Mohammed Shosanya

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), in the last governorship election in Ondo State,Agboola Ajayi,has sued the APC governorship candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Olayide Adelami.

In the suit filed before the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Agboola challenged  the qualification of the duo to participate in the just concluded poll.

Ajayi had, through his attorney, M. Ndoka SAN, challenged the eligibility of Adelami to contest as the Deputy Governorship candidate of APC.

He is also praying the court to disqualify APC from the ballot.

In the originating summons,the PDP candidate, Ajayi, said the first defendant (Adelami) is known by multiple conflicting and irreconcilable names of Adelami Owolabi Jackson and Olaide Owolabi Adelami.

Ajayi prayed the court to disqualify the APC deputy governorship candidate, Adelami, and the governorship candidate, Aiyedatiwa.

He also prayed the court :”That the first defendant,(Adelami) is constitutionally disqualified from contesting the election as Deputy Governorship candidate of APC.”

He  also sought “A declaration that the APC has no validly nominated Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidate for the 2024 election.”

The applicant,who came second in the November 16 governorship election in the state, asked for an order disqualifying the defendants from participating in the election and order and restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) from publishing their names or allowing them to participate in the election.

The counsel of the first defendant(Adelami), Dr. Remi Olatubora told the court that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) result of his client has the name Adelami Owolabi Jackson in 1974 and that a degree certificate from Ambrose Ali University issued in 1982 has the name Adelami Olaide Owolabi.

He further explained that the grievance of the plaintiffs is not about discrepancies in the name but rather the order or arrangements of the names.

He  told the court that the plaintiffs have no right to file the suit in accordance with section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022 because they are neither members of All Progressives Congress(APC) nor participated in the governorship primaries that produced Adelami and Aiyedatiwa as deputy governorship and governorship candidates of the party respectively.

Olatubora said: “The plaintiffs lack the locus standi to file the suit or seek the reliefs set out in the originating summons.That the suit as a matter of law does not qualify as a pre-election matter, and this court lacks jurisdiction.”

He added that the suit is incompetent having been commenced by originating summon instead of a writ of summons as the suit is based on the allegation of fraud.

Justice DD Adegoke fixed judgment on the suit for a later date.

The applicant was represented in court by M. Ndoka SAN,while the first defendant(Adelami) was represented by Dr. Remi Olatubora SAN and Idris Abubakar SAN.

Governor Aiyedatiwa (the second defendant) was represented by Mr. Tayo Oyetibo SAN, while All Progressives Congress (APC) was represented by Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN.

Mohammed Shosanya

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state,has waved an olive branch as he invited all other contestants in the  Saturday’s governorship election to join him in moving the state forward.

He was declared winner by Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, having polled 366781 votes, while Agboola Ajayi of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) polled 117,845 votes.

In his acceptance speech,he promised to run an all inclusive government, calling on poliyicoans across political paries to put their differences aside and work with him.

He dedicated his victory at the poll to his late boss, the immediate past governor of the state, the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

He said:”My fellow citizens of Ondo State,I stand before you this day, on the threshold of history, to accept the results of the 2024 gubernatorial elections held in our Sunshine State.

“I must say that  I feel greatly humbled and honoured by this renewed mandate you have given me to continue in office as your Governor. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and I pledge to work tirelessly to justify the trust you have reposed in me.

“Let me commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free, fair, and credible election. The security agencies across board are also deserving of our gratitude for being very professional in their assignment and maintaining peace throughout the exercise.

“As your Governor, I promise to continue to run an inclusive and participatory government, where every citizen has a voice and an opportunity to contribute to our collective progress.

“We will continue to prioritize the welfare of our people, foster economic growth, and ensure that our state remains a beacon of hope and prosperity for generations to come.

“Now that the elections are over, it is time to rededicate ourselves to the service of our dear state.

“I therefore want to extend a hand of fellowship to the opposition parties and to invite you to collaborate with us in the onerous task of building a better Ondo State for the overall good of our people.

“Let us put aside our differences and work together to create a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and our communities.

“Finally, I dedicate this victory,  first to the Almighty God and second, to the memories of our departed leader and former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON.”

He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leadership of APC, the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdulahi Umar Ganduje, the National Campaign Council of Ondo Governorship Election led by the Governor, Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among others for their unwavering support.

    Mohammed Shosanya

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the winner of Saturday’s Ondo State Governorship election,Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Sunday,Tinubu urged candidates dissatisfied with the outcome of the election to explore the opportunities provided by the judicial system to seek redress on areas of conflict.

He commended all stakeholders for the peaceful conduct of the process.

He also commended Aiyedatiwa and other candidates of the 17 political parties for their maturity and sense of purpose demonstrated during the campaigns and the election.

He said,the success of the polls is attributed to the civility in the state.

He enjoined the political actors to allow their orderly conduct to permeate the post-election activities and processes.

The statement reads:”The President  believes the Ondo State election was another litmus test of the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission, affirming that the electoral body justified the confidence of the people with early preparations, deployment of staff and materials, and handling of the electoral process.

“The President commends INEC for the efficiency of uploading more than 98 per cent of results on the same day of the elections.

“He extends his appreciation to the Nigerian Police Force, National Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Youth Service Corps,the military and other security outfits for their professionalism in maintaining peace and order”.

Mohammed Shosanya

The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD), leading the Youth-led Electoral Reform Project (YERP-Naija) in Southwest Nigeria,has called for youth-friendly electoral strategies in the country.

The group also advocated the use of digital tools like SMS and emails to inform voters about PVC collection.

In a statement  signed by Abimbola Aladejare-Salako,Executive Director, NIGAWD,the group emphasized the need for expansion of PVC collection points to locations close to youth-centered locations like tertiary institutions.

According to the group,the country must ensure adequate training of ad-hoc staff to improve election-day efficiency.

It added:”These measures aim to restore public confidence in INEC and increase youth participation. INEC has been receptive in adopting these recommendations towards their administrative and logistics preparations leading to today. YERP Naija commend this positive move by INEC”

The group implored all young people in Ondo State to seize this opportunity to cast their votes objectively and responsibly,as well as use their PVC to elect the candidate of your choice without succumbing to financial inducements.

The group also advised the youths to reject any attempt to involve them in acts of violence.

The statement added:”Our volunteers, a non-partisan team deployed across all 18 local government areas, are observing INEC and key stakeholders like the Police and other security agencies to ensure adherence to election guidelines.

“Using the YERP-Naija Election Process Observation Survey Tool (YNEPOST), they will monitor critical aspects of the electoral process. Feedback from these observations will be shared with the people of Ondo State and Nigerians at large, ensuring transparency and accountability.

“The Ondo gubernatorial election marks a significant step in Nigeria’s democratic journey. As young people lead the charge for reform, we celebrate their role as change-makers in promoting free, fair, and credible elections. As votes are cast, we urge all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the process and to prioritize the will of the people at the polling units and collation centres for more inclusive democracy in Nigeria”.

        Mohammed Shosanya

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reinstated Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party’s candidate for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election taking place today.

The development follows a ruling by the Court of Appeal, which affirmed his candidacy after a protracted legal battle.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Friday through its official handle on X that it would comply with a recent decision by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The appellate court dismissed a September 27, 2024, ruling by the Federal High Court,which had directed INEC to accept Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate for the upcoming election.

INEC’s announcement follows the Court of Appeal’s judgment, which nullified the earlier order compelling the electoral body to recognize Ebiseni as the party’s flag bearer.

The Labour Party,dissatisfied with the Federal High Court’s earlier ruling, filed an appeal in suit number: CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024.

In its verdict,the Court of Appeal declared that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to make such a determination.

In compliance with the Court of Appeal’s ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated its records to reflect Festus as the official candidate of the Labour Party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the details of the Court of Appeal’s decision on its official website, providing clarity on the Labour Party’s candidate for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.

In a statement,the Commission disclosed that it had been served with the Certified True Copy of the Court of Appeal’s judgment, which set aside an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja Division.

Mohammed Shosanya

Edo Governor,Monday Okpebholo,says he will set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the exclusion of fourteen Edo House of Assembly by the immediate-past administration.

He recalled that on 17th June 2019, 14 elected members of Edo state House of Assembly were denied inauguration into the 7th Assembly,saying it was a big blow to democracy.

Okpebholo who said this in his inauguration speech,explained that the probe was necessary in order  to avoid future occurrence.

This is very imperative because the legislative arm of government is an essential component for the sustenance of democracy,he added.

He said:”Under the doctrine of Separation of Powers, the Judicial arm of government shall be strengthened to administer justice; fairly and promptly.

“The delay and refusal by the previous administration to swear-in three judges recommended by the National Judicial Council is indeed regrettable. The Chief Judge will look into this and take necessary actions without delay.

“I want to thank members of the Edo Civil Service for their invaluable contributions to the development of our State. Your welfare shall be topmost in my agenda as meaningful reforms shall be initiated to ensure innovation, transparency and zero-tolerance for corruption in public service.

“Today, you have officially given me the mandate to preside over our dear State as Governor for the next four years.We will not betray this confidence you have reposed in me and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Honourable Dennis Idahosa”, he declared.

He said the welfare of Edo people is top priority for his administration and to achieve this, the government will implement programmes,carefully outlined in his five-point agenda, designed to grow a robust economic growth and improve the lives of the  people.

The five point agenda,according to him, are,security,infrastructure and road development,affordable healthcare, water and food sufficiency, and value-driven education across the state.

He noted, “For a long time now, our people have become victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes. To end this ugly situation, we will be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of our land, so that farming and other business activities will flourish again.

“The deplorable condition of our roads has made it difficult for people to move from one part of the state to another.

“Our policy to develop Road Infrastructure is targeted at constructing roads, drainages and bridges, to ease transportation for all. We shall immediately commence work to make the roads passable again.

“We are also ready to partner with the federal government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, those in diaspora, and other stakeholders, to develop our state across all sectors.

“My administration shall support small businesses and market women will be accessible to soft loans, while our teeming youthful population will not be left out as we shall support them to acquire relevant skills for self-empowerment”

He also said his administration shall immediately begin recruitment of teachers and rebuild the deplorable classrooms, adding that tertiary education will be strengthened in many ways too, to ensure quality education.

“Fellow citizens, my administration is ready to link communities that have not yet been connected to the national grid, to ensure that they have electricity.Our traditional institution shall be given the necessary support to play their role as custodians of our rich cultural heritage.

“It is in recognition of this that my administration shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned artefacts, that were looted away by British Colonial Forces during the Benin Massacre of 1897.

“To the Edo State House of Assembly, our people have tasked us to work together for the common good of all. My administration is ready to work with you to strengthen institutions of governance and accelerate development”.

Mohammed Shosanya

Edo All Progressives Congress, APC, Transition Committee, has  recommended the institution of inquiry into the finances of the state under outgoing administration of Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

The committee noted that the outgoing government did not provide audited financial statements published or unpublished.

It also implored  the new administration to carry out a complete review of all Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs) on the management of the Central Hospital and that of the Stella Obasanjo by the outgoing government.

The 25-member committee headed by the former deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, further recommended that all the local and foreign debts incurred under Obaseki must be accounted for, pointing out that even the procurement agency in its report to the transition committee, indicted the government.

The APC had on 14th October, 2024,set up a Transition Committee made up of 25 members and chaired by the former deputy governor of Edo State,Dr. Odubu, to interface with the outgoing government for a seamless transition.

After three weeks of assignments, meetings, interactions, engagements and analyses of the documents presented to the committee,according to Odubu,it came out with the following recommendation viz:

That all employment carried out in the recent past by the outgoing administration was canceled.

The committee also urged the incoming governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to investigate the true ownership of the Ossiomo Power Plant and Raddisson Blu Hotel as well as the Museum of West Africa Arts- MOWAA with a view to know the state’s equity in these companies as the outgoing government went blank on these enquiries.

It further demanded that the new administration should carry out a comprehensive review of the world bank funded EdoBest programme, adding that a probe be instituted to uncover its rather ‘opaque’ operations.

“All major contracts issued by the state government under the Ministry of Roads and Bridges should be reviewed as they appear not to have followed due process including the payment advance awarded to the contractors.

“The procurement agency indicted the government in its own report to the Transition Committee hence we have advised the new Governor to take a critical review.

“The ICT ecosystem should be streamlined as there appears to be duplication of duties.

“The outgoing government didn’t provide audited financial statements published or unpublished hence the committee is advising the government to institute an inquiry into this.

“The government couldn’t account for the number of teachers in the state hence we demand a proper teacher head count”, the transition committee declared.

The incoming governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo who received the report of the committee on Monday,promised to passionately look at all the recommendations as contained in the report and do justice to it without bias.

Mohammed Shosanya

Edo State Governor-Elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo,has appointed Mr. Fred Odianosen Itua as his Chief Press Secretary.

The appointment will take effect tomorrow, according to a statement personally signed by Senator Okpebholo.

Mr. Itua is a distinguished journalist with a wealth of experience, having previously served as the Assistant Political Editor at The Sun newspaper. His proven track record in journalism, coupled with his dedication to maintaining high standards in public communication, will serve as crucial assets to the new administration as it aims to fulfill its mandate for the people of Edo State.

This appointment reinforces Senator Okpebholo’s commitment to fostering transparency and effective communication within his administration,ensuring that the voices and needs of the citizens are prioritized.

           Mohammed Shosanya

Kano State Governor,Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf,Friday said he will soon drop members of his cabinet rated below performance of statutory schedules.

He said this  when he confirmed the receipt of the report of the committee on the performance of members of the cabinet.

He explained that the report would not be useful now because his close relationship with them in the last one and half years allowed him to know their capability in and out, therefore he would handsomely take the final decision on them.

According to him,none of the present commissioners lobbied for the position, stressing that before their appointment, he considered experience, credibility and advice consultation.

He added:”I expected from the commissioners is obedience to my humble self, to the NNPP and to the Kwankeasiyya Movement, in addition to dedication to duty and to come up with good initiatives for the development of the state”.

He spoke on poverty alleviation,saying the  people of the state benefited with free foodstuffs distribution in the urban and rural areas to cushion the hardship being experienced as a result of removal of petroleum subsidy.

He assured that the gesture would be sustained to enable thousands of less privilege citizens meet their daily bread.

The governor further said KASCO company that provides fertiliser for teeming farmers is under upgrading with a view of providing enough commodities for farmers in order to boost food production.

He disclosed that every month 52,000 women and youths across the state receive N50,000 to set up a business and become self-reliance.

Meanwhile,the governor has proposed N549, 160,417,663.00 appropriation bill for the 2025 fiscal year before the Kano state House of Assembly. 

The proposed bill tagged,Budget of “Hope, Human Capital and Economic Development,” projected 57 per cent capital expenditure and 43 per cent recurrent expenditure. 

The over N549 billion budget proposal for 2025 phiscal year is higher by N111. 8 billion compared with approved budget of 2024.

Presenting the proposed appropriation at the floor of the state House of assembly, Governor Yusuf disclosed that 2025 placed priority on education, health, and infrastructure development in the coming year.

According to him,education takes lion share of 31 per cent (N168.5 bn), Government Institutes 17 per cent (N98.2 bn),health 16 per cent (N90 bn) and Infrastructural development 12 per cent (N70.6 bn).

Other sectoral allocations include :security and emergency services 4 per cent (N23 bn),agriculture 3.8 per cent (N21 bn),environment and sanitation 2.8 per cent (N15.5 bn) and transportation 2 per cent (N12.8 bn).

He pledged that the proposed budget, when passed intended to realize collective dreams and aspirations of the state. He pledged full and proper implementation of the Budget’s provisions to attain high economic prosperity and reduce dependency on grants.

He stated that the priority given to education in both 2024 and 2025 fiscal years under the present administration was in fulfilment of campaign promises.

Responding,the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore assured speedy passage of the budget while calling Ministries,Agencies and Parastatals to prepare for defense of their appropriation.