Ogun PDP chieftains at war over governorship candidate by Vanguard Media Limited

VOL. 1: NO. 2

•Gbenga Daniel

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

•Buruji Kashamu

•Jubril Martins-Kuye

Ogun PDP chieftains at war over governorship candidate By DAUD OLATUNJI

HEAD of the 2015 governorship election in Ogun State, the People’s Democratic Party may have been in a fixed over the choice of its flag-bearer to slug it out with the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Amosun who is seeking reelection in the coming elections on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, is an Egba man and the first Muslim democratically elected governor in the 38-year-old state. In the PDP, it is currently said to be controlled by three groups; Buruji Kashamu’s camp, which has the grip of the structure in the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel group which recently rejoined the party, and Jubril Martins-Kuye group, which comprises Bankole and other party bigwigs. Barely three months to the polls, no fewer than 11 aspirants have thrown their hats into the ring to become the party’s flag-

groups have been reasonably accommodated. South West Voice reliably gathered that recently, attempts were made to dissolve the state’s executive of the party, to pave way for other groups in the party. This move was vehemently resisted by the Kashamu group which reportedly threatened the other groups with court action. A reliable source confided in our correspondent that the party might not hold its governorship primaries, but, would pick a consensus candidate among the aspirants. But, the signal from the Kashamu group showed otherwise, while the other groups seem to be comfortable with the consensus arrangement. The aspirants who have shown keen interest for the plum job include Abiodun Akinlade, Gboyega Isiaka, Segun Adewale, Sharafa Ishola, Dimeji Bankole, Anthony Ojesina, Yomi

bearer. This development, has indeed caused suspicion among the three groups in the party, as the three groups have continued playing fast on one another. The recent wards and local government congresses have indicated that the party was no more solely being controlled by the Kashamu camp as other

The PDP seems to be gripped with fear over the resultant effect of its primaries or consensus arrangement

Majekodunmi, Prince Yanju Lipede, Kayode Amusan, Remilekun Bakare and Rafiu Ogunleye. Findings have shown that the party is sharply divided into two groups now, over which zone to produce the candidate for the party. It was gathered that, the Kashamu group was said to be supporting Yewa-Awori agenda to produce the party’s flag-bear while the other groups and powerful politicians in Abuja seem to be looking in the direction of Ogun central.

Powerful politicians Those who were being reportedly touted by the Kashamu group include; Akinlade, Isiaka and Adewale from Yewa-Awori, even as the group has lined up Yanju Lipede from Ogun Central and Rafiu Ogunleye from Ogun East as plan B. But, the other groups headed

by Daniel and Martins-Kuye have been said to be rooting for a candidate from Ogun Central to fly the kite of the party in the coming election. The calculation by Daniel and Martins-Kuye groups, according to the findings is that, the only means to dislodge Amosun is to split the block votes in Ogun Central where Amosun hails from by fielding an Egba man who preferably must be a Muslim. In the situation where it is not possible, a candidate from Ogun West who must be a Muslim could come on board. This necessitated the suggestion of the choice of either Dimeji Bankole or Sharafa Ishola who hail from Ogun Central from some quarters as the party governorship candidate. The Kashamu factor came to play in the choice of governorship candidate as he was reported to have vehemently resisted the moves

Continues on Page 2

IN THIS EDITION

Scavengers invade Oyo dump sites •Page 2

Oba Akinruntan celebrates fifth coronation anniversary •Page 4

•Page 7

Trouble for cultists, as Ondo Police set-up anticultism squad

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

OYO STATE Ogun PDP chieftains at war over governorship candidate Continues from Page 1

•Scavengers at a refuse dump in Ibadan

Scavengers invade Oyo dump sites By Ola Ajayi

IFE is full of many inexplicable ironies. While some were born with silver spoon in their mouth, some did not enjoy the luxury of being fed with any spoon let alone a silver spoon. Some have sumptuous meals on their tables at any given time, but, fate has been so unkind to others as they live like parasites on few affluent ones. Instead of eating what they want like people in wealthy homes, they eat what they see. Most times, eating three times daily is a very tall dream. When eating becomes difficult, they either steal or search some unhygienic places like garbage and dustbins for the leftover dumped by the rich. In fact, it is a competition among them as those who get to the waste early enough are likely to get something that would keep the body and soul together. In Ibadan metropolis, the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the inception of his government tried to consolidate on waste disposal method by purchasing additional compactor trucks, roll-on-roll-off trucks and dust bins to complement the ones he met on ground. When the state government purchased the equipment, little did it know that it was providing source of livelihood to some indigent people. Early in the morning since the scheme was launched, South West Voice observed that scavengers, young and old, male and female rush to various refuse sites to get their means of livelihood. They are scattered everywhere. Some of the items the scavengers pick from waste bins include food, plastics, iron rods, electric appliances and many others. While some of them rely on these items for feeding, some collect them for onward sale to waiting buyers.

South West Voice gathered that some of the destitutes who feed on sour leftover food are usually being conveyed through the Oke Ogun area of the state, from the north-eastern part of the country ravaged with insurgency. Speaking on the activities of the scavengers, Mr. Boye Ajayi, a businessman said what looks dirty to many is a source of wealth for others. According to him, the scavengers are turning waste to wealth. He said, “They are turning convertibles to moneymaking venture. In the past, If they were able to get one trailer load of iron wastes to a popular steel company, they smiled back home with nothing less than N1million”. On the implication of their activities, he said it depicts economic stagnation and poverty rate in the country. “The scavengers do not depend on waste bins alone, they usually move from one mechanic workshop to another where they

This job is better than stealing around. When we pick things from refuse dumps, we sell them to our customers

vandalise essential motor parts that are still functional,” he said. A motor mechanic at Oluseyi Bus-stop, Ibadan, Mr. Sola Olowo complained bitterly about the activities of scavengers saying “these people just hide under the guise of picking discarded items. They steal our equipment, motor spare parts of our customers. We don’t allow them here in our workshop”. However, a scavenger, who simply identified himself as Umar said he could not speak for others but he could speak for himself that he has never stolen anything. According to him, “this job is better than stealing around. When we pick things from refuse dumps, we sell them to our customers. We make our living through this. It is wrong to say we are lazy people.

Legitimate work Most of us have our legitimate work. But, because patronage is low, that is why you see us roaming the streets picking just anything that could fetch money for us.” Umar added that “Some people may be stealing and eating from the refuse heaps. For me, I am not mad. How do you expect me to be eating leftover food from this dirty place. You see me wearing a pair of glasses. It is because I am ashamed doing this job. Once I realize enough money, I will divert it to another business that is more dignifying than this.” In her own account, a woman, Aisha who was with her daughter said in a rather inaudible voice that she was driven from the battle-torn Borno State. The woman who spoke through an interpreter was seen at Veterinary Hospital junction, Mokola with her daughter waiting for anything she could Continues on page 6

to foist Bankole on the party. Kashamu who installed the state executive of the party through several court injunctions was reported to have insisted that it is the turn of Yewa-Awori people to produce the governor of the state. A member of Kashamu group confided in our correspondent that, several efforts had been made to persuade Akinlade and Isiaka to step down for each other for the sake of the zone, but, it has not been fruitful. The source said, because the two aspirants stick to their guns to run for governorship, there has been secret moves to look for alternative candidates from the same zone. This brought the choice of Segun Adewale to the fore. It was further gathered that, Adewale had been reportedly given a go-ahead to obtain a form and begin pasting of posters and erecting bill boards to announce his governorship ambition. As part of its strategy, Daniel and Martins-Kuye groups have stopped talking to the media, as they have relocated to Abuja where they engage in serious consultation and lobby of the party’s national leaders. However, the Kashamu group during the recently concluded wards congress raised alarm over alleged attempt by Daniel and Martins-Kuye groups. A week after, the tune changed as the national leader of the party accommodated all the groups in delegates list. In the list, Daniel, Kashamu and other leaders of the party which cut across all the groups emerged as national delegates from Ogun State in the local government congress held in the 20 council areas of the state. Daniel, Kashamu and others were elected to represent their local government areas at the December 6 national convention of the party where President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to be elected at the party’s presidential standard bearer for the 2015 election. While Daniel emerged from Sagamu Local Government Area, Kashamu and Abiola-Edewor won as national delegates to the convention in Ijebu North and Abeokuta North, respectively.

National delegates Also elected as national delegates were the two former deputy governors of the state, Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye and Alhaja Salimot Badru to represent Ijebu East and Ipokia local government areas. Two former state chairmen of the PDP in Ogun, Chief Joju Fadairo and Bashorun Dayo Shoremi also emerged as national delegates from Ifo and Odeda Local Government Areas, respectively. Other party leaders who also emerged as national delegates include retired General Kehinde Fasasi (Remo North); Otunba Tunde Olowu (Ijebu North East); Dr. Femi Majekodunmi (Abeokuta South); Babatunde Osholake (Obafemi Owode) and Mary Ogunjobi (Imeko Afon). The state Chairman of the Ogun PDP, Chief Bayo Dayo expressed delight that Daniel and others who just made a return to the party after so many years outside its fold have been fully accommodated and integrated by this development. Dayo said with the new-found unity within the PDP in Ogun State, the party was set to upstage the ruling All Progressives Congress in the next year’s elections. Therefore, as Daniel returns to his former position as the leader of the party by virtue of his status as former governor on the platform of the PDP, the choice of who becomes the party governorship candidates among others would definitely pass through his ‘table’. The PDP seems to be gripped with fear over the resultant effect of its primaries or consensus arrangement. Some of the aspirants have been reportedly threatened that, they would dump the party for another party if the PDP cheats on them. It was reliably gathered that, whoever, the party chooses as it’s party governorship candidate among the other aspirants would have so many issues to contend with.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 —3

LAGOS STATE By Olasunkanmi Akoni

INCE October 29, when the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola dissolved the executive councils of the 20 Local Government Areas, LGAs and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, following the expiration of their three-year statutory tenure, cash crunch and inactivity have continued to hit the councils, South West Voice has gathered. The governor who dissolved the councils' executives, comprising of council chairmen and councillors had directed the chairmen to handover administration to their respective council managers pending further action. In accordance with the constitution, after the expiration of statutory tenure, all affected officials, including vicechairmen, supervisors, council secretaries and other political appointees are legally required to vacate their offices.

Logistics challenge Speaking on the conduct of a fresh election, authorities of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, had said it would defer council elections until after the 2015 general elections. The Chairman of LASIEC, Justice Fatai Adeyinka, (rtd), when he appeared before the state House of Assembly, had told the lawmakers that the commission would not be able to conduct fresh elections into councils due to some logistics challenge. Fashola also at a recent forum said the state government would soon constitute Transition Councils to manage the Local Governments. According to him, government is in the process of conducting voter registration update by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, between November 12 to 17, and ward delineation, adding that it is only when the exercise is completed that elections would he held. Following this announcement by the governor, South West Voice learnt that the idea of setting up caretaker or transition committees to oversee the affairs of the various local governments pending the time LASIEC would hold elections has not gone down well with stakeholders within the state APC. It was gathered that some party faithful and chieftains prefer sole administrators to hold forth before elections, instead of Fashola’s option, thus the cause of the delay in the appointment of transition committees.

•Ikosi-Isheri LCDA secretariat, Lagos.

TENURE EXPIRATION:

Cash crunch, inactivity hit Lagos councils •As Fashola, party differ over replacement While the party ’s state leadership argues that the 20

The development has put the state’s administration of local governments in straight jacket, as further developmental projects have been suspended till further actions

out-gone chairmen who had only served one term should be appointed to continue, while vice chairmen of others who had spent two terms should take over administration, sources say Fashola is insisting on the appointment of senior technocrat, civil servants as administrators to take over.

In this ensuing melee, it was gathered that though, staff salaries had been disbursed out of the Federal monthly allocation, funds meant for capital projects is withheld by the state government due to the present status. The development has put the state’s administration of local governments in straight jacket,

as further developmental projects have been suspended till further actions. When Vanguard visited some of the councils, workers were seen in different groups, idling away, lamenting their present plight, even as some others just stay away from duties.

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

OWA'NBE... THE SOCIAL LIFE OF YORUBA

•Oba Akinruntan with some regents

Oba Akinruntan celebrates fifth coronation anniversary By Dayo Johnson

• Oba Akinruntan in royal regalia at the anniversary

• Oba Akinruntan's anniversary's greeting card

GBO kingdom in the oil rich Ilaje council area of Ondo State, Saturday, stood still, as its Paramount ruler, the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick EnitiOloruna Obateru Akinruntan (CON), celebrated his 5th coronation anniversary in grand style. The coronation saw the high and low within and outside the Sunshine State, trooping out enmasse to felicitate with Oba Akinruntan, an astute entrepreneur, philanthropist per excellence and the leader of Yoruba Obas Conflicts Resolution Committee was heralded Friday, with dance and cultural displays from Biripo troupes in Ilaje and Itsekiri dancers from Warri Kingdom, Delta State at the

Obamakin Osangangan Multipurpose event centre. On day two, there was a lecture themed, “Peace and conflict resolution in

The coronation saw the high and low within and outside the Sunshine State, trooping out enmasse to felicitate with Oba Akinruntan

Yorubaland;” launching of Oba Akinruntan Foundation and public presentation of Ugboland official website, as well as a variety night. On the third day, Sunday, November 9, an interdenominational thanksgiving service was held at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Zion of Nigeria and Overseas, Ugbonla Headquarters, Ilaje, Ondo State. The ceremony however witnessed hundreds of people from neighbouring communities, who left their fishing trade as early as 7.00am, to rejoice, as well as eat and drink of the delicacies and choice wines provided by the monarch. The musical maestro, Ebenezer Obey was on ground

Continues on page 5

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 — 5

OWA'NBE.. OWA'NBE... THE SOCIAL LIFE OF YORUBA Oba Akinruntan celebrates fifth coronation anniversary Continues from page 4 to thrill the guests, made up of politicians across political divides, business moguls, as well as the State’s AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede, who represented Governor Olusegun Mimiko. In his remarks, Oba Akinruntan, who thanked the people of the state for their unflinching support over the years, however pointed that without them many other feats could not have been possible. The celebrator, who was full of gratitude said “Today, I must sincerely thank God for his faithfulness, love, care, mercy, strength, support, inspiration and guidance towards us in the past years. We are assured that he will continue to lead us to higher levels of success and significance.”

Tunde Bakare celebrates 60th birthday in grand style A

WEEK-long activities marked the milestone of the serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly and Convener of Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who clocked 60 years on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. The activities began on Sunday, 9 November with a Night of Thanksgiving at the Latter Rain Assembly Auditorium, Akilo Road,

Ikeja, Lagos. It was followed on Monday, November10 with a symposium on "The Role of Journalism in Nation Building." On Tuesday, 11 November, there was a birthday service also at the church auditorium and on Wednesday, 12 November, Pastor Bakare visited the less privileged at the Ijamido Home. Pastor Bakare also visited his birthplace in Abeokuta on

Thursday, 13 November, while there will be a public lecture and presentation of his new book, Moment of Truth, at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, today at 10am. The birthday events will be rounded off on Sunday, November 16 at the church auditorium with a thanksgiving service at 9am.

Philanthropic gesture Meanwhile, the occasion also witnessed the conferment of Chieftaincy award on an eminent scholar of International repute, Prof Toyin Falola of the University of Texas, United States of America and the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. Speaking with South West Voice on the launch of his foundation, Oba Akinruntan said it was to put smiles on the faces of many indigent people living in the riverine Communities. “The foundation will coordinate my philanthropic gesture and increase the scope and cater for more people. If it pleases God to bless me and make me king in this land I think I have to actualize God’s vision for the Ilaje people. Our people have been neglected and relegated to the background. The terrain is difficult, many people do not want to come here, unless you can live on top of water and that is responsible for the high level of poverty in this community. “Government alone cannot provide all that is needed. Some of us that have opportunities should compliment government’s efforts, and I am glad that our efforts have been yielding positive results. The Foundation will equally provide grants and microcredit to empower traders and artisans in the community,” he said.

Pastor Tunde Bakare;Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu;Oba Adedotun Agbadebo; Oba Kehinde Olugbene;Oba Dapo Tejuosho;during 60th Year Birthday thanksgiving service of Pastor Tunde Bakare,at Latter Rain Church, Ogba , Lagos

L-R: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare and his wife, Olaide, at the 60 birthday celebration of Bakare at the Latter Rain Assembly Church, Ogba, Lagos.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (2nd left), Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare (centre), his wife, Olaide (2nd right), former FCT Minister, Mallam Nasir ElRufai (left) and former Mnister for Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili (right) during the 60th birthday celebration of Bakare at the Latter Rain Assembly Church, Ogba, Lagos.

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

EKITI STATE

•BEDC office in Akure.

Pandemonium as Ekiti community protests 9-month power outage By GBENGA ARIYIBI

he Youths in Ifaki-Ekiti, Ido-Osi Local Government area of Ekiti State, have continued to lament what they described as their outright disconnection from the national grid by Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, which has plunged them into 9 months of power outage and untold hardship. Ifaki-Ekiti is the hometown of the former governor of the state, Engr. Segun Oni. Last Monday, the youths numbering hundreds, had marched through major streets of the town as early as 7.00am, carrying placards of bearing inscriptions describing the BEDC in various unprintable words. Some of the placards read “BEDC, you are insensitive to our plight,” “BEDC, you are not being fair to us,” “BEDC, please stop punishing us.” The protest which lasted several hours led to the disruption of vehicular and commercial activities in the town, forcing private and commercial vehicles heading to Abuja and those going to

Ibadan and Lagos, to standstill. South West Voice gathered that the youths were said to have dislodged officials of the company from the town about few months ago, when one of the transformers in the community was vandalized, and they were said to have been operating from the neighbouring, Oye-Ekiti since then.

youths promised to pay a sum of N5 million for the town to be reconnected to national grid. Amid cheers from the crowd, Fayose pledged to install a transformer in the town to boost power generation in the community as soon as the

Serious proverty One of the protesters ,Ojo Emmanuel complained bitterly that the 9 months blackout had crippled commercial activities and caused serious poverty to some residents. Commenting on the situation, the Public Relations Officer of the company, Mr Kayode Brown said the town had to be abandoned because it allegedly owed the company a sum of N57 million accumulated electricity bill. The severity of the protest had forced the State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, to immediately move to the town to calm down frayed nerves. Fayose while addressing the

The 9 months blackout had crippled commercial activities and caused serious poverty to some residents

reconnection is done. The governor, who expressed disgust at the discomfort the BEDC had made people of the community to experience, said “I will provide solution immediately. I appointed your daughter, Mrs. Modupe Alade, as Secretary to the State Government. That goes a long way to establish the respect I have for this community. “I need your cooperation. Don’t vandalize or destroy any property. I am not a leader who will be insensitive to your plights. I will get to the root of the matter and provide solution,” he pledged. He however urged the irate youths to allow the displaced BEDC officials return to work to fast-track action on the electricity work. “But the BEDC said you attacked its officials and that was why they abandoned the town. Now that you have protested and we are about to settle the matter, I appeal that you allow them to return to this town to be able to do the work. “I am talking to BEDC on the need to set up a committee that would work out modality for the payment of the outstanding

electricity bill. You cannot be using electricity free, you have to pay for it,” Fayose said.

Scavengers invade Oyo dump sites Continues from page 2 get. She said, “I came down here some months ago when my village was ravaged by Boko Haram. All my people ran away and up till now I don’t know where they are. I then decided to come down South where there is peace. Since I have nobody here, I come here early to see if there is anything for me and my daughter.” “There are times that some people from a church bring us food. When they bring it, we will have hope for that day. But when they don’t, I beg for alms from people. If I don’t get anything, I try to come here and see if there is anything here.” When asked if it was only food she picks from the waste, she said she picks other things that can be useful for her. “I pick shoes, clothes, bags and plastics.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 — 7

ONDO STATE

•Suspected cultists paraded by Ondo Police.

Trouble for cultists, as Ondo Police set up anti-cultism squad By Dayo Johnson

CTIVITIES of cult groups in some major towns in Ondo state has continued to attract public outcry in the last few months. As various cult groups are said to have been terrorizing the people of major town across the state in recent times, parents have continued to raise alarm over the recruitment of their wards by some miscreants in towns such as Akure and Ondo. Supremacy battle between the different cult groups have resulted in the untimely death of many innocent youths. Some lost their lives during their initiation, while others died during supremacy tussles between groups. The outcry attracted the attention of stakeholders across the state and they made representation to the state Police command which acted swiftly. Speaking with South West Voice, the state Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke said the command has responded swiftly to the public outcry.

Eke said that a 39-Man Special Anti Cultism Squad (SACS) has been inaugurated, in the Command’s efforts to clampdown on the activities of the cultists, The squad, according to Eke is saddled with responsibility of fighting cultism and other related violent crimes in the State. During their inauguration, the police Boss directed them to go out there and flush-out criminal elements operating under the guise of secret cults which have been a major challenge facing the command in recent times. Eke explained that “with the coming of the Special anti-cultism squad, cult activities and violent crimes would be a thing of the past in the state. He warned them against boasting as members of the Squad to oppress innocent members of the public. Eke explained that the whole essence of the creating the squad is to guarantee the safety of lives and properties of the citizenry in the state. According to him “You must go out there to fish out people

of questionable characters and bring them to book. I don’t want to hear that you are intimidating or harassing innocent people in the name of fighting cultism, or using this to extort money because I will deal ruthlessly with anybody trying to undermine the aim and objective of this organization.” Stating that the squad is headed by a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Eke added that the State government has promised to support the

You must go out there to fish out people of questionable characters and bring them to book

command in the establishment of the squad so as to rid the state of cult activities and other violent crimes. However, few months after its establishment, the squad has recorded several successes following the apprehension of no fewer than 100 suspected cult members. The suspects belonged to secret cults such as Eiye, Aye cult group, AVE SK secret cult, and All Eyes. Police Commissioner Eke said the suspects who are mostly students of higher institutions of learning include: Azumi Ibrahim, Kole Oshodi, Akinloye Ayodeji, Damilola Akerele, Tope Ajiwole, Adinlewa Lekan Olarenwaju, Ologunmeta Muyiwa, Opeyemi Omifidan and Owoeye Ayanfe. Others are Sesan Akindeji, Omolade Adegoke, Adewole Kayode, Segun Olajide, Alewi Sunday, John Akintunde, Bayo Akinfemiwa, Oluwatoyin Kola, Ogunjemito Samuel and Olapade Kola. The suspects he added went to the house of one Akintelure Akinkunowo and Chukwuma Mba and other victims,

threatening to kill them if they failed to join them. “The victims went further to state that the cult groups usually hold their meeting at Iro area of Akure, and Odopetu Street in Ondo town where they engaged themselves in smoking Indian hemp, plan how to commit various crimes, such as rape, robbery, murder and attack their rival groups. He further stated that the suspects have disposed their victims of valuable properties during their operations.

Confessions of some killings Exhibits recovered from the suspects, according to the Commissioner, are locallymade pistol and 200 wraps of Indian hemp, while some of them had made confession of some killings that occurred in Akure, the state capital and Ondo town. He stated that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as the police concluded its investigation on their matter. Eke said the state has not been totally free of the activities of criminally-minded people but due to the unrelenting efforts of the officers and men of the command, the suspects were arrested.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

GOSSIP CORNER

Moment of decision for influential Yoruba monarch

BRIEFS With Ikenna Asomba

Osun guber poll, best so far, says Jega

ESPITE the ongoing litigation at the tribunal in Osun State over the outcome of the August 9, 2014 governorship election, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, has opined that the election was a landmark in the nation’s fledgling electoral process and the most credible since 2011. Jega in a recent interview with a national newspaper (not Vanguard) said: “Look at what

we did in Osun State….In Osun, we had the best election conducted so far. The best election we have conducted so far as a commission since 2011.” The INEC boss also stated that apart from being the best election INEC has conducted since 2011, the Osun State governorship election, which Ogbeni Aregbesola was declared winner, also recorded the highest number of votes in governorship elections conducted within the period 2011-2014.

Ogun APC lawmakers defect to PDP, SDP

S the Ogun State House of Assembly, Tuesday, resumed sitting after its one-month recess, eight members of the legislature defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Social Democratic Party, SDP. The lawmakers formally defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN, on the floor of the House. While five of the lawmakers defected to the PDP, three others moved over to the SDP. The Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi, who read a letter announcing

the formal defection of the eight lawmakers at a plenary session said: “I received a letter announcing the defection of Messers Joseph Adegbesan, Salmon Adeleke, John Obafemi, Remmy Hazzan and Obafemi Olowo-Oloja to the PDP. I also got three letters this morning from Olufemi AllenTaylor, Oludaisi Elemide and Elizabeth Anifowose announcing their defection from the APC to the SDP. While Adegbesan, Adeleke and Obafemi dumped the PPN to join the PDP, Hazzan and Olowo-Oloja defected from the APC for the PDP,” the speaker said.

Lagos 2015: Agbaje’s gov ambition gets boost

•Abiola Ajimobi

S the battle for the control of a key state in the Southwest come 2015 hots up, the two main political parties are counting on the support of a foremost traditional ruler in the state, with influence and respect throughout the South-West. The royal father, believed to have a strong political network in his state, is believed to have been involved in the political power play in his home state since 1999. In recent time, he had been closely associated with the progressive camp to the extent of alleged registration for the membership of a political party. On account of his association with the progressives, his profile had risen far above his royal peers in recent times. In fact, because of the rapport between him and the governor

of his home state, he is generally regarded as the governor’s political godfather in some circles. That notwithstanding, some political gladiators within the PDP are beckoning to him for support. One of the attractions is the promise of a waiver for one of his sons seeking a seat in the National Assembly if he crosses to the ruling party.

Ruling party But the party holding sway in his home state had perfected the strategy of keeping him in their influential circle by seeing to it that not less than five of the monarch’s children are holding high political offices. The frequent visit of the monarch along with two of his

children in question to the seat of power in Abuja in recent time is causing some unease in the royal father’s home state. Efforts to get the state governor or any of his aides comment on the issue were not successful during the week. However, a senior member of the state administration who insisted on anonymity dismissed the foregone, insisting that the relationship between the governor and the respected royal father is that of a father and his son with the belief that he will always stand by his son. Besides, the son maintains that the matter should not be reduced to a personal issue between the monarch and the governor. It is a Yoruba project under which the monarch had been enjoying tremendous influence in recent time.

HE governorship aspiration of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, aspirant, Jimi Agbaje, got a boost, Monday, as a socio-political group, the Eko Initiative, EI, and representatives of 12 political parties, insisted that Agbaje remains the only candidate that can outpace the performance of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State come 2015. Speaking at an inter-party

meeting in Lagos, Coordinator of the forum, Mr. Sunbo Onitiri, who urged the PDP to give Agbaje its governorship ticket affirmed that “We believe that Jimi Agbaje is the right candidate that can dismantle the bad government of over taxation and commercialization in Lagos. He is the only candidate that can bring back industries and commerce to the state.

THE TEAM Editor: Adeleke Adeseri

Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsur Olowoepejo Ikenna Asomba

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta Lagos