TheNewsGuru

Tag: osun

  • Suspected gunmen kill APC Chairman in Osun – Police

    Suspected gunmen kill APC Chairman in Osun – Police

    The Osun Police Command has confirmed the killing of Chief Gbenga Ogbara, the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Atakumosa East Central Local Government area of the state.

    The Command’s Spokesperson, SP. Yemisi Opalola, told newsmen on Monday in Osogbo that the chairman was killed around 12.00 a.m in his sitting room by suspected gunmen.

    Opalola said the body of the chairman had been deposited at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Wesley Guild, Ilesa.

    According to her, police’s investigation is ongoing on the matter.

    She said that perpetrators of the act would soon be brought to book.

    “Policemen had since been deployed to the area.

    “The criminals will not escape justice,” the spokesperson said.

    The suspected gunmen stormed the residence of the late APC chairman in Igangan, his hometown, around 12.00 a.m and shot him dead.

    It was gathered that the killing might be politically motivated as the governorship election in the state was less than three months away.

    NAN

  • Aregbesola’s APC faction in Osun vows not to quit party

    Aregbesola’s APC faction in Osun vows not to quit party

    A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, loyal to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, says it has resolved not to quit the party.

    The faction, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Abiodun Agboola, on Monday in Osogbo, said notwithstanding the extent of impunity within the party’s fold, they would remain operational members of the party.

    Abiodun said members of the faction made the resolution to stay within the party during its stakeholders’ meeting.

    He said it was jointly resolved at the meeting that all members of the party, who belonged to the Rasaq Salinsile-faction, should stay put in the party as genuine co-founders, co-developers and indeed co-sustainers of the party.

    Abiodun said members of the faction would not yield to what it called “the mischief of some politically naive jobbers, whose understanding of politics did not go beyond butter-and- bread“.

    “We urged good spirited Nigerians to ignore the Ileri Oluwa Group who are saying that we are planning to leave the party.

    “Our tendency is still part and parcel of Osun APC.

    “Our conviction to pursue a desired new order and restoration of rights, sanity and true progressive ideology became stronger with the conclusion of the party’s national convention a few days back.

    “As authentic members of the APC who worked assiduously for the restoration of the progressive movement to the government in the State of Osun, we have not engaged in free window political transfers.

    “lt will be absurd for us to leave the party for the unprincipled politicians who do not mind it sinking if it comes to that.

    “Instead of leaving the party, we will continue to relentlessly and systematically pursue the court cases we have on our hands.

    “We are sure of victory in the suits if they are devoid of vicious human interference”, he said.

  • Don’t be deceived by ‘kindergarten politicians’ – Oyetola to Osun electorate

    Don’t be deceived by ‘kindergarten politicians’ – Oyetola to Osun electorate

    Gov. Gboyega Oyetola has urged Osun electorate not to allow those he described as “kindergarten politicians” to deceive them ahead of the July 16 governorship election.

    Oyetola said this during an engagement programme with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Odo-Otin Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Sunday.

    The governor was represented at the event by Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, his Special Assistant on Civic Engagement.

    He urged the electorate not to be deceived by untested politicians whose aims were to destroy the gains the state had achieved in the last few years.

    According to him, the business of governance is not meant for the novice, but rather, the intelligent.

    Oyetola noted that people of the state could testify to the progress and development his administration had brought to the state in the past three years.

    The governor who said that some politicians would soon be all out with campaign of deceit urged the electorate to always remember that he had not failed them in anyway since the inception of his administration.

    “Election is fast approaching and I want to appeal to the electorate not to allow inexperienced politicians to deceive them with fake promises.

    “We have been together going to four years now and you can testify to the fact that I have not failed in any of my promises to you.

    “You know me and I know you. Let’s join hands together to win the forthcoming gubernatorial election for me and like before, you will not be disappointed,” the governor promised.

    Oyetola, who appreciated the people of the state for their support and prayers for his administration, urged them not to relent in their support for him, before, during and after the coming election.

    To the farmers, the governor said his administration would continue to support them with necessary farm inputs and implements.

    The governor, who noted his administration distributed more than 100,000 cocoa seedlings to about 1,000 farmers in the state last year, said more of such would still come.

    He noted that agrochemicals, hand-spraying tools, limes and other farm inputs, were also given to the farmers during the period.

    The governor further explained that government had last year set aside 1000 hectares of land for farming to boost food sufficiency and make the state the food basket of the South-West zone.

    He said a large part of the land located in Ife South and Ifon-Osun in Orolu LGAs, had been ploughed and that more than 200 farmers benefitted from it.

    The initiative, according to him, is to rejuvenate the agricultural sector by making it more attractive and productive to farmers, particularly the young ones.

    Oyetola said such good gestures and more would come for the farmers, if re-elected.

    In his remark, Mr Popoola Akolawole, the AFAN Chairman in the area, commended the governor for his support for farmers in the state.

    Akolawole, however, urged the government to continue supporting the farmers with the necessary farm inputs, adding that they were also ready to support him in the coming election.

  • Residents rescue baby abandon in carton in Osun

    Residents rescue baby abandon in carton in Osun

    Some passers-by have rescued a newborn baby abandoned in a carton in Osogbo, Osun capital.

    The Coordinating Director, Osun State Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Mr Jide Falade, said in a statement that the baby was rescued on Feb. 25.

    According to Falade, the baby, which is 11-days-old, was found at Omo-Odo Agba Street, along ring road, Oke Baale in Osogbo.

    The coordinating director said all efforts made by the police and the Ministry to locate her parents had been fruitless.

    Falade appealed to members of the public to assist in locating the relatives or parents of the baby.

  • I’ll not renege on full payment of workers’ salaries, pensions, if reelected – Oyetola

    I’ll not renege on full payment of workers’ salaries, pensions, if reelected – Oyetola

    Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, has said he would not renege on his promise of make payment of full salaries and pension to workers and retirees, if reelected.

    Oyetola said this during an engagement programme with members of The Triangular Group of Pensioners on Sunday in Osogbo.

    Represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the governor said those who were spreading false information that he would stop payment of full salaries and pension are enemies of progress, whose minds are not always with positive development.

    The governor, who said his priority is to always see the state’s workforce happy and productive, said the era of half salaries is gone in the state.

    Oyetola also assured the pensioners in the state that nothing would stop the payment of their monthly pension, adding that their positive contributions to the development of the state would never be forgotten.

    The governor, who noted that his administration had not failed in the payment of the monthly stipends to the senior citizen since inception, said he will not stop putting smiles on their faces through prompt payment of their pension.

    Oyetola also urged the state workers to continue to support his administration and shun those who always want to turn the labour force against government

    The governor, who noted that payment of salaries is one of the core responsibilities of any reasonable government, said he would continue to prioritise the welfare of the workers and the citizenry as a whole.

    “And with God’s help, that will continue for as long as I remain the governor.

    “I want to allay your fears over the insinuation that I will not continue with the regular payment of salaries and pensions, if reelected.

    “Payments of workers has been a covenant I made with God and nothing will stop me from fulfilling the promises”.

    Oyetola urged government workers in the state to ignore the falsehood being spread around by those he described as political jobbers, adding that he will never disappoint them.

    The governor, who commended the workers for supporting his administration, urged them to show more of such support during the July 16 governorship election in the state.

    He said their votes for him will ensure continued and more delivery of good governance.

    In his remarks, Mr Rotimi Adelugba, the Chairman of the group, commended the governor for his usual prompt payment of pension and gratuity to retirees in the state.

    Adelugba said since the inception of Oyetola’s administration, pensioners in the state had been collecting full payment of their stipends as and when due.

    “We need to commend the governor for this gesture. As the workers were being paid at the end of the month, pensioners are also receiving theirs immediately,” he said.

    “The governor must be commended because on a monthly basis he approves N508 million for the payment of pension and N200 million for the payment of gratuity.

    “Out of the N200 million for the payment of the gratuity, N150 million goes for the pensioners under the contributory pension scheme, while N50 million is for pensioners under the old system,” he said.

  • Why Ogun, Oyo, Osun, others will experience prolonged power outage – IBEDC

    Why Ogun, Oyo, Osun, others will experience prolonged power outage – IBEDC

    The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) says that the states under its franchise will experience prolonged power outage due to low weekly power allocation to its network by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    This is contained in a statement issued by by IBEDC’s Senior Communication Officer, Kikelomo Owoeye, on Sunday in Osogbo.

    It said that Ogun, Oyo, Ibadan, Osun and Kwara region would be affected by the power outage.

    According to the statement, the weekly power allocation to IBEDC network by TCN had dropped from 692.5 megawatt to 368.5 megawatt.

    “This has led to massive load shedding across our franchise in Ogun, Oyo, Ibadan, Osun and Kwara region.

    “Kindly bear with us, as we work with stakeholders in the electricity value chain on sustainable resolution,” IBEDC said.

  • Osun APC Primary: Bola Tinubu reacts to Gov. Oyetola’s victory

    Osun APC Primary: Bola Tinubu reacts to Gov. Oyetola’s victory

    Sen. Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, has congratulated Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun, on his victory in the Saturday, Feb. 18, governorship primary election in the state.

    Tinubu made this known in a congratulatory message in Lagos on Monday.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain said that Oyetola’s resounding victory across the 332 wards in the state was an affirmation of the widely-acknowledged sterling performance of the governor in his first term.

    He said, “Last Saturday, All Progressives Congress members in Osun rose in their large numbers to exercise their democratic rights.

    “They voted massively to give governor Adegboyega Oyetola a clear mandate to contest for a second term in office.

    “Their decision was expressed in very unambiguous and unmistaken terms. For this overwhelming victory in the APC primary election, I wholeheartedly congratulate and rejoice with him,” he said.

    The former governor said that Oyetola’s victory was also an expression of confidence the teeming party members in Osun had in his ability and capacity to propel the state to an even greater height in the second term.

    Tinubu commended the leadership of the party for ensuring the success of the primary election and for effectively mobilising its members to participate fully in the electoral process.

    According to him, the party members also deserve praise for not only conducting themselves in an orderly manner, but for ensuring that their choices are expressed freely, fairly and unreservedly.

    He also applauded security officers deployed for the poll for creating the environment which enabled the direct primary election to be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere devoid of violence.

    Tinubu said that Oyetola submitted himself to the people and people’s power had prevailed, adding that his commitment to democracy, non-violent elections, nation-building, loyalty to party and party supremacy were particularly remarkable.

    He said that Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Hon. Lasun Yusuff who also contested at the primary should be commended for exercising their democratic franchise peacefully.

    The former governor particularly applauded the Chairman, Osun State APC Primary Election Committee, Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq of Kwara and his team for an excellent job.

    He urged Oyetola to extend a hand of fellowship to those who vied for the ticket along with him.

    According to him, the governor must endeavour to bring them within the party’s fold so that together they could go into the July 16 governorship election as a united family.

    He said this electoral victory was not only for him, but for APC and party members in Osun.

    Tinubu said they must all come together so that ideals of APC could continue to hold supreme in the state and Oyetola could continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

  • APC primary: Rauf Aregbesola speaks out after losing ward to Oyetola

    APC primary: Rauf Aregbesola speaks out after losing ward to Oyetola

    The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed displeasure over the conduct of Saturday governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun.

    Aregbesola, who was absent at his Ifofin Ward 8 in Ilesa East Local Government area, expressed his displeasure in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo, on Saturday.

    The statement, entitled: “Hold Your Heads High” was issued by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, saying that he had heard how the party’s registration cards were being hawked to the supporters of Gov. Gboyega Oyetola.

    Oyetola won by 309 votes against 146 votes recorded for Moshood Adeoti, the candidate supported by Aregbesola in the later’s Ward in Ilesa.

    The minister said he also received reports of how accreditation was not done at all in many wards.

    He also alleged that people without the party’s identification cards, participated in the primary and queued behind the governor in many polling units.

    Aregbesola, however, urged his supporters to maintain their cool and calm.

    According to him, you have demonstrated your loyalty to the party and democratic ideals.

    “You adopted a non-violent posture, even, in the face of sore provocation. You have comported yourselves as Omoluabi in the true essence.

    “We have received and continue to receive the reports of the shenanigans of the officials who conducted the sham of an election.

    “We have been inundated with reports statewide of how your names were expunged from the party’s voter’s register.

    “This was not made available until this morning, contrary to the convention of making the list available to the candidates before the election.

    “We have heard of how party registration cards were being hawked this morning to the supporters of the state governor.

    “We have received the reports from our members and independent observers of how government officials and notable supporters of the governor officiated in the election.

    “We have heard of the absence of result sheets and other vital documents for recording results and vital data,” Aregbesola said.

    The minister said his camp also noted the absence of INEC officials in most wards, casting serious doubt on the credibility of the election.

    “We note with shame and much regret the consternation of local and international observers on what they regard as a travesty of an election. Be not downcast, be not agitated. Hold your head high.

    “We are still receiving and studying all these reports and will take a definitive position on them. You are urged not to take laws into your hands.

    “Please leave the rest to the Almighty God and let us explore all peaceful and legal means for addressing the matter in order to obtain justice.

    “Please remain committed to peace and the rule of law. Be unflinching in your commitment to the democratic ideals.

    “Democracy is for the long haul. As you all know, we never tire and we never give up on the cause we believe in,” he said.

    The two other main aspirants battling for the governorship ticket of the party are: Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, a former Secretary to the State Government and Lasun Yusuf, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    Aregbesola, also a the immediate past Governor in the state, had declared his support for Adeoti, as his preferred candidate to fly the party’s ticket.

    Oyetola is seeking to win the party’s ticket to actualise his second term bid.

  • It’s time for you to expose TInubu’s secrets – Reno Omokri tells Aregbesola

    It’s time for you to expose TInubu’s secrets – Reno Omokri tells Aregbesola

    Former media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri has called on the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, to expose the secret behind the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu’s wealth.

    Omokri was reacting to the result of the APC primary election for the forthcoming gubernatorial poll in Osun State, where Aregbesola’s candidate, Moshood Adeoti, lost his (Aregbesola) ward to Governor Gboyega Oyetola, his political rival.

    According to Omokri, a socio-political activist, if the minister fails to take action by crippling the political ambition of Tinubu, the former Lagos State Governor and Oyetola may frustrate him after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.

    In a post on his official Facebook page, Omokri urged Buhari’s Minister to expose the real age and other secrets Tinubu, a 2023 presidential candidate, may have been keeping from Nigerians.

    He said, “See how you have been disgraced by Tinubu and Oyetola in Osun. Now is the time for you to expose your godfather, Tinubu. Tell the world his real name, his genuine age, and the secret behind his stupendous wealth. You know those secrets. Now, spill the beans! Because if you remain silent now, Oyetola and Tinubu will only grow politically stronger.

    “And when Buhari goes in 2023, you will be naked with nobody to protect you. Imagine how miserable your life will be with Tinubu in Aso Rock and Oyetola in Osogbo.

    “They both know many secrets (remember the Opon Imo contracts and the allegations against your son, Kabiru). They will have the Police, the EFCC, and the ICPC at their beck and call. Even if you run to London, you may receive the Ibori treatment.

    “You see what I am doing to Buhari as #BuhariTormentor? Multiply that by a factor of ten. That is what they will do to you. So, better talk now, or be silenced after 2023.”

  • I‘ll emerge victorious in Osun Governorship primary – Oyetola

    I‘ll emerge victorious in Osun Governorship primary – Oyetola

    One of the contestants in the Saturday Governorship primary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Osun, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola, says with God on his side, he will win.

    Oyetola, while commended members of the party for turning out in large numbers, said, “losing is not an option for a man commissioned by God for an assignment”.

    Oyetola made the assertions, while speaking with newsmen at his Iragbiji country home, Boripe Local Government Area of the state.

    According to him, by the grace of God, I will emerge victorious. To us, losing is not an option for a man commissioned by God for an assignment.

    “I just want to appeal to all our people across the state to maintain peace.

    “Election process should not be a battlefield or a do-or-die affair.

    “Let everyone exercise his/her right to choose in determining who represents them at the party level and ultimately at the general elections.

    “So far, so good, I think this process has gone well, contrary to the speculations of violence.

    “We have been in contact with a number of places and we have received positive signals of peace.

    “Really, I don’t see why choosing a candidate to represent the party should be a thing of violence,” he said.

    Oyetola also commended the party members for conducting themselves peacefully.

    He said that the peaceful conduct of the primary election testified to the fact that Osun remains the most peaceful state in the country.

    The governor said that the news of violence making the rounds were mere speculations.

    Oyetola, however, appealed to the citizens across the state to maintain peace and decorum, saying that elections should not be a battle.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two other main aspirants battling for the governorship ticket of the party are: Alhjaji Moshood Adeoti, a former Secretary to the State Government and Lasun Yusuf, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    NAN also reports that the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, also a the immediate past Governor in the state, had declared his support for Adeoti, as his preferred candidate to fly the party’s ticket.

    Oyetola is seeking to win the party’s ticket to actualise his second term bid.

    The moves in the camps of the two leaders had heightened tension in the political situation in the state.