Osun Defender Online Version of September 3rd, 2021

LG Congress: APC Members In 27 LGs Procure Forms in Osun

•We Are Going For Election - TOP Page 7

Olaiya Flyover: Hardship Bites Harder On Commuters

COVID-19: Osun Residents Laud Health Workers On Vaccination

•As State Records Low Turnout

•Alternative Routes In Deplorable State Page 7

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 09, 2021 VOL 16 NO 33

UNIOSUNTH, Private Hospitals Record Influx Of Patients - Page 2

•As Resident Doctors’ Strike Persist

Ismaeel Uthman

T

HE industrial ac on embarked Inves ga ons by the medium reupon by the Na onal Associa on of Resident Doctors across the vealed that there has been persistent teaching hospitals in Nigeria has been im- influx of pa ents with ailments that posing stress on some standard state and need special a en on in UNIOSUNTH, private hospitals in the State of Osun, in- because of the industrial ac on that has paralysed healthcare delivery in ves ga ons have revealed.

Pa ents in the state, who are in need Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching of quality medical treatment have re- Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife and Wesley sorted to seek healthcare in the available Guild Hospital, Ilesa.

Findings also revealed that pa ents model hospitals in Osogbo, Ilesa and Ilewho were originally visi ng the OAUIfe. Of the teaching hospitals in Osun, THC and Wesley Guild Hospital for only the resident doctors of the Osun medical treatment were now visi ng State University Teaching Hospital (for- UNIOSUNTH, the Seventh Day Adventmerly LAUTECH), were not on strike as at ist Hospital, Ile-Ife and some private hospitals in Osogbo. the me of filing this report yesterday.

Also, the numbers of new pa ents Resident doctors in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex in the hospitals have been increasing (OAUTHC) and its annex in Ilesa, Wesley due to availability of quality healthcare delivery.

Guild Hospital, were on strike.

Inves ga ons revealed that pa ents OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the UNIOSUNTH’s resident doctors, while from neighbouring states cons tuted suppor ng the agita ons and strike ac- 21 per cent of those seeking medical on of their union, found it difficult to a en on in UNIOSUNTH, since the resijoin the industrial ac on because of dent doctors embarked on the ongoing the implementa on of their new salary industrial ac on on August 2, 2021.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the structure which was recently approved

by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

•Continued on Page 2

•Disaster-in-waiting! A near collapsed bridge on Ibu-Amo-Alekuwodo road, Osogbo. The road is an alternative route for commuters going to Oke-Fia, Capital and other parts of the state capital from Aregbesola Junction.

Aregbesola’s Aide Faults Police’s Statement On Reported Assassination Attempt

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 09, 2021

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UNIOSUNTH, Private Hospitals Record Influx Of Patients •Continued from Page 1 development has been stressing the facili es in the UNIOSUNTH, as there are no more enough spaces for pa ents.

One of the resident doctors in the hospital, who spoke with the medium on condi on of anonymity said: “As you can see, we are not on strike here; we are a ending to our pa ents. This is not to say we are not in support of our union, but because of one reason or the other, we could not join the strike.

“Since the strike commenced early last month, we have been experiencing increment in the number of pa ents in UNIOSUNTH every day.

It is like this is the only teaching hospital that is open for medical service in the state and pa ents from our neighbouring states also have confidence in our healthcare services.

“As I am talking to you, we don’t have enough bed spaces again. Go round the hospital and confirm for yourself. Our facili es are being overstressed.

We hope and pray that a las ng solu on is found to the industrial ac on.”

The medium gathered that some other pa ents have also been trooping the State Government Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, for medical a en on.

According to findings, majority of the pa ents, are those who could not afford the costs of medical services at UNIOSUNTH and standard private hospitals.

It was noted that the Trauma Centre of the hospital is always full of pa ents wan ng to collect their cards to see a doctor or those that wish to register with the hospital afresh.

Also, the centre of the Osun Health Insurance

•Cross section of members of The Osun Progressives (TOP) during their weekly meeting at Oranmiyan house, yesterday.

Scheme (OHIS) in the hospital has been witnessing increment in the number of pa ents.

It was gathered that pa ents of Our Lady of

Fa ma Hospital, Jaleyemi, Osogbo, who registered with the OHIS had earlier been moved to the Government Specialist Hospital, a situa on that has

increased the number of pa ents to be a ended to by the doctors.

OSUN DEFENDER visited the Seventh Day Adven st Hospital, Ile-Ife on

How Aregbesola Averted Reoccurrence Of 2006 Oroki Day Attack Our Reporter

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HAT could have been a reoccurrence of the 2006 Oroki Day a ack on Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, was averted on Saturday, August 28, 2021.

Aregbesola and members of The Osun Progressives (TOP), according to sources, were to be attacked by hoodlums, who were commissioned by some State Government elements at the final funeral of a chie ain of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Pa. G.O. Lawal in Ikirun.

It would be recalled that Aregbesola who was the governorship candidate of the Ac on Congress (AC) escaped assasina on when he was a acked by thugs of the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) at Oroki Day in 2006, in Osogbo.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the government elements, among who are commissioners in Governor Adegbeoyega Oyetola’s cabinet and caretaker chairmen in some local government councils in Ifelodun/ Boripe/Odo-O n Federal Cons tuency, held a meeting on Wednesday preceding the week of the funeral in Iragbiji, where they concluded on a acking Aregbesola and TOP members.

Part of their plans was

also to blackmail Aregbesola, turn the case against him and misinform the public that he was the one that came to foment trouble, like it was done on the a ack on members of the APC during the si ng of the Ward Congress Appeal Commi ee at the APC State Secretariat, recently.

Their grouse, according

to sources in the Government House, Oke-Fia, Osogbo, was that Aregbesola’s fame would outshine Oyetola’s at the funeral.

The sources confided in the medium that each of eight hoodlum gangs commissioned to do the hatchet job was mobilised with a sum of N500, 000 in cash.

Preparatory to the at-

tack, the canopy erected to accommodate members of TOP at Akinorun Grammar School, Ikirun was removed and moved to an obscure area of the venue by some people to make the a ack easy and hidden.

Few hours to the event, some social media users in the government payroll had been pos ng contents

Symbol’s Quote

“Women are God’s special gift to mankind. They play very vital role in human progress, particularly the perpetuation of the human race. They are the stabilising agent in the family. They raise the children, socialise and bring them up to date on values and norms of the society and the particularities of the extended family”

sugges ng that something would happen at the funeral.

One of the posts is “You will see film, remain small.”

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the government elements had also resorted to blackmailing Aregbesola before the event and several calls were put to leaders of the APC within and outside the State of Osun to dissuade the Minister from a ending the event.

However, the Minister who had earlier been informed on the planned a ack, had insisted that he would a end the programme, regardless threats to his life.

But Aregbesola later had a change of mind when some important personali es intervened.

Former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeo and former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salam, who were to a end the funeral also called it off.

When the news filtered round that Aregbesola would not be coming to the funeral again, the government-paid social media users went into jubila on and embarked on posts like ‘alaye japa’.

The venue of the funeral was filled with hoodlums who were wai ng to launch a ack on their targets.

Wednesday and discovered that pa ents had been thronging the hospital more than before.

Some of the pa ents, who spoke with the medium said they resorted to the hospital as an alternave to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, which resident doctors were on strike.

Lamen ng the high costs of medical service in the private hospital, the pa ents said they spend less at OAUTHC, praying the Federal Government to accede to the resident doctors’ requests for them to resume work on me.

A 38-year-old man, Mr. Samuel Ajayi, who brought his father to the hospital from Osogbo said: “We came here on Sunday to treat my dad. We had earlier gone to LAUTECH (UNIOSUNTH) but we discovered that a lot of paents were also there and the doctors might not attend to us on me. That is why we are here.

“Unlike LAUTECH, we spend more here. The people that you are seeing are also from Osogbo. All of us want quality medical services and the government is frustra ng because if the resident doctors were not on strike, majority of the people here would have gone to OAUTHC.” Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER in a telephone

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 09, 2021

Review/Outlook BY OLOWOGBOYEGA OYEBADE

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Kudos To Real Public Servants Beware Of The Fifth Column

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HE publicly spirited workers at Isale Agbara Community Health Centre, Osogbo are a throwback to a fondly remembered era before the end of security of tenure, brought about by ill-thought out re rements “with immediate effect,” had a stul fying effect on the interpreta on of public service in Nigeria. The three ladies supervising the COVID -19 inocula on really went beyond the call of duty to help and coordinate the effort. In view of a lot of scep cism, their caring touch and reassuring mien went a long way to reassure the public.

The trio of nurses was very painstaking in explaining the procedure and carrying out proper health educa on. Virtually all those present were reassured by their professionalism. In carrying out the vaccinaon, people did not, unlike inocula ons of yore, feel what at mes excrucia ng pain. They deserve a resounding applause for their devoon to duty.

Sadly, the turnout of members of the public for the exercise was very disappoin ng. Although it was a Sunday, the expected increase in turnout a er the end of church services did not manifest itself.

More persuasion has to be done, although it will be grossly unfair to

“More persuasion has to be done although it will be grossly unfair to say that governments at every level have not already put in a yeoman’s effort. It means that more imaginative” say that governments at every level have not already put in a yeoman’s effort.

But it means that more imagina ve efforts incorpora ng all the organs of civil and poli cal society must now be deployed. We must remember that without a determined effort to get to about 70% coverage, the desired health immunity will not be achieved. With all manner of variants cropping up efforts must be redoubled, we are s ll a long way to safety.

Awosuru/Alekuwodo To Aregbe Junction Need Government Attention

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ONDITION of the alterna ve route around Lemese area of Alekuwodo, Osogbo, S t a t e of Osun, has become worse following the Wednesday downpour.

The road is seriously in need of government a enon. The bridge which links the area to Old Coca-Cola has near collapse, as there is already a sign to that effect.

The road becomes seriously busy since the commencement of the construc-

on of the much talk about “Olaiya iconic flyover bridge” Many trucks that had not been plying the road before started passing on it since February this year and thereby causing serious danger to the bridge.

I want to appeal to the state government to urgently do something around this place before another disaster happen, God forbid bad thing.

Adabanija Qomarudeen Egbedore, State of Osun

D

O you write le ers? Do you know the use of text messages and e-mail is discouraging the habit of wri ng le ers? Can you believe that many years ago, it was the prac ce of the old but illiterate people to engage school boys and girls to write le ers for them? Do you know that postmasters were part of the elite-corps and post offices were part of the signature infrastructure? Do you know that le er-wri ng allowed the elders to assess the quality of instruc ons going on in schools and woe be ded any one matured pupil with unreadable calligraphy? Are you aware that on September 1 every year, the world celebrates World Le er Wri ng Day? Do you know that le ers can communicate a deeper feeling than text messages or email? Do you know this is the me Nigerians have to write le ers to the President to communicate their inner feelings as we sit in awe and trepida on?

Have you checked the Social Cohesion Survey launched and released by Africa Polling Ins tute (API), in Abuja? Are you aware that 49% of ci zens “feel disappointed in Nigeria”, compared to 42% that feel truly proud of the country, while seven per cent felt indifferent, two per cent felt uncertain about their feelings for the country, compared to only 12%, who said the country is much more united today, and 23% who believe that the country has stayed the same?

Do you know that 82% of Nigerians feel comfortable with the dual iden ty of being both Nigerian and from their ethnic group?

Do you know in the survey, most of the ci zens believe that all Nigerians are not equal before the law and 58% expressed the view that the Federal Government is not making enough effort to promote a sense of inclusion for all ethnic groups in the country?

Do you know that 83% of Nigerians consider human rights viola ons a problem in the country? Do you know that 53% of ci zens believe impunity thrives in the current administra on and 83% believe impunity among government officials is “increasing”? Do you know that on 26th August, 2021, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, while unveiling the 2021 Social Cohesion Survey, advised Nigerians not to allow the

ac ons of criminals to create unnecessary divisions in the country? Do you know we must be wary of the Fi h Column?

Do you know what a fi h column is? Do you know that it is any group of people who undermine a larger group from within, usually in favour of an enemy group? Do you know that clandes ne fi h column ac vies can include: acts of sabotage, disinforma on, or espionage, indiscriminate mass murder, and fanning embers of cultural and religious prejudice? Do you know the term “fi h column” originated in Spain during the early phase of the Spanish Civil War in October 1936 in a secret telegram sent to Berlin by the German Chargé D’affaires in Alicante, dated September 30, 1936, referring to an uniden fied “supposed statement

by Franco” which “is being circulated” about the situa on on ground in the war zone? Are you aware that in the statement, Franco allegedly claimed that there were four Na onalist columns approaching Madrid and a fi h column wai ng to a ack from the inside to cause confusion? Do you know that the telegram was part of the secret German diploma c correspondence and was discovered long a er the civil war? Do you know that there is a Fi h Column here with us in Nigeria currently imploding? Do you know things are “No Longer at Ease”? Come along!

Are you aware that some old African writers wrote some novels on the civil service and the advent of confusion in the country?

Have you read “No Longer at Ease”, a 1960 novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe? Do you know that the novel is the second work of the “African trilogy,” following “Things Fall Apart” and preceding “Arrow of God”, written by the same author? Can you recall that “Things Fall Apart” concerns the struggle of Okonkwo against the changes brought by the English into Igbo culture? Do you know that “No Longer at Ease” is the story of an Igbo man, Obi Okonkwo, who leaves his village for an educa on in Britain and then a job in the Nigerian civil service? Do you know that as Obi tries to balance the values and ethics of the service with the social and economic challenges confron ng him, he ends up to betray his conscience by taking a bribe and gets enmeshed in the confusion and is eventually put on criminal trial? Do you know that in the en re Federal Republic of Nigeria, Things Are “No Longer at Ease” poli cally Publisher – Moremi Publishing and economically as ‘ResiHouse Ltd. dent Doctors’ Strike is shutDeputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman ng down many hospitals (0805-121-2204) and lives in the face of new Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa variants of strange diseases Reporter – Yusuf Oketola reaching epidemic levels?

Reporter – Kazeem Badmus Do you know that terror is Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto shu ng down many schools Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere including the Defence AcadOSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing emy, thus making the children and youth to join the House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, swell rank of out-of-school children and youth? Do you State of Osun know that hope is comISSN : 0794 – 8050 ing from some unexpected Telephone : 0805-121-2204 quarters?

Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php e–mail : osundefender@yahoo.com •Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade osundefenderbank@gmail.com is the Head of Service, State All Correspondence to the above email Addresses. of Osun

OSUN DEFENDER

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 09, 2021

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News

Olaiya Flyover: Hardship Bites Harder On Commuters Kazeem Badmus & Yusuf Oketola

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LTERNATIVE routes being used by commuters within the Osogbo metropolis, capital of the State of Osun, following the closure of Olaiya axis for the construc on of flyover, have degenerated into a state of disrepair.

The two major roads that have been serving as alterna ve routes are now in deplorable condi on, making the road users to experience more hardship.

It would be recalled that the State Government had in February this year inaugurated the N2.7 billion 625-metre Olaiya flyover, which was proposed to be completed in November, 2021 and that stretch of road had since been closed.

Due to the construcon of the flyover, the State Government made a diversion for ar culated vehicles going to Ikirun to ply the November 27 Interchange, while other vehicles are to go through Alekuwodo and Jaleyemi, through the popular Aregbe Junc on.

Part of the government efforts before the closure of the Olaiya Junc on was the rehabilita on of the Alekuwodo/Akindeko road for easy movement of vehicles.

The small road that passes through Zenith Bank, Fakunle area had hitherto been serving the alternave purpose.

However, a por on of the road that links Akindeko to Aregbe Junc on at Ibu-Amo area, is now in disrepair.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that the Ibu-Amo Bridge is about to collapse, a development that has been affec ng free flow of traffic on the road.

Speaking with the medium on Tuesday, the Baale of Ibu-Amo community, Chief Fatai Olayiwola said, the current state of the bridge is a threat to the safety of road users.

“The bridge was damaged by flood early in August. Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and his team were here and they promised that urgent interven on will be given to the bridge and the road in par cular.

“Officials of the Ministry of Environment also came on August 19, 2021 and said they would have to carry out some expansion.

That is when they marked some buildings, including my house for demoli on, for free flow of the river.

“The condi on of the road is bad now. The bridge is a disaster-in-wai ng.

•Alternative Routes In Deplorable Condition

•L-R: Former Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation, Barr. Gbenga Akano, the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Oyelude Makama, Forme Commissioner for Local Govermvent and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Kolapo Alimi and Mr. Taofeek Masa at the wedding ceremony of the son of Former Commissioner for Justice and Anthony General of the State of Osun, Barr. Wale Afolabi in Lagos yesterday.

However, motorists and commuters plying this road will be stranded if work commences on it, unless the Olaiya flyover is completed. It is an alterna ve route for people going to

Capital areaand other areas along Iwo road in Osogbo.”

Also, commuters plying the MDS and Fagbewesa road in Osogbo, which serves as an alterna ve route for those going to Sta-

on road and Old Garage are having a hard me as the roads are also in a deplorable state.

Some motorists and passengers who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER flayed the

government for not a ending to the poor condi on of the alterna ve roads since the commencement of Olaiya flyover.

A motorist, Olamilekan Adebayo, said the govern-

NGO To Organise Free Medical Check-up For Females In Osun Yusuf Oketola

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Non-Governmental Organisa on in the State of Osun, Monsurat Ajoke Foundaon (MAF), will on Sunday, September 5, 2021 embark on a programme tagged ‘Female Hangout’, where all a endees will benefit from free medical check-up.

Speaking with OSUNDEFENDER in a telephone interview, the Chief Host of the event and founder of MAF, Mrs. Monsurat Ibraheem, said the programme is to address societal and marital challenges facing women.

Monsurat said most of the women in the society are facing marital challenges and do not know how and who to open up to for advice and seek redress due to s gmi sa on and condemna on.

She said: “The reason why our founda on is embarking on this programme is that, we noced that most of our women are facing marital challenges and because of condemna on

and s gma sa on, they do not know the right person to talk to or the right channel to contact.

“Due to this, some of them have developed series of health issues such as high blood pressure, which has led to par al stroke, mental illness and emo onal trauma.

So, I believe through this pla orm, we can talk to them, rub minds together and give best advice

through professional counsellors who will be at the event.

“The pla orm will help them in expressing their feelings and challenges. We are focusing on the female gender only because we believe they have a right within the society and they are more vulnerable than men. Also, 80% of women are suffering from abuses compared to

men. That is why we are giving much a en on to females.

“We are partnering with the State of Osun Ministry of Women Affairs; the Commissioner for the ministry will also be on seat on Sunday to grace the event. The skills acquisi on program will also go a long way in helping them with their economic growth.

Adeboye, Wife Condole With Akire Over Olori Falabi’s Death Yusuf Oketola

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HE General Overseer of Redeemed Chrisan Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and his wife, Foluke Adeboye, have paid a condolence visit on the Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, Lambeloye III, over the demise of his wife, Olori Anthonia Aduke Falabi.

The sympathisers were received by the monarch, children of the deceased and chiefs at the palace.

Pastor Adeboye com-

miserated with the royal father, Lambeloye rulling house and the en re people of Ikire over the demise of the re red teacher.

The clergy described death as inevitable that every soul will taste.

The Man of God, who prayed eternal rest for the departed, extolled the virtues of Olori Anthonia Falabi and her commitment to the growth and development of Ikire while alive.

Others in a endance are Rt. Col. Layi Falabi, his wife and eminent personali es in the ancient town.

•Adeboye

ment ought to have made sure that MDS road is properly rehabilitated to comfortably serve as an alternave.

He said: “A responsive government should have made sure that this MDS road is properly rehabilitated. It is the only road for us and it is in a bad state.

“The company construc ng the bridge should have been saddled with the responsibility of repairing the alterna ve roads. How much will it cost them to do that?”

Another motorist, Ismail Luqman, berated the government for not repairing the roads before the commencement of the flyover.

In his own words, Mr. Moses Olawale who spoke with the medium in Yoruba Langauge said: “Though, the construc on of the flyover by the government is a commendable one, I will urge those in charge of roads in the state to do something about these alterna ve roads soon for the convenience of the residents.

“The residents are already bearing the brunt of the ongoing flyover and the government should do everything to ease that burden.

The roads should be a ended to quickly and I believe the governor, being a lover of the people, will work on that quickly.”

Similarly, a resident of Iwo, Mr. Atanda Abeeb Lakwize, has taken to the social media to call the a en on of Governor Oyetola to the deplorable condi on of Ku Road, along Panada in Iwo Local Government area of the state, calling for urgent interven on on the road.

He wrote: “This is the situa on report of Ku Road along Panada in Iwo Local Government, State of Osun.

“Without being poli cal sir, there is no way this will not adversely affect economic ac vi es and depreciate the living condi ons of people sojourning in this area and also this may lead to flooding of homes, which may even lead to loss of life.

“Commuters, motorists and residents have been given false hope and expecta ons over me on the rehabilita on of this road.

This people have been demoralised and they have lost hope on infrastructural development in the area.

“This is not the only road that needs quick interven on in Iwo Local Government. I urge the Governor and the concerned ministry to please quickly intervene in this for the purpose of safety and development.”

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 09, 2021

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News

Aregbesola’s Aide Faults Police’s Statement On Reported Assassination Attempt Kazeem Badmus

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R. Abosede Oluwaseun, an aide to the Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has faulted the claim of the Police, Osun Command, that there was no assassina on attempt on his life.

Oluwaseun also faulted the Police’s claim that they recovered his stolen vehicle, describing the statement as a bundle of lies.

The former Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs was a acked by armed men on the night of Thursday, August 26, 2021 at his house in Osogbo.

The armed men scaled the fence and hijacked the exit door at the kitchen of the house when his wife was about to close it for the night.

According to report, Oluwaseun and his wife were ed on both hands and legs by their assailants, who threatened to kill him (comrade). The husband and wife were mercilessly beaten with cutlasses.

The a ackers reportedly asked Oluwaseun to deac vate every security se ng on his phone, even as they took it from him and concentrated on the device for almost an hour un l they were sure that the passwords of the phone and applica ons had been truly removed.

They therea er started studying the contents of the phone, said Oluwaseun.

He added that the armed men also transferred all the money in Oluwaseun’s account to that of his wife, whose ATM card had earlier been collected. They also collected SIMcards of his wife. While the opera on was going on, the armed men were reportedly saying “we are taking you to where you will be killed.”

It was gathered that the armed men le the house around 12am of Friday, August 27, with Comrade Safety’s car (Toyota Camry), a er he deac vated the security device on the vehicle at gunpoint. Comrade Safety and his wife were le with their hands and legs ed.

The case was reported at Dada Estate Police Staon in the middle of the night and Police made commendable intervenons. Oluwaseun reportedly le the Police Staon around 4am.

However, the car was later seen around 7am, parked a pole-distance to the Dada Estate Police Sta on. The front and rear number plates of the car were removed and taken away.

It was rightly reported in the online media as “Aregbesola’s Aide Escapes Assassina on.”

But in a statement issued by the Police Public Rela ons Officer, Osun Command, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola on Tuesday, the Police debunked the assassina on report.

According to Opalola, “The Police chased the hoodlums, which led to the recovery of the said stolen vehicle, while the hoodlums escaped a er removing the front and rear number plates. Since that me, fran c efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits.

“I wish to state categorically that, discreet inves ga on carried out does not reveal any form of assassina on as reported in the news in circula on. The case is purely an armed robbery incident as nobody was killed.”

Responding to the Police’s statement, Oluwaseun said: “Ordinarily, I would not have bothered to respond to the statement issued by the Police, but for lies concocted in the statement, which could be misleading to the general public, hence this rejoinder.

“In the first instance, I was a acked by masked armed men in my house shortly a er 10pm of Thursday, 26th of August, 2021 while the Police arrived the house around 1am (on Friday, August 27); clearly two hours after the criminals had gone with my car and phone.

“My wife and myself’s hands were ed and mouths stuffed and gagged; taking me me to reach neighbours who could un e me, return to wife, then proceed to get help, and then the Police.

“Therefore, the state-

ment from the Police that, “Immediately the Police received the report, Police detec ves from Dada Estate and other Tac cal squads swung into ac on and chased the

hoodlums, which led to the recovery of the said stolen vehicle, while the hoodlums escaped a er removing the front and rear number plates” is a blatant lie.

“Police could not have “chased the hoodlums” that had gone two hours

Residents Call For Help Over Usage Of Less Than 10-Yr-Old As Housemaid Yusuf Oketola

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OME residents of Road 4, Zone B, Halleluyah Estate of Osogbo, State of Osun, have called on the Police and NonGovernmental Organisa ons to come to the rescue of a li le girl who is reportedly being used as a housemaid by a member of the community.

According to the residents, the li le girl, who is between seven and ten years of age, was not allowed to go to school by her master.

She is not a Yoruba, said the residents, who

spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under condion of anonymity yesterday.

The residents said: “We have been observing this li le girl for a long me. She is not going to school, you will only see her fetching water all the me.

We don’t know who her master is, but we are sure she is a housemaid to a member of this community.

“The Police and NGO people should come to her rescue. She is too young to be a housemaid. She is supposed to be in school by now, but here she is, fetching water.”

•Oluwaseun since! In addi on, it was around 6am of Friday, 27th August, on my way back to the sta on, with my allies that we spo ed the car; parked at about 10 meters to the gate of the Police Sta on, the car key le on the driver’s seat.

“We called the a enon of the Police who were themselves shocked at the development. Having inspected it, nothing was missing except the car number plates, Arsenal s ckers, and all political-related documents and personal ID cards.

“So, where and how did the Police “chase the hoodlums which led to the recovery of the said stolen vehicle?”

“Moreover, it is unprofessional of the Police to declare that “The case is purely an armed robbery incident as nobody was killed” when no arrest had been made and inves ga on not yet completed.”

Oluwaseun accused the Police of being parsan, saying “The statement released by the Police shows them as being par san on this ma er

Ismaeel Uthman

lege of Management and Social Sciences and Department of Geology respec vely.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the vehicle conveying the graduates might have skidded off the road due to heavy rains.

A source said that the news of the tragedy was broken among colleagues of the vicms in a WhatsApp group where the gory video of the accident was also shared.

The Public Rela ons Officer of UNIOSUN, Mr. Ademola Adesoji, confirmed the report, describing it as unfortunate.

According to Adesoji, the Na onal Officials of the NYSC have been contacted and were handling the ma er.

He prayed God to grant the families of the deceased graduates the for tude to bear the loss.

NYSC: UNIOSUN Graduates Posted To Kaduna Die in Road Crash

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OUR graduates of the Osun State University, Osogbo, posted to Kaduna State for their Na onal Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were involved in a road crash on Lokoja/Abuja road, on Wednesday.

Two of the graduates, Ajibade Robertson Babatunde and Tiamiyu Bassit Olumide, lost their lives to the accident, while Abdulrahman Monsur Omotunde and Adeniyi Kabirat Taiwo survived the road crashed.

Bassit graduated from the Department of Computer Science, while Babatunde finished from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

The survivors, Omotunde and Taiwo graduated from Col-

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Religion

LL praises and adora on is due to Allah, the Creator of the creatures, the Beginner of everything and as well the Eternal Living.

May peace and abundant mercy be upon the dis nguished and noble sole of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), His household, companion and those who are with him with righteousness ll the

be grateful, and as well is good for him, and if disaster allies to a believer, he should be paent, and as well is good for him.

This hadith proofs that anything that happens to us, either good or bad is what pleases Allah. There is no mistake in His ac on. He is most perfect.

Today’s sermon is the major problem baffling the mind of everyone. And the only way out of it is to comply with the injunc on of

JUMAT SERMON By Muhammad Abdulalimi

day of resurrec on.

We give glory to Allah (SWT) for sparing our lives to witness another Jum’ah. Many believers wished and desirous of praying today’s Jum’ah, but their des nies go against their wishes. Those of us that are s ll alive, it is neither because we are be er than them, nor because the deceaseds commi ed a par cular offence which we never did. Our individual’s des ny is what is playing out on everyone of us. My evidence is in Suratul Qamar, Quran 54:49. Allah says: “Indeed, We have created everything, perfectly preordained.” This is why we need to thank Allah, always. Allah says in Suratul Ar-Rahman, Quran 55, repeatedly that “Which among the favour of your Lord will you deny?”

The topic of today’s sermon is “Kudos Of Believers”, which technically means “All What The Believers Are Doing”.

The believers will never leave the garden of Allah but for those who complain about what Allah did for them; they should have the concealment that they have been transgressing which may leads one to be deprived of the garden of Allah, because Allah (SWT) has made disaster or problem as natural thing for human being. This can be sighted at the end of the hadith of Rosulullahi (SAW) that: “And to believe in des na on either good or bad”. This is to remind everyone of us that

Kudos Of Believers complaint is not the a ribute of a good believer.

Allah says in suratul Baqorah, Quran 2:155- 156: “And we will most certainly try you with somewhat of fear and hunger and loss of property and life and fruits; and give good news to the pa ent, who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: surely we are from Allah and to Him we shall surely return”.

What can be easily deduced from these verses are gratefulness and pa ence, i.e, if any of the above happened to anyone, he or she should thank Allah and exercise pa ence. Complaining about an occurrence is not the necessary thing for those who believe. And these two terms are very important in the sense that: First: It is the words of Allah that He will be testing us with different problems, furthered by saying ‘and give good news to the pa ent’. That means, whoever endures whatever comes to him will surely wear the magnificent crown at the end of his life.

Second: Indeed promise of Allah is truth: It means that whether we like it or not, what Allah (S.W.T) stated will definitely come to reality. The Messenger of Allah explains in details in the below hadith: “It is a wonder, marvel for the affair of believers is good………. If happiness afflicts a believer, he should

the Quran and adhere to the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W), otherwise, it could be from one problem to the others.

Gratefulness and pa ence are very important and useful in the daily ac vi es of mankind. Allah Says in Quran 14:7, “If you are grateful, I will increase your goods.” For those who exercise pa ence, Allah says in Quran 2:45: “And seek assistance through pa ence and prayer, most surely it is a hard thing except for the humbles one.’’ Also, Allah says “O you who believe! Seek assistance through pa ence and prayer, surely Allah is with the pa ent”, Quran 2:153.

From this above verses of the Quran, it can be understood that we can seek assistance from Allah through pa ence. Furthermore, has ng is from the Shayton. Allah has said He is with those who are paent.

Conclusively, another a ribute for the believer is piety. Another way of solving our problems is for everyone to accept his or her fate with faith. Because Allah Says: “And who fear Allah will be removed from any difficulty. And He will provide for you in an unexpected way.” Quran 65:2-3. These proofs are sufficient for the believers to keep embarking on the path of Allah (S.W.T).

•Sheik Muhammad Muhammad Abdulalimi, is the Mudiru Ad-Da’wah Wal-Irshad, Obaagun, State of Osun.

Crime

Teenager Sentenced To 2-Yr- Jail Term For Burglary Stories By Yusuf Oketola

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19 YEAR OLD boy, Abiodun Ogunleye, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment at Ilesa Correc onal Centre by an Osogbo Magis-

trate Court for breaking into the houses of three persons where he stole some proper es.

Ogunleye was convicted on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 by Magistrate O.A Daramola a er pleading guilty to a sev-

en-count charge brought against him.

The accused had earlier been arraigned on December 22, 2020 and pleaded not guilty, making the Magistrate to admit him to bail in a sum of N500, 000 with two

We Stole 10 Tubers Of Yam Not 30 – Accused the offence on August 31, Persons Tell Court 2021 at about 12:05pm at

T

WO accused persons who were arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court yesterday denied stealing 30 tubers of yam as stated in the charge sheet.

The accused persons, Sunday Koffi (21 years) and Sunday Kossi (25 years) were alleged of stealing the 30 tubers of the yams from the farm of one Abdulwaheed Olaoye in Okini area of Osogbo, State of Osun.

But the suspects denied stealing 30 tubers of yam, even as they admitted stealing only 10 tubers of yam.

Koffi and Kossi were

arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

According to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER, the accused persons commi ed

Alapupu area, Okinni.

The alleged offence, according to the police, contravened Sec ons 516 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

But the defendants pleaded guilty to the first count and not guilty to the second count as they have no legal representaon.

Magistrate M.A Olatunji ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Ilesa Correc onal Centre in view of the plea on the second count.

The case was adjourned ll September 20, 2021.

sure es.

But Ogunleye was unable to perfect his bail term and was subsequently remanded in Ilesa Correc onal Centre.

Presen ng the fact of the case to the court on Tuesday, Police Prosecutor, Inspector Kayode Adeoye, told the court that the convict and others at large burgled the

house of one Shi u Abdullahi where they damaged his window and stole his valuables on December 20, 2021 at Church Street, Ayetoro Area of Osogbo.

Adeoye added that the accused person and others at large also burgled into the house of one Quadri Adeleke and Ayobami Awogboro through the win-

dows and stole a sum of N10,000, two phones and razor blade.

The statement of the convict was presented to the court as an exhibit by the prosecutor.

The accused person was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment at Ilesa Correc onal Centre by Magistrate O.A Daramola.

Ex-Police Officer Remanded Over Assault, Impersonation

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N Osogbo magistrate’s court has remanded a 25year-old ex-Police officer, Felix Oladotun, in Ilesa Correc onal Centre over an alleged assault and impersona on.

Oladotun was said to have assaulted one Ro mi Adekanye by beaten him with Police belt a er disagreement ensued between them.

He was also accused of parading himself as a Police officer a er being dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force.

According to the

charge sheet obtained

by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, the defendant commi ed the alleged offence on August 29, 2021, at about 9:00pm at Angle 90 Hotel, Osogbo.

The alleged offence, according to the Police, contravened Secons 355 and 109(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

But the accused person pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of assault and impersonaon brought against him.

Defence counsel, Kehinde Adepoju, prayed the court to admit the accused person to bail on a liberal term, stating that he was ready to stand trial and would provide reliable surety.

However, the presiding magistrate, Dr. Olusegun Ayilara, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ilesa Correc onal Centre, as he demanded for formal bail applica on.

The case was adjourned ll September 6, 2021 for ruling on bail.

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 09, 2021

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News

COVID-19: Osun Residents Laud Health Workers On Vaccination Kazeem Badmus

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S the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic con nues to ravage the world, residents of the State of Osun have lauded health workers for their frontal assault against the pandemic, even as the state has been recording low turnout of people for vaccina on.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Osun, as at yesterday, had a total number of 2,711 confirmed cases with 79 deaths.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola had on Tuesday, August 24, flagged off the second phase of vaccinaon against the ravaging Coronavirus in the state.

Speaking at the event, Oyetola said the Mordena vaccine has been adjudged by experts as very effec ve for the purpose of building immunity of people of the state against the pandemic.

The Governor said about 47,900 new set of people would be vaccinated in the second phase of the exercise.

OSUNDEFENDER visited some community health centres during the weekend in Osogbo, to see the level of turnout of residents towards receiving the vaccine.

The medium visited Isale Agbara community health centre, Osogbo, at about 10:20am on Sunday and met just nine people who came to receive the vaccine.

Speaking a er receiving his dose, Prince Adekanmi Ademiluyi, expressed his pleasure on the ongoing exercise.

According to Ademiluyi, the conduct and manner of approach of the health workers who a ended to him were very impressive.

He said: “I was very impressed for the first me on the a tude of the civil servants. The three women who a ended to me were very helpful, kind and polite. We should give them kudos for a job well done. They were very pa ent and the way they talked to people who were skep cal to take the vaccine was very encouraging.”

Ademiluyi, however, decried the low turnout of

•As State Records Low Turnout residents towards receiving the vaccine.

He stated: “The turnout was too low. I got there with my friend about 10:00a.m on Sunday and we were the first to be there. Even if Chris-

ans were in church, what about the Muslims? It is very disappoin ng and I think it is a bit dangerous for us.

“That is why I personally support the decision that the vaccine should be

•A bad portion of road at Sawmill area of Alekuwodo, Osogbo, State of Osun.

interview yesterday, the Public Rela ons Officer of the UNIOSUNTH, Mr Omotayo Ogunleye, confirmed the influx of paents to the hospital.

nated.”

At Odi-Olowo Community Health Centre, the situa on was the same as there was low turnout.

Mrs. Kafayat Adegoke, who was at the centre for vaccina on, urged residents who are yet to be vaccinated to do so, saying it is for the benefit of everyone.

The mother of two said: “I am here to get vaccinated and I want to appeal to those who are yet to get their doses to do so as it is for the be erment of everyone.

“Maybe people are scared to come out because of some of the rumours we are hearing about the vaccine, but the government has assured us that there are no side effects”.

Calling on market men and women to take the vaccine, the Iyaloja-General of the state, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, in a telephone conversa on, said efforts were being made to mobilise the peo-

ple for the vaccina on exercise.

She said: “We have been telling our people to go and get themselves vaccinated because they are the ones having maximum contact with people everyday.

“The government has really tried to curtail the spread of the virus and we also have to play our part by going for the vaccine.”

She however appealed to the State Government to take the vaccine to market places across the state.

“I will implore the government to take the vaccine to all market places in the state or be er s ll, find a suitable place near the market where market men and women will go to take the vaccine.

“I was part of the commi ee during the Polio Vaccina on and the advice I gave the government then was to take the vaccine to the market, which they did and it yielded a huge result”, she stated.

Man Jumps Into Osun River After Receiving Phone Call Kazeem Badmus

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commercial motorcyclist, whose iden ty was yet to be known, as at yesterday, jumped into River Osun, on the Gbongan/Ibadan road, Osogbo, State of Osun.

The middle-aged man reportedly dropped his telephone handset into the river before jumping into it around 4:20pm on Wednesday.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the man rode his

motorcycle and parked on the bridge to receive a call a er which he threw the phone into the river before he took a plunge.

A motorcycle with Registra on Number PKA 915 VI, which was reportedly

ridden to the spot by the man was taken away by Police opera ves.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER at the scene of the incident, Rasaq Olagunju, who claimed to have witnessed the in-

LG Congress: APC Members In 27 LGs Procure Forms in Osun Ismaeel Uthman

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EMBERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun have shown their readiness to par cipate in tomorrow’s Local Government Congress of the party.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the APC members have procured forms for all the 27 offices of the party in each of the local governments.

Findings by the medium also revealed that members of the party, par cularly those who belong to The Osun Progressives (TOP), will be par cipa ng the LG con-

gress through elec on in 27 local governments of the state.

It was learnt that there might not be elecon for the LG congress in Boripe, Boluwaduro and Ila local governments.

Confirming their parcipa on, the Chairman of TOP, Reverend Adelowo Adebiyi, said members of the caucus have procured nominaon forms to par cipate in the congress.

According to Adebiyi, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER in a telephone interview, the APC members got their forms from the Na onal Secre-

UNIOSUNTH, Private Hospitals...

•Continued from page 2

compulsory for everybody.

At least, 70 per cent should be vaccinated. A low turnout for vaccina on will amount to nothing unless we get to 70 percent.

“I don’t know maybe the turnout is be er during the week, but I think weekend is the best me for people to get vacci-

Ogunleye said: “It is true that there is influx of pa ents to our hospital because of the strike of the Resident Doctors.

But I am happy to tell you that we have been

managing the situa on.

The hospital is func oning well, and we have the capacity in terms of infrastructure and personnel. Our facili es are not overstressed now.”

tariat of the party.

He said: “We are set for the congress. We have obtained forms from the Na onal Secretariat in Abuja and we have mobilised and sensi sed our people to come out tomorrow, Saturday, September 4, to elect their local government execu ves of the party.

“What happened in the last Ward Congress repeated itself. The officials that were sent from the Na onal Secretariat of the party to sell forms in Osun were hijacked and kept at the Government House by Governor Oyetola.

“The officials arrived Osogbo last week Tuesday and they have been in the Government House since then. They did not sell the forms.

Only the Governor and members of his group, IleriOluwa, have access to the forms.

“We have informed

the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies in the state to invite and seek the presence of their officers for the congress. We are par cipa ng in 27 local governments of the state.

“Our people should go to their local government centres on Saturday to elect their execuves.

•Adebiyi

cident, said he was near the bridge when the man arrived and parked his motorcycle.

He said: “I did not immediately regard his presence on the bridge as important, but I began to take note of his movements a er he brought out his phone and received a call.

He was shou ng on top of his voice.

“I could not tell what he was saying because of the noise of vehicles moving along the road at the me.

He later threw the phone into the river and jumped from the top of Gbodofon bridge into Osun River.

“He did not even switch off the igni on of the motorcycle. He only parked and took a call before he jumped into the river. We are all confused. The man had his clothing on before he jumped into the river.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident, saying there was ongoing effort to search for the man.

CHANGE OF NAME OLORUNFEMI OLUWASEUN SAMUEL That I was formerly known and addressed as O L O R U N F E M I OLUWASEUN. Now wish to be known and addressed as OLORUNFEMI OLUWASEUN SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 09, 2021 VOL. 16 NO 33 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

News NYSC: UNIOSUN Graduates Posted To Kaduna Die In Road Crash Page 5

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LTHOUGH, it con nues to evolve, the term ‘Democracy’ came to life in the 5th Century BC in Athens, Greek CityState to connote “rule of the people.” That informed why Abraham Lincoln, on August 1, 1858 in his 272-word speech addressed to about 15,000 people at the Ge ysburg Naonal Cemetery in Pennsylvania in honour of those who died in America Civil War for the preserva on of American union created in 1776 said, it was up to the living to ensure that the “government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln was an American lawyer and the 16th President of United States from 1861 un l his assassina on on 15th April, 1865. However, further studies queried the term, ‘people’ as it is vague. Rulers are not same people as the ruled; leaders are not same people as the led. Hence, democracy was redefined as “majority rule and protec on of individual and minority rights.”In forms and content therefore, democracy is about majority of the people without aliena ng individual and minority rights; majority determine who rules through their majority vote. That is why in an electoral context, having fulfilled other s pulated criteria like spread of votes among others, a winner is declared by simple majority – highest number of votes cast for one candidate that exceeds the second-highest number while not cons tu ng an absolute majority. In democracy therefore, electorate are the kings.

In Nigeria of today, Judiciary seems to have hijacked the tradi onal power of the electorate to elec ng the leaders of the society; no thanks to common disregards for procedures by poli cians and poli cal par es.

There are three arms of government – legislature, execu ve and the judiciary. Legislature and execu ve are elected by the electorate while the judiciary is chosen through the recommenda on of Na onal Judicial Council (NJC) and approved by the execu ve.

Poli cians and poli cal par es, as they desperately seek to outsmart one another and in the process, compromise elec on through various malprac ces such as use of thugs to snatch ballot boxes a er vo ng which will cast a ques on mark on the final outcome of the electoral exercise. 2018 gubernatorial elec on in Osun readily comes as the first example.By the end of that elecon, PDP had 254,698 votes while APC had 254,345 votes. By simple majority, PDP had

“Most politicians see politics and polity as their personal estate and empire and would do anything to orchestrate electoral malpractices in desperation to hold on to power and winning at all cost.”

Rescuing The Soul Of Osun APC

What Manner Of Democracy! won by 353 votes. However, because of disrup on of vo ng and snatching of ballot papers and boxes purely orchestrated by poli cians, the elec on result was declared inconclusive by the electoral umpire, Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC was of the view that those electorate in seven different polling units and across four local government areas could not be denied their vo ng rights and that their number on the voter’s register was 3,498 which was far over and above the 353 difference; hence, a rerun. At the end of the rerun, APC was able to pull the string by defea ng PDP while the PDP headed to court and here is the bo om-line. Although, the Apex court eventually proclaimed APC as the winner of the elec on, it could have gone either way, as witnessed the cofounding judgement at the first tribunal.

In the Saturday, 10th March, 2019 governorship elec on in Zamfara State, Muktar Id-

STRIKER

ris of APC was declared winner by INEC, having secured 534,541 votes out of the 810,782 votes cast across the 14 local governments in the state while Bello Matawalle of PDP scored 189,452 votes, coming far behind but second. On the 24th May, 2019, Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, ruled that APC did not conduct valid primaries for the 2019 general elec ons in the state and therefore nullified APC victory and handed the other candidate with the highest votes next to APC - PDP- the victory. That was how Bello Matawalle of the PDP emerged Zamfara State Governor from a distant second posi on. When the APC approached Supreme Court on the ma er, it affirmed the Court of Appeal ruling by stating, “Candidate other than the 1st appellant with the highest votes stands elected. A cost of N10 million is awarded against the appellant.”

In Imo State March 2019 elec on, INEC declared Mr. Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP as

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

Nigeria Can Work

“

the winner but the Supreme Court reversed the victory and declared Hope Uzodinma of APC as the Imo State Governor. The apex court said results of 388 polling units were unlawfully excluded during colla on of the final governorship elec on result. Although, it did not provide details of votes scored by each of the candidates a er the admi ance of results from the said 388 polling units, the Supreme Court said Mr. Uzodinma scored the majority votes of the 388 units added.

From the cited cases above, two major problems afflic ng our civil rule are: refusal of majority of the poli cians to play by the rule by allowing party internal democracy; that refusal in turn culminate to conduct of invalid primaries with the use of thugs created by their maladministra on in the first instance while their own children are doing well, mostly abroad. Most poli cians see poli cs and polity as their personal estate and empire and would do anything to orchestrate electoral malprac ces in desperaon to hold on to power and winning at all cost. As long as the party faithful and the electorate in general fold their arms and allow these condi ons to con nue, Supreme Court will con nue to technically play their role of elec ng leaders of their choice for the people. All their yeoman work of campaigning for their candidates; standing under the scorching sun and rain to cast their votes and monitor same will amount to nothing as court may be the ul mate decider.For genuine majority rule, not manifest through judicial interpreta on of technicali es, the ball is in the court of the majority of the people to take ownership of the democra c process.

SOMEWHERE on a highway (a single carriageway) on the approach to a state capital in SouthWest Nigeria, I ran into a 1km-long stretch of crawling traffic that for minutes at mes was at complete stands ll. Within minutes, several meters more built up behind me steadily. Nobody a empted to overtake me as I was impulsively tempted to overtake the vehicles in front of me because incoming traffic was very light indeed. I curiously came down from the car to find out what was responsible for this unusual situa on.

“In the middle of the road ahead, lining-up at about 20 meters apart for as far as the eyes could see, were smartly dressed, armed police officers, monitoring development. The most stubborn and unruly drivers, soon as they made to overtake and form a new lane facing upcoming traffic, quickly calm down and begged the adjacent vehicle in order to return to the single lane forma on once they sighted the stern looking officers ahead, who hardly ever had to say anything or ges culate. Their look and disposi on alone inside the hot sun was enough to convince any driver to reconsider his/her stupid inten on.

“We spent about one hour to cover a distance of just two kilometers to see a stretch of as much traffic on the opposite lane before moving freely; officers equally lined up on that side,

facing the other direc on, ensuring total compliance. I realized that we could have slept there in a possible traffic malady, except for the interven on of the calm, cool, collected officers, who simply resolutely stood as armed guards in the sun, obtaining sense and discipline from everyone.

The sad discovery was that there was a sprawling market that had half taken over the road at cri cal places on the approach to the city.”

The above narra ve was made to Striker by a compatriot. The story, rather than being strange, is one that most readers are not only familiar with but may have personally experienced at some me; the unique aspect only being the interven on of the law enforcers and the deligh ul outcome despite the arduous experience.

Instances and experiences like the above re-humanise us and bring home the realiza on that, clearly, Nigeria can work, and Nigerians are most reasonable and compliant with good rules and regula ons, so long as there is fairness and visible jus ce in the enforcement of rules; should those gallant officers do anything in controlling the traffic other than best conduct that they gave, everything would simply turn sour, ugly and nasty as Nigeria in the hands of its rulers today has.

Patrio c Nigerians, across all tribes and religion, are striving hard to drag Nigeria back from ‘the road to Af-

ghanistan.’ Who are the ones that had drugged Nigeria and Nigerians and harried them to that road? That is open secret: the highest level of rulership and majority of the cri cal statedrivers in Nigeria’s recent history.

There are several redemp ve situa ons and personages that give hope of a turnaround to glory for Nigeria and Nigerians. Nigerians should focus more on these, while preparing in every way they can (within all their social organiza ons: poli cal, community, cultural, intellectual, professional, etc, without regards to religion or ethnicity that is manipulated by many of their rulers to divide them), to rally and unite for victorious struggle against retrogressive forces of darkness, division, exploita on and oppression.

An average Nigerian, anywhere, has no problem with any other average Nigerian from anywhere. Given just leadership, Nigerians are hardworking, enterprising, crea ve, fun-loving and will be law-abiding, when the laws are fairly and equitably enforced. The country has a huge poten al, human and material, to be the world leader; and Nigerians must put that fact at the back of their mind, as one that is not a palatable observa on to any of today’s “interna onal community” to whom most of our despo c rulers are slaves. So, help us God in these direly challenging mes, as we collec vely abandon frivoli es and selfishness, and collec vely work and pray hard with focuson our deliverance and prosperity.

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.

Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefemder@yahoo.com