TheNewsGuru

Tag: Gboyega Oyetola

  • Gov Adeleke denies withdrawing N5bn from Osun accounts

    Gov Adeleke denies withdrawing N5bn from Osun accounts

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has denied withdrawing N5 billion from the state’s  accounts as well as awarding the reconstruction of the road leading to the Adeleke University in Ede.

    In a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed on Wednesday, he said the allegations being peddled on social media is a lie from demented minds.

    “The public will recall that Adeleke had, during his inauguration, announced the freezing of all state and local government area  accounts.

    “That was done right at the venue of inauguration before he had any access to government’s records and finances.

    “How can such amount be withdrawn from state account on the day of inauguration when the new leader had no access to state accounts ?” he asked

    He appealed to members of the public to ignore the rumour.

    Similarly,  he said the attention of the state government had also been drawn to a report of award of contract by  Adeleke for the reconstruction of the road leading to the Adeleke University, Ede.

    He said the story is a complete falsehood and product of malicious misinformation.

    “The new government is still settling down and has not awarded any contract.

    “The reconstruction of the said road is a project of the Federal Government to service the Federal Polytechnic, Ede. It has been ongoing since the time of Oyetola administration.

    “We urge the public to disregard the report as it is a failed attempt to undermine the integrity of the state governor and that of the administration.

    “We repeat, for the sake of emphasis, that Adeleke has not awarded any contract since assumption of office on Nov. 27.”

  • Oyetola left huge debt behind – Gov Adeleke

    Oyetola left huge debt behind – Gov Adeleke

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused the administration of Gboyega Oyetola of accruing debts in pensions and salaries to the tune of N76 billion.

    The spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed quoted the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Bimpe Ogunlumade to have made the claim while briefing officials of the new administration on the financial status of the state yesterday.

    “The Osun state government has uncovered a monumental debt in salaries, pensions, and insurance commitments incurred by the administration of Mr. Gboyega Oyetola amounting to N76 billion,” Olawale said in a statement he issued on Thursday.

    “The disclosure was contrary to the claim by the former Governor that he left N14bn in cash for the new government among other bogus claims that have now been found to be an outright falsehood,” the statement added.

    The breakdown of the salaries and pension-related liabilities as disclosed by the Permanent Secretary are as follows:

    (I) Salary: N29,875,191,128.64
    (II) Pension Arrears: N45,375,237,693.40
    (III) Group Life Assurance Scheme: N554,644,028.97

    Total: N75,805,072,851.01

    “The public is advised that this is not the total debt left by the past administration as briefings on other sources of liabilities continue tomorrow,” the government added.

  • Gov Adeleke makes peace with Osun State legislators

    Gov Adeleke makes peace with Osun State legislators

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Tuesday said he was ready to work closely with the State legislature to deliver on his administration’s five points agenda.

    According to a statement by his Spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke made this promise while receiving Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, in his county home at Ede.

    The governor, describing himself as a man with passion for the legislature, restated his readiness to work with the lawmakers.

    He said that this would enable him to deliver on the five points agenda of his administration and take Osun to a greater height.

    Adeleke, however, commended the excellent partnership between the two arms of government in the state.

    At the meeting, the governor described the legislature as a critical arm of government, which plays important role in the efforts to deliver on good governance, accountability and leadership transparency.

    The meeting was held with top leaders on both sides of the government arms in attendance.

    In his remarks, the speaker assured the governor of the readiness of the legislature to support his administration to deliver on its promises to the people of the state.

    Recall that Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was on Sunday sworn in as the sixth Executive Governor of Osun, along with his Deputy, Kola Adewusi.

  • Gov Adeleke issues orders reversing appointments made by Oyetola

    Gov Adeleke issues orders reversing appointments made by Oyetola

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, on Monday, issued six executive orders reversing appointments made by former governor Gboyega Oyetola, including appointments of workers and installation of traditional rulers.

    This is contained in a statement by his Spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed.

    The governor signed the executive orders on Monday, including an order freezing all the State Government accounts in all banks and other financial institutions.

    “The six executive orders to take immediate effect. The orders cover chieftaincy matters, appointments issues, setting up of review panel, staff audit and employment matters,” he said.

    Others he said are for the immediate freezing of all the state government accounts in all banks and other financial institutions, order on Staff Audit – All Heads of Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals of Osun State Government are directed to carry out immediate staff audit of the actual number of workers in their establishments as at July 17, 2022.

    The governor said all heads of agencies and parastatals are to file a report to the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor stating the full details and position/designation of each of the staff on the forwarded list, within seven working days from the date of the Executive order, using the Oath of Fidelity Template.

    The governor also nullified all employments in the service of Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions , Boards and Parastatals after July 17.

    The governor also said all appointments in the service of Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals after July 17, 2022 be and are reversed.

    The governor further said all appointments of traditional rulers made by Osun State Government after July 17, 2022, to be reviewed to ensure there was strict compliance with due process of chieftaincy declarations and native law, custom and tradition relating to such chieftaincies.

    “In the case of Ikirun, Iree and Igbajo, to avoid further breakdown of law and order, the appointments of Akinrun of Ikinrun, Aree of Ire and Owa of Igbajo are hereby put on hold pending review.

    “Subsequently, the palaces of Akinrun of Ikirun, Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo should remain unoccupied, while security agencies are hereby ordered to take charge.” he said.

    The governor said in line with the executive orders  two, three, four and five, the state government has ordered the setting-up of review committees on Staff audit/appointments/promotions, State assets inventory and recovery, Contractors/MoUs/agreements and d. Chieftaincy matters/appointments of traditional rulers.

  • Osun workers give Gov Adeleke rousing welcome to office

    Osun workers give Gov Adeleke rousing welcome to office

    Osun State civil servants working at the State Secretariat in Abere, Osogbo, on Monday received the newly sworn in Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, to his office amidst pomp and pageantry.

    The workers who had been waiting at the entrance of the State Secretariat since 8.00 a.m. were seen singing and dancing in anticipation of the governor’s arrival.

    It was observed that security personnel were stationed with the workers, while members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) joined the workers to welcome Adeleke.

    The governor, who later arrived at the Secretariat at about 12.30 p.m., after attending to some party activities at his campaign office on Osogbo-Gbongan Expressway, was seen waving at the crowd from his car.

    The crowd of civil servants at the main entrance to the Secretariat, however, caused traffic gridlock on the highway for both motorists and commuters.

    Adeleke and his Deputy, Kola Adewusi, were both sworn in as the sixth Executive Governor and Deputy Governor of Osun State on Sunday by the state Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo.

    Adeleke was administered with Oath and Allegiance of Office by the state Chief Judge at exactly 11.47 a.m, while that of his Deputy was done earlier at 11.36 a.m, at a colourful ceremony held at Osogbo City Stadium.

    Adeleke had defeated Adeboyega Oyetola, then the sitting Governor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the governorship election held on July 16.

  • “I left N14bn for my successor,” – Osun’s outgoing Gov. Oyetola

    “I left N14bn for my successor,” – Osun’s outgoing Gov. Oyetola

    Outgoing Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, says he left N14 billion in the state’s coffers for his successor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke.

    In his farewell message, released in Osogbo on Sunday by Mr Ismaila Omipidan, his media aide, Oyetola stated that his administration paid N97 billion of the debt it inherited in 2018, when he assumed office.

    Oyetola declared that his administration did not borrow any money from anywhere to finance the state’s economy, stressing that he kept faith and maintained fidelity with his electoral promises throughout his tenure.

    “We are leaving behind cash balance of more than N14 billion.

    “In addition to the N14 billion cash, another N8 billion is being expected between December and January 2023 from our performance in States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability programme (SFTAS) and from Internally Generated Revenue.

    SFTAS is a government programme designed to advance fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability of states of the federation.

    “For four years, we did not take any bank loan.

    “We benefitted from the N3 billion monthly interventions by the Federal Government to all the states for six months to cushion the effect of deductions of budget support facility and salary bailouts taken by the previous administration.

    “We paid N97 billion from the total debt we inherited in 2018,’’ he stated.

    The out-going governor added that the state was also expecting 72 million dollars from other programmes and from the NG-CARES programme of the Federal Government, among others.

    “These are earned, based on performance. And we have indeed performed to earn them,’’ he stressed.

    Oyetola stated also that his administration put the state’s economy on a surer footing through its myriad people-centred and masses-focused projects, promptly executed to make life worthwhile for the people.

    He stressed that Osun’s economy stabilised during his tenure as manifested in the astronomical increment in the GDP of the state.

    He affirmed that Osun was more stable economically than he met it in 2018 in spite of all the visible socio-economic challenges that confronted the state.

    He stated that he contained the fears and evils of fiscal indiscipline and lack of implementation which hampered the execution of projects and delivery of services.

    “As I step aside today following the conclusion of the four-year tenure you freely gave me, I thank God and I thank the people of Osun for your support, cooperation and prayers over the years.

    “I recall how the journey began four years ago; how by your belief in me and your conviction in the plans and programmes of our party, the All Peoples Congress (APC), you exercised your right to vote for me.

    “As we draw the curtains on this first tenure, we are convinced that we neither reneged on our promise nor disappointed you.

    “We kept faith with you and maintained fidelity with our electoral promises,’’ Oyetola stated.

    He said he wished to continue to serve the people of Osun, but was constrained by the outcomes of the July 16 governorship election, which, he said he was already challenging in court.

    “As a law-abiding citizen and government, we are stepping aside to allow the law to take its course.

    “We look forward to continue to serve you in no distant future.

    “We have absolute trust in God that we shall be back soon as we have implicit trust and confidence in the Judiciary to do justice in the case before it,’’ he stated

    Oyetola stated also that he was confident that this period of temporary political eclipse would pass.

    “The sun shall shine again, brighter and warmer and the sustainable development and participatory governance that we enthroned, which were applauded by local and international organisations, shall be restored and put on a surer and better footing.

    “There can be no substitute to people-oriented and development-savvy governance in a democracy.

    “The taproots of the unprecedented good governance, inclusive and participatory governance that we introduced, which delivered massive equitable projects and programmes, are too strong to be uprooted.

    “As we end our first term, rest assured that Osun is more stable economically than we met it in 2018 and it remained the most peaceful state in the country under our leadership,’’ he stated.

    Oyetola stressed that he went through stewardship to let the people know that Osun was sustainable and that he did it through fiscal discipline and personal sacrifices.

    “On behalf of our team, I appeal to you all to continue to be law-abiding and to work assiduously to build the Osun of our dreams.

    “Together, we shall continue to mend the broken walls of our dear state and restore her glory for our collective good and that of posterity,’’ he stated.

  • BREAKING: Adeleke swings into action, freezes State accounts

    BREAKING: Adeleke swings into action, freezes State accounts

    Sen. Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was sworn in on Sunday at Osogbo as the sixth executive governor of Osun.

    He immediately ordered the freezing of the state’s accounts in banks and in other financial institutions.

    Chief Judge of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo, administered the oath of office on Adeleke at the Osogbo City Stadium.

    Earlier, Justice Ojo administered the oath of allegiance on Adeleke’s deputy, Mr Kola Adewusi.

    Adeleke succeeded former Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He directed an immediate return to status quo ante of all appointments, placements and other major decisions taken by Oyetola’s administration from July 17, the day after the governorship election in the state.

    Adeleke said a panel would be set up to conduct out an inventory of government assets and recover those in wrong hands.

    The governor ordered an immediate reversal to the Constitutionally-recognised name of the state as Osun State from former “State of Osun’’.

    The penultimate governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, now Minister of Interior changed the name from Osun State to State of Osun.

    “All government insignia, correspondences and signages should henceforth reflect Osun State, rather than `State of Osun’, which is unknown to the Nigerian Constitution.

    “Under my watch as the governor of Osun, I will boldly correct all past injustices, corrupt acts or policies by any previous administration, which are against the collective interest of our people,’’ he said.

    He assured that all directives he gave on Sunday would backed with appropriate executive orders.

    Adeleke assured that as governor, he would meet Osun people’s expectations as the Chief Security Officer of the state.

    He said his administration would also demonstrate a high sense of urgency, transparency, justice and innovation to tackle and solve the problems of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and poor infrastructure in the state.

    “I know that as a product of the collective will of you my people, there is a heavy weight of history on my shoulders and I accept the urgency of your expectations.

    “The depth of your aspirations and your conviction in me to build a better state will not be misplaced,’’ he said.

    Adeleke said that all policies that were not favourable to the growth and effective local government administration would be reviewed in accordance with the law.

    He assured labour unions in the state of his administration’s willingness to protect workers’ interests and to promote their welfare at all times, adding that he would be labour-friendly.

    The governor frowned at what he described as mass employment by the immediate past administration without financial backing.

    He pleaded with workers to give him few weeks to review and sort out all “malicious actions and confusions’’ which the immediate past administration had created since July 17.

    The governor also promised to fulfil his campaign promises.

    The promises included welfare of workers and pensioners; boosting the state’s economy, home-grown infrastructure policy and people-focused policy on education.

    Others were affordable healthcare, security, social welfare and agro-based industrialisation for wealth and job creation.

    “I hereby extend a strong hand of fellowship to the other arms of government, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

    “As a former lawmaker and a graduate of criminal justice, I appreciate the importance of collaboration between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

    “I call on all political parties to unite in the best interest of the state. Election is over. Now is the time for governance. We are open to fresh ideas in line with our manifesto.

    “For the purpose of emphasis, I will be a governor for all Osun people regardless of differences in language, faith, political affiliation or any other considerations,’’ he said.

    Dignitaries at the inauguration included Govs. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Udom Emmanuel, of Akwa Ibom, Ifeanyi  Okowa of Delta, Aminu Tambuwal of Kano, and Douye Diri of Bayelsa.

    Others were PDP’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, his wife Titi, PDP National Chairman, Mr Iyiorcha Ayu, and former Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki.

    Other still were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, former Ekiti governor, Ayodele Fayose, Tony Elumelu, and David Adeleke, aka Davido, among others.

  • FULL TEXT: Oyetola speaks glowingly about his achievement as he joins league of ex-Govs

    FULL TEXT: Oyetola speaks glowingly about his achievement as he joins league of ex-Govs

    Today, Governor Gboyega Oyetola will join the league of former Governors of Osun State. In his farewell message, he said he is proud of his achievements.

    Read full statement below:

    FAREWELL ADDRESS BY OSUN GOVERNOR, MR. ADEGBOYEGA OYETOLA, ON COMPLETION OF HIS FIRST TERM ON NOVEMBER 27, 2022

    My Dear Good People of Osun,

    As I step aside today following the conclusion of the four-year tenure you freely gave me, I thank God and I thank you for your support, cooperation and prayers over the years.

    I recall how the journey began four years ago; how by your belief in me and your conviction in the plans and programmes of our Party, you exercised your right to vote for me.

    Motivated by God’s promise, my conviction, we promised that we would serve you with steady heart and hands. We promised that we would hit the ground running once we assume office. We gave our words that we would put you first and run a people-centred government. We pledged to uphold the best ideals befitting of an Omoluabi.

    As we draw the curtain on this first tenure, We are convinced that we neither reneged on our promises nor disappointed you. We kept faith with you and maintained fidelity with our electoral promises. It was our wish to continue to serve you but we are constrained by the outcome of the July 16 Governorship election which we are already challenging in court.

    As a law-abiding citizen and government, we are stepping aside to allow the law take its course.

    However, we look forward to continue to serve you in no distant future. We have absolute trust in God that we shall be back soon, as we have implicit trust and confidence in the judiciary to do justice in the case before it.

    We are confident that this period of temporary political eclipse shall pass. The sun shall shine again, brighter and warmer and the sustainable development and participatory governance that we enthroned, which have been applauded by local and international organisations, shall be restored and put on a surer and better footing.

    There can be no substitute to people-oriented and development savvy governance in a democracy. The tap roots of the unprecedented good governance, inclusive and participatory governance that we introduced, which delivered massive equitable projects and programmes are too strong to be uprooted.

    My Dear Good People of Osun, I cannot thank you enough for not only supporting us throughout our tenure but for also standing by us even after the outcome of the July 16 election. Your goodwill encouraged us to continue with all our projects till the last day.

    Let me reiterate here that in this first tenure, we were able to take care of the fears and evil of fiscal indiscipline and lack of implementation, which hamper projects and services in the nation’s public service. This can be seen in the myriad of people-centred and masses-focused projects we delivered for the use of the people of the State in this first term.

    We proved that infrastructure and economic development are doable in a depressed economy and that stagnated development in a struggling economy is a product of intellectual laziness, dearth of creativity, shortage of innovation and lack of political will.

    The laudable and people-centred projects we were able to deliver include the feeding of 30,000 vulnerable persons in Osun on a monthly basis through the Osun Food Support Scheme and financial support for the aged and widows; opening up of the Mining sector that attracted big investors to the state; reforming of the educational sector, including the recruitment of 2, 500 teachers; review of the single school uniform regime among others in line with the demand of the people; renovation of school buildings, distribution of educational materials to our pupils, provision of free education and free meals to them as well as training and re-training of our teachers to provide quality education for our children to enhance their performance as leaders of tomorrow.

    In order to increase access to quality and equitable education at all levels with a view to empowering Osun citizens to realise their full potential, we upgraded the existing Osun State College of Education, Ilesa to a full-fledged University of Ilesa, with a world-class funding strategies that would not exert unnecessary pressure on the finances of the State; fixing of the State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro and equipping same with state-of-the-art equipment, where we constructed120-bed ward and 30 units of Doctor’s Quarters; rehabilitation of the Ejigbo and Ifetedo General Hospitals; we also instituted the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) to deliver affordable healthcare to our workers while offering free health services to the vulnerable under the scheme; revitalization of 332 Primary Health Centres -one per ward across the State.

    We constructed, reconstructed and rehabilitated rural and township roads to open up our rural areas, help our farmers to transport their produce to the market and generally bring equitable development to our State. Apart from the Olaiya Flyover, which is an architectural masterpiece, a paragon of aesthetics and a socioeconomic signature on the economic transformation captured by the Development Agenda we exchanged for the mandate of our people, other major roads that were touched by our administration are: Ada-Igbajo road, Osogbo-Kelebe-Iragbiji road, and Akindeko-Awosuru link road via Adejumo Street with Oremeji spur, Akinlade Street, Adewale Street with loop to WAEC road all in Osogbo; Army Barack (Ede)-Ara-Ejigbo township road, Moro-Yakoyo-Ipetumodu-Asipa-Ife/Ibadan Expressway Junction Road and Ereja Roundabout-Ereguru-Isaare-Oke Oye-Sabo (Irojo)-Ilesa/Akure Expressway Junction.

    Others are: Lawyer Atanda Road, Iwo; Ila-Arandun-Kwara Boundary Road; Nike Gallery – Ido – Osun Township airport with palace spur; Ikirun – Eko-Ende Road; the access road to Fountain University, Osogbo; Osogbo (Lameco)-Okinni-Ilobu – Ifon Osun Market with Spur to Olobu’s Palace; Osogbo/Ilobu-Akari-Erin Osun Roundabout on Osun LCDA Junction; Post Office-Ayetoro – Jamodo – Ifon Palace – Janta Ifon Osun; Isale-Asa-Oke Aree road, Iree, as well as Ikire township roads among other interventions. There are however a few other roads that are still on-going, while some are nearing completion. Among these roads are: Ife Township Roads; Inisa Road and Osogbo-Iwo Road among others. We did all these because fixing our State’s infrastructure deficit is a critical item on our Development Agenda. This is because no economy can truly succeed without adequate infrastructure to make life easy for residents and businesses.

    We also restored the lost glory of our civil service and ensured that workers’ salaries are not only promptly paid but continued to pay minimum wage despite the devastating effect of COVID-19 pandemic. We stood tall among comity of states in the fight against COVID-19.

    We also resolutely defended and prioritised the welfare of workers and pensioners. For this first term, we expended over N50 billion to cater for our senior citizens to settle their pensions and gratuities. We remitted the contributory pension as and when due, and we were at the same time reducing the backlog we inherited from the previous administration. By and large, we were able to stabilise the economy of the State under our leadership.

    We never toyed with the security of our people as we cooperated with other States in South-West to set up Amotekun to support the conventional security agencies in order to further secure our State.

    We also launched the Osun Youth Policy Document to take care of the present and future of our younger generation, just as we injected over N2billion into the economy through the Osun Microcredit Agency to empower our market men and women.

    From a little above 10billion in 2018, we have been able to grow the State IGR N20billion, just as our performance in the World Bank’s States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) has continued to earn us accolades and financial benefits.

    In 2018 before we came into office, Osun was placed 32nd on the fiscal sustainability index, finishing just ahead of Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa, and Kogi states.

    However, by the latest ranking in 2021, we have climbed to the 19th place on the index, as we are now ranked 13th out of 36 states of the federation.

    As we end our first term, rest assured that Osun is more stable economically than we met it, in 2018 and it remained the most peaceful state in the country under our leadership.

    For four years, we did not take any bank loan facility. But we benefited from the N3billion monthly intervention from the federal Government to all the States for six months to cushion the effect of deductions of budget support facility and salary bailout accessed by the previous administration, just as we have paid N97 billion from the total debt we inherited in 2018.

    We are leaving behind cash of over N14 billion. In addition to the N14 billion cash, another N8 billion is being expected between December and January from our performance in SFTAS and the IGR. Also, another Seventy-Two million Dollars will come to the State soon from RAMP 3, NG-CARES, Nigeria for Women Project and Ease of Doing Business. These are earned, based on performance. And we have indeed performed to earn them. It was part of the same performance that earned us the award of Best Governor on Efficiency of Public Expenditure and TOP Performer on Domestic Revenue Mobilisation by the World Bank’s States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability, SFTAS, recently.

    We have gone this length to let you know that Osun under our leadership was sustainable. It was done through fiscal discipline and personal sacrifices.

    On behalf of our team, I appeal to you all to continue to be law abiding and to work assiduously to build the Osun of our dream. Together, we shall continue to mend the broken walls of our dear State and restore her glory for our collective good and that of posterity.

    Thank you all and may God continue to bless Osun.

    Adegboyega Oyetola

    Osun Governor.

    November 26, 2022

  • I have no doubt, I’ll reclaim my mandate, says Gov. Oyetola

    I have no doubt, I’ll reclaim my mandate, says Gov. Oyetola

    Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, says he has no doubt in his mind that he will reclaim his mandate at the ongoing election petition tribunal.

    Oyetola said this on Saturday during the 31st Iragbiji day in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor said he is optimistic that he would grace the 32nd celebration of the annual celebration as the governor of the state.

    “I congratulate us all on this memorable and rewarding 31st Iragbiji Day even as we pray to God for a more eventful 32nd version.

    “By the special grace of Allah, In Sha Allah, be rest assured that I shall grace this occasion next year, still as the Osun Governor.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that I shall reclaim my mandate,” he said.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the July 16 governorship election, having polled 403,271 votes against 375,027 polled by Oyetola.

    Oyetola and APC have challenged the election results from 749 polling units across 10 local government areas of the state for various alleged electoral malpractices, especially over-voting.

    On the annual celebration, Oyetola said that “Iragbiji Day remains the best proof of who and what we are”.

    “In line with the dreams and vision of our forebears, we have annually demonstrated that we are loving, united, culturally correct, development compliant and politically savvy.

    “We have proved to the world that we are strong partners in the best demonstration of the Omoluabi ethos,” he said.

    Oyetola said as the governor and son of Iragbiji, he had showcased the best of the town through provision of quality and equitable services in all sectors.

    “I have managed the resources of the State, using the lessons that I learned on your laps – the skills of probity, accountability, creativity and innovation, rendering the best of services in a depressed economy and bringing our economy out of the woods and putting it on the path of sustainability.

    “This is the signature which the Iragbiji put in my hands as a young boy growing up in a town surrounded by hills and I have put the seal on the State for all to enjoy,” he said.

    Oyetola, however, urged the people of the town to  continue to wear the armour of love and peace “as we seek the tool of development for our collective good”.

  • Court nullifies Oyetola’s nomination as APC Osun governorship candidate

    Court nullifies Oyetola’s nomination as APC Osun governorship candidate

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, nullified the nomination of Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate in the July 16 governorship election.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, in a judgment, nullified Oyetola and his deputy governorship candidate, Benedict Alabi, on grounds  that Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, who submitted their names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) violated the provisions of Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed the suit against Governor Buni, Governor Oyetola and others.

    The PDP, through its counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, had, on April 7, commenced the suit, challenging the nomination and sponsorship of Oyetola and his deputy as the duly nominated candidates of the APC for the recently concluded governorship poll, in which Sen. Ademola Adeleke was declared the winner by INEC.

    Challenging the competence of the suit, Kunle Adegoke, SAN, who represented Oyetola, had contended, amongst other grounds, that the PDP did not have the locus to commence the action and that the suit was statute-barred.

    But Ogunwumiju argued that the plaintiff (PDP) rightly commenced the suit under Section 285(14) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    Delivering the judgment, Nwite agreed with the submissions of the PDP counsel and declared as null and void, the nomination of Oyetola and Alabi by the APC.

    The court also held that Buni acted in contravention of the provision of Section 183 of the Constitution when he held dual executive positions as the Governor of Yobe and the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of APC.

    The court said that the decisions taken by Governor Buni, including forwarding the names of Oyetola and Alabi to INEC, amounted to a nullity in law.

    INEC declared the candidate of the PDP, Adeleke, the winner of the July 16 Osun governorship election.

    The returning officer for the election and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, announced that Adeleke got a total of 403,371 votes beating the incumbent, Oyetola of the APC, who got 375,027 votes in a keenly contested race.