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Osun Election Tomorrow: PDP Uncovers APC’s Plot To Rig Poll …Says APC Paid 8,000 NYSC Members N10,000 Each To Rig Poll …As Court Stops Police From Arresting Adeleke
The Ademola Adeleke’s Campaign Organisation has alerted the general public of an alleged plot by agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Osun State Government to compromise corps members deployed to the state for the Saturday governorship election.
The organisation claimed that the sum of N10,000 has been paid into the bank accounts of almost 8,000 corps members deployed for the elections.
This allegation was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity for the Campaign Organisation, Olawale Rasheed, and made available to newsmen, yesterday.
The statement added, “We have it on good authority that the disbursement was done a day after those of security agents also on election duty in Osun State. The payments said to be the first installment is designed to compromise the service personnel who will serve in various capacities during the elections.
“We use this opportunity to alert parents of corps members posted to Osun to prevail on their wards not to fall for APC trap. We also remind corps members that their safety and commitment to democracy should supersede any monetary consideration. Anybody assisting slave holders to rig this election is an open enemy of the people of Osun State.
“The National Youth Service Corps is a patriotic service organisation and her members should not be part of any evil design to thwart the will of the people. Any corps member who surrenders himself to the service of anti-people manipulation and falsification of election process will have the angry people of Osun State to contend with.
“We call on the director general of the NYSC and the state director to urgently look into this matter. Corps members are being compromised. Let the service management act proactively to maintain the integrity of the service and to protect corps members from political backlash.”
Meanwhile, the embattled senator Ademola Adeleke and the Peoples Democratic Party aspirant in the forthcoming Osun election, yesterday, said that he would dance to the government house after winning the Saturday’s election.
Speaking in Osogbo at an interactive session organised by the Oduduwa Youth Development Initiative, Adeleke opined, “I will dance to the Government House after winning Osun governorship election on Saturday.
“I have been tagged dancing Senator, but this shouldn’t be used against me because everybody dances. Have you seen someone who doesn’t dance? I am winning this election and I will dance to the Government House after that.
“When I was in the university overseas, I used to go for dancing competition. Although, I am a Nigerian, I still won dancing competitions which is the reason why I was nicknamed ‘Jackson,’ but my real name is Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke.”
But criticizing Rauf Aregbesola’s educational policy, Adeleke said, “Anybody who fails to pay his or her labourers is wicked and I can boldly say that the APC government is wicked for not paying its workers and pensioners in the state.
“The menace of non-payment of salary is responsible for the 29th position of this state in the ranking of WAEC; but when I get to power, I will turn it around by ensuring that the welfare of every worker in the state is catered for”.
However, ahead of the Saturday’s governorship election in Osun, security has been beefed up around the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office along Gbongan/Ibadan Road, Osogbo.
Heavy security presence was also noticed at the entrance of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a few kilometres away from INEC office, yesterday.
It was learnt that two armoured personnel carriers were stationed at the entrance of INEC office.
Both mobile and regular policemen were also stationed at strategic locations around the INEC office.
The road leading to CBN office was manned by men of Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).
One of the security personnel, who spoke with newsmen on condition of anonymity, said since the sensitive materials for the election had arrived CBN, there was the need for more security around the bank.
There was heavy police patrol around in Osogbo, the state capital, with armoured personnel carriers stationed at strategic places.
It would be recalled that the Inspector General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim, had last Monday at a stakeholder forum, said 18,426 police had been deployed to Osun for the election.
Meanwhile, some residents in the state have appealed to political stakeholders to allow peace to reign before, during and after the election.
Howefver, a High Court sitting in Osun State has issued an order restraining the police from arresting the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Osun state governorship election, Ademola Adeleke.
Adeleke had approached a High Court in Ejigbo, Osun State after the Police accused him of engaging in examination malpractice and summoned him.
President Muhammadu Buhari last Wednesday stopped the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, from inviting the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the governorship election slated for Saturday in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
The police had earlier invited Adeleke to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for the purpose of arraigning him on charges of examination malpractices, criminal conspiracy, impersonation, breach of duty and aiding and abetting.
A presidential source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, told some State House correspondents that the President had directed that Adeleke should not be invited until after Saturday’s election.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, had in a statement told Adeleke and four others to report to the Special Investigation Panel, Force Headquarters, Abuja, immediately for arraignment in court.
The residents said that since the election was not a do-or-die affair, the politicians should play by the rule of the game.
A civil servant, Mr Ola Ayanwale, appealed to political parties, their candidates and supporters to allow peace to reign.
Ayanwale said since the aim of every politician is to serve; there was no need for them to be desperate.
Another resident, Mrs Dupe Ibiwoye, appealed to politicians not to allow their personal ambition to destroy the future of the state.
“I appeal to them to allow peace to reign in this state. They should not see the election as a do-or-die”, Ibiwoye said.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.