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Tag: Ibikunle Amosun

  • 82nd birthday: Amosun, friends hold surprise party for Buhari [VIDEO]

    82nd birthday: Amosun, friends hold surprise party for Buhari [VIDEO]

    Former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, friends and other political associates held a surprise visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that Buhari turned 82 on Tuesday, December 17.

    A former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad via the microblogging platform, X shared a video and photos of the visit with the caption, “DAURA: His Excellency, Ibikunle Amosun,” “Happy 82nd birthday, Baba!”

    The video also captured the reaction of the former president while receiving the surprise visit staged by Amosun and other politicians at his Daura home.

    Watch video below:

  • Presidential jets: Don’t negotiate with Chinese firm- Amosun tells Federal Government

    Presidential jets: Don’t negotiate with Chinese firm- Amosun tells Federal Government

    Following the controversial seizure of three presidential jets, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has advised Federal Government not to negotiate with Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited.

    In a statement on Saturday, Amosun labelled the Chinese firm as an “impostor” and warned the Federal Government not to be scammed.

    A French court recently ruled in favour of the firm and granted the seizure of presidential jets belonging to the Nigerian government.

    In the dispute involving an arbitration award, the court in Paris ruled in favour of the Chinese firm, allowing it to seize three presidential jets on routine maintenance in France as “security” for claims in a decades-long judicial matter between the foreign company and the Ogun State government.

    But the Presidency alleged that the Chinese firm is trying “to take over offshore assets of the Federal Government of Nigeria through subterfuge”. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, later said diplomatic and legal efforts were on to settle the matter amicably.

    Amosun said in 2011, two different sets of Chinese companies, Messrs China Africa Investment FXE and Zhongfu International Investment FXE laid claims to Management rights over the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ).

    “The business dispute and rivalry between the Chinese concerns soon became fierce, grounded seamless business activities and threatened public peace and safety within the Zone and neighbouring communities.

    “There were claims and counterclaims as to who between the two was the lawful representative of the original joint venturer, Guangdong Province, China and consequentially who had the right to manage the Zone.

    “Based on the information at the disposal of the government at the time, Zhongfu International Investment FXE was on 15/03/2012 appointed as Interim Zone Manager pending further evaluation.

    “It was later discovered that the information and claims volunteered by Zhongfu International Investment FXE against China Africa Investment FXE were tissues of lies.

    “Unknown to the Ogun Government at the time, Zhongfu International Investment FXE merely sought to de-market China Africa Investment FXE and to surreptitiously covert the State-owned assets of Guangdong Province in China together with the Zone ownership and management rights of their business rival.

    “The Government of the Peoples Republic of China, via its Diplomatic Note 1601 dated 11th March 2016 clarified to Ogun State Government, that China Africa Investment FXE was the rightful investor. After due consultation with the relevant organs of Government, we gave effect to the request of the Chinese Government.

    “We do recall, that Zhongfu International Investment FXE approached Nigerian courts in different jurisdictions to ventilate its legal and business rights. They lost all their four cases in court,” Amosun said.

    “It is also not true that our administration sent police or any security agent to harass, intimidate, or beat anyone. If there was any such situation, it must have been from among the disputing rivals in the bid to outdo one another. Security agencies can further investigate the allegation and uphold the truth.

    “Nigeria should not give Zhongfu International Investment FXE any listening ear as doing so would amount to indulging and, encouraging an unlawful entity without locus standi to appropriate our common patrimony.

    “Stemming from the above, this matter of Zhongfu International Investment FXE should be treated the way Nigeria treated the P&ID case. There is no basis for negotiation.

    “I am ready to work with the agencies of government in any capacity to ensure that Nigeria is not scammed by Zhongfu International Investment FXE or any other entity.

    “Like every Nigerian, we are concerned that a purely business dispute between two Chinese nationals and corporations has now degenerated into an unlawful attempt to appropriate Nigeria’s sovereign assets.

    “This is unacceptable to all people of goodwill and must not be allowed to stand.”

  • Oshiomhole is fond of making baseless, unverified claims – Amosun

    Oshiomhole is fond of making baseless, unverified claims – Amosun

    Former Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has slammed ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Adams Oshiomhole, for saying  he spent over N2.4 billion in Ogun, Kwara and Taraba states to secure victory for the party during the 2019 general election.

    Recall that  the former Edo governor, Oshiomhole posited that the money was spent due to stiff opposition against the choices of the party in the states by ‘political juggernauts’ namely, Amosun (Ogun), Senator Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Bukola Saraki (Kwara).

    Oshiomhole who spoke at the launch of a book by former APC National Vice Chairman, North West, Salihu Lukman,  said that the party lost the Taraba State governorship election even though it invested N800 million into the election in 2019.

    However, while reacting to  Oshiomhole’s claims, Amosun noted  that the former APC Chairman has an “antecedent and penchant for careless and most times, baseless and unverified public statements”.

    Amosun, in a statement he personally signed, said, “Indeed, listening to him yesterday, his utterances represent some inherent inadequacy, which he vented, not just at inauspicious times, but without basis and predicated only on lies to hoodwink the unsuspecting.

    “It is not in doubt that I have participated fully in the formation and sustenance of our party, the APC, and I can boldly say that the party under Adams Oshiomhole conducted one of the worst primaries in the history of Nigeria’s contemporary politics and ended up shopping for his own enemies, leading to his eventual removal as Chairman of our party.

    “Nigerians should not be in a hurry to forget the allegations that preceded the conduct of those primaries and his eventual invitation by the Department of State Service, DSS, to clarify certain grave allegations.

    “If anyone was in doubt that Senator Oshiomhole posed the biggest and most destructive threat to the existence of the APC at that time, and the party’s best bet was to dispose of a canon folder that he was and unfortunately still is, his utterances and grandstanding yesterday at an occasion to find solutions to our democratic and party challenges, would have cleared such mindset.”

    Amosun, however, asked Oshiomole to come straight.

    “If he wanted to insult our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, he could have come out boldly to do so. But his subtle attempt to pass snide remarks at him failed the simple test of loyalty because the former president also moved from his own party to merge with other like-minds to form the APC.

    “Also, if he is seeking favour from the presidency, why not come out and do so? But to tell barefaced lies that, “You are working for your paymaster in Lagos, paymaster in Bourdillon,” is cheap but typical of an individual, who suddenly found himself where he never dreamt of, despite his obvious limitations – education and exposure.”

  • Ogun former governor, Amosun’s loyalists rejoin APC, teamup with Abiodun

    Ogun former governor, Amosun’s loyalists rejoin APC, teamup with Abiodun

    Several political party members claiming to be loyalists of former Gov. Ibikunle Amosun on Friday in Abeokuta rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun.

    The state governor, Dapo Abiodun, received the members, who were from the 20 local government areas (LGAs) of the state, at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta.

    He commended them for their “loyalty” and being steadfast with what they believed in.

    “I want to congratulate your sense of loyalty to leadership, which I will say is not only commendable. It is enviable.

    “This is a culture that we must promote and entrench. It is a culture that is fast eroding. It is a culture that we are fast losing. Loyalty is 100 per cent.

    “For some others, they move once things are not working well. But, for you, you stayed put. This sense of loyalty is worthy of emulation.

    “We must appreciate the fact that there can only be one leader in a party at a time.

    “As the leader of the party, I appreciate the task bestowed on me and it is my duty to work towards the individual and collective welfare of our members,” the governor said.

    He urged all members to put the past behind them and work towards repositioning the party to achieve its aims and work for the socio-economic development of the state.

    “It is with the same joy the father of the biblical prodigal son received his lost son when he came back home that I receive you today.

    “To those who did not leave, please let us receive our brothers and sisters back.

    “To those who are joining us, please let us display a sense of loyalty. I can assure you, you will be fully integrated,” Abiodun said.

    While speaking at the occasion, Mr Yemi Sanusi, the State Chairman of APC, noted that in every human relationship, there was bound to be a disagreement.

    “Even in a time of war, there is always a place for peaceful settlement of conflict,” he said, while urging the returnees to fully integrate themselves with other members of the party.

    Leader of the group of returnees, Derin Adebiyi, said they had all agreed to return to the “mainstream” to contribute to the development of the party and the state in general.

    “We thank the governor and party members for receiving us back,” he said.

  • Again, Amosun shuns Abiodun’s camp, Campaigns for ADC’s Otegbeye in Ogun

    Again, Amosun shuns Abiodun’s camp, Campaigns for ADC’s Otegbeye in Ogun

    Former Ogun state Governor and  senator of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday shunned the gubernatorial candidate of his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the incumbent governor of the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun to lead the campaign team of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship campaign.

    Amosun, stormed the ADC governorship campaign flag-off held at the Ake palace ground in Abeokuta to mobilize support for his anointed candidate, Biyi Otegbeye, who is running on the platform of ADC.

    This is the second time, Amosun would openly campaign against Governor Abiodun as he did during  2019 elections in the state.

    In 2019, the former governor backed Adekunle Akinlade who ran on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) but lost to Abiodun with about 19,000 votes.

    Amosun again turned against Abiodun ahead of the March 11, election, asking the Ogun electorate to reject him at the poll.

    Senator  Amosun raised Otegbeye’s hand and that of his running mate, Tunde Awonuga, and asked the electorate to vote for them.

    He explained that his support for Otegbeye was based on equity, justice and fairness because the Yewa-Awori region where the ADC flagbearer hailed from had never produced a governor since the creation of the state.

    Amosun, however, called on the electorate to vote for his party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

    He said, “There are two reasons why I’m doing what I’m doing. The first one is based on equity, justice, fairness….Ogun State is almost 50 years old now. Since the creation of this Ogun State, nobody from Ogun West has been governor. Some characters are saying Yewa doesn’t have good people, I know they have. Yewa has good children I know that can do it. He (Otegbeye) is a lawyer he has been tested and trusted.

    “The second reason, and that is very important, is that Ogun State must not derail. We have set the path of development for Ogun State, we must not allow it to be derailed.”

  • 2023: Daniel, Amosun are selfless leaders – Adebutu

    2023: Daniel, Amosun are selfless leaders – Adebutu

    Adebutu also heaped praises on Senator Ibikunle Amosun for being a selfless leader who was properlyand  politically bred.

    The Remo politician is currently the senatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East, even after he claimed to have withdrawn from partisan politics in 2019.

    But, Adebutu has expressed confidence that Daniel will return to the PDP very soon.

    Adebutu noted that the former governor performed well in Office and said that he didn’t like the fact that he defected to the APC.

    Addressing a crowd of supporters in Abeokuta, Adebutu said: “Our leader, Gbenga Daniel, when he was elected, he did very well. The only thing we are not happy with was that he left the PDP. But very soon, he will return to the PDP. Very soon, he will come back. Check the time. This is three o’clock. You will recall that a prophet had said it today.”

    Speaking about Amosun, the governorship candidate said the immediate past governor also did well while in power.

    According to him, Amosun’s achievement could be attributed to the fact that he was a member of the PDP.

    “During Amosun’s administration, he did excellently well. He built roads and bridges that would last hundred years. He is our leader. Senator Amosun should forgive us if we have done anything wrong,” he stated.

    Ibikunle Amosun is a Nigerian politician, former governor of Ogun State and two-term senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He first served as an elected senator for Ogun Central district of Ogun State, Nigeria from April 2003 to April 2007, and reelected in 2019.

    He left the PDP for the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2007, when he contested the governorship seat with Daniel, who was seeking a second term then.

  • Ogun APM Chairman, Oyetayo held hostage by Amosun’s group

    Ogun APM Chairman, Oyetayo held hostage by Amosun’s group

    The Ogun State Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Mr Patrick Oyetayo has been reported to be held hostage since Tuesday, 9th August by the top wigs of the former Governor Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun led by Alhaji Jelili Okewole.
    Samson Oyatayo the son of the APM chairman, confirmed the development to ThenewsGuru.
    Oyatayo said that four big wigs from Amosun’s group came to hold his father hostage in his house.

    Reports have it that the decision to hold the APM chairman hostage came after a meeting of the former Governor (Amosun) with leaders of various transport unions at his Lagos residence in Ikeja.
    Revelations have it that the plan is not unconnected with candidates substitution which is expected to close by 12th August, 2022.
    It was gathered that the party chairman is bent on not substituting any of the party’s candidates as already submitted to INEC.
  • Nigerian Senate recommends Tobi Amusan for national award

    Nigerian Senate recommends Tobi Amusan for national award

    The Nigerian Senate has recommended 25-year-old history-making Tobi Amusan for a national award after winning gold in the Women’s 100 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the recommendation of Amusan for a national award by the Senate followed a motion moved by Senator Ibikunle Amosun during plenary on Wednesday.

    By winning gold in the Women’s 100 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Championships, Amusan made history for Nigeria as the first Nigerian to win a world title and an unprecedented world record in one day.

    She first ran a blistering 12:12 seconds to shatter the world record of 12:20 seconds set by Kendra Harrison of U. S. in the semi-finals. She then followed up with a (+2.5) wind-assisted 12.06s in the final.

    The time in the final would however not be recognised as it was deemed to be well over the legal +2.0 wind assist allowed in Athletics.

    In a resolution passed, following deliberation on the motion on the floor of the Senate, the upper legislative chamber commended Amusan for her spectacular achievement in the track and field event.

    The Senate also urged the federal government to increase investment in the sports sector as a way of creating opportunities for the teeming youths and bringing Nigerians into international recognition.

  • 2023: Despite injustice, I stand with Bola Tinubu – Amosun

    Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has reiterated his support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Amosun was one of the presidential aspirants of the APC before he stepped down for the former Lagos State Governor at the party’s primary election in Abuja.

    His anointed successor in Ogun State, in the 2019 election, was believed to have been prevented from getting the APC ticket by some leaders of the party, including Tinubu. They favoured the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun.

    In the last primary elections for governorship and legislative positions in the state, ahead of 2023, Amosun’s loyalists lost out again, as Abiodun maintained a tight grip on the party’s structure in Ogun.

    It was gathered that some members of the Amosun political camp have left the party after falling out in the primaries, and due to the failure of the national leadership of the party to ensure a sharing formula proposed by the party’s reconciliation committee, last year.

    However, Amosun, today, told his loyalists that the “injustice” meted out to his camp, would not affect his support for Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He spoke through a factional APC Chairman, Derin Adebiyi, who represented him at an extended leaders’ meeting held at the Ibara residence of the former governor, in Abeokuta.

    Although he said he would not stop any of his followers from achieving their political ambitions in any political party of choice, he pleaded that he (and his name) should be left out of the negotiations as he remains focused on ensuring Tinubu wins the 2023 presidential election.

    Amosun also maintained that the President remains his friend, no matter what happens; promising to stay with him till the end of his administration on May 29, 2023.

    He maintained that those defecting from the party were free to test their popularity elsewhere, saying, however, that they should not negotiate with his name.

    While delivering Amosun’s message to the meeting, Adebiyi was quoted to have said, “He (Amosun) has sent us to you that he stands with Tinubu, he is loyal to APC. He stands with President Muhammadu Buhari and by the grace of God, on May 29, 2023, he will follow him to Daura and say Alhamdulilah.

    “If there is any other step to be taken, it will be a collective decision.

    “Now, he said we should tell all of you that whoever loves him and believes in him with all his explanations, such person should stay with him and that he is not angry with anybody.

    “Whoever wants to contest in another platform is free to contest, but should not use the name of this group or that of SIA to negotiate. This is what Amosun is saying. This is what he has asked us to tell you.”

  • Amosun reinstates Ogun NLC chairman, 3 other civil servants

    Gov. Ibikunle Amosun on Tuesday reinstated the Chairman of Ogun branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akeem Ambali, into the state’s civil service after his sack in October, 2016.

    Ambali and 15 other labour leaders, including the former Chairman of the State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr Dare Ilekoya, were dismissed from the civil service by the state government.

    They were accused of professional misconduct during the 2016 World Teachers’ Day celebration in the state.

    While 15 of the labour leaders were later pardoned, Ambali’s case was not revisited.

    Three other civil servants earlier disengaged were also recalled on Tuesday.

    The reinstatement followed a protracted meeting between the state government led by Amosun and the national leadership of the NLC led by its president, Ayuba Wabba.

    The meeting, which was inconclusive on Monday, was reconvened on Tuesday.

    The NLC leadership had mobilised workers from the neighboring states for a solidarity protest against the Ogun government which they accused of anti-labour policies.

    Wabba, who had addressed newsmen on Monday before the commencement of the meeting, said that labour planned to protest against unremitted deductions from workers’ salaries and unilateral imposition of a new payment schedule for gratuity.

    He said labour also planned to protest the sack of Ambali as well as the unpaid salaries of workers at the Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), Ijebu-Ode.

    Wabba on Tuesday in Abeokuta, however, commended Amosun , saying that “all the issues have been resolved.’’

    “All the four issues have been resolved and the governor has agreed to recall the state chairman of NLC into the civil service.

    “I want to use this medium to thank the governor because he has demonstrated that where there is will, issues can always be resolved at the negotiation table.

    “You will realise we started the meeting on Monday and we reconvened today and all through the discussions, the governor was physically available with his officials and all the issues have been resolved,” he said.

    Ambali, who also addressed newsmen, expressed appreciation to the governor over his recall.

    ” I thank the Almighty God and I appreciate the magnanimity of Governor Amosun because I have been out and back to my service.

    “You know in any human relationships, there is bound to be friction and the mature way the governor handled it speaks volumes and we are so happy,

    “We are delighted with the outcome of this meeting because it has been a productive meeting and has reinforced hope that labour and government industrial relations in the state will continue to improve.

    “Now, there’s no more war, there’s no more fight,” he said.

    Amosun, who had earlier addressed newsmen, ascribed the face-off between labour and the government to “communication gap.”

    “I have to thank them as always because this is not the first time the NLC leadership will be here.

    “The last time they came, all outstanding issues were resolved.

    “I thank God they have come and we’ve resolved all matters and I am sure that the workers and all of us in Ogun will be the better for it,” he said.