ONDO 2016 UPDATE: JUDGE HAS NULLIFIED THE PDP CONVENTION THAT PRODUCE AHMED MAKARFI AS NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

ONDO 2016 UPDATE: JUDGE HAS NULLIFIED THE PDP CONVENTION THAT PRODUCE AHMED MAKARFI AS  NATIONAL CHAIRMAN ......This means this faction can't produce Jegede as Ondo PDP candidate.

Justice Abang acted right on Ondo PDP gov criss - NJC. Justice Okon Abang has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the National Judicial Council, NJC, in the June 29 ruling where he endorsed a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Ali Modu Sheriff, as authentic. Recognition of Sheriff’s faction of PDP led to eventual substitution of Eyitayo Jegede’s name by INEC and replaced it with Jimoh Ibrahim. In separate letters to four different petitioners who had written against Mr. Abang, the Council said it found “no proof of misconduct against the Federal High Court judge. One of the petitioners, Ayodele Ibini, a factional secretary of the PDP from Ondo State, had asked the NJC to investigate the judge for alleged judicial misconduct in the June 29 ruling where Mr. Sheriff was recognised as authentic PDP chairman. They demanded investigations into alleged judicial misconduct by the judge. The council said it dismissed all four petitions for their failure to substantially prove any wrongdoing against Mr. Abang.

The petitioners alleged that Mr. Abang abused his official privileges in his decisions on the PDP Ondo State crisis. The NJC, however, said it found no record of misconduct or abuse of judicial powers in the decisions made by Mr. Abang regarding both judgements. Mr. Abang also nullified the national convention of the PDP that produced Ahmed Makarfi as leader. He said the decision of the PDP to embark on the convention, despite a court order from a Lagos High Court, amounted to impunity.

Updated: Suspected bomb found near Shoprite mall

Adelani Adepegba, Abuja.

A parcel, suspected to be Improvised Explosives Device, has been found under the Jabi bridge, near the Shoprite shopping mall, Abuja.
Policemen, including operatives of the Anti-bomb squad, blocked the access road to the bridge, and directed motorists to alternative routes.
The alarm, however turned out to be false as the bomb disposal unit discovered the parcel to be a container said to have been left under the bridge by the Federal Capital Territory Water Board.

 

Our correspondent who visited the scene, observed that the situation had normalised and motorists were allowed to access the road, which was earlier blocked.

A maize seller near the Shoprite mall, told our correspondent, that the container was kept under the bridge by the water board officials on Wednesday.
She said, “The police found out that it was not a bomb as speculated. What happened was that someone saw the food cooler  and informed the Shoprite security guards about it and they called the police who blocked the road and checked the container for bomb, but nothing was found in it.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Anjuguri Manzah, promised to obtain the status update from his superiors, but he had yet to get back to our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.

Trump’s victory: I’ll tear my green card on January 20, says Soyinka

Story by: Akeem Lasisi

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has given an indication that he will tear up his Green Card on January 20, 2017, the day Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th President of the US.

Last week, Soyinka had, in annoyance with the possible victory of the Republican candidate, threatened to destroy the card.

In an interview with The INTERVIEW, the world-acclaimed writer and human rights activist expressed resentment at Trump’s emergence, saying it spelt trouble for humanity.

 

Asked if he still intended to thrash the card, he said, “Come January 20, 2017; watch my WOLEXIT!”

By WOLEXIT, he seemed to be referring to his final ‘exit’ from the US, playing on Brexit, the expression referring to Britain’s historical exit from the European Union.

Although he said he was not too surprised that Trump won, he noted that his victory had brought an already teetering world closer to the precipice.

He said, “The possibility (of Trump’s victory) was looming nearer and nearer, getting scarier and scarier.

“As the election day approached, the specter became near palpable. I refused to switch on the television this morning until I had stiffened myself with a strong espresso. I felt disaster in my marrow.

“Trump’s wall is already under construction. Walls are built in the mind, and Trump has erected walls, not only across the mental landscape of America but across the global landscape. “I am glad you referred to the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall – that was one anniversary in reversal!”

AGUNLOYE'S TRIUMPHANT ENTRY INTO ONDO KINGDOM

Dr. Agunloye, Iyaloja Ondo market, Erelu Modupe Martins

Hausa Community declares Agunloye

''Egbe Elesin Funfun'', the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr. Olu Agunloye Wednesday had a triumphant entry into Ondo kingdom amidst teaming party supporters and Market Women who throned the Akure garage to receive their Governor as early as 10 am.

No sooner that Dr. Agunloye alighted from his vehicle that he joined his teaming supporters and embarked on a rally that took the entourage through major streets of Ondo town.

It was indeed a new innovation in politics as the campaign train of the SDP reached out to people one on one canvassing for people's support and their votes from house to house and shop to shop.

The journey from Akure garage that ordinarily could had taken ten minutes drive to the palace of Osemawe took Dr. Agunloye, his Deputy, Erelu Modupe Akindele Martins and the entire SDP faith fulls two hours.

L-R: Dr. Agunloye, Osemawe of Ondo, Erelu Akindele Martins

Commercial activities were how ever paralysed along Yaba street and other routes that led to the palace as people trooped out to have a glimpse of the next Governor of Ondo state.

Commercial cyclists were not left out as they added glamour and beauty to the mission of the SDP in Ondo kingdom even as those that offer to speak with our reporter showered encomiums on Dr. Agunloye going by his pedigree when he was Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Others how ever recalled vividly how he pioneered the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) successfully, saying it was no nonsense in the days of Agunloye in the FRSC unlike today when corruption has eaten deep into all sectors.

At the palace of Osemawe, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, the Osemawe of Ondo kingdom, Dr. Agunloye recalled how he had successfully followed the former Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu and the incumbent Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko on campaign to the palace and they all succeeded.

''Now that I follow myself here, it shows that it is my turn to be Governor of Ondo state by November 26, 2016 when the people give me their mandate with their votes'', Agunloye assured.

Erelu in the market

He disclosed that his administration shall team up with leaders in every community to develop the people and their communities by inviting foreign investors to establish industries to create jobs and improve the economy.

Oba kiladejo how ever commended Dr. Agunloye for not destroying co contestants but rather telling the people what he has for them as a man of integrity which he is known for over the years.

Ondo SDP: Agunloye promises job creation if emerge

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), governorship candidate in the November 26 Governorship election in Ondo State, Dr. Olu Agunloye has promised to create  jobs, if elected as governor of Ondo state.

Agunloye made this pledge at the flag off of his campaign at Democracy Park in Akure, on Teusday.

Agunloye, who linked himself on his ancestral connection with the Akoko lineage, Owo and Akure metropolis, assured the people that he would build on sustainable projects of his predecessors in office.

The former Minister and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) boss, Agunloye, promised to pay all outstanding salaries and pension allowances to the public servants and retirees in the state.

Agunloye further disclosed that his mission “to rescue and rebuild Ondo State” was driven towards creating enabling environment for youths as job providers rather than being job seekers, infrastructural development, meaningful engagement of women among others.

Addressing the crowd that witnessed the campaign, the National Chairman of the party, Chief Olu Falae said, the party had mapped out a state’s apprenticeship scheme  that would empower and ensure that five scores youths are gainfully employed within one year of his government.

Also, the Deputy Governor, Erelu Modupe Akindele Martins told the people that better days will come to the state if the people could vote for Dr. Agunloye and SDP with ''white horse'' logo on the ballot paper on  the day of election.

According to her, the administration of Dr. Agunloye will offer cooperative loans to market women every three --three months to boost their trades and the  economy of the state while Machines shall be imported and distributed to Artisans on loan agreement which could be repaid on monthly basis.

Meanwhile, at the palace of the Deji of Akure, Dr. Agunloye lamented the poor  road network obtained in major cities across the state which include some parts of Akure, the state capita.

His words, ''am ready to develop Akure as one of the sons of the ancient city, and am ready to pursue the development of Ondo state at large even with the available resources as soon as I assume office as the Governor of the state''.

The Deji, Oba Aladetoyinbo, Ogunlade Adelusi, the Odundun Asodeddero 11, prays for the Success of the SDP candidate by November 26, 2016 Governorship election having been discovered that Akure blood runs through his veins.