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Tag: ondo

  • Aiyedatiwa released N4m from N600m FAAC allocations – Ondo LG chairmen

    Aiyedatiwa released N4m from N600m FAAC allocations – Ondo LG chairmen

    The Local government chairmen in Ondo State have accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of releasing only N4 million of the N600 million monthly allocation entitled to each council from FAAC.

    Despite the July 2024 ruling of the Supreme Court which granted financial autonomy to local governments, one local government chairman, who craved anonymity, stated that the development had hindered their ability to perform.

    According to some of the chairmen, who also spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue, after the FAAC allocation is released, they are compelled by the state government to return a substantial part of the funds to the account of the Ministry of Local Government.

    The council bosses, who revealed this in Akure, the state capital, maintained that most of them have been reluctant to raise the issue directly with the governor for fear of being tagged as disloyal.

    “We are made to return the substantial part of the funds into the Ministry of Local Government account, while we are left with N4 million. In the last FAAC for June, some local governments received N644 million, N590 million and N405 million. You can verify this from the BudgIT website.

    “We are still currently under the supervision of the state government. We were told that the state government is still managing our funds due to some responsibilities, such as primary healthcare, basic education, and the funding of Amotekun,” one of the chairmen said.

    Reacting, Amidu Takuro, Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, berated the council chairmen for insincerity, stating that they were aware of the arrangement.

    “If anybody is not in agreement, they should come up openly. We are all under the same political party, under the leadership of somebody. What the government has been doing for them is a unanimous decision. It is not something enforced on anybody,” he said.

  • Police arrest 23-year-old armed robbery suspect

    Police arrest 23-year-old armed robbery suspect

    The Police Command in Ondo State says it has arrested a 23-year-old armed robbery suspect, Zaccheous Tosin, of Idimago Street, Ikare-Akoko, in Akoko North East Local Government Area of the state.

    DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson made this known on Wednesday, saying the suspect was arrested on Aug. 25 at about 8:00 am behind Winners’ Church, Ikare-Akoko.

    Ayanlade explained that the suspect attacked one Ogunbodude Sarah, when he came to her residential backyard purportedly to pluck bitter leaves but suddenly turned against her.

    “The suspect forcefully robbed Sarah of her bag and attempted to escape.

    “The victim raised an alarm, which promptly attracted the attention of a nearby police detective.

    “Responding swiftly, detectives from Ikare Divisional headquarters, who were close to the scene, pursued and arrested the fleeing suspect,” he said.

    Ayanlade said that upon searching him, a locally made barrel gun was recovered from the suspect, confirming that he was armed at the time of the attack.

    “The suspect and the case file have since been transferred to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Office, Akure, for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution,” he said.

    The command’s spokesman further said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adebowale Lawal, commended the swift response of the operatives, which led to the prompt arrest of the suspect.

    He said that Lawal assured residents of the state of the command’s unrelenting commitment to proactive policing and the safety of lives and property across the state.

    According to him, the successes being recorded by the command were in line with the policing vision of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

    “The IGP’s vision is a people-centred and intelligence-driven policing strategy that emphasises community partnership, rapid response, and inter-agency cooperation.

    “So, the command also appreciates the support of the good people of the state, who have continued to provide useful information to aid police operations.

    “The commissioner of police urges members of the public to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and supportive of security efforts to rid the state of crime and criminality,”

  • Police investigate missing motorcyclist found dead inside well

    Police investigate missing motorcyclist found dead inside well

    The Police Command in Ondo State has begun investigation into the death of a commercial motorcyclist, Isah Ibrahim, whose remains was found in a well at the Ore Stadium in Odigbo Local Government Area.

    According to reports, the motorcyclist had been declared missing on Aug. 17 before his body was discovered in the well.

    DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, who confirmed the death of Ibrahim to NAN on Thursday, said that an investigation had since commenced.

    He said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Adebowale Razaq has ordered full investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death and bring all culprits to book.

    “We urge all parties involved to remain calm as Police will investigate the matter and the law will catch up with perpetrators of the heinous crime,” Ayanlade said.

    It was gathered that Ibrahim was declared missing on Aug. 17 after colleagues had combed almost everywhere in Ore before his remains was found inside a well on Thursday.

    A commercial motorcyclist, who preferred anonymity, said that Ibrahim’s Bajaj motorcycle had also not been found since he went missing, raising suspicion of foul play

    He said that the death of Ibrahim may be a case of alleged motorcycle snatching, which had become rampant in the area in recent time.

    “We urge Police and other security agencies to help search for these criminals, arrest them and and find a lasting solution to the insecurity in Ore because our lives are no longer safe,” he said.

  • Lady allegedly stabs boyfriend to death over infidelity

    Lady allegedly stabs boyfriend to death over infidelity

    A 25-year-old man, Micheal Ikuedowoni, has been reportedly stabbed to death by his girlfriend in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Ikuedowoni was allegedly stabbed by his girlfriend, Augustina Mowari with a knife over alleged infidelity.

    A neighbour, who preferred anonymity told journalists on Monday in Okitippupa, that Ikuedowoni was stabbed by his girlfriend over alleged romance with another lady.

    He disclosed that the lovers got into a heated argument on Sunday night, after the suspect confronted her boyfriend over his alleged relationship with another lady.

    “The confrontation soon escalated into a fight, as the suspect allegedly grabbed a knife and stabbed her boyfriend on the chest.

    “Michael was bleeding profusely and before people could rush in to salvage him, he had died,” he said.

    DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone.

    He said the suspect has been arrested and investigation was ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    “Yes, the suspect has been arrested and the case has been transferred to State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID), Akure, for proper investigation,” Ayanlade said.

  • Ondo Tribunal quashes Agbo-Ola Ajayi petition against Gov Aiyedatiwa

    Ondo Tribunal quashes Agbo-Ola Ajayi petition against Gov Aiyedatiwa

    The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has quashed a case filed by the Action Alliance.

    The party was challenging the outcome of the November 16th, 2024 election, which was won by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress.

    INEC had declared Aiyedatiwa the winner, but the Action Alliance claimed they were unlawfully excluded and that the process did not follow the Electoral Act.

    Justice Imelda Etiaba while delivering the lead judgment dismissed the petition saying it lacked merit.

    Other members of the panel aligned with the judgement.

    However, the tribunal is now delivering judgement on the petition filed by the APM.

  • Ondo: Police beef up security in worship centres over alleged bandits’ threat

    Ondo: Police beef up security in worship centres over alleged bandits’ threat

    Mr Wilfred Afolabi, Commissioner of Police in Ondo State has ordered the deployment of operational assets around worship centres across the state.

    DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Akure.

    Afolabi explained that the deployment was based on reports of a possible attack by bandits on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, where worshippers were killed in 2022.

    He said that the surveillance and patrol activities had also been significantly intensified to forestall any potential attack, reassured the public of their safety.

    “The command wishes to state unequivocally that while the source and authenticity of the said letter remain unverified, the report has necessitated a prompt and strategic response in the interest of public safety.

    “The command use this medium to urge media houses and members of the public to desist from spreading unverified information or fake news that could heighten tension and cause unnecessary panic.

    “Such actions are counterproductive and capable of undermining the security progress we have collectively achieved.

    “Residents of Ondo State are therefore advised to go about their lawful activities without fear or panic,” Afolabi said.

    He said that Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, were fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of all lives and property in the state.

    “For any suspicious activity or information, members of the public are encouraged to contact the nearest police station or use the emergency lines made available by the Command,” he said.

  • Tension in Ondo PDP over zoning of state chairmanship position

    Tension in Ondo PDP over zoning of state chairmanship position

    The demand by the Ondo South Senatorial District for the chairmanship position of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is generating tension within the party in the state.

    NANreports that PDP has, of recent, been facing some challenges, as its members are defecting in droves to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Rising from a meeting of no fewer than 120 stakeholders on Monday in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state, the south senatorial district unanimously demanded that the chairmanship position be zoned to the district.

    According to reports, out of the 27 years of PDP’s existence in the state, the north and central senatorial districts had held the chairmanship position for 13 and 12 years respectively, while the south only served as chairman for just one year.

    Some of the PDP chieftains, who spoke in separate interviews with NAN after the meeting, said that the chairmanship position which had rotated between the north and central senatorial districts for 25 years must come to the south.

    According to them, the senatorial district has always delivered the largest votes in the party in any election in the state and, therefore, should not be marginalised in the chairmanship position.

    They also warned the PDP Elders’ Committee, whose constitutional responsibilities was solely advisory and dispute settlement, not to attempt setting up any zoning committee which, they said, fell within purview of the State Working Committee (SWC).

    They urged the Caretaker Committee, representing the SWC, to respect the law of equity, fairness and justice by not zoning the chairmanship to the north senatorial district again.

    Chairman of PDP in Ondo South, Elder Amos Fadope, told NAN that he summoned the stakeholders to the meeting when he noticed some developments which were inimical to the development of the party in the state.

    According to him, Ondo PDP will clock 27 years in the state, out of which the north had served for 13 years and central 12 years, while the south had only served for one year.

    “The north is holding the highest rank of the political structure, and the chairmanship position is supposed to come to Ondo south, but the north is planning to hijack it.

    “We can cede other political positions to them except the chairmanship. We stakeholders in the south have unanimously agreed and made our position known to them. We urge the caretaker committee to do the needful,” Fadope said.

    Also, Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo, noted that the south had been maginalised in the chairmanship position of the party.

    Tofowomo, who represented Ondo South in the National Assembly, alleged that some party chieftains in the north and central had connived to thwart the chances of the south from producing the chairman.

    “Ondo South PDP contributes the largest votes in any election in the state. It is our turn to have the chairmanship position for the unity and progress of the party.

    “The maginalisation must stop; those conniving to take the position back to the north will fail and our stand on the issue will come to pass,” Tofowomo said.

    A former Deputy Chairman of PDP in the state, Tola Alabere, also said that there was no going back on the zoning of the chairmanship position to the south senatorial district.

    Alabere, who was also a former acting state chairman, warned the elders’ committee not to interfere in the matter, maintaining that its role within the party was purely advisory.

    “The zoning of chairmanship position to Ondo south is not negotiable; it must come to us. I urge the caretaker committee to allow justice and equity to prevail in this matter,” Alabere said.

    Chief Oyedele Ibini, a former state secretary of the party, equally said that the agitation for the chairmanship position was clear and that nothing would stop the south from getting it.

    “Why will the south continue to be maginalised while other districts are benefitting largely from what belongs to all of us. We are equivocally saying that this time, it is the turn of Ondo south and that must be respected.

    “We have made our decision known to other parts of the state; we don’t want our party to be polarized but we stand for justice, fairness and equity,” Ibini said.

    Another PDP chieftain, Mrs Christiana Ebiseniju, also said that the consensus among the stakehokders was for the chairmanship position to move to the south.

    “We are with one voice and we’ve spoken loud and clear. Our decision is for Ondo south to get the chairmanship position and that is sacrosanct,” she said.

  • Ondo NNPP gov’ship candidate dumps party

    Ondo NNPP gov’ship candidate dumps party

    Mr Olugbenga Edema, the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the Nov. 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, has resigned from the party.

    Edema’s resignation letter addressed to the NNPP chairman in Mahin Ward 11, in Ilaje Local Government of the state, was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Okitipupa.

    He lamented the internal crisis in the party which he said was not good for any serious party ready to win elections.

    Edema, in the letter dated May 9, 2025, also said that the activities of party leadership negates the ethics of political parties, and as such responsible for his resignation from the party.

    According to him, since joining the party in June 2024, the party has being characterised with internal wranglings and rancour that have stunted its growth.

    “This is not healthy for any serious-minded party that intends to win elections, which is the major objective of all political parties.

    “Furthermore, the activities of the leadership of the party negates the ethics of political parties; which is to form Government at various levels,” he said.

    Edema, a former Chairman, Ondo Stare Oil Producing Areas Commission (OSOPDEC) also expressed displeasure over the alleged treacherous attitudes of the NNPP leadership in the state, which he said frustrated him over the withdrawal of his case in the court in favour of opposition party.

    “Since my over 35 years in active political party participation, I have never seen a political party with a leadership so treacherous to the extent of frustrating its candidate by withdrawing a legitimate case in court in favour of an opposing party against its candidate.

    “It is apparent that the objective of the party is radically different from the above stated objectives of any serious-minded political party.

    “From the foregoing, it is obvious that I am not on the same page with the leadership of the party as to what a party’s objectives and values should be.

    “By this letter therefore, I hereby cease to be a member of the New Nigeria People’s Party with effect from today, no doubt, lessons have been learnt,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, Edema did not indicate the new party he would join after dumping the NNPP.

    NAN reports that Edema, a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defected to the NNPP, after Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa emerged winner of the APC governorship primary.

  • Landlord’s son kills tenant during argument

    Landlord’s son kills tenant during argument

    A 22-year-old lady, Joy Tale, has been reportedly killed by her landlord’s son, Odunayo Olomolatan, 41, in Ode-Irele, Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The tenant was hacked to death on Monday during an argument.

    DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the spokesman for the Police Command in Ondo State, confirmed the incident to NAN in a telephone interview.

    Ayanlade said that the suspect has been arrested and in the custody of the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ode-Irele.

    He disclosed that investigation has begun to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of the lady.

    “Yes, I can confirm to you that the lady was allegedly hacked to death during argument between her and her landlord son.

    “The suspect has been arrested and investigation is ongoing to unravel circumstances surround the lady’s death,”Ayanlade said.

    Meanwhile, Olajide Akinfe, the Chairman of the local government, has called for calm over the incident, urging residents not to take laws into their hands.

    Akinfe, who claimed to have visited the divisional police headquarters, said that measures have been put in place to ensure that the suspect did not escape justice.

  • PDP rejects resignation of Publicity Secretary

    PDP rejects resignation of Publicity Secretary

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, on Friday, rejected the resignation of its Publicity Secretary, Mr Kennedy Peretei.

    The state leadership of the party, led by Dr Bakitta Bello, the Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Ondo State, visited the publicity Secretary in Akure.

    Recall that Peretei on Wednesday tendered his resignation letter to the party in his ward in Arogbo Ward 1 in Êse Odo Local Government Area of the state, citing selfish leadership as a cause of his resignation.

    Bello told Peretei that the recent happenings in the party in the state were not sufficient enough to make him resign his membership and therefore prevailed on him to reconsider his resignation.

    “Yes, you have the right to feel offended if you need to. But you must also understand as an experienced politician that a combination of factors are always responsible for any particular action or resolution of a political party.

    “You are a true party man and that is the reason we have come to make you change your mind.

    “You have to rescind your decision to quit the party because we are not accepting your resignation letter,” he said.

    Earlier on, the State Publicity Secretary had told the committee members why he took such decision to quit the party, saying that he felt betrayed and disappointed by the attitude of some persons whom he held in high esteem.