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Tag: Amosun

  • JUST IN: Amosun’s godson, Akinlade dumps APM, returns to APC

    The defeated candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the March governorship election in Ogun State, Adekunle Akinlade has announced his return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Akinlade’s return to the APC followed the dismissal last Friday by the Supreme Court of petition against the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Akinlade said on Monday that he is returning to the APC alongside his followers.

    His sponsor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who was suspended for anti-party activities had his suspension lifted last week.

  • Amosun defects, leads supporters to PDP

    House of Representatives candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) during the last general elections in Ogun State, Hon. Akeem Amosun, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Amosun also led about three thousand supporters to the PDP on Thursday in Abeokuta.

    He said his supporters who believed in him followed him to the PDP because they also believed that the party will unsit the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election.

    During the official declaration held at Isabo area of Abeokuta, Amosun who aspired to represent Abeokuta South Federal Constituency said he found only the PDP worthy to actualise his political ambitions.

    He also hinted that he intends to recontest to represent the constituency in 2023.

    “We know that the only two main parties we have in the country and they are APC and PDP and we did analysis and we found that the PDP has good leaders we can work with and it also has the chance at the poll in 2023.

    ”My over three thousand followers and I are dumping ANN for PDP today, all these people you are seeing are my followers, my people, associates and partners.

  • Photos: Tinubu, Amosun, Ajimobi, Akande, others storm Ondo for Akeredolu’s daughter’s wedding

    Photos: Tinubu, Amosun, Ajimobi, Akande, others storm Ondo for Akeredolu’s daughter’s wedding

    It was a beehive of activities at the Owo residence of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his Wife Mrs Betty Anyanmu-Akeredolu on Saturday as political big wigs converged to felicitate with him on the Traditional and Wedding ceremony of his daughter.

    Personalities at the ceremony include former Governor of Lagos State and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Former interim chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, former governors of Oyo and Ogun States; Ibikunle Amosun and Abiola Ajimobi amongst others.

    See photos below:

  • What I will do to Amosun, his uncompleted projects in Ogun – Gov Dapo Abiodun

    What I will do to Amosun, his uncompleted projects in Ogun – Gov Dapo Abiodun

    Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, says all uncompleted project started by the immediate past administration led by Senator Ibikunle Amosun, that has direct impact on the socio-economic well-being of the people, will be completed, as his government is not out for vendetta.

    Abiodun, who gave this indication at the launch of Ogun TechHUB along Kobape Road, Abeokuta, said his administration could not afford to abandon the projects as they were executed with public fund.

    “I want to use this opportunity to assure our people that we will not abandon any project that has direct benefit to the people. Those projects were done with the people’s money. We will ensure their completion because we are not interested in vendetta,” he said.

    He said the TechHUB underscored his administration resolve to digitally transform the State, just as the centre would form a platform for incubating ideas that would proffer solutions to human problems.

    The Governor said similar centres would be established in the other two Senatorial Districts, expressing the hope that technology development at the centre would attract foreign exchange to the State and nation.

    Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser on Information Technology, Mr. Dayo Abiodun said the centre would serve as a place where technologists, government, impact investors and others in and around Ogun State would use information technology to find new solutions to various social problems in Nigeria.

  • Ogun Govt sets up committee to review Amosun’s projects

    Ogun Govt sets up committee to review Amosun’s projects

    The Ogun State Government today has set up a committee to review the contracts and projects embarked upon by the immediate past government under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun in the twilight of its administration.
    The state government, in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, said the committee is to be chaired by Engr. Adekunle Mokuolu (NSE President) while the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Sunday Adeyemi will serve as the Secretary.
    The committee is expected to carry out the assignment in line with the following terms of reference:
    “To identify all outstanding significant construction/projects in the State. To ascertain whether or not there was budgetary provision for the projects in the Budget Estimates for the year under review. To ascertain the process of award of contracts in line with the established procedures and necessary regulations. To determine the level of execution and quality of output of the projects and to assess the disbursement pattern in line with the established process and procedure.
    Others are: to recommend any viable pathways for the completion of project, or in alternative, determine other actions including, but not limited to reversal or cancellation of the contract that best align with the intent of the State Government and to advise Government appropriately on such other matters considered necessary by the Committee on these projects.
    Other Committee members include; Oshiberu Remi (Civil/Structural), Dunni (Architect), Ade Akinsanya (Civil Engineer),Jamiu Akande Omoniyi (Special Adviser, Housing), Fari Bayo (Quantity Surveyor), Dipeolu Kayode (Quantity Surveyor), John Obafemi (Quantity Surveyor), Mr. A.A Oyefeso (Legal Counsel) and Akinlabi Oluyomi (Architect).

  • Amosun speaks on report of sponsoring ‘illegal’ arms importation

    Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former governor of Ogun State, has denied illegally importing massive cache of AK47 assault rifles and ammunition into the country and handing them over to the police towards the end of his administration.

    According to reports that had emerged Monday night, it was said that the ex-governor imported, without appropriate permits, 1,000 AK47 assault guns and two million rounds of ammunition.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday night by his media aide, Mr Rotimi Durojaiye, where Amosun reacted, he said though the former governor admitted handing over some armoured vehicles and light weapons to the Ogun State Police Command at the twilight of his government, he vehemently denied that guns were involved in the handing over exercise.

    Amosun further clarified that he imported the security hardware with the approval of the Presidency, under Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.

    The statement reads in part, “It is important to stress that this was not the first time that Senator Amosun, whilst in office as governor and former chief security officer of Ogun State would be handing over security assets to the police.

    “The particular exercise of 28 May 2019 was done openly in the full glare of the public and the media to ensure accountability, guarantee transparency and judicious use of the assets.

  • How ex-governor Amosun surrendered guns, ammunition acquired for 2019 elections

    Details of how former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun surrendered million rounds of ammunition, AK47 rifles, vests and armoured personnel carriers (APCs) few hours to the end of his reign as governor have been revealed.

    A report by Premium Times revealed that the disgraced former governor contacted the state’s Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama, confessing that he had thousands of arms and millions of ammunition in store at a secret armoury in Government House, and that he had decided to hand them over to the police.

    Amosun’s anointed candidate for the March 9 governorship election, Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), had been roundly defeated by Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress and the governor was now desperate to clear the Government House of any incriminating material as Abiodun moved in to take charge.

    Shortly after he was contacted, Commissioner Makama raced to Government House with some of his subordinates. On arrival, truckloads of arms and ammunition were brought out of a nondescript armoury inside the Ogun State Government House.

    And then began a short hand-over proceeding during which the governor surrendered at least four million rounds of ammunition, 1,000 units of AK47 assault rifles, 1,000 units of bulletproof vests and an armoured personnel carrier (APC).

    At the event, Amosun said he procured the arms and ammunition to check the widespread insecurity in his state of 3,751,140 residents, according to the 2006 census. He said he decided to keep them at the Government House Armoury to ensure they were not allocated indiscriminately by security agencies.

    The speech making over, the arms and ammunition were driven to the police command headquarters in the Elewe-Eran area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    Four weeks after the event, top Nigerian security operatives remained alarmed that a civilian governor would create an armoury and store thousands of arms there. The agents are also wondering why Amosun has not been arrested and prosecuted for violating sections of the Nigeria Firearms Act.

    The law forbids individuals and civilian institutions from illegally operating armouries or possessing prohibited firearms, including artillery, apparatus for the discharge of any explosive or gas diffusing projectile, rocket weapons, bombs and grenades, machine-guns and machine-pistols, military rifles (namely those of calibres 7.62 mm, 9 mm, .300 inches and .303 inches), revolvers and pistols whether rifled or unrifled (including flint-lock pistols and cap pistols).

    It remains unclear how Amosun obtained the weapons. Authorities are wondering how he imported the weapons, and how he transported them to Government House and stored them for prolonged periods without being detected.

    Some security experts say they are suspicious he might have acquired far more weapons than he gave up to the police and that some of them might be in wrong hands already.

    The former governor, now senator, declined to give his own side of the story. He did not answer or return telephone calls made to him over five days. He also did not respond to text and WhatsApp messages sent to him.

    When contacted by PT, his media adviser, Rotimi Durojaiye, was said to have requested an email on the questions meant for Amosun. However, Mr Durojaiye until the publication of this report failed to turn in the answers.

  • I won’t stop working as Ogun governor till 12 mid night of May 28 – Amosun

    Outgoing Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Tuesday said he would hands off governance of Ogun state by 12 midnight on May 28, 2019 with the inauguration of projects executed by his administration.

    Amosun added that he would also continue to work assiduously to deliver on his campaign promises till the last minute in office, reiterating that all projects started by his administration would be completed.

    The governor made this known in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at a world press conference jointly addressed by him and his Deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, ahead of the 2019 edition of the African Drum Festival.

    He said this Drum Festival with the theme “Drumming for the Future,” is expected to be bigger and better, in terms of participation, cultural education and expose.

    The governor disclosed that the Festival would take place at the newly completed 10,000-seater capacity Amphitheater at the Abeokuta Central Business District (ACBD), Abeokuta.

    Amosun said: “My administration will work to deliver projects to our people till the last moment I hand over to the next governor. I will work every hour, every minute and every second till 12 midnight of May 28.

    “The last two weeks of our administration will be about delivery of dividends of democracy to the people. In fact, we will continue to lay asphalt on roads till the last minute of my government.

    “This is because I have vowed to uphold the oath I swore to, that I would work to deliver on my electioneering promises to the people of Ogun State.”

    According to Amosun, the festival, was conceptualised four years ago by the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and has since become a state affair to celebrate African Heritage and culture.

    Earlier, Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga who doubles as the chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the festival said it is a legacy the state government has bequeathed to Ogun, Nigeria, Africa and the world.

    While noting that the festival has been expanded to accommodate more activities, she disclosed that at least 28 state troupes, 27 countries and 71 Independent troupes have signified their readiness to participate in the festival billed to hold between April 25 and 27.

    Mrs Onanuga said the Ransom Kuti Memorial Museum would be inaugurated during the festival in honour of late Afrobeat King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, during which his son; Seun Kuti, would perform at the occasion.

    She added that Adire Logo would also be unveiled at Itoku Adire Market while art and cultural train ride to be led by Prof. Wole Soyinka, from Iju train station in Lagos to Laderin in Abeokuta will be organised.

    According to her, African Drum Festival has become a rallying point for Africans within the continent and in the diaspora to showcase and celebrate their common heritage.

  • APC fumes over Amosun’s ‘last minutes’ appointments, contracts

    APC fumes over Amosun’s ‘last minutes’ appointments, contracts

    Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) yesterday kicked against new appointments and transactions by Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, saying these transactions would not be binding on the in-coming government in the state.

    In a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of APC in the state, Tunde Oladunjoye, it alleged that Governor Ibikunle Amosun- led administration has engaged in last minutes awards of contracts, withdrawals from treasury, sales of land and illegal recruitment of Senator Amosun’s cronies into senior positions of the Ogun State Civil Service, ostensibly to tie the hands of its successor.

    APC noted that such reported transactions are shocking, and warned members of the general public that such hurried deals would not necessarily be binding on the incoming administration.

    The party stated: “It has come to our notice that the outgoing administration of His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is busy with last minute awards of contracts, selling and auctioning of government properties, and secret recruitments into the civil service, in a way to tie the hands of the incoming Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

    “While we find these reported last-minutes awards of contracts, withdrawals from treasury, sales of land and illegal recruitment of Senator Amosun’s cronies into senior positions of the Ogun State Civil Service, very shocking, our party wishes to warn the members of the general public that such hurried transactions would not necessarily be binding on the incoming administration.

    “We urge Ogun State’s top senior civil servants not to be part of the desperate moves of the departing governor to undermine socio-economic stability of our state, by engaging in, condoning or being part of any act that breaches or constitute a flagrant abuse of laid-down rules, regulations and due process.

    “It is our belief that an administration with less than two months to handover, should, by now, be preparing its handover notes for a smooth transition, instead of digging pits for the incoming government.

    “May we also reiterate here that all loans, overdraft and financial obligations that do not follow due process, including the approval of the Ogun State House of Assembly, would not be honoured…”

  • Alleged corruption: EFCC raises team to probe Amosun, Okorocha, Yari, others as tenure ends

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has set up crack teams to probe some outgoing governors accused of diverting state funds.

    Recall that About 12 states will have new governors on May 29 after the tenure of the current ones would have ended.

    The states that will have new chief executives include Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Zamfara.

    Of the 12 states, however, four governors have been accused of corruption.

    They include Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed; the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; and Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

    Governor ROchas Okorocha of Imo

    Okorocha, who has been suspended by the All Progressives Congress, has been accused of diverting over N1bn meant for the campaign of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, who contested on the platform of the Action Alliance.

    The EFCC said in an interim report that it had arrested the Accountant-General of Imo State, Uzoho Casmir, for allegedly helping Okorocha to launder N1.05bn for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

    Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State

    In Zamfara State, the EFCC is investigating Yari for alleged diversion of funds running into billions of naira.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja had, in 2017, ordered an interim forfeiture of the sums of N500m and $500,000 said to have been looted from the Paris Club refunds made by the Federal Government in favour of the 36 states of the federation.

    The sums of money, said to have been recovered from two firms, First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited, and Gosh Projects Limited, were allegedly linked to Yari.

    The EFCC alleged that the sums of money were fraudulently diverted from the NGF’s bank account on the instruction of Yari. According to the commission, about N500m from the money was diverted to offset Yari’s personal loan obtained from the First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited.

    Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed of Kwara State

    Ahmed of Kwara State, will also be invited by the EFCC once his tenure comes to an end.

    His successor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, has also vowed to probe the governor once he loses his immunity.

    Ahmed, who is the godson to Senate President Bukola Saraki, was accused of diverting state funds.

    Earlier in the month, the EFCC arrested six commissioners and government officials in Kwara State for allegedly diverting N1bn a week before the National Assembly and presidential elections.

    The EFCC said in a situation report that bank officials had been brought in for questioning and had made relevant statements.

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State

    Amosun, who has been suspended by the APC, has also come under probe by the commission.

    The probe was sequel to a petition written by a group, Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate, over an alleged misappropriation of N4bn Anchor Borrowers’ Fund meant for Ogun farmers.

    The group, in the petition dated February 20, 2019, alleged that the sum was made available to the Amosun-led government in 2017 by the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide jobs for the residents through the mass production of rice.

    It alleged that Amosun staged a jamboree ceremony and set up fake rice pyramids to deceive the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, when he (Emefiele) visited the state last year.

    The group further accused the governor of abandoning the project in spite of his promise to establish rice plantations in the three senatorial districts of the state.

    EFCC may wait longer (2023) for Returning Governors

    The EFCC may, however, have to wait till 2023 before taking further action on five governors-elect – Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Udom Emmanuel, as well as Kano Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, who are all being investigated for alleged diversion of public funds.

    Should Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, win re-election in April, the EFCC will also have to wait till 2023 before taking any action against him.

    A panel constituted to investigate the electoral and other offences perpetrated during the December 10, 2016 Rivers parliamentary re-run said that it recovered N111m from 23 INEC officials.

    The Chairman of the panel, Damian Okoro, alleged that three senior electoral officers collected N20m each out of the N360m given to them by Governor Wike, while the remaining officers received N15m each.

    When contacted on phone, spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, said all the corruption allegations would be treated on a “case-by-case” basis.

    Orilade said, “I don’t have the full details of the cases but investigations have been going on as regards some of these cases and as soon as their immunity is gone, we will take further action and if there is a prima facie case, we will take the matter to court.

    “As for those who have won and are going to be covered by immunity, it does not mean that investigations will stop. They are not immune from investigation but from prosecution as guaranteed by the constitution. And at the proper time, if there is a prima facie case, they will be prosecuted.”