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  • Osun LG: Adeleke, APC lock horns over planned crisis

    Osun LG: Adeleke, APC lock horns over planned crisis

    OSOGBO —FOLLOWING the local government area elections conducted last Saturday, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, yesterday, accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of plotting to foment trouble in the state.

    This came as elected Chairmen and Councillors on the platform of the APC resumed in some local government council secretariats despite the withdrawal of services by workers.

    Similarly, the newly inaugurated chairmen and councillors elected on the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, last Saturday, stayed away from the secretariats in line with the directive of Governor Adeleke after their inauguration on Sunday.

    On his part, the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Osun State, Mr Christopher Arapasopo, yesterday, directed its members working in the various councils to withdraw their services.

    You’re plotting big crisis, APC accuses Adeleke

    The APC, in a statement by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi alleged that Governor Adeleke has concluded plans to attack the legally-reinstated chairmen and councillors through Amotekun Corps and non-state actors imported from Oyo State and the Niger Delta.

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    Olabisi said: “These militants are the same criminals notorious for kidnapping people for ransom in their region, and they have now been drafted to the state to unleash terror on our people.

    “To provide cover for this sinister move is the Amotekun Corps, led by a controversial ex-police officer and former Chief Security Officer to Governor Ademola Adeleke, CSP Adekunle Omoyele (retd). The men of the Amotekun Corps are to provide hooded clothes and masks to hide their identities and escape justice after perpetrating their evil acts.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we urge the security agents to visit the official quarters of some top government officials at the Government House as at the time of issuing this press statement, it would be discovered that the mini-field of the building is bubbling like a military training ground with the amalgamation of suspected cultists, hoodlums and militants drawn from outside the state.

    “We decided to raise this alarm based on our ugly experience last week.”

    Gov has ensured peace  — Spokesperson

    In a swift reaction, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed in a statement, described the APC’s allegations as baseless, saying the governor has so far ensured that peace reigned in the state.

    Rasheed said: “From the beginning of the face-off, the state Governor, being a security expert and a criminologist, had deployed his skills of conflict resolution to sustain peace even with the worst of provocations. The mapping of the entire state revealed that the opposition APC was mainly interested in burning the state down and destroying the elected political structures. Mr Governor smartly denied the APC the fuel for its arsonistic plan.

    “The outcome is the peace we are enjoying today in Osun state. Osun people are peacefully running their lives with huge gratitude to the Governor. The APC on the contrary is in severe pain for all its destructive plans against Osun and her people have failed.

    “So the opposition resorted to blackmail and name-calling. Neither the visiting governors nor any government officials imported any hoodlums into the state. Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Muhammed came to Osun on a solidarity peace mission based on their statutory positions within the Governors’ Forum and their message was that parties to the face-off should abide by the rule of law and avoid illegal self-help.”

    APC council officials resume at secretariats

    Meanwhile, elected APC Chairmen and Councillors, yesterday, resumed in some council secretariats despite the withdrawal of services by workers.

    Similarly, the newly inaugurated PDP chairmen and councillors elected last Saturday stayed away from the secretariats in line with Governor Adeleke’s directive.

    The APC and PDP have been battling over the control of council areas following judgements of a Federal High Court and Appeal Court.

    However, checks by Vanguard showed that chairmen and Councillors, elected on the APC platform, resumed at the secretariats in many council areas; including Olorunda, Ife-Central, Boluwaduro and Ejigbo among others.

    When contacted a chieftain of the APC, Mr Jamiu Olawumi said: “All chairmen and councillors have resumed in all local government areas in Osun State including Irewole.

    “The security is tight; we have responsible police officers, DSS and Civil Defence. They are doing their jobs as directed by the Inspector General of Police.”

    When TodayPriceNG visited some council secretariats, police operatives were visible to avert a possible crisis.

    NLC to LG workers: Don’t resume work

    Meanwhile, the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Osun State, Mr Christopher Arapasopo has directed council workers to withdraw their services.

    Arapasopo, in a statement, said the union would not jeopardise the safety of its members.

    The statement reads: “The Osun State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, strongly affirms her earlier release notifying all Local Government Area Workers in the State to withdraw their services as a result of the political upheaval within their workplaces still subsist while continuing in their prayers for the state.

    “This release further reiterates that our members’ safety at work is of high priority and we will not allow our members to work in an atmosphere of insecurity.

    “The Osun State Council of the NLC remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the masses. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us. We stand firm in our resolve to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved state.”

  • Osun PDP, APC Clash Over LG Polls as Governor Adeleke Imposes Movement Ban Ahead of Elections

    Osun PDP, APC Clash Over LG Polls as Governor Adeleke Imposes Movement Ban Ahead of Elections

    In anticipation of the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced a statewide restriction on vehicular movement from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. This measure aims to ensure a peaceful electoral process and prevent the influx of disruptive elements.

    Governor Adeleke emphasized the necessity of this restriction to maintain order during the elections. He has instructed security agencies to enforce the directive, permitting only voters, accredited media personnel, and civil society organizations to move freely during the specified hours.

    The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, conveyed this directive, highlighting the administration’s commitment to peace and security.

    “Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5 am to 5 pm on Saturday 22nd February 2025 across Osun state.”

    “The directive of the State Governor was sequel to the statewide local government elections that are scheduled to be held tomorrow across the state.”

    “Governor Adeleke who reiterated his commitment to peace and security said the movement restriction is necessary to prevent importation of hoodlums into the state amidst local elections.”

    This decision comes amidst legal debates concerning the legitimacy of the elections.

    “He therefore directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and only allow voters and accredited media and civil society organisations for the continued peace and security of Osun State.”

    Tensions between the APC and PDP in Osun State escalated following the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the removal of APC local government chairmen and councillors.

    The PDP maintained that the February 10 judgment by the Court of Appeal in Akure did not restore the sacked APC officials who were elected in 2022, while the APC argued that the ruling affirmed their right to return to office.

    On Monday, the situation worsened as both parties engaged in clashes while attempting to assert control over local government secretariats across the state. According to the police, the violence left six people dead and several others injured.

  • Osun Govt Declines Police Advice, Insist on Holding LG Election

    Osun Govt Declines Police Advice, Insist on Holding LG Election

    The Osun State Government has declined the security advice from the Nigeria Police Force, which clamoured for the temporary halt of the local government election scheduled for today (Saturday).

    Reports has it that the Nigeria Police had on Friday called for the temporary halt of the election within Osun state based on high intelligence gathering.

    In a statement delivered by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police stated that the reliable intelligence suggests a high intended violence and notable security escalation if the planned council election occurs within the state.

    On the other hand, in a signed statement late Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the state government declared that the bases for declining the advice were central to the rule of law and aversion to police partisanship.

    Referencing the security advice, the state government depicted that it had checked the advice and came to the conclusion that the proposal from the force headquarters was biased, partisan and in contradiction of democratic tenets.

    The statement reads, “The pretence of the service to be serving the public good while actually promoting the illegality of the APC reinforces our rejection of a Greek gift.

    “From the beginning of this face off, the police has breached best practices by its open support for the All Progressives Congress, a party that is pushing for illegality through a non-existing court order. The whole world knows how the police actively aided the APC to enforce a reinstatement order that was never issued by any court of law.

    “A law enforcement agency has suddenly become a partisan wing of a political party, the APC, thereby losing all toga of a fair law agency. The negative role of the police to ignite the current face off made its advice a poison chocolate.

    “Beyond the above, we also call the attention of the police to the court judgment of today. It contains three orders which affirm vacancies in Osun councils by authenticating the sacking of the APC council chieftains directed the police and other security agencies to provide security for the election and gave go ahead to fresh LG elections by Saturday 22nd.”

    The Police were also alleged by the state government of seeking partisan interests rather than obedience to court order and working in contrary to the rule of law.

    “Instead of the police to obey court order, the service is regrettably pursuing its partisan line by actively working against rule of law as espoused by today’s court ruling.

    “If the police chose to disobey court orders, the Osun State government will not go against rule of law, hence the decision of the state government to support the state electoral commission to conduct a credible free and fair elections tomorrow.

    “We thank the police for their advice. We respectfully turned down the request while we urged Osun voters to peacefully exercise their voting rights on Saturday.”

  • “With Atiku Abubakar in Charge, Nigeria Will Experience Rapid Economic Progress” – Dr. Kalu

    “With Atiku Abubakar in Charge, Nigeria Will Experience Rapid Economic Progress” – Dr. Kalu

    In a recent statement, Dr. Emeka Kalu, President of the ECK Foundation, expressed confidence in former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s ability to address Nigeria’s economic challenges if elected in the 2027 presidential race.

    Kalu highlighted Atiku’s leadership experience and vision as essential assets for revitalizing the nation’s economy.

    Kalu criticized the current administration’s management of Nigeria’s natural resources, emphasizing the need for effective exploration and utilization to stimulate economic growth.

    He urged citizens and political figures to support Atiku, whom he described as a “rational game-changer,” to implement necessary reforms.

    Addressing the nation’s economic decline, Kalu pointed to issues such as rising hunger, escalating living costs, currency depreciation, insecurity, nepotism, corruption, increased tariffs, and unemployment.

    He stressed that overcoming these challenges requires “selfless, capable, trusted, and competent hands” like Atiku’s to restore Nigeria’s economic stability.

    “The sorry state of our economy should remind all Nigerians that we are under a failed leadership. The rising hunger, high cost of living, naira depreciation, insecurity, nepotism, treasury looting, tariff hikes, and unemployment have set us back significantly. The only hope for recovery lies in supporting competent political leadership in 2027,” Kalu said.

    Reflecting on Atiku’s tenure as Vice President, Kalu noted his significant contributions to economic liberalization, trade investments, job creation, and other reforms. He lamented that electoral malpractices have previously hindered Atiku from leading the nation.

    Kalu also criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for its lack of transparency in managing the fuel subsidy regime, identifying it as one of the numerous economic issues facing the country.

    “With Atiku Abubakar in charge, Nigeria will experience rapid economic progress,” Kalu asserted. “This is not a campaign or political propaganda, but a statement of facts whose impact cannot be erased.”

    In response to Kalu’s endorsement, critics have raised concerns about Atiku’s economic proposals. The All Progressives Congress (APC) described Atiku’s economic plan as a rehash of previous policies, lacking clarity and concrete implementation strategies.

    APC spokesman Felix Morka stated, “Atiku’s proposed Economic Stimulus Fund and Infrastructure Development Unit is opaque, lacking clarity and concrete implementation plans.”

  • APC withdraws from Osun LG poll

    APC withdraws from Osun LG poll

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun has withdrawn from the local government election scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22.

    This is contained in a letter dated Feb. 17, signed by the APC state Publicity Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, addressed to the Secretary of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).

    A copy of the letter obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Osogbo, stated that APC would not participate based on the Feb. 10 Court of Appeal judgment which reinstated its chairmen and councillors.

    The letter read: “Recall that judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHF/OS/CS/94/2022 was meritoriously nullified on Feb. 10 by Court of Appeal in Akure, in appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022 between APC and 3 others V. Peoples Democratic Party and others.

    “By the judgment, the elected officers have resumed offices as allowed by the Appeal Court.

    “The implication of the Court of Appeal judgment as cited above is that the seats are no longer vacant.

    “In view of the forgoing, we hereby state that APC and all its candidates have by this letter informed the commission that we withdraw from the local government election scheduled for Feb. 22.

    “Same as become unnecessary, superfluous and unlawful with the development.”
    NAN reports that there had been crisis between APC and PDP over the Court of Appeal judgment in respect of the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.

    While the PDP claimed that the Feb. 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return local government secretariats.

    Crisis, however, erupted on Monday when both parties were laying claim to local government secretariats across the state.

    Police confirmed that six persons lost their lives and scores injured during crisis.

  • APC takes over 14 LG secretariats in Osun

    Officials of Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Wednesday took over 14 council secretariats across the state.

    When TodayPriceNG went around some of the affected council areas, police officers were present.

    However, the councils where the takeover occurred were not policed when the incident happened.

    Some of the affected local government areas include Obokun, Ife-East, Odo-Otin, Atakumosa-West, Orolu, Ejigbo, Ifelodun, and Ilesa-West among others.

    Reacting, the Speaker of the House of Assembly while addressing journalists described the action as illegal and an affront to the rule of law.

    “Today, members of the opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), forcefully broke into local government secretariats across the state. This unlawful invasion is not only a direct attack on our democratic institutions but also a clear violation of the rule of law and a threat to public peace and order.

    “Even more disturbing is the fact that security agencies, who are meant to uphold the law, were present while these illegal acts were being carried out. This is unjust, unlawful, and unacceptable. Law enforcement agencies must never be seen aiding and abetting criminal activities”, he said.

  • APC closes case at Edo tribunal after calling four witnesses

    APC closes case at Edo tribunal after calling four witnesses

    The All Progressives Congress, (APC) has closed its defense in the petition at the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal challenging its victory in the Sept. 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo.

    The party, which is the 3rd respondent in the petition, closed its case after four witnesses gave testimony to substantiate its claim of victory at the Edo governorship poll.

    When the matter came up on Thursday, counsel to APC, Mr Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, told the tribunal that his client would close its case because the plethora of documents tendered, the evidence of the petitioners during cross examination as well as the evidence of the 3rd respondent had done justice to the case.

    He said that as a result, there was no need to call additional witnesses.

    “Taking all the enumerated factors into consideration, we are happy at this stage to close the 3rd respondent’s case, with the leave of my Lordships,” Orbih said.

    Since the petitioners did not object, Justice Wilfred Kpochi granted the request and fixed March 3 for parties to adopt their final written addresses in the matter.

    The three-member panel also gave the respondents seven days to file and serve their processes.
    The tribunal also ordered the petitioners to reply within five days of receiving the processes, adding that the respondents could reply to points of law within three days.

    The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) recalls that the tribunal had adjourned proceedings on Wednesday to enable the APC tender some documents which it claimed its remaining witnesses would rely on in giving their evidence.
    The party had told the trubunal that it would be calling 28 witnesses to defend its victory at the Edo governorship election.

    NAN reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), which is the first respondent in the petition, had declared Gov. Monday Okpebholo of the APC winner of that election.

    Miffed by this, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Mr Asue Ighodalo, approached the tribunal, praying it to nullify INEC’s declaration of the APC and Okpebholo as winners of the election.

    The petitioners contended that the governorship election was invalid by reason of alleged non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

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    They equally argued in the petition marked: EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, that Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes that were cast at the polls.

    The petitioners called 19 witnesses to prove that over-voting and wrong computation of votes occurred in over 700 polling units during the election.

    INEC, as the 1st respondent, did not call any witnesses but tendered 153 Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) used in 133 polling units where results were being disputed.

    Okpebholo, as the 2nd respondent called a lone witness while the APC called four witnesses.
    The petitioners and respondents would adopt their final written addresses on March 3 following which a date would be fixed for judgment.

  • APC stalwart, 4 others killed in fresh herders attack in Otukpo

    APC stalwart, 4 others killed in fresh herders attack in Otukpo

    Benue—An All Progressive Congress, APC, Councillorship aspirant in the last local government polls, Amedu Agaba and four others were Wednesday night reportedly killed in the escalating crisis between armed herdsmen and the locals of Okpomaju village in Okete Ward of Otukpo Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.
    Several persons were also reported to have sustained injuries while about 10 others have been declared missing in the community.

    Recall that the crisis erupted earlier in the week when suspected armed herdsmen allegedly attacked the locals of Okpomaju who were on hunting expedition after mistaking them for enemies. Three lives were lost in that incident.

    It was gathered that Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye had summoned a meeting of the Fulani and Okpomaju community leaders to have the crisis resolved but after agreeing to embrace peace, the crisis escalated Wednesday night when armed herdsmen allegedly stormed the community, shooting sporadically and destroying houses, food barns and farmlands.

    According to a source in the area, the renewed hostility has forced the people of Okpomaju and those of neigbouring communities of Odudaje, Amla, Emichi, Otukpo-Icho and Otada, the host community of the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, among others to flee their abode.

    He said: “The attack was unprovoked as the hunters were at home at Okpomaju when the armed herders, numbering about 12 stormed the village with sophisticated guns, shooting indiscriminately.

    “In the process, they killed one Peter, popularly known as JPG and Moses, while others ran to different directions into the nearby bushes with gun shots.

    “Also killed in the attack was an APC member and Councillorship aspirant in the last October local government election, Mr. Amedu Agaba.

    “So far, we have recovered some bodies of those who ran to the bush making a total of five. The fifth was recovered near Odudaje stream. And the search for more bodies is on.

    “As I speak with you, we are at the graveside, burying one of the victims and and also awaiting the other bodies from the mortuary.”

    The Chairman of the Local Government Council, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, who confirmed the development, said the police and military had deployed personnel to the community to forestall further escalation of the crisis.The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Samuel Ode who hails from Otukpo, Thursday led a delegation to the area to assess the situation and prevail on the parties to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
    Effort to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene was unsuccessful.

  • We’re enjoying the entertainment — APC mocks crisis-ridden PDP

    We’re enjoying the entertainment — APC mocks crisis-ridden PDP

    Amid the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All ruling Progressives Congress (APC) has described the opposition party as an entity that cannot manage anything.

    The APC said the PDP mismanaged the country and left rots behind after ruling Nigeria for 16 years, adding that the party would going into extinction.

    While speaking in an interview, the National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, said the PDP is not good at managing itself, adding that the ruling party is enjoying the entertainment.

    “Nigeria was still suffering from the rot of the 16-year misrule of the PDP. That party is gone. Are these the clowns people are taking seriously to rule this country again? Believe me, this is just the beginning. We at the APC are enjoying the entertainment.

    “The party is not good at managing anything, including itself. What is happening has shown that God came to the rescue of Nigerians by pushing them out of power.

    “There are more to come if you go into the nitty-gritty of the problems in that party. They should come and learn how to play politics in our APC Progressive Institute set up by the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje. They will be taught how to play politics without bitterness.”

    Reacting to the claim by PDP members that the APC is responsible for their unresolved crisis, Ibrahim said, “How is the APC responsible for the crisis that is happening at Wadata Plaza (PDP headquarters in Abuja)? We are not even staying close. So, how can they blame us for their woes? What does APC have to do with having two different secretaries and two chairmen or whatever they seem to have?

    “They simply don’t know how to administer anything and they cannot. Who among the protestants is a card-carrying member of the APC? Who among the people causing the crisis is claiming allegiance to APC? None. It is within them.”

  • Tinubu Attempted to Mediate Lagos Assembly Crisis Before Obasa’s Impeachment, Says APC Chieftain

    Tinubu Attempted to Mediate Lagos Assembly Crisis Before Obasa’s Impeachment, Says APC Chieftain

    Fouad Oki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made efforts to resolve the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly before Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was impeached.

    On Monday, lawmakers impeached Obasa over allegations of misconduct and financial impropriety. He was replaced by his former deputy, Mojisola Meranda.

    Speaking on Channels Television, Oki said Tinubu intervened during the Christmas holiday after the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) brought the matter to his attention. However, Obasa’s alleged unwillingness to cooperate led to his removal.

    “Before the president came home, this issue had been lingering. In the wisdom of members of the GAC, the president’s attention was called,” Oki said.

    “The president, as father and leader, called a meeting wherein he tried to make sense of the observations raised by elders of the party. Unfortunately, the president saw himself as a recalcitrant Obasa. I think that is what broke the camel’s back.”

    Oki described Obasa’s impeachment as the result of longstanding tensions within the assembly and the former speaker’s failure to heed the advice of party elders.