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Ex-CBN Deputy Governor, Adelabu emerges APC gubernatorial candidate in Oyo
Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Oyo State on Sunday elected former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Adebayo Adelabu as the gubernatorial candidate of the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Adelabu emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of the party at its primary election held at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the state capital.
The former CBN boss was announced as winner of the election in the early hours of Monday by the Chairman of the electoral committee and a chieftain of the party from Lagos state, Chief Demola Seriki, in the presence of party members, security agents, INEC officials and journalists who kept vigil to witness the exercise that started Sunday morning.
Adelabu scored 4,889 to defeat his rivals among whom were former governor of the state, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala who got 65 votes, former commissioner of Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adeduntan who got 07 votes.
Seriki announced the total number of void votes as 205 adding that 5, 203 delegates were accredited during the primary election.
MegaIcon recalls that former governor of the state; Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala had yesterday announced his withdrawal from the race due to alleged imposition of a certain candidate by the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Another aspirant, Dr. Abdulazeez Adeduntan also announced his withdrawal from the race without giving a reason.
The choice of Adelabu became evident when the trio of Engineer Joseph Tegbe, Dr. Olusola Ayandele and Dr. Owolabi Babalola said that they were stepping down in the interest of the party and the governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
They argued that they were stepping down for Adelabu in order to ensure unity and harmony in the ruling party in the state.
This made the contest to be between Adelabu and Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), who said he was not ready to step down.
However, delegates, members of electoral committee headed by Mr. Demola Seriki, a chieftain of the party from Lagos state, journalists and observers were later surprised when Akintola announced his withdrawal midway into the election at about 6.50 p.m. Sunday evening.
His announcement was greeted by wild jubilation by delegates and party supporters.
Akintola, while speaking also announced that he was stepping down in the interest of the party.
This development made journalists who have been monitoring the exercise since Sunday morning to ask what was going on why the party was yet to announce Adelabu as the winner of the election.
Chairman of the party, Chief Akin Oke, who addressed the journalists at about 7.30 p.m. on Sunday said, “Yes, Akintola has withdrawn. But, as you can see, we have already started the process. We are already in the process and we have to complete it. If he had withdrawn before the exercise started, that is another thing. But, he did not withdraw before we started.
“Secondly, you know Alao-Akala said he will not participate, but he did not withdraw officially, we have not seem his letter. So, we have to go ahead with the process that we have already started before we announce the winner. Because, we don’t want anyone to take us to court”.
The exercise was brought to an end in the early hours of Monday when Seriki in company of other members and party loyalists of the party in the state finally announced Adelabu as the winner of the two-day exercise.
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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