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Makinde kicks off distribution of palliatives in Ibarapa
Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, kickstarted the distribution of relief materials to 90,000 households identified as the poorest of the poor, to cushion the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor kicked off the distribution of the palliatives in Igboora, Ibarapa North Local Government Area and commended the people of Ibarapa Zone for their consistency in supporting him since he started his political journey in 2007.
He maintained that the state government decided to distribute palliatives to assist people “whose means of income have been badly affected” by the partial shutdown of activities in the state.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that apart from the distribution of palliatives to 90,000 households, the government would embark on the distribution of another set of palliatives to 30,000 vulnerable persons in the society.
The governor, who also visited the Primary Health Care Centres in Idere and Igboora, which have been marked for improvement and renovation as isolation centres, explained that though the state government decided against total lockdown of the state, it embarked on intense sensitisation to ensure that the people follow safety precautions.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to appreciate you all. I have not had the time to thank you since we got into office and that is why I am using this opportunity to do so today. I can assure you that this government will not disappoint you.
“I am actually here for a reason and I believe all of us are also aware of the coronavirus pandemic. Though I also tested positive for the virus, I was able to defeat it and come out stronger.
“When other states were embarking on lockdown, I was averse to that decision and made sure that Oyo State was not locked down like others. So, what we did was a partial lockdown and we warned our people to follow safety precautions we have provided because it is a very contagious one.
“However, the means of livelihood of some of our people have been partially affected. There are people within us who earn what will feed them in the evening period but we said this should come to an end because of the curfew. Many businesses have also been affected.
“So, because of the people whose means of income have been badly affected, we decided to come and distribute these palliatives package to you. I was supposed to stay back in Ibadan, take the pictures of these packages and show it to the whole world but we are not running eye-service or the cosmetic government. What we are concerned about is to make dividends of this government get to the doorsteps of everyone.
“That was why we decentralised the distribution of the palliatives. All the packages that we have brought here are mainly for the people of Ibarapa land. The ones that are being distributed right now will be for the poorest of the poor that are among us.”
The governor explained that the distribution of palliatives would be done without bias for partisanship, noting that the palliatives would be shared to everyone that is vulnerable and hungry in different localities in the state.
He said: “What we did was to, throughout Oyo State, identify over 90,000 poorest of the poor households. We sent some people out for that assignment. So, the first phase of the palliatives we are giving out is for 90,000 households. By next week, we will distribute another palliative to the 30,000 vulnerable within us. We have the contact details of those we are targeting. We will call and give it to them. We will even call them again to confirm if they have received it or not.
“I personally put calls through to people, and some of them told me they are farmers, tailors, petty traders. The farmers that spoke to me said they already had food but the government should assist them by providing seedlings, pesticides to grow their farming business. So, because of this, we are going to give special palliatives to our farmers.
“Those who are going to share the palliatives told me that the first batch will be distributed in three days. So, I want to appeal to the elders here that the distribution should be well supervised. Help us ensure that the people that will be given must be from your locality. In any case, I am sure that with the work that the committee in charge has done so far, there is no external person that can come for this palliative.”
Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo South Senatorial District have endorsed a member of the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Alice Hall, Ibadan, with party leaders, stakeholders, local government chairmen and state executive members from the nine local government areas in attendance.
The councils represented at the meeting are Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North and Ido.
The stakeholders expressed satisfaction with Oseni’s aspiration, describing it as timely, credible and anchored on tested leadership and grassroots appeal.
Those present at the meeting included Chief Timothy Jolaoso (Ibarapa East); Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe (Ido); Chief Abdulrauf Bello (Ido); Alhaji Muili Oluokun (Ibadan North-West); Alhaji Mufutau Adisa (Ibadan South-East); Alhaji Bello Oladeji (Ibadan North); Prince Gbade Lana (Ibadan North-East); Engr. Olatunji (Ibadan South-West); Comrade Wale Gbadamosi (Ibarapa North); and Alhaja Moji Adetona (Ibarapa Central).
Other party officials in attendance were the senatorial chairman, Alhaji Mojeed Adebayo; the secretary, Fatai Adesina; Welfare Officer, Sunday Babalola; Deputy Women Leader, Alhaja Fatimah Hassan; Auditor, Alhaja Tinu Adigun; Youth Leader, Lekan Adebayo; Ex-Officio member, Kola Amoo; Treasurer, Lateef Ajiboye; and Senatorial Youth Leader, Olalekan Olowe.
A chieftain of the party in Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Shina Alabi, moved the motion for the lawmaker’s endorsement, which was seconded and unanimously adopted by the stakeholders.
Alabi said Oseni’s decision to abide by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to step down his governorship ambition for the senatorial race underscored his loyalty and commitment to party unity.
He said, “Hon. Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of the people. His leadership style is inclusive, responsive and development-driven. We are convinced that his emergence as the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District will strengthen the party’s chances and guarantee effective representation.”
He also urged party members to remain united and rally behind credible aspirants with proven capacity and electoral value.
In his remarks, Hon. Aderemi Oseni said his decision to pursue the senatorial seat followed the presidential directives, noting that he accepted the decision in the interest of party cohesion, progress and stability. He recalled that he had earlier prepared for the Oyo South senatorial race in the 2023 general elections, having already purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms as part of an arrangement reached, before stepping down following appeals by party leaders.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the party must close ranks to reclaim political dominance in the senatorial district.
According to him, “There is a huge task ahead, especially with several House of Representatives seats in the district currently held by the opposition. We must work together, mobilise effectively and secure victory for our party and leader, President Bola Tinubu”.
Oseni thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to advancing the interests of Oyo South Senatorial District.
The meeting also had representatives from all nine local government areas, with about 10 leaders from each council in attendance.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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