Osun Defender Online Version of November 26, 2021

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2021

Controversy Trails Selection Of Candidate For Akirun’s Stool

•Court Restrains Obaara,

Page 4 Adedeji From Contesting Stool

VOL 16 NO 46

Group Condemns Growing Insecurity In Osun •Says Gov Not Addressing Situation, Focused On Rubbishing Predecessor Page 4

Police Reveal How Adegoke Died In Hotel Room, Buried In The Bush

Page 7

Osun 2022:

Opposition Rises Against Oyetola •Lasun, Adeoti, Salaam Eye APC Guber Ticket 2 e •Party Members, Group Renew ‘Osun West Agenda’ - Pag •I’m Unshaken, God In Charge Of My Second Term – Oyetola

•Oyetola

•Lasun

•Adeoti

•Najeem

Stop Promoting Monarchs Who Don’t Believe In Yoruba Culture - Oba Makama Tells Journalists

Page 5

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2021

2

News

Opposition Rises Against Oyetola Ismaeel Uthman

T

HERE seems to be no automa c cket for Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2022 governorship elec on in the State of Osun.

Oyetola may have to slug it out again with three of the governorship aspirants who contested the cket of the party with him in 2018.

This is just as the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representa ves, Rt. Hon Lasun Yussuff declared interest in the 2022 gubernatorial elec on under the APC. OSUN DEFENDER also gathered that former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeo and former Speaker of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam are also aiming to clinch the cket of the party.

It would be recalled that the trio of Yusuf, Adeo and Salaam contested to be the flagbearer of the APC in 2018 before Oyetola emerged through direct primaries.

But Adeo did not wait for the APC primaries, alleging that it was schemed to favour Oyetola who was the least popular among the aspirants.

Adeo defected to the Ac on Democra c Party (ADP) where he contested the governorship elec on and polled 49,743 votes.

He returned to the APC in 2020 a er much pressure on him by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

However, Salaam who was second to Adeo in the struggle to zone the APC governorship cket to Osun West Senatorial District then, par cipated in the primaries and came third, a er which he worked for the emergence of Oyetola at the September 22, 2018 gubernatorial elec on.

Salaam was accused of betraying the ‘West Agenda’ by suppor ng Oyetola in 2018.

Incidentally, things have fallen apart between Oyetola and Salaam as the later has been sidelined in both government and party affairs.

OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that both Adeo and Salaam will contest the governorship cket of the party with Oyetola in 2022.

But none of them has come out to declare his inten on as the former speaker of the Federal House of Representa ves did during the 2021 Ilobu day two weeks ago.

Lasun had on Saturday, November 13, declared

•(R-L)The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba (Dr) Abdurasheed Ayotunde Olabomi; Governor of Osun, Mr Gboyega Oyetola; his wife, Kafayat and 2021 Iragbiji Day Chairman, Former Genaral Managing Director, Odua Investment Company, Chief Adebayo Jimoh, during the 30th Iragbiji Day Celebration themed Development for Progress, at Oke- Iragbiji Grammar School Ground, Iragbiji that he is interested on the 2022 governorship elecon on the pla orm of the APC. He said: “With love for our state and a fierce commitment to a vision of rapid progress for Osun

where the incumbent had been seen to pass the bulk instead of concentra ng in further development of the infrastructure which founda on have been hugely laid by his predecessor.

“Without the spirit of

con nuity, had prompted me to want to come and make great amendment.

Government is not about wearing caps, it is about understanding of what is need to be done to banish the scourge of poverty

completely in the midst of our people.

“It is with this convicon and some other rudiments of applica on of poli cal knowledge that I offer myself to serve my dear state once again.”

Agric Foundation To Connect Farmers, Food Processors In Osun To The World Yusuf Oketola

A

N Osun based Agricultural Foundaon, Agritourism Empowerment Foundaon has declared its readiness to connect farmers, food processors in the State of Osun to the interna onal world.

This is just as the founda on said it is set to organise a Food and Drink Fes val this December,

describing it a first of its kind in the state.

According to the Coordinator of the event, Ms. Ife Adeniyi, the mission of the event is to provide affordable and enjoyable local food and drinks that are locally driven and naonwide appealing, incorporates delicious, locally sourced, and sustainably produced ingredients.

Adeniyi said the fes val will promote the amaz-

ing food, art, culture, tradi on, music and tourism a rac ons that makes Osun a great place to live and visit.

“She said this event will serve as means of uni ng communi es through celebra ons of harvests and giving thanks for a plen ful growing season. Osun Food and Drink Fes val is an annual showcase of the hard work and dedicaon of farmers, local food

Symbol’s Quote

“The bottom-line is that a delayed justice is a denied justice. There should be a deliberate judicial action that will lead to acceleration of trials with strict deadlines set for the conclusion of investigations, trials and delivering of judgments in all cases, as we see and admire in other, especially developed countries, where trials and judgments are wrapped-up in one week”

and drink producers, and their fabulous produce.

“The 7-day event that is fun packed is the first of its kind in Osun that will pull in over 100,000 people spanning across all demographics and outside Nigeria with over 150 exhibi on stands to enjoy the rich ambience of our indigenous heritage and the one thing that unites people all over the world: the love for good food.

“The event will also offer entertainment, arts, culinary experiences such as food and wine tas ngs, comedy shows, dancing and food ea ng compe on.

The coordinator added that the main purpose of the fes val is to bring farmers and women in agriculture, co-operate society, food processors, diaspora and the whole community at large.

“We are bringing them all together to interact with them on how their food is being done and processed to see the peculiarity of the meals because Osun is a very cultural state and we are trying to exhibit the culture, the food system, the way we eat, the food history and their own remix selling point.

“It is also done in other countries of the world and in some other states as well and this is the first me is going to happen in Osun.

Yussuff had also during the mee ng of Osun APC Elder Caucus (Agba Osun) reportedly told the party’s elders that he would contest the governorship elecon, a declara on that did not go down well with some of them.

When contacted, Alhaji Moshood Adeo was not available for comment, same with former speaker, Salam.

However, one of Adeo ’s aide who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under condi on of anonymity yesterday said: “Alhaji is interested in the governorship cket. He is going to contest and he will lead the Osun West Agenda again.

“You know what is happening in our party. You know we cannot win any elec on with the current situa on. It has gone worse from what we had in 2018.

APC should choose its governorship candidate from the West if we want to win in next year’s elec on.”

Speaking with the medium in a telephone interview, one of the leaders of Iwaloye Campaign Structure, said the Ejigbo born poli cian will contest the governorship cket of the party with Oyetola.

The APC chie ain who did not want his named men oned said: “APC’s best bet in 2022 is Rt. Hon Najeem Salaam. He is interested and will contest the APC cket with Oyetola.

You know he is a popular man and a consistent polician. If APC wants to win 2022 governorship elec on, it should pick its candidate from Osun West. Anything short of that will amount to exercise in fu lity.”

According to the Naonal Secretariat of the APC, sale of forms for the governorship aspirants began on November 18, 2021, a development that signaled commencement of elec oneering campaign within the party.

It would be recalled that the Independent Naonal Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier released scheduled July 16, 2022 for the poll.

Group Calls For Zoning Of Gov. Ticket To Osun West

A Non Governmental Organisa on, Good Governance Ini a ve, has renewed calls for the zoning of the governorship cket of all poli cal par es to Osun West Senatorial district.

The group, in a communique issued at the end of its mee ng on Friday, November 12, 2021, said the principle of fairness should be applied to the 2022 governorship elec on by zoning the cket to Osun •Continued on page 7

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2021

3

Review & Outlook

BY JIDE AFOLABI Asserting Rights, Privileges Conscionably The Democratic Get-Together

T

HE hallmarks of democra c governance include par cipaon, representa on, all-inclusion, the absolute reckoning with voices and minds of the people, knowing full well that power resides with the people. Being mindful of these, se ng the ball rolling for ge ng the greatest benefits for the good of largest possible number of people becomes the target. Governance under Democracy is ins tuted to avoid anarchy. Hence, the ra onale behind ins tu ng law and order.

It is in consummate pursuance of the foregoing that rights and privileges are guaranteed and enshrined in the Cons tu on and other bodies of law. The central concept in this regard is the Rule of Law, which connotes supremacy of the law of the land, equality in rights and privileges and equality before the law.

But as sameness is not the order of the universe, equality is, most often, a concept in abstrac on. What is a ainable and achievable, in real context, is equity - one’s right is rela ve to those of others. Rights and privileges are wide, diverse and divergent to the extent that if all of us act and exert all the me in ways pursuant only to prosecu ng our rights, we are bound to infringe on the rights of others. This, as a ma er of certainty, will give rise to anarchy, the same shoddy situa on that government seeks to nip in the bud.

It is in the light of this that we

“In prosecuting matters that uphold our rights, we should endeavour to appreciate and tolerate the rights of others, noting that theirs begin at the exact point where ours end.

Rights come attached with Obligations and Responsibilities” sue for a more responsible ci zenship - a ci zenship that is conscious of and responsive to the rights of others. Even in prosecu ng ma ers that uphold our rights, we should endeavour to appreciate and tolerate the rights of others, no ng that theirs begin at the exact point where ours end. Rights come a ached with Obliga ons and Responsibili es.

No democra c order or culture could be firmly entrenched without according prominence and pride of place to the foregoing. All segments and strata of our populace require deep training and sensi sa on in the arts and dynamics of democracy, so as not to plant wrong foo ng in the sands of democracy, especially when asser ng our rights. We owe others some benefits of conscience.

Fuel Subsidy: A Coming Deluge Leadership comes with a burden. O en mes, difficult; even unpalatable decisions have to be made. It is from this perspec ve that we must examine the announcement about the phasing out of the perennially conten ous fuel subsidies.

This is not the me to indulge in contextual about the interpreta on of subsidies.

The government should have taken the decision early and the en re fiscal framework had become not just unsustainable, it was becoming destruc ve.

With nonfunc onal refineries, we are not even gaining from up cks in the interna onal crude oil market.

The government’s decision,

though belated, is correct.

What has to be done is a program of transi on to cushion the pain of readjustment.

The government should have worked out a detailed transion arrangement before announcing the N5,000 monthly grants which has inadvertently obscured the fundamentals.

There should now be properly structured mass transit strategies for within and for interstates. Mercifully, Diesel which is used for the vehicles has for long being totally deregulated.

The strategic impera-

ve here is to go for bust on mass transit and end bo lenecks, for example the ports in terms of clearing buses, spare parts and so forth. In addi on, new forms of logis cs systems and perhaps even coopera ves will have to be induced in crea ve attempts to bridge the gaps between supply and demand.

Finally, the government must be more crea ve and sensi ve in informa on dissemina on. Readjustment will be hard. What the government must do is to gently shi the territory of the debate in the direc on of its own posi on which is a er all in the na onal interest.

•Ogunjimi Jinadu, from Osogbo.

W

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, NOVEMBER 26 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2021

4

News

Osun FFS Orientates Students, Market Women On Fire Safety Measures Yusuf Oketola

T

HE Federal Fire Service in the State of Osun has embarked on a four-day orienta on programme to enlighten members of the public on safety precau ons towards the ember months.

The orienta on program was designed as part of the FFS Safety Week themed ‘Preven on is Key to Fire Safety’.

Among the par cipants at the programme were market women and secondary school students from Osogbo, the state capital.

Students from various secondary schools were taught some safety measures in case of fire outbreak in their environment.

The process on how to suppress fire in the house and work places was also displayed by the FFS men and the par cipatory students prac ced what they were taught.

The Zonal Commander

•Osun FFS Safety Kids Ambassador, Stephanie Sangolade displaying how to extinguish fire to other students during the programme.

Photo: Shola Aderinto of FFS, Zone L Command, Osogbo, Mr. Daramola Taiwo, admonished the students and other members of the public to stay off any

hazardous prac ce which may cause fire outbreak in their home and environment.

Taiwo said: “To avert

fire outbreak, the major thing to do is to be safety conscious and another thing is that children should not play with any-

thing that can bring out fire. They should not be allowed to play with matches and they should keep off from all incident that

can bring fire within the premises.

“Students and youths were inten onally targeted for this programme because the carelessness aspect of fire can start from children. But, when we catch them young, they will know what exactly to do when there is fire, when there is no fire and what to do a er the fire outbreak.

Students from IfeOluwa Grammar School, Our Lady of St’ Fa ma Catholic School, Laro Grammar School, Osogbo Grammar School, Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Kunike Interna onal School, all in Osogbo were par cipants at the programme.

A student of our Lady of St’ Fa ma Catholic School, Stephanie Sangolade, was decorated as the Fire Safety Kid Ambassador of Osun Fire Service as she came first in the Quiz Compe on organised during the event.

Controversy Trail Selection Of Candidate For Akirun’s Stool •Ifa Oracle Consulted Before Selecting Akirun-elect - Kingmaker Ismaeel Uthman

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ONTROVERSIES have been trailing the selec on of a candidate to fill the vacant stool of Akirun of Ikirun by kingmakers of the community.

Six of the kingmakers had last Friday announced that they have selected Prince Yunus Olalekan Akadiri from Obaara Ruling House as the Akirun-elect.

According to report, six of the seven kingmakers in Ikirun voted in support of Akadiri against the nomina on of Dr Ismaila Olasunkanmi Adeyemi.

However, Gboleru Ruling House has been protes ng Akadiri’s selec on, describing it as daylight robbery of its right and desecra on of the Akirun’s stool.

Gboleru ruling house was originally next to produce the new Akirun a er the demise of late Oba Abdulrauf Olawale who was from Adedeji ruling house.

But Gboleru lost its right to the Obaara ruling house following a court judgment in a suit filed by some people in the ruling house before an Ikirun High Court.

The court headed by Jus ce Jide Falola, on November 5, 2021, held that since Gboleru was unable to se le for a candidate, the next ruling house, which is Obaara, should be allowed to present a candidate.

Though the court verdict was immediately appealed by the Gboleru ruling house, it was unable to get an injunc on or stay of execu on on the selec on process by the kingmakers for the new Akirun un l yesterday.

The kingmakers had on Friday, November 19, held an elec on at the Secretariat of Ifelodun Local Government Council, where Akadiri was elected as the new Akirun.

How Poli cians Manipulated, Compromised Process, Six Other Kingmakers - Eesa But the Eesa of Ikirun, Chief Lawal Adetoyese, said he was hoodwinked by other kingmakers on the elec on.

Adetoyese who spoke on Rave FM radio programme on Tuesday, said: “The informa on came to me last Friday that there would be a mee ng at the Local Government Secretariat. The mee ng turned to an elec on when I got there.

Before that day, six of my kingmakers were incommunicado.

They are nowhere to be found in Ikirun.

“They were smuggled out of Ikirun. Up ll now that I am

•Prince Akadiri. speaking to you, I do not know their whereabouts. We were supposed to have a session in my palace yesterday (Monday) as part of our normal day-to-day ac vi es, the six of them did not come. I did not get through to them on phone too.

“I was told it was Chief Moshood Oluawo popularly known as Moshadek that compromised them.”

“The Local Government Chairman invited everyone including the aspirants from Obaara Ruling House who paid for the form and all the kingmakers. About 18 aspirants from that ruling house were there.

“I was the only person that did not vote for Olalekan Akadiri.“ I do not consider Prince Olalekan Akadiri as the

Akirun-Elect. It was not accepted by the community. There has been a lot of li ga ons over this process. I have received a lot of injunc ons and stay of execu on over this kingship tussle. There was a No ce of Appeal from Gboleru Ruling House and a Stay of Execu on. It was a er the elec on that Gboleru Ruling House filed their papers and all the papers came in.

“It was the turn of Gboleru to produce new Akirun but there has been a li ga on over the kingship tussle because of the internal crisis they are having and their inability to produce a candidate to the kingmakers.

“The court delivered judgment on the case on November 5, 2021, that the Gboleru ruling house was not serious and could not hold the town to ransom. The court said we should move to the next ruling house. That is why the Obaara people were invited.

“Since the selec on process came in, there have been lots of protests in the town by women, old men, Iyalojas, okada riders. I see it as something dangerous for the government to coronate the Oba with a stay of execu on and injunc on. All these papers have been served to them.”

Also, an emerging pressure group in Ikirun, The Concerned Ikirun Youths, has accused Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of undue interference in the selec on process of the new Akirun.

The group which addressed a press conference on Wednesday in Osogbo, faulted the process that purportedly produced Akadiri, describing it as fraudulent and undemocra c.

The group said: “We feel that the purported selec on process of the new Akirun is faulty and was influenced by the government. This is so because the selec on of any Oba in Yorubaland does not necessarily entails vo ng. It entails Ifa divina on and consulta on.

“Tradi on behoves that a er the consulta on of Ifa, the selected aspirant/candidate will be announced as the new King. According to the Eesa and other prominent people in Ikirun, there was no form of divina on for the selec on. The Eesa who doubles as the Head of the Kingmakers was unable to reach his colleagues 72 hours prior to the purported •Continued on Page 6

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2021

5

News

Police Reveal How Adegoke Died In Hotel Room, Buried In The Bush Ismaeel Uthman & Kazeem Badmus

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HE State of Osun Police Command have revealed the circumstances surrounding the death of a Master of Business Administraon student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Mr Timothy Adegoke, whose case has become a public issue.

According to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Wale Olokode, Adegoke lodged in Hilton Hotels and Resorts and died in his room.

Olokode said instead of aler ng the police, the management and staff of the hotel, led by its Managing Director, Roheem Adedoyin, allegedly evacuated Adegoke’s remains and buried it in the bush.

Adedoyin, who is the son of the Chairman of the Hotel, Raman Adedoyin, had since been on the run, according to the police boss.

Olokode spoke in an interview on a private radio sta on, Rave FM’s Frank Talk programme in Osogbo, on Monday.

He said: “The case is a very sensi ve one and we had to embark on a very intensive inves gaon and at the end of the day, we were able to uncover some facts which are, that the deceased died inside the hotel room in Ile-Ife and the corpse was discovered a er two days and taken to a place.

“Through our invesga on, we found the corpse where it was buried. The staff all confessed that the vic m died in the hotel room but none of them confessed to the actual killing.

•Late Adegoke

•Adedoyin’s Son On The Run

“One of the receponists who was on duty and believing that the guest paid for two nights and she expect that by Sunday, he would have le , went to that room and knock and a er several knock without reply, she came down to look for spare key and open the room and found the dead body of the man.

“She ran to the Manager on duty who equally went there and found the dead body. So, the staff all knew the vic m was dead.

“Each of the staff believed that it was their duty to report to the management of the hotel and a er repor ng, the Managing Director of the hotel reportedly rushed down to the hotel to confirm what he heard and he le later.

“The staff believed he had gone to the police to report or the hospital to arrange for an ambulance, only for him to come back and ask the two managers to assist him to take the corpse.

At that point, they s ll believed that he was taking the corpse to the police only for the MD to drive to a bush and ask them to throw the corpse in the bush, adding that they should not say anything. The personal property of the corpse was also thrown into the bush.

“The MD, who is now at large is the son of Dr. Rahman Adedoyin. The staff told us that they informed the Chairman on the day they found out that the vic m has died.

“None of the staff members informed the

•Osun Pensioners with placard during their protest on Tuesday. police. It was the report of the missing person that made the an -kidnapping team who then discovered through their me culous inves ga on and traced the so-called missing person to that hotel and then traced the corpse, where it was found.”

“I was not there when the body was exhumed but those who went there did not report any form of mu la on or violence on the body of the deceased.”

However, autopsy had been conducted on the corpse of the deceased at the mortuary of Osun State University Teaching Hospital Complex UNIOSUNTH. The result of the autopsy was yet to be released as at the me of filing this report.

This is just as lawyer to the family of the deceased, Kayode Ajulo and some members of the public, have been condemning an audio in which Adedoyin cleared himself of allega on of complicity in the death of the OAU student and stated categorically that he is not a ritualist.

Ajulo ques oned why the police would allow Adedoyin, a prime suspect in the murder case, to have enough freedom to the extent of recording his voice and released same to the public while in deten on.

He said: “I must condemn the broadcast publica on by one of the prime suspect, Ramon Adedoyin. I don’t want to believe that the police sta on can be turned into a studio where someone will be recording as if he is doing a promo. I want

to remind the police that every Nigerian is interested in this case.

“Police is an ins tuon of government and government belongs to the people. We are watching them and nobody will have power or use his posi on to cover up the crime. It will be unjust for me to join issue with the prime suspect at this me. Let us allow the police to do their inves ga on and be pa ent. At the right me, the truth will come out.”

However, the police stated that Adedoyin had recorded the audio before he was arrested by the police.

A statement by the Police Public Rela ons

Officer, Osun Command, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, on Tuesday reads: “On the issue of audio recording made by Dr. Rahmon Adedoyin, the police was embarrassed with this development. On invesga on, he admi ed being the author of the audio message.

“He said that he felt inclined to make it when some members of his staff were arrested by the police. He affirmed making it before he was arrested to defend himself when some people, especially the brother of the deceased was referring to him as a ritualist.

He said it was made to clear himself because; they have already ma-

ligned his character even without due process of law. He further stated that, he recorded the audio before his arrest by the police. His staff were arrested on the 11th and 12th November, 2021 while he was subsequently arrested on the 15th November, 2021.”

“He said he did not know whether the audio was released or when it was released un l police told him about it, saying he has been incarcerated since November 15, 2021, and doesn’t have access to his phone.

Meanwhile, Police will stop at nothing at unraveling who actually release the audio.”

Stop Promoting Monarchs Who Don’t Believe In Yoruba Culture - Oba Makama Tells Journalists Yusuf Oketola

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HE Olowu of Kuta, Ayedire Local Government of the State of Osun, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama has called on journalists to stop promo ng views of any tradi onal ruler who does not believe in Yoruba culture and tradi on.

Makama made the call recently at the breakfast mee ng of the South-West Group of Online Publishers held in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Oba Makama insisted that there is no place in Yoruba land where any king or monarch was installed in the mosque or church, describing any king who despises tradion as a misfit.

He said: “One of our king just stood up and said he does not believe in Yoruba culture and tradi on, a colleague who is a tradi onal ruler and you will give him pla orm to hear him. No tradi onal ruler was installed in a mosque in Yoruba land.

We are tradi onal rulers; we are not religious leaders.

“Kings in Kwara state are not tradi onal rulers but religious leaders.

They use Islamic tenets to install them as Emir. In Yoruba land, no king can be referred to as Emir.

Same thing applies in the Igbo land.

“A er you are selected by the kingmakers and the government

ra fies your appointment through a le er, what is wri en in the le er is just a paragraph which is ‘you are hereby appointed or selected as Oba of a parcular place to maintain culture and tradi on”.

The monarch, however, urged the government to develop a policy including financing that would adequately strengthen na onal ins tu ons in Nigeria.

Oba Makama also frowned at the confinement of viperous chieftaincy tles in Yoruba land and noted that as an embodiment of royalty, tradi onal rulers should not engage in ac vi es that will jeopardize the reverence of the ins tu on.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2021

6

Akinrun’s Stool...

•Continued from Page 4 selec on.

“The six other kingmakers remained incommunicado and Eesa said it that he reliably learnt that Chief Moshood Oluawo - Moshadek who is the Commissioner I for the State Universal Basic Educa on Board and one other poli cian were the ones who whisked away the six other kingmakers from Ikirun to Osogbo to meet some government officials.

“It was these people that manipulated and induced the six kingmakers that Governor Oyetola has anointed a par cular candidate as the Akirun of Ikirun. As Concerned Ikirun Youths, we believe the act is undemocra c and negates due procedures of selec ng who fills the vacant stool.

Ifa Oracle consulted before selec ng Akadiri as Akirunelect - Kingmaker But the Elemo Aga of Ikirun who is one of the kingmakers in the town, High Chief Bamidele Onifade has stated that the selec on of Akadiri was done a er due consulta on with the Ifa Oracle.

Onifade who spoke with newsmen on Wednesday said: “As Yoruba people and in line with our culture and established chie aincy declara on in Ikirun, consulta on of Ifa Oracle is a condi on precedent in the selec on of an Akirun of Ikirun.”

“We the kingmakers consulted Ifa Oracle and the name of Prince Yunus Olalekan Akadiri kept coming out everywhere we went.”

Besides, the tradi onal Chief hinted that the selecon process was in line with the Chiefs Law of the state, adding that the kingmakers followed due processes.

He said: “Out of the seven kingmakers in the town, six voted for Akadiri, while one person voted for another candidate who was also from the Obaara ruling house.”

Contrary to insinua on that the selec on of Akadiri caused crisis in the town, Onifade said the people of the town welcomed the development with joy and they have con nued to troop to the residence of the monarch-elect to rejoice with him.

Onifade said one of the tradi onal chiefs of the town was behind the rumoured crisis due to his interest in one of the candidates who contested for the vacant stool but failed to be chosen.

He appealed to the state government to expedite acon on the installa on of the new tradi onal ruler for the town in the interest of peace and development.

Court Restrains Obaara, Adedeji From Contes ng Stool

H

owever, Akadiri’s selec on controversy has resulted into a fresh legal ba le from the Gboleru ruling house against Obaara, Adedeji, Kingmakers and the Local and State Governments.

A High Court of the State of Osun, si ng in Ikirun, has granted an order of interim injunc on disqualifying the Obaara and Adedeji ruling houses from contes ng the vacant Akinrun stool, as requested by the Gboleru Ruling House in a suit filed before the court.

The court, in its order on Wednesday, also restrained the Kingmakers, Local Government and the State Government of Osun from accep ng any nomina on outside the Gboleru Ruling House.

Gran ng the reliefs sought by Messrs. Mudasiru Olatunji, Lukman Olatunji, Sunday Olatunji and Olalere Asunmo on behalf of Gboleru Ruling House, Jus ce A.A. G. Onibokun contended that the 12 defendants including the Heads of Obaara and Adedeji ruling houses in the suit should exercise restraint pending the determina on of the case.

A copy of the court order obtained by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, reads: “Leave is granted to the Plain ffs/ Applicants restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants and the en re members of the Obaara and Adedeji ruling houses respec vely, from par cipa ng in the process of the nomina on of the person to fill the vacant stool of Akirun within the life of this Interim Injunc on.

“An Order of Interim Injunc on restraining the 6th12th Defendants (the Kingmakers) from si ng, deliberating on and/or presen ng any candidate for appointment into the vacant stool of Akirun of Ikirun Chie aincy outside members from the Plain ffs’ Gboleru family within the life of this Interim injunc on.

“An Order of Interim Injunc on is also granted restraining the 3rd, 4th and 5th Defendants, their agents or privies from accep ng the nomina on of, appoin ng or installing any candidate presented by the Oba-Ara Ruling House, the Adedeji Ruling House or any other Ruling House besides those nominated by the Plain ffs Gboleru family, as the Akirun of Ikirun within the life of this Interim Injunc on.”

Jus ce Onibokun adjourned hearing of the Mo on on No ce to December 1, 2021.

News

Our Activities Engendering Peace In Osun - Traditionalists Sodiq Yusuf

T

RADITIONAL ISTS in the State of Osun have expressed the convicon that their ac vies are contribu ng in no small measure to the peace and tranquility enjoyed in the state.

They also want government to provide more backing for culture enthusiasts to op mise the huge financial benefits inherent in the rich-cultural deposits and fes vals in the state.

An Osun priestess, Osunbukola OlosunElebuibon stated this at her annual Osun and Egbe fes val held at Ayegbami area, Osogbo, no ng that regular propi a on by tradi onalists, especially Osun adherents has made the state peaceful over the decades.

“Osun fes val is a

sort of thanksgiving to Osun goddess for her protec on over Osogbo, Osun state and its people. For decades, Osun fulfilled it promises to prosper Osogbo and it inhabitants, both indigenes and se lers. The goddess has been faithful to

her promise. Despite many hos le communi es that surrounded Osogbo, the community has con nued to prosper.

“We are gathered here today to fulfil our side of the bargain, to show apprecia on to Osun goddess, for

progress and peace being witnessed across the state. Tradi onalists, especially Osun adherents, have been behind relave peace the state is witnessing through regular appeasement to the dei es and the dei es have always heed our prayers.

“I, therefore, call on the state government to increase support towards the tradi onalists in the state by suppor ng various fesivals, which is not only a religious rite, but also a means of genera ng revenue for government.

“I also urge other religion adherents to emulate the tolerant nature of tradi onalists in the state to foster harmonious coexistence and, in the interest of socio-economic development of the state”, she said.

•Osunbukola Olosun-Elebuibon.

Crime

Police Arraign Woman Over Alleged N5.5m Fraud Folashade Ariyo

A

25-year-old woman, Tosin Olatunbosun has been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly defrauding her company a sum of N5.5m.

Olatunbosun, an employee of Bright Hope Mul purpose

Nigeria Limited, Osogbo, was accused of diver ng the money for her own personal use under the guise of disbursing it to the company’s customers.

She was also said to have allegedly forged the company’s document and record in order to perpetrate

the act.

According to the charge sheet obtained

by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the accused person commi ed the offence between February and October, 2021.

The offence, according to the police, contravened Secons 390(9), 467 and

Court Remands Suspected Armed Robber Ayomide Akano

A

43-year-old suspected armed robber, Segun Odediran, has been remanded in IleIfe Correc onal Centre by an Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly robbing two persons of their phones and cash sum of N1.2 million in Modakeke, State of Osun.

Odediran was accused of arming himself with gun and other dangerous weapon to rob one Fa moh Oladejo of her mo-

bile phone worth N59,000 and a sum of N600,000 cash.

He was also said to have robbed one Taiwo Akinyemi of his mobile phone worth N35,000 and a sum of N600,000 in the same area.

The accused person, according to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, commi ed the alleged offence between September 12 and November 18, 2021 at about 10pm

at Ijiagbo village, Modakeke area of the state.

The plea of the suspected armed robber was not taken because the Magistare Court lacks jurisdic on to entertain armed robbery case.

However, the presiding Magistrate, Mr. Adekanmi Adeyeba, ordered that the accused person be remanded in Ile-Ife Correc onal Centre.

The case was adjourned ll January 17, 2022.

491(A) of the Criminal Code l, CAP 34, Vol. Il, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

Defence counsel, Okobe Najite prayed the court to admit the accused person on bail in the most liberal terms, no ng that she would provide reliable surety.

But, the bail applica on was opposed by the police prosecutor, Mr. Adeoye Kayode, an Inspector of Police, on the ground that she would jump bail if granted.

Adeoye noted that the case of fraud is rampant in the society and the accused person has no traceable address in Osogbo.

However, the presiding Magistrate, Abayomi Ajala, admi ed the defendant to bail in sum of N2,000,000 with a surety.

The case was adjourned ll December 8, 2021 for hearing.

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2021

7

News Kazeem Badmus

A

Non-Governmental Organisa on in the State of Osun, Centre for Social Jus ce and Public Protec on (CSJPP) has raised its concern over what it described as the deteriora ng security situa on in the state.

The CSJPP said Osun has returned to a state of insecurity under the administra on of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola with persistent bank robberies, kidnappings and spate of daylight robbery and poli cal violence.

Led by its Coordinator, Mr. Akin Akanji, the group in a release made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said the worsening insecurity situa on, if not addressed, portends great danger to the lives and property of ci zens of the state, especially that governorship elec on is forthcoming.

The Centre for Social Jus ce and Public Protecon maintained that instead of the Governor to curb the growing trend of insecurity, he is busy figh ng a poli cal ba le with his predecessor and leaving legacies he campaigned to build on go into ruins.

It submi ed that “A Governor that cannot guarantee the security of

Group Condemns Growing Insecurity In Osun •Says Gov. Not Addressing Situation, Focused On Rubbishing Predecessor

•Gridlock at Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo due to the ongoing Ola-Iya flyover project. lives and property of the people does not deserve to be returned to office, either by his poli cal party or the general public.”

Part of the statement reads: “Armed robbery, bank raid, ritual killing has become everyday affair in Osun. We have all been devastated by the killing of a student of Obafemi

Awolowo University, Timothy Adegoke Oludare, in Ile-Ife in the hotel he paid to lodge in.

“The government of Oyetola is asleep, unconcerned, unresponsive, totally oblivious of the security situa on in the state.

Totally irresponsible.

“Banks and financial ins tu ons have been un-

der relentless siege of bandits and armed robbers in which policemen, customers and bank staff had been killed like fowls. From Ikirun to Osun boundaries in Kwara and Eki States, all banks and financial ins tu ons have shut down.

Criminals now reign supreme in the state. There are two governments in

Osun 2022: Oyetola, Lasun, Adeoti, Salaam...

•Continued from page 2 West.

Signed by its State Coordinator, Ayankoya Ayankola, the communique reads: “In the forthcoming 2022 Osun gubernatorial elecon, the GGI Osun Chapter sues for peaceful conducts of all stakeholders and poli cal par es that will parcipate in the process of the all-important elec on.

“The reason being that there has been an agita on for a shi of baton to Osun West senatorial district since the 2018 gubernatorial elec on.

“More importantly, the ongoing agita on throughout the federa on for social, fiscal and poli cal restructuring and for true federalism is germane to the case of Osun State that needs serious poli cal restructuring as we move to 2022 governorship elecon.

“It should be recalled that the State has three senatorial districts of Osun Central, East and West.

However, since the crea on of the State, two senatorial districts are glaringly spotted to have dominated the governance of the State.

“GGI, therefore, reiterated that for equitable

par cipa on and poli cal inclusiveness by allowing Osun West to produce the next governor of the state, and that this should be the focus of all poli cal par es and all well-meaning ci zens of the State.

“This will bring a sense of belongingness and harmony and douse the agita on for a while. At least what is good for the goose is sauce for the gander, a serious campaign should be mounted to drive home this brazen marginalisa on of ci zen of Osun West district.”

Only Candidate From West Can Win Elec on for APC – TOP Also, members of the APC who belong to The Osun Progressives TOP caucus of the party have noted that the party could only win the 2022 governorship elec on if it chooses its candidate from the West Senatorial District.

According to the group, an unbiased poli cal strategist would know that the APC’s lifeline in the forthcoming elec on is an emergence of candidate from the West.

Speaking with OSUN

DEFENDER, Chairman of The Osun Progressives, Reverend Adelowo Adebiyi, said it is true that majority of the APC members are clamouring for the governorship cket of the APC to be zoned to West, sta ng that the clamour is ra onal and welcome.

Adebiyi said it is the desire of the APC members and that of the TOP leadership to ensure that the APC wins next year’s elec on, saying that is why the APC governorship candidate must come from West Senatorial District.

He said: “The clamour for West to produce the next governor is true and genuine. It is the desire of the APC members and that of us in TOP to ensure that our party wins next year’s elec on. That is why we agree with the people that the party’s governorship candidate should come from West.

“This is not a gang up against Governor Oyetola, No. The Governor has the right to seek for re-elecon and the party must provide a level playing ground for all governorship aspirants.

“The leadership of TOP agrees with majority of

APC members in Osun that our candidate must come from Osun West Senatorial District for the 2022 governorship elec on.”

I’m Unshaken, God In Charge Of My Second Term – Oyetola

Governor Oyetola had said that he was not afraid of any poli cal gimmicks going on to truncate his second term ambi on, saying his re-elec on into the office is in God’s hand.

Oyetola stated this last Friday while addressing some of his loyalists who went to welcome him to the state at Ikire a er a London trip.

The Governor restated his belief in God for his reelec on, maintaining that he remains unshaken as he put his faith in God who decides all things.

He described the poli cal game in the state as normal, sta ng that APC remains a formidable force in Osun as the July 16, 2022 governorship elec on draws nearer.

Oyetola enjoined all eligible voters in the state to par cipate in the ongoing voters’ registra on so that they would be able to exercise their civic rights in the elec on.

Photo: Shola Aderinto

Osun: the weak, effete, vindic ve and supine one headed by Oyetola and the armed robbers, bandits and ritual killers.

“In Osogbo, thugs being coordinated by a road transport union leader, ac ng at the behest of the state government, have held the people hostage in the most barbaric fashion.

Insecurity has returned to Osun on full scale.

“The armoured personnel carriers and other patrol vehicles with which the previous administraon of Aregbesola secured the state have fallen into disuse and ruin.

This is because the state governor does not want to touch anything that can be linked to the Aregbesola administra on because of the crisis between them. The absence of any security infrastructure and any interest of the state government in security have emboldened criminals who now write to residents of the state of their coming and eventually carry out their threats with impunity.

“Governor Gboyega Oyetola has therefore proven himself to be incapable of providing security of lives and property, which is the number one responsibility of the government.

“We are calling President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police to save us in Osun and help us on the security of lives and property.

“It is without ques on

now that Oyetola has failed to protect lives and property and does not deserve a second term. He should just complete his term and slither like a worm out of the government and our consciousness.

“Governor Oyetola is clearly distracted by the crisis he started in the APC and he has abandoned governance in pursuit of his second term ambi on and vengeance.

“Instead of addressing the insecurity challenge in the state, Governor Oyetola would rather apporon blames to a caucus of his party, even when those people had fallen vic ms of poli cal a acks from the Oyetola’s camp.

“We observe that if urgent ac on is not taken, the opposing camp in the APC in Osun State may be eliminated as they reported and this will result to further break down of law and other in the state.

“As a stakeholder in the Osun polity and business, we observe also that all the public infrastructure, par cularly those bequeathed to his administra on by the former governor Aregbesola, which Governor Oyetola should maintain or improve upon are equally le to fall into ruins.

“This is because Mr Governor is commi ed to rubbishing Aregbesola’s achievement to score poli cal points. We note with concern that such a tude is an -people and inimical to development.

“It is our conclusion that a Governor that cannot guarantee the security of lives and property of the people does not deserve to be returned to office, either by his poli cal party or the general public.”

PUBLICATION

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General public should take note.

OBAKOMITI TITILAYO AYODELE That I was formerly known and addressed as AYO TITILAYO OBAKOMITI. Now wish to be known and addressed as OBAKOMITI TITILAYO AYODELE. All former documents remain valid. Stanbic Bank and General public should take note.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2021 VOL. 16 NO 46 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

I

was told that the Osun pensioners protested again in Osogbo on Tuesday, November 23, as I wrapped up this piece.

The protest is the second in one month, recalling the fact that the last protest took place in the middle of October, this year.

This definitely calls for genuine concerns about issues rela ng to pension in Osun.

The recent protests by the Osun pensioners and their fallouts will not be the last as the first tenure of the current administra on runs out and as the administra on enters its lame duck session. One does not need a prophet to say so. This is 2014 replay of the match and it offers the opportunity to assess the event using the prism of the governance model of Aregbesola, which was presented in Part I of this write-up. It is good to get it straight; there will be more protests very soon, protests by students, workers and other stakeholders as the July 16, 2022 elec on draws closer, irrespec ve of whether the administra on terms it blackmail or work of disrupters. That is the “normal kiss” in Osun poli cal space and all poli cs are local. While the pensioners and students could take to the streets, the silent majority, the masses in the stakeholders management prism of the model will wait ll the 2022 elec on, for their voices to be heard, loudly.

The first protest by the pensioners in October, 2021 is the focus of this piece.

Many ques ons are lingering on the protest vis-a-vis the treatments meted out to the pensioners by the handlers of Governor Oyetola’s administra on and the rackets created in the media such as: 1. Why did the protest spill to the main road? Is it because the protesters couldn’t gain entrance into state government office where they were supposed to tender their grievances? Is it fear of possible vicmisa on by the government, similar to the one meted out to civil servants, who complained previously, about the delay of remi ances to coopera ves on salary deduc ons?

2. Who locked the state secretariat gate against the protes ng pensioners and why were they not allowed to get to the front of Bola Ige house for proper address by government officials?

3. Why is it that, it was under the current administra on, that is purported to wear a toga of “gentleman” but bite with iron teeth behind, that a bonfire protest was made on the road by protes ng pensioners, in an unprecedented manner?

4. Now that the chickens have come home to roost, is it true that the current handlers of government in Osun, who were the main parts of the Ogbeni’s regime did not learn the basic of conflict resolu ons and people management then, because they only concentrated on the yummies side of government businesses.

5. Is it because of the Osun government’s an pathy towards freedom of expression that such treatments were meted out to the pensioners and the subsequent media a empts were made to blackmail these senior ci zens?

6. Who is blackmailing who? If the pensioners are saying government’s claim of paying pensioners is not reflec ng in their pocket, does it amount to blackmail?

7. Why is the government of Osun under Gboyega Oyetola bothering the whole world with the re rees’ nego a on that happened behind the closed door, especially when such discussion was an

Crime Police Arraign Woman Over Alleged N5.5m Fraud

Perspective

By Wale Bolorunduro

Lagos Model And The Current NearMiss Of Opportunities In Osun - Part II (Pensioners’ Protests) a empt by the pensioners to proffer solu on? Why losing huge opportuni es to engage stakeholders and to show genuine empathy to the pensioners?

When the news broke last month that the pensioners were protes ng the nonpayment of their re rement benefits, the current government of Osun, in its usual way of cloaking its false pretense about the welfare of the ci zens it threatens, reacted by adula ng itself on prompt payments of pension, as if pension is the only en tlement of re rees. Figures were quickly reeled out on how much has been paid to state and local governments re rees in their 33 months, as if the revenues of the local governments belong to His Lordship of the State of Osun.

As long as their fussy maths on pension payment gives them a figure, which is higher than what Aregbesola paid in his first term, it serves their imagina on of the people’s mind. It is however, unthinking, that they don’t make similar comparison on roads, schools and other infrastructures constructed by the former governor.

From their responses on the issue of protes ng pensioners, Governor Oyetola and his people forgot to address the grouse of the protes ng pensioners, their needs and the re rement benefits in ques on; a deliberate a empt to dissemble or cover up the issues. In Osun, there are categories of pensioners with corresponding benefits peculiar to each category. Re rements benefits are basically gratui es and pensions for those who re red under the old scheme, which differ from one category to the other depending on the period of

“On the protest of pensioners, the current Osun government wouldn’t be satisfied with its initial reaction because Aregbesola had not been blamed. Definitely, the “real man” behind the poker face would not be comfortable in this circumstance”

re rements and the corresponding opera onal schemes. Also, we have accrued rights (lump sum monies) and re rements savings of monthly pension contribu ons of those, who re red under the Contributory Pension Scheme established by Oyinlola’s administra on in February 2010.

They know the devil is in the detail; so, ini ally they wouldn’t launch into it, they reserved it as the final salvo to blame their predecessors.

The ini al reac on of Oyetola government is that they will con nue to a end to the re rees and their benefits, which was at least, civil and expected. Although, it wouldn’t go without a so punch, to call out Aregbesola into it. It was so because it came from a professional (Madam Funke Egbemode), who has always brought civility into conflict management in her own li le way. Surprisingly, her statement ended by scolding the senior ci zens for listening to the blackmailers. So who are the blackmailers this spokesperson referred to? The pensioners had dropped their message and they were definite with their demand. Is it not obvious that the government is the one trying to blackmail the rerees for demanding their en tlements?

On the protest of pensioners, the current Osun government wouldn’t be sa sfied with its ini al reac on because Aregbesola had not been blamed. Definitely, the “real man” behind the poker face would not be comfortable in this circumstance. Then, came the media hatchet man of the administra on, Ismail Omipidan, the Chief Press Secretary himself. He went to all the radio sta ons in Osun to draw the bad card; not minding how ridiculous and monotonous his same message was becoming and he never stopped, un l some callers started abusing him and the current government because of their penchant to abdicate responsibilies. Omipidan’s message was that the pensioners are protes ng because of the backlog of pension they inherited from their predecessors. What a loss of opportuni es to take responsibility and use the Aregbesola’s model to engage the people and to deliver services to the people. Unfortunately, their mo ve is different, their sincerity of purpose is ques onable and it is obvious, what you don’t have, you can’t give. Definitely, when an administrator has the power of government on one hand and the sensa onal media on the other hand, the line takes on a darker meaning.

It does big me.

As usual, Omipidan also launched into

Page 6

“It is left for this administration to face the reality and stop this macraba dance of blame game in the public and settle for serious and rigorous governance” perfidy, but in a field that he knows li le or nothing about, public finance!! He tried to blackmail the pensioners that they had earlier presented a proposal to Oyetola government to borrow to clear their outstanding en tlements and like a rookie, he started grandstanding and deriding the pensioners, “that we cannot borrow for recurrent expenditure”. Mr Omipidan and his co-encyclopedias of finance, please note that pension is a statutory obligaon and that is why it is always charged to Consolidated Revenue Funds account and where were you, when the Federal Government (under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who hated borrowing) borrowed via bond issuance to pay off the federal civil servants and their accrued rights for their lump sum en tlements, under the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004? Where were you, when Magret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of United Kingdom did similar thing to raise funds to se le her civil servants, when she was right-sizing her workforce? So Mr. Omipidan, there are many recurrent expenditures in public finance and there is ranking of recurrent expenditures in public finance. Some are mandatory and cri cal expenditures. Since governance is all about providing solu on to the problems of the people pensioners (inclusive), wai ng for the pensioners to provide solu on could be tantamount to being bere of ideas and the lack of empathy for the people you are supposed to care for; a loss of opportunity to extol the virtues of progressivism, which our party, APC stands for.

Omipidan has forgo en that the Contributory Pension Scheme which started in 2010 has begun to reach maturity under the administra on of Oyetola and many civil servants have re red since November 2018.

They should cross their hearts and tell us how many of these re rees under their own regime have been se led and how their entlements would not become backlogs for the future administrators of Osun. That is the moral burden for Oyetola’s administraon; since they promised to con nue, to make things be er than they were in 2018.

Now, for the backlogs, we will have to open the pandora box (not pandora news) and the sources of backlogs inherited by Aregbesola and how he confronted them, using the governance model, bequeathed on this current administra on in Osun. It is le for this administra on to face the reality and stop this macraba dance of blame game in the public and se le for serious and rigorous governance. It is never late un l it is late.

•Wale Bolorunduro, Ph.D, a former Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, State of Osun writes from 6B, Lase Ogunleye Street, off Fadahunsi Avenue, Ilesa, State of Osun.

•To be continued.

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun.

All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, ISMAEEL UTHMAN, Telephone: 0805-121-2204, usmanismail001@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.

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