Politics
HOW MY PROFILE, BOOK WON OLUMILUA’S HEART, BY FAYEMI
….PAYS MOVING TRIBUTE TO LATE STATESMAN
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to former Governor of old Ondo State, the late Evang. Bamidele Ishola Olumilua, describing him as a courageous leader, who was generous and gracious in kindness.
Olumilua, who served as Governor of the old Ondo State (comprising present Ondo and Ekiti States) between January 1992 and November 1993, died in his hometown Ikere-Ekiti on June 4, aged 80 years old.
Dr Fayemi, at a Special Commendation service organised by Ekiti State Government in honour of the late Olumilua at the Adetiloye Hall, Trade Fair Complex, Ado Ekiti, extolled the virtues of the late elder statesman, stressing that he left a lasting impression on him as a great leader with oratory prowess during their first meeting.
Fayemi described Olumilua as a remarkable Ekiti man, one of the great pioneers of post-colonial Nigeria who gave Ekiti the reputation of honesty, dedication, integrity, discipline, simplicity and fortitude.
The Governor hailed Olumilua as an ebullient, sartorial, cerebral, personable, loving and simple personality who confronted challenges that paved the way for contemporary leaders in the younger generation.
To Fayemi, Evang. Olumilua was a man of integrity who was never attracted to greed and avarice and never used his privileged positions for nepotistic advantage.
Fayemi narrated the story of his first visit to Olumilua’s Ikere residence when he visited to inform the deceased of his intent to run for the state’s governorship position on the platform of the then Action Congress (AC).
The Governor disclosed that he didn’t meet the late Olumilua at home during his first visit but dropped his complimentary card, his profile and a copy of his book, Out of the Shadows, which captured his experience in exile as one of the activists campaigning for the revalidation of the June 12 presidential election result.
He said the late politician later told him that the profile and the book influenced his (Olumilua’s) decision to support his (Fayemi’s) governorship project.
Fayemi said: “When I ventured into politics, he was a key leader in our party that I turned to for support. Although I met his absence when I first visited his home in Ikere, I left my complimentary card, a copy of my profile and my exile memoirs, Out of the Shadows. As he later informed me, my profile and my book were the clincher, being a cerebral intellectual himself.”
“He became a big fan of my politics and administration and he never stopped to provide the needed support at every opportunity, even as we disagreed on some issues.
“He treated me like his own son, scolded me when he had to and felt an obligation to my late mother who handed me to him after the demise of my father.
“There is no doubt that he lived a fulfilled man. A measure of this is the fact that one of his illustrious children, Aare Olumuyiwa Olumilua is presently a cabinet member in my government where he serves as the Commissioner of Information and Values Orientation.”
Fayemi noted that one of Olumilua’s greatest legacies was the enlistment of Ondo State as an oil producing state in Nigeria, in addition to working relentlessly to see to the establishment of the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC).
Olumilua, he stressed, presided over a star-studded cabinet, which later produced two former governors of the state- the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu (his deputy) and Dr Olusegun Mimiko ( his health Commissioner).
Fayemi identified two major challenging issues for Olumilua’s governorship- the reinstatement of the late Oba (Sir) Olateru Olagbegi II as Olowo of Owo in 1993 as well as his disposition to the clamouring for the creation of Ekiti State from the old Ondo State. Fayemi however said that regardless of the strong feelings of many to his decisions, the late Olumilua stuck to his conviction.
In his brief sermon, Pastor Ola Omosebi urged leaders to learn from the death of former Governor Olumilua by living a life of humility and contentment, noting that everybody will die at the appointed time no matter how great, connected or influential.
Quoting from the Books of Romans Chapter 6 Verse 23, and John 3 verse 16 and 35, Pastor Omosebi stated that the former governor succeeded because he was truly saved and totally trusted in God.
Dr Kunle Olajide who was Evang Olumilua’s main rival in the 1991 governorship primaries of the SDP was one of the dignitaries that graced the colourful commendation service.
Other dignitaries include the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; Wife of Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Biodun Oyebanji; Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Biodun Omoleye; APC Chairman in the state, Barr. Paul Omotoso, members of State Executive Council; members of Ekiti State House of Assembly and APC party faithful among others.
Speaking on behalf of the Olumilua family, Mr Olumide Olumilua expressed the appreciation of the family to Governors Kayode Fayemi and Olurotimi Akeredolu and the governments of Ekiti and Ondo states for the roles they played in giving their father a befitting state burial.
*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.”
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.
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
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