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Tag: Rauf Olaniyan

  • Bayo Lawal sworn in as Deputy Governor of Oyo State

    Bayo Lawal sworn in as Deputy Governor of Oyo State

    Chief Adebayo Lawal was on Monday evening sworn in as the new Deputy Governor of Oyo State, following the impeachment of the former, Alhaji Rauf Olaniyan, by the State House of Assembly.

    The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan, was sequent to his confirmation by the Assembly after his nomination by Gov. Seyi Makinde, as a replacement for Olaniyan.

    The State Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola, administered the Oaths of Allegiance and Office on the new deputy governor.

    Makinde, in his brief remarks, urged his deputy to put the interest of the state first and see his new assignment as a position of trust.

    According to him, the new position is evidence that Lawal excelled in his previous position.

    “But, for us, as the saying goes that the reward of hard work is more work, that’s why we’re giving you more work.

    “The position of deputy governor is a position of trust, our masters are the good people of Oyo State.

    “So, our responsibility is to continue to serve them to the best of our abilities to deliver good governance to them,” he said.

    Makinde directed Lawal to continue to supervise the State Housing Corporation and Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OSROMA).

    He added that the state Ministry of Justice should as well be under his supervision.

    While addressing newsmen, the new deputy governor pledged to build on his previous performance by supporting Makinde in providing good governance to the people of Oyo State.

    The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the Speaker, Mr Debo Ogundoyin, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Segun Ogunwuyi; Secretary to the State Government, Olubamiwo Adeosun; Commissioners, some members of the state House of Assembly, among others.

    Lawal, 58, hails from Kisi in Irepo Local Government area of the state.

  • BREAKING: Oyo State gets new Deputy Governor

    BREAKING: Oyo State gets new Deputy Governor

    The Oyo State House of Assembly on Monday approved the appointment of Adebayo Lawal as the new Deputy Governor, following the impeachment of
    Rauf Olaniyan.

    The approval followed the nomination of Lawal to the lawmakers for consideration by Gov. Seyi Makinde as replacement for Olaniyan.

    Lawal, who is the Chairman of the State Housing Corporation had served as the state Attorney-General. He hails from Kisi in Irepo Local Government area.

    Lawal’s nomination is contained in a letter by the governor to the lawmakers, which was presented at the plenary.

    The House had gone on a short recess shortly after the impeachment of Olaniyan as the deputy governor. The lawmakers later reconvened at about 12.15 p.m to consider the appointment of the new deputy governor.

    The Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, while reading the letter from the Executive, said it was in response to an earlier letter sent by the lawmaker to the Governor dated July 18, informing him of the impeachment of Olaniyan.

    Defending the nomination of Lawal, the House Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin, said that the nomination should be favourably considered, approved and adopt in view of his antecedents in contributing to the progress of the state.

    Seconding the motion, Kazeem Olayanju, representing Irepo/Olornsogo State Constituency, said that the House should confirm Lawal as the new Deputy Governor of Oyo State.

    In his remarks, the speaker put the nomination to a voice vote, which went the ways of the “ayes”.

    According to him, with the vote, Lawal has been approved as the Deputy Governor of the state. The House, however, adjourned plenary until July 21.

  • Oyo Dep. Gov. forced to relocate office after defecting from PDP

    After defecting from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Rauf Olaniyan has been forced to relocate his office.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Alhaji Olaniyan on Tuesday resumed work at his new office, situated at the State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

    Olaniyan, addressing newsmen at the new office on Tuesday vowed to remain committed to the growth and development of the State.

    Recall that the State Governor, Seyi Makinde had recently ordered the relocation of his deputy’s office from the building complex housing both of them within the State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan.

    The directive came a few days after Olaniyan defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Party (APC). This is even as lawmakers of the State House of Assembly had last week issued an impeachment notice of seven days to the Deputy Governor.

    Olaniyan said he was not bordered about the relocation of his office, adding that the relocation did not change him, nor affect his performance as the Deputy Governor of the State.

    While calling on his supporters to remain calm, he said the issue of relocation of office was not beyond the administrative arrangement, adding that he did not see it as a witch-hunt.

    Olaniyan said that he could work from anywhere, pointing out that the relocation would not affect his capacity as the number two citizen of the State.

    According to him, my position as the Chairman of the State Boundary Committee still remains intact, saying he has attended to two or three official files since he resumed on Tuesday.

    “I was a civil servant for 28 years and I did not receive any query for one day. So, why should I get a letter that the Governor directed me to relocate and I would not comply?” he said.

    When asked about the impeachment process before the State House of Assembly, Olaniyan said he would not comment on it.

    TNG reports that all his security personnel, aides and other staff attached to his office were seen with him in the new office.

  • Oyo Dep Gov, Olaniyan, in hot soup, served impeachment notice

    Mr Rauf Olaniyan, Deputy Governor of Oyo State has been served an impeachment notice by the Oyo State House of Assembly.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the State House of Assembly levelled five allegations against the Deputy Governor and gave him seven days within which to respond.

    Twenty-four (24) lawmakers signed the petition, which was read during plenary, against Olaniyan.

    In the petition, entitled: “Petition and Notice of Allegations against the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan,” he was accused of gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office and official duties and insubordination.

    “This is in accordance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the petition read in part.

    The lawmakers, who signed the petition, included: Fadeyi Muhammed (Ona Ara), Onaolapo Sanjo (Ogbomosho South), Babalola Olasunkanmi (Egbeda), Adebisi Yussuf (Ibadan South-West I), Okedoyin Julius (Saki West) and Adebayo Babajide (Ibadan North II).

    Others were: Kehinde Olatunde (Akinyele II), Olajide Akintunde (Lagelu), Mustapha Akeem (Kajola), Popoola Ademola (Ibadan South-East II), Owolabi Olusola (Ibadan North-East II), Olagoke Olamide (Ibadan North-East I), Olayanji Kazeem (Irepo/Olorunsogo) and Ojedokun Peter (Ibarapa North).

    The remaining lawmakers were: Gbadamosi Saminu (Saki East/Atisbo), Mabaje Adekunle (Iddo), Oluwafowokanmi Oluwafemi (Ibadan South-West II), Akeem Adedibu (Iwajowa), Fatokun Ayo (Akinyele I), Rasak Ademola (Ibadan South-East I), Obadara Akeem (Ibadan North-West), Oyekunle Fola (Ibadan North I) and Adetunji Francis (Oluyole).

    In his reaction shortly after the petition had been read by Clerk of the assembly, Yetunde Awe, the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, said it met the two-thirds requirement to initiate the process.

    Ogundoyin said that the assembly would give Olaniyan seven days within which to respond to the allegations, adding that failure to do so within the period could lead to the commencement of an impeachment move against him.

    “The window of response takes immediate effect and to lapse on Wednesday, June 22,” he said.

    TNG reports the House, thereafter, adjourned sitting till June 16.

    Recall that Olaniyan had on June 5, 2022, announced his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Olaniyan announced his defection while speaking with newsmen in his private office at Ojoo area of Ibadan.

    He, however, said the defection didn’t affect his position as the deputy governor of the state, saying he had not resigned.

    The deputy governor added that he took the decision after consultations with his supporters from across the state.

    Olaniyan who described politics as free entry and free exit, added that all his political supporters prevailed on him to join the APC.

    The development doused tension and rumours over the sour relationship between the deputy governor and his boss, Gov. Seyi Makinde.

    Olaniyan was welcomed into the APC by the governorship candidate of the party, Sen. Teslim Folarin.

  • 2023: Oyo deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan defects to APC

    Oyo state deputy Governor Engineer Rauf Olaniyan has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to pitch his tent with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Olaniyan made this  announcement  in Ibadan the  Oyo state capital on Sunday.

    Recall that Governor Seyi Makinde has dropped the deputy Governor for his re-election bid ahead of the 2023 guber elections.

    Both  Olaniyan and Makinde were jointly elected as Deputy Governor and Governor on the platform of PDP in 2019.

    The deputy governor, who is from the Oke-Ogun geopolitical zone, on Sunday said, “Which official announcement do you want me to make?

    “My friends and people asked me to leave PDP.

    “I have joined APC.”

    There were speculations that Olaniyan had planned to leave the party but he vehemently denied it.

    The deputy Governor had mentioned that five political parties are on his radar to be their party’s flag bearer for 2023 guber elections in the state.
  • Ajimobi’s family deliberately denied Makinde’s delegation access to Fidau programme – Oyo Deputy Gov insists

    Ajimobi’s family deliberately denied Makinde’s delegation access to Fidau programme – Oyo Deputy Gov insists

    Oyo Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, has insisted that the family of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi deliberately barred him and other state delegation from the 8th day Fidau prayers for the deceased.

    He said the family was aware of his presence at the gate of the residence.

    Though the Ajimobi family, on Saturday in a statement by Bolaji Tunji, had denied that Olaniyan was deliberately denied entry.

    Tunji said the family was not aware of his planned visit and arrival at the gate.

    He added that that on making efforts to facilitate access for him later, they discovered that he had left. The family offered apologies for the incident.

    But in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Omolere Omoetan, Olaniyan countered the explanation that the family was unaware he was waiting at the gate.

    He said it was another act of rebuffing hands of fellowship being extended to the family of Ajimobi by Governor Seyi Makinde.

    The statement reads in part: “Again, some members and aides of the former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi continue to rebuff the hand of fellowship extended to the family of the late governor by the government of Oyo State led by His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

    “Today at the 8th day Fidau Prayers of the former Governor Oyo State Isaika Ajimobi, the Deputy Governor, Engr Rauf Olaniyan, was denied access to the venue of the event.

    “The Deputy Governor, who led the government delegation comprising himself and some commissioners, on the approval of the governor, was kept waiting at the gate for over 15 minutes. Even when security men at the gate went in to tell them he was at the gate, no directive came back to grant his Excellency access.

    “At a point, the security personnel in uniform and mufti at the gates became very hostile and the ADC to the Deputy Governor was manhandled by men of the police force. It was at this point that the Deputy Governor decided to leave the scene that was becoming tense while waiting in his car.

    “Having waited for a while to see if the situation would change to no avail, he proceeded to take his leave.

    “It should be noted that the Deputy Governor put a call through to Alhaji Kunle Sanni, Chairman of Oyo State Muslim Council, who was among the officiating ministers, that he was at the gate and was being denied entrance. Alhaji Sanni responded that his hands were tied. This is a clear indication that what transpired was premeditated.

    “There was no truth in the family saying they were not aware that the state government delegation was at the gate because Mr. Bolaji Tunji was severally called by men of Civil Defence at the gate.

    “Even if the Deputy Governor arrived when the prayers had started, it is a well-known fact in Islam that when prayers are on-going and a male walks in, it’s an indication that the prayers have received Allah’s acceptance.

    “However, Engr Raufu Olaniyan wishes to re-iterate that the visit of the government delegation to the 8th day Fidau Prayers of His Excellency Senator Isaika Ajimobi was a clear demonstration on the part of His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde, that the late governor is held in high regard. He stated that it was only fitting for the state government to show respect to the late governor at the Fidau prayers held in his honor.

    “The Deputy Governor also wishes to put it on record that despite the way he was treated by the Ajimobi family, which he refuses to hold personal, he has displayed maturity as required of the public office at this level. He holds no grudges and he will continue to pray that Allah grants the departed former Governor Al-Jana Firdaus.

    “Engr. Raufu Olaniyan will also like to draw the attention of the Oyo state Commissioner of Police to the highly unprofessional and unruly conduct of the police personnel at the premises.”

  • Oyo Assembly rubbishes alleged impeachment plans against deputy gov

    Members of the Oyo House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on Governor Seyi Makinde and his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan.

    This was despite the purported impeachment moves against the Deputy by loyalists of Makinde.

    The House also moved to rename the Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa after an Eruwa-born late industrialist and business mogul, Adeseun Ogundoyin.

    The late Ogundoyin is father of Speaker of the Ninth Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin.

    The lawmakers, who denied media reports linking them with plans to work with some power brokers in the state in an alleged plot to unseat the Deputy Governor, assured the House firmly believes in the leadership style and capabilities of Governor Makinde and his deputy.

    But the lawmakers did not say same on the leadership of the House despite rumours and reports of no love lost.

    The House made the clarification while deliberating on a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Lagelu state constituency, Mr Akintunde Olajide and seconded by Mr Isiaka Kazeem (Oyo East/Atiba).

    Mr Adeola Bamidele (Iseyin/Itesiwaju), the Majority Leader, Mr Sanjo Adedoyin and the Minority Leader, Asimiyu Alarape noted the lawmakers are in agreement with the executive arm led by Makinde and his deputy, Olaniyan.

    Alarape, while supporting the vote of confidence on Makinde, said there is the need for the lawmakers to speak out their immense support to the administration of the governor and his deputy, adding that it is high time all the lawmakers made public their support for the Makinde government, irrespective of political parties.

    Speaker Ogundoyin also denied insinuations that the lawmakers were working with a top government official and held various meetings all in the bid to impeach the deputy governor.

    Deliberating on the change of nomenclature, the lawmakers all acknowledged the numerous support and roles played by late Ogundoyin in the development of the former Eruwa campus of The Polytechnic Ibadan, Eruwa and the state as a whole during his lifetime.