Politics
Oyo: Arapaja invades venue of PDP primaries with armed thugs, forces aspirants out – Group alleges
A group within the Oyo state chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Concerned People Frontiers (CPF) has alleged that the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja invaded the venue of the primaries of both House of Assembly – Ibadan South East constituencies I and II, as well as that of Federal House of Representatives with armed thugs and security personnel harassing, intimidating and forcing aspirants and some delegates out of the venue.
The group noted that there were no primaries as the aspirants and some delegates were allegedly forced out of the venue by the armed thugs and security personnel on the order of Arapaja, who threatened to shoot them if they refused to leave the venue.
It was alleged that Arapaja armed with thugs, Police, and Soldiers was moving around the venues, Saint John Primary School, Alake, Academy for constituency II, Mapo Hall for constituency I and Goodwill Hall, Adekile Orita Aperin, Ibadan for House of Representatives chasing away other aspirants and some delegates to pave way for his unpopular aspirants, hence denied them their civic responsibilities.
The PDP group, in a statement on Monday signed by its Coordinator and Secretary, Adewale Ajani, and, Kunle Fasasi respectively alleged that Arapaja used security agents and thugs to force all his perceived opposition including aspirants and some delegates out, noting that aspirants were beaten at Mapo, venue for Ibadan southeast constituency I primary
While promising to challenge the outcome of the supposed primary election, CFP insisted that no primary election was held in the Ibadan South East/North East federal constituency and State of Assemblies I and II on Sunday.
It could be recalled there had been a series of internal crises in the last few weeks over who will represent the constituencies ahead of 2023 as a result of the planned imposition of the incumbent through consensus, which was rebuffed by other aspirants.
The failure of the aspirants to agree on a consensus made the party organise the supposed primary election on Sunday, which was alleged to have been invaded by Arapaja with armed thugs and security personnel that were supposed to provide safety at the primary.
The statement read, “The Deputy National Chairman of our party, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja invaded the venue of the primaries with armed thugs, Police, and Soldiers harassing, intimidating, and threatening us with guns ordering us to leave the venue of the primary or we should be shot.
“We are going to challenge what happened legally because there was no primary, some delegates and aspirants were prevented from exercising their electoral franchise. What transpired at the venue of the primary showed that the PDP government in Oyo state is not about people but about a cabal, who can do anything to achieve their clandestine motive.
“Imagine someone of Arapaja’s caliber, a National officer for that matter, threatening his members with guns, this was a show of charade, and against the tenet of the democratic process.
“We want to bring this to the notice of party National headquarters what happened in Oyo state, and if this show of shame is not corrected, we have no option but to seek redress legally.
“We want to use this opportunity to also advise the party leadership at national, that in case there will be another primary, apart from INEC officials, aspirants, and delegates, no other party leaders in the state should be allowed into the venue to guide against the further occurrence of oppression for people like Arapaja, a national officer for that matter.
“There were no primaries in Ibadan South East State Assemblies and Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency. Although they might come up with a winner it was glaring that there were no primaries as confirmed by INEC officials in an interview at the venue. The atmosphere was not conducive and it was discouraging and sad. This is not democracy”, the PDP group lamented.
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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