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Tag: Rotimi Akeredolu

  • APC primary: What should happen if South fails to produce consensus candidate – Akeredolu

    APC primary: What should happen if South fails to produce consensus candidate – Akeredolu

    Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has said only qualified persons from the Southern part of Nigeria should be allowed to contest the presidential ticket of the All Progressives (APC) if the region should fail to get a consensus candidate.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Akeredolu made this known on Monday while faulting the position of APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu on the choice of Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the consensus candidate of the party.

    Akeredolu stressed that the APC has not changed its position that the presidential candidate of the party for the 2023 presidential election should come from the Southern region of the country.

    “My attention has just been drawn to the expensive joke purportedly enacted by the National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

    “The speculation is rife that the Chairman took a flight of fancy and decided to make a pronouncement beyond his competence. He has, allegedly, made public his preferred choice as the candidate of the APC for the Office of the President in the next general elections.

    “This alleged pronouncement runs contrary to the position of majority of Northern Governors in APC and their counterparts in the South. Our agreement is unanimous on this issue.

    “The office of the President should be contested for by qualified persons from the Southern part of the country if the move to get a consensus candidate fails. There has been no shift from this settled issue.

    “Let it be known that the Chairman or anyone who holds a contrary opinion does so at a personal level. He is at best embarking on a frolic which reasonable people will consider dangerous.

    “We are grieving but have not forgotten that Power MUST shift to the south. On this we stand,” Akeredolu, who is the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum stated.

  • OWO: Ondo gov describes Sunday’s attack at Catholic Church as a calculated assault

    Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has described Sunday’s attack at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, as a calculated assault on the people.

     

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, Akeredolu vowed to hunt down the masterminds of the assault, which left many people dead.

     

    The statement reads: “Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, is deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshipping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, on Sunday.

     

    “The vile and satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years.

     

    “It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state.

    Ondo
    Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

     

    “I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.

     

    “This is an unexpected development. I am shocked to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals.

     

    “I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of the those who lost their lives to this ugly and unfortunate attack. I extend my condolences to Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as the Catholic Church.

     

    “I urge our people to remain calm and vigilant. Do not take laws into your hands. I have spoken to the heads of the security agencies. I have equally been assured that security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom.”

  • BREAKING: Ondo Gov, Akeredolu weeps over Owo terrorists attack

    Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has expressed deep sadness by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshipping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street on Sunday.

    “The vile and satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years,” the Governor said in a statement released by Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to Akeredolu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the statement further reads: “It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state.

    “I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.

    “This is an unexpected development. I am shocked to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals.

    “I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of the those who lost their lives to this ugly and unfortunate attack. I extend my condolences to Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as the Catholic Church.

    “I urge our people to remain calm and vigilant. Do not take laws into your hands. I have spoken to the heads of the security agencies. I have equally been assured that security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom”.

  • BREAKING:Southern govs laud northern counterparts for conceding presidency to region

    Nigeria’s southern Governors Forum has applauded the decision of their counterparts in Northern Nigeria for conceding the nation’s presidency to the south.

    A Press Statement signed by Southern Governors Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu carried the appreciation.

    In the document, Southern Governors said they received the news of the resolution of the 11 Governors from the Northern Region, conceding the presidency with utmost joy.

    ALSO READ: We are ready for APC Presidential Primary – Akeredolu

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Northern Governor had earlier come up with a position on Saturday in which they strongly recommended to President Muhammad Buhari that the search for his successor as the APC Presidential Candidate be limited to the Southern states.

    “We appeal to all aspirants from the Northern states to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries.

    “We are delighted by the decision of our esteem colleague His Excellency Gov Abubakar Badru to contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration,” read part of the statement from Northern Governors.

    ALSO READ:2023: PDP Southern governors insist on zoning party’s presidential ticket to South

    The Southern Governors on the other hand noted that they did not expect anything short of this heart-warming decision from their colleagues, who they described as great patriots and reliable partners in the collaborative efforts geared towards the attainment of nationhood for the country.

    The Statement further reads, “This is indeed another landmark achievement in our quest for understanding, rapprochement and continual engagements for mutual beneficence.

    “We acknowledge this courageous stance for equity and moral rectitude. We applaud the zeal and determination of our brothers to engage realistically and honestly. We salute this uncommon resolve to confront issues militating against the march towards nationhood and ultimate greatness.

    “By this gesture, we are convinced of the seriousness of our colleagues to join other patriots in ensuring that the ascendant march towards stability, progress and prosperity is not truncated by indiscretion.

    “We congratulate our brother Governor, Abubakar Badaru, for his exemplary conduct. Posterity will remember him for good. We thank the leadership of the Northern Governors’ Forum for the patriotic zest displayed at this crucial moment.

    “We look forward to conducting a hitch free Convention which will culminate in the election of a suitable candidate who will hoist the flag of the party with a sense of mission” the statement concluded.

  • We are ready for APC Presidential Primary – Akeredolu

    We are ready for APC Presidential Primary – Akeredolu

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has assured that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will have a hitch-free presidential primary election on Monday.

    Akeredolu said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde on Saturday in Akure.

    Akeredolu is the Chairman, sub-committee on Security and Compliance for the APC Special Convention and Presidential Primary Election.

    He said that the party was ready for the election, adding that work had already commenced at the venue, with security and other necessary activities as priority.

    The governor said the APC, being a disciplined political party with disciplined members, would surely have a hitch-free primary.

    “This is not our first time using this Eagle Square, we have knowledge of the venue already.

    “We have already started work on the venue, on security and everything. So, We are ready. I think we are good to go.

    “ We are going to have a hitch-free primary. We are a disciplined party and our members will show discipline here on the d-day.” he said.

  • Akeredolu tells APC how to retain Presidency

    Akeredolu tells APC how to retain Presidency

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) party to retain power by rotating presidency to the South as it prepares for the Special Convention for Presidential Primary election.

    Akeredolu, who doubles as the Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, was on Wednesday announced as the Chairman of Security and Compliance for the party’s Special Convention.

    In a short message via his personal Facebook page on Thursday, the Governor re-echoed the position of his colleagues in the Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum that power should be rotated to the South.

    Akeredolu explained that the APC must be ready to rotate power so as to retain the Presidency, adding that to retain power; the party must rotate presidency to the South.

    “APC must work to retain power. We must rotate power to retain power!!! Rotate to the South. Shikena.” The message said.

  • No equivocation, it is turn of the south to produce Nigeria’s next president – Akeredolu

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo  State says it is the turn of southern Nigeria to produce the next president.

    He stated against the backdrop of heightened preparations for the June 6 APC National Convention to select the party’s standard bearer.

    In the statement posted on his social media handle on Thursday, the Governor opined that APC stakeholders must not keep party men and women guessing about the position of the leadership of the party.

    ALSO READ: 2023: Ondo Gov. Akeredolu denies imposing candidates on APC

    “This is the time to weigh in and take control of the process. No statement must suggest, even remotely, that the party harbours certain sentiments which may predispose it to consider throwing the contest open. This is certainly not the time for equivocation.”

    His post warned the All Progressives Congress against giving its presidential ticket to a northern candidate the way the opposition PDP has done by fielding Atiku Abubakar.

    Akeredolu charged the party to work hard to retain power by rotating the Presidency to the South.

    He said, “APC must work to retain power. We must rotate power to retain power!!! Rotate to the South. …Shikena.”

    Akeredolu had also in May warned the All Progressives Congress against zoning the 2023 presidential slot to the northern part of the country, saying that would lead to a crisis.

    According to him, it is the turn of the southern part of the country to produce the next president.

    Akeredolu said the agreement reached when APC micro-zoned party’s offices during its National Convention must be adhered to.

    “Our party, the All Progressives Congress, has started the process which will eventually culminate in the presentation of elected political leaders, who must steer the affairs of the country for another term. We have been able to hold the party’s Convention successfully.

    “New officers of the party have emerged in a process that is widely acknowledged as rancour-free. The level of understanding and maturity displayed by all and sundry has been commendable. Known adversaries have been forced to accept the emerging fact that our party is formidable and ready for the next general elections.

    “The current socio-economic crises are surmountable. It is commendable that the Government is addressing these issues without drama. The Federal Government and leadership of our great party will come out stronger. We cannot, therefore, afford any internal bickering which holds the potential promise of causing distrust and militating against cohesion, harmony and the zeal to achieve set objectives.

    “The current democratic dispensation is anchored on the unwritten convention driven by a principle of Equity.

    “Political expediency dictates, more appealingly, that while adhering to the spirit and letters of the laws guiding conduct of elections and succession to political offices, we must do nothing which is capable of tilting the delicate balance against the established arrangement which guarantees peace and promotes trust.

    “Our party just elected officers on the established principle of giving every part of the country an important stake in the political calculus. The focus has now shifted to the process which will culminate in the participation of our party in the general elections scheduled for next year.

    “All lovers of peace and freedom must do everything to eschew tendencies which may predispose them to taking decisions which promote distrust and lead to a crisis, the end of which nobody may be able to predict.

    “The leadership of the party ensured that the principle of rotational representation guided its decision at the just-concluded Convention. The party Chairmanship position has gone to the North. All other offices have been filled on this understanding.

    “This is the time the leaders of the party must make a categorical statement, devoid of equivocation, on the pattern of succession.

    “The party Executive Committee has fixed a fee for the purchase of the nomination form for the office. It is expected, fervently, that it will proceed to complete the process by limiting the propensities for disagreement to a region for possible micro-management. It is very expedient that we avoid self-inflicted crises before the general elections.

    “It is the turn of the Southern part of the country to produce the next President. The party leadership should have no difficulty in making pronouncements on this very important issue, just as it has fixed various fees for the purchase of forms.

    “This must be done without delay. The principle of Federal Character is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended. It will be disingenuous for anyone to argue against rotation at this period.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu are jostling for presidency next year.

    Other APC presidential aspirants are the Senate President Ahmad Lawan and former ministers Rotimi Amaechi, Ogbonnaya Onu, Godswill Akpabio, and Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.
    Serving governors who are also aspiring to be president are Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Ben Ayade (Cross River) and Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa).

    Also interested are former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, and serving senators Ibikunle Amosun, Ajayi Boroffice, and Rochas Okorocha.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate in 2011, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Uju Ken-Ohanenye, Nicholas Felix, Ahmad Rufai Sani, Tein Jack-Rich, Ikeobasi Mokelu are also in the presidential race.

  • Ondo Gov, Akeredolu calls on Emefiele to quit CBN job

    Ondo Gov, Akeredolu calls on Emefiele to quit CBN job

    Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, has called on the Governor of the Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele, to quit his job, saying “he cannot combine partisan politics with the very delicate assignment of his office”.

     

    Adding: “Should he refuse to quit, it becomes incumbent on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to remove him forthwith. This is a joke taken too far.”

     

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Emefiele obtained the presidential nomination form of All Progressives Congress (APC).

     

    Calling on the President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the CBN Governor, Akeredolu, in a statement he signed on Friday, said Emefiele’s purported action, “if unchecked timeously portends great danger to the fragile economy of the country.”

     

    The governor said, “It is incontrovertible that Mr Emefiele enjoys a constitutionally protected right to belong to any group or association and participate fully, just as any Nigerian. It is, however, difficult to imagine that a person who occupies the exalted and sensitive office of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria will be this brazen in actualizing his ambition.

     

    “There is no gain asserting the obvious. The combined effect of the Public Service Rules, CBN Act and the 1999 Constitution, as amended, exposes not only the oddity inherent in this brash exercise of presumed right to associate. It also confirms the illegality of the act should he proceed to submit the forms while occupying the seat as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

     

    Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Debo Ologunagba, noted that the CBN Act clearly stated that the governor and deputy governors of the bank must be fully dedicated to their jobs.

     

    Ologunagba berated the ruling APC and the President for promoting impunity and refusing to force Emefiele to leave office.

     

    He added, “The CBN governor is governed by the CBN Act. Section 9 is unambiguously clear about what the CBN governor and deputies should do and it says they shall devote the whole of their time to the service of the bank and they will not engage in any other vocation.

     

    “Now, his action is completely in contravention of that Act and that amounts to gross misconduct and that qualifies him to be removed from office in line with Section 11 of the Act. This is completely irresponsible and at variance with our laws.”

     

    The PDP spokesman said it was unfortunate that the CBN governor, who ought to be focused on the nation’s monetary policy, had the time to engage in partisan politics, adding that it was time for Nigerians to vote in the PDP to restore order.

  • Ondo state civil service suspends worker for spreading Governor’s death rumour on facebook

    Ondo state civil service suspends worker for spreading Governor’s death rumour on facebook

    A civil servant in Ondo state who is yet to be identified is serving suspension term for allegedly circulating a Facebook post that the Governor of the state Rotimi Akeredolu is dead.

    Mr John Adeyemo the head of service in the Ondo state civil service revealed the worker’s suspension in Akure, the state capital.

    Recall that the rumour mill that Akeredolu died while away in abroad went viral but was later debunked by Governor’s wife Betty Akeredolu through her verified facebook page.

    Adeyemi, who did not disclose the identity of the worker, explained that he (worker) posted the fake news on his Facebook account.

    “Incidentally, I called Mr Governor a day before the rumour and we spoke and chatted. So, when I heard the fake news, I was disturbed and I was like who is this fellow carrying this terrible rumour because I knew Mr Governor was alive and with vigour. So, I never believed it,” he added.

    According to the head of service, the worker’s name had been forwarded to the state civil service commission for appropriate punishment.

    He posited that the worker’s suspension will deter others from spreading rumours about the governor or any other in the state.

    He however, revealed that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was back in the country alive and kicking, adding that rumour mongers and their sponsors have been put to shame.

     

     

  • Ondo State Governor, Akeredolu endorses wife to contest Imo State Senate seat

    Ondo State Governor, Akeredolu endorses wife to contest Imo State Senate seat

    Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has endorsed his wife, Betty’s ambition to contest the Imo East Senatorial District seat in the 2023 elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Akeredolu gave the endorsement in a romantic message to mark their 41st wedding anniversary.

    According to Akeredolu, his support for his wife to contest the Imo Senate seat is without any reservations or equivocation, stressing that the world owes those who dare a debt of gratitude for audacity, tenacity, consistency and focus.

    The romantic message titled: PUBLIC SERVICE: THE GREATEST PRIVILEGE reads: “Betty, FLOOS, let me choose this great day in our lives, our 41st wedding Anniversary to notch up in print my support for your popular and known quest to serve your people in the Senate.

    “The evolution of modern societies bears indelible evidence of significant inputs of few people. This trajectory records definitive impacts of those who dare to think and act differently. The consequence of this defiance finds expression in radical departure from the old order, leading to transformation. It yields quality accretions which impact positively on the people in any given space.

    “The world owes those who dare a debt of gratitude for audacity, tenacity, consistency and focus. These torch bearers withstand the brunt of vilification, contempt, deprivation and even rejection. They remain undaunted until the set goal is achieved. They are rarely praised afterwards.

    “Public service is taken as the highest form of participation in the affairs of a human community, state or a country. It ennobles anyone, privileged to serve, whose tenacity, focus and integrity ensure development. Only a few are truly equipped for service. They must be encouraged at all times.

    “Anytime, anywhere and under whatever circumstances, those who hold views which threaten to shatter age-long widely held beliefs and/or practices are a special breed. Those whose activities have borne positive impact on the lives of the under-privileged, must be supported by all good people.

    “I join all other well-wishers, admirers, supporters and stakeholders to support, openly and without any reservations or equivocation, my Adorable Betty in her bid to continue to serve the people in her State of birth, Imo.

    “I do this, most enthusiastically, as a partner, admirer and active follower for over four decades. I consider myself highly privileged to have a workaholic, gender and human rights activist, humanist and philanthropist as wife, adviser, harshest critic, supporter, political associate and, above all, an unrelenting ideologue, ready to sacrifice and confront any obstacle, natural and artificial. I am of the firm belief that any group, society, community, state or country, privileged to avail itself of the quintessential service of a bold crusader, as she, is lucky indeed.

    “Seeking to continue what she started long before I came into politics, when she ran for the House of Representative, at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, is not strange to me or anyone who has been watching the activities of this special personality. I SUPPORT HER ASPIRATION NOW, AS I HAVE ALWAYS DONE, EVEN BEFORE I JOINED POLITICS. I know her to be a passionate believer in rectitude. I believe in her mission to emancipate women from the shackles of all forms of oppression.

    “I have known her as a fiercely independent personality who is never afraid to voice her dissent on any issue. I have witnessed her triumphs over adversities at close quarters. She made me appreciate more the nuanced difference between foolhardiness and courage. Many have come to accept her as a rock of refuge for the oppressed and hopeless. She has been a strong advocate for equity and justice and against unprofitable superstitions, beliefs and habits which predispose people to diseases and avoidable deaths.

    “I am proud of this gift from Imo State. I support her aspiration wholeheartedly. I am convinced that the people of Imo State will enjoy quality representation from her. Her presence in the Senate promises exciting moments.

    “I harbour no anxiety that my Adorable Betty, ADA OWERE, has all it takes to BEMORE. While offering her my unalloyed support, I wish her all the best in this current quest to extend and particularise the scope of service in the interest of the people.

    “May the will of the Almighty be manifested and fulfilled in this endeavour, and many more, designed to uplift the downtrodden. May fair winds aid this sail!

    “Your Darlin, ARAKUNRIN OLUWAROTIMI O. AKEREDOLU, SAN, GOVERNOR, ONDO STATE”.