Politics
Defection: Saraki, Ortom,Tambuwal, Ahmed and others, a replica of 2014.
JUST like yesterday when the crisis rocking the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which was extended to the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) chaired by Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state.
The federal government led by Dr Goodluck Jonathan believed to be supporting the then Governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang as factional chairman all in the interest of second term ambition of President Jonathan.
Saraki can’t run to PDP with our crown – Oshiomhole, APC Senators
The development prompted pro Amaechi to form New PDP, a formidable force under the party and later extended to the members of National Assembly.
When the negotiations for mega party that comprises Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party, (ANPP), Congress For Progressive Change (CPC) and factional group from All Grand Peoples Alliance (AGPA) began, it was with the aim and mandate of taken over from PDP led federal government at all cost.
Exclusive: Oyo govt increases subvention to tertiary institutions
After series of meeting with stakeholders of all political parties involved which later gave birth to a new political party called All Progressives Congress (APC)
Immediately after the formation of APC, some Governors,Senators, Federal and State lawmakers under the aegis of nPDP decamped to APC making the progressive fold much stronger.
With more defections rocking the PDP then, APC became formidable opposition party with high hope and expectations
In the build up to 2015 elections, APC held its registration exercise across the country followed by wards, local and state congresses and National convention where former Governor of Edo state, Chief John Odigie Oyegun was elected as Party’s National Chairman who took over from Osun state former Governor, Chief Bisi Akande as Acting Chairman.
In fact it was a real war when the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal announced his defection from PDP to APC at the floor of the house despite the majority group of PDP.
To some politicians then, the defection of Waziri Tambuwal, Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed, Rotimi Amaechi, Muritala Nyako and others was seen as a welcome development to the APC; but how do we describe the defection of some of them to the PDP?
Although, prior to the 2015 general elections, some political scientists and analysts have predicted that merger of the three political parties is a marriage of inconvenient when considering the calibers of people that formed the party.
According to observers of Nigeria political scene, it is only in this country that political scenario always recycling.
Fore Instance in 2014, defection gale heated the PDP when former Bauchi state Governor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu was elected as the National chairman of the party and this also occurred in APC after the emergence of immediate past Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomole as APC National Chairman.
It is unfortunate that Nigeria civilian rule will be 20 years of uninterrupted, yet
some of the politicians in the country lacks political ideology.
Defection: Buhari is in pain over Saraki, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso’s exits – R-APC
Now that some political gladiators in APC have defected to PDP, the next line of action is for the party to intensify more efforts in its strategy, especially in its reconciliation process.
PDP on the other hands, should not see defection of Saraki and others as something to capitalise on and forget those who stood with the party during trying period.
If they do so, I am sorry, it may be the biggest blow ever in PDP.
With few months to the 2019 general elections and his defection from ruling party to opposition will Senate President Bukola Saraki and his colleagues retained their juicy positions and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara eventually decamped to PDP who will control the affairs of the house?
If the two legislative chambers are controlled by the opposition party only God knows what will be the faith of this country under hide and seek game of politics by our political gladiators.
By Akinyode Ishola
(Mega Icon Magazine Political Desk)
Politics
From ‘Books to Shops’: Oyo APC Slams Makinde Over ‘Shameful’ Library Conversion
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized the alleged forceful conversion of public reading and learning facilities in Dugbe, Ibadan, into shopping malls and lock-up shops by the state government, describing the development as shameful, ill-conceived, and unacceptable.
In a statement released over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the APC also raised concerns about the alleged sale of the modern motor park facility at Wema Area on New Ife Road, Ibadan, built during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the party, the motor park has been sold to a pastor who presides over a popular church near the facility.
Residents of Ibadan, the state capital, were reportedly stunned when they noticed the sudden erection of massive private business complexes within the premises of the Oyo State Library Board.
The facilities, built by the defunct Western Region government, had served as public libraries and archives for decades, benefitting students, researchers, and tourists until recently.
“It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for the development of commercial and business structures,” Sadare said.
“The implication is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the state by an administration that has done little to address the poor reading culture among young students.”
The APC expressed alarm over what it termed the erosion of public heritage under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, alleging that public properties are being sold or leased to private individuals and groups under questionable circumstances.
“How can a government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops in the name of making money, thereby subjecting society to the dangers of illiteracy and ignorance?” the statement queried.
The party also cited other instances of alleged mismanagement of public assets, including the concession of OYSADEP Guest House in Saki and Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the state’s socio-economic development.
“Sad enough, the ignoble activities of the governor and a few other characters around him as they involve mismanagement of land and other resources belonging to the state have paved the way for a surge in land grabbing cases in most parts of the state capital. There are many cases involving appointees of the governor, PDP lawmakers, local government officials, and party chieftains,” the statement added.
The APC called on well-meaning individuals and stakeholders in the state to demand accountability from the Makinde administration and halt what it described as the systematic erosion of public resources and heritage.
Politics
Relief as Rep ‘Lafi’ Empowers 300 Constituents Through Skill Acquisition Programme
Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.
The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.
The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.
The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.
Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.
Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.
He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.
While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.
Politics
Oyo: Olafisoye Facilitates Capacity-Building Training for 300 Constituents
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
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