Politics
Oyo LG Poll: Southwest Councilors Urge Makinde to Respect Rule of Law
Councilors in Southwest geopolitical zone have urged Governor Seyi Makinde to respect the rule of law by allowing elected local government chairmen and councilors in Oyo state to complete their terms in office irrespective of political nomenclature.
The lawmakers under the aegis of Southwest State Councilors’ Forum added that by promoting rule of law, Governor Makinde would also be projecting Oyo state as a state that is not going back to brigandage era after 8 years of sustainable peace and security enjoyed by residents of the state.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon. Taiwo Olukunle Alaba which was made available to Mega Icon Magazine , the Forum noted that the Council Chiefs and Councilors were elected in an election conducted by OYSIEC, a duly constituted State Independent Electoral Body.
The statement reads, “We the Southwest Councilors’ Forum of Nigeria wishes to register our voices as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria on purported dissolution of duly elected Local government Chairmen and Councilors in Oyo state by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Abiodun Makinde.
“A May 6th 2019 High Court judgement had also restrained the government and its representative or agencies from dissolving the councils or freezing the bank accounts of the councils.
“The court held that, dissolution of elected council Chairmen and Councilors by the State Government or the House of Assembly is contrary to section 7(1)of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“The subsisting Supreme Court judgement on Ekiti state has removed such fanciful act of executive indulgence in using the State House of Assembly or mere announcement of dissolution by the Oyo state Governor’s Chief of Staff to perpetrate illegality and dissolve elected local government on the whims and Caprice of a state government.
“We also appeal to His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde to promote rule of law by allowing elected officials to spend their terms of office regardless of their political nomenclature, the statement concluded.
The Forum, however commended the state’s ALGON and Forum of Councilors led by Prince Abass Aleshinloye and Hon Adesoji Adesokan for being constructive and peaceful in its approach by seeking redress in the court of law.
Politics
Oyo Rep, Oseni Pays APC Secretariat Staff Salaries, Donates N10m to Boost Party Operations
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.
Politics
Oseni Salutes Senator Folarin’s Decades of Service at 61
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.
Politics
Ugandan Court Hands Ex-LRA Commander 40-Year Sentence
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.
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.
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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