Politics
APC uncovers fresh N1.85b vehicle purchase scandal in Oyo LGAs
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has raised a fresh alarm over a case of misappropriation of a sum of N1.85 billion by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde which was allegedly removed from the account of the 33 Local Government Councils in the state for the purchase of 66 utility vehicles but which were not supplied.
It has been alleged that the state government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, directed that two brand new Toyota Hilux vans be purchased for each of the 33 Local Government Councils with money deducted at source from the monthly allocation due to each of the councils only for the ministry officials to invite Director of Works from all the councils and cajoled them to sign for collection of vehicles which were not handed to them.
In a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC faulted the open declaration made by Gov. Makinde that he would never support granting of autonomy to the local government council which is the third tier of government as enshrined in the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“There seems to be no end to the looting spree in the current PDP administration of Gov. Seyi Makinde as another case of misappropriation of public funds was recorded recently when Gov. Makinde reportedly asked some officials to work out a plan to further deplete the treasury of the 33 Local Government Councils. They immediately came up with a memo ordering council chairmen to key into the joint purchase of two units of luxurious utility vehicles and the Toyota Hilux brand was specified.
“The unit price of each vehicle was fixed at N28 million while each council was made to pay for two putting the total at N1.85 billion which was deducted from the federal allocation of the same month when the memo was transmitted. Early last week, the Director of Works from each of the 33 councils was invited to the collection of their two brand-new vehicles but nothing was handed to them after they had been made to sign relevant papers indicating the vehicles had been delivered to them in good condition. It is on this note we are calling on the relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the matter and all culprits to book.” APC stated.
In the same vein, Oyo APC has advised members of the Oyo State Traditional Council to disregard the promise made to them by Gov. Makinde that 10 per cent of monthly council allocation would be paid to them stating it was a packaged lie “aimed at using the traditional rulers and dumping them again. The pertinent question is; how many times has Gov. Makinde released the statutory five per cent deduction from local government monthly allocation to these traditional rulers in the last 45 months?
“It is a fact that Gov. Makinde does not give these people (traditional rulers) their deserved treatment and one wonders why he could still deem it fit to offer them fake promises at this time when he needs their support for another term in office. The only thing he (Makinde) is good at is to bankroll funeral ceremonies to celebrate the transition of Obas in the state but we think that they deserve to be treated well while alive.” Sadare added.
House of Representatives member and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has fulfilled his pledge to support the welfare of the All Progressives Congress (APC) staff in Oyo State.
In a gesture highlighting his commitment, the lawmaker personally funded the salaries of staff at the APC’s Oke Ado Secretariat in Ibadan, reinforcing his dedication to the smooth operation of the party’s activities in the state.
Representing the Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Oseni recently visited the secretariat, where he expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their contributions.
As a further commitment to the smooth operation of the party’s activities, the lawmaker generously donated ten million naira (N10,000,000) as an allowance to enhance the secretariat’s functions.
In a statement released Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker extended appreciation to the secretariat staff, whom he described as the backbone of the party’s daily functions.
He lauded their dedication, noting their essential role in advancing the party’s goals.
“Leadership is about service, and service begins with supporting those who make the party function from within,” Oseni remarked.
“I am proud to honour this commitment to our staff, as they play a crucial role in making our political structures work effectively. This is my way of showing appreciation for their unwavering dedication”, he added.
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has paid tribute to former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, on his 61st birthday, celebrating his decades of dedicated service and contributions to Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, Oseni, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), lauded Folarin’s unwavering commitment to leadership and the well-being of the people.
Highlighting the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial nominee in the 2023 elections for three terms in the Senate, the lawmaker noted that Folarin’s legacy of service continues to be a guiding light for emerging leaders and a source of inspiration for countless individuals across the state.
“Senator Folarin has built an admirable legacy through years of selfless public service, consistently advocating for progress and unity,” remarked Oseni.
Reflecting on Folarin’s role as the Ikolaba Olubadan of Ibadanland, the lawmaker commended his leadership approach, which has bridged divides, fostered coalitions, and promoted initiatives aimed at stabilising democracy.
“Senator Folarin’s career is an example of visionary leadership,” he added, “and his commitment to public service will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
As Senator Folarin marks this milestone, Oseni extended warm wishes for his continued health and success, expressing hope that his exemplary life of service will keep inspiring positive change across the nation.
In a historic ruling, a Ugandan court on Friday sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison.
This landmark decision, marking the first time a member of the notorious LRA has faced trial for war crimes in a Ugandan court, follows the group’s brutal two-decade insurgency against the Ugandan government.
Kwoyelo, who was convicted in August on 44 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, faced charges including murder, rape, torture, pillaging, abduction, and the destruction of settlements for internally displaced people.
(FILES) Thomas Kwoyelo a commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebellion blamed for brutal civilian murders during a 20-year war in the north of the country is brought into a courthouse in the northern Ugandan town of Gulu on July 25, 2011. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by MICHELE SIBOLINI / AFP)
Michael Elubu, lead judge of the case at the International Crimes Division (ICD) of Uganda’s High Court, delivered the sentence in the northern city of Gulu, underscoring a rare moment of accountability in the decades-long history of the LRA’s violence.
Judge Elubu stated that Kwoyelo retains the right to appeal both his conviction and sentence within 14 days.
Kwoyelo, who was abducted by the LRA at the age of 12 and later rose to a low-level command position within the organization, denied all charges brought against him.
(FILES) Suspected LRA (Lords Resistance Army) member Thomas Kwoyelo is pictured during a pre-trial session at the High Court in Kampala on Februay 1, 2017. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by GAEL GRILHOT / AFP)
The Lord’s Resistance Army, founded by Joseph Kony in the 1980s, sought to establish a regime based on the Ten Commandments. Under Kony’s leadership, the group unleashed widespread terror across Uganda and neighboring regions, resulting in over 100,000 deaths and the abduction of 60,000 children.
The violence eventually spread to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic.
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