Politics
Makinde’s Reconciliation Committee not a mere talk shop – Oyo PDP replies Salahudeen
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state said its attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Hon. Tunde Salahudeen, who on Tuesday, criticised the setting up of Elders’ Steering Committee of the party by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Salahudeen, in an opinion article he authored and circulated in cyberspace, claimed that the reconciliation committee headed by Dr. Saka Balogun would end up like another Oputa Panel, a mere talk shop.
The PDP described Salahudeen’s opinion as an obvious misread of the situation in the party and a complete misrepresentation of the true position of Governor Makinde .
The party in a statement signed by its publicist, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, submitted, “To start with, the statement by Salahudeen contained a lot of half-truths, which deserve to be placed in the right perspective.
“First, he claimed that the most aggrieved member of the PDP is the State Chairman, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha. He also claimed that there is a “nauseating Omituntun syndrome” in the party; that the chairman, Advisory Council had usurped the office of the State Chairman and that members of the party are suffering in silence.
“These are fallacies being orchestrated by persons who choose to orchestrate half-truths and unfounded postulations.
“While it is understandable that in a big house, there must be voices rising from different corners even at odd hours, we implore persons like Salahudeen to ask questions and get to the roots of issues rather than grandstand on social media or pretend to know, when they are obviously progressing in error.
“Let it be placed on record that the setting up of the Elders’ Steering Committee of Oyo PDP was a commendable decision which is aimed at consistently building consensus and ensuring the Elders continue to take their rightful place.
“The choice of Dr. Saka Balogun is not only apt, but well deserved because he is a well-regarded elder who says his mind without mincing words.
“Besides, the Chairmanship of the Elders’ Committee cannot at the same time be given to the state Chairman because as the head of the State Working Committee, the Chairman cannot be the judge in a matter that would eventually end on his table.
“It is only good that the Chairman is a member of the Elders’ Committee so that he can provide necessary insights where necessary.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, the Chairman of the PDP in Oyo State is not only at home with the policies of Governor Makinde, he does not bear any grudge against the administration in any way. Indeed, the Chairman was physically present at the inauguration of that Committee.
“One also wonders what is the justification for the claim of the “nauseating Omituntun syndrome” within Oyo PDP. It is clear that what Salahudeen meant was that the Omituntun structure has dominated other stakeholders in the party and this is not even true.
“Where does Salahudeen get evidence to back that up? While the executive council of Oyo State had 17 members at its inauguration in August 2019, only one of them, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, the late Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, was of the Omituntun ensemble. The rest are either members of the coalition or members of the PDP. So where is the usurpation of positions by the Omituntun?
“It is also instructive to note another fallacy raised by Salahudeen in the write-up. He claimed that the governor unilaterally decides whoever he gives positions. Salahudeen does not qualify to make this statement, as he is neither an elder nor is in any position to know who and who was consulted by the governor before decisions on appointments and other policies are made.
“The governor has an Advisory Council, a huge network of elders and trusted leaders of the party whom he consults on a daily basis. He also has Liaison Officers in the 14 Federal Constituencies, who are led by respected elder, Chief Jacob Adetoro, who incidentally is also a member of the Steering Committee.
“Salahudeen’s fears that the Committee, which has not even begun work, would end up like the Oputa Panel, one must say, are baseless. This is a governor, who has shown his penchant for consultation and collective effort at all times. He is renowned for keeping faith with his promises and has made a commitment to ensure that all legitimate concerns within the Party are addressed.
“If Salahudeen is truly a member of the PDP and he has not been used by some vested interests to destroy the PDP, he should know the channel through which he can ventilate his views.”, the statement concluded.
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.
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.
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
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