Politics

Ondo South 2019: Morayo Lebi and the victory ahead

Published

6 years ago

September 13, 2018

There seems to be no better time to comfortably talk about the need for a change of baton and substitution of representative for the people of Ondo South senatorial district than now.

Though it all seems like nobody wants to be caught publicly speculating about a need for replacement of the present henchman from the Southern Senatorial district, given the fact that the incumbent is also a member of the ruling APC, but truth is sacrosanct, it must be told no matter whose ox is gored.

Political stakeholders and electorates, APC members and opposition figures from the South have argued that the zone deserves better and the appropriate time to commence the conversation for the better alternative is now that the 2019 general elections is about 5 months away.

“The truth,” as one prominent APC member from the Southern senatorial district said, is there is a need for the party “to field a better successor if we want to retain the South in 2019”.

The most notable thing about the conversation is that the majority voice calls for a change of baton. And the consensus voice has been tilting towards the cerebral and eloquent legal practitioner from Irele Local Government, Barr Morayo Lebi.

Lebi was the APC flagbearer in Ondo south senatorial district in the 2015 elections, but he lost to the PDP candidate who had since defected to the APC.

From Akotogbo Community in Irele, Lebi is a huge departure from the regular political players; he stands tall as one of the actors with a touch of wholesale difference.

He is one aspirant that electorates have so much confidence in as an individual with full grasp of the grassroots and the pulse of the people.

From his true nature as a philanthropist, he has taken it upon himself to continuously replace the tears of the needy, downtrodden and elderly with smiles, making a point of duty for himself over the years to give hope to the hopeless and restore health to those in critical health needs. These have been the consistent but unheralded philanthropic gestures of Morayo Lebi in advancing the cause of humanity.

This is evident in his philanthropic gesture of placing over 100 elders (from 65 years and above) of his constituency on a monthly stipend of N5,000, with plans at top gear to replicate the gesture in other local government areas in the South Senatorial district.

For Lebi, the gesture was informed by the untold hardship the elderly and the aged members of the society have been subjected to. He said, “I was sad when I saw some old ones at the age of 75 years still moving around the street to look for what they will eat.

“Some of these old people still do their fishing business and this should not be so. It is because the government has failed to provide for them. They should be looked after. They are our parents and we must not neglect them “.

After constituent labour and sacrifice to help nurture the party, he was part of as a foundation member, to grow in leaps and bounds across the state, Lebi is taking another shot at the Senate.

If for nothing else, his 25 years of active practise as a legal practitioner is enough to consider him as the best alternative for the plum job. Eloquence and his vociferous nature is aptly needed at this time to speak up for his people and draw the needed government attention.

As the 2019 elections and party primaries approach, no one is hoping that the ruling APC will have to make the mistake of trading competence, loyalty and capability as exemplified by Lebi, for unnecessary politicking or anything else. His candidature will no doubt change the terrain of the southern senatorial district very quickly from a land of deficit of representation to effective representation and leadership.

Politics

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

Published

1 day 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