Politics
LG administration, judiciary comatose under Makinde – Oyo APC alleges
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has again taken a swipe at Governor Seyi Makinde over an allegation that his administration has crippled virtually all institutions of democracy and governance in the state describing the development as unhealthy, dangerous and condemnable.
Oyo APC’s allegation, as learnt came against the backdrop of public outcry which has greeted the evident near-zero performance of local government council officials elected as chairmen and councillors as well as those appointed as secretaries and supervisory councillors to man the affairs of the third tier of government in the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC also berated the decision of Gov. Makinde to shut down all Customary Courts across the state since May last year for inexplicable reasons and thus denying the people access to the services of the judiciary at the grassroots level.
“In Oyo state, today, the 33 local government councils and the 35 local council development areas offer little or nothing in terms of service to the masses even though huge monthly allocations come to them from the Federal Government. The reason for this sad situation is that council officials have no control over both the funds accrued from Abuja as well as the internally generated revenue since everything must find its way to the governor who decides on what to do with the monies.
“Gov. Makinde and the few men around him have turned funds meant for the effective and efficient running local government system in the state into their resources which they must control as they like. Every month, they design programmes and projects for these councils and then order a large chunk of money to be deducted from the source through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. They leave only the amount required to pay salary and wages.
“As a result of this, no single council chairman can do anything outside payment of salary to the staff and political office holders. This explains why handlers of these local government councils cannot meet up with the yearning of the masses while the state suffers for it a great deal. Community roads are in a deplorable shape, the whole environment is messy, roadside traders are everywhere and those expected to take responsibility are crippled.” Sadare lamented.
In another development, Oyo APC has called on Gov. Seyi Makinde to immediately reopen all Customary Courts he has reportedly closed down since May 2021 and also reconstitutes the body of law administrators and mediators constitutionally saddled with the running of these courts in the interest of justice and the citizenry. “Impeccable sources have it that Gov. Makinde ordered the closure of all the 165 Customary Court buildings and structures since May last year for no reason other than what he claimed to be their failure to generate enough revenue for the state.
“This open display of insensitivity has practically denied people access to the court at the grassroots level and thereby increase the rate of domestic violence, petty crimes and undue tension in the society. Also, about 495 judicial officers have been rendered jobless while nobody seems to care because a governor who is an expert in pretence and fake populism is involved here.
“Regrettably, the legislative arm made up of 27 PDP members out of a total of 32 cannot do anything to checkmate the excesses of Gov. Makinde who had cowed them to kick against the popular agitation for local government autonomy. The current Hon. Debo Ogundoyin -led House of Assembly needs to prove the bookmakers wrong by waking up from its slumber and demonstrate the willpower to serve the people of the state genuinely and a few individuals made of the governor and his cronies”, APC concluded.
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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