GROUP BEGINS PRAYERS FOR GOVERNOR ADELEKE TO TRIUMPH AT SUPREME COURT

A group, the Independent Muslim Brothers and Sisters Association of Nigeria (IMBS), Osun State chapter, has commenced a 7-day prayer for the Osun State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke to record another landslide victory over the former Governor of the State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola at the Supreme Court.

Nigerian Platform was hinted on Sunday evening during an exclusive chat with the spokesperson of the association, Alhaji Moruf Abimbola, in Osogbo.

Recall that Governor Ademola Adeleke won convincingly before the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja following a “Buga” judgement by the Justice Tersea-Kume led Election Petition Tribunal in Osogbo, which favoured the former Governor.

While speaking, Alhaji Abimbola said that the prayer is necessary since Governor Ademola Adeleke did not have anybody to fight for him except Allah.

The organisation alleged that the Governor’s opponents are trying to use all the powers in the country to hijack the political will freely given to the Governor by the people, at all costs.

According to Alhaji Abimbola, “the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning to pocket the justice while we believe that Allah will always be at the side of his people because He is the only one in charge of power”.

“In addition, the peace, progress and development which the good people of the state have been enjoying since the inception of this administration should continue and that the people’s mandate given to Governor Ademola Adeleke be reaffirmed by the Supreme Court”.

“We also enjoin every well meaning individuals to join us in prayer for Governor Ademola Adeleke to be successful at the Supreme Court in Abuja by the grace of Almighty Allah”.

SETTLE YOUR DIFFERENCES OUT OF COURT, GROUP URGES ACTION ALLIANCE, TINUBU, INEC

A prominent socio political organization, the Yoruba Elders Union (YEU) has appealed to the President elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), Dr Adekunle Rufai Omoaje to reconcile and settle their rifts in the interest of the Yoruba nation.

A chieftain of the association, Dr Joshua Foluso Oguntuase made the plea in a statement made available to newsman on Friday.

Oguntuase who is also a religious leader also called on Tinubu and Omoaje to withdraw their suits and settle their cases out of court.

Besides, the elder statesman also called on the leadership of the Action Alliance to reach a truce with the Independent National Electoral Commission and settle their differences out of court.

Oguntuase cited the petition of the Action Alliance before the Presidential Election Petition Court/Tribunal as “the most notorious of all the petitions, but simplest to settle out of court.”

He said it is not prejudicial or subjudice for a volunteer, to come into the matter at any stage, for out of court settlement.

“One of the primary objective of the Yoruba Elders Union is to defend the interest of the Yoruba race as their leaders. The current National Chairman of Action Alliance is Dr Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje as recognized by the Court, and the current President-elect of Nigeria as announced by INEC is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Therefore, an average Yoruba leader should seek a proposition of Dispute Resolution Approach (DRA) between Omoaje and Tinubu,”

He said the AA’s petition before the tribunal can jeopardize the victory of Tinubu, hence the need to resolve the matter out of court, especially in the interest of the Yoruba race.

EID-EL FITRI: EBURU FELICITATES WITH MUSLIMS

Frontline traditional ruler in Osun State, the Eburu of Iba, Oba (Prof) Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye Oyedeji 11 has rejoiced with Muslims on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el Fitri which marks the end of the 30 days Ramadan fast.

The monarch specifically rejoice with Muslim ummah in Iba and pray Almighty Allah to accept their fasting as acts of ibadah.

He urged Muslims to shun all sinful acts that they abstained from during the Ramadan period and continue to live righteously.

He also seized the occasion to enjoin all indigenes of Iba both at home and in the diaspora to participate actively in the forthcoming census exercise which holds in May, this year.

Oba Okunoye called on the residents and indigenes of the town to mobilize their wards during the exercise as there are benefits to derive in the headcount.

He said the town stands a better chance in terms of infrastructural development if people turn out largely for the census exercise as it will be used as yardstick for government’s developmental projects.

For the town to enjoy more development and also attracts government attention, Eburu said the census results must be favourable and therefore urged all and sundry to see the exercise as a call for communal development.

While rejoicing with Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan, Oba Okunoye urged them not to relent in their prayers and sacrifices for the development and progress of Iba

21,834 OSUN INDIGENES BENEFIT FROM ADELEKE’S FREE HEALTH PROGRAMME

No fewer than 21,834 residents of Osun State have benefited from the free medical services organized by the state government tagged Imole Free Medical and Surgical treatment.

Residents of the state had trooped out in their large number between February and April, 2023 to benefit from the free medical services organized to mark the 100 days in office of the state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

The Governor had constituted a 10 member committee of health workers chaired by the Chief Medical Director of the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Professor Peter Babatunde Olaitan.

The chairman of the committee, Prof Peter Babatunde Olaitan said the committee gathered no fewer than 200 health workers from both the secondary and tertiary health institutions to work on the project.

He said the health personnel comprising of medical Doctors, surgeons, Nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists and other health workers all worked assiduously to ensure the success of the programme.

While the flag-off was held in Iwo on 15th of February, 2023, the team visited all the nine federal constituencies of the state providing medical care, General and Eye surgical procedures for the people.

A total of 21,834 citizens of the state benefited from the program, while 10,543 benefited from medical, 9,133 benefited in the free eye care and 1,453 people benefited from general surgical care.

Of the patients with eye care, 705 of them had eye surgery while 2,415 were given free eye glasses.

The chairman of the committee lauded Governor Adeleke for the initiative and the execution of the programme.

Besides, he expressed gratitude to all health workers who participated in the program and all the citizens who put their trust in the professional abilities of the medical experts.

CALL AWOTUNDE TO ORDER, IFELODUN PDP FACTION TELLS ADELEKE

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State has warned a former chairman of the local government, Mr Sarafadeen Awotunde against acts capable of causing violence in Ikiirun, the headquarters of the local government.

The faction also called on the state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke to call Awotunde to order so as to prevent crisis in the party and the local government at large.

The faction in a statement by its spokesperson, Raimi Ololade alleged that Awotunde had polarized the party in the local government because of his own selfish ambition and interest, thereby causing trouble within the party.

Awotunde (popularly known as Spain) who claims to be the leader of the PDP in the local government was also alleged to have caused series of intra-party crisis in the party as he allegedly extort some chairmanship aspirants of the party.

He was alleged to have collected money from five chairmanship aspirants of the party, on the pretence to support their aspirations.

It would be recalled that crisis broke out at a meeting of the party stakeholders recently where some members of the party were badly injured and a former councilor hospitalized.

The faction also alleged Awotunde of extorting unsuspecting members of the party, as he allegedly uses his personal relationship with a key government functionary to boast around.

The former Council boss was also advised to learn from other leaders of the PDP in the state and the town in particular who detest violence.

OBASHIP TUSSLE: IKIRUN INDIGENES REAFFIRM OBA AKADIRI AS AKINRUN OF IKIRUN n

Indigenes of Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State have reiterated that the town is under the traditional leadership of Oba Yunus Olalekan Akadiri, the Akirun of Ikirun land.

The indigenes of the town under the aegis of Concerned Ikirun Youths declared that the people of the town are solidly behind Oba Akadiri, contrary to an erroneous claim by a politician in the town.

The position of the concerned youths of the town came on the heels of a statement allegedly credited to a politician in the town who was quoted as saying that the town has no traditional ruler while featuring on a live radio programme.

The Concerned youths in a statement issued by their spokesperson, Jimoh Bamiji chastised the politician who is a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for speaking in disparaging manner towards the position of the present Akinrun of Ikirun and warned him not to plunge into an issues outside the sphere of his authority.

Jimoh stated that “We have traditional system in our town that intrinsically gives the power of the selection of Akinrun of Ikirun to the kingmakers only. Therefore, it’s not the business of any politician to dabble into traditional issue.”

He also said that “it will be anomalous and degrading of our traditional value and chieftaincy regulations for such politician to think he has any say either to approve or disapprove the decision of the kingmakers.”

According to him “Oba Akadiri emerged through the only available lay down procedure, by polling six out of seven votes cast by kingmakers who participated in the selection exercise and this bestowed upon him the approval to become the Akinrun.”

The group maintained that Governor Ademola Adeleke remains the only quintessential authority to remove the executive order preventing the Akinrun of Ikirun from occupying the palace of his forefathers and therefore pleaded with Governor Ademola Adeleke to lift the executive order restraining the monarch from entering the palace.

“The traditional palace of our monarch is of prime importance to we the indigenes of Ikirun and our love for the town can not be subjected to psychological debilitating with delay in alloying the Akinrun to occupy the traditional palace,” he added.

Recalled that the state government had presented the staff of office and certificate of installation to Oba Akadiri who emerged the Akinrun of Ikirun at a selection process held by all the kingmakers in the town in accordance with Chieftaincy regulations.

No fewer than 21 Princes had vied for the vacant stool of the Akinrun of Ikirun and a selection process was conducted where Oba Akadiri received approval of six out of the seven kingmakers who participated in the selection.

The development led to the presentation of Oba Akadiri to the state government through the authorities of Ifelodun Local Government Area, thus presented with the instruments of office including the installation certificate and staff of office which authenticated his selection and subsequent appointment as the Akinrun of Ikirun.

The concerned youths noted that the administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke did not dethrone Oba Akadiri but only set up an administrative panel of enquiry to look into the process that led to his appointment as the Akinrun of Ikirun, saying that such practice is not alien to the traditional institution in the state and the country at large.

They warned politicians to desist from issues bothering on traditional institution and concentrate on political matters as they have nothing to do with the traditional issues in their domains.

They described Oba Akadiri as a beneficiary of Court judgment, adding that his selection and subsequent appointment followed due process, culture, tradition and customs of the town.

The group expressed worry on why an indigene of the town who is a politician would go on air to make such fallacious statement capable of throwing the town into violence and anarchy.

They alleged that the same character has always been using his personal relationship with a key government functionary in the state to extort a particular contestant for the stool who failed the election conducted by the kingmakers.

They reminded that the choice of Oba Akadiri was born out of a judgement of an Osun State High Court presided over by Justice Jide Falola which held that the next ruling house after Gboleru should produce the candidate(s) for the stool of Akirun when it was vacant due to the failure of the Gboleru ruling house to produce a common candidate within the time stipulated by the court.

EASTER: EBURU FELICITATES WITH CHRISTIANS, CALLS FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN CENSUS

A renowned traditional ruler in Osun State, the Eburu of Iba, Oba (Prof) Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye Oyedeji 11 has felicitated with christians on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration.

The monarch also urged Nigerians especially christians to use the occasion to pray for unity, progress and development of the country.

Specifically, he urged the people of Iba to be united and work towards the progress and development of the town.

Also, he called on the people of the town to participate actively in the coming national population census exercise to ensure that the town is placed appropriately in the scheme of things.

He urged indigenes of the town at home and in the diaspora to participate actively in the headcount organized by the National Population Commission holding next month.

The monarch hinted that there are benefits embedded in the census exercise, saying that the town will benefit greatly if the population increases.

While calling on all and sundry to participate in the census and also mobilize their family members home, Oba Okunoye said the exercise will bring lot of development to the town.

He therefore stressed the need for all the indigenes and residents of Iba to take advantage of this year’s census to draw the attention of the government to the town.

ACTION ALLIANCE: “SUPREME COURT DISMISSED UDEZE’S APPEAL IN 2022”, PARTY REMINDS INEC

The Action Alliance (AA) has called the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the dismissal of an appeal filed by a former member of the party, Mr Kenneth Udeze before the Supreme Court.

The party said for INEC to rely on Udeze ‘s claim that he has a pending suit before the Supreme Court is baseless and unfounded as the appeal had been dismissed since December 2022.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Kudirat Kekereekun on the 7th of December, 2022, copy of which was made available to our correspondent, the apex court dismissed Udeze’s appeal outrightly.

In the suit numbered SC/CV/1259/2022, filed by Kenneth Udeze against Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others, Udeze appealed against the judgment that authenticated the emergence of Omoaje as the national chairman of the AA.

Udeze who had been suspended and subsequently expelled from the party had approached the Supreme Court to appeal against the judgment won by Omoaje but his case was dismissed along side 49 other cases.

Justice Kekereekun held that the suit was dismissed pursuant to Order 6 rule 3(2) of the rules of the Supreme Court for want of prosecution.

To this end, the party advised the INEC Chairman, Prof Mamood Yakubu not to be cajoled by the antics of Udeze as he has no locus standi to represent the party or challenge it in any capacity, having lost the membership of the party and failed in all the courts he approached.

Besides, the party urged INEC and its chairman in particular to respect all the court judgements in favour of the party and its national chairman, Dr Omoaje.

Recalled that Udeze had in a letter dated 4th November, 2022 written by his counsel, Mr Emeka Ozoani SAN and addressed to the judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja intimated the court of his pending appeal before the Supreme Court.

Omoaje however expressed worry on why INEC could respect a letter more than court judgements.

OSUN GOV’S WIFE, ERELU NGOZI ADELEKE SUE’S PALACE QUEENS ON LESS PRIVILEGED WOMEN

Wife of Osun State Governor, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke has charged the Palace Queens in Nigeria to join Governments at all levels in alleviation of poverty among women, especially the less privileged in the country.
Erelu Ngozi Adeleke speaking on the topic entitled “the Impact of Oloris in National Development” during the inauguration of Conference of Oloris (the Palace Queens) organised by the wife of Ooni of Ife, Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, at the Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife as part of activities marking International Women’s Month.
Erelu Adeleke posited that the Palace should endeavour to join government in poverty and women empowerment.
She enthused that the Oloris should always organise programmes that are women oriented to improve the welfare of the women folk in Nigeria.
According to her, “She talk on the importance of Oloris in the development of our their communities, towns, cities and the world at large can not be quantified.
Show them love, share the little things you have with the less privilege in our society, we can move the State forward with our collective efforts to eradicate poverty in our state”, she aveered.
Also speaking at the programme, Olori Janet Afolabi, the wife of Alapomu of Apomu said Palace Women should also serve as counselors and role models for other women in their communities.
The Ooni’s wife, Olori Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi thanked dignitaries from all walks of life who thronged the programme, assuring that the Palace Queens would make laudable impacts in National Development.

OSUN GOV’S WIFE, ERELU NGOZI ADELEKE SUE’S PALACE QUEENS ON LESS PRIVILEGED WOMEN

Wife of Osun State Governor, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke has charged the Palace Queens in Nigeria to join Governments at all levels in alleviation of poverty among women, especially the less privileged in the country.
Erelu Ngozi Adeleke speaking on the topic entitled “the Impact of Oloris in National Development” during the inauguration of Conference of Oloris (the Palace Queens) organised by the wife of Ooni of Ife, Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, at the Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife as part of activities marking International Women’s Month.
Erelu Adeleke posited that the Palace should endeavour to join government in poverty and women empowerment.
She enthused that the Oloris should always organise programmes that are women oriented to improve the welfare of the women folk in Nigeria.
According to her, “She talk on the importance of Oloris in the development of our their communities, towns, cities and the world at large can not be quantified.
Show them love, share the little things you have with the less privilege in our society, we can move the State forward with our collective efforts to eradicate poverty in our state”, she aveered.
Also speaking at the programme, Olori Janet Afolabi, the wife of Alapomu of Apomu said Palace Women should also serve as counselors and role models for other women in their communities.
The Ooni’s wife, Olori Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi thanked dignitaries from all walks of life who thronged the programme, assuring that the Palace Queens would make laudable impacts in National Development.