Connect with us

Politics

Edo Deputy Gov, Shaibu Impeached

Published

on

 

The political landscape of Edo State underwent a seismic shift on Monday as embattled Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor, faced impeachment by the state’s House of Assembly, bringing to a close a protracted saga of discord between him and Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Shaibu’s ousting unfolded during a tense plenary session held in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, marking the climax of simmering tensions that had been brewing for months between him and Obaseki.

The decision to impeach Shaibu stemmed from the adoption of a report submitted by a seven-man committee appointed by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, tasked with investigating allegations of misconduct leveled against the deputy governor.

Addressing the assembly during the session, Majority Leader Charity Aiguobarueghian disclosed that the committee’s report outlined two crucial findings and one recommendation. Although the panel failed to substantiate the allegations of perjury against Shaibu, it did find him culpable of divulging government secrets.

According to the committee’s recommendation, which cited the disclosure of government secrets as grounds for impeachment, the assembly conducted a vote, with eighteen out of nineteen members present casting their ballots in favour of Shaibu’s removal, meeting the required two-thirds majority.

Subsequently, the assembly endorsed the recommendation of the seven-man panel, effectively impeaching the deputy governor.

Following the impeachment, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, to furnish Governor Obaseki with copies of the impeachment for his approval.

The development unfolded amidst ongoing legal proceedings, as Shaibu had filed a lawsuit challenging the assembly’s impeachment plans. However, the assembly’s swift action preempted any judicial intervention.

Responding to his impeachment, Shaibu criticized the move, labeling it a threat to democracy.

In a video statement, he accused the lawmakers of failing the state and its electorate.

The impeachment proceedings against Shaibu commenced the previous week when twenty-one out of twenty-four lawmakers signed a petition accusing him of perjury and divulging state secrets.

During a preceding plenary session, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku informed the assembly that the seven-day ultimatum granted to Shaibu to respond to the impeachment notice had lapsed. Agbebaku cited Shaibu’s alleged evasion of service as the reason for resorting to substituted service.

The assembly’s Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghan, subsequently moved a motion that Justice Okungbowa be directed to set up a committee to probe the petition against Shaibu.

Comments

Politics

Ibadan Outer City APC Stakeholders Decry Tragic Funfair Stampede

Published

on

By

 

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ibadan outer city zone of Oyo State have expressed profound grief over the tragic stampede that occurred during a Christmas fanfare last week.

The incident, organized by private individuals, led to the deaths of over 40 children and left many injured. The stakeholders have called on authorities to prevent a recurrence of such a calamity.

 

The meeting, which brought together party members from Akinyele, Egbeda, Ido, Lagelu, Oluyole, and Ona-Ara local government areas, was held at the APC Secretariat on New Ife Road, Egbeda. It was attended by party leaders, stalwarts, and Hon. Aderemi Oseni, Chairman of the House Committee on FERMA and the lawmaker representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.

 

Demands for Accountability

 

In a communiqué signed by Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Chief Lekan Adeyemo, Alhaji Sule Suara, and Bashorun Billy Ogundele, the stakeholders condemned the circumstances surrounding the deaths. They accused the Oyo State government of negligence and demanded justice for the victims and their families.

 

“The number of children who died and those who sustained varying degrees of injuries is alarming, regrettable, and lamentable. There is more to the incident than what the public has been told. Gov. Seyi Makinde and some of his officials have made frantic but futile efforts to cover up clear cases of ineptitude, negligence, and incompetence. We demand justice for the victims while urging the government to ensure the safety of lives and property at all times,” the communiqué stated.

 

 

 

Party Leadership and Reforms

 

The stakeholders also celebrated the confirmation of Alhaji Olayide Abas as the substantive chairman of Oyo APC by the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. They expressed confidence in his ability to reposition the party for success ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Oseni Reassures Nigerians

 

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Aderemi Oseni highlighted the rationale behind President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms. He assured attendees that the current economic challenges would soon pave the way for widespread prosperity. Oseni also presented a comprehensive report on his 18-month tenure, earning a standing ovation for his exceptional performance.

 

Notable Attendees

 

Prominent APC leaders present at the meeting included Hon. Kunle Jenrade, Hon. Ibrahim Bolomope, Hon. Dauda Lawal, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Alesinloye, Barr. Yemi Aderibigbe, Alhaji Bello Labankadi, Hon. Wahab Oladejo, Hon. Ambali Abiola, Alhaji Morufu Lamolo, Hon. Lasun Oguntade, Alhaji Yinka Folarin, and Mrs. Esther Olaleke, among others.

 

Call to Action

 

The APC stakeholders urged the government to take immediate steps to address lapses in public event management and safety, emphasizing that such tragedies must never happen again.

 

 

Continue Reading

Politics

From ‘Books to Shops’: Oyo APC Slams Makinde Over ‘Shameful’ Library Conversion

Published

on

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Politics

Relief as Rep ‘Lafi’ Empowers 300 Constituents Through Skill Acquisition Programme

Published

on

By

 

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.

Continue Reading

Trending