Politics
Osun Guber Election: Why we’re resolute to return Oyetola for second term, Ogiyan, Alawo, others reveal
Following the gale of endorsements and solidarity coming from different quarters for Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin; Alawo of Awo, Oba Abdul-Rasaq Ajibade Ajiboye; and Aragberi of Iragberi, Oba Agbooade Makanju, said the royal fathers were resolute to return the Governor for the second term as best way to reciprocate his good gesture in turning around the fortune of the State.
The traditional rulers admitted that the style of governance of Governor Oyetola has further endeared him to the masses, particularly the monarchs who have benefitted tremendously since the inception of his administration.
This is even as the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Mexico, Barrister Adejare Bello, reaffirmed the readiness of the people of the State to re-elect the Governor saying, “It won’t be business as usual, particularly in Ede Federal Constituency”
The Governor’s Campaign Council on Thursday moved the campaign trail to Egbedore and Ejigbo Local Government Areas in Ede Federal Constituency of the State.
Speaking in his palace, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin, reaffirmed his support for the re-election of the Governor.
Oba Oyesosin who described Governor Oyetola as a man of noble ideas and developmental initiatives said he (Oyetola) has convinced him and many to earn their support for a second term.
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He acknowledged the numerous government interventions and supports the people of Ejigbo have benefitted from his government saying, “We have seen all you have been doing, particularly for Ejigbo.”
“In spite of the paucity of funds, your administration didn’t relent in championing the dividends of democracy for the people. I know you have done creditably well, but on behalf of my fellow traditional rulers, we plead with you not to relent in your efforts.
“You have done excellently well for us but like Olive Twist, we want more. We want more road infrastructure. We want most of our intra and inter-town roads fixed. We are confident that after your re-election, you will help us to fix those roads. Many do not know the efficacy of prayers, but you have demonstrated to us that you know what prayer is all about and God has been with you all along”, Ogiyan added.
Also speaking, the Alawo of Awo, Oba Abdul-Rasaq Ajibade Ajiboye, expressed confidence in the ability of Governor Oyetola to take the State to enviable heights.
Oba Ajiboye assured that the people of his domain who have benefitted largely from some of the developmental initiatives of the government would reciprocate the kind gesture with their votes in the July 16 governorship election in the State.
Addressing journalists at the campaign ground in Awo, the former Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, and Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Mexico, Barrister Adejare Bello, said the Governor has done so well for the people of the State, particularly Ede Federal Constituency, hence their resolve to return him for the second term.
Bello who named some of the modest achievements of the government in Ede Federal Constituency, said it was Oyetola-led administration that God used to bring succor to the people of the Constituency through the fixing of some of the road network, particularly the reconstruction of Ede-Ejigbo road that had been in deplorable condition for several decades.
The Director of the reelection campaign of Governor Oyetola in Ede Federal Constituency said the people of the Constituency were prepared for the election.
“This time around, it won’t be business as usual. We are more determined, resolute and prepared to deliver our Constituency for APC in the forthcoming governorship election. By the grace of God, we will win all the four Local Government Areas in this Constituency for the ruling party.
“As you all know, the administration of Governor Oyetola has done so much for us and he deserves to be re-elected. I can recollect vividly that what seems impossible was made possible during his tenure.
The Ede-Ejigbo road which has been in bad shape for several years was fixed at record time by the Oyetola-led government. This is a rare feat and a thing of joy for us and we will forever be grateful to God and Mr. Governor for this.
“The reason for this is simple. Three Speakers of the State House of Assembly emerged from this Constituency, two others and I, but none of us was able to fix the road. We spent twenty years altogether as Speakers but we couldn’t get the road fixed. But today, God has used Oyetola to fix the road.
“It is in view of this and many other dividends of democracy that our people have benefitted from that we are proclaiming our collective support to ensure that the Governor is returned for a second term. We should not miss the opportunity. Oyetola is our choice because we are convinced that he has done so well across sectors.
What he has done in three years is a testament that if he is given a second term, he will do much better. We are very prepared, resolute, and ready to win Ede Federal Constituency. It is not about boasting.
We have the resources. This is where the PDP candidate comes from, but this time around, it won’t be business as usual. We will win all the four Local Government Areas in the federal Constituency”, he said.
Speaking at the venues of the campaign, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola urged members of the party to begin door-to-door campaigns and mobilise the electorate to vote massively for APC.
He said his administration will not relent in its efforts to continue to champion the people’s welfare and ensure equitable distribution of resources for the betterment of the people and the progress of the State.
In their separate remarks, the State APC Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun and Director General, Oyetola Campaign Council, Senator Ajibola Basiru, implored the party faithful to continue to work collectively for the success of the party.
The duo who educated the party loyalists, supporters and electorate on the voting dynamics, charged them to spread the gospel of the good works of the administration across their domains.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has declared that nothing will prevent the upcoming local government election from holding, despite resistance from the state’s police command.
In the early hours of Friday, Fubara personally visited the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISEC) office in Port Harcourt.
The facility, where electoral materials are stored, had been barricaded by police operatives.
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The police presence, which was seen as a blockade, quickly dispersed after Fubara arrived at the scene, accompanied by lawmakers and government officials.
Their departure followed the governor’s strong opposition to the actions of the police.
The Rivers State police command had earlier announced that it would not provide security for the election, citing a federal high court order from Abuja.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the state’s police spokesperson, clarified that the decision was in compliance with the court’s directive.
However, Fubara dismissed the need for police security and criticized the police’s involvement.
He claimed that Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), was acting under the influence of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) and former Rivers governor.
“We came here this morning when we heard that the Nigeria police were taking over the RISEC premises. I had to come myself to find out why such a thing would happen,” Fubara said during his visit.
He questioned the interpretation of the court ruling, emphasizing that it did not explicitly stop the election from taking place.
“The judgment said don’t give the voter register and police, don’t provide security. But is that the same thing as blocking the election?” he asked.
Fubara insisted that the election would proceed regardless of police support, citing a similar situation in Anambra where elections were conducted without police security.
“We don’t need your security. We will provide our own,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to seeing the election through.
In a fiery speech, Fubara warned that the only way to stop the election would be if he were shot.
“I will be here. This is my property. You don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering it,” he declared, adding that any attempt to do so would mark a dark chapter in the history of the IGP.
The governor’s stance has raised tensions in Rivers as the election date approaches, with both the local population and political observers closely watching the developments.
“The election will hold, results will be declared, and people will be sworn in,” Fubara vowed.
Fubara’s comments signal a deepening rift between the state government and federal security agencies, further complicating the already fraught political atmosphere in Rivers.
The coming days will determine whether the governor’s resolve will prevail or whether legal and security challenges will force a postponement of the polls.
In a dramatic turn of events on Friday, protesters stormed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office, demanding the local government elections proceed as planned.
Despite heavy rainfall, the demonstrators, chanting “Election must hold,” set up canopies, blocked part of the road, and beat drums in defiance of security concerns.
The protest followed an early morning confrontation between the Rivers State governor and security forces.
The governor had rushed to the RSIEC premises after reports emerged that the Rivers State Police Command intended to take control of the office, a move seen by many as an attempt to disrupt the election set for Saturday.
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In an impassioned response, the governor vowed that the elections would not be derailed. “Keep your security, I do not need it. This election must hold on Saturday. The results will be declared, and the winners will be sworn in,” he said, recalling a similar situation in Anambra State.
Earlier on Friday, security operatives reportedly thwarted an attempt by individuals disguised in police uniforms to gain access to the RSIEC office. The intruders allegedly tried to break into the commission’s gates and strong room in a bid to seize sensitive electoral materials intended for the polls.
The pre-election atmosphere in Rivers State remains charged, with security concerns escalating as voters and officials prepare for Saturday’s local government elections.
Tensions escalated at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt on Thursday as protests broke out ahead of the upcoming Local Government elections, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
Large crowds of demonstrators gathered at the secretariat, prompting a heavy security presence to control the situation and manage the traffic disruption caused by the unrest.
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According to reports, the protests were fueled by concerns over the delayed release of the 2023 Voters’ Register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Protesters voiced frustration over the legal challenges that have complicated the electoral process just days before the election.
The situation intensified after a Federal High Court ruling on September 30, 2024, in which Justice Peter Lifu barred INEC from releasing the voters’ register to RSIEC.
The court’s decision stemmed from ongoing legal disputes regarding the legitimacy of the election process.
Despite the legal roadblocks, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has insisted that the elections will proceed as planned.
Fubara, citing a prior Supreme Court ruling that mandates all Nigerian states must hold democratically elected local government elections, expressed confidence that the election will take place on schedule.
The delay in the release of the voters’ register has raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the upcoming election, intensifying political tensions in Rivers State.
Authorities are on high alert, working to ensure that the situation does not spiral further ahead of the scheduled election date.
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