Politics
Makinde’s celebration of Tinubu’s courtesy visit laughable, says Oyo APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has described the reported jubilation, in the Agodi Government House, which followed the decision of its presidential candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to pay a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde last Thursday during the Presidential Rally held in Ibadan as laughable, childish and revealing.
There were reports of different interpretations being given the development as those in the camp of Gov. Makinde and Oyo PDP were said to have claimed that the courtesy visit was a tacit endorsement of the governor by Tinubu in what they termed as a fulfilment of an agreement between the former Lagos state governor and the five aggrieved governors of the PDP who might have foreclosed the possibility of supporting former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, in this Saturday poll.
In a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC challenged Governor Seyi Makinde to take the advantage of the hardship inflicted on the people by the controversial cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and demonstrate the populist in him if he indeed meant well for the masses or apologize for all the fake and misleading actions he has undertaken since he assumed office in 2019.
“Rather than dissipating energy and time on seeking endorsement here and there, Gov. Makinde should start thinking about what becomes of him after leaving office on May 29, 2023, since he has failed to deliver on his electoral promises for close to four years now. Only God knows how much fortune he (Makinde) has wasted in recent times in the name of securing endorsement for a second term from every Tom, Dick, and Harry even as most of those reported to have pronounced such fake endorsement later came out to deny it.
“The case of Ibadan Family Heads (Mogajis) took to the media space a few days ago to denounce the story of the fake endorsement being circulated by Gov. Makinde’s media handlers and sponsored propagandists. For his dream of genuine endorsement from all and sundry to be realized, Gov. Makinde would have to render an account of stewardship reflecting enviable growth in all the key sectors of the state economy, good relationship with all stakeholders including brother governors across South West states, flawless security architecture among others.
“To set the record straight, Asiwaju Tinubu only demonstrated statesmanship and maturity by visiting Gov. Makinde in his office as the number one citizen of the state at the moment. And in as much as all hands must be on deck in Yorubaland to secure a maximum number of votes for the APC’s Presidential candidate in this Saturday poll, it won’t be out of place for Tinubu to pay such a visit while everything he was quoted as saying was circumstantially appropriate.
“In any case, the only genuine endorsement that a low performer like Gov. Makinde can get would be from hungry political tools usually assembled by a lousy and indecorous member of his cabinet who is notorious for constituting a public nuisance in the political space. Gov. Makinde would be able to get the endorsement of the cerebral leader of the Progressives in Tinubu only if he could boast of 10 per cent of what Gov. Sanwo-Olu has done in Lagos. Rather than dropping the name of Tinubu, Gov. Makinde should first seek forgiveness from all the gladiators who assisted him to power in 2019 only to be humiliated immediately after he was sworn in.
“Lastly, we use this medium to impress upon Gov. Makinde that the time to showcase the humanitarian spirit in him is now. Governors of Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Borno, Kogi, and other states of the Federation have raised their voices to challenge the hurting cashless policy of the CBN while they have also issued directives to business people and bank executives in their respective states to receive old N500 and N1000 notes from depositors to ease the pain in the land. Gov. Makinde must borrow a leaf from his colleagues and come to the aid of the suffering residents of Oyo state”, APC concluded.
Politics
El-Rufai Debunks Rumours of Decamping to PDP, Threatens Legal Action
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has denied rumours of his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former governor addressed the claims as baseless, describing them as the handiwork of mischief makers.
According to a close aide, El-Rufai, a key figure in Nigerian politics, could not have switched political allegiance without making an official announcement.
Reacting to the rumours on Sunday via his verified X account, formerly known as Twitter, El-Rufai urged the public to disregard the “patent lies” circulating about his political affiliation.
He revealed that legal action would be taken against those propagating the false claims.
“Please disregard the patent lies and rumours about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers,” El-Rufai stated.
Politics
New Year: Rep Olafisoye Brightens Constituents’ Lives with ₦150m Empowerment Initiatives
The Federal House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye, has brought smiles to the faces of his constituents by distributing empowerment items worth over ₦150 million to 1,000 beneficiaries.
The event, held on Sunday at the Faith Joe Events Centre, Alegongo, Ibadan, featured the distribution of 500 bags of rice, 308 bags of fertilizers, and 300 units of pesticides. The programme was facilitated in collaboration with the Federal Cooperative College, Orji River, Enugu State, as part of the lawmaker’s commitment to supporting his people.
Speaking at the event, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to his constituents for their unwavering support, prayers, and cooperation since he assumed office in 2023.
He noted that the empowerment initiative was a token of appreciation and a demonstration of his belief in human capital development as the foundation for societal growth and development.
“I have always prioritized life-changing projects and programmes for my people. This empowerment is just one of the many ways I strive to enhance the lives of my constituents. I assure you that I will continue to serve with dedication, ensuring impactful dividends of democracy that uplift your standard of living,” Olafisoye said.
In their remarks, Mr. Jimoh Musa Ajeigbe and Pa James Olorisade, popularly known as Olowe, praised the lawmaker for his exceptional performance. They described his achievements as unprecedented in the history of the constituency since 1999.
Among the beneficiaries of the empowerment items were Oladepo Modinat, Akande Ganiyat, Olakojo Sulaiman, Olapade Timileyin, Dasola Adeleke, and Oyelakin Bose, who expressed their gratitude for the support.
Prominent leaders who graced the occasion included Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji (Atiku), Hon. Olusegun Olaleye (Radical Brother), Hon. D.A. Lawal, Hon. Ope Salami, Hon. Biodun Oladeji, Hon. Femi Akintunde, and several others.
Politics
Ex-NCC Chairman, Adeolu Akande Declares Interest in Oyo North Senatorial Seat
The political landscape in Oyo North Senatorial District has taken a new turn as Professor Adeolu Akande, former Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has declared his intention to vie for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.
Professor Akande, a seasoned Political Scientist and Lawyer, reportedly embarked on a whirlwind consultation tour across the senatorial district over the weekend, formally signaling his ambition to succeed Senator Abdul Fatai Buhari.
This comes after Senator Buhari’s twelve-year tenure representing the district, primarily dominated by the Ogbomosho zone.
According to the information scooped from Oyoinsight, Akande is set to face stiff competition for the APC ticket. Among his challengers are Hon. Tajudeen Were, a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Saki West/Saki East/Atisbo Local Government, and Mrs. Hannah Ogunesan, a former Head of Service in Oyo State. Both hail from Saki West Local Government, intensifying the contest within the Oke Ogun region.
Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over the political plans of Senator Buhari. While speculations suggest he might pursue a fourth term in the Senate, there is also talk of his potential interest in the Oyo State governorship race. Having served as a Special Adviser and Commissioner under Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s administration, Buhari has been a consistent figure in the Red Chamber since 2015.
Professor Akande’s declaration adds a new dimension to the APC’s internal dynamics in Oyo North. The senatorial district, which includes influential figures such as former Minister of Communications, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, and former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan is now a hotspot for political maneuvering.
While Shittu has been vocal about his governorship ambitions, advocating for an Oke Ogun indigene to lead the state, Akande’s entry into the senatorial race is expected to further galvanize political activity in the district ahead of the APC primaries.
The unfolding events set the stage for a fiercely contested race that will shape the political future of Oyo North and possibly influence the trajectory of Oyo State politics.
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