Politics
2018: Ekiti APC Lauds Daramola’s Performance
EKITI State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has commended one of its prominent gubernatorial aspirant, Hon. Bimbo Damaramola for executing people-oriented programmes in the state.
State Chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, who was represented by the Vice Chairperson, Mrs Kemi Olalere gave this commendation on Tuesday where he again distributed 1,050 free UTME/JAMB forms to indigent students under his Educational Scheme dubbed ‘Teach Them How to Fish’ held at Afe Babalola Foundation Civic Centre, Opopogboro, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The event had in attendance youths among whom were beneficiaries, parents, guardians, invited guests, politicians, state leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC , local government officials and its executives in all the 177 wards in the state amongst others.
It would be recalled that the ex -member, Federal House of Representatives, Daramola had earlier empowered the less privileged candidates in the state with no fewer than 1000 UTME/JAMB forms.
Speaking at the epoch – making event, Olalere who could not hide her joy, said the party was overwhelmed as well as satisfied with the various programmes executed by the governorship aspirant, stressing that they were happy with his superlative performance and various welfarist programmes which were tailored towards the propagation of APC in the state.
In her words, “it is beneficial to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. All the party machineries are here and we are all happy for today’s programme. We stand in solidarity with Bimbo because, he is investing in our future leaders. Bimbo is doing all these to promote our great party in this state”.
“Parents could not afford the forms for their children because they are suffering at the hands of the state governor who has simply refused to pay them the salaries as and when due. At this juncture, it is important to state that we are not here to adopt or endorse any candidate but to give support to our son and we can all see what is happening here today. When it’s time, the party will speak.
Congressman Bimbo Daramola flanked by the state executives of APC
While accusing Governor Ayodele Fayose of allegedly inflicting suffering on the people with his leadership style, she continued, ” we are not gullible in this state, divine intervention has finally come, we are the only party that can rescue Ekiti from this poverty and we are fully on ground.
“Well, my brother, I want to appreciate you on behalf of our great party because you are doing this for the party, this is indeed our future”, the Vice Chairperson submitted.
Also, another APC chieftain, Chief George Ojo, in his remarks saluted the sponsor for impacting lives. “Let me start from where the Deputy Chairman stopped. She said the party has not adopted anybody, that’s true. But, that is not to say we should not recognise or acknowledge the fact that Hon. Bimbo Daramola has been performing excellently well in this party.
“When he was in the House of Representatives , I am saying this without mincing words , we knew and know and recognised all he did for his people in his federal constituency.
Congressman Bimbo Daramola surrounded by the youths whom were beneficiaries
“In my own area, I am sorry to say this and I don’t have apology for anybody . We were not as lucky as that in our own federal constituency.I was there physically by the time he was commissioning an ultra modern hospital in his home town, we are all living witnesses to that occasion. See what we are witnessing here today, so much money has been expended on this programme.
“I give kudos to you and I want to say that we know those who are very hard working in the party and those who are not. And I want to say that Bimbo is one of the hardworking people in the party. I am saying it authoritatively that the party will reciprocate all his good deeds. By the grace of God, you will never labour in vain”, Ojo added.
According to the party’s publicist, Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, ” this is a proper party programme and this one is just too unique and special. Bimbo kudos to you, we love you .As a distinguished party member that respects the party rules and authority, it is equally good to display that; particularly when it’s time to recognise that. You know we have ‘Peter the rock’ somewhere who is mismanaging our resources, but we have ‘Bimbo the dynamite’ who is capable of blasting ‘Peter the rock’ out of Ekiti government house”.
Remarking, the facilitator, Hon. Bimbo Daramola informed that his intention was to relaunch Ekiti state to an enviable height by restoring the pristine identity of the state. He lamented that Ekiti was once known and revered to as the state that breed professors, but has lost that reputation. “We had an alias like one house one professor, but today that’s gone. So, it’s about time to consciously jump start efforts and initiatives that will connect us with who we really are as a people and initiatives around education particularly fits into that matrix.
The facilitator, Daramola engaging the youths for a sustainable future
Stressing further, the ex-lawmaker noted, “JAMB is the gateway to acquisition of tertiary education and a pool of young brilliant Ekiti sons and daughters will be struggling for spaces with others nationwide; while self efforts will make them briliantly qualified to find a space. The limitation they are faced with is the economic challenge of their parents even to afford cost of forms and if you cannot get the form no matter how brilliant you are, you cannot get your foot in the door, that’s why we decided to intervene. Last year, we gave out 1,000 free JAMB forms and now we are giving out another 1,050 forms. So, in a space of one year we have taken the battle to restore our prisine identity as Ekiti people to 2,050 homes.
“The direct consequences are that; we are settting agenda for the future, we are pressing the reset button and we are giving the future of these young people back to them; securing them; their families and ultimately our state”, the APC chieftain explained.
Daramola, while assuring the candidates of further assistance, however implored them to read extensively and ensure successful use of the unique opportunity given to them. He thanked the APC executives for their continued support.
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Adeolu Akande, has made a fervent appeal to factions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State to reconcile and unite ahead of the forthcoming local council election.
Addressing party chairmen and chairmanship candidates from the 10 local government areas of Oke Ogun zone, Akande emphasised the critical need for solidarity within the party ranks to secure victory in the elections scheduled for this month.
Highlighting the significance of unity within the party, the former Governor Ajimobi’s aide underscored that Oyo State is inherently an APC stronghold, but internal conflicts hampered the party’s performance in the previous election.
He urged members to set aside their differences and focus on the common goal of delivering a progressive government to the people of the state.
Speaking during the gathering in Otu, headquarters of Itesiwaju Local Government area, Akande stressed the imperative of forgiveness and reconciliation, emphasising that the party’s success hinges on unity. He lauded the efforts of the national leadership in fostering reconciliation, urging members to embrace the spirit of unity.
As a gesture of support, the ex-NCC gaffer provided financial assistance amounting to N500,000 to each of the 10 local government areas to bolster their preparations for the upcoming April 27 election.
The event was attended by APC Chairmen and Chairmanship candidates from the Oke Ogun Zone, alongside 21 former local government chairmen, demonstrating a collective commitment to the party’s success in the forthcoming election.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state was in Ido town, headquarters of the Ido Local Government to campaign for himself on Monday.
Local Government Election have been slated for April 27 of this year and the Governor is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that he is declared winner by OYSIEC.
Do I sound confusing? Definitely not.
Governor Makinde is the contestant for the position of Local Government Chairman in the 33 Local Governments in Oyo state.
Reason? The Governor doubles as the State’s Chief Executive as well as the de facto Chairman of the 33 Local Governments while the 33 clowns parading themselves as the Councils’helmsmen are just Chairmen de jure.
What the Yorubas call “Esin inu iwe”.
I will use two incidents that happened simultaneously today to prove what is already known and accepted by the general public, albeit, arguably.
While Governor Makinde was dancing to some Fuji music in Ido town during the campaign rally, the chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government, one Hon. Kehinde Akande was in a live debate at Fresh FM with the APC candidate, Dr. Abogun and his statements were quite revealing.
A direct question regarding his view about autonomy and independence of Local Governments was put to him by the moderator, Isaac Brown and his response leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
The fellow, sadly and slavishly said that he has no problems with the decision of the Governor (Seyi Makinde) to directly monitor the expenditures of the Local Governments, since, according to him, it was for the purpose of probity and accountability!
This was coming from the Chairman of one of the most populous if not the most populous in Oyo state.
Like his peers who have one time or the other appeared on Radio, he could not point to any tangible project done by him and why would he?
The Governor calls the shots.
This is just on a lighter note, Hon. Kehinde Akande can not correctly identify the collation centre for ward 12 in a Local Government where he had been chairman for almost four years.
That underline the level of redundancy of this fellows parading themselves as Council Chairmen and on whose sake Governor Makinde incurred billions of Naira as judgment debts.
Now, to Governor Makinde’s campaign in Ido.
Is it not interesting that the Governor was in Ido and he didn’t Commission any project done by the Local Government?
In the times of his predecessors, such occasions were used to Commission projects done by the Local Government Chairmen but what will Governor Makinde Commission?
Nothing.
Nothing, because all the projects he mentioned during the campaign rally like the Omi Adio – Ido Road and others were attached to the state Government, even though, the funds were that of the Local Government.
Similarly, all the projects he promised to embark upon in the coming months within the Local Government like the modernisation of the Omi Adio market are projects he will usurp as usual, using the Councils’funds.
If not for the fact that Governor Makinde requires some pliant individuals who will sign out the Councils’funds for him to expend, I bet, there won’t be Local Government Chairmen during his tenure.
A lot of examples abound to confirm Governor Makinde’s illegal usurpation of the functions of the Local Government Chairmen.
Akesan Market is another typical example.
The April 27 Local Government Election is between Governor Makinde as grand Chairman of the 33 Local Governments and the opposition political parties.
The 33 gentlemen flying the tickets for the PDP are just necessary proxies.
I will not dissipate energy on the Governor’s uncharitable boasts that the opposition should wait for another three years, when he would still be the Governor to conduct another election.
I will rather call on the people of the state to be united in removing the “Ajeles” he has foisted on the Local Governments.
Oyo state can not afford another three years of Governor Makinde’s mismanagement of the Local Government resources.
He has bled the state enough through over bloated contracts and debts.
All residents of the state should consider the April 27 Local Government Election as an opportunity to at least salvage the 33 Local Governments from the suffocating hold of the Governor.
Like I said earlier, Oyo state can not afford another three years of continual looting of the Local Governments through the proxies of the Governor.
One would wonder what business the Governor has in the ” modernisation” of Omi Adio market.
Maintenance of the market is purely the responsibility of the Local Government Chairman but under Governor Makinde, even the Parks and abattoirs are directly run by the Governor.
That is the reason why the Local Governments have become comatose.
They have no means of generating IGR as all avenues have been taken away from them by the Governor.
Now, you tell me, Isn’t Governor Makinde not the one contesting on April 27?
Sola Abegunde writes from Oyo State
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, faces a tumultuous time as members of his ward, the Ganduje Ward in the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, have suspended him.
It was announced by the Executive Council of Ganduje Ward, led by Haruna Gwanjo, during a press briefing in Kano on Monday.
The suspension comes amidst lingering corruption allegations, notably surrounding a viral video from 2017 depicting Ganduje allegedly receiving bundles of dollar notes as a bribe and stuffing them into his garments.
Despite Ganduje’s initial denial and maintenance of innocence, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) administration, under Governor Abba Yusuf, has reopened the case.
The Kano High Court is set to arraign Ganduje on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, on charges including bribery, diversion, and misappropriation of funds.
Mega Icon Magazine gathered that the allegations involve the purported acceptance of $413,000 and N1.38 billion in bribes. The State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, confirmed that Ganduje, along with his wife and six others, will face trial.
The Yusuf administration has vowed to present 15 witnesses to testify before Justice Usman Na’aba of the State High Court, indicating the seriousness with which the case is being pursued.
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