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Tag: Oyo

  • Makinde orders ex-officials to return Oyo Govt assets in 48 hours

    Makinde orders ex-officials to return Oyo Govt assets in 48 hours

    The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has ordered all former political office holders to return government vehicles and other assets in their custody with immediate effect.

    This was contained in a statement signed by his Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Wednesday.

    ”It has been observed that some former political office holders are still in possession of official vehicles attached to their offices in spite of the fact that they are no longer in the service of Oyo state.

    ”Consequently, His Excellency, Gov Seyi Makinde, has therefore directed that all former political functionaries who are still in possession of government vehicles to return same to government transport pool within 48 hours.

    ” Failure to which the security agencies shall be directed to retrieve such vehicles from where they may be kept,” Ilaka said.

    He said the State Government would take all necessary steps to ensure that all assets illegally taken away by the former officials are returned.

  • Police discover ritualists’ shrine in Oyo, rescue over 20 kidnapped victims

    Police discover ritualists’ shrine in Oyo, rescue over 20 kidnapped victims

    There was pandemonium in at the Agungun area of Oyo State on Wednesday as operatives of the Oyo State Police Command discovered a shrine allegedly used for rituals and housing of kidnapped victims.

    TNG gathered that over 20 persons waiting to be used for ritual purposes were evacuated from the shrine.

    The evacuation operation was made possible through an intelligence report by some members of the community where the evil shrine was located.

    The owner and operator of the shrine, one Alfa Oloore as he is fondly called was however arrested and detained by the police for questioning after the raid.

    According to an eyewitness, Oloore, who claimed to be a spiritualist and a healer has been operating the shrine for many years.

    They described the shrine as a den of ritualists and kidnappers, where unsuspecting victims were kept for ritual purposes.

    When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Gbenga Fadeyi confirmed the arrest of the operator of the shrine and evacuation of the inmates by the police.

    Fadeyi, a Superintendent of Police (SP) further stated that the truth about whether the shrine is a den for ritualists and kidnappers was yet to be determined until the police conclude investigation into the matter.

    He said ” I can confirm that there was arrest of the owner of the shrine where many inmates were recovered. But, some people came later to the police station to say they were the ones who gave their children to the owner of the shrine, who they also claimed to be a spiritualist.

    ” In fact, some of those recovered from the shrine had issues, some behave like drug addicts, some like mentally challenged and so on. But what the police want to do is to embark on thorough investigation into the matter and come up with a report. “

  • Oyo gov poll: APC challenge Makinde’s victory

    Oyo gov poll: APC challenge Makinde’s victory

    Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Mr. Adebayo Adelabu has approached the Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge the victory of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Mr. Seyi Makinde.

    Adelabu is praying the tribunal to overturn Makinde’s victory.

    He filed the suit alongside his party, whose state chairman, Chief Akin Oke, had after the result of the election, said the APC was considering approaching the election tribunal to upturn Makinde’s triumph.

    Makinde was on March 10 declared the winner of the governorship election by the state Returning Officer, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, having polled 515,621 votes to defeat Adelabu, who scored 357,982 votes.

    The results indicated that Makinde defeated Adelabu with 157,639 votes.

    Oke said: “I want to repeat what I said concerning the outcome of the last governorship election. First, I want to greet all the people who genuinely voted for us. But where there is a genuine case of fraud, of course why not go to court?

    “Do you want us to continue to support fraud? I repeat we will go to court once there are enough grounds to do so.”

    Yesterday, the APC made real its threat as it was listed as the second petitioner.

    The petition has Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as first respondent. Makinde and PDP are second and third respondents.

    But, in a reaction, the state secretary of PDP, Mr. Wasiu Adeleke, said there was no cause for alarm because it was glaring from the results across the five geopolitical zones that “Engr. Seyi Makinde won overwhelmingly and polled the highest number of votes and was subsequently declared as winner”.

  • Seyi Makinde will not disappoint Oyo people – Alaran

    Seyi Makinde will not disappoint Oyo people – Alaran

    The Deputy governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Saheed Adejare-Alaran, on Monday assured residents of Oyo State that the Governor-elect for the state, Mr Seyi Makinde, will not disappoint them.

    Adejare-Alaran gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Iseyin, saying that the people should expect positive change in the incoming administration

    “Makinde won 28 out of 33 council areas of the state, that tell us that he is a man of the people, our people believe and trust him across the state.

    “People want a genuine change; they want an administration that will listen and be responsive and administration that will not be personalised.

    “You will recall that we in ADC and some other parties made the sacrifice of dropping our ambition to support him, because of the vision and also our collective mission to rescue the state from perfidy.

    “From May 29, by the special grace of God, our people will have new lease of life, they will breath sigh of relief and Makinde will not disappoint, by God’s grace, “he said.

    NAN reports that ADC and 4 other parties had an agreement to support the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seyi Makinde, few days to the elections.

    The alliance led to the defeat of the APC candidate, Mr Adebayo Adelebu in the March 9, governorship election while PDP had 26 members of the state House Assembly returned as winners in their respective constituencies.

  • Oyo gov elect, Makinde vows to review Ajimobi’s ‘last minute contracts’

    Oyo gov elect, Makinde vows to review Ajimobi’s ‘last minute contracts’

    The Oyo State Governor-elect, Mr Seyi Makinde, has promised to review all contracts awarded by the state government after the March 9 governorship election.

    Makinde made the promise in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday by his spokesman, Mr Dotun Oyelade.

    He said, “Events of the past two weeks have shown characteristics of targeted contract awards that were compiled in a haste and randomly awarded to empty government purse before the May 29 swearing-in date.

    “While the government remains in place till May 28, awarding a N30bn new set of contracts in one day as was the case during last Wednesday’s executive meeting was curious and an aberration, especially when debts, as old as 2011 are left unpaid.”

    The governor-elect pointed out that information from civil servants who have the interest of the state at heart suggested a grand plan to disrupt the smooth take-off of the incoming administration by mopping up all available funds.

    He said though he had promised not to probe the outgoing administration, civil servants who connived with the government on illegal and strange contract awards would have themselves to blame in the next few weeks.

     

  • Why Lagos, Oyo governments must compensate victims of building collapse – SERAP

    Why Lagos, Oyo governments must compensate victims of building collapse – SERAP

    The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged “the governments of Lagos and Oyo states to “take immediate action to address the numerous ongoing human rights impacts of the deadly and catastrophic building collapse in their respective states, including by taking meaningful steps to avoid further damage to the human rights of the people affected.”

    The organisation said: “The Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode and Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi should ensure as a matter of priority, access of victims and their families to effective remedies in a transparent manner, specifically, access to justice, adequate compensation, reparation, and guarantees that incidents like these can never happen again.”

    According to the organisation: “These tragedies point to weak enforcement of building regulations and oversight by the two states and urgent need for effective action and reforms. SERAP is concerned that the responses so far by the governments of Lagos and Oyo states have been insufficient to deal with the massive extent of the human costs of the incidents.”

    In a statement Sunday, SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “These incidents come as a tragic reminder of the mismanagement, weakness in the regulatory and monitoring regime. The governments should have done more to prevent them from happening. The governors should act decisively on their commitments to do everything in their powers to prevent more such tragedies, and to bring to justice those responsible, to serve as a deterrent and end the negligence at which many are carrying out their duties.”

    The statement read in part: “Schools should be a sanctuary – a place where children can learn, develop and play with their classmates, and prepare for their future lives in society. Collapse of school building due to weak enforcement regulations or corruption is an implicit attack on the right of Nigerian children to education, life, and human dignity. Such situation creates an environment of fear and severely diminishes the quality of children’s education.”

    “The tragedies demand accountability and both Lagos and Oyo states should accept responsibility for these incidents; promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigate exactly how they happened, and publicly apologise to the victims, their families and Nigerians. Building developers and contractors can only be properly held to account if the two states do the right thing for the harm they have caused.”

    “SERAP is seriously concerned about the frequency of building collapse in the country. Many buildings within Lagos and Oyo states reportedly remain in breach of minimum standards. Both governments should urgently take effective monitoring and enforcement action and provide conclusive evidence that buildings within their states are safe, strong, stable and meet applicable legal and building standards.”

    “In order to prevent other tragedies, authorities at both federal and state levels should monitor and effectively enforce compliance by public and private actors with their regulatory and environmental standards. President Muhammadu Buhari and all the 36 state governors should publicly commit that they will do everything possible to prevent new tragedies like those of Lagos Island and Bode, Ibadan.”

    “We condemn the collapse of a three-storey building in Ita Faji area of Lagos Island with over 20 people including school children reportedly dead and 45 injured, and the collapse of a two-storey building in Ibadan, Oyo State, with some people reportedly injured.”

    “We stand in solidarity with those affected and ready to help by providing free legal advice, assistance and support in order to ensure that justice is not only done but also seen to be done in these cases.”

  • Ajimobi advises Oyo governor-elect, Seyi Makinde on how to run successful administration

    Ajimobi advises Oyo governor-elect, Seyi Makinde on how to run successful administration

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has advised the Governor-Elect, Mr Seyi Makinde to beware of praise singers as he prepares to take over the administration of the state on May 29.

    The outgoing governor also enjoined Makinde to avoid acrimony and leverage on relationships by attracting people from both his party and others from across party divide in the state to help him in managing the affairs of the state.

    He gave the advice on Thursday when playing host to the Governor-Elect who paid him a courtesy call at the Agodi Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Addressing the visitor in the company of top government functionaries, Governor Ajimobi urged the incoming administration to sustain the peace and security brought to the state by his administration among others feats while also adjusting in the areas his genuine intentions might have been resisted and opposed.

    He commended Makinde for initiating the visit saying such was a departure from the norm and urged the incoming government to sustain the level of relationship and cordiality.

    He assured the incoming PDP government of his readiness and availability to ensure the success of the incoming administration in the interest of the people of the state as a whole.

    Ajimobi said “I congratulate you on the opportunity nature has given you to serve humanity. For me, it is a matter of changing baton and I commend your noble move which is different from the past when after someone lost the election, they will start making troubles and abusing each other.

    “To me, I am so happy that we are moving this state to a high level. Our own was relatively peaceful and for you to say you want to come and greet me, it is a departure from the past. For me, we must continue on this path.

    “The peace and security that we have created must be sustained and I know you as a man of peace who is not criminally inclined. I commend you for coming and for me, it is a reflection of your kind of person.

    “I will advise that in the spirit that you have started, reach out to all and sundry and make it all inclusive to bring in everybody, particularly your party members and others in Oyo state that can add value.

    “We have done our best in Oyo state especially in terms of security and you must sustain it. In the last eight years, Oyo state has been ranked as one of the most peaceful in the country.

    “We will be available to you should you need our advice. You should look at the areas we have done well and sustain it and in the areas we have not, please adjust it. We have always been brothers and I believe you deserve it and you have won irrespective of how you did it. The spirit we have started, we must be sustained.

    “Beware of praise singers, avoid acrimony. It is always better to leverage on relationship instead of dwelling in acrimonies.”

    Earlier in his remarks, Makinde said the visit was to see the governor first hand since after the conclusion of the elections and also said the incoming administration would be requiring the help of the incumbent in the interest of moving the state forward.

    Makinde said “The visit is to see you first hand since after the election. We will require your help. Electioneering is over and certain things that we might have said were just for the campaign talks, but now is the time to face reality.

    “You have done your own part. Our state is dear to all of us and we shall share your vision like I had said in one of our numerous interactions before the elections. We want to work together with you and make sure that the transition is as smooth as possible.”

    Some of the personalities in the entourage of Makinde include, the deputy governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, a former Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola, business mogul, Femi Babalola, PDP state chairman, Mr Kunmi Mustapha, the Campaign Director General, Bayo Lawal and Spokesperson of the Campain team, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

    Others are, Mr Olayemi Buhari, Mrs Bosede Adedibu, Mr Dare Adeleke, Mr Akin Fagbemi, Mr Tunde Tijani and Chief Jacob Adetoro.

     

  • Police arrest Oyo Chief Whip over Olatoye’s assassination

    Police arrest Oyo Chief Whip over Olatoye’s assassination

    Oyo State Police have arrested the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Wasiu Olafisoye Akinmoyede, in connection with the murder of a senatorial candidate, Hon. Temitope Olatoye a.k.a. Sugar.

    Akinmoyede’s arrest brought the number of those held to two.

    Olatoye was representing Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Akinmoyede is representing Lagelu state constituency.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said he was not aware of the development.

    The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Olagunju Ojo, confirmed the arrest. He said the House was notified through a letter.

    Ojo said: “I am not aware that he has been taken to Abuja. I am only aware that he is under investigations but I am not aware whether he has been taken to Abuja or not.”

  • We’ll consider APC appointees who are competent – Oyo PDP gov-elect, Makinde

    We’ll consider APC appointees who are competent – Oyo PDP gov-elect, Makinde

    The Oyo State Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, says his administration will consider persons appointed by the outgoing All Progressives Congress if they are found to be competent.

    Makinde, who won the governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party said this during an interview with Lagelu FM 96.7 on Tuesday.

    The governor-elect, who spoke in Yoruba language, said he would put competence ahead of party consideration.

    He said, “We are willing to work with anyone even in the APC. If we see they are good or if an appointee appointed by the APC is good, we will retain him. At the end of the day, people are more concerned with results.”

    He also announced a cancellation of the N3,000 education levy which was imposed on students by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led government.

    “The N3,000 which students are made to pay as education levy will be stopped immediately I take over on May 29. The money is about N1.2bn but let parents now hold unto that money and use it for their personal matters,” he said.

    Makinde said he would personally handle economic matters and take responsibility for anything that happens in the state.

    The governor-elect said he would set a six-month target for the economic revival and improve the health sector and the security of the state.

    He said, “We will set financial targets for ourselves every six months to make our selfs financially stable so that we will not rely on federal allocations anymore. I will personally handle the economy.

    “I will focus on agriculture and use it to drive the economy. We will put experts in that field.”

    Makinde said governing a state like Oyo would require cooperation and synergy, adding that he would consult Governor Abiola Ajimobi; ex-Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and his predecessor, Rashidi Ladoja, for advice as he prepares to resume office on May 29.

    The governor-elect said his government would look into the dismissal of some government workers with a view to reinstating those who did not deserve to be sacked.

    “All government workers who were sacked without fault, we will review the circumstances surrounding their sack and those who didn’t deserve dismissal will be reabsorbed,” Makinde said.

  • Oyo guber: Ajimobi congratulates PDP governorship candidate, Seyi Makinde

    Oyo guber: Ajimobi congratulates PDP governorship candidate, Seyi Makinde

    Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has congratulated the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Mr Seyi Makinde, who was declared winner of Saturday’s keenly contested election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In a congratulatory message, Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, quoted the governor as saying that that now that the elections are over, Engr Makinde should ensure that all stakeholders were carried along in his administration.

    The governor urged Makinde to start getting prepared for the onerous task of governance by putting behind him all the electioneering acrimonies and prevail on his followers and supporters to guard against acts and utterances capable of igniting crisis in the state.

    Ajimobi said, “In the last eight years we have ensured adherence to the rule of law. We have done a lot to ensure the growth and development of our dear state through our visible unprecedented achievements, as acclaimed by the masses of Oyo State and the outside world.

    “While congratulating you and wishing you a successful tenure, I enjoin you to focus on the sustained development of our state in the areas of peace, security, as well as safety of lives and property that the state has enjoyed in the last eight years.

    “I extend to you the right hand of fellowship and promise to avail you my wealth of experience on critical developmental and governance matrix for the continued growth of our dear state and for the betterment of the lives of the entire citizens of the state.

    “Since the duty of every government is to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive and for citizens to go about their lawful duties under a peaceful and secure environment, may I advise that you leverage on our widely-acclaimed achievements in these areas.”