Osun Defender Online Version of July 29, 2022

Anger, Page 4

Curses As Osun APC Agents Page 2 Reject N5,000 Page 5 Allowance

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Save Us From Miners, Urban Alert Writes FG, Seeks Immediate Traditional Ruler Cries Intervention To Clean For Help Osun River P. 7

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TUESDAY, JULY 29 - THURSDAY, AUGUST 04, 2022 VOL 17 NO 29

Outburst Over Alleged Plot

By Oyetola To Retain Power A Through The Backdoor

Osun Guber: Why Oyetola Lost In Odo-Otin LG – APC Stalwart

•Babayemi Working With APC To Truncate Adeleke’s Victory - PDP •He’s Out For Justice, Says Campaign Organisation •We’ve Nothing To Do With Babayemi’s Case - Akere Electoral Declination Of APC In Osun

Ismaeel Uthman

stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyan, Odo-O n Local Government of the State of Osun, Prince Jide Zubair, has said that the ‘deepseated hatred’ for the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the hearts of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and his followers led to electoral defeat of the party in the July 16 governorship elec on.

According to Zubair, the emergence of Sen. Ademola Adeleke as the Governor-elect of the state, is as a result of massive protest votes against Oyetola by thousands of APC members and the general electorates who did not appreciate the governor’s ingra tude behavior to his benefactor, Aregbesola.

The Oyan born business mogul, popularly known as JZ, stated this while reviewing the •Continued on Page 2

Osun NSCDC Nabs Man Over N570,000 Visa Scam •Read detailed analysis of the voting pattern from 2014 - 2022 on page 5.

Gunshots As Hoodlums Attack NDLEA Officials In Osogbo

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TUESDAY, JULY 29 - THURSDAY, AUGUST 04, 2022

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News

Our Administration Will Be By The People, For The People - Adeleke Yusuf Oketola

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HE Governorelect of the State of Osun, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has stated that his administra on will be solely determined by the people and for the people when he assumes office on November 27, 2022.

Adeleke disclosed this at the inaugura on of the members of his transi on commi ee, held yesterday in Osogbo.

The Governor-elect stated that the ul mate guide of his administraon in the state will be the interest of the people at all me.

Addressing members of the transi on committee, the former senator said they are expected to be crea ve and innova ve in their assignment, no ng that their approach must be praccal and down to earth.

He said, “Your terms of reference as a commi ee include the following: “To ascertain facts and figures about the general state of affairs of Osun State.

“To ascertain the state of finance of the state, including funds from the federa on alloca on account, internally generated revenue, grants and other sources of income.

“To interface with individuals and groups with valuable informaon on the governance of Osun State.

“To ascertain the level of indebtedness of the state and Local Governments and the terms of repayment of such debt “To examine the present structure of government (numbers of commissioners, special advisers, special assistants, boards etc.) in Osun State and make appropriate recommenda ons to the Governor-elect.

“To obtain/collate informa on on movable and immovable assets of the state government.

“To cri cally examine and review all agreements, MoUs and other legal instruments entered into by the outgoing administra on with contractors, consultants, banks, etc. and make appropriate recommendaons.

“To examine the present structure, finance, effec veness of local government in Osun State and make appropriate recommendaons.

“To examine present policies on educa on, agriculture and health and give appropriate

•(R-L) Vice Chairman, Transition Committee, Hon Sunday Bisi, Osun Governor-elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Muyiwa Oladimeji and Chief Mrs. Dupe Adeleke Sanni during the inauguration of the Transition Committee held at Imole house, Osogbo yesterday. recommenda ons.

“To propose ac onable agenda for the new administra on in the

first 100 days, one year and subsequent years.

“To examine ma ers rela ng to state labour

force, welfare, payment of salaries, pensions and gratuity.

“To interface with the

transi on commi ee expected to be set up by the outgoing administraon.

“To examine capital projects awarded by the outgoing administra on with a view to ascertaining the stage of compleon vis-a-vis amount paid.

“To review the current security architecture of the state and interface with relevant security agencies in order to ensure a seamless transi on.”

The Chairman of the commi ee, Dr Muyiwa Oladimeji, promised to carry out the committee’s assignment diligently.

Oladimeji said he expected a smooth interface between the transion commi ee and the government.

He said, “We expected maximum corporaon from the outgoing government. Transi on is a normal thing in a democra c se ng. Every democra c organisaon will appreciate that and corporate.”

Separate Religion From Politics, Osun Muslims Community Tells CAN Ismaeel Uthman

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HE Osun State Muslim Community (OSMC) has cauoned the Chris an Associa on of Nigeria (CAN) against using the religious body to fight poli cal battles, sta ng that poli cians should be le to play poli cs.

According to OSMC, CAN has been ge ng itself enmeshed in poli cal issues and indirectly widening the religious division in the country rather than concentra ng on unity and peace building.

The President of the Muslim Community, Alh. Mustafa Olawuyi, stated this on Sunday while unveiling the ac vi es to celebrate the coming Islamic new year, Hijrah 1444AH. The new year begins on Saturday, the first day of Muharram which is the first month of the new year (Hijrah 1444AH).

Answering ques ons on the stance of the OSMC on the Muslim-Muslim presiden al cket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olawuyi said the organiza on would not like to meddle in poli cal affairs like its Chris an counterpart, CAN. He accuses CAN of too much involvement in poli cal affairs, par cularly on its cri cism of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim cket.

Olawuyi urged CAN not to mix religion with poli cs, just as he called on Chris ans to cau on the leadership of their as-

socia on on meddling in poli cal affairs.

The OSMC President said, “Our comment on the Muslim-Muslim cket of the APC is that it is sim-

ply a poli cal affair. We are religious organisa on; we should allow poli cians to play poli cs while we concentrate on peace and unity building of the

na on.

“APC is not the only party with presiden al candidate in Nigeria. If you are not in support of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim

Osun Guber: Why Oyetola Lost In Odo-Otin LG – APC Stalwart •Continued from page 1 outcome of the elec on with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday.

He said: “Governor Oyetola lost his reelec on because he is ungrateful to God and his benefactor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

He bi ed the finger that fed him and the people revolted against him through their votes.

“In our local government, Odo-O n, the representa ves of the governor, Abdullahi Binuyo, the Deputy Chief of Staff and Funke Egbemode, the Commissioner for Informa on and Civil Orienta on are paperweight poli cians who misled the governor. They are not popular nor loved by the people. Unfortunately, they are the ones that are badmouthing credible policians before the governor.

“Both Binuyo and Egbemode were busy figh ng Aregbesola’s loyalists in the local government and giving the governor wrong impression.

“Binuyo lost his ward 10 to PDP while Egbemode lost her Ward 7 to PDP as well during the elec on. Both Binuyo and Egbemode did not make move to unite

members of the party in the local government. Instead, they wore a toga of ‘we don’t need them (Aregbesola’s people). These are poli cians that are not rela ng well with the people of their immediate environment.

“Immediately Oyetola was sworn-in, Binuyo was part of the people who met at Baba Moyin’s house in Ila-Odo, where they concluded that they do not want to hear anything like Aregbesola in the poli cal space of Osun. And it is this same Aregbesola that brought Binuyo to limelight in Osun poli cs.

“These people have even done damage to Osun than what you may think of.

Let them explain their roles in the mismanagement of Osun State government assets (gold and feldspar) in Kogi State.”

Speaking on why he did not advise the governor before the elec on, Zubair said, “Aregbesola introduced me to the Governor and Oyetola and I had a smooth rela onship at the ini al stage. But the rela onship got sour when Binuyo poisoned his mind.

“Aregbesola did not

introduce Oyetola to me as his enemy; but Oyetola made me to realise that anybody with Aregbesola is his core enemy. He wanted me to turn against Aregbesola and failure to do that, they a acked my business and came for me poli cally.

“It was the hatred for Aregbesola that contributed to Oyetola’s defeat because people of conscience were sympathe c to Ogbeni; they know Oyetola betrayed and plo ed the downfall of his benefactor. So, the people voted against Oyetola to tell him that it is Aregbesola they love and not him or APC. “APC has never lost elecon in Oyan but the party did not win in the town in the last governorship elecon simply because our people who know and feel sorry for all of us that are being cheated and maltreated in the party by Oyetola embarked on massive protest votes against the governor.”

On the way forward to re-organising the party for future elec ons, Zubair said the APC na onal leadership should restructure the party and make Aregbesola its leader in the state.

cket, you are at liberty to vote for candidate of your choice. That should not be causing problem.

“It is unfortunate that people are playing poli cs with religion and vice-versa. This is not the first me a poli cal party would have president and vice president or governor and deputy governor of same faith. It happened in 1993 presiden al elec on and even before that me, we had had Head of State and his vice from same faith.

“Here in Osun, both Prince Olagunsoye Oyinola and Erelu Olusola Obada were Chris ans as governor and deputy governor. There was no hues and cries on that from we Muslims. People did not consider it as anything serious. Check other states where we currently have Chris ans as governor and deputy governor. Poli cs is different from religion.

“I will like to urge our Chris an counterpart, CAN, to separate poli cs from religion and religion from poli cs. The way CAN is going about on poli cal affairs is not the best. The organisa on should be more concerned about uni ng Nigerians in peace than contribu ng to divisive issues through organisa onal comments.

“CAN is ge ng too much involved in poli cal affairs and that is not healthy for the religious body. Chris ans should see to the restructuring of CAN to achieve its core mandate.”

PEOPLE FIRST

TUESDAY, JULY 29 - THURSDAY, AUGUST 04, 2022

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Review & Outlook

BY GOKE BUTIKA Transition Issues

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Governor-elect of the State of Osun in a statement a few days ago made menon of “unwholesome criminal ac vi es by some government func onaries and poli cal appointees......”. He was clearly referring to the func onaries of the outgoing government.

The issue of the terms of engagement as one administra on begins the process of handing over to a successor in Nigeria is a hardy perennial and we have commented on this before. Let us recall that in 2015, the current Informa on Minister, Lai Mohammed, then spokesman of the incoming government complained loudly that the outgoing Jonathan administra on was not “ coopera ng” with the incoming APC transi on team.

Sadly, and characteris c of Nigerian poli cs, nothing was subsequently done to rec fy the defect.

This is shortsighted and unfortunate. It con nues to be a recurring decimal stun ng the development of our democracy and a stumbling block to orderly government. Governor-elect Adeleke’s unproven allega ons are just the latest lamenta on.

“Sadly, and characteristic of Nigerian politics nothing was subsequently done to rectify the defect. This is shortsighted and unfortunate. It continues to be a recurring decimal stunting the development of our democracy and a stumbling block to orderly government” Nigeria needs a law to guide the process of transi on from one government to another. We are not about to reinvent the wheel here. Admirable transi on laws already exist in among other places, Ghana, the Republic of South Africa, Mexico, and the USA. We can adapt same to meet our needs.

We cannot con nue to postpone an essen al part of good governance. We can only speculate as to what might happen next year at the center.

It is not too late for the present Na onal Assembly to do something for posterity by passing a vitally needed transi on law now.

World Population Growth Projection

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EAR Sir, The latest popula on growth projec on figures worldwide confirm the convenonal wisdom about the exponen al growth in Nigeria’s popula on.

As the Reverend Thomas Malthus is o en quoted as warning centuries ago, geometric growth in popula on and incremental increases in food produc on is a sure route to unmi gated disaster.

Something must be

Letter To The Editor done to avert a looming disaster. Popula on control will be hard to enforce in a democracy and within a framework of religious groups and a revenue sharing mechanism which confers advantages to those with bigger popula ons.

Free and compulsory

educa on ini ally up to the age of 16is the way out. All the demographic studies over me confirm that the more years spent in educa on, the later the marriages the fewer the children. Confirma on for this comes from figures from the United Kingdom and other countries a er the implementa on of free and compulsory educa on. It is in our interest to emulate them and avert a catastrophe.

Ayo Davies, Iwo

Tinubu, Aregbesola, And Death “In that case, Osun would determine how far Of An Empire Tinubu will go in his lifelong ambition, and as “No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth”— -Plato.

HIS Saturday, Osun state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) will begin its “final rite of passage”, though the burial may happen on July. It’s a pity that the party a er 12 years may return to the opposi on who only had track record at of epicureanism: “eat, merry and die”.

If there is one prayer I have, I would want the party to con nue in power, but quite pathe c, the incumbent governor Isiaka Oyetola who is taking another shot at the mandate seems to have relied on the failed miracle of Iyiola Omisore that could not save Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, while he was figh ng the legal war of his poli cal career against Rauf Aregbesola.

Besides, the sprawling violence that is being witnessed in Osun now, par cularly against the property and supporters of Aregbesola has manifested the same poli cal pa ern of Omisore in his heyday as a chie ain of Peoples Democratic Party. However, I have no locus to accuse the Ife born once upon a power poli cian, because he has cleverly removed himself from picture of raging poli cal imbroglio, but the supporters of Oyetola appear to have made up their minds to go alone into the governorship elec on in July.

It is obvious that the party structure would be coerced to vote for Oyetola, because the state treasury is available to buy any vote, and the commi ee that would conduct the primary would be guided and be made “comfortable” at the government house. The clandes ne talk would be “we must disgrace Aregbesola at all cost, because the die is cast”.

The commi ee would then announce the winner to be Oyetola a er a couple of rigmaroles, and there would be a staged jubila on and pejora ve songs of a ri on against Aregbesola.

Meanwhile, radio, television and social media would be flooded with “defeat” of Aregbesola; media aides would be working phone to ensure that stories of how Aregbesola was defeated would be splashed, and virtual fat envelopes would be wired to the editors in Lagos/Ibadan axis. That is part of the “songs of service” for the burial of the party in July.

However, Moshood Adeo , the founding chairman of the party, as well as the immediate past Secretary to the State Government who is the other governorship aspirant favoured by Aregbesola would proceed to court to challenge the elec on, and fault the membership of Oyetola in the Naonal Caretaker Commi ee, the argument would largely be premised on his (Oyetola) being a judge in his own case.

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it stands, the situation is being badly managed. He is fighting on the side of his younger brother, Oyetola against his once upon the most loyal lieutenant to the detriment of his presidential project. And when the project crumbles, that would mark the expiry date of political “empire” in Nigeria. The rest would be left for history. ”

Let it be known that Aregbesola is a marathon runner, a status he had once demonstrated for three and half years.

While the opposi on is busy organising and mobilising, Oyetola and the party would be bugged down by the legal war, and the APC without poli cal enthusiasm would be le at the mercy of bi er division and vote trading.

President Muhammadu Buhari is not bothered about the fortune or misfortune or any party, he looked away in Edo state, while Oshiomole and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were humiliated by his successor, who ran to the opposi on for mercy, and he was unconcerned when Tinubu/Ajimobi’s candidate was annihilated in Oyo state.

Buhari did not bat the eyelid when Governor Akeredolu relegated Tinubu’s candidate. So, he would not talk or call anyone to a mee ng as touching Osun.

Aregbesola would retake the defeated APC in Osun, and begin to provide leadership, Chief Bisi Akande would re re cowardly to his country home, and Tinubu’s presiden al candidacy would eventually suffer incalculable relega on, because the northern caucus would argue that he has no region to bargain, and that he stands no chance of winning the general elec on.

In that case, Osun would determine how far Tinubu will go in his lifelong ambi on, and as it stands, the situaon is being badly managed. He is figh ng on the side of his younger brother, Oyetola against his once upon the most loyal lieutenant to the detriment of his presidenal project. And when the project crumbles, that would mark the expiry date of poli cal “empire” in Nigeria. The rest would be le for history.

As for the future of APC in Osun, just like Oyo, the party would temporarily proceed to poli cal “Siberia”, local governments would be dissolved, state execu ve would fizzle out, government proper es would be recovered; civil servants would expose documenta on to the new administra on, some guys would be invited by Economic and Financial Crime Commission. And the state chairman of the party and his execu ve would go broke fast.

Oyetola would return to his business in Lagos, and some of his Publisher – Moremi Publishing commissioners would change loyHouse Ltd. alty to the new financier of the party.

Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman Then Oyetola would be called names, Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa some would even rain curses on him Reporter – Yusuf Oketola for not resolving the ma er while Reporter – Kazeem Badmus it could s ll be managed. The truth Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto would come out, but it would be too Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere late.

I pray this will not happen, but OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing those who will become first set of House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, vic ms are the ones fueling the brouhaha now. I think the ma er is beState of Osun coming a stage 2 cancer, but if nothISSN : 0794-8050 ing is done to reverse the situa on, Telephone : 0809-301-9152 then. Farewell thee APC in Osun.

Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php Wri en on Feb 19, 2022. e-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com •This article was republished of its All correspondence to the above email addresses. relevance in the current political situation in Osun.

OSUN DEFENDER

TUESDAY, JULY 29 - THURSDAY, AUGUST 04, 2022

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News

Outburst Over Alleged Plot By Oyetola To Remain In Power Through The Backdoor

Ismaeel Uthman Yusuf Oketola HERE are allegaons that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is scheming to retain the governorship seat through the backdoor a er losing the July 16 governorship elec on in the State of Osun.

Oyetola was defeated by the GovernorElect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, who polled 403,371 against the governor’s 375,027 votes.

However, there were reports that Oyetola had allegedly reached out to the aggrieved governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP), Omooba Dotun Babayemi, and ins gated him to approach the Supreme Court on his li ga on against the primary elec on that produced Adeleke as the candidate of the party.

Babayemi is seeking an order of the court to nullify the primary that produce Adeleke and declare the fac onal primary that produced him as valid to make him the real governorship candidate of the party.

The Appeal Court had last Thursday dismissed Babayemi’s case, a situa on that brought relief to the party.

Between Friday and Tuesday, there were reports from the PDP camp that Oyetola had approached Babayemi and encouraged him to appeal the judgment at Supreme Court.

Oyetola’s mo ve, according to the PDP loyalists, was to get the Supreme Court to nullify both PDP’s primaries held on March 29, this year and by that,

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•Protesters during the solidarity rally held to demand Federal Government’s attention to end the lingering ASUU Strike, championed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in Osogbo, on Tuesday. he would be the beneficiary of the judgment being the second winner in the governorship elec on.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Babayemi has moved to the Supreme Court on Monday for final determina on of the suit.

The PDP, in a press statement signed by its Caretaker Chairman, Dr Akindele Adekunle, accused Babayemi of being a tool of the APC to truncate Adeleke’s victory.

According to Adekunle, Babayemi was expected to stop further legal ac on if truly he is a genuine member of the party a er Adeleke’s victory.

The statement reads in part, “The party specifically frowned at apparent a empt by the aspirant to become a tool of the All Progressive Congress(APC) to truncate the overwhelming victory of PDP at the governorship poll, declaring that such treachery is an ex-

ercise in fu lity.

“The party described as worrisome Babayemi’s refusal to listen to calls by elders of his group who urged him to discon nue legal challenge on Osun PDP primary, reminding him that he is increasingly emerging as an instrument of a defeated governor who is struggling to come to term with his crushing defeat at the poll.

“While the aspirant had filed several cases and failed to upturn due process decision of the party, the party noted that the last ruling of the Court of Appeal should put paid to further li ga on on the primary, warning that any decision to pursue the issue further will smack of open an party ac vity and a direct disrespect for the people of Osun state

statement, Babayemi’s Campaign Organisaon stated that the redress currently being sought at the Supreme Court is not to truncate Adeleke’s victory but to ensure it translates to good governance.

The organisa on, in a press statement issued on Tuesday by its director, Mr Oladiran Ojedele, insisted that Babayemi was out for jus ce with a view to claiming his mandate.

According to the organisa on, having explored all internal mechanisms of the party to no avail, the op on le as spelt by the party’s cons tuon is to seek jus ce through the judiciary, adding that nothing would deter Babayemi from pursuing a legi mate cause.

The statement reads, “Our symbol,

Anger, Curses As Osun APC Agents Reject N5,000 Allowance Ismaeel Uthman

A

•Oyetola

who voted massively for Senator Ademola Adeleke.

“The party hinted that a very dangerous and self-destruc ve dimension is the emerging alleged collaboraon between Babayemi and the APC to con nue the primary case, affirming that such evil alliance will end in further legal defeat as the aspirant has no strong legal basis for his many li ga ons.

“We are therefore constrained to call on Babayemi to toe the path of honour and embrace the overwhelming choice of Osun people. Any hope of stealing people’s mandate for Senator Ademola Adeleke through the backdoor is a venture doomed from concep on. Enough is enough.”

Reac ng to the PDP

GENTS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) used at various polling units in the July 16 governorship elec on in the State of Osun have expressed their dissa sfac on on the payment of N5,000 to them instead of N25,000.

According to the party agents, the party promised to pay them N25,000 on the eve of the elec on, wondering why they were paid N5000 four days a er the elec on, July 19.

Speaking in a viral WhatsApp audio message, one of the agents, Sogo Agboola, said, “Pay

the party agents their complete money. The N5,000 you sent to us is not our money. Governor Oyetola said our money is N25,000. All of you (APC leaders) are culpable in the electoral defeat of the governor.

“You will never know peace if you don’t pay our full allowance. You are set of useless people, paperweight poli cians.”

A female party agent who did not men on her name in another audio message said, “It is ridiculous to be giving us a pe y sum of N5000. I was standing from 7am to 8pm. I slept at the colla on centre on the eve of the elec on and you are giving us N5000! God

will judge you.”

However, OSUN DEFENDER gathered on Wednesday that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has ordered payment of addi onal N5,000 to each of the party agents to make it N10,000.

The medium learnt that the fund to pay the addi onal N5,000 was released on Tuesday to each of the local government Colla on Officer of the party, majority of whom are government officials.

It was gathered that some of the agents have been paid the addi onal N5,000 while many others were yet to be paid as of the me of filing this report.

Omooba Dotun Babayemi is not seeking to truncate PDP’s victory but he’s out for jus ce, seeking to claim his mandate at the law court. Is such a lawful trajectory out of place? For all those who are now crying wolf, what genuine efforts did they make to ensure the PDP is not exposed to li ga on?

“We would like to inform the whole world that Omooba Dotun Babayemi has con nued to pursue the good of the PDP at every level of engagements; he has con nued to invest his me and money for its success and the good of the people of Osun.”

The ou it further noted that all concessions made by the Babayemi’s group to achieve the desired peace before the governorship elecon were rebuffed by the Ademola Adeleke group.

“In any democra c se ng, winner-takesall syndrome has always been harmful in the long run.

“When Eyitayo Jegede-led Reconciliaon Commi ee came, we laid our cards bare open. At a point, Babayemi offered to forego his governorship ambi on if the other group was willing to come to the table with genuine intent to partner with both sides.

The effort at reconcilia on was rebuffed and rejected. As a ma er of fact, no one begs to be enrolled for servitude”, the organiza on added.

Speaking on the alleged plot by Oyetola to retain the governorship seat through back, the Special Adviser to the Governor, Chief Sunday Akere, said the governor was not conspiring with anybody on the governorship posi on.

Akere said, “We don’t have anything to do with the PDP matter. Have we ever been involved in their internal crisis? Was Babayemi in the governorship contest? The PDP are afraid of their own shadow. We don’t have anything to do with whatever crisis they have in their party.

“However, we are resolute that jus ce will prevail at the end of the day. We don’t have anything to do with Dotun Babayemi.

It is their internal crisis and they can resolve it if they want.”

TUESDAY, JULY 29 - THURSDAY, AUGUST 04, 2022

Feature

5

Electoral Declination Of APC In Osun Ismaeel Uthman

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2022 gubernatorial elec on in the State of Osun will remain unforge able in Nigeria’s poli cal history, especially, in South West. The outcome of the July 16 elecon put an end to the 12-years of the progressive reign and returned the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP), to government a er losing power in 2010. Osun governorship elec on in the State always precedes the general elec ons and succeeds the Eki state governorship elec on.

Since Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was sworn-in as the Governor of the State on November 27, 2010, progressive party had been holding sway in both the government and poli cal ac vi es in the state. Aregbesola led the then Ac on Congress of Nigeria to resounding victory in the 2011 general elec ons, winning all the three senatorial and nine House of Representaves seats. The party also cleared all the 26 House of Assembly seat, sweeping all the state cons tuencies. The progressive party was never afraid of going for elec on because of its grip of the poli cal space and comfortable majority of the people of the state who were in loved with Aregbesola’s administra on, which social programmes, performance and achievements endeared both the young and old to the progressive party. This was manifested in the 2014 governorship elec on in the state.

In 2014, Aregbesola who retrieved his stolen mandate at the court on November 26, 2010, defeated his major opponent, Otunba Iyiola Omisore in the elec on held on August 9, 2014. A total number of 20 par es and their candidates parcipated in the elec on. Osun had a total number of 1,407,222 voters registered for that elec on.

Out of the 696,329 electorates that voted in that elecon, Aregbesola polled 394, 684 amoun ng to 56.68 per cent (56.68%) of the total valid votes while Omisore secured 292, 747 which amounts to 42.04 per cent (42.04%). The closest to these two candidates was the Labour Party candidate who polled just 8,898 which translates to 1.28 per cent.

Aregbesola won in 22 Local Government Areas while Omisore won in eight LGAs. In terms of senatorial spread, Aregbesola won 80 per cent (80%) of votes in Osun Central and Osun West and won 60 per cent (60%) of votes in Osun East where he hails from. It is important to note that Omisore hailed from the same Osun east senatorial district. Omisore won all the local government in Ifeland (Ife Central, East, North, and South).

He also won Ayedire and Isokan in Osun West, Boluwaduro and Odo-O n in Osun central.

On the other hand, Aregbesola won Ayedaade, Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Ejigbo, Irewole, Iwo, and Ola-Oluwa in Osun West; Boripe, Ifedayo, Ifelodun, Ila, Irepodun, Olorunda, Orolu, and Osogbo Osun Central and Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Obokun, and Oriade in Osun

East. Therefore, Aregbesola won all the three senatorial districts of the state in 2014. It was a landslide victory for Aregbesola with a winning margin of 101,937 votes, which amounts to 14.64 per cent (14.64) of the total votes.

In 2018 governorship elec on, the All Progressives Congress (APC) fielded Aregbesola’s Chief of Staff, Adegboyega Oyetola, as its candidate while the main opposi on party, Peoples Democra c Party (PDP), had Sen. Ademola Adeleke as its candidate.

The governorship primaries of both the ruling APC and PDP created sharp division among these par es. As a result, many

members, including leaders of the APC and PDP defected to other poli cal par es where they eventually became governorship candidates. Omisore of PDP decamped to the Social Democra c Party, (SDP) and was the party’s governorship candidate. Former Secretary to the State Government, Fatai Akinbade defected to the African Democra c Congress, (ADC), and emerged the party’s candidate while another former Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Moshood Adeo of APC decamped to Ac on Democra c Party (ADP) and flew the part’s cket at the 2018 governorship elec on in the state.

The divisions in APC and PDP affected the electoral fortunes of the par es. Unlike the previous elec on held in 2014 which was a two-horse race, the 2018 elecon was a five-horse race between the ruling APC, main opposi on PDP, SDP, ADP and ADC. The elec on which was held on September 22, 2018, produced a lot of intrigues as no clear winner emerged from the first round. The first round of the elec on was declared inconclusive on the account of PDP candidate, Adeleke’s margin of victory being smaller to the number of canceled votes in seven polling units by INEC. As a result, the rerun elec on was slated for September 27, 2018.

A er the rerun elec on, the ruling APC polled 255,505 votes thereby defea ng PDP which had 255,023. The closest was SDP which scored 128,053 votes. ADP received 49,745 while the ADC got 7,681. APC had 36.71%, PDP scored 36.64%; SDP 18.40%; ADP 7.15% and ADC 1.10%. The total valid vote was 696,007, a li le decline from the 2014 turnout of 696,329.

Oyetola of the APC won 15 (50%) LGAs - a decline from the 22 won by his predecessor in the 2014 governorship elec on. Adeleke of PDP won in 12 LGAs cons tu ng 40%. Omisore of SDP won in two LGAs (20%) and Adeo of ADP won in just Iwo local government (10%).

In terms of senatorial district, in Osun West, APC won in Ayedaade, Egbedore, Ola-Oluwa, Ayedire, and Ejigbo. PDP won in Ede North, Ede South, Isokan, and Irewole. while ADP won Iwo. In the central senatorial district, APC won in Boluwaduro, Boripe, Ila, Odo-O n, Olorunda and Osogbo. PDP won in Ifedayo, Ifelodun, Orolu, and Irepodun. In the eastern senatorial district, APC won in Atakumosa East, Ife North, Ife South, Ilesa East, Obokun, and Oriade LGAs, while PDP won in Atakumosa West and Ilesa West and SDP won in Ife Central and Ife East.

In the just concluded July 16 governorship elec on, it was not a direct two-horse race between APC and PDP. The ruling APC fortune got deflated as the party was roundly defeated by the main opposi on PDP. Many a ributed the defeat to various reasons, ranging from intra-party conflicts to losing hope in the APC program in the state and na onally.

Some people claimed that the crisis between Aregbesola and Oyetola cost the governor his reelec on. Some said that the defeat was the fallout of the influence of the APC Presiden al candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, at the primary, and

some considered his Muslim-Muslim cket as the basis for not vo ng for APC. Whatever the reasons, APC fell flat at the poll.

Record indicates that the July 16 elec on had a total of 1, 955, 657 registered voters. Of this figure, 1, 463, 047 collected their Permanent Voter Cards and were eligible to vote. However, only 823,124 electorate voted in the elec on. This amounts to 42.16% of total registered voters.

Adeleke, the winner of the elec on, polled 403,371 votes, amoun ng to 50.14% of the total vote. The incumbent governor, Oyetola, got 375,027 votes, amoun ng to 46.62% of the total vote. APC narrowly defeated the PDP in Osun East Senatorial District with 121,873 (48.7%) votes against PDP’s 120, 080 (47.99%). APC won in Ilesa East, Ife Central, Atakumosa East, Ife South and Ife East, while PDP won in Ife North, Ilesa West, Obokun, Oriade and Atakumosa West.

In Osun West, APC won Ayedire, Ayedaade, Irewole, Isokan, Ola-Oluwa, and Iwo LGAs while PDP won Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Ejigbo. In terms of votes, APC polled 116, 860 (43.24%) while PDP scored 144,558 (53.49%).

In the Governor’s Osun Central senatorial district which has former Na onal Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande (Ila), current State Party Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun (Boluwaduro), Director General of Oyetola’s Campaign, Senator Ajibola Basiru (Osogbo) and a host of others, the party capitulated, losing 90% of the LGAs. APC won in the Governor’s, Boripe LG, and Ifedayo. APC scored 136,294 (47.99%) while PDP scored 138,733 (48.85%). APC further declined in the number of local governments won from 15 in 2018 to 13 in 2022.

The winner of the elec on, Ademola Adeleke, polled a

total of 403,37, amoun ng to 50.14% to defeat Oyetola who had 375,027, represen ng 46.62% of the total vote. The difference is 28,344 votes. In 2018 APC polled 255,505 thereby defea ng the main opposi on, PDP, which had 255,023 votes. The difference was just 482 votes. In 2014, the winning margin between APC and PDP was 101,937 votes. That shows a sharp declina on of electoral fortune of the progressive government and party.

The 2014 governorship elec on supposed to have recorded defea ng votes for the APC, considering the controversies that surrounded the administra on of then Governor Aregbesola and the deployment of federal might. It was an elec on year that had issues like delay in the payment of workers salary (because of the na onal economic downturn), protests on merging of schools, same school uniform and usage of hijab against Aregbesola. The President Goodluck Jonathan led Federal Government massively deployed security personnel, money and other logis cs in support of the PDP candidate, Omisore, with a plan to in midate the voters and defeat Aregbesola at all cost. But majority of residents of the state were in love with the governor, even a er he demolished houses and other buildings to create way for the transforma on of the state capital. The people happily voted for Aregbesola’s second term in the August 9 elec on in which the progressive party recorded the highest winning margin so far - 101,937 votes.

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the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. I bear witness that Almighty Allah is One and Unique. He has no partner and He is ever-living. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the noblest Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) his companions, his household and who follow his path sincerely ll the Day of Resurrec on.

Meaning of Hijrah The word Hijrah is an Arabic word

Religion computa on of years and numbers. Thus We have expounded everything in detail to keep everything dis nct from the other.”

Hijrah as an event signifies that Islam is a religion of peace. Instead of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) and his followers figh ng back the unbelievers of Mecca, they had to vacate the city to allow peace to reign.

It also teaches that Islam is by convic on and not by compulsion. The only Qur’an, Chapter 2, verse 256 confirms this when it

JUMAT SERMON By By

Sheik Hashim Hashim Sheik Olapade Olapade

which means to move from one place to the other on one hand but in another hand, it is to eschew the forbidden things. More importantly, it signifies the flight of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his followers from Makkah to Medinah in 622 A.D. It marks the beginning of Islamic Calendar.

Historical background When the non-Muslims of Mecca in Saudi Arabia were persecu ng the Muslims due to their acceptance of Islam, the Prophet (S.A.W) asked the early Muslims to firstly migrate to Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) to seek asylum from Negus, the King of the country. That journey marked the first Hijrah.

The second Hijrah is the one that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his followers embarked upon in 622 A.D. from Mecca to Medina. This is the one that marked the beginning of Hijrah, the popular Hijrah Calendar that is being used today. This Islamic da ng system is based on the movement of moon. It is called Lunar Calendar. It was introduced by the second Caliph, Umar ibn Kha ab, in 638 A.D. Since then, the Muslims, all over the world, had been using this calendar for da ng their records.

The months of the calendar are as follows: Muharram – First month Safar – second month.

Rabiul Awwal – Third month.

Rabiu Thaani – Fourth month.

Jumadal Ula – Fi h month.

Jumadat Thaani – Sixth month

Signifacance Of Hijrah Rajab – seventh month Sha‘ban – Eighth month Ramadan – Ninth month Shawwal – Tenth month Dhul – Qa‘dah – Eleventh month Dhul – Hijjah – Twel h month Essence Of Hijrah Calendar To The Muslims The importance of Hijrah Calendar to the Muslims cannot be over-emphasized. It is the only calendar that informs the Muslims about the me of their religious events, more importantly, the period of Ramadan fast and Idul-Adha fes val. It is also through Hijrah calendar that the me of Hajj, the fi h pillar of Islam is known.

The Lessons Of Hijrah Firstly, the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D is to mark the date of religious events in Islam.

The holy Qur’an, chapter 17, verse 12, let us know that the reason for crea on of day and night is to enable human beings make calcula on and know da ng system: “We have made night and day as two signs. We made the sign of the night devoid of light, and made the sign of the day radiant that you may seek the bounty of your Lord and know the

says: “There is no compulsion in ma er of religion, the truth has been dis nguished from falsehood”.

It also teaches tolerance. When Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) got to Medina in 622 A.D, he established Muslim Community (Ummatul-Islam) which accommodated all faiths including Jews and Chris ans.

It teaches intellectual significance in Islam. That the Muslim should give educa on priority in their life to enable them know their du es not only to Allah, their creator but also to other fellow human beings.

The celebra on of Hijrah day is to enlighten the Muslims about the virtues of Islam as depicted by the life of the Holy Prophet of Islam. In one of the prophe c tradi ons (Hadith), it is said that part of the essence of Hijrah is departure from ill-manners to good virtues.

In conclusion, Hijrah is an important event in Islamic history. It is not a religious fes val in Islam but an occasion to educate the generality of the Muslims about their responsibili es in Islam and to know the significance of Islamic da ng system.

There are many calendars in the world. It is only Hijrah calendar that is useful for the Muslims in both mundane and spiritual life.

I pray to Allah to spare our lives to witness many more of it in good condi ons.

Alh. Hashim Olapade, Chief Imam Anwar-elIslam, Ikire, Osun State.

News

Save Us From Miners, Traditional Ruler Cries For Help Yusuf Oketola

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Onikimo of Ikimo Ijesa, Oba Ojo Babatunde Peter, has cried out to the Federal and State Government of Osun to urgently intervene and halt mining ac vi es that have been causing environmental degrada on in Ijesaland.

Oba Peter explained that mining ac vi es going on in the Ikimo and other parts of Ijesaland have grossly affected the wellbeing of the residents and environment.

According to the monarch, the miners have consistently been refusing to restore the land back to its normal original place by covering the dug por on.

The tradi onal ruler disclosed that mining acvity was taking place on a land located on the major road linking Idoka, Ikimo, and Ijana which le a deep pit that has made it difficult for commuters to use the road.

He explained further, “In late 2020, up to early 2021, mining ac vity was done on the major road linking three communies together. When they finished, they didn’t cover the pit that was dug. Since then, that road has been

bad. Vehicles cannot ply the road, people cannot take that route to the farm and it has been extremely horrible for farmers to connue their work, thereby hampering their source of livelihood.

“To our surprise, another company using the approved license of Sandplex Interna onal is cur-

rently opera ng under the same license to mine gold.

If that gold mining should con nue, it would be of extreme danger to the community.”

Bu ressing how detrimental the mining ac vity could be, the royal father men oned that the mining site is directly beneath a powerline and there

Motorcyclist Bags One Year Jail Term Over N300,000 Fraud David Osundeyi

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Osogbo Magistrate Court has sentenced a 35-year-old man, Akeem Jimoh, to one year imprisonment at Ilesa Correc onal Centre for fraud.

Jimoh, a motorcyclist was said to have fraudulently obtained a sum of N300,000 from one Kemi Odeyemi with false pretence of helping her to buy two motorcycles.

He was also accused of threatening to kill the complainant when she was demanding for the refund of the sum a er he refused to buy the motorcycles.

According to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the convict commi ed the offence in the year 2015 at about 09:00 hours in Iragbiji, State of Osun.

The convict was first ar-

raigned before the court in August 13, 2020 on a three-count charge bordering on fraud and threat to life without a legal representaon.

The offence, according to the police, contradicts Sec on 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Law of Osun, 2002.

The convict had earlier pleaded guilty to the first and second charges while pleaded not guilty to the third count of threat to life.

Speaking before the court, Jimoh said he did not inten onally commit the crime, saying his illness and mental problem made him spend the money.

In his ruling, the presiding Magistrate, O.A Daramola, convicted Jimoh on counts one and two and subsequently sentenced to one year imprisonment at Ilesa Correc onal Centre with an opon of N200,000 fine.

shouldn’t be any mining ac vity in such a loca on because of the high vola lity level.

He added, “The company has channeled water to pass under the power line and we know how dangerous this is. It would be worse if they start digging the same por on of land that has been dug previously.

“I am surprised that the government could give approval for mining to take place in such a loca on. I even reported to the Min-

ing Cadastral Office in Osogbo, an environmental officer came to inspect and said they will look into it but nothing has happened since.”

Oba Peter appealed to the government to take acon to nip the issue on the board.

Complaining about the mining ac vi es, a resident of a neighbouring community who prayed not to be named, explained that if that par cular mining acvity should con nue, it will affect the power trans-

mission line which has a live wire, saying that can cause a lot of damage.

The resident noted that some illegal mining had been done previously where an electricity pole was affected and the neighbouring community, Iregun, was yet to have electricity since then.

She also called on the government to take ac on in the interest of the people, no ng that the connuous mining ac vi es has not been of benefit to the locals.

Gunshots As Hoodlums Attack NDLEA Officers In Osogbo Ismaeel Uthman

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HERE was heavy gunshot at Old Garage, Osogbo, State of Osun yesterday when some hoodlums a acked officers of the Na onal Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the officers had trailed a suspected drug dealer in a white commercial bus to a garage at Ojurin axis of the Old Garage.

According to eye witnesses, the NDLEA officers accosted the suspect immediately he entered the

motor park and arrested him.

On sigh ng the officers, some hoodlums believed to be members of the notorious Asiri Eniba gang, confronted the opera ves and a acked them with broken bo les, cutlasses and guns.

The NDLEA officers, according to the sources, engaged the hoodlums in gun duel, which lasted for about seven minutes.

In the process, the suspect reportedly escaped with handcuffs, while the hoodlums also fled.

The incident happened around 3:30pm.

One of the NDLEA offic-

ers confirmed the report.

According to him, the NDLEA opera ves were shot at while trying to arrest a suspected drug dealer inside the motor park.

He said the suspect had been arrested and handcuffed before the hoodlums a acked them and allowed the suspect escape.

It was gathered that about five people were injured in the shootout and were taken to Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

The na onal Director of Media and Advocacy of the Agency, Mr. Femi Babayemi confirmed the incident.

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News

Urban Alert Writes FG, Seeks Immediate Intervention To Clean Osun River Sodiq Yusuf

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S part of its efforts to draw the a en on of cri cal stakeholders to clean-up of the contaminated 213km Osun River, a civil society group championing the course, Urban Alert, has wri en the Federal Government to address the situa on urgently.

In a le er addressed to the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite, the group urged the government to save the world heritage site and over 2m people linked to the river from the imminent disaster the pollu on of the water from lead, cyanide and other harmful heavy metals.

The team lead, Anthony Adejuwon, who wrote the Minster said the organisa on has been making fran c efforts to seek the commitment of stakeholders to the development which has persisted for over four years.

Adejuwon said through the usage of technology, the organisa on and a team of experts iden fied the numerous harmful substances in the river and how it is capable of resor ng to a na onal emergency when the resultant effect happens.

He said, “Somemes in 2018, water in the Osun River from which Osun State derived its name suddenly changed colour from its normal transparent appearance to brown.

Ini ally, residents of Osun State thought the change was a result of flood which will only be a temporary issue but this scary brownish colour has persisted for more than four years without any hope for remedia on.

“As an organisa on driven by facts with a founda on firmly rooted in data, we carried out Geographical Informa on Analysis and Laboratory Tests to ascertain the cause of Osun River pollu on and affirm the elements in the water.

“Our scien fic examina ons revealed that the Osun River is being polluted by the ac vi es of illegal and unregulated licensed gold miners in some parts of Osun State.

Further physicochemical test has shown that the Osun River has been heavily contami-

nated with mercury, lead, and cyanide at levels detrimental to humans and livestock.

“Undoubtedly, the harmful contamina on

of the Osun River due to mining ac vi es has put over two (2) million people living in more than twenty (20) communi es of Osun

State in danger. Due to the importance of the river which serves as source of water for cultural, domes c, agricultural and indus-

trial purposes, ci zens are exposed to cancer and other deadly diseases.

“We are aware that the root cause of the

•Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.Timothy Owoeye (middle), in a group photograph with the participants at the Technical Session and Capacity Building for Legislative Aides and Assembly’s Digital Officers held in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Osun River contaminaon is under the exclusive list and the Osun State Government in April 2021 cons tuted the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO). “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, MIREMCO’s ability to end the water poisoning is unreassuring as illegal and unregulated licensed gold miners con nue to contaminate the river unhindered. We, therefore, call on your ministry to act now by restoring the water bodies and ending the contamina on of the Osun River by acva ng extant laws regarding mining and the environment as contained in sec ons 111, 114,123,124, 126 and 127 of the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 which protects the environment and water courses.”

Osun Guber: APC Members Accuse Party Leaders Of Hypocrisy, Complacency Kazeem Badmus

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EMBERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of Osun have been blaming leaders of the party, par cularly those in the IleriOluwa camp of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for the party’s defeat in the July 16 gubernatorial elec on.

Some of the party members have also taken to social media to lay curses on the leaders for their role in the electoral defeat.

Osun Defender had reported that Sen. Ademola Adeleke of the People Democra c Party (PDP), emerged the winner of the July 16 governorship elec on a er polling 403,371 votes to defeat the incumbent governor who recorded 375,027 votes.

The APC members in viral WhatsApp audio messages accused the party leaders of deceiving the governor and

•Famodun blindfolded him to reality for their own personal gain.

In some of the audios, the APC members accused the Senator represen ng Osun Central, Ajibola Basiru,

of causing the downfall of the party in the last elec on through ‘his ego’.

One of the aggrieved APC members, Solomon Kolawole, who described

Basiru as an arrogant man, laid curse on those who contributed to the defeat of the party.

Kolawole also accused the party State Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun, of destroying the party with his alleged nonchalant attude.

He said, “Ajibola Basiru is the one that caused the downfall of the party in Osun. SRJ that didn’t do anything in Olorunda and Osogbo was chosen as the campaign Director General.

“The Party Chairman did not also do anything to manage the party. The only thing he knows is to sleep and collect money. He turned his house to party office and le the party secretariat a graveyard. He doesn’t care about the party and it showed during the last elec on.

“All the APC leaders who collected Oyetola’s money and didn’t deliver will never

rise again. Ajibola Basiru is the one Osogbo people are angry with, not Oyetola.

“Any of the leaders who plan to decamp to the opposi on party a er this defeat will be doomed by God’s grace”.

In another audio, a member of the party, Segun Adegbite, said Oyetola should be blamed for the defeat, adding that he is the one who surrounded himself with paperweight poli cians.

Adegbite said, “Our governor also has his own fault. I am ashamed of him. As wise as he his, he is da when it comes to poli cs. He surrounds himself with people who can’t even win their own elec on. Ajibola Famurewa, Folorunso Bamisayemi, Olatunbosun Oyin loye and the likes are people who can’t even win in their own domain. Unfortunately, these are the people cu ng shorts in Oyetola’s administra on.

Osun NSCDC Nabs Man Over N570,000 Visa SCAM Kazeem Badmus

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HE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), State of Osun Command, Tuesday, paraded a 40-year-old man, Bola Awolumate, for allegedly duping people on the pretence of obtaining visa for them.

According to the state commandant of the NSCDC, Adisa Agboola, the suspect who resides in Abesu area of Osogbo, duped

his vic ms to the tune of N570,000.

Agboola said he obtained the sum by promising to help them procure Norway and Saudi Arabia visa.

The NSCDC commandant said the suspect, upon invesga on, volunteered a confessional statement confirming his culpability in the offences, adding that he will be charged to a court to serve as deterrent to others.

Speaking with

OSUN DEFENDER, the suspect who confessed to have commi ed the crime, said he used the money to take care of personal affair, adding that he has no means of ge ng the Visa for the vic ms.

He said, “I am not an immigra on officer.

This is my first me of commi ng this offence. I have no means of going about the visa processing and I also do not have anyone to help me out with it. I just collected the

money for personal use.

“It was my neighbor that introduced me to his brother and colleague at work and that was how I met these two vic ms. My neighbor asked me to help them to do visa which I agreed to do.

“I am jobless and married with kids.

My family is based in Ibadan while I reside here in Osogbo. I came to Osogbo in search of job. I am from Eki State.

•The suspect.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

Crime

TUESDAY, JULY 29 - THURSDAY, AUGUST 04, 2022 VOL. 17 NO 29 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

Motorcyclist Bags One Year Jail Term Over N300,000 Fraud Pg. 6

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joy of democracy is the rule of the majority. However, this joy has always been upturned by rogue poli cians with the use of thugs and other an -democra c arm-twis ng to compromise the rule of majority for the ny minority. Put differently, because of lack or inadequate technology, an unpopular poli cian will win elec on through manipula on of electoral processes, inducement, vote buying, in mida on and thuggery, among others. This development has, over the years, made a large number of the people to be apoli cal with the slogan, “whether we vote or not, they have decided who will emerge winner.”

Although July 16, 2022 governorship elecon in Osun has come and gone with the winner celebra ng and losers licking their wounds, it was a great departure from the past. What do I mean? In the previous elec ons, accredita on would be done first (8:00am -12noon), while vo ng would commence from noon.

Some people would get accredited and go back home to return for vo ng later a ernoon. In the process, some may sleep off or be distracted one way or the other and may not come back to vo ng again. Hence, the discrepancy between accredita on and vote cast could be fraudulently filled up by poli cians having compromised electoral officers and security.

In July 16 elec on, use of Bi-modal Voter Accredita on System (BVAS) changed the enre pa ern. BVAS is an electronic device designed to read Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and authen cate voter. In addi on to tradi onally using the voter fingerprint to prove that he/ she is eligible to vote at a par cular unit, BVAS could capture the photo of the voter, scan the barcode or QR code on the PVC or capture last 6 digits of voter ID to verify and authen cate a voter a er which he/she proceeds to vote immediately. The process makes accreditaon and vote cast equal to each other. It invalidates the use of incidence forms during accredita on. BVAS introduc on has virtually eliminated electoral malprac ces in so far as it authen cates the iden ty of voters, making mul ple vo ng and proxy vo ng impossible and therefore make votes count.

Addi onally, the wri en result of the poll at every unit, having been loudly announced to the gathered voters, is photographed with the BVAS machine, and at once transmi ed to the designated colla ng centre. This is highly innova ve and decisive as it eliminates the possibili es of results hijacking and altera on on the way to colla on centres, which are tradi onal engagements of rouge poli cians.

Combina on of BVAS and a peaceful atmosphere devoid of thugs disrup ng processes and snatching of ballot boxes are prerequisites to a free, fair and credible elec on. The security agencies, especially Army and Police, must be commended for their pro-ac ve measures before, during and a er the elec on. Since return to civil rule in 1999, the July 16, 2022 Osun governorship poll was the freest, most peaceful and credible. From all the 3,010 poll-

“Elections remain the widely acceptable means of installing and changing government.

The sanctity of Election Day, which is just a day for the voters out of four years for the politicians in power, should be upheld ”

BVAS Introduction: A Step Forward ing units and 753 vo ng points which were converted to polling units, there was hardly any single incidence of ballot papers or boxes snatching. There was no report of disrup on, figh ng or killing which characterised same exercise in 2018. It all went largely peaceful. This development will reduce li ga ons after elec on as controversies will not suffice.

Osun people are also commended as they exhibited Omoluabi virtues throughout the exercise.

Another person that must be specially

STRIKER

commended is President Mohammadu Buhari.

Since he became President, he has never, for once, intervened in both staggered states and general elec ons. He does not and has never used “federal might” to inmidate other poli cal party to favour his own party. This is height of poli cal sophistication that subsequent Presidents should emulate. He demonstrated same neutrality in the APC presiden al primaries on June 8, 2022 at Eagle Square, Abuja where many poli cians,

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

The Oluwatobi Prescription

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including the winner believed Mr. President had an anointed hidden candidate but were all surprised.

Elec ons remain the widely acceptable means of installing and changing government.

The sanc ty of Elec on Day, which is just a day for the voters out of four years for the poli cians in power, should be upheld. It is the day for vo ng ci zens to adjudge the stewardship of the poli cal office holders either to retain them having delivered democracy dividends or chase them out having failed. Hence the slogan, “One Day For Electorate; Four Years For Poli cians.”

Osun July 16 was a stand-alone guber elec on where security agencies were dra ed from neighbouring states to support the ones on ground. It would have been very nice if Osun electoral success could be replicated in 2023 general elec ons, especially as far as security of electoral environment is concerned.

However, this may be a tall ambi on especially with the state of insecurity in the land and elec ons taking place in all states and Federal Capital Territory simultaneously. Nevertheless, with BVAS and special efforts of our security agencies, people’s votes will count in 2023 general elec ons. Although, the general elec ons will largely be between APC and its conjoined twins – PDP, making votes count will checkmate some excesses of rogue poli cians who take vo ng ci zens mandate for granted by refusing to fulfil electoral promises made during campaigns. This is a very good step forward for our democracy. Further steps should be taken to severely punish poli cal par es, poli cians and thugs who are arrested for attempts to disrupt electoral processes on elecon days. An elec on related offences Special Tribunal should be set up where trial will be promptly determined and sentences handed down including suspension/ ban of poli cal par es involved.

a country near completely enveloped in gloom, there came the most upli ing na onal news of the week, the marvellous triumph of Nigeria’s Oluwatobi Amusan at the World Athle cs Championships held at Oregon, USA. It came from the blues! Oluwatobi Amusan competed in the Women’s 100 Meters Huddle race and in one night, broke the world record in the semi-final race and went ahead to break her own record again in the final race to become the first ever Nigerian Athle c World Champion! The feeling, for most Nigerian that watched the race or heard about it later, was simply extraordinary. Not since Chioma Ajuwan-Okpara becoming the first Nigerian ever to win Gold Medal at the Olympics in Atlanta, 1996, has there been such ecstasy.

As she cried gently on the podium when the Nigerian na onal anthem was being rendered, many things come to patrio c minds, and many have been expressed in online and conven onal media. The amazing feat provoked thoughts and lessons everywhere. Nonetheless, the take that on the night that Amusan was preparing for world conquering feat in Nigeria’s colours (Saturday/Sunday), some others were busy brutally flogging their fellow Nigerian innocent cap ves in the bush, threatening to similarly kidnap a si ng governor and the

President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Days a er the Amusan feat, they started making good their ignoble threat by ambushing and viciously a acking the elite Guards Brigade of the President, killing at least 2 of its officers, at the Federal Capital Territory!

The contrast of disposi on is informing, and the basis for recommending the Oluwatobi prescrip on for ci zens of a patently sick country! In a country facing unprecedented economic, social, poli cal and security challenges that threaten its very survival, the role of outstanding individual can be decisive. There are choices to be made, and must now be made, by the majority of good Nigerian people, who simply want a peaceful and prosperous country to live.

Firstly, the Amusan prescrip on dictates that the choices must not be for the dark side; it must be for the glory of Nigeria as it is for personal excellence and gains.

Secondly, the result of any such endeavour, any me it is seen and applauded, is the culmina on of reless works, self-discipline, days and nights of sweat - pu ng in the good works - that are not always adver sed or seen. Conclusively, there is no shortcut to victory and outstanding achievements. The only road, a er pleading God’s Grace, is posi ve hard work: not

tough talks, cri cism, anger, and all sorts of nega ve disposi ons and ac ons.

Not only democracy but the very survival of Nigeria is at stake today. Patrio sm is required. Love of Na on is demanded.

No one is concerned with Oluwatobi Amusan’s gender, faith, state, or tribe; she ran for Glory and won as a Nigerian. That is the recommended spirit. The things that patriots do when their na on is in danger are clear. This is not the pla orm to teach them; thankfully, these days they can simply be googled. What Do Patriots Do? The needful vary from place to place and challenges to challenges but there are the constants - courage, truthfulness, selflessness, self-sacrifice, discipline, altruism, organisaon, struggle, reless work and faith in the people, as faith in God. The example of Oluwatobi Amusan calls us all to start pu ng in the silent works, passionately, coopera vely, organisa onally, and self-sacrificially for the rescue of democracy and our na on as we are confronted by a fast approaching general elec on. If 100 million adults decide to put in the patrio c works, God will not disappoint them and deliver them to a destrucve, dark-minded legion who are less than a million! As we celebrate the spectacular achievements by an individual, let us realise now that it is the outcome of reless posi ve works; and for the survival of Nigeria and its eventual glory, let us - the majority - start pu ng in the works individually and collec vely now.

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