Osun Tribune

11/01/2020

THE REAL SIGNIFICANCE OF 'AMOTEKUN

By Olawale Rasheed



Something fundamental happened to the Nigerian federation last week.It was small but within it is a greater maximal political implication, especially for the much debated restructuring of the skewed federal structure.The South West region of Nigeria has consciously set the tone for national reforms in the security sub-sector.The emergence of Amotekun is a bold message and strategic positioning of the region in the envisaged future balancing of power within the federation.

What is significant is the structure itself, and not the mobilisation or the available ammunition. Of the six zones,Yorubaland is the first to create a skeletal outfit with capacity and capabilities to be awakened and deployed in service of the motherland.Political leaders in the region may have been guided by considerations and developments beyond Nigeria. I bet there is a transnational perspective to Amotekun's emergence.

Contrary to what most analysts identified,the threat to Yoruba nation is multinational rather than solely national in outlook.Infact ,the national threat most Yoruba are quick to a finger is itself under brutal siege of highly equipped and trained transnational bandits.Deep review of development across North East and North West region confirm that the source of threat Yoruba is afraid of are themselves under a brutal onslaught from forces beyond their control. Most northerners, including those in a government, are themselves seeking protection, and security from deepening low scale insurgency that seems to be defying all solutions. The mess has degraded state Chief executives who had to openly romance and appease bandits, cattle rustlers, invidious jihadists and criminal insurgents.

The threat South West posits to tackle with Amotekun is from Greater Sahel,wider Sahara, and Middle East.With Libya degenerating,with Sahel region boiling ,with Niger republic bleeding,with a Benin republic as an explosion waiting to happen,with multinational forces with dubious records and with Cameroon deeply engulfed in unannounced civil war,the spillover into Nigeria is envisaged.Weapons and Insurgents streaming into Nigeria with the porous border is an established happening,painting the northern region as a cloudy battle zone.

The movement of bandits down South ,eyeing the luxurious life of coastal areas is real and therefore demanding immediate action.Worst still,the infiltrators bear all signs of Sahelian insurgents masquerading and defying surveillance of ill equipped official security networks.Put more frankly, the north that Yoruba traditionalists are afraid of herself is in trouble, as northerners are killed, maimed and assaulted by blood thirsty transnational criminal warriors.

The preceding thus implies that the significance of Amotekun transcends national politics. It is a strategic move to create a popular front to back up already overstretched and badly equipped security forces. The concept of popular mobilisation forces is gaining an increasing currency worldwide, as it guarantees local preparedness in case the official security architecture fail to counter insurgents and transnational bandits.This is a response to development within a Nigeria state that is perceived to be incapable or unwilling to secure internal security and protects law abiding citizens from free for all reign of terror by bandits

Leaders of South West especially the state governors deserve commendation on this tactical deployment.Great leaders are those who foresee and pre-plan for uncertain eventualities.In an era of unpredictability,those who survive have wider vision, and near precise analysis of events that are yet to happen.This is another golden example of 'Ajise bi Oyo...'

It is equally sacrosanct to repeat what the South West governors said at the launching of the security outfit. Governor Kayode Fayemi with a PhD in War Studies stated as follows:

“Amotekun is a complement that will give our people confidence that they are being looked after by those they elected into office.So, we do not want this to create fear in the mind of anybody, as we are not creating a regional police force, and are fully aware of the steps we must take to have the state police.

”We do not want anybody to misconstrue the concept of Amotekun.It was in the context of the unfortunate development that we lost the daughter of Pa Rueben Fasanranti, the leader of Afenifere.And that further put pressure on us, as leaders in the Southwest, to do something about insecurity.

“As elected leaders, our primary responsibility, according to Section 14 (2) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 as amended, is the security and welfare of citizens.That was what informed the governors coming together to fashion out a way to complement the work of the mainstream security agencies overstretched in their efforts to arrest the menace that have afflicted the entire country” ,he clarified.

That clarification implies the commitment and loyalty of South West leaders to the supreme constitution and integrity of the republic. Amotekun is thus a smart creation designed to fill gaps and secure the lives and properties of Yorubas.It is not a regional armed force,nor a regional police.It will function within the existing official security structures, though manned by many retired security personnel from the region.

It is gratifying to note that Yoruba leaders, even amidst recriminations over the statusquo, are still able to hold out a flag of preparedness for all possibilities. It is therefore a really interesting, and intriguing reading how leaders of other regions are grappling to respond to this innovative but potent step.

It must be dawned on all that Yorubas are not 'cowards' afterwards.

Olawale Rasheed, Publisher of Sahel Standard Newspapers, writes from Abuja. He can be reached via: iwogoke@gmail.com

10/07/2018

NOTICE.

Our apologies for keeping away for so long.

We will be resuming publication before the primaries of the two political parties . Our website is under reconstruction and we will be having a watzapp and twitter pages.

We promise to publish stories they are hiding presently . You will read insider details they don't want you to read.

Thanks

19/01/2018

CCB In Billion Naira Scandal, Ex-Board Members, Directors Under Probe

–
….Forms Racketeering Gang Smashed

There are indications that the Code of Conduct Bureau is facing probe on three fronts namely its abandoned national headquarters project,its botched computerization project and alleged removal/ substitution of assets declaration forms of prominent Nigerians.

Former board members and some directors of the Bureau are under probe on their roles in the multiple scams.

Snippets from anti- corruption agencies in Abuja indicated that the CCB is undergoing multiple probe due to the spotlight generated by infighting over the recall of her Acting Secretary ,Mrs Folasade Kolawole.

The Federal Government had reportedly recalled the Acting Secretary who had submitted her resignation letter two months earlier citing pressure to violate the process and breach anti-corruption laws.

The recall which complied with public service rule was however resisted by some directors of the Bureau supported by the former Board of the Bureau which was forced out of office by court of law for overstaying their tenure in office.

The resistance to her recall and protest petitions written by some of the staff allegedly prompted spotlight from security and anti-corruption agencies into the affairs of the CCB,a constitutional body.

The digging into the affairs of the Bureau is reported to have opened up can of worms and monumental fraud with respect to contract awards among others.

An anti -corruption officer who was involved in the probe said checks on major contracts in the Bureau showed widespread fraud and abandoned projects after full payment.

“We were curious as to why the recall generated so much heat. We find out that the real reason was that the recalled officer knew so much about the rot and her problem stems from her insistence on complying with due prices and obeying procurement laws.

” We discovered that a total sum of One Billion,eight hundred million naira has been spent on the headqurters of the Bureau located by the side of the Labour House . We checked the site .There is no single building standing.

“We want to know what happened to the N1.8billion already paid out on the headquarters building.

“Secondly ,another Two Billion ,Four Hundred Million naira naira was spent in computerisation of the activities of the Bureau.Up till now ,the project is uncompleted and the Bureau is still doing manual operations.We want to know what happened to the N2.4billion.

“And lastly which is even more serious is the form racketeering ongoing within the Bureau .We have reports of assets declaration forms being removed and replaced to shield corrupt public officials .We have three cases affecting three prominent Nigerians.

“We want to smash the gang behind the scam.We have information of link and relationship between the scam and expensive lifestyle of most top officials of the bureau”,the officials who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the issue said.

Further hints gathered on the issue indicated that former board members and some directors of the Bureau are under surveilance over the ongoing probe.

10/01/2018

Osun PDP leaders Fight dirty… Ex-Minster in Trouble

Osun PDP is in serious mess as her leaders are tearing each other’s apart as the party leadership crisis deepens.

Party elder, Shuaib Oyedokun had issued a statement in which he presented several ways out of the party crisis, warning all factions to desist from actions that can worsen the existing fragile situations.

Chief Oyedokun statement did not however go down well with former police minister, Jelil Adesiyan who accused Oyedokun and others of being the brain behind the crisis.

H also accused former Chairman, Gani Olaoluwa of incompetence and of joining an evil gang up against senator Iyiola Omisore.

The former minister’s statement has however elicited tough responses from various quarters with many accusing him of leveling wrong accusations.

Among several accusations leveled against Adesiyan include that he and Senator Omisore himself were responsible for the 2014 loss through their mismanagement of election fund.

Others accused Adesiyan of contributing nothing to the party as a minister and of being one of the politicians giving PDP bad name in the state.

Former Chairman , Gani Olaoluwa also responded, calling the former minister and Senator Omisore unprintable names.

10/01/2018

Breaking News: Abuja Court Okays CCB Secretary’s Recall

The National industrial Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday dismissed a suit challenging the recall of the Acting Secretary of Code of Conduct Bureau [CCB], Mrs. Folasade Kolawole , affirming that there was no contempt of court as the injunction was obtained without locus.

Mrs Kolawole was recalled by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation after she withdrew her notice of retirement within two months out of the statutory three months in line with public service rules and regulations.

Some staff of the Bureau led by a director however joined hands with the Royal Integrity and Accountability Organisation to stop the Presidency from proceeding with the recall of the Acting Secretary. Ruling on an application by the NGO, Justice Waziri Abali then gave the Order in favor of an ex-parte application, pending the determination of the substantive matter.

At the resumed hearing of the case in Abuja, the Office of the Secretary to the Government, CCB and Mrs. Kolawole however, objected to the order on the dual ground that that the petitioner has no locus standi and that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the case.

Justice Sanusi Lado in his ruling TODAY in Abuja held that the petitioner has no locus standi as it was not registered before the law and has nothing to lose or gain on the matter.

The court, which described the petitioner as busy body, also declared that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Justice Lado also affirmed that the SGF did not disobey any court order, noting that the recall was in order and in line with service rules.

Lawyer to the defendant, Shuaibu Mustapha told journalists that the judgment was a vindication of its submission that the petitioner was not known to law and can therefore not secure any valid injunction.

According a body not known to the law cannot secure any injuction, adding you cannot build something on nothing.

“In this case there is no contempt of court as there was no valid injunction “, he said.

He stated that the recall was within the provisions of the public service rules as the Acting Secretary withdrew her notice of retirement within the three months stipulated .

He noted further that Mrs KolawoleShe was never paid any retirement benefits and that she has resumed according to directive from appropriate quarters stipulated by public service rules.

Soon after the judgment, senior staff of the Bureau trooped to the Acting Secretary’s office to congratulate her on the court judgment.

23/12/2017

ADELEKE ABANDONS IWOLAND, DECLARES GUBER AMBITION

Contrary to his frequent denials, the senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Sen. Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke has thrown his hat into the ring of gubernatorial race in the state.

The lawmaker may have abandoned his deal with Iwoland, which was responsible for his overwhelming victory in the three local governments representing Iwoland in the last July 7 by-election.

Adeleke was reported to have entered into a pact with Iwoland professionals under which Iwo people would support him for the senate, while he would in turn support Iwoland for governorship.

The elder brother of the lawmaker, Dr Adedeji Adeleke, who brokered the pact with Iwo people was reported to be against his brother's ambition to run for governorship seat.

Reports have emerged on Saturday that the senator has disclosed his interest in governorship seat to officials at Wadata Plaza, the headquarters of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

It was also gathered that the lawmaker has informed some prominent Nigerians about his ambition to govern the state.

While the senator could not be reached for his reactions, one of his loyalists from Ejigbo Local Government affirmed that there is no legal constraints against the senator's guber ambition.

"There is no problem if he decides to run for governor of the state. Is he not qualified to run? And what pact with Iwo people? Where is the written agreement? This is a free world," the loyalist said.

Meanwhile, supporters of the senator in Iwoland are disputing the report of his interest in governorship seat.

One of his supporters from Ayedire Local Government, who pleaded anonymity said the senator has not informed them his interest to contest governorship next year.

According to him, "I think it is just a mere rumour, our agreement was that, he would run for second term as senator and he would back a governorship candidate from Iwoland. I don't know where you people are getting these rumours," the supporter stressed.

22/12/2017

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05/12/2017

Press Statement

PDP is Ready for Pro-People Governance -Olawale Rasheed

A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun state,Mallam Olawale Rasheed has affirmed that the party is ready for a pro-people government with a validated governance agenda.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Chairman,policy committee of his campaign organisation,the aspirant posited that the current leadership tussle within the party is "a temporary hicupp which in no way affects the policy and governance preparedness of the party once it secures the peoples' mandate by September next year.

" We make bold to declare that the PDP is not only ready for governance but for pro-people leadership and programmes that will attend to the wishes and aspirations of our people. Our agenda is not just good governance but people-centered policies designed to restore the well being of the state.

"We are convinced that the goal of any responsive government is the welfare of the citizens. Our policies are thus tailored towards placing human development as major preoccupation especially as the current administration has relegated same to the backwater of governance.PDP governance mantra is power and greatest good to the public.

"We have sustainable alternative programmes and policies in education,health,youth development,infrastructure ,the real sector as well an action plan to rid the state of huge debt within a two term tenure. Our policy focus is about community and societal prosperity through pro-people programmes",the statement noted.

The governorship aspirant posited further that the party's policy plan will address issues such as accessibility and affordability of higher education,youth employment and employability crisis,sustainable workers' welfare and diaspora support and integration,adding that "a validated local content plan on infrastructure development is already concluded.

"Most importantly ,we will embark on large scale open government initiatives.We will in practical terms embrace open budget,access to information,open procurement and strict transparency and accountability in government finance. In short,a PDP government will return governance to the people",the statement concluded.

Signed

Dr Arowolo Olusegun,
Chairman ,Policy Committee.
November 5th,2017

21/11/2017

http://www.osuntribune.com/2017/11/21/i-echoed-frustrations-of-osun-people-in-inflated-contracts-huge-debt-adagunodo/

I Echoed Frustrations of Osun People in Inflated Contracts, Huge Debt – Adagunodo November 21, 2017 idowu State News 0 Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo of Osun State PDP has taken a critical look at the insinuations emanating from the speech of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the investiture of the Doctorate Degree...

13/11/2017

OSUN PDP CRISIS: ADAGUNODO GROUP WEIGHS OPTIONS

There are risky developments within the Osun state chapter of the PDP as the Adagunodo faction is reported to be considering various options in case the national leadership eventually handle over the state party structures to Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Insiders said the group is considering three main options amidst rumours that the caretaker committee at the national level may rule in favour of Omisore and his group.

One of the options according to the source is a court action to stop the party from imposing harmonization instead of congress provided for by the party constitution.

The group is reported to have briefed a lawyer to take up the matter before long. A member of the group told our correspondent in Oshogbo that “ court action is legitimate if we are finally pushed to the wall”

Another option said to be on the table is what the source called likely internal sabotage that may involve working for a guber candidate outside the PDP as a revenge move against the rumoured hijacking of the party.

“If they impose and forcefully take over the party, they should expect very disloyal structures and actions. They can be sure more than half of PDP will work for a candidate outside the PDP”, another source hinted.

The last option said to be the worst-case scenario is open decampment from the PDP to a yet to be identified part.

According to our source,” the move is a possibility if finally we find out that they do not want us within the party.

“If you impose yourselves on us and think we cannot do anything, then we leave the party for you. We will see how you can make headway”, a party chief said.

13/11/2017

OSUN PDP IN CRISIS AS LEADERS ASSEMBLE IN ABUJA

The Osun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party is in deep crisis over its ward, local and state congress. The division is threatening to tear the party apart.

Sarafa Ishola who chairs the state caretaker committee is accused of bending the rules to favour Senator Iyiola Omisore. Instead of holding congresses, the chairman was reportedly insisting on harmonization which appears to have put the Omisore group at an advantage.

The crisis has deepened to the extent that Osun state is the only state chapter of the party that is yet to conduct its congresses.

Meanwhile leaders of the party are scheduled to meet in Abuja tomorrow to find a lasting solution to the feud. Selected leaders of the party are to meet Senator Ahmed Makarfi to present a new resolution to the national leadership.

Osun Tribune learnt that both camps to the dispute are not backing down,raising fears the opposition may plunge further into conflicts.

13/11/2017

My 30% With Adewale Adetoyese

Osun 2018: Choosing Between Party And Personality

Over the political desensitization in Osun state, one of the problems confronting the innocent electorate in the selection of a beneficial and a vision-full leader has been the choice between such a political office seeker and the political party presenting him/her.

As a matter of fact, this sole problem has been successful in turning most of Osun voters to a blind session of electorates as they mostly regret those they gladly voted for in elections, especially governorship elections.

While the illiterate and less-informed voters who formed the majority of voters in Osun kept on swimming in this pool of political confusion by voting blindly and sentimentally, the educated who are expected to be informed however made the polling boots their enemy because they found it impossible to vote rightly.

To start with, Personality has to with the image and identity of an office seeker, his background and past records. Here, questions arises in formats like;

Who is he/she?

Where is he/she from?

What has he/she done to merit his demand?

Why must he/she be considered or rejected?

What about his personal life?

The above are few of those countless questions an electorate should asked before submitting his/her vote for an office seeker.

But unfortunately in Osun state, voters blindly vote for political parties with some even voting without knowing the name of the candidate they voted for. This particular point is evident in the way the state have sailed from a political party to the other in search of a pleasant leader.

Politicians who have already identified this sensitive weakness of Osun voters strategically feast on it by changing political parties like panties to feed their hungry greed.

Osun political years in and out have been polluted by complaints, blames and regrets bordering on little or no research about those party flag-bearers before anointing them with undeserved votes.

Since we have little or nothing to show for our previous support for political parties, I'll will suggest we reform our voting mentality and go for Personality. This will enable us to break the political fence of deceit and connect directly to our most preferred candidate.

The best way to abort the unwanted pregnancy of regret after next year's governorship election in the state is to now resume an objective search into the profiles of all aspirants with no credence or preference for their political parties.

In this era of 'Everybody For Governor' ahead of the 2018 election, voters must embrace this golden opportunity to know the real man/woman aspiring to be the next governor leaving the party behind.

Remember! He who knows better will do better!

Please fortify yourself with eye-opening information to enable you vote well in the forthcoming election in the interest of our dear state.

Please let us get it right this time!

©
adetoyese01@yahoo.com

07/11/2017

Osun 2018: APC Re-strategizes, Targets PDP Aspirants

Osun state chapter of the All Progressive Congress is re-strategizing towards winning the 2018 polls, insider checks have revealed.

The party is also digging into the background of all PDP aspirants with a view to unearth incriminating evidence against them

“After we lost the senate poll, we moved back to the drawing board. We are settling our internal feuds. We already identified our blacklegs and we are weakening their influence. Next is our watching the internal politics of the PDP”, a top strategist within the state APC told our correspondent.

Osun Tribune was told that the state APC is employing a number of measures to tame the PDP ahead of next year poll.
Among those measures, include what the source described as Governor Aregbesola direct fence mending activities with key stakeholders within the party.

“The Governor is reconnecting with the grassroots. You can see he has been v visiting local mosques and churches. He is also speaking less and accepting errors “, the source said.

Aside rebuilding APC internal structure, the party is said to be watching the PDP closely as it prepares for the election or nomination of its flag bearer.

Said the source: “We wish they won’t get it right. We wish they would pick the wrong candidate. We wish they will fight and fight and fight,. That is politics.

“We have put all PDP aspirants on our screen and radar. We know those who can beat us and those who are no threat to us. Let me tell you, we are building big huge dossier on all the PDP aspirants.

“All those aspirants who served at state level, we are checking their files. We will show the world their records while in office, the contracts they awarded, the wealth they acquired.

“All those aspirants who served at the federal level, we have called for their files, including the so called man of integrity. We will go public with our findings once we conclude. All those aspirants with shady source of wealth, those with fraud cases abroad, those with drug business, we will expose all.

“This 2018 is war and we are not leaving anything to chance”, the source said.

07/11/2017

Opinion: It is Two Years by Ali Ibrahim

Today in 2015 was historical. I became an author two Years ago after a rigorous experience. I had the experience that authors are mad, i mean mad genius constantly tormenting themselves in the best grammatical construction to be criticise by the editors. The criticisms are strength for an aspiring writers just like Alli Ibraheem.

To the glory of God, to my credit are two sellable books though historical in content. Should God spare my life, the revised edition of my first book is to be unveiled in December.

I specially appreciate those who strengthen me with support and those who inspired us to survive without them. They are both instruments to my survival. HRM Hrm Oyelude Makama, Prof. Pade Aderibigbe, Moses Babatunde Tunmmyzhe,Brig. Gen.(The Nafius), Elder Ogunbiyi, Barr. Lukman Segun Ogunsetan, Engineer Semiu OdeyinkaValuer Tunji Aderibigbe, SSA Abidemi Gbenga Ogunkanmi, Olayiwola Kemi Ige Adeyanju, Dr.Yomi Akomolafe, Taiwo Salami, Ayotunde Adedokun, Adisa Kabiru Adeniyi, Zealous Akintola Kehinde, Zealous Akintola Taiwo (the Zealous), Oderinwale Elisha, and many more who lubricated the external release of the first edition.

Mark the date 16th December, 2017 is another day for the unveiling of a richer content. While I hope to God, I earnestly seek the intervention of
interested individual to actualise, in written, the Ileogbo of our dream .

07/11/2017

Why Rumours of Adeleke Guber Ambition Persist

Three reasons have been identified for repeated rumours of plans by Senator Ademola Adeleke to seek the governorship next year, Osun Tribune can report.

First of the reasons was the thinking of the Adeleke old political family that the structure left behind by the late senator Adeleke can be revived to push for the current senator’s ambition.

Insiders within the Adeleke family described the development as ‘boys seeking for job’ in view of the current harsh economic climate in the country.

The second reason it was learnt has to do with external hand, which fingered the state All Progressive Congress as the brain behind the rumours. The APC is reported to be scheming to create schism within the PDP to pave way for its candidate victory at next year poll.

The third reason discovered by our investigations is related to the ease with which the Senator cruised to victory in the last election, leading to alleged thinking that may be the governorship is up for grab.

" Some people think this is an opportunity. But many risks are considered alongside that opportunity",an insider said.

Osun Tribune however gathered that the Adeleke family has indeed ruled out any possibility of the current senator running for governorship for four main reasons.

Insiders listed the four points as follows:

1. The family had pledged while campaigning never to seek the governorship but to work for Osun West to get the governorship;

2. The family is wary of the implications of such ambition on the internal politics within state PDP,a sign that is emerging with the current struggle for the control of PDP across Edeland;

3. The family actually desires that Senator Adeleke be allowed to run for second term in 2019;and

4. That the family is determined to have a major say on who become the governor from Osun West.

07/11/2017

Omisore Should Back an Iwo Guber Candidate-Group

A socio-political group named Ayiwola Democratic Forum has called on Senator Iyiola Omisore to support an Iwo indigene as the next governor of Osun state.

In a statement issued after its meeting held at Oluponna ,Ayedire Local Government, the group described Omisore as a major pillar of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun state who should be respected by all and sundry, adding that ,” Omisore should however throw his weight behind an Iwo indigene for the governorship.

“He is a great leader; It is true that he has contributed greatly to the PDP since he joined the party. But the 2018 governorship slot is for Iwoland and he should support us”, the group said.

Continuing the group noted that “If Senator Omisore dropped his ambition for Iwoland, other old aspirants in the race should also shelve their ambition,that too must bow to allow fresh face to enter the scene.

"After Ile Ife, Omisore's strongest base is Iwo. He has his men and women all over Iwoland. It is just smart for him to support any of the aspirants from Iwoland. And we have great aspirants such as Mallam Olawale Rasheed,Adebayo Rovet and others

“It is however wrong to ask Senator Omisore to drop his ambition when nobody is asking Lere Oyewumi,Fatai Akinbade, Bello Adejare ,Akinlabi Olasunkanmi to also drop their ambition. That is why we are also calling on all these leaders to play the role of a godfather and allow a new young face to lead the party to victory.

“We are convinced that Senator Omisore will find it easy to shelve his ambition as long as the beneficiary will not be one of the same old faces. That same reason why Omisore should not run is that same reason that affects those other listed aspirants.

“We called on Senator Omisore to look towards Iwoland and support a viable aspirant. He is a godfather now and always”, the group said in statement signed by Comrade Adekunle Omojola.