Osun Defender Online Version of November 25, 2022

Akinrun Stool Claims One Life, Palace Set Ablaze

THE protest against the appointment and installa on of the new Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Yinusa Olalekan Akadiri, has claimed its first confirmed casualty.

Crisis erupted Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government of the State of Osun on Wednesday morning, when some tradi onalists allegedly led by the police and Amotekun opera ves wanted to force their way into the palace in an a empt to lead Oba Akadiri inside.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the tradi onalists, police and Amotekun opera ves were confronted by some youths who have been protes ng against Akadiri’s appointment ever since he was announced.

The palace had been inaccessible for Oba Akadiri since his appointment on October 26, as it was barricaded with iron bar.

The palace entrance had also been adorned with spiritual objects.

It was gathered that the police and Amotekun opera ves were shooting sporadically when they stormed the palace entrance.

One of the protesters, known as Lukman Omoola, was hit by the bullet and died instantly.

Omoola was a prince from Gboleru Ruling House which claims to be next in line to produce a new Akinrun after the demise of the late Akinrun, Oba Rauf Olawale Adedeji.

One of the two modern buildings inside the palace was torched by suspected arsonists.

It was also learnt that men of the State of Osun Fire Service that were called by the police to put out the fire were a acked by the protesters.

Three of the firefighters reportedly sustained injuries.

The protesters were said to have also damaged and vandalised the fire truck taken to the area by the firemen.

The development resulted to tension as residents scampered for safety.

Our reporter who was in Ikirun said residents were running helter-skelter to avoid

being hit by bullet.

It was noted security opera ves were turning commuters back at a loca on close to the palace.

There was also security presence at the adjoining communi es of Aagba, Iree, Ada and Ororuwo apparently to prevent the situa on from spreading to other towns.

One of the residents of Ikirun, Gboyega Ade-

bayo, who claimed to have witnessed the incident said: “I was on my way to the Oja-Oba area to buy a herbal product. Then 4 policemen were seen walking towards the palace. A few minutes a er, two vehicles conveying more policemen arrived the scene.

“They started firing teargas and gunshots into the air around the palace gate. Everyone near the premises ran

in different direc ons to avoid being shot. It was a bullet from their gun that hit a man called Omoola in the head. He died on the spot.

“The policemen then brought a welder to help them open the locked gate of the palace. They (police) were shoo ng to scare people away. Bullet also hit about 4 other people. Those ones are not dead yet but Omoola died imme-

diately a er he was shot by the police.”

The Public Rela ons Officer of the State of Osun Fire service, Ibrahim Adekunle, confirmed that three firefighters who were part of the team that went to the scene of the Ikirun palace fire were injured, adding that the firetruck was also damaged and had to be abandoned.

He said: “They attacked our men. Three

Oyetola’s Method Of Transiting Unusual - Ex Osun AG

Aformer A orney General of the State of Osun, Barr. Niyi Owolade, yesterday, accused the outgoing Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of frustra ng

the process of transiting seamlessly to the Governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke.

Owolade, while speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, said it is surprising that a governor who claimed to be financially handi-

capped started spending unnecessarily a er losing an elec on.

He added that Oyetola’s ac on is unusual, claiming that it will be the first me a government is transiting with much hassle in the state.

According to him; “It is only natural for us to be scared with all we have been hearing and seeing. Inially, we thought that the state government didn’t have funds but these past couple of months, the outgoing government has been spending lavishly. So, it’s surprising that someone who claims that he doesn’t have money became wealthy suddenly.

“Unusual things have been happening since the outgoing governor lost the elec on. This is not the first me that one governor will be transi ng to another in Osun but this is the first me that this un-

usual situa on seems to occur”.

Owolade appealed to the people of the state to give the incoming governor me to clean up the mess created by the outgoing administra on, saying he believed the governor-elect is capable of moving the state into a greater place.

“There is a lot of mess from the outgoing government that needs to be sorted out. There are so many things without clarity from the outgoing government.

“I just want to appeal to the good people of Osun to please give Sen. Ademola Adeleke the me to see all the mess created and try and fix it. It is not going to be done overnight, that’s why we have to give him some me and I believe the man would put his name in history”, Owolade added.

of them are s ll in hospital beds receiving treatment. Our fire truck was also vandalised. Our men had to abandon it and run to safety a er they were a acked. It was the police that invited us to put out the fire and the mob a acked us.”

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Faleye Olaleye, denied that his men shot at people in Ikirun.

A statement signed by the Police Public Rela ons Officer, Osun Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, reads in part: “The Commissioner of Police wishes to debunk the news making the round that policemen shot at people at Ikirun.

“The true picture of event is that, while some policemen were at Akinrun palace to protect those renova ng it, some armed hoodlums shot the policemen deployed to the palace, injuring one Inspector Obajobi Adedokun and Inspector Raji Abiodun. They were rushed to hospital for treatment.

“They set the palace ablaze and also a acked the fire brigade personnel and injured one Orunwumi Roseline and Abel Olayinka and a acked their truck while on their way to the palace to put out the fire.”

Central Mosque Shut For 5th Time

The crisis on the Akinrun stool has led to the shu ng of the Central Mosque located at Oja Oba, very close to the Akinrun palace.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that the Central Mosque has remained close since the appointment of Oba Akadiri.

Some residents of Ikirun have claimed that the mosque was shut in protest against Oba Akadiri’s appointment.

One of the residents, Akeem Bello, said: “The Central Mosque has been shut since Oyetola announced the appointment of Yinusa Olalekan Akadiri as new Akinrun. The Imams are protes ng his (Akadiri’s) appointment. This Friday will be the fi h one that the Mosque has remained closed.

“This is to show that the appointment of Akadiri does not go down well with the majority in Ikirun. The ongoing crisis is needless because it could have been avoided by following the right path.”

•Owolade

•Chairman Osun Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV ESV Adekunle Adedoye giving his opening address at the Osun NIESV Mandatory Continuous Professional Development MCPD at the NIESV House, yesterday Photo Shola Aderinto

Kazeem Badmus

Ismaeel Uthman Sodiq Yusuf

A New Beginning?

THE inaugura on of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the Governor of the State of Osun which will take place on Sunday, November 27, indicates the deepening strength of our democracy. We should be grateful for this. However, the absence of a structured and orderly transi on process guiding the transfer of power con nues to be a source of conflict which must be rec fied with the passage of a state transi on law.

Having fought in the trenches to obtain power previously, the loss of poli cal power in the state should be painful to the progressive camp and calls for serious introspec on.

The progressive movement must now be rebuilt from bo om up. There is no alternave.

What was rejected at the polls was not an ideology based on the progressive ethos but a repudia on of the betrayal democracy by the Oyetola administra on. Instead of consolida ng on the path breaking vigour of the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administra on, Oyetola propelled by a

“The progressives in the State of Osun must go back to basics and put the people first. They must insist that the purpose of government is to provide benefits for the overwhelming majority and not just a few”

coterie of opportunists simply set the hands of the clock back. The result has been predictably disastrous. In rebuilding, the progressives in the State of Osun must go back to basics and put the people first. They must insist that the purpose of government is to provide benefits for the overwhelming majority and not just a few.

We congratulate the new governor and wish him well. He should construct a big tent and carry all the interests in a diverse state along for the common good. We hope that his administra on represents the face of Osun and is propelled by technocra c fervour and compassion. We wish State of Osun the very best at all mes.

OPINION B Y BY K A N M I KANMI

A D E M I L U Y I ADEMILUYI

Facing The Future

NOTHING diminished the already ta ered persona of the outgoing governor of the State of Osun, Gboyega Oyetola, than how he is leaving office. The insouciance displayed since his self-inflicted electoral loss has been childlike. Even the mild-mannered candidate of the Social Democra c Party (SDP) in the July 16 Osun governorship elec on, Architect Goke Omigbodun, has expressed surprise at Oyetola’s behaviour. This reflects a character flaw befi ng of a mendacious mountebank.

The progressive movement in the State of Osun must now work on the strategic impera ve to rebuild.

Rebuilding from the base is not just about winning elec ons, it is about emphasising why the progressive posi on of government for the benefit of all is the only way to protect living standards and enhance them. It is also the only empirically verifiable way to conquer the scourge of poverty. The tragedy of the melo-drama in the State of Osun is that Oyetola who never imbibed any discernable philosophical posi on did a demoli on job on a poli cal orienta on entrenched since the 1950s in the western part of Nigeria. Oyetola was not just fight-

ing an iconic historic persona and the embodiment of a posi on, he sought with catastrophic consequences to roll back the de.

In rebuilding, the progressives must now seize control of the party and develop new cadres to rebuild the grassroots and the base. This should not be a difficult task; the coterie clustered around Oyetola are tenured loyalists, they will move on to fresh pastures from Monday, nothing surprising here, this is the nature of the poli cal economy of opportunism.

Aregbesola’s cadres like the Awoists of yore, are not tenured in their choice of loyalty and political direc on, they must therefore form the fulcrum of rebuilding the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun. There is no alterna ve.

The Chinese ideograph for ‘Crises’ is two-sided; on one side is Danger on the other side is Opportunity. A historic opportunity beckons to reinvigorate the progressive movement in Osun, the opportunity must be seized with both hands. This is the route back to power!

•Rebuilding post-Oyetola “A historic opportunity beckons to reinvigorate the progressive movement in Osun, the opportunity must be seized with both hands. This is the route back to power!”

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Osun Assembly Ready To Work With Adeleke - Adeyemi

Oketola

THE lawmaker represen ng Obokun Cons tuency at the State of Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi, has stated the readiness of the 7th Assembly to work hand-inhand with the incoming administra on of Sen. Ademola Adeleke.

Adeyemi, who dismissed the threat of possible impeachment of Adeleke by the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers at the assembly, described his colleagues as intelligent, ra onal and progressive.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER in an interview on Tuesday, Adeyemi noted that regardless of their poli cal differences in the house, members of the assembly would work with the incoming administra on in moving the state forward.

He said: “I’m very happy now because my party, the Peoples Democra c Party would be forming a new government. As a minority party in the Osun House of Assembly, we are very happy and this will make things work be er for the people of the state.

“Members of the Osun House of Assembly are very intelligent people and they respect law and order. We also have it on good authority that the leadership of the House of Assembly is ready to work with the incoming government because this is governance and not the House of Assembly of a par cular poli cal party.

“This is Osun State House of Assembly and my colleagues are ready to work with new governor that will be sworn in on Sunday. So, there is nothing like impeachment or other things. We are far from it.

“Regardless of the poli cal ideology, everyone wants Osun to advance and that is where we can have common front. We can always agree in that area. If we don’t agree in any other area, at least we should agree to move the state forward.

“So, why would Senator Ademola Adeleke wants development of the state and the House of Assembly will say no? It is not possible. The leadership of the House will

want to put their names in good record.

“They will not want anything to soil their name because power is transient. The Governorelect will be sworn-in

on Sunday and a er his terms, another governor will be sworn-in again. So, no one will be in power for ever.

“The house of Assembly understands this

principle and they will do what is right by working hand-in-hand with the state governor. This is governance and not poli cs. Of course, polics if not well played will always spoil things in the State.

“My colleagues are very progressive and they are ready to work with the new Governor to move Osun State forward”.

Adeyemi reiterated Adeleke’s commitment in focusing more on youth development and restoring back the lost glory of local governments administra on.

“The Governor-elect is interested in youth development. Even before he gets to office, he has already inaugurated a Youth Advisory Committee with representa ves across the 30 local governments.

“He is not a governor that’ is not prepared. He will be sworn-in by Sunday and by Monday, expect him to start working. Youth development

Owala Dam Can Generate Electricity For Osun, Oloba Oke Tells Govt.

THE Oloba of Oba Oke, Oba Adam Iyiola Bakare, has called on the State Government of Osun to extend dividends of democracy to the town by comple ng some infrastructural projects which have been abandoned for years.

Oba Bakare said the comple on of some projects like the Owala Dam which can generate electricity for the state,

the Comprehensive Health Centre, as well as rehabilita on of OsogboOba-Oke-Oba-Ile-EkoEnde road would be of immense benefit to the town and the state.

The monarch who spoke during the 24th Oba Oke Day celebraon, said: “I want to call the a en on of the state government to the Godgi ed Owala dam which has been le untapped. The dam if completed can generate electricity

for the state.

“This, if mely ulized, will go a long way in bringing income to the state through tourism, fishery, irriga on and training ground for underwater welders.

“Owala dam project covering Onipaki and Papa Villages in Oba Oke has been abandoned since 1982 a er Chief Bola Ige’s administra on.

“We are urging the state government to please assist us in com-

Oyetola Swears-In 30 Permanent Secretaries

TWO days to the expira on of his administra on, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the State of Osun has approved the appointment of 30 Permanent Secretaries.

The new Permanent Secretaries took their oaths of office at the Local Government Service Commission Hall, Abeere, yesterday evening.

Their appointments were announced in a statement signed by the Head of Service, Dr Olowogboyega Oyebade and dated November 24, 2022.

The new Permanent Secretaries according to the statement will fill the exis ng vacancies in the state civil service.

Accept Appointment and Get Fired, Adeleke

Tells New PS

The Governor-elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke declared that any Coordinating Director who accept a Permanent Secretary appointment from Oyetola will exit the service from November 28.

In a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor-elect warned that taking such appointments at this minute indicated the readiness of those directors to exit the state service.

He said: “We want to put on records that those who accept the appointments should be ready to leave the service whether or not their service tenure has reached statutory age.

“The occupants will be treated as poli cal appointees who will au-

toma cally follow the outgoing Governor out of public service from November 28.

“At the same me, those who s ll want to remain in service of Osun state government should decline the Greek gi from the outgoing Governor. We affirm that no waiver will be entertained in sacking from office any kangaroo permanent secretary.”

ple ng the comprehensive health centre, the building whose construcon started in 1982 during Chief Bola Ige era in Old Oyo State.

“The Dagbolu-Oba Oke-Oba-Ile-Eko-Ende road rehabilita on has been abandoned since 2018. We urge the government to complete the rehabilita on.”

The tradi onal ruler sought the interven on of the government in addressing their demand.

is very important to him”, he stated

Speaking on the mission of the Governorelect on local government administra on in Osun, Adeyemi stressed that Adeleke has said he is going to give autonomy to the local government and allow them work freely.

He said: “The Governor-elect has said he is going to give autonomy to the local government. That he is going to allow them work freely. If this is done, we all know the kind of benefits we will enjoy at the grassroots.

The lawmaker stated that the people of Osun should expect good governance, economic and infrastructural development during Adeleke’s administra on, just as he assured the people that the Governor-elect will deliver on his campaign promises.

“When the Governorelect is sworn-in on Sunday, people should expect development, progress and they should be rest assured that every promise made by him would be fulfilled because he is a man of his word.

“Also, in term of economy, recently he had a mee ng with people from the America Embassy and they are forming alliances already. Senator Adeleke is a global figure especially the Adeleke family.

“They are going to bring investment to the state. They are people that believe in Public Private Partnership. The investment they are bringing will surely bring more employment to the state”.

Anyone Planning To Disrupt Adeleke’s Swearing-in Will Be Dealt With – Osun CP

Kazeem Badmus

THE Commissioner of Police in the State of Osun, Mr. Sunday Faleye, has declared that all security agencies in the State are ready to deal with “poli cal miscreants” who are threatening to disrupt the inaugura on of the Governor-elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke.

Adeleke would be sworn-in on Sunday, November 27.

Faleye, who is chairman of the Joint Security Council, gave the assurance on Tuesday, while leading other heads of security agencies to inspect the Osogbo Township Stadium, venue of the swearing-in ceremony.

According to the po-

lice boss, the security agencies “have heard a lot of rumours and misinforma on that the programme may be disrupted, thugs are coming to take it back by force, burn party offices, tear posters, etc. We just want to warn them, they should not dare us, and anyone who wants to foment trouble will have himself to blame.

“We are aware that there are thug forces and we have met with the execu ves of the two par es and they have assured us that nothing will distort Sunday’s programme.

“We have mapped out our plans; we just want to sound a note of warning, nobody should dare us”.

Dolapo Bamisedun

Yusuf

Yusuf Oketola

•The Supervising Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism in the State of Osun, Hon. Olalekan Badmus, presenting an award to one of the retirees, at the send forth programme for retired officers, of the Osun State Council of Arts and Culture on Wednesday.

•Oyetola.

•Adeyemi.

6 PUBLIC NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION

IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA IN THE OSOGBO JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT OSOGBO

SUIT NO: FHC/OS/CS/139/2022

IN THE MATTER OF A PETITION OF ALHAJI MUFUTAU ADENIYI OLORUNNISHOLA, A SHAREHOLDER OF WESTLAND POLYTECHNIC LTD.

BETWEEN:

ALHAJI MUFUTAU ADENIYI OLORUNNISHOLA PETITIONER

(Suing as a Shareholder of Westland Polytechnic Ltd.) AND

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Petition for:

(i) A DECLARATION OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT that the Company’s affairs have been and are being conducted in a manner that is oppressive, unfairly prejudicial and discriminatory against the Petitioner and without regard for his interest as a member of the Company.

(ii) A DECLARATION OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT that the purported removal of the Petitioner as a Director of the Company is unlawful, unfairly prejudicial and discriminatory to his rights in the Company.

(iii) AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT directing that the Company should be wound up under the provisions of Section 571 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.

(iv) AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT appointing a liquidator who shall oversee and manage the affairs of the Company until its dissolution.

(v) AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT restraining the 4th Respondent from allowing the 1st to 3rd Respondents from dealing with all the accounts mentioned in this Suit in any form whatsoever.

(vi) AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT directing the Corporate Affairs Commission, to investigate the affairs of the Company with the aim of prosecuting the criminal activities which are being and have been perpetrated in the Company.

(vii) Cost of this action.

This Petition was presented to the Federal High Court holden at Osogbo, Osun State on the 31st day of October, 2022; by ALHAJI MUFUTAU ADENIYI OLORUNNISHOLA of No. 2, Olorunnishola Crescent, Behind Bovas Filling Station, Agunbelewo Area, Osogbo, Osun State. And that the said petition is directed to be advertised and set down for hearing before the Honourable Court sitting at Osogbo, Osun State on the 16th day of January, 2023; and any Creditor or Contributory of the said Company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order on the said petition may appear at the time of hearing in person or by his counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the petition will be furnished by the undersigned to any Creditor or Contributory of the said Company requiring such a copy, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

SIGNED: MUSIBAU ADETUNBI, SAN, MCIarb. (UK) PETITIONER’S COUNSEL, MUSIBAU ADETUNBI, SAN, & CO., NO. 38, LADOKE AKINTOLA AVENUE, NEW BODIJA, IBADAN, OYO STATE.

adetunbiandco@gmail.com

NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said petition must serve on or send by post to the above-named, notice in writing of his intention to so do. The notice must state the name and address of the person or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any), and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than 48 working hours before the date the petition is for hearing in Court.

ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION

IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA IN THE OSOGBO JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT OSOGBO

SUIT NO: FHC/OS/CS/140/2022

IN THE MATTER OF A PETITION OF ALHAJI MUFUTAU ADENIYI OLORUNNISHOLA, A MINORITY SHAREHOLDER OF CRESTFIELD SCHOOLS & COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY LTD.

BETWEEN:

ALHAJI MUFUTAU ADENIYI OLORUNNISHOLA PETITIONER (Suing as a Minority Shareholder of Crestfield Schools & College of Health Technology Ltd.)

AND

1. CRESTFIELD SCHOOLS & COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY LTD. 2. DR. KAFAYAT MODUPE LAWAL 3. TARJ MULTI SERVICES LTD. RESPONDENTS 4. ZENITH BANK PLC. 5. UNITY BANK PLC. 6. FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC. 7. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Petition for:

(i) A DECLARATION OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT that the Company’s affairs have been and are being conducted in a manner that is oppressive, unfairly prejudicial and discriminatory against the Petitioner and without regard for his interest as a member of the Company.

(ii) A DECLARATION OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT that the purported removal of the Petitioner as a Director of the Company is unlawful, unfairly prejudicial and discriminatory to his rights in the Company.

(iii) AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT directing that the Company should be wound up under the provisions of Section 571 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.

(iv) AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT appointing a liquidator who shall oversee and manage the affairs of the Company until its dissolution.

(v) AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT directing the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Respondents to render a comprehensive account of the monies of the Company in their custody to the Liquidator appointed by this Honourable Court.

(vi) AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT restraining the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Respondents from allowing the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents from dealing with all the accounts mentioned in this Suit.

(vii) AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT directing the Corporate Affairs Commission to investigate the affairs of the Company with the aim of prosecuting the criminal activities which are being and have been perpetrated by the majority in the Company.

(viii) Cost of this action.

This petition was presented to the Federal High Court holden at Osogbo, Osun State on the 31 st day of October, 2022; by ALHAJI MUFUTAU ADENIYI OLORUNNISHOLA of No. 2, Olorunnishola Crescent, Behind Bovas Filling Station, Agunbelewo Area, Osogbo, Osun State. And that the said petition is directed to be advertised and set down for hearing before the Honourable Court sitting at Osogbo, Osun State on the 16th day of January, 2023; and any Creditor or Contributory of the said Company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order on the said petition may appear at the time of hearing in person or by his counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the petition will be furnished by the undersigned to any Creditor or Contributory of the said Company requiring such a copy on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

SIGNED: MUSIBAU ADETUNBI, SAN, MCIarb. (UK) PETITIONER’S COUNSEL, MUSIBAU ADETUNBI, SAN, & CO., NO. 38, LADOKE AKINTOLA AVENUE, NEW BODIJA, IBADAN, OYO STATE. adetunbiandco@gmail.com

NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said petition must serve on or send by post to the above-named, notice in writing of his intention to so do. The notice must state the name and address of the person or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any), and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than 48 working hours before the date the petition is for hearing in Court.

Oyetola Ending His Administration Woefully - Omigbodun

THE candidate of the Social Democra c Party (SDP)in the July 16 governorship elec on in the State of Osun, Arch. Goke Omigbodun, yesterday, said Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is ending his administra on woefully due to his ac ons a er losing re-elec on.

Omigbodun who spoke in an exclusive interview with OSUN DEFENDER, said the governor is deliberatly plunging the state into a financial abyss.

According to Omigbodun, the Governor started his administra on very well by addressing some of the issues complained about in the past administra on, no ng that it is unfortunate that he is ending woefully.

He maintained that Oyetola might not be able to seek elec on into the office of the governor in the nearest future due to his a tude.

Omigbodun said: “It

is so unfortunate that the administra on of Gboyega Oyetola has decided to plunge Osun into the abyss

and it is a deliberate thing.

“The outgoing governor in the last four years started very well but he

is ending woefully. He started well by addressing some of the issues some people believed were not

okay during the past administra on.

“The moment he lost his re-elec on, he started

437,354 PVCs Yet To Be Collected In Osun – INEC

Atotal of 437,354 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are yet to be collected in the State of Osun.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mu u Agboke, stated this during a sensi sa on programme at Union Bapst Church, Osogbo, on Monday.

According to Agboke, the uncollected PVCs are enough to elect a governor.

Agboke stated that the Independent Na onal Electotal Commission (INEC) has decided to take the sensi sa on to all churches in the state, urging the congrega on to take the forthcoming elec on seriously.

He said: “It is your civic responsibility to obtain your Permanent Voters Card, cast your vote on the elec on day and monitor INEC’s declara on.

“Before you are eligible to vote, you need your PVC. In Osun, at the moment, we have 437,354 PVCs uncollected. This number of PVCs is sufficient to make someone a governor.”

The REC appealed to residents to visit the INEC offices across the 30 local government areas of the state to collect their PVCs.

Agboke, however debunked the no on that INEC has included the names of underaged persons in its register.

He stated that all the names of underaged and persons with mul ple registra ons would not be in-

cluded in the final voters register to be released by INEC.

“Nobody will rig this coming elec on, INEC will only declare the person you have voted as the winner of the elec on.

“INEC has rededicated the pa ern of vo ng, our technology will guaran-

tee the sacredness of your vote. Nobody can hijack your vote again with the use of BVAS,” he assured.

The REC promised to make available the elec on guideline, stressing that the Electoral Act will be strictly adhered to.

Calling on religious leaders to use their plat-

forms to properly orientate their members, Agboke charged Osun residents not to relent a er the 2022 governorship elec on but get ready to vote during the presiden al, na onal assembly and house of assembly elec ons in 2023.

In his response, the minister-in-charge of the

church, Sunday Adeoye, promised to cooperate with the new REC for be er sensi sa on of the members.

He noted that informaon is key, hence the need for voter educa on, stating that all necessary details made available will be passed across to the congrega on.

ac ng wild. He called for a Local Government elecon and started employing people that he did not think of many years ago.

“He went about doing things he didn’t think of many years ago, decidedly plunging Osun’s economy to the abyss and if possible even into a security risk in terms of violence that might come out of his u erances and counter utterances from the side of the governor-elect.

“Fayemi and Fayose were former governors in Eki who a er being voted out, came back and govern the state again. With the way Oyetola is behaving now, he may never be able to come back to the office of governor of Osun State because he wants to ruin the state”.

Speaking on the incoming administra on, Omigbodun advised the governor-elect to pick the best people to work with to bring out the best in the state.

“I also want him to recognise that not all the human resources of Osun are in the PDP. There are people even in the APC who are very reasonable but were not made good use of.

“I want to urge him to look at those who can work with him very well and ensure those people are properly posi oned to bring out the best”, he added.

US Mission Completes Digital Documentation Of Osun Sacred Grove

THE United States’ Mission to Nigeria, on Thursday, celebrated the 3D documenta on of the Busanyin Shrine at Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.

The 3D documentaon of Busanyin which is one of the eight monuments within the OsunOsogbo Grove was completed with the support of the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preserva on (AFCP).

The project tled, “Digital Documenta on, Training and Conservaon Planning for Naonal Heritage Busanyin Shrine within the OsunOsogbo Sacred Grove” was awarded to CyArk, a California-based nonprofit organisa on.

The US Consul General, Will Stevens, while speaking at the public presenta on of the project in Osogbo, the State Capital, on Thursday explained that the

3D documenta on of the Busanyin Shrine provides the most accurate record of the current condions of the site to effecvely plan a restora on project.

Stevens said: “The United States Mission to Nigeria has a long history

of suppor ng the protecon and preserva on of Nigerian cultural heritage through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preserva on.

“We have funded over $1 million for preserva on projects across Nigeria through the AFCP

in the last 10 years.”

In addi on to the Busanyin Shrine project, are addi onal AFCP documenta on and conserva on of the 14thcentury Sungbo Eredo earthworks of the Yoruba Ijebu Kingdom in SouthWest Nigeria; documen-

Oyetola Relocates To ...

•Continued from Page 1

Senator Ademola Adeleke, would be sworn-in on Sunday, November 27.

According to sources, the governor discon nued his residency at the Government House a er the 2022 Iragbiji Day.

“The only me he came to the Government House was when Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Ro mi Akeredolu and former Eki State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, came to commission the Olaiya flyover and Lameco road. The two

governors were received at the Banquet Hall of the Government House.

“Ever since, the Governor has not come to the Government House”, said the sources.

The Governor’s lodge was renovated to taste by Oyetola before the July 16 governorship elec on.

OSUN DEFENDER also gathered that members of the Oyetola administra on who were given official quarters have vacated the buildings.

It was learnt that the poli cal office holders

have also stopped going to their various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, since Monday.

The Commissioner for Innova on, Science and Technology, Babatunde Olawale, was said to have packed out of his official quarters on July 19 a er the governor lost his second term bid.

OSUN DEFENDER also noted that the number of official vehicles has dras cally reduced, as poli cal func onaries are not going out with them again.

ta on of the Ifa oral tradi ons in Oyo State; rock art preserva on project in Cross River and Jigawa states, among many others.

The US Mission also explained that the AFCP program was established in 2001 by the U.S. Congress to assist countries in cultural heritage preserva on while also demonstra ng American respect for other cultures.

It reiterated that it will con nue to explore opportuni es to support the preserva on of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage using the AFCP and other partnership mechanisms.

The public presenta on was a ended by Nigerian alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, senior government officials, media leaders, representa ves of cultural ins tu ons, as well as officials of the Na onal Commission for Museums and Monuments.

Kazeem Badmus

Yusuf Oketola

Yusuf Oketola

•The lawmaker representing Ede, Egbedore and Ejigbo federal constituency, in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Salam, presenting a cheque of N150,000 to the winner of the logo contest, for the next edition of the Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke Memorial Football Competition, recently

ON Friday, 30 September, 2022, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled to nullify the nomina on of the out-going Governor Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola as Osun All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate in the July 16 governorship elec on. Mr. Oyetola had lost the gubernatorial elec on to Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP). In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/468/2022, Jus ce Emeka Nwite had relied on the ground that since Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe who was at the same me the Chairman of APC Caretaker Extraordinary Conven on Planning Commi ee (CECPC) submi ed the names of Oyetola and his Deputy, Benedict Alabi, to the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC), is a viola on of Sec on 183 of the Cons tu on of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on one hand and Sec on 82(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022 on another. The opposi on PDP had ini ated the suit on 7th April, 2022 via its Counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, to challenge Oyetola and his Deputy’s nomina on as APC governorship candidate and deputy governorship candidate respec vely.

On 23 February, 2022 edi on of this column, I had warned on a similar matter, “It is instruc ve to note that Governor Oyetola who was one of the aspirants contes ng in the primaries is a member of Governor Mai Mala Buni led APC Caretaker Extraordinary Conven on Planning Commi ee (CECPC), which was organizing the said primaries. If Governor Gboyega Oyetola knew that he wanted to contest in an elec on that will be conducted by that CECPC in which he is a member, he supposed to have resigned from the said commi ee four weeks earlier. APC cons tu on is very clear on this when it states in Ar cle 31(iii) of its cons tu on, “Any Party office holder interested in contes ng for an elec ve office (whether party office or office in the general elec on) shall resign and leave office 30 days prior to the date of nomina on or party primary for the office he or she is seeking to contest.” This is contrary to law of natural jus ce and principle of fair play as you cannot be a judge in your own case. The logic here is that Ar cle 31(iii) of APC Cons tu on is also in tandem with the Cons tu on of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It should be recalled that Festus Keyamu, SAN, the Minister for Labour and Employment, had in July 2021, called for the removal of Buni as the chairman of APC caretaker commi ee and warned that APC would be taking a dangerous legal risk if Governor Buni remained its interim leader following a split Supreme Court ruling where the party- APC- narrowly escaped defeat on “technical ground” which was not certain in subsequent liga on against the party. Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the Peoples Democra c

APC: Sitting On A Keg Of Gunpowder

Party (PDP) in Ondo State for October 2020 gubernatorial elec on, had challenged the competence of a si ng Governor Buni running the affairs of APC as the Chairman of its caretaker commi ee. He contended that it is against the spirit and le ers of Sec on 183 of the 1999 Cons tu on of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which states that a si ng governor could not hold any other execu ve office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever. Keyamo posited that APC was very lucky because Eyitayo failed to join Buni in the suit and that if he had been joined, APC would have lost to PDP in Ondo State. He submi ed that APC might not be that lucky in the future should any person affected by Buni led commi ee drag the party to court and join Buni in the li ga on.

Instead of listening to the warning

STRIKER

and take a proac ve step in good faith via convoking the party NEC to recons tute CECPC to exclude Governor Buni and any other holding execu ve posion, the Minister of Jus ce and A orney General of the federa on, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in a 20 point statement, dismissed Keyamu’s fear and warning while John Akpan Udoedehe complemented Malami, alleging Keyamu and those who supported his posi on as engaging in red herring for their fears of losing out in the forthcoming congresses and that their opinion on the Supreme Court ruling was malicious and self-serving.

Kunle Adegoke, SAN, Counsel to the outgoing Gov. Oyetola had gone to appeal the Abuja High Court ruling, sta ng that PDP did not have the locus to ini ate the suit as it was not a member of APC, among other grounds. However, if APC

is not

loses the appeal and it is upheld by the Supreme Court, it will spell doom for the party’s fortune. It will mean that all the party congresses in the states conducted by the Buni led caretaker commi ee will be null and void; all the candidates that emerged in such congresses from local to the na onal will become null and void; outgoing Gov. Oyetola of Osun will not have any basis to challenge Governor-elect Adeleke and PDP over July 16 gubernatorial elec on in the state; the newly sworn in Governor of Eki State, Biodun Oyebanji, under the platform of APC will forfeit his posi on to the first runner-up and SDP candidate, former Governor Olusegun Oni. In legal parlance, nothing is built on nothing. It would mean that the APC na onal conven on that produced Senator Abdulai Adamu but organized by Buni led caretaker commi ee will be null and void and all the candidates, President, Governors, States and Na onal Assemblies will not be eligible to partake in the 2023 general elec ons. I’m not a prophet of doom. The Supreme Court ruling will either affirm or throw away appellate court decision. If it goes in APC favour, congratula ons but by the virtue of the 4-3 split judgment of same Supreme Court in Ondo State gubernatorial elecon, the minority judgment seems to be a dangling sword that could behead APC. If this happens, a Yoruba adage, The mongrel that will go astray will not listen to the whistle and instruc on of its master-hunter, would have been affirmed.

Criticism Is A Critical Part Of It!

TWO cri cal components of the democra c culture are freedom of the press and freedom of thought, expression and speech. Indeed, taken away, democracy is not only dead but human liberty is essen ally gone. Sovereign people who handover their sovereignty to elected officials to govern them do not bargain that those they elect will use the state to suppress any and all queries by the people, their organisa ons and the media while s ll claiming it is a democra c government.

Jimmy Carter said, “Though ul cricism and close scru ny of ALL government officials by the press AND THE PUBLIC are an important part of our democra c society.” It can only be so.

It is said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. At the point of seeking power from the people, poli cians can grovel and make promises to stomach-churning extent. However, once in power, all humility, promises and manifestoes are je soned for shenanigans and crude wealth accumula on for cliques. Were it to be limited to that, the people could pa ently bear their misfortune, for the tenure, and await their next opportunity to relocate their mandate. However, an insufferable level is the use of state powers by elected government not only to s fle cri cism but going further to violently harass and seek to crush dissen ng voices and pla orms!

Any inves ga on of the downfall of the Oyetola-APC government will reveal clear-

ly that the major cause of that downfall is an abysmally woeful a tude not only to cri cism but even to kind and friendly advice; not only that, there was a sickening deployment of harassments, in mida ons and violent a acks against every perceived “enemy” who dared point out things that were not being done right.

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the USA said, “to announce that there must be no cri cism of the president, RIGHT OR WRONG, is not only unpatrio c and servile, but morally treasonable to the American public.” That’s the President himself speaking! Henry Stele Commager said, “if our democracy is to flourish, it must have cri cism; if our government is to func on it must have DISSENT.” Like David Ben-Gurion said, “the (ul mate) test of democracy is freedom of cri cism.”

As State of Osun prepares for tenure under a new government, it is worth reminding the incoming that one of the undoings of the outgoing is its hopelessly nega ve and undemocra c a tude to cri cism. The new government, unlike the autocra c gang it is replacing, must accept that cri cism, be it construc ve or not, is a part of democra c governance and accommodate it. Even in the case of extremely offensive or destruc ve cricism, the rule of law provides several avenues for seeking redress: from rejoinders all the way to libel li ga ons; it is simply insane, undemocra c and a road to perdion and self destruc on to organise gun

shoo ng at “opposi on” mee ngs, shootings at “opposi on” buildings, and the like. Arres ng and arranging people, who are cri cal of government, on trumped up charges and many such poli cal persecuons have now led a “progressive” party that sold a mantra of “con nuity” to the people in 2018 into debacle as an opposion party in 2022!

Atef Sahil said, “Democracy is like a spider web. If any negligible right decision falls into it, it entraps it. But big wrong decision breaks through and escapes it” and that is why the Third Estate of the realm and the conscien ous public are there as added gatekeepers to the democra c heaven. Their tool is cri cism when necessary, while not foreclosing commendaons when necessary. A democra c Chief Execu ve of State, and the party and team he/she leads, must demonstrate appropriate understanding of that sacred democra c reality if they are truly democra c and pro-people; even if they are not, it is in their own enlightened self-interest, if they seek to remain in government, to adjust diploma cally to that reality, however unpleasant they see it.

Osun people have gone through a nasty 4-Year period they never believed possible a er an 8-Year refreshing experience. The next 4-Year is about to roll and the prayers that must be backed by good, hard work is that when looking back in 4 years’ me, the people will be joyful, and not again say, “good riddance to bad rubbish.”

Striker

the opinion of the Columnist featured above

“However, if APC loses the appeal and it is upheld by the Supreme Court, it will spell doom for the party’s fortune”