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I have no intention of deposing Olubadan – Ajimobi declares

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OYO State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has said that he had no plans of deposing the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, no matter the level of provocation and opposition to the recent installation of new obas in Ibadanland.

He also appealed to members of the Obas-in-Council and all other newly installed obas in Ibadanland to extend the olive branch to the Olubadan by visiting him as a way of assuring the paramount ruler that they bore no grudge against him.

The governor spoke at a meeting he held with the traditional council of the 11 local governments in Ibadanland, which are being headed by the Obas-in-Council, formerly known as members of the Olubadan-in-Council, at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The meeting was also attended by senior chiefs in Ibadanland, members of the Ibadan Elders’ Forum, chairmen of the 11 local governments and 14 local council development areas in Ibadan as well as members of the state executive council.

Despite being vested with enormous powers of suspension and deposition of erring monarch, as enshrined in Cap 28, Section 26 (1) of the Chiefs Laws of Oyo State 2000, Ajimobi said that he would not invoke such powers over the Ibadan monarch.

The section reads, “The governor may suspend or depose any chief (oba) whether appointed before or after the commencement of this law if it is satisfied that such suspension or deposition is required according to customary law or is necessary in the interest of peace or order or good government’’

Governor Ajimobi, who reiterated that Oba Adetunji was his father, said that he would not do anything that would diminish his status or bring his exalted stool into disrepute.

He said,“Let me state that the existing chieftaincy law gives any governor power to remove any traditional ruler who engages in activities that can jeopardize the peace of his domain.

“I should also add that Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has of recent been engaging in certain activities that are inimical to the peace and tranquility of Ibadan.

“Only recently, Olubadan embarked on a roadshow across Ibadan, waving horsetail to bystanders in an apparent attempt to incite the people against the government. Such actions could have pitted the antagonists and protagonists of installation of new obas against one another.

“This is capable of plunging Ibadan metropolis into a crisis of unimaginable proportion, if not for the understanding and support of the people for the government. But no matter what happens, I assure you I will never depose the Olubadan. He remains my father. His palace is just being used by failed politicians, especially the Accord Party leader, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, to relaunch his faded political career.

“I hold the Olubadan and his stool in high esteem. This is why I will also want to beg the obas-in-council to visit Baba and mend their relationship. If I can’t fight the Olubadan, please you should not fight him.”

Ajimobi, who described the royal father as a good man, with liberal disposition, however, expressed the regret that he had allowed his palace to be hijacked by those he called failed politicians and serial losers.

He said that their plans were not only to heat up the polity but also to return Ibadan metropolis to the dark days when arson, violence and brigandage reigned supreme, all targeted at the 2019 general elections.

The governor added, “Reports at our disposal indicate that the crisis that had trailed the appointment of new obas in Ibadan and the gun attack on the Olubadan palace on Monday might have been masterminded by these failed politicians.

“They have taken advantage of Kabiyesi’s advanced age to carry out their nefarious activities and use the palace as the centre of opposition to the government. What they failed to achieve through the ballot box, they want to achieve through the back door.

“Our government is not for violence. We don’t encourage brigandage. It is people like Ladoja who have been promoting violence that were behind the attack on Olubadan’s palace. It was during Ladoja’s regime that gunmen shot into the late Baba (Lamidi) Adedibu’s house because of his opposition to him.

“Ladoja’s supporters caused mayhem in Akure (Ondo State) when he lost out in his bid to be endorsed as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party. During his administration, even the governor’s office became a theatre of war. All these are on record.”

He, however, vowed not to be intimidated by what he called Ladoja’s pull-him-down syndrome and self-centredness.

Speaking earlier, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, expressed appreciation to the governor for the matured way he had handled the provocative activities of the opponents of the recent review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Law.

Olakulehin recalled what he called the overwhelming support members of the then Olubadan-in-Council gave Oba Adetunji during his nomination as Olubadan-designate and his eventual colorful coronation by the state government.

He, however, alleged that the foremost traditional ruler had treated them with disdain and had embarked on activities that could tarnish the revered Olubadan stool.

The royal father particularly cited the “unilateral removal of Alhaja Abake Lawal as the Iyaloja of Ibadanland by Oba Adetunji” allegedly on the excuse that she was not an Ibadan indigene in spite of the opposition by the Olubadan-in-Council.

Also, the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe, rejoiced with the governor on what he called the successful completion of the Olubadan chieftaincy law review, adding that the Olubadan stool had further been elevated to the imperial status.

He said that Ladoja’s major grouse with the governor was that he had no opportunity of carrying out the reform during his own tenure as governor.

Oba Adebimpe said, “I will appeal to the citizens of Oyo State to be praying for good health and strength for the governor because of his many good intentions. I rejoice with him for seeing the reform through. He has succeeded where his predecessors have failed.

“I also want to say that the main grouse of my friend is that he was unable to carry out this reform when he was governor. I salute Ajimobi’s doggedness and courage. He has taken many valiant and commendable steps since he became governor.

“Maybe, Kabiyesi the Olubadan did not know that the governor had elevated his status by this review. He is also a beneficiary because he is now the imperial majesty. Our role now is to be enlightening the people on the many advantages of the chieftaincy review.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Politics

2027: Oseni condemns attack on campaign train, demands probe

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has condemned the attack on his campaign train at Agbaje Market in Ibadan North-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, calling on security agencies to investigate the incident.

The attack occurred on Wednesday afternoon when Oseni and his team were visiting market associations in Agbaje, Ayeye and Idikan as part of his consultation ahead of the 2027 elections. The trouble started while he was addressing traders at Agbaje Market, when armed political thugs reportedly attacked the venue and started shooting, forcing people to run for safety.

According to a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, some vehicles in the campaign convoy, including a security utility vehicle, and their windshields were hit  by bullets during the attack. The incident caused panic among traders, supporters and other residents at the market.

Security operatives attached to the campaign team quickly moved in and helped to control the situation, allowing the lawmaker, members of his entourage and supporters to leave the area safely. Oseni thanked God that no casualty was recorded and commended the security personnel for their intervention.

Describing the incident as disturbing, the chairman House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) said it was an attack not only on his campaign but also on the right of people to take part in political activities without fear.

“This is a brazen assault on peace, democracy and the constitutional right of every citizen to move freely and participate in political activities without fear or intimidation,” he said.

The APC candidate said the incident would not stop him from meeting the people across Oyo South, adding that his consultations were aimed at listening to their concerns and understanding what they expect from whoever represents them. He said politics should be about ideas, records and the ability to serve the people, rather than violence and intimidation.

Oseni appealed to his supporters not to retaliate, urging them to remain calm and allow the security agencies to deal with those behind the attack. “I appeal to our supporters to remain calm and law-abiding. We must not allow anyone to provoke us into taking the law into our own hands,” he said.

He also thanked the traders, residents, party leaders and supporters who came out for the consultation despite the incident. According to him, the attack would not change the goodwill he enjoys among the people, insisting that voters should be allowed to freely decide who they want to represent them.

“No attack, intimidation or destruction of campaign materials can determine the choice of the people. At the end of the day, it is the people who will decide. Our duty is to present our records and our vision to them, and their decision must be respected,” Oseni said.

He called on the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attack, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice. He said political violence should not be allowed to become part of the build-up to the 2027 elections.

The consultation was attended by the APC candidate for Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, Hon. Folake Olunloyo; Hon. Lowo Obisesan; party leaders, market stakeholders, supporters and other chieftains.

Oseni said he would continue his consultations across Oyo South, insisting that the incident would not stop him from meeting the people.

“We will continue to go to the people. We will continue to listen and engage peacefully. We will not be intimidated. The people deserve the freedom to choose, and that freedom must be protected,” he stressed.

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2027: Oseni urges Oyo voters to collect PVCs as INEC begins distribution

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The APC Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Aderemi Oseni

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has urged eligible voters across the district and the state to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins distributing newly printed cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He urged eligible voters who participated in the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), transferred their polling units or applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to take advantage of the exercise and collect their cards.

Oseni said the commencement of the distribution exercise was an important opportunity for eligible voters to complete the process ahead of the 2027 elections, urging them not to wait until the final days before collecting their cards.

“Democracy is not sustained by the demand for good governance alone; it also depends on the willingness of citizens to participate responsibly in the process of choosing their leaders.

“I therefore urge every eligible voter to collect their PVC and exercise their civic responsibility. No citizen should wait until the last moment before taking this important step,” he said.

The call comes as INEC commences the distribution and collection of 77,015 newly printed PVCs across Oyo State from Friday, October 9, to Thursday, October 15, 2026.

The exercise will take place at the state’s 351 Registration Areas and wards between 9am and 3pm daily, including weekends.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, said the commission would also make available unclaimed PVCs printed ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Oseni commended INEC for making the newly printed cards available ahead of the 2027 elections, saying eligible voters should take advantage of the exercise to obtain their cards in good time.

He also urged the electoral commission to ensure that the collection process remained transparent, accessible and orderly, while addressing avoidable difficulties that could discourage eligible voters.

“Every eligible voter should be given a fair and easy opportunity to collect their PVC. A smooth process will encourage more people to participate in the democratic process,” he added.

The federal lawmaker further urged INEC to sustain its efforts to improve access to PVCs and ensure that no eligible voter across Oyo State is left out of the electoral process.

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2027: INEC begins distribution of 77,015 PVCs in Oyo Friday

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The Independent National Electoral Commission will on Friday begin the distribution and collection of 77,015 newly printed Permanent Voter Cards across Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The exercise, which will run from October 9 to 15, will be conducted at the 351 registration areas and wards across the state.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Tella said the exercise would hold daily, including weekends, between 9am and 3pm.

He explained that the exercise would cover newly printed PVCs as well as unclaimed cards printed ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The REC urged eligible voters to visit their respective registration areas during the seven-day exercise to collect their cards.

He also appealed to members of the public to disregard information circulating online suggesting that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise was still ongoing.

According to him, the CVR exercise ended on July 26, 2026.

Tella said those expected to benefit from the current exercise included newly registered voters, persons who had lost their PVCs, voters who requested transfers from one polling unit to another, and those whose cards were damaged or defaced during the last CVR exercise.

He said the collection of PVCs would continue at INEC offices in the 33 local government areas of the state after the seven-day exercise at the registration areas and wards.

The same collection hours of 9am to 3pm would apply at the local government offices, he added.

Tella further assured residents that the commission would receive additional batches of newly printed PVCs for distribution in the state.

He therefore urged eligible voters and other stakeholders to take advantage of the exercise and ensure that their PVCs were collected ahead of the 2027 elections.

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