Politics
Used vehicles: Oyetola Acted In Accordance With Law And Convention – Aide
…urges govt to take time to study handover notes
The decision by the immediate past Governor of the State, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola , to approve the release of vehicles to public officials who served in his administration is in accordance with the law and convention, Ismail Omipidan , has said.
He noted that there is an existing law in the State duly passed by the State House of Assembly, adding that the former governor’s action on the access to the used vehicles by him, his deputy and other public officials were guided by the existing law.
He further said that contrary to the claim by the Osun government, Oyetola is not in possession of 11 vehicles, insisting that the used vehicles he left with were not only properly documented but were done in line with the extant law and best practices.
Omipidan, who is the media aide to Oyetola, noted that like his previous statements, the Osun governor’s spokesperson’s release on the alleged carting away of government vehicles were full of lies and misinformation, deliberately put together to malign the person and character of his principal.
He wondered how he came about the value of N2.9 billion as total worth of the used vehicles, insisting that the amount is unrealistic, misleading and false, therefore, it cannot represent the true value of the used vehicles. Besides, several of the vehicles they alleged were carted away are still in the possession of the State Government as at today.
“For instance, the vehicles listed against Amotekun were the same vehicles being used in the current administration. Yet, they said they are looking for the same vehicles. Three of the vehicles they claim are with the former deputy governor are already being used by the current deputy governor.
“The used vehicles that were approved for release to all the public officials who were statutorily entitled were done in accordance with the law, convention and practice as was done by past administrations. The gesture is usually done to appreciate these public officials for serving the State meritoriously since they are not entitled to pension and gratuity.
“Therefore, releasing the vehicles is a discretionary power within the governor’s executive power.
“The current deputy governor, the SSG, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye and the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kasim Akinleye were all beneficiaries of similar gesture in the past as they left with their used vehicles when they served as chairmen of their various councils under the PDP administration. This gesture is enjoyed by both the judicial and the legislative arms of government as well.
“Having said all that, I will implore the governor to take his time to study the handover notes and acquaint himself with past records of happenings of administrations before that of Oyetola, so as to be guided appropriately,” Omipidan added.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has explained that the persistent crisis and legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party compelled him to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
The governor’s defection was formally announced on Monday by his deputy, Mani Mummuni, after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move was described as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state and supported by political stakeholders across Zamfara.
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According to the statement, Governor Lawal had remained committed to the PDP despite the ongoing leadership crisis and had made several efforts to reconcile factions within the party.
However, attempts to achieve peace and unity reportedly failed, leading to prolonged legal battles.
The development followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court.
The earlier judgment had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governor was said to have informed political stakeholders during a series of meetings that he would make a final decision about his political future after the appellate court delivered its ruling.
Following the judgment, Lawal concluded that joining the APC would better position him to continue what he described as the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission.”
His defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Zamfara State and could influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has handed a significant setback to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, dismissing his appeal challenging a Federal High Court ruling that questioned his eligibility to contest the upcoming governorship election.
A three-member panel delivered a unanimous judgment on Monday, affirming that the trial court acted correctly when it allowed Dr Akindele Egbuwalo, the plaintiff, to amend his originating summons.
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Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who read the lead judgment, said the governor failed to show that the High Court’s decision caused any miscarriage of justice or denied him a fair hearing.
The appeal was therefore dismissed for lacking merit, and the court awarded ₦2 million in costs against Aiyedatiwa.
The ruling reinforces the November 24, 2025, Federal High Court decision in Akure, which granted Egbuwalo permission to challenge Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility for re-election.
Earlier, the Court of Appeal also rejected an application by Aiyedatiwa to set aside a January 27, 2026, order staying proceedings in the case before the Federal High Court.
The appellate court clarified that the stay was a lawful exercise of its jurisdiction aimed at protecting the integrity of the proceedings.
The panel further emphasized that attempting to overturn its own order would be akin to sitting on appeal over its own decision.
The governor’s remaining option, the court noted, is to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court. Another ₦2 million in costs was awarded against Aiyedatiwa.
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party has deepened following a ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja which upheld a ban on the party’s proposed national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A three-man panel of the appellate court on Monday dismissed an appeal filed by a faction of the party led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear a suit concerning the controversial convention.
The Turaki-led faction had approached the Court of Appeal after a Federal High Court barred the party from holding its planned national convention scheduled for November 14 and 15, 2025.
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The lower court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising or validating the proposed convention.
However, delivering judgment, the appellate court ruled that the Federal High Court had the authority to entertain the case, rejecting the argument that the matter was purely an internal affair of the party.
According to the court, the appellants could not present what it described as a clear violation of the party’s constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as merely an internal party issue.
The panel subsequently dismissed the appeal and awarded a cost of N2 million against the appellants.
The ruling is part of judgments delivered in nine harmonised appeals filed by the Turaki-led faction over the dispute surrounding the convention.
The latest court decision is expected to further intensify the internal wrangling within the opposition party as it continues to grapple with leadership disputes and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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