Osun: EFCC To Drop Case Against Omisore

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September 26, 2018

By Bayo Bernard

Senator Iyiola Omisore, may have used his trump card to wriggle out of his graft case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at least for now.

On July 3, 2016 the former deputy governor of Osun state and candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP in the September 22 governorship election in the Sunshine State, as the state is popular, was arrested and later detained by the anti-graft agency over alleged N1.3b National Security Adviser, NSA cash receipt.

He was later released on bail following an undisclosed arrangement with the Ibrahim Magu led EFCC.

But more than two years after he was humiliated by EFCC, the ruling party may have offered to drop the case against him in order to get his support to win the crucial governorship election in his state.

The magazine has learned that the issue formed part of the discussion with Ekiti state governor elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi when the latter paid him a visit to enlist his support for the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate for the September 27 rerun election in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had last week, directed that a rerun election be conducted after two leading candidates in the election, Gboyega Oyetola of APC and Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke of PDP failed to secure a straight win during the first ballot on September 22.

Adeleke led the poll with a marginal 353 votes which the electoral umpire said was below 3, 498 cancelled votes recorded during the election. INEC said it acted based on constitutional provision.

Since the electoral body picked a date for the rerun, Omisore who came a distant third in the election has become the beautiful bride courted by APC and PDP, as top politicians from the two leading parties besieged his home to enlist his support for their candidates.

The former Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation has refused to commit himself to any agreement with PDP big-hats who visited him. PDP stalwarts that have paid Omisore visit include Senate President Bukola Sarakki and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

However, few hours after Fayemi met Omisore, a deal appeared to have been struck.

Omisore had tweeted in his official twitter handle after the meeting with Fayemi thus: “With @OfficialAPCNg Ekiti state governor elect @kfayemi during his visit today. #goodgovernanceinosunstate #OsunDecides2018.”

The tweet, accompanied with Omisore and Fayemi photograph at the meeting, some political analysts insist has finally confirmed suggestion that Senator Omisore has agreed to work for the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Omisore also on Tuesday night met with APC National Chairman, Adams Oshionmhole and other APC stalwarts to put finishing touches to the agreement the magazine was told.

According to sources privy to the meetings with Fayemi and Oshiomhole, Senator Omisore was also offered other juicy things by the APC apart from his request that his case with EFCC be dropped.

“Senator Omisore was told that the EFCC would be directed to stand down on his case and has been penciled down for a federal appointment by President Buhari if he agreed to work for the APC,” one close associate of Omisore told the magazine last night.

According to the source, the former deputy governor is still angry with PDP’s decision to award the party’s governorship ticket to Adeleke who he considers as a usurper and inexperience.

“But the current situation has become for Senator Omisore a survival tactics. He was forced to decide on whether to confront the almighty federal government, which has a graft case against him and his former party which betrayed him,” the source stated.

Sifax, Bayelsa State Partner On Transport Sector Development

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Bayo Bernard

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September 26, 2018

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By Bayo Bernard

Indigenous Aviation and Maritime giant Sifax is currently working with Bayelsa state, to ramp up the state’s maritime and aviation potentials. The oil producing state will complete a cargo airport within a year and also working on constructing a seaport.

The government said its partnership with the private sector was important as paucity of funds has limited the capacity of the lithoral state to raise huge capital investment required to develop these areas on its own.

The top management team of the state’s Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA), led by Patience Ranami Abah, Director General, and Godwin Konyefa, Managing Director, Bayelsa Properties & Investment Company disclosed this during a working visit to SIFAX Group head office in Lagos.

The visit provided the team opportunity to tour some Sifax subsidiaries, including Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), Sifax Off Dock Nigeria Limited and SIFAX Haulage and Logistics Limited.

According to BIPA boss, Abah, the aim of the visit was to collaborate with SIFAX Group in the development of the huge business potentials in the state, adding that the SAHCOL’s team had earlier visited the state to inspect its new cargo airport.

“After the visit of SAHCOL team to Bayelsa, we were invited to take a tour of the facilities of the company. Before the cargo airport begins operations, we wanted to get things right.

With our visit today, we are marveled at the excellent business operations of the company. We don’t just want to build any kind of warehouse neither indulge in any shady operations of the airport, we want SIFAX Group to come with their technical expertise in the development of Bayelsa State”, Abah stated.

The managing director of the state owned investment company stated that he was impressed with the facilities and operations of SIFAX Group, that the state will benefit from Sifax expertise and capital war chest.

“After the tour of SAHCOL, we found out that the right partner we have been looking for is SIFAX Group. They have all it takes to develop the newly-built Bayelsa Airport. We also want to engage them in the development of the deep seaport located in Agge. The seaport with a natural draft of 13 meters, is aimed at boosting the business activities of the state,” Konyefa said.

According to him “After touring the facilities we are challenged at the homegrown logistics solutions that SIFAX Group has in its arsenal. We are engaging the company in varied business options that will be mutually benefitting to both the government and the company”.

BIPA was received during the visit by the Executive Director and Senior Special Assistant to Taiwo Afolabi, Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, Ezekiel Ajewole, who applauded the team for its choice of SIFAX Group as a business partner in the quest to develop the state.

Sifax Group Executive Director, Finance, Mike Owope, on his part stated that the innovative solution that will be provided by the group will accelerate the development of the state.

Modric Ends Ronaldo, Messi Dominance, Wins FIFA World Footballer Award

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 25, 2018

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Luka Modric ended Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s decade-long domination of football’s individual awards by being crowned FIFA’s Best Player of the Year on Monday, AFP reports.

The Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder starred for both club and country as Real won a third straight Champions League, and he inspired Croatia to reach the World Cup final for the first time.

He beat Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Egypt’s Mohamed Salah to the prize.

Modric’s success means Ronaldo remains tied with Messi having won FIFA’s award in different guises five times each.

At 33, Croatia’s run to the final was the culmination of a brilliant career for Modric that had often been overshadowed by Ronaldo’s goalscoring in their time together in the Spanish capital, before the Portuguese left for Juventus in July.

Modric scored twice and also netted in penalty shootout wins over Denmark and Russia, but it was his playmaking ability that caught the eye in winning the Golden Ball for the best player at the World Cup.

“It was an unbelievable season, the best season in my life,” said Modric.

“I’m still not realising how good a year I had collectively, individually, and I’m very proud for everything I achieved this year and it will be remembered forever.”

For a sixth straight season, Ronaldo was the Champions League’s top scorer with 15 goals and also scored four times at the World Cup, including a hat-trick against Spain in a thrilling 3-3 draw to open Portugal’s campaign.

However, Portugal’s last 16 exit to Uruguay in Russia and Ronaldo’s failure to score in the semi-finals or final of the Champions League opened the door for Modric.

Neither Ronaldo or Messi attended the glitzy ceremony in London with both in action for Juventus and Barcelona respectively on Wednesday.

For the first time in 12 years, Messi was not among the finalists with third place going to Salah for his incredible 44-goal debut season with Liverpool that carried the Reds to the Champions League final.

However, a shoulder injury suffered early on in the final robbed Salah of the chance to help Liverpool lift the trophy and also meant he was far from peak condition as he led Egypt’s World Cup bid.

Despite scoring in each of his two appearances in Russia, he bowed out with the Pharaohs bowed at the group stage with three defeats.

Salah did not go away empty-handed, however, as he picked up the Puskas award for best goal for his strike against Everton in the Merseyside derby last December.

Modric was joined by Real team-mates Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Marcelo in the FIFPro team of the year, also featuring David De Gea, Dani Alves, N’Golo Kante, Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe, Messi and Ronaldo.

France’s World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps won the best coach of the year prize in recognition for his work in leading Les Bleus to success in Russia.

Deschamps, who became just the third man to win the World Cup as a player and coach, beat off competition from Dalic and his former France team-mate Zinedine Zidane, who won a third consecutive Champions League title with Real Madrid before resigning in June.

Thibaut Courtois won the best goalkeeper award for helping Belgium reach the World Cup semi-finals as well as the FA Cup with Chelsea before a summer move to Madrid.

Brazil’s Marta was crowned best women’s player for a record sixth time for her role in winning the Copa America to beat out Lyon duo Ada Hegerberg and Dzsenifer Marozsa.

Berahino Welcomes Three Children In Six Weeks

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 25, 2018

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Saido Berahino is at the centre of a legal battle over claims he has fathered a hat-trick of children in less than two months, The Sun reports.

The Stoke City striker is named on birth certificates as the father of two of the babies — born on May 30 and July 17.

His lawyers are in talks with a friend who claims he is dad of her tot born on July 15.

A month later, Berahino, 25, finally found the net after 913 days — but he’s still fathered more kids than he has scored goals this season.

Mum No 1 is ex-fiancee Stephania Christoforou, 27, who gave birth to son Costa on May 30 at Birmingham Women’s Hospital.

The tot weighed 7lbs 1oz and the birth certificate names Berahino as the dad.

He threw a lavish engagement bash for restaurant boss Steph last October.

But she called off the wedding after a Valentine’s Day bust-up outside his mansion in Cannock, Staffordshire, when he tried to smuggle in US model Chelsea Lovelace.

Steph was pictured hammering on the door and roaring, “Open the door you f*****g slag!”

Mum No 2 is an African-born nurse aged 28 — a childhood pal of Berahino who cannot be named for legal reasons.

She gave birth to a girl on July 15 at Manor Hospital, Walsall.

Though Berahino is not named on the birth certificate, she is in talks with the footballer and his lawyers.

Birth registration laws state that where a dad does not consent to being on a child’s birth certificate, the mother must get a court order if she wants to name him.

Berahino played for England at youth level, later opting to play for Burundi.

He moved from West Brom to Stoke for £12m in January 2017.

Madumere Defeats Okorocha, As Court Nullifies His Impeachment

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 25, 2018

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By Akinwale Kasali

The moment was magical. The wild jubilation that erupted from the premises of the Owerri High Court was unimaginable.

Immediately Justice Benjamin Iheaka declared the impeachment of the Eze Madumere as illegal, invalid and of no legal effect, suppoeters of the impeached Deputy Governor, could hold the esctasy and joy that overshadowed the moment.

In reading the judgment which lasted for three hours, the justice flayed the Chief Judge of the state, Paschal Nnadi and the Attorney General of the state, Militus Nlemadim for not adhering to the provisions of section 188(5) of the 1999 constitution as amended in the impeachment of Madumere on July 31, 2018.

The jurist contended that the CJ constituted the seven-man panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct by Madumere by the state House of Assembly outside the seven days lifeline as provided by the constitution.

NHIS: FG Gives Corps Members Rights To Enrol

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 25, 2018

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The Director-General of National Youth Service Corps , Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, on Tuesday, said the Federal Government had approved the enrolment of corps members into the National Health Insurance Scheme .

Kazaure told newsmen in Akure at the opening ceremony of the Annual Management Conference, which coincided with the 45th anniversary of the NYSC.

The D-G said as part of partnership deal with Federal Ministry of Health, the orientation camp of the scheme had a consultant from the Federal Medical Centre.

Kazaure commended the corps members that participated in the Osun State gubernatorial election for being good ambassadors of the scheme.

“This annual management conference is for the top managers to come together and critically review the operations and policies of the scheme by setting an agenda so as to improve on the programme in subsequent years,” he said.

On the increment of allowance of corps members, he said the scheme was not different from the civil service and would need to wait for the new National Minimum Wage.

He said the scheme had cleared the backlog of unpaid staff allowances and also created a robust forum to interface with members of staff and labour unions for industrial harmony.

Declaring the event open, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said that the NYSC had contributed tremendously to the development of the nation’s democracy.

Akeredolu, represented by his deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi, noted that the sustenance of the scheme would continue to impact on the society.

He pointed out that the NYSC had contributed over 80 per cent to the nation’s development and democracy.

“NYSC has not only harmonised the diverse ethnic groups of Nigeria, but also reduced prejudices and misconceptions thereby promoting mutual trust, understanding and tolerance.

Akeredolu said the annual management conference with the theme “NYSC At 45: “Consolidating Gains and Creating Opportunities,” was an indication that the management was poised towards repositioning the scheme to face its current challenges.

“As a way of appreciating the contribution of corps members to the development of the state, my administration has also introduced a package of N100, 000, N80, 000 and N50, 000 for the state honour award winners to corps members,” he said.

In her goodwill message, the NYSC National Governing Board, Mrs Fatima Abubakar, stated that the Board attended the conference in compliance with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s charge to enhance service delivery.

Earlier, in an introductory address by the NYSC Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs Victoria Okakwu, said the choice of Akure as a venue for the conference was informed by the hospitality enjoyed from the government and good people of the state.

She added that the focus of the conference was to brainstorm and come up with practicable solutions and strategies that will reposition and promote the ideals of the Scheme in both present and future operating environment.

Adeleke: Pressure Mounts on Ambode to Dump Tinubu, APC

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Chidiebere Onyemaizu

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September 24, 2018

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By Chidiebere Onyemaizu

Following Senator Ademola Adeleke’s virtual victory in the September 22 inconclusive Osun gubernatorial election, supporters of Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode, are putting pressure on him to call the bluff of his godfather and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC who has refused to endorse his second term bid. The Source learnt that the governor’s supporters and a number Lagos of APC chieftains loyal to him have asked him to chart an independent political course by embracing another political platform to realize his second term ambition, should Tinubu insist on not supporting him.

They told him that what happened in Osun where Adeleke, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the election, outshined his APC counterpart, Gboyega Oyetola who is also Tinubu’s cousin, was a clear indication that the APC National Leader’s hold on South west was fast waning. Besides that, Ambode’s supporters are optimistic that he will have a smooth sail back to office even without Tinubu’s support as Lagos is cosmopolitan state where voters from varying ethno-religious background cannot be dictated to by any godfather.

It is not clear what will eventually be Ambode’s response to his supporters’ demand but credible sources told this Magazine that the governor has since resolved to proceed with his second term ambition with or without endorsement of critical stakeholders in Lagos APC, including Tinubu.

Because of Chevrons Slave Labour

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Oji Odu

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September 24, 2018

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By Oji Odu

Nigerians would have woken up today, Monday, September 24, 2018 to find that the dreaded long queues at the petrol stations which had in the near past almost shut down the nation have, again surfaced, maybe for the timely intervention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru, had pleaded with the oil workers under the auspices of the NUPENG and PENGASSAN to shelve their planned industrial action over a labour dispute involving the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), a multi-national oil company operating in Nigeria, and its staff.

In a statement issued by NNPC’s spokesperson, Ndu Ughamadu, the corporation’s GMD had directed its management to work with other stakeholders to resolve the issue raised by the leadership of the oil industry unions.

While thanking the oil workers for their exemplary conduct and show of support through the years, the Baru appealed to the unions not to do anything that would disrupt the industrial harmony that has pervaded the sector, because the gains of recent past could be frittered away inadvertently if care is not taken. He however, was optimistic that the dispute would be settled soon Baru expressed optimism that the current dispute would soon be amicably settled.

Both the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and its counterpart, Petroleum and National Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) had planned to begin an indefinite strike to protest anti-labour activities of Chevron Nigeria Limiled (CNL) and its plan to sack thousand of its Nigerian oil workers.

The unions had recently called on the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene in the brewing trouble between CNL and its staff members in Nigeria

The disagreement stemed from the company’s disclosure that the contracts with all its manpower services providers would expire by the end of October, 2018. This means that they are going to be sacked because as it is usually the case, a new management will takeover who will likely recruit new staff into these positions.

Why should Chevron, an International Oil Company (IOC) that has operated in Nigeria for many years continue to be in the limelight for its notoriety in practicing anti-labour laws against its Nigerian workers? Why has government not the will to make both the company and its colleagues in the nations oil sector stop their task master/ slavery methods that have made the Nigerian worker a hopeless property which could be discarded at will by these foreign companies?

The Magazine learnt that the unions allege that the decision to sack the staff follows a directive from the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), a subsidiary of the NNPC, and the Nigeria Content Developing and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

According to them, rather than keep up with an agreement to roll over contract workers, whose terms of service end on October 31, 2018, the multinational has decided to higher new casual staff.

The unions are angry because Chevron’s decision disregards the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, while alleging that the oil company decided to sack the contract staff, instead of triggering the ‘roll over’ provision. For this, they described the move by the firm as “cruel, callous and by all standards an affront on the Nigerian constituted authority and industry extant rules”.

The statement read: “Without mincing words, we are deeply bothered by the purported claims being peddled around by Chevron Management that their action of sacking Nigerian workers is a directive from National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) and the Nigeria Content Developing and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). We then begin to wonder if the role of these reputable government agencies is to create jobs for Nigerians or to compound unemployment situation which is already prevalent in the country.”

The unions notified the public that they will not hesitate to embark on a nationwide strike if Chevron carries out its threat as its members remain on red alert if it happens. “As proactive unions that have interest of the nation at heart, we found it appropriate to use this avenue to appeal to the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant authorities to prevail on Chevron Nigeria Limited to toe the line of best endeavour, by exercising restraints and engage in peaceful transition into new contract circle,” it added.

Speaking to the Magazine on the issue, Kaliwo James, an oil expert queried Chevrons claim that they were acting on orders from NAPIMS and NCDMB. “ Although the claim is ridiculous, nothing is impossible in this country. This is especially so because the issue of contract staff has come to stay in Nigeria. Unfortunately, there is no one that comes to their slave labour because highly placed Nigerians are neck deep in the cartel,” he said.

He warned that government should strive to settle this problem both in the oil and gas sector and other sectors of the economy because of the rippling negative effects including security problems and unrest.

Customs: FG Prepares Officers As Trade With China Expands

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Bayo Bernard

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September 24, 2018

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By Bayo Bernard

On Friday September 14, three top officers of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS alongside the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, took flight ET900 from the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from where they eventually connected a five-hour hectic flight to Beijing.

The officers who were on the trip to the People’s Republic of China, are Aminu Dahiru, coordinator Zone A of NCS, Muhammed Uba Garba, Area Controller of Seme command and Comptroller Baba Abdullahi Musa, Controller Tin can command.

Mohammed Uba Garba: Seme Command Area controller

The customs officers would later spend the next one week visiting some major tourists’ cities such as Shanghai Yangshan port, Shenzhen, Shanghai Customs and China largest Overseas Construction Company, CGCOC.

Other places visited by the officers include the popular Tian An Mien Square, the Forbidden City etc.

It’s not clear the reason why the Customs’ management approved such an expensive trip at this time, particularly at a period when the President Muhammed Buhari’s government has somehow put a lid on foreign trips and training for government officials in the country to conserve the nation’s foreign reserve.

Meanwhile, the magazine learned that the trip was strategic to Nigeria’s to strengthen the rising trade relations with the communist country.

Just few weeks ago on September 5, China’s Commercial Consular to Nigeria, Hong liang Gao, stated that the value of trade between Nigeria and China has grown to all time high of $7.2 billion. The Chinese diplomat stated that the value of trade will grow more over the next decades.

Nigeria has lately been importing most consumable goods, machinery from the People’s Republic of China, the magazine was told by trade experts.

The President Buhari’s government has also in May this year Signed a $2.5bn Currency Swap deal with the Chinese government, in what trade experts described a move to further strengthens trade relations between the two countries.

The volume of trade between the two countries is likely to triple to at least $30b within the next four years, the magazine learned, therefore, “the federal government is putting everything in place avoid the shock” from trade explosion with China, said Okon Joseph, an economic expert in Lagos.

“What this means also is that the Nigerian ports will continue to be flooded with Chinese goods, whether we like it or not. These are cheap and mostly consumer and households goods coming to Nigerians from China.

“Most countries are now shifting focus away from Europe and America to China, which will mostly likely overtake the United States of America, as the world largest economy in the next 50 years” Joseph said.

He said the Nigerian Customs Service is being prepared to be able to handle the volume of trade from China.

Meanwhile, a top customs source informed the magazine that more batches of senior customs officers, from the rank of Deputy Controllers will be sent to China for training to study the Chinese trade system, while the Chinese government is also expected to do the same, as part of the bilateral trade agreement signed by President Buhari with China during his recent trip to the country.

He said the two controllers of Seme and Tin can command made the first trip because of their strategic positions as major gateways to the country, that Comptroller Abubakar Bashir of Apapa command was meant to be part of the trip to China, but was later dropped because” he just resumed duty at his new post and needed to settle down,” the source said.

Recall that early this month President Buhari attended the 7th Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the end of which the Nigerian leader signed $328m trade deal with China. Ali, comptroller general of customs was part of the federal government delegation.

Excuse Me Dance: How Adeleke is Waltzing Himself Unannounced Into Osun Government House

By

Uche Mbah

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September 24, 2018

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By Uche Mbah
It was like a Thunderbolt. Nobody, even among diehard Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, supporters expected it. But at the end of the September 22, 2018 governorship elections in Osun state, Ademola Adeleke, the PDP Candidate, won his closest rival, Adetola, who is said to be the first cousin to the National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu. But there is a twist to the story: The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared the election inconclusive. A rerun was scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 27, 2018.
INEC hinged their decision on the fact that Adeleke won the election by a narrow margin. The APC polled 254,345 votes while the PDP polled 254, 698 votes to win the election-a difference of 353 votes. INEC had cancelled elections from five polling units-one each from Ife South, Ife North, and Oshogbo, and two from Orolu. Registered voters in these areas are more than three thousand, and the APC is expecting a miracle from these areas judging from the high expectations and low winning margin. The announcement of the inconclusiveness of the results, not unexpectedly, sparked outrage all over the country, particularly in the social media. PDP immediately rejected the result outright, describing it as “a sordid robbery of the franchise of the people of Osun State who participated in the election.” “It is instructive to state that the PDP will no longer accept inconclusive elections as subterfuge by the APC to attain its dubious electoral manipulative schemes in our nation”, they added. later, the PDP in Osun state, in a statement, called it a blatant rape of democracy, a deliberate thwarting of people’s will and a reprehensible assault on the aspiration of Osun voters .”The entire electoral process was programmed to favour the ruling All Progressive Congress… The level of impunity demonstrated by the electoral umpire in connivance with other federal agencies was unrivalled in Nigerian electoral history “, they added. According to them, all options are on the table for the final onslaught.
The reference to the final onslaught, like a dangling modifier, has made it impossible to decide exactly what the party intends to do. They appear to be preparing for the rerun, while at the same time mulling the court option. In fact, almost immediately the announcement was made, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had a closed door meeting with Iyiola Omisore, the ADP candidate. After the meeting, Omisore reportedly declared that he will help his brother Adeleke to win the election and drive APC out of power. This was collaborated by the former minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, himself from Ife, that he has been talking to Omisore and that Omisore is not going to disappoint the PDP. Ife North and south are his political strongholds. Other parties are said to have joined hands with Adeleke. In fact, about two days before the election, it was alleged that the former president Olusegun Obasanjo directed the aspirants of ADC to collapse their campaign into the PDP structure, which they did. ADC is the child of the former president, and he wields enormous influence over them.
Throughout the election period, INEC has been accused of being blatantly partisan.For example, in one polling unit-the controversial Ayedaade- an INEC officer was arrested by the people tearing election results. He claimed that her boss, one Mrs Aderinoye called him to tear the results without giving reasons. Later, the PDP insisted that a thousand votes were deducted from the area, and demanded replacement. it was allegedly restored. But during the announcement by the resident electoral commissioner, he received a phone call. It was however not clear who he was talking to. Thereafter, he announced the result as inconclusive.
One interesting aspect of the elections were the absence of soldiers and the DSS officers that terrorized electorates at Ekiti. Only the police were there, and they were far less that the number sent to Ekiti state. The sitting governor, Rauf Aregbesola, did not have his security aids withdrawn. Neither was any radio or television sealed. This Magazine has it on good authority that the president, due to intensive international pressures that extracted promises of free and fare elections from him, had instructed that there should be no rigging. But the Lagos-Osun axis of the APC allegedly would not hear of it. Other parties attempt were on inducement. but the ruling party allegedly took the Oscar in financial inducement.
Lawyers appear to be unanimous in the declaration that the decision of INEC is illegal: you cannot cancel an election and re-validate it again. They claim that it is only the court that can re-validate canceled votes.
All things being equal, it appears that Adeleke is gradually dancing his way into Osun Government house.