FAYOSE’S LOYALISTS IN SOUTH WEST PDP REITERATES COMMITMENT TO PEACE, UNITY

In their bid to forge a common front and make the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) more formidable in the South-West, former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, again met with loyalists today, with a clear decision to work with the Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja led zonal Exco to strengthen the party.

A release signed by Lere Olayinka, said the stakeholders, drawn from the six States in the South-West zone reiterated commitment to peace and unity in the party, urging stakeholders in the other group to show similar commitment.

“As committed stakeholders in the PDP, we have done what should be done after the congress by congratulating Ambassador Arapaja and extending hands of fellowship to him.

“To us, despite the flaws, we have accepted results of the congress and the onus is now on the other side to reciprocate our gesture.

“However, it is imperative that we point out to the party leadership, the ignoble role of the Congress Committee Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who did not hid the fact that he was in the committee to do his usual hatchet job.

“We condemn Senator Samuel Anyanwu for his clear display of bias during the congress. But for the honesty, sincerity and steadfastness of the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu, who acted as the Congress Committee Chairman on behalf Governor Samuel Ortom, the whole process would have been so crudely manipulated by Anyanwu.

“It is on record that twice, Senator. Anyanwu added ten votes to those of the eventual winner and it took the vigilance of those at the hall to correct him while counting the ballots for the chairmanship election.

“Consequently, we call on the party to blacklist him (Anyanwu) and desist from involving him in sensitive assignments, especially congresses.

“We also appreciate former Governor Fayose for his commitment and doggedness and urge him not to relent in his sacrifices for the peace and unity of the party.”

Speaking at the meeting, Fayose commended the stakeholders, saying that he was surprised that despite the outcome of the congress, they have remained resolute in their support for the party.

“I am humbled by your coming here today, not-minding what happened last week Monday in Osogbo. Your display of total commitment to the party is well appreciated and we will continue to do what is expected of us as leaders, in the over all interest of the party,” Fayose said.

The meeting, which was held in Lagos, had in attendance the chairmen of Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos and Osun States, Otunba Bisi Kolawole, Dr. Sikirulai Ogundele, Engr Adedeji Doherty and Hon Sunday Bisi respectively.

It was also attended by Dr Eddy Olafeso, Reverend Bunmi Jenyo, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan, Engr Femi Babalola, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, Prince Diran Odeyemi, Hon Saka Lawal, Chief Tunde Akindehin, Dr Lad Ojomo, Barrister (Mrs) Abimbola Lanre-Balogun, Hon Boye Adesina, Hon Daisi Akintan, Hon Wahab Owokoniran, Hon Sunday Olaifa, Lanre Omolase and Mrs Funmilayo Ogun.

Others are Hon Okunlade Michael, Hon Asipa Ismael, Ambassador Makinde Dada Akinlabi, Deacon Anthony Edwards,
Rufus Adeniyi, among others.

OSUN POLY RELEASES DPT ADMISSION LIST FOR 2020/2021 ACADEMIC SESSION
*Urges Candidates to accept offer within 2 Weeks*
*Says Admission Application Form still Available*

Management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree has released the first batch of Its National Diploma Provisional Admission list for the 2020/2021 Academic Session for the Daily Part Time (DPT) Programme of the Institution.

A release by Registrar of the Institution, Mr. Busari Salawu stated that the list has been uploaded on the portal of the Institution, while the Admission Application Form is still available on the Institution’s portal for prospective candidates seeking admission into the Polytechnic.

The Registrar also added that a copy of the list has also been pasted at the Koko Campus of the Polytechnic for the candidates to verify their admission status.

The statement enjoined all applicants to confirm their admission status on the Institution’s website ospoly. edu. ng and follow the guidelines to accept the offer of Provisional Admission, pay the acceptance fee, complete and print the acceptance form.

The Registrar maintains that any admitted candidate who refuses to pay the acceptance fee and completes the screening exercise within the next two weeks shall forfeit the offer of Provisional Admission.

The Admission Application Form is sold for a sum of Fifteen Thousand Naira (N15,000) only.

RAINSTORM WRECKS HAVOCK ON OSPOLY
…VANDALISES CLASSROOMS, LABORATORIES, ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS

Rainstorm on Tuesday evening wrecked havock on the Osun State Polytechnic Iree, destroying multi-million naira buildings of the Institution.

The rain which lasted for about 45 minutes removed some roofs of the Institution’s Multi-Purpose Hall, Academic Affairs Complex, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Financial Studies, Directorate of General Studies, Computer Science Laboratory, Central Administrative Block, a section of the Bursary, Department of Business Administration, Students Work Industrial Experience Scheme Office and many other parts of the Institution.

Also, about 12 electric poles and cables were uprooted by the storm, while some studios and laboratories were badly damaged.

As a result of the wreckage, administrative and academic activities in the institution were partially affected in the Polytechnic on Wednesday.

While reacting to the disaster, the Rector of the Institution, Dr. Woye Olaniran lamented that the disaster was unprecedented in the history of the Institution.

According to him ” it was quite unfortunate that the rainstorm badly affected the Institution in great measure. Some of our classrooms, laboratories and offices were affected, but we thank God that no life was lost”

Dr Olaniran stated that the State Government, which is the proprietor of the Institution, would be officially informed, while calling on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other agencies to come to the aid of the institution to rectify the havoc caused by the storm.

RAMADAN: EBURU TASKS MUSLIMS TO PRAY FOR PEACE, SECURITY

The Eburu of Iba, Oba (Prof) Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye Oyedeji 11 has urged Muslim faithful to use the occasion of this year’s Ramadan to pray for the security and peace of Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Oba Oyedeji, Bamigbola Gbolagunte and which was made available to Nigerian Platform in Osogbo on Tuesday.

The Monarch in his goodwill message to all Muslims as the holy month or Ramadan commences, stressed the need for Muslims to remain steadfast in prayers during the Holy month.

The monarch also called on the Muslim Umar to use the occasion to work for the unity of the country.

He specifically tasked Muslims in Iba to pray for the development of the town, just as he called on all well meaning individuals to join hands in the task of developing the town.

He said the Holy month of Ramandan symbolises sacrifice and therefore urged Muslims to sacrifice all they have for the peace and development of the country.

He rejoiced with the Muslim Umar and pray to God to grant all Muslims in Iba in particular and the country at large the grace to witness many more Ramadan season.

ACTION ALLIANCE PETITIONS IGP OVER PLAN BY EXPELLED MEMBER TO ORGANIZE INAUGURATION CEREMONY

The Action Alliance (AA) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali over plot by an expelled member of the party, Mr Kenneth Udeze to organize an inauguration ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday.

National Secretary of the party, Mr Suleiman Abdulrasheed who signed the petition on behalf of the party alleged that the planned inauguration ceremony is illegal as Udeze has been expelled from the party since last year.

He alleged that the plan by Udeze to inaugurate a non existing executive committee of the party under his leadership is against the constitution of the party.

Already, Udeze had reportedly written to the Inspector General of Police to secure police permit for the inauguration ceremony of his executive holding in Abuja.

But the national executive of the party under the leadership of Hon Rufai Adekunle Omoaje warned the police not to be part of the inauguration ceremony as it is illegal.

The party described Udeze as an impostor and warned members of the public not to be part of his illegal deals.

Besides, the party called on the police and other security agencies not to be part of the charade planned by Udeze and his cohorts.

Also, the AA warned unsuspecting members of the public not to be decieved by the antics of Udeze as there is no inauguration ceremony holding in any part of the country by the party.

AGAIN, ACTION ALLIANCE DISOWNS KENNETH UDEZE

The leadership of the Action Alliance (AA) has again disowned the former National Chairman of the party, Mr Kenneth Udeze, describing him as a personanongrata.

Rising from its monthly National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the party declared that Udeze had since seazed to be a member of the party, having being expelled from the party since last year.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olu Omotoso who signed the communique issued at the end of the meeting, called on security agencies and the general public to disregard Udeze.

The communique reads “to start with, Kenneth Udeze has ceased to be a member of Action Alliance with his suspension from the party in 2019. He was finally expelled from the party in 2020, having failed to defend himself against all allegations of corruption and anti party levelled against him.

“The security agencies in Nigeria are also being prompted by this medium to be watchful of the antics of the criminally minded fellow and his cohorts.

“Kenneth Udeze is a professional confusionist. He is so good at it that even the eagle eyes of law enforcers could be confounded most times by his mastery in the trade. While he was our National Secretary up to 2017, when he manoeuvred himself to become chairman by charades, which was adjudged by INEC as fraudulent, a single penny never got paid into the party’s bank account. This was openly stated by the then National Treasurer of the party to the hearing of leaders.

“In 2019 buildup to the general elections, this recalcitrant impostor manipulated his then handpicked protege National protegery, James Vernimbe to sell the party to opposing interests for personal aggrandizement. The confusion that followed this shook the party to its foundation, as the various interests he defrauded came after the party.

“A mediocre in the real sense of the word, Udeze has no other means of livelihood other than using our party to defraud unsuspecting persons and groups with subtle crafted trickery.

“Now, he is orchestrating another confusion that is capable of causing disruption of public peace. He is said to be planning an inauguration of a pseudo executive of a non existent party in Abuja. We call on our national security operatives to be vigilant and ensure that this accursed fellow does not pull us out in a bid to stop him from his unending shenanigans. We are law abiding responsible party men. However, if this rouge is not checked, we may not be able to hold our agitated members across the nation for too long.

“The criminal impersonating activities of this master forger must be stopped, as we can not continue to condole his deformation of our party image.

“The general public is hereby advised to crosscheck from INEC website who the leaders of Action Alliance are in Nigeria today. Anyone who deals with Kenneth Udeze and gets extorted in the process should note that the party is not in anyway culpable,” the communique added.

S’WEST PDP CONGRESS: STATE CHAIRMEN RAISE ALARM OVER PLOT TO USE ARMED THUGS DRESSED IN AMOTEKUN UNIFORM

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen in Lagos, Osun, Ekiti and Ogun States have raised the alarm over plan by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to bring over 150 armed thugs dressed in uniform of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Operation Amotekun to Osogbo for the South-West Zonal Congress on Monday.

The State Chairmen, who spoke through the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Dr Sikirulai Ogundele, said presence of anyone in Amotekun uniform anywhere near the congress venue will be resisted.

Sikirulai, who spoke on behalf of the PDP chairmen in Ekiti, Lagos, Osun States, Otunba Bisi Kolawole, Engr Adedeji Doherty and Hon Sunday Bisi respectively, said there was credible information confirming the plot to clothe thugs in Amotekun uniform to invade Osogbo on Monday.

He called on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure that only authorised security personnel and delegates are allowed into the congress venue.

Sikirulai said; “We are aware that they want to bring in thugs under the guise of Amotekun and we are warning them to perish that idea because it will be resisted.

“The main ideal behind the creation of Amotekun is to secure Yorubaland from kidnappers and other criminals that are destroying our farmlands, killing our people and raping our wives and daughters.

“It is not the duty of Amotekun to monitor political party congresses and those behind this clandestine plot should get this very clear.

“We therefore alert the police and Department of State Service (DSS) in Osun State of the plot and urge them to warn those behind it of the consequences.”

S/WEST PDP CONGRESS: ZONAL CARETAKER COMMITTEE BEGS NWC, OTHERS OVER GOV. MAKINDE’S INSULT, THREAT

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) South West Zonal Caretaker Committee has apologised to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) over the threat and insult by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the Zonal congress.

In a statement on Sunday, by Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Hon. Daisi Akintan, Governor Makinde’s threat that there will be dire consequences if the South-West zonal congress was not held on Saturday, April 10, 2021, was described as unfortunate and unbecoming of someone who used the party’s platform to become governor despite being inconsistent as a member of the party.

Rising from its meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Saturday, seven out of the 12 members of the caretaker committee said the NWC members and other stakeholders of the party should not see Governor Makinde’s vituperation as representing the position of the PDP in the South-West.

Apart from the Zonal Secretary, other members who attended the meeting were Mrs Funmilayo Ogun, Hon. Ayobola Fadeyi- Awolowo, Prince Nekan Olateru- Olagbegi, Hon Wahab Owokoniran, Alhaji Mustapha Sikiru and Hon. Martins Olu- Abiloye.

The Caretaker Committee members said it was laughable that Governor Makinde could insinuate that members of the NWC were compromised just because they choose to obey the rule of law.

They said the governor lacked moral justification to threaten the PDP with defection to another party, having worked against the party in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

“We align ourselves with the position of the State Chairmen that the PDP existed before Governor Makinde returned from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) under which he contested the 2015 governorship election and if today or tomorrow, he opts out of the PDP, the party will remain.

“To us, the party is not an appendage of anyone, it is greater than all of us, including Governor Makinde.

“We therefore urge that the NWC should totally disregard his statement and take it as the price the party must pay for enthroning a man who was never committed to the party,” the Caretaker Committee members said.

Speaking further, they insisted that being in the majority of seven against five, their position that the South-West Congress must not hold in Ibadan, Oyo State because of security challenges, remained sacrosanct.

They noted that to further show that Ibadan is not safe for the congress, a few weeks ago, a prominent leader of the party in Oyo State, Hon. Mulikat Adeola-Akande, who is a former Majority Leader of the House of Reps had to raise the alarm, accusing a close ally of Governor Makinde of threatening her life.

PDP ZONAL CONGRESS:
OSUN DELEGATES ENDORSE OLAFESO AS SW CHAIRMAN

An immediate past National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West, Dr Eddy Olafeso has been re-anointed in the same capacity in the forthcoming Zonal Congress of the party in the Zone.

All the Osun PDP delegates have gathered in the Party Secretariat, Biket area, Osogbo, on Thursday and unanimously endorsed Dr Olafeso, describing him as a round peg in the round hole and the most qualified.

The Chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Sunday Bisi who presided over the meeting maintained that Dr Olafeso is the only candidate in sight, who could do the party proud in every sense of the word.

Hon. Bisi stated that Olafeso has been tested and trusted to project and protect the interest of all members of the party, if re-elected.

Recall that another hopeful of the position of the party’s South West Chairman, Amb. Taofeeq Arapaja had visited a section of the PDP leaders in Osogbo recently, for support and adoption as the right candidate.

While Amb. Arapaja is in the group loyal to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Dr Olafeso enjoys the support of a former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Ayodele Fayose.

Speaking at the event, the National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Diran Odeyemi, who threw his weight behind Olafeso and his team stated that he has worked with both Amb. Arapaja and Dr Olafeso and that the latter is the best choice for the post.

In his words, a former National Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo has encouraged delegates and the party leaders not to relent in their resolve to support Olafeso as only he represents the general interest and will of the members of the party in the Zone.

He assured them that, going by the experience, integrity and antecedent of Dr Olafeso, he would perform excellently well in the assignments of PDP National Vice Chairman in the South West.

Earlier, Dr Olafeso who expressed happiness and satisfaction at the massive turnout of leaders and delegates at the event, stated that he shall come out with flying colours, whenever the Zonal Congress is held.

“I have won. With what you see here in Osogbo which has already been replicated in Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and even Oyo, it is very clear that the delegates and all other relevant stakeholders are solidly behind us”, Olafeso said.

“Engineer Deji Doherty of Lagos, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele of Ogun, Hon. Sunday Bisi of Osun and all others are solidly behind us”, he added.

He however disowned the April 10 date of South West Zonal Congress, allegedly scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State capital as it was flying on the social media platforms.

According to Dr Olafeso, no specific date and venue has been fixed for the Congress as the National Secretariat is yet to clear or take position on some Court orders and pronouncements concerning the Zonal Congress.

Olafeso who charged the delegates to be prepared, also appreciated the leadership and support provided by Dr Fayose when there was nobody in sight to trust and rely on.

Other party leaders in attendance include a former State Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa (Asejere), a former Commissioner for works, Dr Bayo Faforiji, Akogun Lere Oyewumi, Elder Peter Babalola, Elder Sunday Akanfe (Atidade), the State Secretary, Prince Bola Ajao among others.

Other members of State Executive Committee, Local Government Chairmen, party leaders and members are also present.

OSUN NUJ LOSES ITS PIONEER CHAIRMAN

The Nigeria union of journalists, Osun state council today received with rude shock the sudden death of one of her respected veterans and pioneer chairman of the council, Mr Lekan Awoyemi.

A statement by the Chairman of the council, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu and Secretary Comrade Bukola Elufadejin described the deceased as a strong pillar in the formation of Osun NUJ and his contributions to the growth and development of the union in the state cannot be underestimated.

The statement noted that late Awoyemi’s wealth of experience and wisdom would be greatly missed by the union.

It maintained that the deceased was a thoroughbred professional and unionist per excellence who spent his life for the service of God and humanity.

The statement prayed God to give the family, relatives and NUJ the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.