Politics
Shittu’s petition is deeply rooted in falsehood, premised on cheap blackmail, Oyo APC replies
THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has criticised the Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu following his recent petition against Governor Abiola Ajimobi describing it as deeply rooted in falsehood, and premised on cheap blackmail.
Also, the party noted that Barrister Shittu’s allegations in the said petition are not only baseless but equally fallacious, saying, “it is actually shocking to note that the Minister embarked on deliberate falsehood”.
Shittu, as learnt, had earlier sent a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, the national organ of APC, its national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, alleging that APC under Governor Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo state could affect the party’s chances of retaining the state. Justifying his claim, the minister alleged the governor’s perceived highhandedness; demolition of an ICT project being financed by him in his hometown of Saki; and the governor’s lack of purposeful leadership to unite all members of the party.
On the contrary, contained in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to Mega Icon Magazine in Ibadan by the party’s state Director of Media and Strategy, Dr Abdul-Azees Olatunde, further described the minister as a ‘political ingrate’ who detests team work, adding that his desperation for the governorship of Oyo State is driving him to work at cross purpose with the overall well-being of the party.
The statement reads, “contrary to the reckless insinuations made by the Minister, the Oyo State APC is doing extremely well. Rather than loose any member to the opposition, the Oyo State APC under the leadership of Governor Abiola Ajimobi has been moving from strength to strength. Barely one month ago, had the rank and file of the party membership which has continued to experience unprecedented growth and development witnessed a bumper harvest when notable political stakeholders from major opposition parties in the state declared in an open rally where they submitted themselves to the leadership of the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
“We must state very clearly that the decampees include a former Governor, former Deputy Governor, former Senate Leader, serving and former members of the House of Representatives, former Senators, former Secretary to the State Government, former Senatorial candidate, former State Chairman of the PDP, former State Secretary of the PDP, former Speaker of the House of Assembly, present and past State House of Assembly members, former Commissioners and former Local Government Chairmen and several others.
“The open declaration was witnessed by some National Officers of our great party including Deputy National Chairman (South), the National Vice Chairman (North East), the National Vice Chairman (South West) and the |National Treasurer.
“It is quite saddening, highly disheartening and a monumental disservice to our party that a serving Minister of Oyo State origin will as a matter of habit stand the truth on its head and close his eyes to the reality of the rising political profile of not only our party but also of our Leader. The fact is that his petition is rooted in falsehood and premised on cheap blackmail.
“It must be stated that while Governor Ajimobi and other leaders of our party have been working assiduously to develop our great party, Barrister Bayo Shittu in his characteristic manner has been moving from one local government to another sowing seeds of discord all in the name of his desperate and inordinate ambition to govern the State.
“Barrister Shittu was never part of the developmental process of our party. Having lost the governorship primary election in 2015, Mr. Shittu abandoned every activity geared towards victory for the party including the Presidential Campaign. He further took the party to court on the eve of the 2015 governorship election and was working for the opposition Accord Party where his former boss and benefactor contested the governorship election. Today he is reaping from where he did not sow
“Mr. Shittu’s participation in the activities of our party in his Ward and Local Government is marginal. He has consistently been antagonizing every laudable move of the party in his local government. He has never supported the party financially and morally. He is a monumental political failure.
“It is on record that Barrister Shittu is a political ingrate who detests team work. His desperation for the governorship of Oyo State is driving him to work at cross – purpose with the overall well-being of APC in Oyo State”, its continued.
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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