug trafficking.

Change Of Name I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AZEEZ KHADIJAT AJOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABASS AZEEZ KHADIJAT AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The War Called The Osun Elections - By Segun Tomori to assess the possible threat level. I saw that it was negligible so I settled down for the task ahead.

Continued frompg1 I just couldn’t imagine my home State go back to the disastrous “years of the locust”. I had participated actively in 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 check-points 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 Asorock 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 battlefront! 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 co-ordinated 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 5-6pm. By 4pm, I arrived at my own secure location and quickly moved to set up. I surveyed the enviroment

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.

Aregbesola, I Doff My Cap

feel a high sense of fulfillment as a citizen of the State of Osun and as a patriot at that, to write this letter of commendation to Ogbeni; knowing full well that it will catch his fancy to read. Meanwhile, accept my hearty congratulations, as the team in OSUN DEFENDER newspaper also has its own share of credit that I have to apportion at this period. Your contribution to the success story is immense. Whether anyone remembers or deems it worthy to reward you commensurately or not; the imprints of your noble role in the liberation struggle for Osun are golden and evergreen. The most fulfilling aspect of the joy I know is the fact that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has not let us down. Throughout the first four-year tenure, there had not been a boring moment, as he continued to roll out new programmes, policies, projects and innovations, which have all added much value to the lives of the generality of our people. Under some other d i s p e n s a t i o n s ,

governments were made to run policies and programmes to the exclusive benefit of the privileged few, the elite in particular. Under others, it could not be accurately placed whether anyone else than the helmsmen and their cotravellers had anything to benefit. Fortunately under Ogbeni, everyone in the

State of Osun has one thing or the other to gain. If there were losses, they should not be such that must be moaned over; as such losses should have arisen in order to promote the overall interest of our state, its people and generations yet unborn. Ogbeni moves me close to tears each time he speaks at public fora, defining the whole duty of a government that is responsible and responsive.

As a man, Aregbesola lives his words. He has run a government that is responsible and responsive. He committed his might and means to give to his people all that they need within the ambit of available resources. He made accountability and prudence the twinwatchword of his official conduct. In spite of

dwindling statutory monthly allocation from the Federation Accounts, owing to whatever reasons it was attributed to by the handlers of the government at the centre, Aregbesola never derailed nor faltered in his determined strides to make the living conditions of his people better. It is most deserving that we should give credit to those who deserve it. It is

more of weakness than strength of character to condemn all leaders all the times. The experience in Osun since Aregbesola came into the saddle has been such that if it continues, our state shall soon become an advanced sub-nation within a backward nation. Those who make noise running the government down do so for selfish ends. At best, Osun as at today does not require change of leadership. Anyone who clamours change among the middle or lower class is treading the path of regret. Now that it is not too late to take recourse, I strongly advise such misled ones to wake up and reason well. None of the fake contenders around could bring about transformation that will be all-embracing as the one in vogue at present. Among them, the noisiest is outright bad product which all of us should reject. •YEMI OLATUBOSUN, Ita Akogun Area, Osogbo, 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 Aso-rock 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 Governor-elect, 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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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the above mail address. ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com

Politics OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Osun 2014 Gubernatorial Election:

Victor y At Last! Electoral contests have been the standard modalities of emergence of political leadership presiding over the affairs of modern societies in all spheres. This civilized practice of electing leaders has come to stay as one of the integral imperatives of democracy. The recently-held gubernatorial election in the State of Osun may have come and gone; yet its imprints are replete with lessons, glad revelations and pieces of bitter truth for and to all stakeholders. Central to this is that as second timers in particular, contemplating election into public offices should henceforth be predicated on solid concrete achievements that touch and impact the lives of the citizenry positively. On this note, OSUN DEFENDER Magazine congratulates Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for trail-blazing this trend. We as well congratulate the people of the state in general for the victory we had; and appreciate them for their doggedness, courage and determination. For some who were first-timers in the contest, we wish they could pick their cues from the way the contest played out. The stark revelation is that electoral victories are not won with Greek gifts and antics of do-or-die. The taste of NIYI OLASINDEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pudding lies in the eating.

â&#x20AC;˘National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ambassador Muhammed Wali (left); presenting Certificate of Return to the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right). With them are, the Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Secretary of the Commission, Mr .Oladipo Oladapo; Acting Director, Legal, Mr Ibrahim Bawa (3rd left) and other dignitares, at the INEC office, Osogbo, State of Osun, recently.

MAGAZINE

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Victory At Last! A

N event occurred which nearly set the stage for a Matinmas summer for the State of Osun and its people. That event began to unfold in early August, as preparations reached the climax for the grand-finale of the political rallies of the leading opposition party in the state – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party holds sway at the federal level; and as such, the National Leader of that party, who doubles as the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was being expected in the state for the afore-mentioned occasion. Naturally, it was expected that if such a dignitary is being expected in any part of the country, advance team of sorts, comprising security details, protocol and other retinues. In view of this fact, the development under reference should not have, ordinarily been a serious cause for worry. More so, the 2014 Gubernatorial Election was barely a week away! But there was more to the event than was pleasant to the eye. Following the Gubernatorial Election which held in Ekiti State on June 21, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), apparently spurred by euphoria of victory at that election made a declaration that it was about to mount a close-down on Osun, whose turn it was to elect a governor. There was much wonder as responses trailed that declaration from various quarters. But just as we were all taking it for granted that the declaration was made in the heat of passion, indications began to appear that the party, through the instrumentality of the Federal Government it heads was actually set for a closedown or something close to it in the State of Osun. On the evening of Thursday, July 31, I was appointed to meet a junior professional colleague at the popular Oke-Fia Roundabout. I arrived at the scene promptly as appointed and waited by. While still laying in wait, an activity caught my attention. A peaceful political rally was going on just by the roadside at the shoulder of the roundabout. I guessed from the contents of the political talk I overheard that it was a political rally put together by Ward 4 of Osogbo Local Government, in solidarity for the governorship aspiration of the incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Participants at the rally sang, danced, made speeches and brandished their brooms with ecstasy and dexterity. It became a centre of focus for all passers-by. It was a pleasant sight to behold.

The venue of the occasion is the moderately spacious arc adjoining the State of Osun Government House Annexe. That arc is set on a triangular space stuck in the clef of Ilobu / Government House Road and the Iwo Road end of the roundabout. It is directly overlooked by the projector placed conspicuously at the centre of the turning point. The rally went on peacefully. It thus became spectacular for anyone who cared to stay by and participate or listen to the contents of the proceedings. The first inkling I got about what would happen next was prompted by a phone call from the colleague I was waiting for. He called to tender an apology for the delay in his arrival. He hinged the delay on a traffic gridlock which caught him all the way from OgoOluwa axis through Olaiya Junction down to Alekuwodo. Eager and perplexed to the marrow, I asked him if that excuse was tenable in a place like Osogbo where we both reside. Then he opened up that a huge number of masked security operatives, all dressed in black and armed to the tooth had besieged the streets in a long convoy; shooting sporadically into the air. Then I began to wonder why that could be happening as I waited to witness the show of power if it should come to Oke-Fia. In the fullness of time, it did! On arrival at the junction, several gunshots were released to the air. I was expecting them not to have done that, most especially as they had sighted the political rally being held few metres away. As trained security operatives deployed on assignment to secure lives and property, duty demands that they should not demonstrate any act that could provoke violence and public unrest. But they shot the bullets on and on. The response to that event took various forms. For the participants at the rally, they intensified their singing and dancing; frantically waving their brooms. They did all these fearlessly. Some hordes of passersby and street hawkers who are less courageous withdrew from the scene as early as they could. I was amazed at the degree of courage demonstrated by motorists, cyclists and motor park conductors who defied intimidation and just watched and marveled at the reason for the unfolding scene. Some of the motor park men accosted some elitist people around, my humble self inclusive, and asked what the fuss was intended to create. The elderly

among them expressed shock and disappointment that this kind of event was unfolding under a democratic dispensation. They went as far as citing the various rounds of elections they had witnessed in the country, all of which were bereft of such brazen shameless show of might. On top of it, they chipped in the suggestion that the powers at the top and their might should direct their show of power to Boko Haramravaged states instead of dissipating needless time and energy in Osun where peace, tranquility and harmony are a creed. They never knew that they were giving a reportorial assignment to a willing pressman who would report their outcry purely as it is. But it gladdened me that people are becoming more vibrantly aware of the numerous acts that are out of place in our polity. Earlier than the arrival of these security operatives, the same masterminds of intended hostage had constituted nuisance to public peace by mounting illegal road closures, indiscriminate blow of sirens, violation of traffic regulations and attack on members and supporters of other political parties in the state. They had as well been loud and noisy in their gaffe that they were going to win the upcoming elections by all means and at all costs. They went further that an election result would be declared in Abuja; if the State Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should fail to declare them winner against majority demand indicated by actual results of the election. OSUN DEFENDER Magazine had bared several facts on the atrocities perpetrated by the leading opposition party to secure fraudulent victory at the polls. These include sharing of Greek gifts like cash, rice and kerosene, massive purchase of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from electorate and reports on how the party had been conducting clandestine voting ahead of the actual voting. Above all these, it was as clear as daytime that the Federal Government favoured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in all things at the prejudice of other parties. For instance, when that party’s governorship candidate, Iyiola Omisore discovered that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the State of Osun, Ambassador Rufus Akeju did not succumb to his dirty deal, he hammered for his Isokan, Contiuned on page 10

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (arrowed), showing his appreciation to his supporters after the INEC declared him the winner of the 2014 governorship election last Sunday at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, recently.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

PHOTOTALK

Pastor Williams Kumuyi And Members Of Deeper Life Bible Church Paid A Courtesy Visit To The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, At Government House, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Friday.

â&#x20AC;˘The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) and General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi (left) during a courtesy visit to the governor at State of Osun Government House, Osogbo, last Friday.

â&#x20AC;˘Aregbesola (3rd right); Kumuyii; his wife, Esther; a veteran journalist, Pastor Segun Babatope (left); and Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police, Mr. David Omojola, during a visit by members of Deeper Life Church to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun last Friday

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

PHOTOTALK

Official Launch Of Osun Rural Access And Mobility Projects And The Flag-off Of The Construction/Rehabilitation Of First Tranche Of 225km Rural Roads At Ira Open Square In Oriade Local Government Council Area Of Osun Last Thursday.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd left), flagging off the construction of 225km rural roads. With him are, his Deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Laoye-Tomori (2nd left); Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development and Community Affairs, Mr Kunle Ige (right).

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•(L-R) Aregbesola exchanging pleasantries with the team leader, Word Bank/French Development Agency, Mr Mohammed Essakali, on the occasion.

•(L-R) Honourable Samson Fafiyebi; Mr Kunle Ige; Adeoti and State of Osun Commissioner for Finance, Dr Wale Bolorunduro at the event.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

•An ongoing rehabilitation of part of the 225km rural roads.

•A cross section of traditional chiefs during the programme.

•State of Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader, Alhaja Kadijat Fakokunde (3rd left); Head of market women in the State of Osun, Chief (Mrs) Awawu Asindemade (3rd right) and other market women at the event.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle); his deputy, Laoye-Tomori (in face cap); Team Leader, World Bank/French Development Agency, Mr Mohammed Essakali, behind deputy governor; Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs, Mr Kunle Ige (left to the Governor); Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (5th right); Director-General, office of Economic Planning and Partnerships, Dr Charles Akinola (4th right) and other dignitaries, during the flag-off construction of 225 KM rural roads and official launch of Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) Phase II at Ira Open Square, Oriade Local Government Area.

•Honourable Biodun Awolola (left) Honourable Muhammed Olatunji Ibraheem and other dignitaries.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

MAGAZINE

Victory At Last!

•(L-R) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun, Mr Olusegun Agbaje; Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Bamitale Omole; Supervising National Commissioner, Ambassador M.A. Wali and INEC National Commissioner, Engineer Nuru Yakubu during the announcement of the 2014 governorship election result at INEC headquarters, Osogbo, State of Osun, recently. Contiuned from page 6 Commissioner of Police on phone and having

deployment, which was granted. That caused the temporary redeployment that brought the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kogi State, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje to the scene. Another instance in hand unfolded on the eve of the election. Vigilant and eagle-eyed youth of a community in Obokun Local Government Council Area of the state caught a van loaded with already thumb-printed ballot papers. They acted lawfully well by handing the van and its ferry-men over to the police authorities at the State Police Headquarters at Osogbo. It was reported that the leadership of the state headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had owned up that one of its staff, an electoral officer of a local government was among the arrested ferry-men of the impounded van. The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Police authorities hurriedly effected a change in the police hierarchy in the state; obviously to cover their tracks in the electoral crime. Mr. Maishanu who had been the State Commissioner of Police was transferred to give way for Mr. Mbakaboko, who obviously was an odd-jobber on assignment to act a script. Mr. Mbakaboko’s first (and probably the only) assignment was to address a press conference where he told the whole world that no vehicle was ever arrested by his command. So, the culprits were let off the hook! There was also this reported case of illegal purchasers of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) apprehended by eagle-eyed patriots at Ajegunle Area of Osogbo, the state capital. The apprehenders acted on tip-off by vigilant members of the public; and they acted promptly. The culprits were reported to be card acquirers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and as such; they were having a free day with an air of impunity! As a matter of fact, aside the fact that no members or supporters of any other political party could demonstrate such lawlessness; they dared not, as there were no immunity to give them defenses against the long arms of the law. So the story went: the culprits were handed over to the police authorities upon apprehension. Before long, their sponsors at the “almighty” federal seat got the news. The next line of action on their part was to get the State

confirmed the account, ordered him to effect their immediate release and get the case closed for good and all! Not only that, as the time of day was evening, they ordered the police boss to feed their sacred cows to aid their recuperation upon release as they must have been famished. The officer of the law found himself helpless; his arms being tied. So, he was left with no better option than to sacrifice his meal for that day’s break of fast as the time of occurrence coincided with the holy Moslems’ month of Ramadan. It was this police boss who did the biddings of his masters above who was summarily redeployed on the eve of the governorship election. He then got replaced with another one who was given a hurriedlyprepared script to act. I never considered that the job of policing could be so rubbished! I guess that it was shame that prevented the new police boss from gracing the events at the election collation centre with his presence. His seat was vacant on that night and so it remained all through the night. Men and officers of our forces need greater touch of professionalism. The President should also ensure that those appointed to man political leadership of ministries are experts and professionals of relevance to respective ministries. Much of our problems stems from putting square pegs into round holes. Another account which the afore-cited van arrest at Obokun Local Government substantiated is the widespread rumour making the rounds prior to the elections that the votes for so and so local government council areas had been cast. The first inkling of that that I got derived from the newspaper account I read of a man in Ekiti State; a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who gaffed about that his party’s victory in the yet-to-be-conducted election, was a long-settled case! There was much to that account than could be entertained in this edition. But the confirmation came when on the eve of the Osun Gubernatorial Polls a van filled with thumb-printed ballot papers was impounded within the precincts of Obokun Local Government. If we did not confirm the earlier reports and rumours, that incident alone confirmed that those atrocities were truly committed and with the covering of the powers-that-be at the federal level.

THE Gubernatorial Elections which held penultimate Saturday all over the State of Osun has ended with a note of victory on the part of the incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola and his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). The victory has put final rest to fears and apprehension nursed in some quarters that the election and its aftermath could spell disasters of grave proportions for the state and its people. Declaring the results of the elections in the wee hours of Sunday, the state returning officer, who doubles as the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Bamitale Omole premised the delay in the release of the results which dragged all through the night on the long distance which some collation officers and other election personnel had to travel to Osogbo, the state capital to turn in the results they had. In his declaration, the governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola polled a massive figure of three-hundred and ninety-four thousand, six-hundred and eighty-four (394,684) votes to defeat the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, whose total number of votes was two-hundred and ninety-two thousand, sevenhundred and forty-seven (292,747). The winning margin in the polls presented a clear difference of one-hundred and one thousand, nine-hundred and thirty-seven (101,937). In the breakdown of election results, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled a rousing majority; making him the winner in twenty-two local governments. These local governments include Osogbo (39,983 votes); Olorunda (26,551); Iwo (20,827); Ilesa East Local Government Council, the home of the governor (16,106); and Ilesa West (15,427). Others include Irewole (18,328); Ifelodun (17,447); Boripe (12,723) and others like, Oriade, Ifedayo, Ede North and South, Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West and a host of others. The winning areas of Senator Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) include his home local governments, Ife Central, Ife East and Ife South; Contiuned on page 12

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

MAGAZINE

Victory At Last! Contiuned from page 11

Ife North, Boluwaduro, Odo-Otin, and Ayedire. The Chief Returning Officer appreciated God and the people of the state for a hitch-free election; though some pockets of hitches were reported in Ward 11 of Boripe Local Government Council Area, Ward 5 of Ila local Government Council Area and one other unit each in Atakunmosa East and Ejigbo local governments, where petitions trailing the polls reported elections irregularities like over-voting which necessitated the results to be cancelled. On the whole, the Governorship election was adjudged to be overwhelmingly successful. Displaying the score sheets for the results, the Chief Returning Officer, Professor Bamitale Omole showed the securely sealed forms EC 8D and EC8 E, which added credence to the credibility of the exercise. In attendance at the results collation and declaration ceremony which held at the open arena of the State of Osun Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Gbongan / Ibadan Road, Osogbo were National Supervisor INEC, Ambassador M.A. Wali, National Commissioner INEC, Engineer Nuru Yakubu and the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Kogi State, who doubles as the Acting Resident Electoral Commissioner of State of Osun, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje. Others present at the event are directors from INEC headquarters, Messers Oladimeji and Telma, H.O.D. Operations for the State of Osun INEC, Alhaji A.W.O. Azeez, resident electoral commissioners for Ondo and Ekiti states, academic icons who doubled a collating officers party agents, security operatives and members of the press. On hand to comment on the exercise were the State of Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, the Director of Information and Strategy for the State of Osun Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Kunle Oyatomi and the State Chairman for the National Conscience Party (NCP), Honourable Waheed Lawal. In their separate comments, the trio lauded the credibility of the entire exercise, though they noted

that lots need be improved in the conduct of elections in the nation. It was however noticed that the agent for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) absconded from signing the necessary results sheets, a development which was considered in many quarters to be a sign of discontent of the party against the results, even in spite of the prejudices it received from the Federal Government during the contest that brought about the results. THE entire communities in Osogbo, the State of Osun capital city stood still penultimate Saturday as the Gubernatorial Elections were held all over the state. Earlier on Friday, the State Government had culled out a holiday to get voters adequately prepared for the exercise, especially in getting to their various towns of registration before the outset of the restriction of movement ultimatum, which lasted between 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. At various polling units visited by our reporters, voters and election personnel had been spotted on site as early as 7:00 a.m. The turn-out of voters in particular was remarkably impressive as they were found on queues, their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in hand, ready for accreditation. At the polling units lying between Oke Onitea and Old Garage axis of the city, the turnout was quite indicative that the outing of the day would bring great success for Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electoral process. At St. Michaels Primary School, Ago Wande / Oke Onitea, through BCGA area, people were found in their large numbers, comporting themselves in peaceful manner ahead of actual voting exercise. From Old Garage through Olaiya Junction to OgoOluwa area, the streets were bereft of the usual hustle and bustle as traders, motorists and residents in their entirety took their time out that day to stay at home to perform their statutory civic duty of voting. At various strategic locations in the town, armed military officers and officers of other security apparatus could be sighted mounting road blocks in order to provide added security for the .election exercise.

Roads and streets were deserted, save for few motor vehicles moving on election duty. However, people were seen moving in occasional droves, in attempt to locate their voting units. As at 8:00 a.m. it had become crystal clear that the security scam and apparent pressure intended to intimidate voters and create apathy would not deter people from trooping out to vote their leaders in the capacity of governor and deputy governor. At the Station road / Oja Oba / Ilesa Road axis of the state capital, the same trend of encouraging turnout was recorded. At the Ataoja Palace / Central Mosque area, the people of that core area trooped out massively. The trend was replicated along Oke Baale and Isale Osun where people were sighted in large numbers at their polling units, ready for their work of franchise. The mood was quite encouraging at Omo West; Ikirun / Offa Road up to Ota Efun and Kobo N Gbodbo E area where people moved out massively to perform their civic obligations within the statutorily stipulated time frame. At Testing Ground / Kola Balogun area, the stage was obviously set for a good day of prospective move toward the consolidation of sound democratic culture. In all the areas mentioned, politicians across various divides were seen moving from house to house to mobilize voters to go out for the all-important assignment. The early morning drizzle was not a deterring factor. In spite of absence of means of mobility, voters who had long distances to transverse from their places of abode to their voting units set out early enough. They were encouraged by the fact that they found out that they were not alone in the trek. At the various polling units, orderly conduct prevailed all through the exercise. At United African Primary School, adjunct to former Fakunle Comprehensive College, Gbongan / Ibadan Road, two polling units were located; peace an orderly Contiuned on page 13

â&#x20AC;˘The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (6th left); the Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Rauf Adedeji (5th left); the Olokuku of Okuku, Oba Samuel Oluronke (6th right); the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Rasheed Olabomi (3rd left); the Owa of Otan Ayegbaju, Oba Lukman Fadipe (5th right); the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan (4th left); the Elerin of Erin-Osun, Oba Yusuf Oyagbodun (4th right) and other prominent obas, during the congratulatory visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo, recently.

MAGAZINE

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Victory At Last!

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogben Rauf Aregbesola, signing copies of his Certificate of Return. With him are his wife, Sherifat (right); his Deputy, his deputy (middle); former Executive Governor of the State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke (2nd left); Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam and other dignitaries, at the presentation of Certificate of Return to Governor Aregbesola at INEC office, Osogbo, State of Osun, recently. Contiuned from page 12

conduct prevailed throughout the exercise. Even though there were earlier speculations of plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to use armed thugs dressed in military uniform to snatch ballot boxes and replace them with already stuffed ones, the way things played out was entirely different as voting went on smoothly throughout the exercise. At the end of the exercise, the results were flawless at the two units, as voters were all engaged in the process of loud counting. Recording was done in the full glare of all, and this added to the credibility of the entire exercise. Voters eventually dispersed fully satisfied as the results and their manner of counting were fair to all.

HOUGH come and gone, the results and aftermath of the Osun 2014 Gubernatorial Elections are filled with revelations, pieces of bitter truth, lessons and assessment of progress made so far in our democratic adventure. The antecedents to and play-out of events during the polls also have much to lend to our future and the sustenance of our democratic culture. Lots have been said and discussed during the election campaign period. The discussions, conclusions and forecast made are not a closed case. Day-in, day-out, lessons are bound to be learnt. Whether one likes it or not, realities of lessons we fail to learn are bound to unfold in their due seasons. To shy away from drawing analysis and inferences and from taking proper cues from lessons from an event or from a process is to be guilty of bad fate. T

For good and all, the period of attempting to entice voters with Greek gifts has gone. The pilferers of our collective fortunes have stolen so much that the owners have discovered. Having discovered, the owners have begun to consider any Greek gifts offered to them as a stylish way of returning to them those precious wealth earlier stolen from them. So, any politician who comes out at the approach of elections, doling out Greek gifts does so as effort made in the line of redistribution of income. It is better to use every opportunity that avails itself to provide amenities that add value to the lives

of the citizenry than taking the people for granted that they could be bought over with one-shot inducements – financial, material or any other form. The administration of the winner of the election, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taught us that the most potent and vibrant tool for winning and sustaining the trust and confidence of the people is to provide amenities, infrastructure and facilities that touch lives and turn them around positively now; and that would remain as lasting legacies for generations unborn. Also through the Aregbesola school of thought, we have come to the realization that the greatest asset to politicians and statesmen alike is the people. Human resource is the greatest wealth of any society. It is therefore demeaning and dehumanizing to take for granted the intellectual faculty, mental reasoning, conscience, pride and dignity of a people. As a matter of fact, it is a crime against humanity. This is a lesson for all those who shall henceforth be aspiring to lead us as a people in these parts. We are not a people to be bamboozled with fake, unrealistic promises or dumb-driven or tempest-tossed as if we have no conscience. People have often blamed much of our predicaments in the line of successfully nurturing our democratic culture on lengthy years of military rule. But our democracy is now almost sixteen years old, yet there has been no remarkable improvement. We need to examine what is being done wrong and make proper amends. Our political leadership at the centre us currently handled by a civilian. By this, I mean that President Goodluck Jonathan was never a military man. In spite of this, it appeared as if the disposition of his administration on election matters has a bent towards winning empires by all means! As surprising as this is, it does cannot help our democratic culture. People should be allowed to have the final say on the choice of who leads them and manage their resources for them. President Jonathan appears to be too desperate in the realization of his ambition – that of succeeding himself next year. He tends to be doing that without measuring up to being competent and able to provide solutions to our numerous problems. The enormous financial resources wasted on the fortunes of his party’s candidate in the just-concluded State of Osun Gubernatorial Election alone could have gone far in

fixing all federal roads that criss-cross our territory. If he had done that, people would have become ingrafted to him without force or intimidation. OSUN DEFENDER Magazine also reasons that the huge security apparatus deployed to the state during the last polls has better task to carry out in the core North area where the dreaded Boko Haram is dealing fatal blow on citizens of this country. Security matters during an election are what the police can handle without reinforcement. More so, the State of Osun has fared well in security matters under Governor Aregbesola. Since 2010 when the incumbent administration came on board, crime wave has so reduced that the state has been ranked as one of the most peaceful in the country. This feat was achieved internally without reinforcement from anywhere. How then has reinforcement become necessary during an election; save for the reason that someone somewhere is desperately bent toward favouring a particular candidate above others. Before the elections and now that the elections are concluded, the governor remains the chief security officer of the state. How then is it that during election, someone somewhere wanted to usurp that responsibility from him? Before it is too late, President Goodluck Jonathan should get rid of bad eggs in his cabinet. The likes of Musiliu Obanikoro and Jelili Adesiyan are misfits who have no value to add to any administration. Their ignoble role in Ekiti and Osun is a clear attestation to this. If nothing about their antecedents is sufficient to convince anyone, their roles in these recent outings should do the convincing. Here we are! The collective will of the majority of our people has prevailed. In spite of harassment, intimidation, provocation and threats, we have all won at last! It remains indelibly true that the people’s will is mightier than the force of arms. The resolve of the people is irrepressible. In vain was the guard and spies. We have fought and won in spite of all antics and machinations of our collective foes. Congratulations, Osun.

Concluded.

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Oritsejaforgate: The Politics Of Deceitful Religionists we have identified a problem, some questions would lead us to the direction of indubitable truth:

“I don’t tell the truth any more to those who can’t make use of it. I tell it mostly to myself, because it always changes me.”——Anais Nin

The aircraft that ferried raw US dollars to South Africa was said to be private jet of Pastor Oritsejafor, CAN president, a spiritual consultant to President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, whose presidency has more than 10 presidential jets. We have an organized military with several jets that could be used to move weapons meant to fight insurgency, then why a private jet?

could recollect that a highlyconnected person spoke to me on the eve of August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State of Osun that he got a credible information from one of President Goodluck Jonathan presidency’s point men that an ethnic cabal had emerged with a two-way agenda.

The money found in the jet was $10 million superintended by two unknown Nigerians and Israeli, obviously not military contractors or intelligence staffers, but people of hidden identities for special operations. Obviously, the cash is huge and Jonathan’s government had forgotten to inform the SouthAfrican authorities that such a huge weapon business would be transacted in the country with raw cash; that was a procedural error, but why the raw cash when the entire world now trade cashless policy? The only answer to that is; there was a covert operation somewhere to be attended to, and with the knowledge of the presidency.

He said the first option was to encourage the pummeling of the North East of Nigeria by the raging insurgency, with the aim of creating new majority in the country, where the minority of the North and the South South would be determining emergence of a President in general elections, or as option B, the secession of the South South axis, believing that its oil money can give the region a better country. My source related how perpetual crisis would be created in the South West axis, how the third eleven would be sponsored to take over the rein of governance from the performing governors, so that there would be perpetual mistrust between the leaders and the led; a situation that will distract the attention of the egg-heads of the Yoruba stock from the calculated plot and render the region helpless when the time for action begins. He revealed how Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State was surprised by photochromic ballot papers and other clandestine moves that compelled his defeat. He hinted me on how 73,000 security operatives and 20,000 NigerDelta militants would be kitted with DSS fatigue with mask in Osun for the election to be manipulated, and all facts came to the open, except the determination of the electorate to take their destiny into the hands.

•ORITSEJAFOR By GOKE BUTIKA

Join me briefly to see how some thinkers see religions and religionists, perhaps that would open the eyes of our minds to the issue at hand: Segmund Frued, a son of a Christian priest, claimed that religion is a Psychiatric So, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has an feelings and that those who claim to interest in the aviation indutry, that made practise faith are like psychiatrist his private jet to haul $10 million to South patients. Africa to purchase weapons for human Besides, Edward Tylor, a son of the destruction. Anyway, he owned up to it Quaker Priest, defined religion as an when an online media revealed his advancement of primitive opinions, connection with the international scam. custom and tradition, and Rudolf Otto Oritsejafor is the President of claimed that religion is a feeling, but Karl Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Marx, another son of a Christian priest, and a spiritual consultant to President saw religion as an instrument of Goodluck Jonathan. Let me just say that oppression in the hands oppressors, his closeness to the President is not a arguing that for any society to develop, crime, and being the President of the religion must be divorced from CAN must not be seen as an albatross, governance. And a careful observation but his involvement in aborted purchase would reveal that developed nations do of $10 million armament has raised not elevate religion above personal salvation of an individual citizen. some dust that must not be ignored.

What is happening now has justified the grounds of those who claimed that we have: (A) Poverty-induced Boko Haram; (B) Political Boko Haram and (C) Misguided Boko Haram. The chronicle of events had shown that Ali Modu Sherrif is a tool in the hands of Jonathan’s presidency to fuel political Boko Haram with a view to either elongating Jonathan presidency beyond 2015 or decapacitate the heavilypopulated North East for the new proJonathan majority to emerge for reHowever, Nigeria is said to be election bid. secular, but I sincerely disagree, because it has become our collective Let it be known that Former habit to pray before and after any given President Olusegun Obasanjo had function, private or official; we accord written a letter exposing what we are our religious leaders special recognition currently witnessing. Admiral Murtala and our government at all levels sponsor Nyako wrote a memo to his fellow people on pilgrimage to Mecca and governors in the North when he got Jerusalem. So, where lies our wind of the current happenings and he secularity? However, the conspiracy is being hounded for it, but we chose to theory began from the Constitution, ignore the message, while dissecting the which describes the country ‘secular’ messengers, because we were instead of ‘multi-religious’ and we all bamboozled with religion. The nation kept quiet, because of our collective was badly divided along religious line hypocrisy. and now the smoke of truth can no longer be concealed. Deductively, it is Back to the Oritsejafor’s cash- safe to say that Jonathan’s presidency stacked private jet seized in South is behind the Boko Haram massacre in Africa and the swift response of the the North East and 2015 election is the Jonathan-led presidency to cover up. target, but this opinion stands to be One thing is very clear in the entire corrected. scenario; our government and the leadership of CAN, with due respect to the few trusted men of God in the body, are not telling us the home truth, but their congenital lies were too open to be overlaid by different narratives. If

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, September 23, 2014

PHOTOTALK

National President, Association Of Professional Women Engineers Of Nigeria, Paid A Courtesy Visit To The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, At Government House, Osogbo, Last Wednesday.

â&#x20AC;˘The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and National President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, Engineer (Mrs) Nnoli Akpedeye, during a congratulatory visit to the governor on his victory in the August 9 gubernatorial election held at Government House, Osogbo, last Wednesday.

â&#x20AC;˘Aregbesola (3rd left); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (2nd left); Special Adviser to the governor on Water Resources, Engineer (Mrs) Tawakalitu Williams (left); Engineer (Mrs) Akpedeye (3rd right), Engineer (Mrs) Olayinka Abdul (2ndright) and Engineer Ibitoye Adeniran (right) during a congratulatory visit to the governor on his victory in the August 9 gubernatorial election held at Government House, Osogbo, on Wednesday.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 are having so many unfolding scenarios now that constant reminders need easy passage to the stable of the general public, so that Nigeria will be saved from sinking deeper into the mud of mess that has begun to blot our psyches, that need urgent rescue and rehabilitation. We have had no vacuum actually in governance and national life, it is only that those who have been privileged to so occupy have done so with more concentration on what will benefit personal ego, as against the national needs that must be met, so that all Nigerians can derive maximum benefits from sustainable development. W

By ADE OLUGBOTEMI

doing the feats of Lilliputian countries. The big question now is: Do we have the sagacity to press through our wish?

A Nation In Search Of Better Alternative

Our country is currently at a crossroad because we are at a point where majority of citizens have become pessimistic about leaders’ ability to create secured future for millions of people, who are striving assiduously to work hard and make a living out of personal efforts that are more assuring that dependency on imaginary benefits that have never derived full expression from endless promises emanating from seat of power. Ironically, our economy operates in such a way that there must be some basic facilities in place to fashion a way in a competitive world. Failure to put those facilities in place has always hampered attempts by individuals to maximize potentials that are innately domiciled in individual ingenuities. We need no soothsayer to reveal to us the next presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). All intents and purposes point to the direction of incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, because the only cocontestant for the post has fizzled out of the configuration. Only last Wednesday, Jigawa State governor; Sule Lamido, who was generally believed to give Jonathan a fierce fight for the coveted seat, stepped down. All members of the Board of Trustees, except former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives have unanimously adopted President Jonathan as sole runner under PDP. So all is now set to make PDP’s primaries that are coming up later in the year mere formalities. Every aspirant for other posts will now begin to jostle to gain Mr President’s attention for endorsement, as is the usual practice in our political terrain. Over ninety percent of the candidates will emerge through consensus because their issues would have been trashed behind the scene. Only those acceptable to the loyalists of President Goodluck Jonathan would be considered for elective posts and selection into various appointments. The summary of the matter is that the same set of people that have been superintending over Nigeria would continue to determine the fate of over one hundred and seventy million

The only way to get to power is through political party platform; except by illegitimate means of military take-over through coup d’état, which has become unpopular around the world. That is the reason most countries work on viable alternatives to the ruling parties, so that the goofing of the ruling party will automatically pave way for the strongest opposition party. In our case, the All Progressives Party (APC) remains the most viable alternative, as the strongest opposition party. It is then the duty of leaders and members of the party to convince Nigerians that they are indeed ready to take up the challenge. Most Nigerians are not oblivious of the arrangement that led to the move by PDP not to have more than one contestant during party primary. It is believed that as the self-acclaimed biggest party in Africa, the only way to convince the electorate that there is wellentrenched internal democracy is to avoid the rancour that is usually associated with primary elections that makes it possible to choose one amongst many. It is usually at this point that those who are dissatisfied defect to other political parties or get involved in antiparty activities. These, PDP seem to have put behind them.

•JONATHAN

Nigerians if re-elected into power in February general elections. However, the implication of all these is that the PDP are telling Nigerians that the best they can showcase to them as their second term presidential candidate is President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, under whose regime people are grappling with myriads of problems, ranging from insecurity to lives and properties, to mass unemployment, fraud and corrupt practices, unresolved power problem, and many more. Many concerned citizens have come to the conclusion that Nigeria is doomed, if President Jonathan is the best available material that can lead this country for another four years. Most Nigerians are wondering whether Nigeria is so bedevilled by lack of experts that can turn things around for the citizens to experience better living condition than we have it now under PDP-led administration. Nature has been very kind to us; so much that Nigeria is spared the trouble of periodic

disaster that many nations grapple with in accordance with climatic change. No earth tremor or earthquake, no volcanic eruption, no typhoon wind, and many resources are there untapped; yet those who are supposed to be think-tanks for the country are busy thinking about how what is available for Nigerians to manage will become booties for a few to ration among themselves. Majority of Nigerians have the choice to terminate the contract between us and the few supposed super humans that have succinctly pocketed the entire country with her vast resources. Political instrument has become petty for all Toms, Jacks, Dicks and Harries to manipulate for personal whims and caprices; resulting in policy somersaults that clip our wings, so it has become extremely difficult for our Eagles to fly, perch and do what others who have similitude of underdevelopment do with ease. We pride in our size as the populous country in Africa, but we are not ashamed that we are incapable of

Time is fast running out on any political parties that are yet to get their acts together about the choice of flagbearers for the coveted seat of Mr President during the fast-approaching February 2015 elections. Choice of candidates at this point in time must be carefully addressed because of the associated intricacies that often cause resentment and disaffections among party members. This is a time that APC will convince people that they are very ready to provide more credible alternative platform of governance that will be devoid of unhealthy rigmarole that has cost us impetus of development and advancement in the competitive world’s economy. Other political parties can afford to play games as is often the case and thereafter fizzled into oblivion until the threshold of another term of four years, when it will become necessary for them again to pick their crumps from where they left them. This attitude has deprived innocent Nigerians opportunities that are elusive through political incontinence that has characterized our political evolution over the years. We need to be more fervent in prayers now than ever before, so that come 2015, the best Nigerian for the post of president will emerge to take us to the next enviable level. This remains the only way we can have a better future guaranteed. Nigeria must survive.

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.