Politics
Oyo Assembly Screens, Confirms Caretaker Chairmen
Oyo State House of Assembly last Wednesday, screened and confirmed the names of 33 local government care-taker Chairmen and the 35 Local council development areas designates, sent to it by Governor Seyi Makinde.
The LGAs and LCDAs caretaker chairmen designates were screened by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy matters last Tuesday and confirmed by the House.
Our source reports that the Chairmen’s name include: Okeleye Gbenga- Afijio Local Government, Olumuyiwa Ogunrinde -Akinyele East, Ahmed Kazeem – Akinyele South.
Others are : Seun Olu North- Soro LCDA Adedigba Jimoh- Akinyele West, Wahabi Kareem- Oriire North, Bankole Bidia- Oriire Central Fatai Okunlola- Oyo South West, Arowosaye Saheed- Oyo East, and Akeem Olukitibi- Oyo West.
Alhaji Omirinde Sharafadeen- Saki West, Alhaji Muda Busari- Saki East, Moruf Gbadamosi- Surulere Oko, Sharafadeen Muhammed- Surulere Orile-Igbon, Adegbite Isiaha – Surulere Iresaadu, Akindele Ojo- Afijio West and Alaka Yinusa- Oyo South East.
Adediran Sulaiman- Irepo, Lukman Majekobaje- Oriire South, Rahmon Adepoju- Ibadan North West, Shittu Laisu – Ibadan North and
Alhaja Kehinde Eboda- Ibadan South East/ Scout Camp and Alhaji Salimonu Afolabi- Kajola.
Oyediran Gideon- Iwajowa LCDA Saka Fashola- Ido, Sheriff Adeojo- Omi-Adio, Adeniran Ramat- Saki East, Amusan Gideon- Ogbomoso South West Seun Adeyinka- Ogbomoso Central Seun Ojo- Ogo Oluwa /Ajaawa Ajala Abraham- Ogo Oluwa Odo-Oba.
Chief Ayandeyi Ayantunji- Olorunsogo Wahab Kazeem- Oluyole , Akorede
Olaide Popoola- Oluyole Idi- Ayunre Alhaji Sanusi Musibau Adesina – Ona-Ara Akanran, Adekunle Balogun – Inukan, Yakub Ganiyu- Orelope and Sunday Johnson Busayo- Saki East Ifeloju.
Adeleke Tajudeen- Saki West Wewe, Dr. Adepoju Mudashiru- Atisbo Tede, Makanjuola Joel Ayoola- Atisbo South, Ibrahim Sulaiman Akinkunmi- Atiba Ofa-Meta, Sanda Sikiru – Egbeda, Dr. Amos Olawoyin- Egbeda Ajorosun, and Kazeem Osannyi- Ibadan North Aare Latoosa.
Alhaji Waheed Akanbi- Ibadan North, Yinka Oladimeji- Irepodun Ijokodo, Abiodun Babalola- Ibadan East Agugu, Ibrahim Akintayo- Ibadan North East Omotoso Ganiyu- Oke’Badan and Alawode Oluwole- Ibadan South East.
Kehinde Akande- Ibadan South West Tajudeen- Adigun- Ibadan West Alesinloye, Sharafadeen Olaoniye- Ibarapa Central Igbo-Ora, Obalowo Olugbenga- Ibarapa East Eruwa Joseph Diji– Ibarapa North East and Okediji Daniel- Ibarapa North Igangan.
Ajibola Raheem- Iseyin South, Ogunleke Timothy- Araromi Abilawon Mufutau – Iseyin Central, Ojo- Akintola- Itesiwaju, Adeleke Olayiwola Jacob- Iwajowa.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.