Seize imported cows, not local tomatoes - monarch tells Customs, others in Iwoye-Ketu

The Traditional Ruler of Iwoye-Ketu in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Joel Ademola Alaye, has warned officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agents at the Nigerian-Benin Republic borders to seize imported cows instead of tomatoes and peppers that were locally grown in Ogun State.

The monarch also threatened to lead a protest to Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged harassment of farmers in his domain by the security operatives in the area.

Oba Alaye reacting in a statement to what he described as the overzealousness of security agents in the ongoing Joint Security Border Task Force,  where all farm produce like tomatoes, yam tubers, peppers and other perishable goods produced by the farmers in Imeko/Afon are being impounded by the operatives.

He condemned in strong terms, a situation whereby cows from neighbouring countries enjoy free movement into Nigeria, but farm produce planted in Nigeria are impounded while being transported within Nigeria.

"I wonder why thousands of cattle coming from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are passing through Iwoye-Ketu everyday without any inhibitions from the Joint Security task force.

"If I may ask, who is more Nigerian between us and those who are bringing cattle to Nigeria from neighbouring countries? I strongly condemned in its entirety, the harassment of farmers from Iwoye Ketu by the security agents."

The royal father pointed out that, "our explanations to convince the newly constituted Joint Task Force to understand that the farmers are Nigerians, but living in a border town proved abortive.

"I appeal to the National Security Adviser to the President to quickly come to our aid, so that our farmers will be freed from bondage. Failure to allow our farmers to have free access to take their farm produce to the market,  I will lead a strong protest to the governor's office and register our grievances". the monarch reechoed.

Trouble as Supreme Court asked to invalidate Dapo Abiodun's election

Dapo Abiodun 

The Labour Party in Ogun State and its governorship candidate, Ms Modupeola Sanyaolu had dragged the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun to the Supreme Court in Abuja.

Joined in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Ogun State Resident Electoral Commission (REC).

The Labour Party is challenging the exclusion of its name and Logo from the ballot papers used for the March 9 governorship election in Ogun State.

In an appeal marked CA/IB /EPT/OG/GOV/07/2019 and Supreme Court appeal number SC1088/2019, the party is asking the apex court to invalidate the election of Dapo Abiodun held on March 9, 2019.

The party had approached the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, dismissed its applications against the judgment of the Ogun State governorship election petition tribunal delivered on June 21, 2019.

Speaking with DAILY POST, the Ogun State Chairman of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi said, “with this event now, the first respondent Prince Dapo Abiodun; the second respondent, the APC and the third and fourth respondents INEC and Ogun REC are now to prepare for another round of litigation in Abuja.

“Where the pendulum of justice will swing is the prerogative of the learned justices of the Supreme Court.

“The Labour Party by this action seems more determined to get justice.”

Ogun, where Consultants, Advisers act as Commissioners

Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun had appointed Consultants and Advisers to oversee the activities of the various ministries in place of Commissioners. 

Barely three months after his inauguration, Gov Abiodun is yet to appoint members of his kitchen cabinet; a situation that has been generating discussions among political observers in the state, especially when his colleagues in Lagos and Oyo have succeeded in doing same. 

Abiodun, it was learnt, had written the Ogun State House of Assembly in July,  requesting for the deferment of Commissioners’ appointment in favour of Senior Special Advisers and Special Advisers’ appointment.

Granting the approval at a plenary held at the Assembly Complex on July 2, the State House of Assembly gave Gov Abiodun the green light to appoint two senior special advisers and 20 special advisers to oversee the affairs of the state pending the appointment of Commissioners for various Ministries.

On July, Abiodun's new appointees were reported  as Chief Economic Adviser – Dapo Okubadejo; Senior Special Adviser on Political Affairs – Hon. Tunji Egbetokun; Special Adviser on Information – Modele Sarafa-Yusuf; Special Adviser, Government House – Hon. Babatunde Olaotan.

Others are Special Adviser on Job Creation and Youth Empowerment – Mr Lekan Olude; Special Adviser on Housing – Jamiu Akande Omoniyi; and Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Emmanuel Ojo. 

But it seems the governor, who has not appointed up to the number of Advisers he sought to appoint, has discreetly appointed consultants to man the ministries as he seems not ready to appoint commissioners for now.

African Advocate learnt that some of the consultants have been deployed to the governor's office or agencies for official assignments.

It was gathered that a total of 20 consultants had been appointed with portfolios and had since resumed for duties. 

Some of the consultants include Adeosun Adekunle for Revenue generation; Yemisi Ogundimu for the Ministry of Information and Strategy; Sola Arobieke for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; Ade Adesanya for the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure; Olaoluwa Olabimtan for the Ministry of Budget and Planning; Biyi Adeleye for Political affairs among others. 

I am no under pressure to form cabinet - Abiodun 

Gov Abiodun has reacted that he is no under pressure to appoint his commissioners, saying he wanted to put the right peg in the right hole.

Speaking during the week when he played host to editors of a national newspaper in his office, the governor said:

"Nothing has prepared me for this job except my experience from the private sector but the private sector is different from the experience here. But I am striving to have the best people in the right places.

"A lot of people have talked about forming the cabinet. It is not about how quick but having the right peg in the right hole. I am not under any pressure by anybody to form the cabinet, nobody has put any pressure on me. I am the one putting pressure on myself to get the right people. 

"We are carefully looking for people and the process will be completed in few weeks. We are not short of stars in Ogun but you have to find them."

Meanwhile, political observers in Ogun State are of the opinion that the State Executive Council, which is the highest decision-making organ of government, has a role which could not be hijacked by advisers or consultants. 

The Ogun State Executive Council 

The Ogun State Executive Council, also known as, the Cabinet of Ogun State is the highest formal governmental body that plays important roles in the Government of Ogun State, headed by the Governor of Ogun State. 

It consists of the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff and Commissioners who preside over ministerial departments, and the Governor's special aides.

The Executive Council exists to advise and direct the Governor. Their appointment as members of the Executive Council gives them the authority to execute power over their fields, on behalf of the government.

As it is, the Ogun State Executive Council is yet to be formed as it has Gov Abiodun, his Deputy, Nimot Salako-Oyedele; Secretary to the State Government, Olatokunbo Talabi; the Head of Service, Engr. Lanre Bisiriyu; and the Chief of Staff, Shuaib Salisu, but no Commissioners.

The council meets weekly to take decision of government projects, policies and programmes for the development of the state. 

Presently, the weekly State Executive Council meeting has not been holding in Ogun State as there are no commissioners in place. This, some locals believe has been responsible for the slow pace of work in Ogun State. 

Abiodun's transport committee, a threat to peace in Ogun - APC lawmakers

The Ogun House of Assembly, on Tuesday, called on Gov. Dapo Abiodun to dissolve the state Caretaker Committee on Transportation, after the expiration of its three- month tenure.

The Assembly, at its plenary in Abeokuta, said that the illegal activities of the caretaker committee had become unbearable.

Mrs Atinuke Bello (APC-Odogbolu) moved the motion for the dissolution and was seconded by Mr Sylvester Abiodun (PDP-Ijebu North 1).

Bello, who is the Chief Whip, had earlier intimated the Assembly on the activities of the committee in her constituency, saying that members, particularly the Chairman, Mr Sunday Adeniyi, had not done well.

“The committee was set up to make peace among all transport unions but instead of facing the issue on ground, it has added to the problems.

“The activities of the state caretaker committee on transportation are becoming a threat to peace in the state, especially among the transport unions,’’ she said.

In his submission, the Speaker, Mr Olakunle Oluomo (APC-Ifo 1), said that he had received series of petitions against the committee, adding that the Assembly was concerned about the security of lives and property of the citizens.

Oluomo called on the chairman of the committee and the Secretary, Mr Tunji Akinosi, to appear before the Assembly on Aug. 29 to respond to the allegations against them.

Recall that Gov. Dapo Abiodun had, on June 17, dissolved the leadership of all transport unions in the state and constituted a 13-man committee to coordinate their activities.

The committee has been labelled with all sorts of corrupt practices with no one cautioning it until the report was finally brought to the assembly on Tuesday. 

Border closure: Security agents bastardising govt intentions - Imeko-Afon LG Chairman

Adeluyi

The Executive Chairman of Imeko-Afon Local Government in Ogun State, Hon. Tosin Adeluyi,has accused security agents of bastardising the good intention of the Federal Government in sanitising movements across the Nigerian borders. 

Adeluyi, in a statement he signed on Tuesday, lauded the closure of the land border with the primary aim of increasing border security and check the uncontrollable influx of imported food items into the country by the Nigerian Customs Service and other security personnel.

He however lamented the insensitivity of security agents at the border communities to the plight of farmers and traders. 

According to him, "the ways and manners the security operatives carry out this exercise have denied a lot of farmers who were transporting their goods from their farms in Nigeria to other parts of Nigeria, particularly within Ogun State, access to markets."

The local government boss is worried that if the farmers, who are transporting their farm produce such as tomatoes, garri, palm oil and others are not allowed to move their farm produce from their farms to the markets which are all within Nigeria,  the actions of the security agents would kill the farmers economically and bastardise the federal government efforts on agriculture.

He added that farmers and traders are being impoverished by the day as their primary sources of livelihood are being jeopardised.

Adeluyi informed, "The multiplier effect would also mean that Nigerians should warm up for increase in prices of tomatoes, yams, garri and other food items because the boarder communities in Imeko-Afon Local Government like Ilara, Idofa, Iwoye and Imeko contribute a lot to the food items being consumed in some states in Nigeria, particularly in Ogun and Lagos States.

"The farmers have protested to the Oloola of Ilara, Oba Samuel Adeluyi and the Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite, but sadly, all the pleas by these Obas to see that the innocent farmers do not suffer have fallen on deaf ears.

"It is my prayer that the border closure activities be better coordinated and the Nigerian farmers be allowed free access to Nigerian markets with their farm produce so as to avoid further loss of income to the people of Imeko-Afon Local Government area of Ogun State." he stated.

Tension in Ogun as Abiodun sets up committee to review Amosun's employments, promotions

There is palpable tension among workers in Ogun State as the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has set up a committee to look into the appointment and promotion of some workers.

The affected workers were those whose appointment or promotion were approved by former Gov. Ibikunle Amosun between February 1 and May 29, 2019.

DAILY POST recalls that Amosun had in April appointed 18 permanent secretaries.

Amosun, barely a month to the end of his administration, also appointed over 1,000 workers into the state’s civil service, while he promoted 5,000 government workers.

But Abiodun, while inaugurating the committee at his Okemosan office Monday, said the feedback received by his administration on the appointment of some people into state’s public and civil services was unsatisfactory, hence the setting up of the committee.

He noted that the state public service, renowned for its professionalism, commitment and dedication, would be provided with the right type of leadership to enable it perform optimally.

Abiodun, who said his administration was determined to build a solid manpower base, made up of qualified people, added that the committee is to examine and review all appointments and employment into the public and civil service, MDAs and other related matters connected.

He also noted that the committee was to ascertain whether there are vacancies for all posts and grade levels; to review and establish the procedures for appointment.

The committee, according to the state helmsman, is to recommend to government, appropriate course of action on the appointments and promotions.

The committee, Abiodun said, is to make any recommendation that may forestall recurrence of such appointment.

He said the committee, which has four weeks to submit its report, is made up of qualified people who know the workings in the public service, calling on the people to give the members adequate cooperation.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee and former Head of Service, Mr. Dipo Odulate, lauded the governor for being meticulous and not rushing to take action on any issue.

He said the committee would leave no stop unturned in discharging its assignment as it was poised to work assiduously, transparently and be fair to all.

Other members of the committee were; Elder Sola Adeyemi, Alhaji Kehinde Ogunfowodu, Chief Jide Oyeti, Alhaji Ambali Isola, Mrs. Moyosore Olowonmi, Mrs. Stanley Olufunmilayo, while Mr. Nurudeen Oyedele, would serve as the Secretary.

Meanwhile, workers, who might be affected by the recommendations of the committee are already panicking.

“Those who were newly employed might be fired, while those who were promoted might be demoted,” an anonymous source told DAILY POST as he looked into what might be the report of the committee.

Source: Daily Post

APC secretariat takeover: Osoba engaging in nonsense - Derin Adebiyi

Osoba

The Chairman of the Ogun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Chef Derin Adebiyi,  while reacting to the alleged forceful take over of APC secretariat in Abeokuta, said he does not know why former Governor Olusegun "Osoba is engaging in all this nonsense."

Adebiyi Osoba when he said the problem of the APC is lack of responsible leaders.

"The problem we have in this party is that we don't have responsible leaders. A person like Osoba, for him to engage in all this nonsense, it is worrisome. They have been using his house as their office, we never complained. We know why we didn't complain, because we know we are the authentic exco; they are just wasting their time. The masses are not on their side.

"It has gotten to a stage when people should play elderly roles. Osoba is now 80, what are they fighting us for? "

The chairman also took a swipe at the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, saying he will not leave his office an honourable man. 

Adebiyi, speaking in reaction to the  alleged invasion by the caretaker committee set up by Oshiomhole, after dissolving all elected executive members following the crises that engulfed the party after the controversial APC primary elections in Ogun.

The caretaker committee and others members of the party loyal to the Governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun had in the early hours of Friday "forcefully" took over the party Secretariat at Iyana Mortuary in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Adebiyi said, ”they thought they have some powers because Oshiomhole is supporting them, but by God’s grace, by God’s grace, if truly I am serving God  and Oshiomhole did this to us, Oshiomhole will never leave that place as an honourable person. He will leave in ignominy. Quote me, because some people build this party and he is destroying it.”

Earlier, while he was addressing newsmen after taking possession of the party’s secretariat, the caretaker Chairman, Yemi Sanusi, explained that the party members were at the secretariat to assess its condition as the party “is set to start work immediately.” 

Sanusi expressed displeasure over the present condition of the secretariat, as he assured that the party will give the secretariat a befitting facelift, in preparation for the forthcoming local government elections.

But Adebiyi said, “The Governor’s band of marauders arrived the Secretariat in a war–like manner and ready for a show down. They were accompanied by a detachment of fierce–looking mobile police officers.

“They damaged all properties at the secretariat and illegally broke into offices and carted away vital documents. Some of the destroyed materials were dumped at the back of the kiosks beside the party secretariat. They drove out members of staff of the secretariat and locked up the place.

“You will recall that the illegal occupation of the secretariat took place despite the fact that the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party under my leadership had gone to court to challenge the illegal dissolution of the State Executive Committee by the Adams Oshiomhole – led National Working Committee (NWC) at the Federal High Court Abuja in Suit No: CV/363/2018.

“Their action is condemnable and contravenes the extant law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the constitution of our dear party.

“We shall take all legal means possible in taking back our secretariat. We are products of a congress of May 19, 2018 and those causing this problem also took part in that congress.

“We have refused to join issues with them. We don’t want to engage in violence like they have done. 

“We have already filed a case at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging the dissolution by the NWC and the next adjourned date is scheduled for October 8, 2019.

“Why can’t they wait till the outcome of the court? Why are they resorting to violence? They are very immature people and with their actions. People of the State are now of the opinion that the era of thuggery is now back in Ogun State.

“We wish to state that the action of the invaders and illegal occupiers is condemnable and contravenes the extant party laws and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

"I sincerely believe all these are happening because they believe the best way to defend is to attack. But why? We don't come to their secretariat, we never ask them what they are doing, why are they coming to our secretariat? If they  know they are the official, why not leave us to be playing our pranks? 

"What  do they stand to gain in invading our office? Is Sanusi under any obligation to use that office? Why not sit in his office if he is so full of himself and let me sit in my office too; let's now call a meeting and see where party members will go. They will come to us, not to them."

Speaking about the building, Adebiyi explained that it was rented from the Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, father of Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, who is now with the Osoba group of the APC. 

On insinuations that the house might have been taken over due to Tejuoso's alliance with Gov Abiodun, Adebiyi said, "We rented that building, we  paid and we have the receipt. As we speak, our rent still subsists; until the end of that arrangement, we are the owner of that place. Nobody can eject us until our rent expires."

Breaking: Ogun APC secretariat forcefully taken over by thugs

The Iyana Mortuary office of the All Progressives Congress had been allegedly taken over by thugs suspected to be loyalists of Gov Dapo Abiodun, African Advocate reports.

The Public Relations Officer of the Derin Adebiyi-led executive of the APC in Ogun State confirmed that some men arrived the secretariat and chased away staff on duty.

Our correspondent who visited the secretariat reported that it is currently manned by the police, under lock and key.

Details later... 

No more daytime Oro festivals in Idiroko, as worshippers sign agreement

Igbo Oro

Residents of Ipokia Local Government area of Ogun State can now heave a sigh of relief as Oro worshippers in the area have entered an agreement with government and other religious groups to put an end to the imposition of curfew on communities during their festivals, DAILY POST reports.

The Oro cult groups also agreed to be handed over to the police in any event of mistake or breach of the agreement.

DAILY POST reports that Oro is an annual traditional festival that is of patriarchal nature, as it is only celebrated by male descendants who are paternal natives to the specific locations where the particular event is taking place.

During the festival, females and non-natives stay indoors as oral history has it that Oro must not be seen by women and non-participating people.

Hitherto, there have been crises over the imposition of curfew, between Christians/Muslims and Oro worshippers in Idiroko, Ajegunle, Ilase, Oko Eye, Agosasa, Ibatefin, Ifonyintedo and others in Ipokia Local Government.

But a document made available to DAILY POST now indicates that an agreement was reached at a religious stakeholders' meeting held at the Conference Room of Ipokia Local Government Secretariat on Wednesday.

The meeting, which was presided over by the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) in Ipokia, Engr Babatunde Odunlami, had in attendance representatives of Christian and Islamic faithfuls as well as leaders of Oro worshippers.

According to the document, Oro festivals will now hold midnight from 12am to 4am and there should be no restriction of any form to non-members within the period. This is in conformity with an Ipokia High Court ruling.

It was also agreed that there will be no curfew imposed on the whole town to deprive citizens of free movement; while Christians and Muslims must conduct their services inside churches and mosques respectively. Outside procession with loudspeakers are also forbidden during Oro festivals.

Likewise, no religious group should, in their preaching or songs, call traditional worshippers derogatory names and vice-versa, as no one should infringe on the fundamental human rights of citizens as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

While agreeing to maintain mutual love and security in Ipokia, the religious stakeholders said the agreement should be communicated to respective Obas, Baales and religious leaders across the local government, adding that any religious group that intends to stage a festival must inform the local government, police and other security agencies in writing.

DAILY POST reports that the agreement was signed on behalf of Muslim faithful by Faroq Tiamiyu, Yahya Ajibola and Ibrahim Idris, who is the Imam of Idiroko.

Christian faithful were represented by Joseph Arogunyo, John Jayeola and Adesina Sunday.

For the Oro worshippers, the agreement was signed by Ojo Alade, Gafar Waidi and Suuru Adeyemi.

Signing as witnesses were the DPO of Idiroko police station, CSP Opebiyi Sunday; the DPO of Ipokia was represented by CSP Oluku Sunday.

Also, the Department of State Services (DSS) was represented by B. E. Bassey, while the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was represented by DRC Garba Dare. 

I want to be Ogun governor in 2023 - Adebutu

Adebutu

A governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, said he would contest again in 2023 under the party.

Adebutu also called on those interested to contest against him within the PDP, to get ready for the race.

Adebutu, made this known on Tuesday during the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Unification Meeting held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.

Adebutu contested for the PDP governorship ticket in the last general election in Ogun State.

He was favoured by the party's National Working Committee, but Sen. Buruji Kashamu clinched the ticket as a result of court rulings in his favour .

The former House of Representatives member said the process of having more aspirants would be good for the party and will equally make the party to progress, boasting that he had done a lot of work to qualify him for the exalted seat.

His words, "I have said it and I am repeating it, and let it be clear, I have done a lot of work. I have ambition, but I expect anybody else to contest so that we can have the best. 

"Anybody desirous of any position, desirous of you being the Governor as Candidate in Ogun State, I appeal to you, please step forward and compete with me, let more people come out and compete. It is good for the party, when more people compete, we shall have constructive competition. Of course, the party should be lubricated. 

"When I give you chicken, another aspirant will give you rice, another person will give you pepper.

"Let people have the courage to compete. What we did in the past that has attracted many to what we are doing today is that we are free and candid with people."

Adebutu also welcomed decampees from other political parties in the state, saying "I welcome all those who returned to the fold, I can assure you, have no fear, the system will be free, fair and equitable".

While apologising to party members for the mistakes of the past, Adebutu  urged them to get united for the purpose of the party and for the development of the country.

"We need to get united for several reasons. The first and foremost is to have a country, Nigeria. We must have viable democracy, without democracy we cannot have a successful country. As it is today, we are in the opposition party and we must be responsible and be available. We have a duty to this nation. If we don't have a nation, how many of us are prepared to be refugees ?

"We have been misgoverned for the last few years and we have to return Nigeria to sanity.

The Party's National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, in his speech, commended the efforts of the State Chapter of the party towards unifying the members of the party, adding "we were divided and you know that divided we cannot stand, but united we can stand.

Speaking further, Secondus said, "we are very pleased with your actions today, that all our members who had left to other political parties had now agreed to come together and form that united party that can withstand all various and that can move forward and win election anytime they would come"

"For how long can we be oppressed, or how long can we be intimated, for how long can we starved, for how long can we continue to kill ourselves? 

"There is so much hunger in the land, so much killings in the land; we have never witnessed such before, even when Nigeria passed through the civil war, the number of people that have been killed since the inception of this APC government is so much that you can't place records’.

"Everyday you woke up to hear the killings in Zamfara, the killings in Enugu, the killings across the country, Benue, Taraba, Ogun State, other States, there is no State in Nigeria today that there has not had records of killings and suicide, all because of bad governance.

"We must rise and unite ourselves because we are all democrats. The entire world is watching.

How Dapo Abiodun admitted his election was marred with irregularities

Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State might have admitted before the tribunal that his election was not free and fair by telling the tribunal to deduct from his votes and those of Hon. Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied People's Movement, APM.

Akinlade has urged the election petition tribunal sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta to invalidate the election of Gov Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declare him winner; alleging overvoting and gross misconduct.

Akinlade also prayed the tribunal to disqualify Abiodun for providing "contradictory and false information" in the Form CF001 he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for his senatorial election in 2015 and the one submitted to the commission for his governorship election in 2019.

Akinlade spoke through his counsel, Mamman Usman (SAN), as the tribunal resumed on Monday for the adoption of final addresses by the petitioners and the respondents.

Earlier, counsel to Abiodun, Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) has urged the tribunal to dismiss Akinlade's petition.

Osipitan said Akinlade was unable to call enough witnesses.

According to Osipitan, even if all the 2,394 votes from 34 polling units were cancelled by the tribunal as prayed by Akinlade, Abiodun would still be leading as he would have 238,389 votes, while Akinlade would have 219,759 votes; adding that the allegation of overvoting as claimed by the 34 witnesses could not invalidate the outcome of the election.

But counsel to Akinlade, Usman said Akinlade has proven his case by tendering all necessary evidences before the tribunal and he has shown that INEC awarded unlawful votes to parties during the March 9 election in Ogun State.

Usman also added that the allegations of overvoting raised by the petitioners were never contradicted by the respondents, adding that the tribunal had enough evidence before it.

Akinlade had in his petition asked the tribunal to cancel all the votes in all the polling units where there were overvoting, according to the electoral act.

In a document before the tribunal, as sighted by our correspondent, it was gathered that Abiodun had earlier agreed to part with 25,302 votes, while asking the tribunal to also remove 15,905 from Akinlade's votes across the 20 local governments of the state.

This, according to Abiodun, would make the result of the March 9 governorship election 216,302 and 206,248 for the APC and APM respectively.

But Akinlade in his reply said cancellation of votes in all the polling units where overvoting occurred was the position of the law.

This, if done, he said would make him the winner; praying the tribunal to deduct 121,821 from Abiodun's votes and 58,955 votes from his (Akinlade's) votes; a figure he claimed to have arrived at when he removed votes of polling units where overvoting took place across the state.

This, according to Akinlade, would translate to him having 163,198 votes and Abiodun having 119,849 as against the 221,153 and 241,670 votes declared by INEC for the APM and APC respectively.

He also said he would have scored 25% or more of valid votes across the state to emerge winner of the election.

On the allegation of Abiodun providing false information in Exhibit P331 and P331A which are INEC Forms CF001 he submitted for his senatorial election in 2015 and the one submitted for his 2019 governorship race, Osipitan argued that anything that had to do with Form CF001 was a preelection matter that could not be entertained by the tribunal.

He added that different courts have ruled over similar case in favour of Abiodun, saying Akinlade ought to have gone to court 14 days after the submission of the documents to INEC and not after the election.

Osipitan maintained that Abiodun only said he attended the University of Ife, but never claimed to have graduated from the university; asserting that "attendance of a university is not the same as graduation."

But Usman told the tribunal that his colleague, Osipitan displayed ignorance due to lack of knowledge of Section 131(1)(E), which is a 2015 amended version of the Electoral Law 2010.

According to Usman, "The amendment provides an additional ground for an Election Petition, which is that the person whose election is being questioned submitted to INEC, an affidavit containing false information of a fundamental nature to support his qualification for the election."

He spoke further that the petitioners were not interested in Abiodun's educational qualification, but they were challenging the contradiction and inconsistency in his 2015 and 2019 INEC Forms CF001; emphasising that the amended electoral act has shown that issues bordering on falsehood "is not a preelection matter."

He said if the tribunal juxtaposed the two forms, it would discover that Abiodun presented false information to INEC to aid his election; adding that Form CF001 is a certificate.

Usman added that the 2015 Form CF001 was still in existence, not withdrawn by Abiodun as at 2019 when he was contesting to be a governor.

Speaking further, he said Abiodun having sworn to an oath before the court, committed perjury, urging the tribunal "not only to disqualify him, but to also invalidate his election and declare Akinlade the winner, as he (Abiodun) must not be allowed to benefit from illegality."

Meanwhile, the Justice Yusuf Halilu-led tribunal has reserved judgement.

The tribunal said it would serve all parties  two days notice prior to the day of judgement.

Akinlade supporters throng Ogun tribunal to witness adoption of final written addresses

Akinlade 

As the governorship election petition tribunal sits for the adoption of final written addresses today, scores of the supporters of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) have flooded the Isabo court premises in Abeokuta, venue of the tribunal. 

As early as 7:30am, the APM supporters were already in court to solidarise with the petitioner, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade.

Akinlade is challenging, at the tribunal, the March 9 governorship election that returned Prince Dapo Abiodun as the winner. 

Policemen at the entrance of the gate had a hectic time controlling the crowd, who were seeking to go into the court by all means. 

By 8:30am, the court room has been overcrowded with Akinlade's supporters, who were awaiting the commencement of proceedings.

As at the time of filing this report, Akinlade himself has entered the court room, receiving loud ovations from his supporters.

Ogun Job Portal Launch: Celebration of Mediocrity in its Highest Form

By James Aikulola, Itori

To political observers in Ogun state, it came as a rude shock when the government of Dapo Abiodun announced her plan to celebrate the launch of a job portal which ordinarily required no merry-making other than a press conference to create more awareness among the citizens.

Job portal is an avenue that helps an applicant to find job and aids employers in their quests to locate ideal candidates. It is an online platform purposely to seek employment and not a guarantee for automatic employment. Only God knows who advised a sitting governor to call for such celebrations especially with the invitation of the VP, who supposedly should be occupied with a more tangible and fruitful national assignment. 

However, Information has also revealed that the governor whose 100 days in office will come in no time is seeking all possible malicious and content-free ways to celebrate his under-performance in office by making reference to his job portal as a major achievement after siphoning of millions of tax payers funds via the jamboree celebrations.

No doubt, Ogun state has never had it this bad before where mediocres waste state resources without consideration on unnecessary events. The truth is that, the job itself is not coming from the state government but corporate organizations and established commissions. The brain behind its creation is the CEO of jobberman himself. Yes, CEO of jobberman!

In his handlers' views, they wanted to vituperate the past administration of SIA but rather keep exposing their principal's unpreparedness and lack of administrative initiatives.

We must remind these mediocres in power that time waits for no man and enough of their shameful administrative style which continues to ridicule the state among others, especially with their latest antics of wasting tax payers' funds on celebration of a website which ordinarily calls for no merry-making.

APC wants Gov Abiodun investigated for alleged certificate forgery, perjury

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has said the governor of the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, must defend the allegations of educational certificate forgery and perjury against him.

The State Chairman of the APC loyal to former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Chief Derin Adebiyi, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday.

Adebiyi, who is still contesting the dissolution of the state’s APC executive by the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, said he did not take part in the screening of Abiodun’s documents before the election, saying everything was done by the National Chairman.

It was reported on Monday that the Ogun State chapter of the Assembly of Patriots International asked the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to investigate the educational qualifications of Gov Abiodun.

The Secretary of API, Olasukanmi Oyekale, in a petition alleged that Abiodun made a false declaration under oath when he contested the senatorial seat in 2015 and during the 2019 governorship election in his form CF001.

But Adebiyi, who said he remained the only authentic Chairman of the APC in Ogun State, declared that he played no role in the selection of Abiodun as the APC governorship candidate.

Adebiyi maintained that the records with him confirmed there were discrepancies in what Gov. Abiodun filled in his INEC Form CF001 in 2015 when he was contesting for Ogun East senatorial seat and what he filled in the same form for his 2019 governorship race.

“Don’t forget that Gov. Dapo Abiodun contested for the senatorial senate in 2015 under this party. He submitted documents to the party and to the INEC. This is an open file. Mind you, all these documents are with some people. He came this year, and they said he only has school certificate.

“It is very easy to tell lies but it is not easy to cover it, because if you tell one lie today, you will need 100 lies in a year’s time to sustain it. You cannot tell me that in 2015, you’re 20 years old and you come and and tell me in 2019 that you are 18 years old; it does not make sense. For the purpose of elections, the INEC stipulates that we will go before the judiciary and swear an oath and we will sign. People have the record, which I also have with me.” he said.

Adebiyi spoke further that, “In dealing with official matters, I have always been very consistent. I don’t care whose ox is gored and I don’t fear telling the authority nothing but the truth. We are talking about fighting corruption, if we are going to fight corruption, it must start from us. The maker of what you’re saying, I think he is in a better position to explain this. As far as I am concerned, we have records that confirmed what you are saying. In the record, what he submitted in 2015 is what we have in the record.”

The party chieftain asserted that though Abiodun was still enjoying immunity as a sitting governor, the immunity did not prevent him from being investigated.

“I know as a matter of fact that as a Governor he now has immunity. I equally know according to the judgment of the Supreme Court that, the immunity does not say that he may not be investigated; they may have to wait until he drops his immunity before he can be charged for anything. But to me, we must endeavour to do the correct thing at all times.

“The correct thing is that justice must prevail; fairness, justice and equity. We must have one law. If the law says this is the way things should be done, if anyone contravenes it, that person should be punished so that they will know that truly, we are fighting against corruption.”

“I am very sure he has been dragged to the judiciary and he is in a better position to explain his points. I know he will not be found culpable because he as a governor, he will explain himself.

“He is in a position to controvert it and set the record straight. To me, it is a new allegation but I cannot deny the fact that what you are saying, I saw it on the file,” Adebiyi added.

Meanwhile, Adebiyi has accused Oshiomhole of plunging the APC into danger, saying the APC National Chairman was behaving like an undertaker.

“This party is in danger with Oshiomhole as the head. Oshiomhole is behaving as an undertaker. Oshiomhole is not a democrat. He could have come as a military person,” he stated.

Probe Dapo Abiodun for certificate forgery - Group tells IG

The Ogun State chapter of the Assembly of Patriots International has asked the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to investigate the educational qualifications of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The Secretary of API, Olasukanmi Oyekale, stated this in a petition to the IG, a copy of which was obtained by AFRICAN ADVOCATE in Abeokuta.

The petition, dated August 7, alleged that Abiodun made a false declaration under oath when he contested the senatorial seat in 2015 and during the 2019 governorship election in his form, CFOO1.

It claimed that the All Progressives Congress and Abiodun allegedly conspired to engage in what it described as a ‘nefarious act’.

The group further claimed that the governor allegedly committed offences relating to perjury and that, “he intentionally provided false information with the aim of misleading the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

It added that  Abiodun allegedly did not obtain any educational qualifications from any higher institution.

The petition further read, “Although we are aware that an executive governor cannot be prosecuted while in office, the Supreme Court has clearly ruled that a governor can be investigated and if found culpable, should be prosecuted upon exit from office.

“As clearly shown on the face value of the attached forms CF001 that Governor Dapo Abiodun filled and signed on oath in 2015 and 2019, he clearly committed an offence by knowingly providing false information.

“The said information was provided with a view to misleading the electoral umpire and benefit from same by criminally claiming to have attended and obtaining non-existing educational qualifications.

“We, therefore, implore you to use your good offices as the Inspector-General of Police to investigate thoroughly the possible involvement and collusion of the All Progressives Congress which screened and certified the credentials submitted to it by Governor Dapo Abiodun for its roles in this nefarious act.”

Attempts to get the reaction of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kunle Somorin, failed as he did not answer several calls made to his phone.

He had also yet to reply to the text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

A national daily has, in an exclusive news feature published Sunday August 4, reported that efforts to confirm the authenticity of Abiodun's studentship in the secondary school he filled in his INEC Form CF001 proved abortive as his name was not found in the directory.

The newspaper also said the Obafemi Awolowo University where Abiodun claimed he dropped out from (during a live television interview before the election) could not confirm, as at the time of filing its report, that Abiodun was admitted to study any course in the then University of Ife.

Likewise, it was also reported that, more than three weeks after a request was made to the headquarters of the West African Examination Council, WAEC, the examination council could not confirm the authenticity of a 1978 WAEC certificate Abiodun attached to his INEC form in 2019.

Ogun LG chairmen accuse Abiodun of spending, diverting LG funds - Report

The Ogun State chapter of the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of spending funds belonging to the 20 Local Governments of the State without the ‘sign off’ of the elected Chairmen.

This allegation was contained in a statement jointly signed by the trio of Hon. Kunle Folarin, the Chairman; Alhaji Rasaq Adeagbo, Ogun West Senatorial Chairman and Hon. Femi Kafaru, Ogun East Senatorial Chairman.

The eighth Ogun State House of Assembly, under the leadership of former Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi, had on May 3, 2019 issued a resolution suspending all political functionaries at the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.

Acting on the resolution, the State Governor, Abiodun, froze all LGs and LCDAs’ accounts in Ogun, while the Chairmen were also asked to submit their Bank Verification Numbers BVN).

DAILY POST learnt that the accounts have since been unfrozen as the LGs and LCDAs are currently been run by the Heads of Local Government Administrations (HOLGA).

Therefore, the Chairmen in their statement, said they had informed the Ogun State House of Assembly during a meeting on Tuesday that they had not gotten any grant or allocation from the government of Abiodun since he took over on May 29.

The Chairmen also alleged that “all spendings on the LG and LCDA bank accounts in the last two months are being authorised by Gov. Dapo Abiodun without the sign off of the elected LG and LCDA Chairmen.”

It would be recalled that the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) had warned state governors not to tamper with local governments’ funds again.

The NFIU said that in consonance with the 1999 constitution, no debit would be allowed on any local government funds with effect from June 1, 2019 until the money was credited to the receiving local government.

The agency said the decision was taken to protect local government allocations while promising to deal with individuals, banks or companies abetting the diversion of local government funds.

One of the suspended LG Chairmen, who spoke with DAILY POST anonymously said the governor had flouted the NFIU regulations by approving funds belonging to the LGs and LCDAs.

The suspended LG boss said “it will be illegal for Gov Abiodun to spend any money from LG account, and nobody can do so without the chairmen signing off, because we are still the democratically elected Chairmen till October 20, 2019.”

He, however, said the governor had paid their May and June salaries, despite their suspension.

Meanwhile the LG and LCDA Chairmen have dragged Gov Abiodun and the state House of Assembly before an Abeokuta Federal High Court, asking it to declare their suspension “unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.”

Counsel to the suspended council officials, Monday Ubani, stated that, “having unsuccessfully explored several avenues to make Ogun State Government and House Assembly to reverse their suspension, the only option left for them is to approach the court.”

They are also demanding for the sum of N500m as damages for the infringement on their fundamental rights.

Meanwhile, efforts to get Gov Abiodun’s reactions to the suspended LG and LCDA Chairmen’s allegations through his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, have been unsuccessful as he did not reply messages sent to him.