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How APC leaders hijacked ex- Oyo lawmakers’ mandate for anointed candidate.
SOME members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State have accused the leadership of the party in the state of hijacking the mandate freely and willingly given to the erstwhile lawmaker, Hon Oyeniran Oyeniyi Akande by the delegates during the party primaries.
Hon Oyeniran, who represented Oluyole State Constituency was a member of the 7th Oyo State House of Assembly, and also the Majority Leader of the House. The irate party members who confided in Mega Icon Magazine said, “he was very nice and accommodating and did everything he could to support the party, (APC) and Governor Abiola Ajimobi led government”.
Mega Icon Magazine exclusively gathered that during the build up to the 2015 general elections, the former majority leader signified his interest to recontest like his colleagues in the APC for the state assembly election by obtaining both the expression of interest form and nomination form.
He was neither told nor persuaded by anybody to step down or not to re-contest for the election. On the 6th December, 2014, he contested for the primary election alongside other four aspirants. The ex-lawmaker, Oyeniran defeated other four aspirants by polling 138 votes.
His second runner up and the present occupant of the seat, Hon. Muideen Abiodun Wahab popularly addressed as ‘Deen Abbey’ scored 116 votes. Having scored the highest number of lawful votes in the said primary election, Oyeniran was returned as the candidate of the party.
However, our further checks revealed that his victory in the said election was upturned by some leaders in the local government in connivance with some State executives. His ticket was hijacked and given to his runner up, Mr Muideen Abiodun who got 116 votes in the party primaries. Their reason was that Hon. Oyeniran is too old and there is likelihood that he would be defeated during the House of Assembly election slated for 11th April, 2015.
Not satisfied with the injustice done to him, the ex-lawmaker headed to the High Court of Justice, Ibadan to reclaim his stolen mandate.
Interestingly, the case he instituted in suit no: I/17/2015 against Hon. Muideen Wahab Abiodun, the APC Oyo State and the INEC has not been fixed for hearing and it has been adjourned for more than twenty (20) times till now.
This is the case wherein the mandate being claimed by the plaintiff, Hon. Oyeniran will last for four years and two years has already gone without any tentative date when the hearing would commence.
In a related development, Mr. Olujide Adewale, former Commissioner for Environment and Habitat in Oyo State also suffered the same fate. He polled 129 votes during the party primary for the House of Representatives election to defeat his closest rival, Hon. Sunbo Olugbemi who recorded 128 votes. His victory was also upturned by the party and was given to Olugbemi. He went to the Federal High Court, Ibadan to seek redress and his case is still pending before the court not yet heard.
It would be recalled that sometimes last year, the state executives of the APC issued a release that the party has expelled both Hon. Oyeniran Akande and Jide Adewale for anti party activities. Mega Icon Magazine learnt that the party took that steps having failed to pressurize the duo to withdraw the cases they instituted to reclaim their mandates.
Prior to the conduct of the party primaries, Mega Icon Magazine learnt that Hon. Oyeniran spent a huge amount of money and campaigned vigorously ahead of the election. Shortly after the election, he lost his daughter with her husband and their two children in a ghastly motor accident along Ogbomosho Oyo road.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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