Politics

Gov Abiodun’s Aide Replies Segun Sowunmi

Published

5 years ago

December 1, 2019

#BuildingOurFutureTogether: The Journey So Far
In his piece, “A Note to Ogun Stakeholders,” Chief Segun Showunmi made an unbalanced comparison of previous administrations on the one hand and the present administration of the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun. Chief Showunmi’s comparison, which is a mere rhetoric, lacks the input of context and peculiar situations.
Attention should also be drawn to the implied fact that the intent of the writer is not to compare the incumbent Abiodun-led administration with the three past administrations collectively but to paint the immediate past Amosun-led administration in a good light, as contrary to public opinion which generally rates the former Governor as a ruler who ran a one-man show for eight torturous years.
The three issues itemised by the writer are singly addressed in the next paragraph, while achievements of the present administration in different sectors would be given the needed attention in subsequent ones.
According to Chief Segun Showunmi, there is a “general perception” of Governor Abiodun to be “disappointing.” It is unclear on what statistics the Chief has based his conclusion, because this contradicts public opinion surveys conducted in areas where road construction and palliative road works, school and health centre rehabilitation amongst others have been ongoing in the past six months. Also, the writer, echoing the commonplace fallacy that “those who do not form their cabinets ‘on time’ are people who desire to run the resources of the state with their cronies,” ignored two facts: (1) that it is arguable that hastily appointed commissioners may in fact be the said “cronies;” and (2) that purposeful governance is first strategy before action. The most unexpected of the three itemised issues is the writer’s rather misleading charge to Governor Abiodun to have swung into immediate action on assumption of office. According to him, “anyone who desires to govern the (sic) people must know that humans…tend to make up their minds quickly.” This is logic that has encouraged mediocrity in political systems, and the Abiodun-led administration, going by his campaign promises, would not because of a section of political hyenas, give food to scavengers but ensure the best conditions for persons and businesses across the entire state.
Just this last week, Ogun State under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun was awarded The Most Improved State on Security by the Business Day Research and Intelligence Unit; and The Best State in ICT Penetration and Adoption by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. These awards are commendations of the Governor on repositioning the State in the focus areas he identified during his campaign and inauguration.
In the last six months, Governor Abiodun has seen to the rehabilitation of 236 primary school and primary health care centres across the State. He has also ensured that the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) issue needlessly started by the immediate past administration has been resolved, so much that the school has matriculated a good number of students. This intervention in the education sector does not leave out the Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), which had been abandoned over the years. In the spirit of reviving abandoned parastatals, the Governor again ordered the immediate recruitment of all needed staff into the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, so that the good people of Ogun State may have access to quality healthcare.
Social welfare has also not been ignored by the Governor, who has through the launching of the Oko’wo Dapo loan programme, empowered market women. Despite that this would improve the State’s Ease of Doing Business, Governor Abiodun has in addition signed Executive Orders to the effect of establishing three councils and agencies including the Ogun State Investment Agency. To crown these, the Governor has shown good faith by fulfilling his promise to set up an online job portal, the Ogun TechHUB, and the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the CBN that we have taken advantage of and consequently we are the adopted model state having allocated land to about 10,000 outgrowers who were unemployed there by turning them into agripreneurs by matching them with Anchors ( off takers) that signed a forward offtake contract.
If this piece is to speak to the Abiodun-led administration of donation of 100 patrol vehicles and 200 motorbikes to the State Command of the Nigeria Police, it would be restating the obvious benefits that the dear people of Ogun State have so far enjoyed.
Criticisms should be and are in fact welcome in all quarters that wish to develop themselves. However, it should be balanced, logical and unbiased. For starters, the good people of Ogun State have repeatedly commended the strides of Governor in so short a period. It is then sheer mischief for a class of politically biased persons to try to score cheap points from non-existent conceptions.
SF Ojo Emmanuel. A.Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media.

Politics

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.

Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.

Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.

“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”

Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”

Politics

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.

In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.

“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.

He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.

He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.

Politics

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.

Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.

“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.

The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.

“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”

The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.

“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.

“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.

“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”

The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.

“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”

Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.

On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.

He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Source: Daily Independent