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.
Politics
Nigeria’s Debt Service Ratio Falls To 65% As Tinubu Tackles Economic Woes
In an effort to reduce Nigeria’s debt burden and stabilize the economy, President Bola Tinubu announced on Monday that the country’s debt service-to-revenue ratio has fallen from 97 to 65 percent over the 17 months since he took office.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for seven new ministers at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the government’s progress in stabilizing the economy despite challenging conditions.
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“For us, it was a challenge when the nation was servicing its debt with 97 percent of its revenue. It was nothing but the edge of the cliff,” Tinubu said.
“But today, I can report to you that we have brought that down to 65 percent, and we have never defaulted in meeting all obligations, both foreign and domestic.”
His remarks follow Afreximbank’s recent projection that Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio could reach 110.4 percent by 2024.
Afreximbank’s 2024 Nigeria Country Brief warned of a troubling upward trend in debt servicing, which could see the ratio surge from 33.8 percent in 2017 to a projected 110.4 percent next year.
However, with continued reforms, the report suggested the ratio might decline to 62.6 percent by 2025.
In the first nine months of 2023, debt servicing consumed 66.9 percent (₦5.79 trillion) of Nigeria’s total revenue, a slight improvement from 99.3 percent (₦4.23 trillion) during the same period in 2022.
Tinubu, while optimistic about economic recovery, acknowledged the ongoing struggles faced by Nigerians due to a sharp increase in the cost of living triggered by recent economic reforms.
“We have taken the bull by the horns,” the President asserted. “We have stopped the scavengers. We will fully put an end to the profiteers and smugglers of our resources across the country. We are not shirking our responsibility; we are confronting it head-on.”
He further expressed confidence that Nigeria was on a “good path” toward recovery, emphasizing that the government remains committed to re-engineering the economy.
He cited the introduction of a new minimum wage as one measure aimed at mitigating rising living costs.
Monday’s ceremony also saw the swearing-in of seven new ministers, part of a recent cabinet reshuffle.
In two batches, ministers including Idi Maiha (Livestock Development) and Dr Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade, and Investment) took their oaths.
The reshuffle, which saw 10 ministers reassigned, five discharged, and seven new appointments confirmed by the Senate, reflects Tinubu’s stated commitment to reshaping his cabinet to meet Nigeria’s evolving challenges.
As the administration continues to implement reforms, President Tinubu emphasized a long-term vision for economic sustainability, not only for the current generation but also for future ones.
“Despite the challenges, we must undertake the job of re-engineering and retooling this country’s economic path,” he said.
Politics
Edo Deputy Gov, Omobayo Ordered To Court Over Refusal To Vacate Office
A Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated that Godwins Omobayo, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, appear in person on November 26, 2024, following allegations of contempt of court stemming from his failure to comply with a previous ruling.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Monday, asserting that Omobayo, described as the alleged contemnor, must be afforded a fair hearing in accordance with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
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The court action was initiated by Philip Shaibu, who was reinstated as Deputy Governor after the court invalidated his impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly on July 17.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the impeachment proceedings lacked due process and that the grounds for Shaibu’s removal did not constitute gross misconduct.
Shaibu’s suit targets several parties, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Edo State House of Assembly, seeking enforcement of the court’s judgment and demanding that Omobayo vacate the deputy governorship position.
Omobayo assumed office on April 8, following Shaibu’s impeachment.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Omobayo was served legal documents but failed to appear.
In response, Shaibu’s attorney, Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, urged the court to compel Omobayo’s attendance, citing the need to uphold judicial authority.
In delivering his ruling, Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until November 26 for further proceedings.
He directed that hearing notices be served to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th defendants involved in the charge.
“In the interest of justice and to provide the alleged contemnor with an opportunity to defend himself and receive a fair hearing, in accordance with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I hereby order that the alleged contemnor appear in court in person on November 26, 2024,” the judge stated.
It is noteworthy that the current tenure of the state government is set to conclude on November 12.
Politics
Presidency Fires Back At Atiku
On the heels of the salvo fired by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria’s 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, signalling what might be a long-drawn hot exchange of words, the Presidency has made what it called ‘our initial response to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’.
This was contained in a statement put out on micro-blogging site, X, Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga.
The former vice president had detailed the shortcomings of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, making efforts to detail what he would have done differently, that would have better results for Nigeria.
In a swift response, the Presidency countered that Atiku and his ideas “were rejected by Nigerians in the 2023 poll”, based on his antecedents.
The statement reads, “OUR INITIAL RESPONSE TO ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR
“We have just read a statement credited to former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in which he tried to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform programmes while pushing his untested agenda as a better alternative.
“First, Alhaji Atiku’s ideas, which lacked details, were rejected by Nigerians in the 2023 poll.
“If he had won the election, we believe he would have plunged Nigeria into a worse situation or run a regime of cronyism.
“Abubakar lost the election partly because he vowed to sell the NNPC and other assets to his friends. Nigerians have not forgotten this, nor would they be comforted by Atiku’s antecedents when he ran the economy in the first term of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government between 1999 and 2003.
“As vice president, Atiku supervised a questionable privatisation programme. He and his boss demonstrated a lack of faith in our educational system, and both went to establish their universities while they allowed ours to flounder.
“Talk is cheap. It is easy to pontificate and deride a rival’s programmes even when there are irrefutable indices that the economic reforms yield positives despite the temporary difficulties.
“Despite the futile attempt to hoodwink Nigerians again in his statement, it is gratifying that the former Vice President could not repudiate the economic reforms pursued by the Tinubu administration because they are the right things to do.
“His advocacy for a gradualist approach only showed that he was not in tune with the enormity of problems inherited by President Tinubu.
“It is so easy to paint a flowery to-do list. It is expected of an election loser.
“President Tinubu met a country facing several grave challenges. Fuel subsidies were siphoning away enormous resources we could ill afford, and there was criminal arbitrage in the forex market.
“No leader worth his name will allow these two economic disorders to persist without moving to end them surgically.
“While advocating for gradual reforms may sound appealing, Tinubu took measures that should have been taken decades ago by Alhaji Abubakar and his boss when they had the opportunity.
“Alhaji Abubakar calls for empathy and a human face to reforms. We have no problem with this as it resonates well with our administration’s focus. President Tinubu has consistently emphasised the need for compassion and protection of the most vulnerable.
“The administration has prioritised social safety nets and targeted support for those affected by recent economic transitions.”