TheNewsGuru

Tag: Osun 2022

  • Osun 2022: Why Ademola Adeleke’s fresh bid to govern Osun State might not succeed

    Senator Ademola Adeleke has once again picked up his ambition of governing Osun State after his initial attempt failed in 2018.

    He contested against incumbent Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in a tight and tension soaked race in 2018. Being in an off-season electoral circle, the state is once again preparing for another governorship election and interestingly, Adeleke and Oyetola are major contenders under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) respectively.

    Undoubtedly, Ademola Adeleke who only became a politician by accident some five years ago after his brother and political patriarch of the Adeleke Family in Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke died put up a good show that unsettled the then outgoing administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who had to invite political heavyweights to help solve the riddle of not losing the state he meticulously laboured on for eight years to a ‘jester’. That explains why the APC courted the man who now holds sway as the party’s General Secretary, Iyiola Omisore whose bloc votes in Ile Ife as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate helped broke Adeleke’s weighty back.

    However, four years has passed and the electoral atmosphere in Osun has changed. Oyetola is now a force in the state. His performance has endeared him into the hearts of many and that explains why he survived the tsunami that nearly upturned the state during the buildup to the APC governorship primary in the state. He not only won, but won overwhelmingly despite the force put up by the immediate past governor and now Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Aregbesola to install another aspirant on account that Oyetola did not carry him along with governance in the state. Therefore the PDP will be shooting itself in the leg if it hopes that it can ‘cash out’ on the political uncertainty that obtained pre-2018 within the ruling party in the state that allowed Ademola Adeleke easy access to almost becoming a governor.

    Petitions to disqualify Ademola Adeleke

    Aside the initial ‘spoiler game’ played by another of the Adeleke sons, Bamidele to contest the PDP governorship ticket which almost torn the family apart with super star David ‘Davido’ Adeleke taking sides with his uncle, Ademola, there has been intense calls for the party (PDP) not to field Ademola.

    In a letter dated January 27, 2022, those against the flag bearer forwarded a petition to the national chairman, Dr. Iyorcha Ayu, alerting him to certain dangers ahead. They anticipated litigation, unless certain issues about eligibility of the flagbearer are resolved.

    A group, ‘Concerned Members of PDP in Osun State,’ had appealed against the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC), which gave Adeleke the nod to stand as candidate, following the reports of the screening and appeal committees.

    Other aspirants were Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Prince Dotun Babayemi, Mr. Dele Adeleke and Sanya Omirin. Two of them have defected and emerged as governorship candidates of smaller parties.

    Earlier on January 10, 2022, the group, led by Akinloye Adeyi, had written a petition to the Osun State Gubernatorial Screening Committee.

    Copies of the petition were sent to the chairman and members of PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other PDP governors, Deputy National Chairman (South) and Vice Chairman (Southwest).

    But, the group lamented that the petitioners were not invited by the Screening Committee to substantiate and prove their allegations against Adeleke. Thus, the flag bearer was not confronted with the allegations.

    According to the group, the allegations were not properly scrutinised and evaluated by the Screening Committee, adding that the committee came to the wrong conclusion that when the petition was reviewed, it was found to be speculative.

    However, the committee in a response said the allegations had been determined by the court, which discharged and acquitted the aspirant.

    They (Appeal Panel) unanimously agreed that the petition had failed to address substantial issues to warrant the disqualification of the senator. It also stated that Adeleke has the constitutionally required educational qualification to contest the election.

    New, unverified academic qualifications

    It is not on record if Adeleke has any basic skill needed to manage the diversities of the over 4.7 million (as of 2016) population of the state. His only selling point might be his dancing skills, relationship with one of the biggest music artiste out of Africa David ‘Davido’ Adeleke and his Adeleke lineage. His stay in the ninth Senate (to complete his late brother’s term) which would have broadened his grip and understanding of governance was short-lived by his desire to govern Osun.

    A close scrutiny of Ademola Adeleke’s updated credentials submitted to INEC showed several discrepancies on the information supplied. This includes name, date of birth, admission number, number of O’Level subject sat for and his PDP membership card number.

    The senator who relocated to the United States almost immediately after losing his first attempt at the governorship election in 2018 did not include any certificate apart from the O’Level certificate of May/June 1981 from Ede Muslim High School, Ede, Osun State.

    However, in what appears like a premeditated reinforcement in 2022, the former senator added a ‘High School Diploma’ from Penn Fooster High School and Bachelor of Science degree in ‘Criminal Justice’ from the Atlanta Metropolitan State College without a stipulated time of commencement and completion. Interestingly, both schools are United States based and the programmes were started and completed in 2021 according to the information he provided. How that is possible is still a mirage until appropriate agencies of government launch investigations.

    While the PDP maybe highly desirous of winning the state, however, fielding questionable candidates is not the way to go. Even if the APC loses the state to the PDP in July, the party (APC) will explore all the legal loopholes in Ademola Adeleke’s candidacy and the court might surprisingly favour the party. It has happened before in Nigeria and elsewhere. It might happen again in Osun.

  • Osun Guber 2022: Political violence’ll meet Sango’s full wrath – Traditionalists to politicians

    Violence by any political actor in Osun State during the forthcoming gubernatorial election would meet the full wrath of the traditional gods, Sango.

    This was the warning sounded to politicians by the leadership of the Traditional Religion Worshippers Association in Osun State (TRWASO).

    The group gave the warning on Wednesday where it advised politicians not to foment trouble during the polls.

    The group called on the stakeholders to shun violence in the overall interest of the state.

    TRWASO President, Dr Oluseyi Atanda, gave the warning in a statement in commemoration of his first anniversary in office.

    The President admonished other religious groups in the state to begin prayers to ward off violence, noting that politicians and their supporters must be law-abiding and refrain from acts that would affect peaceful coexistence.

    ALSO READ: Police shoot The Nations journalist, student in Osun state

    The statement reads: “As we approach the climax of political interplay in Osun, we as spiritualists will continue to pray to God Almighty and make supplications to the terrestrial to have a peaceful electioneering outing.

    “Let me state that it is likely that some desperate politicians will attempt a do or die approach and attempt to set Osun on fire, God Olodumare will not allow this to happen.

    “I want to enjoin all other religious groups to embark on prayers for a peaceful transition in Osun and admonish trouble makers to stop, otherwise they will incur the wrath of Sango and Ogun. Osun is peaceful and we want peace for all.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Atanda’s leadership of TRWASO has witnessed progress with the body enjoying some improved infrastructure such as its secretariat and peaceful coexistence with other religious worshippers in Osun State.

  • Osun 2022: Gov. Gboyega Oyetola warns against political violence

    Gov.  Gboyega Oyetola of Osun has warned opposition political parties in the state against violent campaigns ahead of the July 16 governorship election.

    Oyetola said that his administration would no longer tolerate the repeat of attacks on Journalists and his supporters as witnessed during his campaign in Gbongan town, Ayedaade Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

    The governor said this during an engagement programme with members of the Osun Chapter of Nigeria Professional Photographers and Videographers Association on Sunday in Osogbo.

    Represented by his  Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the governor urged political parties to play the game according to the rules.

    “I want to say this, very important, I want the opposition parties to please play the game according to the rules.

    “I don’t want any violence in Osun. We are a peace-loving state. We have seen to be one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.

    “I don’t want anything that will affect the peace of our state. Do your campaign as expected. The incident in Gbongan will never be tolerated again.

    “We’ve been going about doing our campaigns peacefully. I expect the opposition parties to emulate our peaceful campaigns across the state.

    “There must be no reason for any violence when it comes to campaign or the election itself,” he said.

    Oyetola, however, said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fully prepared to win the election, adding that “APC is the party to beat anytime, any day.”

    The governor, who noted that his administration would not relent in giving the best to the masses, said much undeniable work had been done in the last three and half years to move the state forward.

    The governor said that his administration had over time embarked on socio-economic and infrastructure development in the state.

    Oyetola said this was evident in his strive to build an enduring economy, where people’s well-being and pursuit of happiness would become the hallmark of development in the state.

    The governor, however,  appreciated members of the association for their support of the state government and promised that he would continue to provide an enabling environment for their businesses to thrive.

    He appealed to the people who had registered but were yet to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card(PVC) to go for the collection so as to support him and APC in winning the election.

    In his remarks, the chairman of the association, Mr Issac Adegoke, commended the governor for the various developmental projects and his unique approach to good governance through continuous engagement with the people.

    Adegoke also appreciated the contribution of the civic engagement centre in reaching out to all social stratas in the state.

    He promised that members of the association would work towards the re-election of the governor.

  • Osun Guber: Court affirms Adeleke as PDP authentic candidate

    Osun Guber: Court affirms Adeleke as PDP authentic candidate

    A Federal High Court, sitting in Osogbo, on Wednesday affirmed Sen. Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the authentic candidate of the party in the forthcoming July 16 governorship election in the state.

    Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel, in his judgment, which lasted for more than 1 hour, 30 minutes, held that the primary election conducted at the WOCDIF Centre, Osogbo, on March 8, which produced Dotun Babayemi, was null and void.

    Thenewsguru.com reports that PDP during its governorship primary elections on March 8, had held parallel primaries in the state.

    Ayo-Emmanuel, who cited Section 84 (14) of the Electoral Act, after a thorough proceeding and counterarguments by both counsels, dismissed the suit filed by Babayemi.

    He said it was only the aspirant(s) that participated physically at the primary conducted by the PDP National Working Committee and not the one conducted by the party’s state executives that have power and locus standing to challenge such suit in court.

    The judge upheld the governorship primary conducted by the PDP National Working Executive Committee at the Osogbo Township Stadium that produced Adeleke.

    He said the claims of the plaintiff lacked locus standi, because he did not take part in the National Working Executive Committee primary election organised by his party on March 8, which was supervised by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

    In one of the primaries held at the Osogbo City Stadium, under the supervision of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as Chairman, Sen. Ademola Adeleke was declared the winner.

    However, in another primary held at the Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF) Centre, Osogbo, Mr Dotun Babayemi, was declared the winner.

    In a list of candidates later released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Adeleke’s was recognised.

    Babayemi, however, approached the court challenging the nomination and submission of Adeleke by the PDP to INEC.

    He is also challenging the validity of the governorship primaries conducted at the stadium against the one held at WOCDIF.

    Babayemi, after the court session, told newsmen that the matter was a “family affair”.

    He said his legal and political team would review the judgment in the best interest of the state.

    Babayemi added that his decision on the judgment would be in the best interest of the state.

  • Osun 2022: Court reserves judgment on PDP governorship ticket tussle

    Osun 2022: Court reserves judgment on PDP governorship ticket tussle

    The Federal High Court in Osogbo has fixed May 18, for judgment on the governorship ticket tussle between Prince Dotun Babayemi and Sen. Ademola Adeleke both of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The court, presided over by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel reserved the judgment to determine who among the aspirants would be the PDP’s flag bearer for the July 16 governorship election in Osun.

    Ayo-Emmanuel fixed the date on Monday after counter arguments on points of law by counsel to both the plaintiff and defendants.

    PDP during its governorship primary elections on March 8, held parallel primaries in the state.

    In one of the primaries held at the Osogbo City Stadium, under the supervision of Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as Chairman, Sen. Ademola Adeleke was declared the winner.

    However, in another primaries held at the Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF) Centre, Osogbo, Mr Dotun Babayemi was declared the winner.

    In a list of candidates later released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Adeleke’s was recognised.

    Babayemi, however, approached the court challenging the nomination and submission of Adeleke by the PDP to INEC and the validity of the governorship primaries conducted at the stadium against the one conducted at WOCDIF.

    Counsel to the Plaintiff, Mr Yusuf Alli (SAN), told the court that affidavits with written addresses, attached with document and various court orders to support the originating summon were submitted to the court.

    Alli prayed the court to ensure that Justice was served in favour of his client in line with the constitution.

    He argued that the primary election conducted by the national working committee of the party was contrary to the extant orders of the Osun High court.

    Alli prayed the court to set aside the suit in favour of his client.

    He also informed the court to adopt all processes he tendered in favour of his client, in accordance with section 287(3) of the 1999 constitution, as amended.

    Alli prayed the court to strike out the application brought by the defence counsel.

    According to him, the defendant’s application lacked competency and locus-standi.

    Earlier, Mr M.S. Atolagbe, counsel to second defendant (PDP), told the court that notices of preliminary objections with written addresses and necessary documents were filed against the application brought by the plaintiff’s counsel (Babayemi).

    Atolagbe explained that the application by the plaintiff lacked competency, and prayed the court to grant the prayers of the party, especially on jurisdiction, in line with section 84 (14) of the Electoral Act.

    He argued that the plaintiff did not participate in the primary election conducted by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

    Also, Counsel to Sen. Adeleke, Mr Wole Jimi-Bada, had earlier tendered counter-affidavits, written addresses, and other relevant documents during the proceeding.

    He urged the court to strike out the plaintiff’s suit due to lack of competency.

    Jimi-Bada averred that it was the NWC that had powers to conduct party primaries and not some few individuals in the state executive.

    He urged the court to discountenance the submission of the plaintiff’s counsel.

    NAN

  • Osun 2022: Aregbesola’s camp set to decamp to PDP

    Osun 2022: Aregbesola’s camp set to decamp to PDP

    Barrister Kolapo Alimi former commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola has mentioned that he would be decamping to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Alimi didn’t mention any specific date for his proposed defection from the party,the first fixed date for the defection has elapsed.

    This is as a resulting of the unending crisis rocking the APC in the state.

    Recall that the incumbent governor Adegboyega Oyetola and his predecessor and now Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola are at loggerheads in the state over the state of affairs and godfatherism.

    It was also gathered that apart from Alimi, other loyalists of the Minister of Interior might have concluded plans to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the State.

    A video, jingle which has been circulating on social media, revealed that the former Commissioner, who is a vocal critic of Governor Oyetola, had planned to defect to the PDP on March 23, along with his supporters.

    When contacted Alimi revealed that defection to the opposition PDP is imminent if the differences between the Osun progressives TOP and the governor’s IleriOluwa group cannot be resolved.

     

    He said “The date fixed for my decamping to PDP on the jingle was 23rd March 2022, it has elapsed and is outdated.

    “Although there is a plan to join PDP, no date has been fixed. I don’t know anything about that jingle, I will make an official declaration if I am defecting.”

    “It is possible to decamp to the PDP because we have issues with Oyetola, which everybody knows, so it is a possibility. If it gets to the level of defecting, why not, but as of today, I am still a member of APC,” he said.

  • Osun 2022: Gov. Oyetola appeals to electorate to safeguard PVC

    Osun 2022: Gov. Oyetola appeals to electorate to safeguard PVC

    Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun has urged the electorate in the state to safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the July 16 gubernatorial election in the state.

    Oyetola made the appeal during an interaction with members of the Nigeria Professional Photographers and Videographers Association on Wednesday in Osogbo.

    Represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the governor appealed to the residents not to allow any individual to deceive them to part with their PVCs.

    The governor, who noted that the strength of the electorate is his or her PVC, urged them to jealously guard it.

    Oyetola also urged those who are yet to obtain their PVCs to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “Some people will want to collect your PVC under the pretence of giving you money or material things.

    “They are all liars. Those things that they did not give you two years ago, they are lying to give you a few months to the election.

    “Our election is coming up on July 16, I appeal to you to get your PVC and use the same to support me and APC.

    “Your PVC is your power. Don’t trade it for fake promises and always keep it safe.

    “Use your PVC to protect and keep in office the administration that is serving you diligently,” the governor said.

    Oyetola, who expressed optimism that APC would win the governorship election convincingly, commended the people of the state for their support since the beginning of his administration.

    He pledged to continue to prioritise the people’s welfare and also protect their interests.

    “I sincerely appreciate the people of the state for their support for us in the state, but you need to show more of this support in the coming election.

    “As you know, I always protect your interest and this is obvious in all our developmental programmes and projects across the state,” Oyetola said.

    The governor also appreciated members of the association for their support for the state government, with a promise that his administration would continue to provide an enabling environment for their businesses.

    In his remarks, the chairman of the association, Mr Isaac Adegoke, commended the state government for its various developmental projects across the state.

    He also appreciated the government for “its unique approach to good governance through continuous engagement with the people’’.

    Adegoke, while also presenting an award for best performance in service to Oyintiloye, said it was to appreciate the contribution and value-added by the Civic engagement centre in reaching out to all social strata in the state.

    He also urged all members of the association to vote for Oyetola in the next election.

  • Osun 2022: Do not impose Sen Adeleke on us, group cautions Saraki

    Osun 2022: Do not impose Sen Adeleke on us, group cautions Saraki

    …they’re APC spies – Fmr PDP scribe reacts

    A group, under the aegis of PDP Support Group, has warned former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, not to impose the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2018 governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on the party again.

    This was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen by the Coordinator of the group, Apesin-Abiodun Adegoke, urged the National Secretariat of the party to checkmate Saraki on the purported move, saying the attempt may destroy the party.

    The group alleged that Senator Saraki is riding on the relationship with the elder brother of Adeleke, Dr Deji Adeleke, to achieve the purported move ahead of the primary election of the party.

    It, however, appealed to the Iyorcha Ayu-led National Working Committee to allow the party structure already in place since 2018 to conduct the primary election.

    “The National Secretariat should stop Senator Bukola Saraki and his serialized attempts to subtly impose Senator Ademola Adeleke on the majority of Osun PDP critical stakeholders.

    “Osun PDP wants to put it on record before the NWC that under the extant laws of the party, only the elected State Chairman and Executives that came into being upon their inauguration on March 25, 2018, which tenure is guaranteed and certain for 4 years will expire on March 25, 2022, that has the constitutional powers and legal right/backing to conduct the Ward Congress and 3 Ad-Hoc delegates which they duly conducted on September 25 & 27, 2021.

    “We, therefore, advise that no other faction should be given any recognition unless we want to destroy the party completely and allow the ruling party, the APC, to strive in their failure of governance of the country.

    “No group in Osun should be allowed to host or transport any Ad-Hoc, congress, or primary election, on Committees, the national headquarters of PDP should bring neutral and credible characters that have no affiliation with either of the groups and their names should be in public.

    “Senator Saraki should face the problems of governance in PDP in Kwara and leave us alone in Osun State. He should not use his ambition and personal interest to scuttle the gradual peace process that is ongoing in Osun state”, the statement added.

    The former National Deputy Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, said the group is just hibernating on the PDP, working for the All Progressives Congress and should be disregarded.

    He said, “the author of the statement is representing a group working for APC and operating in the PDP. Who is he? What is his status in Osun PDP? The group has a client and we know them. No one should blackmail our leaders. People should disregard his claim.”

  • [Osun 2022] Ex-Reps Deputy Speaker, Lasun Yusuff set to battle Gov Oyetola, obtains APC guber form

    [Osun 2022] Ex-Reps Deputy Speaker, Lasun Yusuff set to battle Gov Oyetola, obtains APC guber form

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuff finally on Thursday obtained his governorship form at the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports that the Engineer turned politician stormed the APC secretariat in Abuja with some of his entourage to obtain his nomination and expression of interest forms.

    Recall that Lasun had declared his intention to battle Gov. Gboyega Oyetola for 2022 gubernatorial ticket of the APC in Osun State.

    The former lawmaker came second behind Oyetola during the 2018 governorship primaries of the APC.

    The APC last month announced that governorship forms for Osun and Ekiti elections will be sold at N22.5m.