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Oyo LG Crisis: Makinde Lied Against Judiciary – Ajimobi’s Aide
The immediate past Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo state, Mr Seun Abimbola has insisted that there was no court order against holding the local government elections of May 2018 in the state, describing the statement credited to Governor Seyi Makinde’s mouthpiece, Mr. Taiwo Adisa as a blatant lie carried too far.
Barrister Abimbola also dared Governor Makinde led administration to produce such order if it truly exists.
Mr Taiwo Adisa had on Thursday dismissed the allegation by the Association of Local Governments (ALGON), Oyo State chapter that Governor Makinde contravened the court order, having inaugurated caretaker committees for the 33 local governments and 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), advising the aggrieved members to seek redress in court.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Adisa, who reacted while interacting with journalists also stated that there was no violation of any court order by the state government. He added that the matter they took to the court, in the first place, looks like a slap on the face of the Judiciary because the election that brought the chairmen into the office was conducted in contravention of a court order.
But, Barrister Abimbola in his comments exclusively obtained by Mega Icon Magazine via a social media group on Friday further submitted: “I want to believe the political zeal of this press adviser will not misinform the Governor. This statement is a blatant lie carried too far.
” I can say clearly here that there was no court order against holding the local government elections of May 2018. In fact, I dare anyone with any such order to produce it if it exists.
“There are many ways to justify an illegality, but let’s not lie against the judiciary. Courts are courts of record with certified proceedings and judgments to show for every case. If the injunction exists it is not in the air, but in printed court records. The phantom injunction touted was set aside by Abdulmalik J. of the Federal High Court Ibadan, and the entire case dismissed on 10th May 2018 before the election held.
“If the pressmen echoing this lie with the originators of it were interested in the truth of this phantom injunction, should you not have gone to the Federal High court Ibadan to check the public records and produce the supposed order?
“Please keep the courts out of this politicking .
Enough said”, former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s aide concluded.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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