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Wike Sacks Cabinet, Aides

By
Uche Mbah
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Nyesom Wike

By Uche Mbah

Presidential aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and  Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, Tuesday dissolved the State Executive Council.

In a release signed by Wike’s Special Assistant on Media, Kevin Ebiri, the Governor also announced the sack of his chief of staff, Emeka Woke, and his Senior Special Assistant on Protocol.

Wike gave no reason why he relieved the senior officials of their duties.

In the official ststement, the Governor thanked the former cabinet members for their diilligence and for rendering service to the state.

“Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has dissolved the State Executive Council with effect from Tuesday, May 24, 2022.”, the statement read.

“The Chief of Staff to the Governor and Senior Special Assistant (Protocol), have also been relieved of their office.

“His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, commends the members the Rivers State Executive Council for their service and contribution to the development of the State.

“He has, also, wished them the best in all their future endeavours.”

All the former members of the State Executive Council are to hand over to the most senior officers in their respective Ministries.

Akeredolu’s Banters Which Set Him On War Path With VP Osinbajo

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu and Yemi Osinbajo

By Ayodele Oni

Bad blood is becoming part of the fallouts of some presidential aspirants of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) and some Governors of the party.

With a few days to the Presidential Primaries, aspirants numbering 25 including the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and some serving Governors have been cruising the nooks and crannies of the country to canvass support for their asprantion.

The visit took the Vice President to Ondo state last week during which he interracted with delegates and took time off to meet with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who is also Chairman, Southern Governors Forum in Akure.

Reports after the meeting quoted Akeredolu as telling the Vice President that “When we were running around to ensure Buhari won the primaries in 2014, I sprained my ankle. My VP, Sir, you were not around. You were at the Holy Ghost night that day. You just moved from Holy Ghost Night to Aso Rock.”

The statement is reported to be generating negative reaction from the Vice President and his followers.

Governor Akeredolu had however reacted to douse the ill feeling, stating that his remark was not intended to slight the Vice President.

A statement by his Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties, Dr Doyin Odebowale in Akure on Tuesday, states that “Our attention has just been drawn to a statement widely credited to the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, but twisted and presented as a snide remark made to cast aspersion on the suitability of the Vice President and Presidential Aspirant in the forthcoming Presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON.

“This statement, credited to the Governor, is being circulated on social media to disparage his person. It reads: “When we were running around to ensure Buhari won the primaries in 2014, I sprained my ankle. My VP, Sir, you were not around. You were at the Holy Ghost night that day. You just moved from Holy Ghost Night to Aso Rock”.

“Putting what transpired during the visit of the VP, within the context of the convivial atmosphere, exposes the mischief in the deliberate slant put to the statement published to satisfy partisan interest.

“The Governor of Ondo State is not only the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, his colleagues in the whole of Southern Region defer to him as their spokesperson, mainly because of his principled stance on important issues affecting the country.

“Aketi’s position on succession pattern in the current politics is public knowledge. While he is not the one to hide behind a finger in taking a decision and making same known without equivocation, he will not be as brash as the statement purports.

“A situation which would have warranted the Governor to engage in a needless diatribe against a most respected professional colleague, friend and the number two citizen in the country would have been most unwarranted, uncharitable and disrespectful.

“The VP addressed the delegates of the State in his characteristic erudition and candour. The message delivered was well received. The aspirant stated the purpose of his visit in a most brilliant and jocular manner, regaling the audience with his signature brilliance and elocution.

“It would have been most unfortunate for anyone, let alone the host, to use this occasion to utter a statement that did not reflect the mood of the moment.

“The Governor acknowledged the contributions of Professor Yemi Osinbajo to the study and practice of Law and nation-building. He cited his case as typical of those who have benefited from uncommon divine munificence.

“He admonished politicians to always remember the role of the Almighty in the affairs of human beings. He expressed deep conviction on providence, that the Supreme Being gives power to anyone regardless of the scheming of people.

“He stated that if it was the will of Almighty that he would succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, nobody would stop it from coming to pass.

“The Governor did not deride or belittle the Vice President. That would have been a most unconscionable, brash and indecent way to play politics while welcoming any visitor to Ondo State, reputed for hospitality, how much more the sitting Vice President. Aketi is the quintessential gentleman of the Bar. He enjoys the confidence and respect of Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.”

Governor Akeredoku is reported to be one of the Governors that signed the nomination form of the APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu.

PDP Members Petition Ayu, Say No Primary Election Held In Ekiti

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Iyorcha Ayu

By Ayodele Oni

As candidates for the 2023 election emerge in the primary election by the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) which was held on Monday nationwide, there are indications that no election took place in Ekiti State.

PDP had held primary elections to pick candidates for Senate, House of Representatives and State Assemblies.

Rather than primary election in Ekiti state, members of PDP in the State have forwarded series of petitions to the National Secretariat of the PDP to intimate the leadership about what happened in Ekiti state.

In one of the petitions by some PDP members in Ikole Local Government, they claimed that election officials and materials were diverted to unknown place.

“As necessitated by the happenings today Sunday 22nd May 2022 we wish to bring to the attention of the Party at the National level, State and Local Government level, and the Independent National Electoral Commission that the Ikole Constituency 2 House Assembly primary that was supposed to be conducted at Headquarters of the Constituency Ward 10 in the Local Government Area, and in line with the stipulated provisions in the Party Constitution which emphases states that the primary election for House of Assembly, Ikole Constituency 2 should be conducted at the headquarters of the Constituency,  the primary election today was not held.

“As the Electoral Officers appointed by the Party at the State level rather than following the due process was insisting on applying wisdom by adopting open balloting as against the open-secret that is provided for in the Constitution of the Party or using a foreign material rather than the materials supplied by the Headquarters Office of the Party.

“The Electoral Officers insisting on using his discretion rather than following the constitutional provision of the Party generated reactions as the leaders in the constituency insisted on due process.

“It is unusual as the Electoral Officers chose to disobey the laid down rules of the Party(no electoral material – no presentation of certified /verifiable or authenticated list of elected delegates in the constituency was presented, no ballot and nothing to identify himself as electoral officers when questioned).”

Another one by PDP Rebirth Group states that “Let it be noted and documented that there was no primary election conducted in Ekit North and Ekiti Central Senatorial District today Monday,  23rd of May 2022, with the rumour heard that Ekiti South was stepped down till tomorrow.

“As noted earlier, Fayose disallowed the party officials from Abuja from leaving his NTS hotel to any of the election centres for the purpose of the functions for which they were sent by the party in the first instance.

“The North Senatorial District has its headquarter at Ido Ekiti in Ido Osi LG while the central Senatorial District has its headquarter at Aramoko in Ekiti West LG of Ekiti State.

“None of the party officials from Abuja went to these locations at all and hence no election was conducted in these Senatorial headquarters as listed above.

“It was even hilarious that Fayose sent his Cousin Hon Babade Ige to De Xambra Hotel, Ado Ekiti to gather hoodlums and conjured results, while the party delegates were waiting in the sun at the party headquarter in Aramoko Ekiti.

“It was also an abysmal level of comedy that Chief Tunde Ogunleye of Ikole Ekiti, unknown and never selected by the party for any function, took flight with the election materials in company of Hon Akinbode, another criminal interloper and the acting Chairman, Hon Omolase to an unknown location, where they also conjured results for election not done anywhere.

“The National Chairman should note that there is no primary election for the purpose of nominating Senatorial candidates for the North and Central Districts of Ekiti State due to the usual shenanigans of an unpopular irredentist called Fayose.

“It is shameful that the party, PDP through the National Chairman will subject Ekiti State into this odium all the time, especially 3 weeks to our gubernatorial election.

“We call on the National Chairman to organise our primary election, latest by tomorrow lest the whole process will be concluded in the Court of Law.”

CBN: Sacked Bank Workers To Get N5.7bn Compensation

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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CBN Gov Emefiele

By Tosin Olatokunbo

At last, bank workers who lost their jobs in 2006 due to the Bank Recapitalisation exercise have a reason to jubilate. They got a reprieve, yesterday after the National Industrial Court, NIC ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and National Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC to pay the workers N5.7 billion for making them lose their jobs.

In 2018, over 1000 workers who lost their jobs took the two government agencies to court for wrongful termination of their appointment, arguing that they should not be made to suffer because their banks could not recapitalise.

In 2006, the then Governor of the CBN, Charles Soludo directed commercial banks in the country to raise their working capital to N25 billion from N2 billion. Many banks which failed to meet the deadline, were stopped from doing business while others merged with bigger banks.

This led to massive job losses in the sector. At least, over 1000 employees were believed to have been sent home after their respective banks stopped operation. The aggrieved workers, under their respective unions later took the CBN and NDIC to court.

Ruling on the matter brought by 1,116 workers on Monday, Justice Paul Bassi said the claimants were sacked unjustly, eventhough, the Consolidation was carried out in public interest, he said.
He ordered that the workers should be paid the amount as damages, within three months after the judgment, failure which the two agencies will also pay 10 per cent of the amount monthly until the judgment amount has been fully liquidated by CBN and NDIC.

The two defendants had raised several objections, among which is that they were not the employers of the workers and the suit disclosed no cause of action against them.

Justice Bassi, however, dismissed the preliminary objections of the defendants and held that they may have acted in the general good by raising the capital base of banks in the country, but added that the workers interests were not considered.

According to him, the CBN interfered with the employment contact of the claimants by withdrawing the licenses of the banks who failed to re-capitalise, leading to the workers losing their benefits to their former employers.

Speaking to The Source magazine,  on Tuesday, some jubilant workers said they were happy that they have finally received justice after 16 years. “It was a long and difficult  journey, ” said one of them, who simply identified herself  as Tolani, adding that ” our families  have really suffered but thank God we have received  justice for wrongful termination  of our appointments”.

Winning A Delegates’ Election

By
The Source
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0

By Doyin Okupe

Those who have won delegate elections in Nigeria over the last 2 decades fall into the following categories:

  1. Those backed by an incumbent government at national or state levels.
  2. In the absence of a incumbent FG; those who are supported by a majority of “Super Stakeholders”. These include sitting state governors, fmr governors & leaders in states where no sitting governors exist.
  3. Aspirants who are able to dispense stupendous financial resources.

In the absence of an incumbent FG, a very rich aspirant can prevail against scenario 2 above.

Delegate elections are devoid of conscience, rational thinking, patriotism or the principle of right or wrong.

From my many years of experience, 70 to 80% of delegates vote along with the dictates of their leaders. It has nothing to do most often with their personal convictions.

 

WHY IS THIS SO?

It is so because at the end of the convention everyone returns to his state. If at the convention you refused to toe the line, most assuredly you are likely to pay for it and certainly you will not be a delegate in the next election …and so will many perks and privileges elude you in your state.

This is not restricted to ordinary delegates alone. Even if you were a former minister or senator or whatever, once you fail to align with party directives, be ready for sanctions from the powers that be within the party in your state.

 

INFLUENCE OF MONEY

This is a very interesting and intricate matter. Money in some cases may be the ultimate deciding factor. And in other situations where group or regional interest is crucial and compelling, it may be of little consequence.

But without money or with an offer considerably much lower than the leading contender financially, the poorer aspirant irrespective of pedigree, competence or suitability, may have no chance of winning at all.

Mischievously, and quite treacherously, the new trend is that each state delegation collects monies from all the aspirants and thereafter do one of to things.

  1. They still vote for the aspirant they had decided on from home based on several considerations.

Or:

  1. Divide their votes pro rata in accordance to how the aspirants have faired financially.

In the last PDP convention in Port Harcourt in 2019, most delegates went home with between $8000 & $10,000.

This year, the figures are bound to be higher. The big spenders are prepared to go as far as $10,000 per delegate.

As I write this piece, a delegate election to elect the State Assembly Member for my Local council is underway.

Information reaching me from the venue is that one of the two contestant is offering N200,000 per delegate while the other has offered N150,000.

We have 10 wards and 3 delegates per ward. That is, each aspirant will today dispense N6m for this delegate election!!!

Let no one fool you. This is what goes on nationwide and in all parties. Only the stakes differ.

THIS PRACTICE IS NOT SUSTAINABLE AND IS INCONSISTENT WITH A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENTAL GROWTH.

Okupe, a Medical Doctor-turned Politician, was Spokesperson for both Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan

Diesel Explosion Claims One Life, Causes Traffic Gridlock in Calabar

By
The Source
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0
Diesel Explosion in Calabar

By Stanley Ekpenyong, Calabar

The ever-busy Murtala Muhammed Highway, Calabar was Monday thrown into a bedlam following the explosion of a mini-van carrying drums of diesel suspected to be adulterated.

The explosion claimed the life of the driver of the van while other occupants managed to escape with injuries.

The incident caused rare traffic gridlock on the Highway which is the only land corridor for entrance into and exit from the Cross River state capital.

The Source Magazine gathered that the driver was on top speed and did not notice a speed bump around the Bebobsco bus stop on time prompting him to apply the brake suddenly leading to a spark and the subsequent explosion.

Motorists and commuters frantically tried to help put out the raging inferno to no avail.

The arrival of the men of Federal Fire Service Operations with their fire fighting truck could not do much to salvage the situation as both the driver and his van had already completely burnt into ashes before their arrival.

At the time of filing, this report carcass of the victim and the van were still blocking a section of the Highway.

Two PDP Ondo Senators Lose Bid To Return To Senate; Defeated In PDP Primary Election

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Senator Ayo and Nicholas

By Ayodele Oni

Two sitting Senators from Ondo state have lost bid to return to the Senate for another term in office.

This followed their defeat in the keenly contested primary election of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) which was held on Monday nationwide.

Senator Ayo Akinyelure, representing Ondo Central was defeated by a legal practitioner from Akure, Ifedayo Adedipe SAN, while his counterpart, Nicholas Tofowomo, from Ondo South lost to former Deputy Governor, Chief Agboola Ajayi.

Ajayi scored 78 votes to beat Tofowomo who polled 74 votes, Iroju Ogundeji : 23 votes, Godday Erewa : 12 Votes, Raphael Ademulegun : 11 Votes.

In Ondo Central, Mr Adedipe had 82 votes, Mr Akinyelure polled 58 votes, while Clement Faboyede scored 57 votes.

Akinyelure blamed former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko for being the brain behind his inability to win the  Senatorial ticket as the Party’s candidate ahead of 2023 general election.

Reacting to the outcome of the primary election, Akinyelure expressed regret that despite all he did to help the people of Ondo Central Senatorial District, the delegates paid him back with an instruction from Mimiko that he should be voted out.

“As a ranking Senator and with all I have done for them in Ondo Central Senatorial District, the three ad-hoc delegates that favour Olusegun Mimiko, they gave instructions for them to vote me out. I am happy for this but I know my God will never fail.

“I know what I am talking about. We have six Local Governments in the Central, by the grace of God I am still a sitting Senator.

“The election was so transparent, but I know that with the volume of what I have done for Ondo Central Senatorial District, I did not expect to be paid this way. But I have a destiny that nobody can stop.”

These are some of the sidelines that trailed the PDP Primary election with some members of the party applauding the development.

DSS Dismisses Online Publication; Says It’s Malicious

By
The Source
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0
DSS

By Gideon Njoku

The Department of State Services, DSS, has dismissed a claim by one Adio Oluwole Bashir, who in a write-up, said he has resigned from the Service over the murder of a Sound Engineer, David  Imoh, as a non-existing character.

The ghost writer, the DSS said, is not only a pathological liar, but does not even have a clue to the operations of the Service.

Bashir in a write-up that cast doubts on his identity, claimed that he led the team that arrested suspects involved in the gruesome murder, in Lekki, Lagos, of a  Imoh, on May 12, 2022, but was shocked  that the suspects he and his team arrested, who were Hausa people, were replaced with Christians. He, therefore, he claimed, decided to quit the Service when he was transferred to Borno State, thereafter.

In a statement on Monday, May 23, signed on its behalf by Dr Peter Afunanya, its Spokesperson, the DSS said among other things that besides not being a serving or a retired staff on its pay roll, “his writing style and use of of paraphernalia gave him out as fake and an impostor.”

His aim, the Service said “is to ignite an ethno-religious conflict. His co-conspirators are elements of separatist groups who are desirous of achieving the same objective as well as pitting security agencies against one another.”

Hereunder is the full text of the statement issued by the DSS.

DSS DISMISSES MALICIOUS ONLINE PUBLICATION

“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby dismisses a false online publication authored by one Adio Oluwole Bashir who purported to be a former staff of the Service. Bashir claimed to have led the team that arrested suspected killers of David Imoh, a sound engineer allegedly murdered on 12th May, 2022 at Lekki, Lagos State. He further alleged that the suspects who were of Hausa origin were exchanged with Christians.

“2. Consequently, the Service states that Bashir is neither a serving nor retired staff on its roll. Besides, his writing style and use of paraphernalia gave him out as fake and an impostor. Findings have, however, revealed that his aim is to ignite an ethno-religious conflict. His co-conspirators are elements of separatist groups who are desirous of achieving the same objective as well as pitting security agencies against one another.

“3. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has issued an unambiguous statement on the entire episode. The Command’s clarification should guide public understanding of what actually transpired. Dragging the DSS which never participated in the operation at Lekki into his skewed account exposes the lies and intentions of Adio Oluwole Bashir and his cohorts.

“4. The DSS wishes to state that the write-up is completely false and frowns at the calculated effort to use its name for malicious purposes. It therefore requests the public to disregard the misleading narrative.

“The Service also warns those bent on throwing the country into violence to retrace their steps and give peace a chance.

“While it reaffirms its commitment to continue to work with sister agencies to ensure lasting peace in the country, it will also not hesitate to bring to book those determined to break the law.”

Ekiti Varsity Directs Students To Resume As ASUU Insists Strike Still Ongoing

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ekiti State University to resume May 24

By Ayodele Oni

Academic Staff Union of University, Ekiti State University branch (ASUU-EKSU) has advised parents not to allow thier wards return to the university now as directed by the management.

The Directorate of Information & Corporate Affairs of the university in a statement on Monday had directed students to resume for academic activities as from 24th May.

The statement, signed by Bode Olofinmuagun, head of the directorate, said “Management of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (EKSU), at its meeting held today, 23rd May, 2022, discussed the impact of the ongoing national strike embarked upon by all the four staff unions as it affects the University vis a vis academic and other activities.

“The Management noted the pains being experienced by students and parents as a result of the on-going protracted industrial action. It noted further that one academic session (2021/2022) of admission is still outstanding, while the second semester of the 2020/2021 academic session is yet to be concluded.

“Moreover, the admission process for the 2022/2023 academic session will commence soonest.

Consequently, in the interest of the students, parents, guardians and indeed the society at large as well as the survival of the university, Management decided to reopen the institution for normal academic activities with effect from Tuesday, 24th May, 2022.”

But ASUU, in another statement alleged that the resumption order, originated from the state government and was part of plans to use the students as thugs during the June 18 Governorship election.

The statement, signed by K.K. Arogundade and I.D. Ogunwale, chairman and secretary respectively  claimed that “on 23rd May 2022, where the current strike action was discussed. It is hereby affirmed that the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) members, Ekiti State University branch is in full compliance with the national strike that has just been rolled over for the next twelve weeks from 8th May 2022.

“The instruction handed down by the Vice-Chancellor in a meeting with the committee of Deans, that all academic staff should resume academic activities should be disregarded as it negates our current struggle as a union.

“ASUU EKSU Executives were reliably informed from an impeccable source (name withheld) in EKSG that the visitor to the University has mandated the Vice-Chancellor to re-open the University in the next 24 hours or forfeit his Job.

“ASUU EKSU wishes to use the medium to announce to the general public that mandating the re-opening of the University is purely political and EKSG is not ready to attend to the demand of the University.

“Also, it is worth noting that ASUU-EKSU Executives Members have been receiving threats from various government agents and the University management.

“In view of this, the general public is hereby notified and put on alert to the threats, that if any harm is inflicted on any member of the ASUU-EKSU Executives, the Ekiti State government and University management should be held responsible.

“Parents are to monitor the movement of their wards who are the main target to be used as thugs in the coming election hence the resumption saga.

“One wonders why the lackluster administration in Ekiti State on its way to Golgotha is now keen on school resumption only to put the life of our students at risk.

“The students themselves should be aware of the insincerity of those parading themselves as their leaders whose only interest is their temporary benefit from whichever government is in power.

“We are equally aware of the antics of insignificant lecturers playing Political harlotry with the destiny of the majority of our members. We are watching and they shall be brought to book soonest.

“All academic staff of Ekiti State University are therefore directed to stay off their duty post as the current strike action is comprehensive and total. Members are to be on the lookout for further directives.”

Ekiti Gov Election: APC Itches For Victory, Inaugurates National Campaign Council

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Senator Abdullahi Adamu

By Ayodele Oni

The first major task for the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Abdullahi, is the June 18 Governorship election in Ekiti state and the leadership is doing everything possible to ensure victory.

The national chairman has therefore challenged the party’s National Campaign Council for Ekiti State Governorship Election to ensure victory for the party’s candidate, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), in the June 18 poll to maintain leadership for APC in national politics.

Speaking at the inauguration of the council members in Abuja  on Monday, Adamu said victory in Ekiti for APC would be a litmus test for his leadership of the party at the national level, assuring that necessary support would be put in place to ease their job.

He said the party looked up to members to carry out their assignment as a national duty that must not fail, adding that APC cannot afford a reversal of fortunes for Ekiti people after Governor Kayode Fayemi had laid a solid foundation for the attainment of APC’s people-oriented manifesto for the progress of Ekiti people.

He charged the Chairman of the campaign council, who is also the Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, to effectively coordinate his men for the challenge.

Assuring that the council would deliver on the mission, Bagudu said he was not new to election supervision in Ekiti State, having participated in the election victory for Fayemi in 2018.

Bagudu urged the Director General of BAO Campaign Organisation, Cyril Fasuyi, to effectively coordinate all campaign activities for an easy run in the poll.

According to him, the campaign council was already preparing to arrive Ekiti State to strengthen efforts at winning the election.

Fasuyi said campaign activities were alive in Ekiti State, including house-to-house campaigns and various enlightenment programmes in the media, to ensure victory for APC.

He added that various campaign groups were also on the field canvassing for votes in both urban and rural communities for Oyebanji’s victory.

“We are already on the field educating and enlightening people on Oyebanji’s programme appeal.

“Various groups are also on the field for public campaigns, including education on APC’s manifesto and house-to-house visits, to canvass for votes for our candidate.

“We have been telling the electorate to keep their voter’s cards for the day of election to enable them cast their votes, while we have also been telling our people to behave in appropriate manner for a peaceful poll.

“Oyebanji’s personal reputation is a plus for us in this campaign and we are also lucky to have a united house that makes APC a strong party to win this election.”

The campaign DG also promised local support for the National Campaign Council, to have successful campaigns to ensure victory for the APC’s candidate.

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