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Adeleke Ridicules Osun With His Appointments – APC Chair

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The Osun State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Tajudeen Lawal, tells BOLA BAMIGBOLA the position of the party on the commissioners appointed by Governor Ademola Adeleke

You raised questions about the governor’s commissioners shortly after the names were unveiled. What exactly is your reservation with those on the list?

It is the prerogative of Governor Ademola Adeleke to appoint those who would work with him to realise his vision, if at all he has any. What we are saying is that Osun State is the common patrimony of all the indigenes of the state. It is a complex state to govern because of the high literacy rate. It is general knowledge that Osun has one of the highest tertiary institutions, both public and privately-owned. Apart from the fact that we demanded for the publication of profiles of the commissioners in line with the provision of the Freedom of Information Act (2011), part of our complaints is that the appointments should be gender-sensitive. A situation where only two females are in the 25 list of commissioners is not only an abnormality but a political heresy. Among the two females picked by Adeleke, one is his late brother’s wife while the other one is a direct elder sister of the senator representing Osun Central senatorial district, and is known to have a relationship with the Adeleke family. So, these are clear cases of favouritism and nepotism. Of the 30 local government areas and one Area Office, the Adeleke commissioners were sourced from only 20 local government councils while two or three nominees were sourced from one council. In terms of religious balancing, there are 17 Christians on that list, leaving Muslims with just 7. This is a clear case of lopsidedness and that’s the point we are making.

The PDP said those appointed are a mix of tested technocrats and politicians with grassroots appeal, do you find that claim to be untrue?

It is not our task as an opposition party to teach the government of the day how to run an effective government. It was because they said they could do things differently that they made it to government. It is not all the commissioners that have questionable records. There are some of them who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions and in public service. A sizable number of them are however on the list in order to fulfill an axiomatic expression of ‘job for the boys’ because nothing suggests they are capable of functioning effectively in that public office. They do not have sound and verifiable backgrounds. If they do, the House would not screen them behind closed doors. You saw the interview granted by some of them after the ‘arranged’ screening, do they in all honesty fit the bill? In fact, it won’t be an overstatement to observe and conclude that their inclusion as commissioners has succeeded in subjecting the state to ridicule, odium and derision among other states.

Was that why your party asked for the profile of the appointees before their screening?

We did not demand for too much by asking for the profiles of Governor Adeleke’s commissioners before their screening, as it is the standard in a democratic society and in line with the Freedom of Information Act, which empowers citizens to demand any information about any public officers or their offices. The Osun people and the outside world need to know the past records, professional and educational qualifications of those who would be representing them at the state executive council. What we found out was that the state House of Assembly turned a deaf ear to our request for the publication of the profiles while the screening done by an ad hoc committee of the Assembly was hurriedly and haphazardly done under the table. But when we get to the bridge, we shall devise a means of crossing it. However, it will be on record that they have yet broken another of their promises to run an open government.

Your party specifically mentioned the nomination of the governor’s sister-in-law as a commissioner, why did your party pick on that particular nomination?

We are not particularly against the nomination of Governor Adeleke’s sister-in-law as a commissioner. What we are frowning against is when the governor expressly played on the intelligence of the right-thinking people of the state by ceding his sister-in-law’s slot to Osogbo when Adenike, his brother’s wife, is still living in the Ede country home of the Adelekes. In Nigeria’s parlance, once a wife is married to a family, she has become part and parcel of that family. In view of this explanation, it would not be out of tune to state that Governor Adeleke nominated her sister as a commissioner under his government.

Beyond the commissioners, the governor has also got approval to appoint 25 SAs, what is your take on that?

We wish him good luck, while we shall be waiting to see how such a high number of commissioners and special advisers shall be beneficial to the state. If only the governor can pay those he will be hiring, no problem. There is every propensity of that common saying ‘so many cooks spoil the soup’ playing out here. We are watching.

Some members of your party complained that the cabinet may be bloated, do you think he should reduce the number of appointees?

It is not true that APC as a party raised such complain. But assuming without conceding that it happened, the immediate past administration did not run that kind of government and that’s why former governor Adegboyega Oyetola was able to stabilise the state economy. At any rate, they promised to cut down the cost of governance even from the lean administration that we ran. I think we should charge them to walk their talk.

What are your expectations from the administration now that the cabinet has been formed?

Our expectations now that his government is being formed after eight months of mesmerising is for him to fulfill all his campaign promises. Adeleke should know that governing a state is not a tea party and it transcends mastery of Azonto dance. For instance, during his campaign, he promised to offset all the 30-month half-salaries owed by former governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration within six months. A fact-check showed that in eight months, Adeleke has paid only two of the 30 months backlog. Adeleke has also reneged on his promise to clear all the pensions and gratuities he inherited within six months of his administration. As I speak, the pensioners are daily regretting ever voting for Adeleke. They are accusing him of deceit. What we see are approvals not back by cash. The problematic Adeleke 332 boreholes across the state and his phoney repairs of public schools are earnestly being awaited by the ever-vigilant people of the state.

Punch

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APC Hails Uzodimma, Ododo On Election Victory, Commends INEC

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The All Progressives Congress has congratulated its governorship candidates in Imo and Kogi states, Hope Uzodimma and Usman Ododo, respectively, on their victory at last Saturday’s election.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, revealed this in a statement signed on Monday, November 13.

The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress congratulates His Excellency, Hope Uzodimma, on his re-election as Executive Governor of Imo State, and Usman Ododo on his emergence as Governor of Kogi State.

“The landslide victories of both Governor Uzodinma and Ododo at the just-concluded gubernatorial polls attest to the exceptional performance of the APC-led administrations in both states and resonated loudly with voters.

“We are confident that Governor Uzodimma will consolidate and extend the impressive accomplishments of his first term in Imo State, while Usman Ododo, on his part, will build on the solid record of the outgoing APC-administration in Kogi State.

“We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for professionally discharging their constitutional duties during the election in both states.

“We salute the Imo and Kogi electorate for their invaluable and massive support of our great party.”

Punch

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Breaking News! IMO DECIDES: Hope Uzodinma Steps Down For Anyanwu, Looses Presidential Support

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Gov. Hope Uzodinma has stepped down for SamDaddy Anyanwu as he could not garner support from Mr. President, Bola President Tinubu.

Ahead of the November 11th governorship election, the All progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Gov. Hope Uzodinma, has stepped down for Sen. Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, also known as SAMDADDY, as he could not garner a nod and/or any iota of support from Mr. President, Bola Tinubu.

recall that during the presidential primary election of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022, Gov. Hope Uzodinma personally purchased the #100m nomination form for Ahmed Lawan, the former Senate President, who got the support of the National Chairman of All progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.

Our investigation revealed that the embattled Gov. Hope Uzodinma, for over two months now, has been restless trying ferret and/or fetch the attention of Mr. President to help him clutch at his re-election ambition by directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agents to lend him cooperations to rig off the upcoming governorship election but Mr. President insisted while maintaining that he would not interfere in the said Imo election.

Standing on his firm resolve, Mr. President promised that there would be fair play, free and/or unhindered participations in the said upcoming polls in Imo State to all the parties and their candidates without any interference and/or undue favouritism and/or supportations of any kind of from the security agents: military, police, etc as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In fact, it’s gathered, from inside Aso Rock, that Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would not want Gov. Hope Uzodinma to be re-elected to quell and/or douse the burning fires of insecurity in the State.

Political analysts as well as some political high-fliers both in Imo State and in Nigeria, including elsewhere, have interpreted Mr. President’s position as a payback in Gov. Hope Uzodinma’s coin for the socio-political betrayal or sabotage from Gov. Hope Uzodinma against Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  during the days in “wilderness” at All Progressives Congress’ (APC’) primary in 2022.

On Thursday, the 9th day of November, 2023, after all efforts made by Gov. Hope Uzodinma to obtain Mr. President’s support dashed away or proved abortive, unfortunately, the said embattled Imo State governor, Gov. Hope Uzodinma, has informed his loyalists and his few myopic supporters in the State that his guber aspiration and/or project was unsure and visibly in confusing jeopardy as his sordid plans to use the military, police and Ebube Agu security to rig the said election has been shattered as the Presidency has directed the disbandment of Ebube Agu secret militia and redeployment of Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Barde, whom Gov. Hope Uzodinma had already but heavily sorted with millions of Naira and Dollars.

Inside information indicates that Gov. Hope Uzodinma has been directed by the Presidency to work together with the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP’s)  Candidate, Sen Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, (SAMDADDY), to save himself from pepertual socio-political condemnation and/or being disgraced by probe.

In compliance with the above, Gov. Hope Uzodinma has directed his loyalists and/or supporters to mobilize and support the candidature of Sen. Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu (SamDaddy) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and vote for him come Saturday, the 11th November, 2023 governorship election in Imo State.

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Afenifere: Fasoranti Differs With Adebanjo On S-Court Verdict

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FORMER Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, yesterday, disagreed with the leader of the group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, over the Supreme Court verdict that affirmed President Bola Tinubu’s victory during the February 25, 2023 general election.

Pa Adebanjo and other Afenifere leaders had met in Isanya Ogbo area of Ijebu in Ogun State, and faulted the Supreme Court verdict, which affirmed the victory of President Tinubu.

They said that the judgement has rendered the billions of naira expended on electoral reform, a waste.

But, in a counter-reaction, Pa Fasoranti, in a statement, disowned Adebanjo’s position on the Supreme Court judgement.

Fasoranti said: “The attention of Chief Reuben Fasoranti and other leaders has been drawn to a communique purportedly released in the name of Afenifere by the General Secretary, Chief Sola Ebiseni, where Afenifere is said to fault the Supreme Court judgement upholding Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu’s election as the President of Nigeria.

“This is far from the truth about Afenifere’s leadership position on the matter.

“Let it be on record that Chief Fasoranti and other Afenifere leaders are not privy to such ignominious press release, did not authorise it and do not subscribe to the seditious act such may portend.

“It is merely an unfortunate misadventure of some Labour Party elements within the Afenifere fold who would rather drag the body’s reputation in the mud to achieve whatever sinister and seditious end they might have concocted.

“The world will recall that Chief Fasoranti had congratulated the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on his election into office, and also expressed solidarity over his victory at the apex court.

“It is then clearly underhanded and mischievous to have such preposterous attack on the judiciary by intemperate elements within the fold, fanning the embers of national discords with political motives, using the name of Afenifere.

“We are unequivocal in reiterating that Pa Ayo Adebanjo is the Acting Leader, who, in the natural and traditional order of Afenifere, is expected to defer to his leader who appointed him, Chief Fasoranti, without reservations.

“To do otherwise is to tread such ignoble path in national discourse as this unfortunate release reveals.

“The meeting recently held in Ogbo Ijebu, at no point raised or decided on the attack on the judiciary as the statements of the General Secretary seemed to portray.

“The leaders of Afenifere would like to challenge Chief Ebiseni to offer the world, the true record of deliberations at the said meeting to confirm its concurrence with the communique he so released to the world.

“The ethos and structure of Afenifere vest the leadership authority in the Leader as the Olori Ebi; until such time that he joins his forebears, notwithstanding whoever he has chosen to act on his behalf.

Vanguard

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