Osun Defender Online Version of June 17, 2022

Ex-Commissioner, APC Chairmen, IleriOluwa Coordinator Defect To PDP

Destruction Of Campaign Billboards Continues In Osun P. 2

P. 4

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 - THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

VOL 17 NO 23

WHY OSUN APC REFUSES TO ANNOUNCE STATE, NASS ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES Ismaeel Uthman

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun has refused to make official announcement of its candidates for the 2023 State and Na onal Assembly elecons, three weeks a er the party’s primaries.

APC had on May 26, 27 and 29 held its primaries for aspirants contes ng for State House of Assembly, House of Representa ves and Senate respec vely.

The primaries generated controversies, leading to protests by

party members from across the state.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that there was no security officers, Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, accredita on, elec on materials, party register, result sheets, among others in every local government where the purported primaries took place.

In some wards where the direct primary took place under a high compromised system, the votes scored by each of the aspirants were recorded on a plain sheet of paper.

However, the party, under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, was yet to announce the winner of the primary elec ons, a development that is agita ng the minds of thousands of the APC members.

Intrigues and suspense have crept into the presenta on of the APC candidates for the State and Na onal assembly elec ons as there was no official result or pronouncement from the party on who the candidate is in each of the state and federal cons tuencies and the senatorial districts.

But OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that the party has submi ed names of the Na onal Assembly candidates to the

Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC).

For the senatorial elec on, the party returned the Senate Spokesperson, Senator Ajibola Basiru (Osun Central) and presented Hon Ajibola Famurewa (Osun East) and Mr. Amidu Tadese (Osun West), denying the incumbent Senator, Engr, Adelere Oriolowo a second term.

Oriolowo was reportedly dropped by Oyetola led APC because of his perceived loyalty to the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The medium learnt that of the current Osun APC six House of Reps members, only Hon Yinusa Amobi (Ayedire/Iwo/ •Continued on page 2

July 16: Yiaga Identifies Early Signs Of Election Violence In Osun •Says Political Thugs, Cult Groups May Threaten Peaceful Poll Pg. 4

Police, Amotekun, APC Thugs Killing, Maiming Our Members In Osun - PDP Pg. 4

The Ambience Of Circle K

Pg.5

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 - THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

2

News

Why Osun APC Refuses To Announce State, NASS Assembly Candidates •Continued from page 1

Olaoluwa), Hon Taiwo Oluga (Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan) and Hon. Babatunde Ayeni (Ijesa South) were returned.

The party dropped Hon. Rasidi Olalekan (Ifelodun/Boripe/OdoO n) and Hon. Bukola Oyewo (Osogbo/Olorunda/Irepodun/Orolu), while Hon. Femi Fakeye of Ila/Boluwaduro/Ifedayo did not show interest in contes ng.

Oyewo, popularly known as Bukoy was replaced with a fresh poli cian, Abosede OgoOluwa in Osogbo Federal Cons tuency while Afolabi was replaced with Chief Moshood Oluawo in IBO federal cons tuency.

The current Commissioner for Tourism, Dr Adebisi Obawale, was presented to INEC as the APC candidate for Ila federal cons tuency.

In Ijesa North federal cons tuency, Mr Seun Odofin, an aide to the Speaker of the House of Representa ves, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, was nominated while Mrs Lateefat Giwa, was presented in Ede/Ejigbo/ Egbedore federal cons tuency.

However, OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that APC is yet to submit any name for the House of Assembly elec on.

Apart from the aspirants who were unopposed in their various cons tuencies, uncertainty s ll pervades the final submission of House Assembly candidates in the state.

The party, it was gathered, deliberately refused to make known to the public the names of candidates chosen for the State and Na onal Assembly elec ons.

According to sources in the party, Governor Oyetola and the APC leadership in the state are afraid of reverbera ng effect of protests that will come from each of the cons tuencies a er the announcement of the candidates.

The sources confided in OSUN DEFENDER

that there would not be any official announcement of names of candidates for the 2023 general elec ons ll a er the July 16 governorship elec on.

A credible source in the party told the medium that the Governor is trying to minimize protest vote from party members who will feel cheated in the selec on of House of Assembly candidates during the governorship elec on.

The source said: “The refusal of the party to announce candidate for the House of Assembly and Na onal Assembly elec ons coming up next year is a strategy to manage the grievances of the APC members, so that it will not affect the coming governorship elec on.

“The idea is that the party wants to keep the aspirants and their followers guessing and hopeful ll the governorship elec on comes.

They don’t want the

•A man transporting a Cow with Okada in Osogbo.

Captured by: Shola Aderinto

aggrieved members to mobilise for protest votes against the governor in the coming

elec on.

“The strategy is that if the party does not make official announce-

ment on names of the candidates, members of the party will connue to work for the victory of the governor, believing that their preferred aspirants would be chosen.”

In a similar expression, a leader of the APC in Irepodun local government, told OSUN DEFENDER that the party is trying as much as possible to manage the controversies which the primary elec ons have generated in the state.

According to the APC leader who craved anonymity, Governor Oyetola is confused on the House of Assembly candidates, saying that was why the party is yet to forward any name to INEC. The APC leader said: “Governor Oyetola is confused on the House of Assembly candidates. That is where the party has serious problem because it is a grassroot ma er. There is no much problem on the

Na onal Assembly candidates; but people are so much interested in the House of Assembly.

“As I am talking to you, the party has not submi ed any name as candidates for the House of Assembly.

The governor knows that there is going to be problem for him in his elec on if the party announces the candidates’ names because the primary held was just a kangaroo.

“You know people will have me to mobilise themselves for protest votes against the governor on July 16 if the party announces names of candidates for the House of Assembly now; and the party does not want that.”

OSUN DEFENDER noted that the last day for the submission of House of Assembly candidates is July 15, while the governorship elec on holds on July 16.

Destruction Of Campaign Billboards Continues In Osun Ismaeel Uthman

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NKNOWN persons have connued to destroy campaign billboards of major poli cal par es contes ng the July 16 governorship elec on in the State of Osun.

It would be recalled that the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) had last week Thursday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring the destruc on of campaign billboards of its governorship candidate, Sen. Ademola Adeleke.

However, in what seems to be reprisal, the campaign billboards of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and that of Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, the Accord Party’s flagbearer are now being destroyed.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that destruc ons are no ceable in Osogbo and Ilesa.

The medium noted on Wednesday that campaign billboards of Oyetola, Adeleke and Ogunbiyi at Dele Yes Sir roundabout, old garage, Ayetoro, Olonkoro, Stadium, Fakunle, Jaleyemi-

Isale Osun, Alekuwodo, Ofatedo junc on on East Bypass, have been destroyed.

It was gathered that a campaign billboard belonging to the PDP at Itakogun Street, Ilesa West local government was destroyed on June 10.

The billboards destruc ons have been

genera ng reac ons from members of the public.

In its June 12 press statement, the Chairman, Osun Civil Sociees Coali on (OCSC), Comrade Waheed Lawal, condemned the prac ce, describing it as barbaric and uncivilized.

Lawal said: “We con-

demned in its en rety, the destruc on of campaign billboards of governorship candidates in the state. The act remains a symbol of an uncivilized and unhealthy democracy, which Nigerian poli cs and its players should have grown from.

“The precept of de-

mocracy is for the people to have free will of choosing who represent them in government.

We demand from INEC, security agencies, poli cal par es and all other stakeholders that the governorship elec on must be free, fair, transparent, credible and violent free.”

•Two of the Campaign billboards of Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola and Sen. Ademola Adeleke after being destroyed by unknown persons in Osogbo.

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 - THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

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Review & Outlook

BY JIDE AFOLABI Facing The Future The Democratic Get-Together

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Y the me we come out next week, the speculaons will have been history and the running mates will have emerged. Mercifully, we can now proceed to assess soberly what is at stake.

A lot is at stake. The figures about the fiscal sustainability of the country is to say the least disturbing. With more people pushed into poverty and foreign exchange shortages, inducing layoffs in the manufacturing sector, we ought to be sober. In addi on, we have the never-ending problem of insecurity.

This should not be the me for fixa ons on personali es.

The electorate must demand programs. To tackle the myriad of problems we face, the country must be presented with a rigorously worked out costed with fixed melines a program of social and economic reconstruc on.

Such a program will breathe new life into a dispirited and dysfunconal republic and rekindle of a na onal rebirth.

No advance of a sustainable nature will be made without a

“The country must be presented with a rigorously worked out costed with fixed timelines a program of social and economic reconstruction” revamp of the framework of the cons tu on. The rent collec ng cons tu onal framework has spectacularly failed. It has to go.

In replacement, we must go back to the revenue produc on base of the Macpherson and the 1960, 1963 cons tu ons. The empirical evidence is unambiguous - they facilitated sustainable development as opposed to the country “growth without development” and alarmingly “the development of underdevelopment”.

The coming elec on will be decisive for the future of the country, it should be based on elevated discourses not vacuous mendaci es and vote buying. We simply for the sake of all do not have a choice.

Abusive Use Of Internet

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VERYTHING invented in the world is meant to be of help to the people. When a par cular invented project or programme, is wrongly used, then we say it is being abused. But the abuse of such programme or project will not only affect the users, it will also affect their acquaintances and also have effect on the coming genera ons.

This is one of the problems being face in Nigeria as regard the abusive use of the internet. Internet was invented to increase our knowledge in all aspects of life, and to make things easier to do. But it is now being used as a tool to destroying lives. Many of the youthful age are caught in the web of abusive use of the internet, through cybercrime - bullying, pornography ac ng, cybersex, fraud, among others.

Cyber bullying is a form of harassment using electronics means; it is also

Letter To The Editor known as online bullying. It involves pos ng, sending or sharing nega ve, harmful, false or mean content about someone else. This criminal act is now trending among secondary school children and students of ter ary ins tu ons. Cyber bullying may result to death, depression, anger, fear and aggression on the part of the vic m.

Among other things, the reason for cyber bullying could be hatred, envy, jealousy, immaturity and recklessness.

Cybercrime is the most disrup ve threat to financial markets, but at the same me, the most underrated by both regulators and financial ins tu ons. Cybercrime is on the increase among the youths and this

has contributed greatly to their poor academic performance, integrity and religious prac ces.

“Yahoo-yahoo”, cyber fraud prac ces are now becoming a norm in the Nigerian society. It has taken over the reasoning, integrity of the youth as values and norms of the society.

Cybersex means sexual arousal using computer technology, especially by wearing virtually reality equipment or by exchanging messages with another person via the internet.

This prac ce has corrupted many li le children and encourages homosexuality.

I will encourage the youth to channel the energy being put into the cybercrime to their academic career. There is no shortcut to success, they should be paence, prayerful and commi ed to their growth in a godly manner.

•Oyenekan Ayomide Mary writes from ICON Universal Polytechnic, Osogbo.

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HAT is the founda on of Democracy and its basic assumpons? Simple: that the wishes of the majority should prevail. What are the wishes and common interests of the majority? Not far-fetched at all - a roof over the head, clothes on the body, food on the table, educa on for children, good roads, access to health services and security to life and property. Freedom caps it all: freedoms of expression, movement, associa on, believe; which are rights equally accessible to all across gender, cultural, religious and poli cal divides.

Democracy is, therefore, not an end in itself. It is a means to achieving those stated ends. It is why Democracy as a method of government is hailed as the best form of government on earth because of the goals, not because of the name. Democracy, however, does not operate itself, human beings operate it. Whether democracy works or not is, therefore, not the fault or favour of democracy, it is kudos or knocks to its operators.

Who are then the best sets of humans to operate Democracy? They are called Democrats - those who believe in Democracy. So, before you judge the successes or failings of democracy anywhere, ask yourself, is it being operated there by democrats? If not, why do we expect that devils can deliver heaven? It is like handing over an independent country to colonial masters to run and expec ng the prosperity of the na ves. How best do lions know as to taking care of lambs?

Fundamentally and personally, there is the need to ask ourselves “how much of a democrat am I”? Every good thing in the world begins with one person thinking it out and pu ng it into ac on. Considering the goals of democracy outlined in the opening paragraph, measure yourself on the democra c scale by simply judging how commi ed you are, in thought, disposi on and especially in ac on to the collec ve good and the prosperity of the majority not just yourselves and your clique. That is how much of a democrat you are.

Democracy is ba ered when people

“Fundamentally and personally, there is the need to ask ourselves “how much of a democrat am I”? Every good thing in the world begins with one person thinking it out and putting it into action”

who would rather run a slave camp hide behind its fancy name to pursue self-serving ends. Non-democrats come in several categories and are usually successful behind their masks and decep ve make-ups.

However, they generally do not believe in the universal equality of all ci zens before the law, nor do they believe in separa on of powers between execu ves, legislators and judiciary. For them, the execu ve is almighty and the other two arms are to be manipulated, punished or rewarded to the degree of their compliance. Non-democrats in those other arms too (legislatures and judiciary) understand very well, and make successful careers out of “compliance” by scheming to eventually get to execu ve posi ons. Non-democrats would have you know that they can guarantee “freedom of speech, but not freedom a er speech”! If you feel it is a man’s world and that every man should be for himself and God should be for us all, you will make a poor democrat indeed.

Unfortunately, because of our long years under feudalism, colonialism and military rule, the majority of Nigerians, young and old, men and women, are nondemocrats. They would rather lord it over others and have their ways and ends - woe be unto others! It is when these ordinary undemocra c Nigerians get to leadership of any organiza on that you now see the trait. Unfortunately too, only democrats can come together and form poli cal par es commi ed to Publisher – Moremi Publishing democracy and make a House Ltd. success of running govDeputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman ernments in a democracy.

(0805-121-2204) Their poli cal par es will be different only as per Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa strategies and tac cs for Reporter – Yusuf Oketola achieving democra c diviReporter – Kazeem Badmus dends, conserva vely or Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto progressively.

Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere It should be clear what OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing is to be done - a democrats’ House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite get-together within all orGuarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, ganiza ons, ins tu ons, State of Osun poli cal par es; to rescue ISSN : 0794-8050 the organiza ons, ins Telephone : 0805-121-2204 tu ons, democracy and Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php governance, and more ime-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com portantly, to rescue the naosundefenderbank@gmail.com on from clear and present All correspondence to the above email addresses. danger of implosion.

OSUN DEFENDER

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 - THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

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News

EX Commissioner, APC Chairmen, IleriOluwa Coordinator Defect To PDP Our Reporter

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HEAD of the July 16 gubernatorial elecon in the State of Osun, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has started witnessing massive defecon of its members to the opposi on Peoples Democra c Party (PDP).

The defec ons are coming a er series of protests

by APC members on the controversial State and Naonal Assembly primary elec ons.

Members of the APC had been defec ng from the party to PDP in Osogbo, Olorunda, Iwo, Egbedore, Ede, Ila, Irepodun, Ife Central and Ife East local governments of the state.

A stalwart of the APC, Mr. Kolapo Alimi, announced his defec on to the PDP last week Saturday, a situa on that sent tongue wagging.

Alimi, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chie aincy Affairs under the administra on of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, was the Secretary of The Osun Progressives (TOP), a caucus of the APC that is agita ng for the restructuring of the party.

He was one of the legal prac oners that fought the legal ba le ins tuted against Governor Adegboyega Oyetola by Senator Ademola Adeleke a er he was declared winner of the 2018 governorship elec on.

Upon defec on, Alimi was appointed Deputy Director-General of Adeleke Campaign Organisa on.

The Erin Osun born polician had on several occasions accused Oyetola of sidelining those that worked for his victory in 2018.

In Osogbo, the APC lost some youths on Sunday when a popular member of the party, Lekan Oyeyemi, le the party for the PDP. Oyeyemi, popularly known as Ajagungbade Emir, led hundreds of other APC youths in the State to PDP on Sunday, June 12.

He decried what he described as arrogant and nonchallant a tude of APC government towards the plight of youths in the State.

“It is appalling that anyone not of Lagos cronies of APC is seen as a second class ci zen, even in his fatherland. Such trend if not checked by the vo ng strength of the youths would amount to ceding our right to the crude impostors”, he said during his declara on for PDP.

Ex-APC Chairmen, IleriOluwa Coordinator Defect to PDP In Ife Former Chairmen of the APC in Ife East, Hon. Kayode Ogundele and his counterpart in Ife Central local government, Adeleke Eni lo have also defected to the

PDP. Also, the Coordinator of IleriOluwa Vendor in Ife Central, Mrs. Ojuolape Olagbaju, have resigned her membership of the APC to join the PDP. Ogundele, Eni lo and Olagbaju announced the defec on to the PDP on Monday when they paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Ademola Adeleke Campaign Council, Prof Wale Oladipo, in Ile-Ife. The trio vowed to work for the victory of Sen. Ademola Adeleke during the coming governorship elecon.

They accused the leadership of APC of injus ce against them in the just concluded primary elec ons into the Na onal and State Assembly.

Ogundele who spoke on behalf of others, said their decision to join “Imole Team” was borne out of their love towards making Osun great, saying, “PDP is the only party that can give people of Osun the needed change we deserve.

“We are very comfortable with the leadership style of Prof Wale Oladipo, he is a leader of many parts. We are going to put everything

in our custody to make sure PDP win the forthcoming gubernatorial elec on in Osun.”

More Defec ons Likely in Coming Weeks - Sources

OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that APC is likely to be hard hit with more defec ons in the coming weeks, in the face of the ongoing secrecy on the primary elec ons results.

Some members of the party who confided in the

medium disclosed that if the leadership of APC did not act fast, the party will lose more of its members and its consequences might be disastrous.

The members said those who felt cheated in the last primaries have been pu ng plans in place to defect to the opposi on party.

They said: “There might be more mass defec ons across local governments of the state. The last primary elec ons of the party have

•PDP governorship candidate, Sen. Ademola Adeleke with other party faithful presenting the flag of the party to Hon. Kolapo Alimi, at the party secretariat Osogbo, on Wednesday.

•Says Political Thugs, Cult Groups May Threaten Peaceful Poll

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leading elec on observer group, Yiaga Africa, has iden fied what it described as early signs of violence that might threaten the peaceful conduct of the July 16, 2022 governorship elec on in the State of Osun.

According to Yiaga Africa, the elec on might be threatened by ac vi es of poli cal thugs and cult groups.

This was contained in Yiaga Africa’s Watching

when the leaders called some delegates to sign blank result sheets. This indicated that the party leaders are trying to impose candidates and we are not going to take it.”

Osun Community Protests 12 Years Of Darkness

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July 16: Yiaga Identifies Early Signs Of Election Violence In Osun Ismaeel Uthman

caused a lot of damage and people are angry with the leadership of the party.

“If the leadership of the party fail to rise up and do the needful, the consequences might be too much for the incumbent governor.

Those who felt cheated are already planning on how to move to the opposi on party.

“The State and Na onal Assembly primaries of the party had a lot of issues and it was further complicated

The Vote Pre-elec on observa on report for the Osun governorship elecon which was obtained

by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday.

Long Term Observers, according to the group, were deployed to all 30 Local Government Areas of the State to assess preparatory ac vi es of the Independent Naonal Electoral Commission (INEC) towards the elec on, security planning, ac vi es of elec on stakeholders, campaigns and ac vi es of poli cal

par es, and voter educaon in the state and violence monitoring.

According to the report, Yiaga Africa’s Long Term Observers tracked and reported ac vi es that could affect the planning and peaceful conduct of the elec on.

Some of the ac vi es reported are violent physical a acks during poli cal party mee ngs and campaigns and vandalism of campaign billboards.

Yiaga Africa said it specifically received reports of poli cal thugs a acking a rally of the People’s Democra c Party (PDP) leaders during a mee ng on May 7, 2022 in Ede South local government.

The group said it also received reports of supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) being a acked a er a rally in Gbongan, Ayedaade local government on May 23, 2022.

It also noted that some poli cians were engaging the services of cult groups during rallies or campaign trains in Ilesa West local government.

Other early warning signs of electoral violence, according to Yiaga Africa, include vandalism or the

destruc on of billboards belonging to poli cal party opponents.

“This was majorly recorded at Itakogun street, Ward 1, Ilesa West local government, on May 10, 2022”, said the group.

Similarly, the organisa on also tracked voter inducement in the form of distribu on of money and gi items to voters and the purchase of Permanent Voter Cards in Atakumosa West local government.

It said: “Long Term Observers witnessed and heard of the distribu on of money and food items by candidates or their supporters while campaigning in Boluwaduro, Ejigbo, Ife North, Ifedayo, Ilesa East, Ilesa West Irepodun, Isokan, Odon-O n and Orolu local governments.

“Also, poli cians distributed food items like rice, beans, garri, and semolina; and money ranging between N2,000 and N5,000 per voter”.

Yiaga Africa also lamented that poorly targeted voter educa on will impact the par cipa on of marginalised group in the Osun elec on.

“The report says, “beyond the poli cs of the par es, is the role of women and the near absence of women candidates in the governorship race, with no female candidate for the office of the governor and only six female deputy governorship candidates.”

ESIDENTS of Garage Olode in Ife South Local Government Area of the State of Osun, have protested total blackout the town had been subjected to in the past 12 years.

The residents who stormed some streets and expressway last Saturday, trooped out enmasse to express their grievances with placards bearing different inscrip ons.

They also frown at the slow pace of the ongoing electrificaon and reconnec on project embarked on by the Osun government.

The protesters called on the state government to come to their aid and end the 12 years old darkness.

It would be recalled that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola had in June, 2021, flagged-off the reconnec on of the town to the na onal grid, but the project has not seen the light of the day ll now.

Osun Bemoans Blackout

Communi es Months of

Similarly, residents of Omuu, Odu and Koka communies of Osogbo have bemoaned the lack of power supply in the area for eight months.

The communi es appealed to the state government to intervene and come to their rescue A resident of Koka community, Mr. Tunde Jegede, while speaking with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, stated that the blackout is having devasta ng effect on the economy and social life of people of the communi es.

He said: “Since October 2021, we have been in total blackout. The transformer got spoilt and the community contributed N1.3 million for repair.

The Ibadan Electricity Distribuon Company (IBEDC) came to inspect it and they also recommended the person who will help us to repair it.

“The day the transformer was brought back by the repairer, a er installa on, it didn’t last 12 hours before it got faulty again. So, nobody wants to contribute again.

“The situa on has crippled all economic ac vi es needing power supply and even the security has been greatly affected. I implore the state government to please pity us and come to our aid”.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 - THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

5

News

Police, Amotekun, APC Thugs Killing, Maiming Our Members In Osun - PDP Ismaeel Uthman

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HE Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) in the State of Osun has accused the police, SouthWest Security Network codenamed Amotekun and poli cal thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) of killing and maiming its members.

According to the PDP, it is important to raise the alarm on the ‘systema c killings and maiming’ of its members by the APC poli cal thugs, who are being aided by policemen and opera ves of the Amotekun corps.

The PDP in a statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday alleged that poli cal thugs led by one Asiri Eniba and Eluku supported by armed policemen and Amotekun have been going to houses of members in Osogbo to a ack them.

The party claimed that two of its members were killed, while eight others were injured in the a ack.

But Amotekun denied the allega on, saying that its officers did not lead any thug to a ack PDP members nor kill anybody in Osogbo as being speculated.

According to Spokesperson of Amotekun, Yu-

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•Calls For Redeployment Of Police Commissioner •Your Allegation Baseless – APC suf Idowu, the PDP was economical with the truth, wondering while the party pretended not to know that hoodlums a acked the residence of its Field Commander, Amitolu Shi u.

Calling for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Wale Olokode, the PDP said the police boss has manifested and demonstrated undisguised bias and par sanship in the discharge of his du es.

The statement signed

by Dr. Akindele Adekunle, the Caretaker Chairman of the PDP in the state reads: “Osun Chapter of the Peoples Democra c Party raised alarm over systema c killings and maiming of our members by APC thugs ac vely aided by policemen and Amotekun operaves. We call for the urgent redeployment of the State Commissioner of Police.

“Poli cal thugs led by one Asiri Eniba and Eluku supported by armed policemen and Amotekun have started going house to house of PDP members, killing two PDP members at Osogbo yesterday (on Tuesday) with more than eight injured.

“The rampaging thugs

state capital needs a mixture of hospitality facili es from the imposing mega mul rooms to small, discreet hideouts safe and secure tucked away from the maddening crowd and providing serenity a er a hard day on the hustle or socialising as in weddings, celebra ons, get together, what have you.

Circle K guest lodge kitchen and bar has been deligh ng both in town and out of state guests for over three years.

The bou que motel adjacent Rave FM Radio Sta on, on Olawunmi Kehinde close provides hospitality, including rooms, kitchen and bar. The rooms en-suite have flat screens, ACs, water heaters and the beds are carefully selected for comfort.

CULINARY EXPERIENCE A mixture is on offer. The local cuisine consists of ‘solids’ such as Yam Flour, Pounded Yam, Poundo, rice and so forth.

All of which is prepared under strict hygienic condi ons in the old-fashioned culinary style reminiscent of real tradi onal healthy ea ng. Other dishes are available on requests.

THE BUSH BAR Striking in the garden is the signature ‘Bush Bar’. The concept is an outdoor for in par cular weekend relaxa on. The bar has a TV screen tables and chairs for a laidback end of the day ambience. From this cosy scene, the guest can order an array of barbeques such as Asun, Suya, Chicken, pepper meat, oxtail pepper soup and so forth.

There are plans to go Solar but for the

•Mass Communication students of Westland Polytechnic, Ilobu, Osun State during their visit to Adewale Adetoyese; author of A Court of Anarchy at Ile Ife recently. officially condoned and sponsored by the APC state government a acked the housing quarters of a PDP chie ain at Osogbo shooting his families and charting away his vehicles.

“As at the me of this statement, two members of his household are dead while he escaped death by chance. The family members a ested to it that the thugs were accompanied by police and Amotekun

opera ves.

“At Iwara area of Ilesa, the same team of thugs and policemen raided the house of two PDP chieftains, wounding many members of their households through gunshots.

Across Osun state, our members are repor ng increasing cases of physical in mida on and harassment.

“The police commissioner has manifested and

demonstrated undisguised bias and par sanship in the discharge of his du es and his con nued stay in Osun as a police Chief is a threat to the peaceful conduct of the July 16th elec ons.

“From his handling of security ma ers, the police Chief has embraced a hatchet job agenda in support of the very unpopular administra on of Gboyega Oyetola.

“Before Osun state is

plunged into violent retaliatory chaos, we call on security chiefs at the na onal level and par cularly the Inspector General of Police to move the commissioner out of Osun state before it is too late.”

Dismissing the allegaon, the Chairman of the APC, Prince Gboyega Famodun, described the accusa on as baseless and misleading, adding that the party remains law-abiding, responsible and will never resort to violence, nor engage in any act capable of disrup ng the peace of the State.

Famodun added that the PDP in the State was reputed for thuggery and brigandage and has always exhibited violent tendencies.

He further explained that contrary to the PDP’s allega on, APC had no hands in the latest a ack that reportedly claimed the lives of two people and le some injured.

According to him, the reported death of the two persons was not unconnected with the violence that broke out among the various groups of poli cal thugs within the PDP in the State.

Travelogue

The Ambience Of Circle K •Yusuf Oketola explores a boutique motel in the first suburb of Osogbo

moment electricity supplies are guaranteed.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Post COVID, Circle K projects the establishment of branches all over the State of Osun. The proprietor, Mr Olawunmi Kehinde, is very confident about the growth •OSUN DEFENDER has reactivated it’s much sought after Travelogue by popular demand. For more information contact Osun Defender on 08093019152 0r 08105020364, yusufolatunji1409@gmail.com

prospects of Osun. Demographically, the facility encompasses 20s to 50s range.

They cater for between twenty to thirty people a day and there is an up ck of patronage at weekends.

An endearing feature is the way they have leveraged on their culinary delight to develop a thriving home delivery service.

•Circle k can be contacted on 08105310769, benkehinde@gmail.com, and folukehind@yahoo.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 - THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

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Religion

LL praise is due to Allaah, and may His peace and blessings be upon the final Messenger, His pure family, noble companions, and all those who follow them with righteousness un l the Day of Judgment.

Tawakkul in Arabic language is an Islamic concept of reliance on Allah Almighty or “trustBy By ing in Allah’s plan”. It is seen as “perfect trust in Sheik Muhammad Muhammad Sheik Allaah and reliance on Him alone.” It can also be referred to as Allah-consciousness.

Makanjuola Makanjuola Tawakkul is basically the “trust and reliance on Allah”, that is, accep ng the results that He decides regardless of how they may turn out to be.

Reliance on Allaah the Exalted is a lo y sta on that has a great effect. It is one of the most important obliga ons of faith. A Muslim considers reliance on Allah as mandatory my rela onship with Him? for all his affairs, whether religious or worldly. Therefore, To know Allah is to place your trust in Him: the religion of Islam comprises seeking the support of AlTo know Allah is to know and acknowledge His names lah and worshipping him: The support element is to rely on and a ributes. Pause and reflect when reci ng them and Him alone. Indeed, this is the essence of at-Tawheed and call upon Him by these names. Only then can one develop al-Islaam. a meaningful connec on to Allah —one that will inculcate The concept of reliance on Allah is a familiar one, given complete reliance on Him. He is Eternal (al-Ḥayy) and the its frequent men on in the Qur’an and Sunnah. We recite Sustainer of all that exists (al-Qayyuum). His knowledge is these verses and supplica ons ardently, yet we may not All-Encompassing (al-ʿAleem). He is the Most Powerful (alcomprehend the scope of tawakkul, such that we are yet to Qadeer), the One who is Self-Sufficient (al-Ghanee), the One connect our hearts fully to these consoling and empower- who provides abundantly (al-Razzaaq), and the One who is ing words from Allah. most Noble and Generous (al-Kareem). Allah is our GuardThe ques on is, “How do I live tawakkul? How do I im- ian (al-Wakeel): “To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens plement it in my daily life to achieve its benefits”? Tawakkul and earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.” The involves placing complete trust in Allah, above and beyond greater our awareness of Allah, the greater our certainty in all others, including oneself. As Ibn Rajab stated, “Complete Him and our love for Him—and the stronger our tawakkul. reliance on Allah is the sincere dependence of the heart on THE FRUITS OF TAWAKKUL: Allah in the servant’s endeavors in pursuing his interests and Just as supplica on (duʿaa) is a means to the desired safeguarding himself against anything that may be harmful outcome, so it is with Tawakkul. Allah answers the call of to his well-being both in this life and in the Aakhirah.” those who place their trust in Him. He repeatedly comHowever, when one’s inner voice resonates loudly and mands us in the Qur’an to place our trust and reliance on becomes further emboldened by Shaytan’s whispers, one Him. Hence, tawakkul is also an act of submission to the may erroneously place one’s emo ons, logic, and that Master. It is the founda on and perfec on of our belief and which seems immediately tangible ahead of reliance on Al- worship in the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed) by not relying lah, on what is o en beyond one’s percep on and knowl- on anyone else: “But if they turn away, (O Muhammad), say, edge of divine wisdom and His decree. Tawakkul is a leap ‘Sufficient for me is Allah; there is no deity except Him. On of faith into that very unknown. Hence, the answer to this Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne.” ques on lies in the two key aspects this trust hinges on. Ask Quran 9:129. By submi ng one’s heart and giving complete yourself: First, how well do I know Allah? Second, what is authority to Allah, the believer gains the love of Allah: “In-

JUMAT SERMON

Tawakkul

deed, Allah loves those who rely (on Him).” Thus, tawakkul brings calmness to the heart, it is no longer perturbed by the tremors of life.

Tawakkul is the source of contentment, ease, and protec on Allah grants to the believers, relieving them from fear and doubt. It is a means to come closer to Allah and to raise one’s level of faith (imaan) and certainty (yaqeen).

No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. “And whoever believes in Allah, He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things. And obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away, then upon Our Messenger is only (the duty of) clear no fica on. Alaah —there is no deity except Him. And upon Allah let the believers rely.” Quran 5:92.

Thus, if one is tested with hardship, should worldly provision be taken away, or if one does not see the desired or immediate outcome of a par cular duʿaa, one remains op mis c that Allah’s treasures are boundless and He will remove that hardship and replace any loss with something be er. Abuu Saheed al-Khudrii RadhiAllahu Anhu, reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “No Muslim makes supplicaon—unless he is someone who has cut off his rela ves— but that he is given one of three things: either his supplicaon is answered quickly, or it is stored up for him in the next world, or an evil equal to it is averted from him.” It was said: “Then many supplica ons will be made.” He replied, “Allah has more s ll to give.” Hence, perhaps the greatest fruit of tawakkul is that one is sa sfied with the outcome, regardless of its specifics, knowing that it comes from the One who loves His servants and knows what is best for them.

As elec on is coming in Nigeria, rely and put your trust in Allah Almighty alone, don’t depend on any candidate in state or federal. Only Almight Allah can make things happen, no one else can do. May we by Allah grace always have peaceful elec ons in Nigeria.

May Allah Almighty make this sermon a beneficial one for me, the writer, the readers, and the en re Muslims. And our last prayer, is praise be to Allah Almighty, Lord of the worlds.

•Shaykh Muhammad Makanjuola (Director : MA’ADU DA’AWAH WAL-IRSHAD, Oba-Agun, Osun State).

News

My Life In Danger Over Defection Of APC Members To PDP, Says ARAJ Ismaeel Uthman

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N Osogbo born contractor and philanthropist, Engr. Kehinde Raji, has raised the alarm over threat to his life.

Raji who is popularly known as ARAJ, said the threat was coming because of the defecon of some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) in Osogbo.

According to Raji, an unknown caller has been threatening to deal with him on phone because of the defecon of the APC members.

The contractor who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, said he was being threatened by the people he refused to men on their names because of the ‘erroneous believe’ that he ins gated the APC members to go to PDP. He said: “I received a strange call this morning (Wednesday) in respect of some APC members who defected to the

PDP. The unknown caller threatened me.

“People worked for APC in Osogbo but they were abandoned. I inherited them and started empowering them; widows, students, market women and the aged. I made several overtures to Governor Oyetola and other notable APC leaders and

members in the state.

“But some appointed sycophants in government mislead the Governor and he abandoned them (the APC members). They later got frustrated and moved to The Osun Progressives (TOP).

However, some of them have decided to stay in APC and some

have moved to PDP. “I only helped the party to support them, I don’t have control over their poli cal future or decisions.”

Raji said he has reported the threat to the police, warning those that were planning to a ack him to desist or face the consequence.

Osun Govt. Reinstates Teacher Suspended Over Facebook Post

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HE State Government of Osun has reinstated a teacher at Masifa Community Grammar School in Ejigbo Local Government, Mr Philip Akinyemi who was earlier suspended for allegedly abusing Governor Adegboyega Oyetola through a facebook post.

Akinyemi was in December 2021 suspended indefinitely by the government, accusing him of pos ng “abusive” comments and pictures against Oyetola on face-

book.

The facebook posts were said to be in favour of ‘The Osun Progressives’, a caucus of the All Progressives Congress loyal to the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Educaon, Alh. Jamiu Olawunmi, confirmed Akinyemi’s reinstatement to newsmen on Wednesday.

Olawunmi said the teacher was reinstated after showing remorse.

He said: “The essence of punishment is to reform not destroy. Suspending him is to reform him and make him be of good conduct and respect the office of the governor.

Also, the teacher confirmed his reinstatement to OSUN DEFENDER on a telephone interview.

When asked if his political posi on has changed, the teacher said, “I am now neutral.”

He added: “It is true that I have been reinstated. I am happy and I thank the government.”

Osun 2022: 333,179 PVCs Ready For Collection – INEC Yusuf Oketola

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HE Independent Naonal Electoral Commission (INEC) has said no fewer than 333,179 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were ready for collec on in the State of Osun.

This was made known by the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Abdulganiyu Raji on Wednesday at a workshop organised for journalists and informa on officers.

Raji, who was represented by INEC Head of Department, Elec on and Party Monitoring, Alhaji Shehu Muhammad, explained that the PVCs were printed a er the comple on of the Connuous Voter Registra on (CVR) exercise in March.

He said the PVCs are for new registrants and reissued PVCs for old/exis ng registrants and urged those concerned to pick their cards at the nearest INEC Local Government Area office to their residence.

“The PVCs are for new registrants and reissued PVCs for those that corrected informa on on their cards, replaced defaced

and lost cards and those transferring their vo ng rights to Osun”, said Raji.

Raji said the commission was 95 per cent ready for the conduct of the July 16 governorship elec on in the state.

He said: “Going by our level of preparedness towards the conduct of the governorship elec on today in Osun, we are 95 per cent ready.

“Our office has taken delivery and custody of virtually all non-sensi ve materials and batching had been done at the Local Government Areas (LGAs).

“The remaining five per cent are what we refer to as sensi ve materials, which

by INEC prac ce, will not arrive un l about 48 hours to the commencement of the elec on.”

Raji also stated that the commission has commenced trainings of staff, Ad-hoc staff and other stakeholders.

According to him, the root training for youth corps members, who cons tute the bulk of the adhoc staff, started seven weeks ago.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 - THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

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News

Family, Amotekun, Police, Trade Words Over Killing Of Two In Osogbo Our Reporter

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ONTROVERSIES have surrounded the killing of two tradi onal medicine sellers in Osogbo, Waheed Akinpelu and Kazeem Rasaq.

Akinpelu and Rasaq were reportedly killed by officers of the South-West Security Network known as Amotekun on Tuesday at Balogun Agoro area, Osogbo, capital of the state.

But the Field Commandant of Amotekun corps, Com. Amitolu Shi u, denied the report, saying that his men were not involved in any shootout, not to talk of killing anybody.

The death of the Osogbo indigenes have resulted into word trading between the families of the deceased, police and Amotekun.

Amotekun Killed Our Children - Family Members

Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday, the family members of both Akinpelu and Rasaq alleged the State Southwest Security Network of the killing the two young men.

The family members accused Amotekun of trying to bury the truth by coming up with a cover story that it was members of two rival cult groups that a acked one another.

According to the mother of late Akinpelu, the herbal medicine seller was shot alongside Rasaq, by the Amotekun officers where they were ea ng bread and beans.

She maintained that Akinpelu, who was her only son was not a cul st, calling on the government and people of the state to help her bring the killer of her son to jus ce.

The bereaved woman said: “My son came home on Monday from Ijebu Ode where he went to sell his herbal medicine. He met me inside and told me he wanted to go out, I asked him where he was going again since he arrived not long.

“He went to where a woman is selling bread and beans to eat and it was there the Amotekun corps killed him. My son was not a thief. He was not a cultist. He was the only one I have”.

An elder sister to the deceased who pleaded anonymity said: “The two deceased were ea ng when a female Amotekun Corps shot them.

“The state government intervened on Tuesday and appealed to us to calm down, promising to get to the root of the ma er. But to our greatest surprise, we heard a report this morning (Wednesday) where they

(Amotekun) claimed that the deceased were cul sts figh ng one another.

“That is a big lie. The police came to the scene of the incident and saw what happened.

Amotekun corps were the one who killed our children. They were not cul sts.

“We protested to the palace of the Ataoja and from there, we went to the house of the Field Commandant of Amotekun. On sigh ng us, the security guiding the house opened fire on us and we had to run for our lives.

“On Wednesday, the Amotekun came to our area and threatened us with guns and we had to call the police authority who intervene by sending some officers to our area”.

Police Reveal How Vic ms Were Killed

Reac ng to the killing of the deceased, the Osun State Police Command said its preliminary inves ga on revealed that the deceased were allegedly killed by opera ves of Amotekun corps.

The police in a press release signed by its Public Rela ons Officer, Yemisi Opalola, on Wednesday, said the killing was what triggered some angry youths to a ack the residence of Amotekun Field Commandant, Amitolu Shi u.

The statement read in parts; “The Osun State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public and to set the record straight concerning the unfortunate incident of 14th June, 2022 at about 9:00am, that led to the death of one Waheed Akinpelu and Kazeem Rasaq.

“The preliminary inves ga on conducted revealed that, some youths at Sabo, planta on area of Osogbo, Osun State were allegedly a acked and shot by the South West Security Network (Amotekun Corps), which prompted some youths to embark on a protest against the ac on of the corps.

“In view of this, the house of the Field Marshal of the Amotekun corps, Comrade Amitolu Shi u was a acked by some angry youths and he immediately called for the assistance of the Police which the Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode, responded to by dra ing officers to the scene to restore normalcy.”

•Amitolu. corps, Amitolu Shi u, denied the report, saying the corps only made some arrest during the clash by suspected cul sts in Osogbo.

Shi u, while featuring on ‘Rave FM’ programme in Osogbo, yesterday, accused the police command of trying to malign the

•Olokode.

Amotekun corps with its hasty conclusion.

According to him, “Opera ves of the command were on patrol on Tuesday when they saw some people running around a compound called ‘Asoje’ directly opposite Esuyale in Osogbo. The offic-

Traditional Medical Practitioners Need Modern Equipment To Boost Trade - Expert Yusuf Oketola

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tradi onal medical prac oner, Dr. Oluwole Ibitowa, has stressed the importance of introducing modern medical equipment to boost tradional and herbal medicines in Nigeria and Africa at large to meet interna onal standard.

Ibitowa noted that there are some viable drugs that are potent and can be used in trea ng most ailments ravaging human being, noting that some of the products are not packaged in modern form which prevent tradi onal medicine praconers from taking it outside the country.

The Oyo based expert stated this at a workshop/ seminar organised for tradional medicine prac oners in the State of Osun, on Monday.

In his address, Ibitowa stressed that the importance

of modern medical equipment to tradi onal medicine cannot be overemphasized for successful prac ce.

He stated that it is necessary for tradi onal medicine prac oners to diagnose a pa ent before the prescripon of any drugs, saying that will help in iden fying the disease and that can only be achieved through a modern equipment.

According to him, some diseases have common signs and symptoms which may confuse whoever does not have normal training.

“But with the aid of modern equipment, such ailments or diseases will be discovered”, he said.

Ibitowa said: “We know there are viable drugs that are potent and can treat most of the ailments ravaging human being.

“But the problem we are having presently is that the products are not packaged in the modern form

Our Men Did Not Kill Anybody, Police Trying To Pull Us Down - Commandant Reac ng to the claim of the police, the Field Commandant of Amotekun

ers paused and waited for some mes. Later, they saw some boys moving towards them and they apprehended one of them.

The apprehended suspect was handed over to the Police An -Cul sm there and they le immediately”.

He added that the direct

a ack on the corps by the Police was too disheartening for an agency of government.

His words; “My men did not kill anyone. Anybody can issue statement saying all sort of lies to this world.

I am less concerned. I don’t know what the police want to gain by dissemina ng lies and pulling down Amotekun.

It is best known to them, the reason why they were so in haste and hellbent in pulling down Amotekun. That is a direct a ack on us and it is too disheartening for an agency of government.

“Amotekun was also alleged wrongly by the same ins tu on when a journalist was shot at Olaiya when we were not there at all.

“In the last three months, I have transferred over 50 cases to the police.

I understand where the smoke is coming from and I want to tell you that, all those who believe they can bring down Amotekun are just chasing shadows”.

•Dr. Ibitowa delivering his address at the seminar.

and this prevents them from being taken outside Nigeria.

People are looking down on those drugs.”

Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, explained that knowledge is very key in any trade or profession, charging tradi onal medicine prac oners to further embark on research in the field.

Isamotu noted that the source of some tablets and drugs from foreign countries are from Africa, especially in Nigeria.

He said: If tradi onal medicines prac oners can also adopt new equipment

towards their prac ce, foreigner will stop taken advantage of us. Source of most foreign tablets and drugs are from the country.

“If we can tap into modern equipment, we will find out a lot of things we have not known before. We have found out that some herbs in Nigeria are being taken to abroad for repackage and brought back to us.

“Also, some of these medicines are discovered through research. To know the exact health challenge a par cular pa ent is having, and to not render a potent drug useless, we need this modern equipment to carry out some test on the pa ent”.

Media Orientation Against Monkeypox In Osun

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ONKEYPOX is a rare disease that is caused by infecon with monkeypox virus.

Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae.

The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus As the virus is fast spreading across the globe, 15 Cases of Monkeypox has been recorded in some states in Nigeria so far. This makes it per nent for media Houses in the state of Osun to embark on massive orienta on and sensi sa on programmes for the people against the virus.

The state government, through the Ministry of Health, should also swing into ac on and roll out proper orienta on programmes, among the people against the spread of the virus.

For the benefit of the people, some precau on measures people also need to be taken into cognisance and observed at all me. This includes avoiding close physical contact with people who are sick, abstain from kissing, hug, or sharing kitchen utensils or cups with others, washing of hands o en with soap and water, Keeping hands •Kausarat Adediran writes from ICON Universal Polytechnic, Osogbo.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 - THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 VOL. 17 NO 23 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

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RE you a civil or public servant in this State? Do you have a standard you pursue in service, life or marriage? Do you know each day presents you an opportunity to decide on what to be in life? Have you discovered when it should be your turn in any game of chance? Do you know nothing is bad to ac vate the principle in a decent way? Do you know this service is supposed to be a stepping-stone for all us and not a final des na on? Do you know making it a final des na on kills all other poten als in us? Do you know Plato warns: “We must decide what manner of men we shall be and what call of life we must follow. This is the greatest problem of the world.”

Do you know nothing is wasted? Do you know you can earn credit for li le efforts you make? Have you forgo en Alajo Somolu, a famous thri collector, famous for his ingenuity in thri collec on that many thought he was a Yoruba myth? Can you recall that our parents who never visited Lagos, equally narrated his ingenuity? Can you recall we were told of how he would collect thri from 10,000 people daily without pu ng their names down, and at the end of the year he would pay each person back accurately without missing any one? Do you know we only learnt of his original name later in the media to be Late Pa Alphaeus Taiwo Olunaike? Do you know he lived for 97 years and breathed his last on 11th August, 2012 at his famed Shomolu residence in Lagos and was buried on 22nd September, at the Church of Nigeria Cathedral, Isonyin, Ijebu in Ogun State? Comrades! What are we sign-posting? Do you know his trade name became a common praise for all round intelligence in Yoruba dic onary? Do you know if we cannot improve on his thri y skills, can we just copy faithfully his honesty in public service – his sense of fidelity, probity and accountability in office, personal life and marriage?

Can we? An anecdote cuts in: “Your brain is as sharp as that of Alajo Somolu, who collected thri for three years and paid back all his customers without wri ng down a single name and without making a single mistake with the payment.”

Did you share in the euphoria of “Emi lo kan” Declara on of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu in Abeokuta? Do you take it to be a joke? Do you know it is loaded? Have you seen the result of resilience and singlemindedness in Strategic Planning and Strategic Management Technique in Public Administra on developed by Robert Stewart and Arnold Mitchell in Stanford Research Ins tute? As professionals, what other praccal lessons do you need than the one gratuitously offered by Asiwaju? Can you recall that in the campaign of Asiwaju, there was

“Do you know you must communicate your bravery clearly and loudly as deterence as we saw in ‘Emi lo kan Declaration” of Abeokuta to send the right signal? After this victory, can you see how he has released his blue-print as agenda for Nigeria? ”

News Family, Amotekun, Police, Trade Words Over Killing Of Two In Osogbo Pg. 7

PERSPECTIVE BY OLOWGBOYEGA OYEBADE

EMI LOKAN: “The Only Good Human Being Is A Dead One” SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportuni es and threats? Comrades! Can you recall that in the campaigns of Asiwaju, you saw PESTEL analysis coming out live and direct? Can you see how he analyses Poli cal, Economic, Sociological, Legal, and Environmental factors around him and used them to his advantage as a genius? Can you recall that there were implosions from what supposed to be his camp? Do you know there may be obstacles to your success from yourself, from your office, from your family and marriage? Do you know you have to understand the weakness of all these weaknesses to overcome the challenge of daring to demand for power?

Can you take omele e without breaking an egg? Do you know the template of Public Administra on laid by Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, John Locke, Julius Nyerere, Kwame Nkruma and Sage Obafemi Awolowo em-

STRIKER

phasises mental alertness over physical frailes and wealth? Do you know that while the detractors of Asiwaju were insinua ng about his strongness or otherwise, he reminded them he was not planning to be a bricklayer or a carpenter but compe ng to solve the ins tu onal problem of Nigeria which is a mental assignment? Comrades!

Can you remind someone complain of your physical frailty that Franklin Delano Roosevelt who served as the 32nd President of the United States between 1933 to 1945 and indeed, the actual man who prosecuted the 2nd World War was a disabled man, crippled down the waist by polio? Do you know that the present Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States had brain surgery in 1988?

Do you know Plato concludes that the man with the best mental ability is made of gold and should climb the rostrum to be the Philosopher King to rule the ‘polis’? Plato cuts

in: “The ‘polis’ (city) is an aggregate of many people and educa on is the only one means of uni ng them and giving them progress…

No two individuals are exactly born alike but each differs from the others in natural endowments. One good for one thing and another for another. Everything will be produced in superior quality and quan ty when individuals are put in the occupa ons that agree with their natural gi s.”

Do you know you must communicate your bravery clearly and loudly as deterence as we saw in ‘Emi lo kan Declara on” of Abeokuta to send the right signal? A er this victory, can you see how he has released his blue-print as agenda for Nigeria? Can you see the richness of his idea and the cer tude of his vision of accomplishments? Can you see Asiwaju criss-crossing the homes and offices of co-contestants, mending fences for the job ahead? Can you see he is not scapegoa ng nor brooding with any one for laying thorns on his way to power? Can you see he is making peace with all stakeholders including the man that unilaterally announced prematurely a different ‘consensus candidate’ before the elec on was conducted, possibly to put the contest in a mute mode?

And to all civil and public servants in Osun, what lessons in Public Administra on are you learning from this iconic prodigy? Are you visionary about your thinking in your office, life and marriage? Do you have achievements to speak for you later when you step down from that office? When are you making further declara on for your be er future in service, life and marriage? Can you recall that Snowball says: “The only good human being is a dead one”? By the grace of God, Asiwaju, you will be the next President of Nigeria in 2023. Jagaban! Congratula ons!

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

Eating Their Cakes And Having It

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NE of the characteris cs of poli cs in a democracy increasingly looking like “demonstra on of craze,” is the u er lack of principle from the onset, or its abandonment: on the part of the party and poli cians. Principle is the least expected from poli cs and poli cians in a clime where ideology and morality have been je soned along with detailed manifestoes. One, at least, expects a given set of rules according to which the game must be played and faithfulness to those rules by all.

Unfortunately, here we are again in Nigeria where the least expected policy of integrity is abandoned by power mongering poli cians. Their stock in trade is lack of scruple as they say “yeah” moments ago and “Nay” now, on the same issue, driven only by personal interest and ambi on.

They go all the way – believing they can always eat their cakes and s ll have them!

People who cannot be faithful to their own very words on record, how much else the collec ve rules agreed on, gentlemanly or explicitly wri en? All are to be manipulated as they dance forwards and backwards, talking from both sides of the mouth.

Nothing is spared, not even the rules of the prophets as explicitly stated in the Holy books; everything is to be manipulated and translated in the light of self-interest at the risk of grave na onal consequences.

To understand the gravity of the situa-

on and its nega vity, simply go over the videos and u erances of all the major poli cal elites during their public campaigns just only in the last 10 years! Compare the words spoken and promises made with the reali es they delivered over the years, with the power entrusted them.

Today, suddenly, ethnic balance (not ethnicity) no longer ma ers; religious sensibili es (not religious extremism and bigotry) no longer ma ers. All you need to do is simply put the videos of their u erances in the public spaces they’ve occupied in rewind and you get to the sec on, not long ago, where they were aggressively championing same posi on denied today, and even insis ng that Nigeria’s survival depends on it!

Poli cs and poli cal par es should be founded on ideals that are lo y, a racting like-minded, visionary poli cians, who come together to seek public service and governmental power on the basis of those clearly stated noble believes. Since the military turned Nigeria into a unitary state and killed true federalism; since the sweetness of an indolent life lived in opulence on account of monthly alloca on from basically crude oil sales became the eli st craze; we have become hostages to a poli cs completely gone haywire, from party formaon, internal party democracy, inter-party contests, electoral crime punishments, et al; anything and everything goes as big

money comes into decisive play, in the pursuit of power for even bigger money and personal se lements of age long agenda.

Yes, change is the constant in life and what is okay today, for equity and fairness, may not be necessary again with me and growth. The simple ques on and test to which their inconsistency and lack of integrity can be subjected, however, is to put yesterday’s reality when they shouted “yeah” vehemently, by the side of today’s ethno and religious reali es now that they are shou ng “nay” like possessed mediums.

Nigeria’s transport vessel to the Promised Land is crash-landed in the wild jungle and Nigerians are lost in the land of trial, hardship and tribula ons. It is a long way home, with poli cal par es and poli cal elites whose macabre stranglehold on the polity is suffoca ng. Nevertheless, every challenge presented by history to any people is presented along with the means and opportuni es to overcome it. The people and the na on’s patriots simply need to rouse themselves from lethal slumber and do the needful for their salva on. Thinking messiahs will come from amongst those accountable for the miseries is inclining exactly as PLO Lumumba said: “We are the co-author of our own misfortunes... We elect hyenas to take care of our goats... and when the goats are consumed, we wonder why.”

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