OSUN HOS AFTER MY LIFE, CIVIL SERVANT ALLEGES

The Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Ila Local Government Area of Osun State, Mr Samson Olayinka Odewale has alleged that the state Head of Service, Dr Festus Oyebade Olowogboyega was after his life.

To this end, Odewale had petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, zone 11, asking the police to investigate the allegation and ensure that his life is not cut short by any disgruntled element.

In the petition signed by his lawyer, Mr Muftau Abiodun Adediran, the council boss alleged that some unidentified men had been trailing him around in the recent time, just as strange movement of unknown individuals was noticed in his house located at Dada Estate area of Osogbo.

The development, he said was after he had been invited by the police for interrogation at the State Police command headquarters and his mobile phone seized for days, which led to the search
of his residence by the police as a result of allegations levelled against him by the Head of Service.

Odewale in a statement released to the media also alleged that Olowogboyega had frustrated him administratively and made attempts to pull him out of service but couldn’t have his way, hence his (Olowogboyega) alleged actions.

His words “It has become imperative for me to let the world know that my life is in great danger, and the source of the threat is Comrade Festus Olowogboyega, the Osun State Head of Service. In the last six years or so, Olowogboyega has adopted various tactics to intimidate and victimize my person. However, the “hunting” has taken a dangerous dimension in the last 15 days as strange faces have been trailing me around in very suspicious manner.

“Before he adopted this scary method, he had used lies and blackmail since 2018 to attack my person. Having threatened to get me out of the service, he approached people in Ogbeni Aregbesola’s government (names withheld) and lied to them that: I have joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and I was regularly visiting the country home of the Adeleke dynasty in Ede.

” He also alleged that I was using my position as the Chairman of Forum of Council Managers to undermine the party in power and promote the main opposition party.

“He said all of these to prepare justifications for his evil intention to move me from the local government service to the state service, where, according to him, he would be able to deal with me and dismiss me from the service. When he thought that the people in government have swallowed his lies hook, line and sinker, he came up with a posting instruction that was most unprecedented, moving me from Ila Local Government to Osun State Council for Arts and Culture,” he added.

He explained that his crisis with Olowogboyega was as a result of issues associated with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and his position as chairman of the Forum of Council Managers in the state, alleging that Olowogboyega wanted to have influence on the two organizations.

Odewale who alleged that his life is in serious danger, called on the Police to protect him even as he urged members of the public to prevail on Olowogboyega, who he alleged of being behind his current challenges.

YOU CAN’T INSTITUTE CASE ON BEHALF OF ACTION ALLIANCE, COURT TELLS KENNETH UDEZE

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared that Mr Kenneth Udeze lacks the right to institute any litigation on behalf of the Action Alliance (AA), having been expelled from the party.

Recalled that the party’s National Think Thank committee, which is the highest ruling organ of the party had since 2019 suspended and subsequently expelled Udeze from the party.

It was gathered that Udeze did not challenge his suspension and expulsion from the party.

The court presided over by Justice B.F.M Nyako held that Udeze cannot represent the party in the suit he instituted and granted an application by the national chairman of the party, Hon Adekunle Rufai Omoaje to be joined in the suit.

By the ruling, Omoaje will henceforth represent the Action Alliance in the matter.

The court also ruled that all documents relating to the case should be served Omoaje who will henceforth represent the party in the suit.

Udeze had approached the court to seek an order preventing the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from contesting the 2023 presidential election.

Joined in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shetima.

The case was thereafter adjourned to 6th December, 2022.

COURT STRIKES OUT UDEZE’S CASE AGAINST INEC, NNPP

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out the case instituted by one Mr Kenneth Udeze on behalf of the Action Alliance (AA) against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and its Presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso.

Udeze had sought for an order of the court to disqualify Kwakwanso from contesting the 2023 Presidential election.

In the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1154/2022 the plaintiff had on behalf of the Action Alliance asked for an order of the court to disqualify Kwakwanso.and his running mate, Pastor Isaac Idahosa from contesting.

However, Justice Emeka Nwite who presided over the court discountenanced the matter on the ground that Udeze had since 2019 been suspended and subsequently expelled from the party.

The party’s National Think Thank committee, which is the highest ruling organ of the party had suspended and subsequently expelled Udeze for various offences.

The court therefore declared that Udeze has no right to institute any litigation on behalf of the party, having been formally suspended and expelled.

Justice Nwite reiterated that the authentic national chairman of the Action Alliance is Hon Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, going by the facts and documents before the court.

He also ruled that all documents relating to the matter should be served Omoaje who will henceforth represent the party in the suit.

He thereafter adjourned the case to 29th November, 2022.

RESPECT COURT ORDERS, ACTION ALLIANCE TELLS INEC

The Action Alliance (AA) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect Court orders delivered in favour of its national chairman, Hon Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and his faction.

The party also called on the electoral body to act swiftly on the display of the list of candidates submitted to it by the party’s National Chairman, Hon Omoaje as ordered by the court.

This is even as the party submitted the Court of Appeal judgment which gave credence to the leadership of Omoaje to INEC.

The party, in a letter signed by its counsel, Oba Maduabuchi (SAN), also urged INEC to make available its PIN to enable the party to upload its candidates’ details on the INEC portal.

While lamenting that despite the plethora of judgments, INEC had not provided the party with the PIN to upload its candidates’ details the party said the 2023 elections are fast approaching, hence the need for INEC to respect Court orders on time.

The letter titled ‘Re: Further Confirmation of Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje as National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA) Party by the Court of Appeal’ Submission of Court of Appeal Judgment Dated the 11th Day of November 22′ reads in parts, “I had on the 12th day of August 2022 forwarded to you the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division in which the Court of Appeal affirmed the expulsion/suspension of Barrister Kenneth Udeze from the Action Alliance.”

NEW AKIRUN OF IKIRUN GETS STAFF OF OFFICE

Osun State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola on Wednesday presented the staff of office to the new Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Olalekan Yunus Akadiri.

The presentation was done at an event held at the state ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abere and attended by prominent indigenes of Ikirun including the Oluomo of Ikirun who doubles as the Elemo Aga of Ikirun land, High Chief Bamidele Onifade.

Oyetola who was represented by his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Razaq Adeosun urged the people of Ikirun to collaborate with the new monarch for the progress and development of the town.

The Governor also charged the new monarch to rule the town with the fear of God and extend hands of fellowship to all and sundry.

He called for peace in the ancient town, even as he called in the people of the town to jettison issues that can divide them, calling on all the indigenes of the town to support Oba Akadiri.

Speaking, the monach expressed gratitude to God for the privilege to rule the town, just as he called for the support of all and sundry in his desire to ensure the overall development of the town.

He called on prominent indigenes of the town to team up with him for the overall development of the town.

The monarch who was flanked by his wife and other indigenes of the town expressed his willingness to rule with the fear of the Lord.

APPEAL COURT REAFFIRM OMOAJE AS ACTION ALLIANCE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

The leadership tussle rocking the Action Alliance (AA) may have finally been laid to rest as the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal on Friday confirmed Hon Adekunle Rufai Omoaje as the authentic national chairman of the party.

The judgment delivered by Justice A.B Mohammed may have put an end to claim by one Kenneth Udeze, who is said to have been expelled from the party, that he is the national chairman of the party.

Justice A B Mohammed who presided over the court held that Omoaje is the only authentic and recognized national chairman of the Action Alliace and should be given the recognition forthwith.

Recalled that two counsel had attempted to represent the Action Alliance in a case instituted by Hon Awoniyi Awolola Awofala the Governorship candidate of Hon Adekunle Rufai Omoaje leadership of the party against Dr Olufemi Adeyemi of Kenneth Obidiche Udeze faction of the party at an Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta.

However, the Friday ruling of the Court of Appeal has given credence to the candidates presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the Hon Omoaje led faction of the party.

It would be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had penultimate week ordered INEC to display the list of all the candidates presented to it by Omoaje at all levels.

With the ruling, Major Hamzat Al-mustapha who is said to be the presidential candidate of the party and others seeking elective positions under the Kenneth Udeze led faction may have their candidature forfeited.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed upheld the ruling of the Ogun State High Court which recognized Omoaje as the national chairman of the Action Alliance.

The court held that the leadership of Hon Adekunle Rufai Omoaje is the only one recognized by the constitution of the party, as Kenneth Udeze had long been expelled from the party.

Besides, the court affirmed the suspension and subsequent expulsion of Udeze from the party.

Reacting to the Friday’s judgment, the National Chairman of the AA, Hon Omoaje described the judgment as a landmark victory for the rule of law and democracy.

He warned members of the party and general public not to have anything to do with Udeze on behalf of the Action Alliance.

He said all the contestants seeking elective posts at different levels in the party, aside the ones he submitted their names to INEC do so at their own peril.

2023: ACTION ALLIANCE WARNS AL-MUSTAPHA, OTHERS AGAINST IMPERSONATION

Following the Friday sack of Major Hamzat Al-mustapha as the presidential candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the party has warned Al-mustapha against parading himself as the party’s presidential flag bearer.

Also, the party warned others contesting various elective positions in the Kenneth Udeze led faction of the party to desist from parading themselves as the party’s flag bearer or face litigation.

Besides, the AA described as fallacy a statement credited to one Mr Emmanuel Johnson Chukwuka that himself and Major Hamzat Al-mustapha are still in the race to contest the 2023 presidential election.

National chairman of the party, Hon Adekunle Rufai Omoaje in his reaction to Chukwuka statement said the judgment delivered by Justice Z.B Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abuja was not ambiguous, hence Chukwuka and his co-travellers should be able to interpret it.

Omoaje in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure yesterday, said, by the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to display the list of candidates he submitted, Al-mustapha seized to be the party’s presidential candidate.

He advised both Al-mustapha and Chukwuka to respect the rule of law and prevent being charged for contempt as the party would not hesitate to charge them for impersonation and contempt if they continue to parade themselves as the presidential and Vice presidential candidates of the party respectively.

The AA National Chairman said the judgment was clear and unequivocal on the list of candidates to be displayed by INEC in it’s offices and on its website.

Also, Omoaje called on INEC to respect the court order and act fast, saying that “as a respected and independent institution, we expect INEC to act fast on the order of the Federal High Court Abuja delivered on Friday by His Lordship, Justice Abubakar.”

“The party will continue to toe the path of honour and we shall not undermine due process and rule of law in all our activities. The Action Alliance is one and all those who are out to destroy the party have been shown the way out,” he added.

ACTION ALLIANCE: OMOAJE FLOORS UDEZE AS COURT ORDERS INEC TO DISPLAY PARTY’S CANDIDATES SUBMITTED BY OMOAJE

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to display the list of candidates seeking various elective positions under the Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omoaje faction of the Action Alliance (AA).

The court presided over by Justice Z.B Abubakar also held that the electoral body erred by failing to give recognition to the list of candidates submitted to it by Omoaje who is the National Chairman of the Action Alliance.

Omoaje had on behalf of himself and the Action Alliance approached the court to seek redress on the non recognition of the candidates submitted to INEC by him on behalf of the party.

By the judgement of the court, the candidates already announced by INEC including the presidential candidate, Major Hamzat Al-mustapha (rtd) are expected to be substituted by the list of candidates submitted by Omoaje.

Al-mustapha had earlier been announced as the presidential candidate of the AA by INEC and his name was already published in the website of the electoral body.

However, with the latest court judgment, Al-mustapha may be replaced by another person who gained the blessing of Hon Omoaje.

Recalled that Sunday Sun had exclusively reported that Al-mustapha might risk loosing the AA’s presidential ticket going by the litigation against him.

Delivering his ruling on Friday, Justice Abubakar who cited section 2(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 should immediately publish the names and addresses of all candidates submitted by Omoaje on behalf of the Action Alliance.

“By the provision of section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the INEC should publish by displaying at the relevant office or offices of INEC and on its website.”

AKINRUN : POLICE WARN AGAINST VIOLENCE, THREATEN TO ARREST RIOTERS

Osun State Police command has warned the people of Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State against violence over the appointment of the new Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Olalekan Yunus Akadiri by the state government.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Faleye Sunday Olaleye handed down the warning at a peace parley held at the command headquarters in Osogbo on Tuesday.

The Police boss who met with the warring groups including prominent indigenes of the town and some traditional chiefs declared that he would not hesitate to arrest any individual who violates his order.

He advised any aggrieved individual or group of people to approach the court to seek redress, rather than engaging in breakdown of law and order.

The Police commissioner who frowned at the crisis which erupted in Ikirun as a result of the emergence of Oba Akadiri, warned against further mayhem in the town, just as he read the riot acts to residents of the town.

He cautioned members of the various ruling houses in the town against violent and charged them to respect the laws of the land.

It was gathered that the parties at the meeting resolved to embrace peace and allow harmony in the town.

Akinrun NOT BARRED FROM PALACE – IKIRUN CHIEF
. SAYS NEW MONARCH IN SECLUSION OBSERVING RITES OF INSTALLATION

A traditional chief in Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State, High Chief Bamidele Onifade has dispelled rumours making the round that the new traditional ruler of the town, Oba Olalekan Akadiri was barred from entering the palace.

Onifade who is the Elemo of Ikirun said the new monarch is currently in seclusion observing traditional rites as prescribed by the tradition and culture of the town.

He said “Oba Akadiri is currently in Ipebi as the tradition and custom of the town demand. He will be in seclusion for some days after which he will move to the palace. That is the practice in Ikirun.”

The High Chief noted that the rumor that the monarch was barred from entering the palace was the figment of imagination of some disgruntled elements who are not comfortable with the choice of Oba Akadiri.

He informed that the new monarch has commenced all traditional rites leading to his installation as the Akirun of Ikirun.

He advised anyone with grievances regarding the choice of the monarch by the Osun State government to approach the court and stop engaging in violence.

Onifade who is also the Oluomo of Ikirun maintained that the emergence of Oba Akadiri as the Akirun of Ikirun, followed all laid down traditional practices governing the selection and appointment of the Akirun.