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NEWS & LIFE

FG requires $1.1bn reinvestment to renew concession agreement at Ports – Minister

The Federal Government requires about 1.1 billion dollars reinvestment in the nation’s ports to renew the concession agreement.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, said this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation investigating ports concession in Abuja

He said at the moment, the concession of the ports was being delayed to allow government conclude its reinvestment plan and reconstruct the ports to meet required standard.

He said that the government would not seat back and watch the ports to completely collapsed.

The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Oloruntola Micheal, said the present agreement between the government and concessionaires was unacceptable.

He added that it fell below the required standard, saying, “under the mordenisation programme of the Port, the Ministry is envisioning a major reinvestment in the port system to meet expected service delivery.

This according to him, will be commensurate with the image of Nigeria and the level of international business that Nigeria is with.

“The current situation at the port does not meet the required standard. The investment quatum that is expected to be invested in the port will require a major rethink of the concession of the ports.

“As a result of that, the Ministry, in concert with the agency, the NPA in particular has begun a process of reinvestment package for the port.”

Also speaking, Mr Mohammed Koko, Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) said the proposal for renewal of the concession agreement for the ports was submitted to the Federal Executive Council in Feb. 2023.

He explained that the FEC put the renewal on hold demanding additional information, adding that one of the issues raised by FEC was investment as it relates to existing infrastructure at the ports.

Mr Ignatius Ayewoh, acting Director-General, Bureau for Public Enterprise, said that the government reinvestment plan should stop the renewal process of the concession exercise.

He said “I want to say that BPE was involved completely in this concessions arrangement and till date, monitoring has been taking place and some of the status report as per performance will be provided for record purpose.

Rep. Ibrahim Chidari, Chairman, House Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, said the Ministry must put measures in place to ensure that the government does not have to lose any revenue.

He said “after the expiration of the agreement in 2021, the terminal operators were given a six month extension twice and after that, there had been no extension.

He said, “We don’t want them to continue to operate illegally because there must be no vacuum”

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POLITICS

Osun APC youths condemn PDP’s violent protest against tribunal judgment

The Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Youths and Students Mobilisation Directorate, has condemned Saturday’s violent protest by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

PDP members went on rampage in Osogbo on Saturday to protest Friday’s nullification of the election of Gov. Ademola Adeleke by an election petition tribunal.

The tribunal had ruled that Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC was the winner of the Osun governorship election held on July 16, 2022.

In a statement issued in Osogbo on Sunday, the APC Youths Directorate condemned the various attacks on the people by the protesting PDP members.

The statement was signed jointly by Mr Dayo Fasola, Chairman, Media Committee of the PCC, Mr David Asaolu, the PCC Youth Arm Chairman, Mr Demola Adeyeye, the Secretary-General and Samuel Ogungbemi, Media Committee Secretary, respectively,

While congratulating Alhaji Oyetola on his victory at the tribunal, the statement advised the PDP to channel its grievances to the courts, the appropriate quarters, instead of resorting to civil unrest.

It said Oyetola’s victory at the tribunal was a well-deserved one as it had pointed to the fact that “no matter how far lies have gone the truth shall one day conveniently overtake it.’’

“Anybody who is aggrieved should go to court and not resort to threat to public peace, killing and maiming innocent citizens.

“Presidential election is close by and we do not want anything that will heat up the polity.

“Judgment had been delivered; parties who were not satisfied should go back to court to air their grievances.

“There is room for appeal, so there should not be any form of crisis arising from the judgement because the election petition tribunal is not the final arbiter,’’ it added.

Meanwhile, Gov. Adeleke has appreciated party members and people for their protest against the tribunal’s judgement.

In a statement issued by Malam Rasheed Olawale, his spokesperson, Adeleke expressed delight at the reaffirmation of popular support for his governorship mandate.

He assured the people that “the popular mandate’’ will not be stolen either through the front or the backdoor.

“I have read stories of multiple protests and I have seen many videos from all over the state.

“From central, west and east, I am overwhelmed by your open defence of our mandate.

“I express my appreciation to our people for their show of support. Your love for me is much appreciated.

“We have not done anything wrong. We won clearly with a wide margin.

“Local and foreign observers hailed our election as the best in recent Nigerian history.

“Be rest assured that by God and man, justice will be done. Our mandate won’t be stolen.

“I urge you to remain calm. We should not take the law into our hands. We have appealed the judgment and we are sure of victory by the special grace of God,’’ he said.

Chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Tertsea Kume, had declared on Friday in Osogbo that the July 16, 2022 governorship election in Osun was not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act.

Justice Kume declared that there was over-voting in 774 polling units in 10 local government areas in the state during the polls.

He said after the deduction of valid votes scored by candidates from the observed over-voting, Alhaji Oyetola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 314,931, against Adeleke’s 290,266 votes.

Kume directed INEC to retrieve the Certificate of Return issued to Adeleke and issue same to Oyetola.

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Osun election: Aregbesola’s moment of victory and defeat

Lasun Alagbe

For Aregbesola, is Osun election a victory or defeat?

The way the governorship election in Osun State has unfolded should ordinarily sadden the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola. His party, the All Progressives Congress, is embattled as the opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party, gave it the battle of its life in Saturday’s governorship election and the PDP’s candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has emerged winner as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Ironically, however, Aregbesola, deep down his mind, is a victorious man in the midst of possible defeat.

One can imagine how ‘joyous’ he will be in his heart and household – personal and political households. Based on the chronic fight he and Governor Adegboyega Oyetola have been engaged in, and the fact that he has lost all the stages of the battle, Oyetola’s victory would simply not have meant a dwonfall for him.

Analysts would think that an Oyetola/APC’s victory, which should be his, would, indeed, have a meant political burial for him. He – Aregbesola – has lost the leadership of the party in Osun, he is also embattled in his initial constituency in Alimosho, Lagos. He had declared a war by not joining the Osun election campaign and, as a matter of fact, by calling the party leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to a fight months back. So, if there is anything he was likely to have thus prayed for, some would believe, it would be the downfall of the APC in Osun; after all, he needed to be seen as a force, an inevitable force, so that he would be taken more seriously in the future.

Yet, his battle may not yet be over. Is he still a member of the APC? Will he be able to reclaim its control? What happens to his place in the national scheme of things? Will he join the Tinubu train or remain silent and, probably work for a PDP or any other party? For Aregbesola, therefore, the ‘victory’ may be understandable and sweet, but in a larger perspective, it may not yet be Uhuru.

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Adeleke shocks Oyetola in Osogbo, neutralises Oluwo’s 90,000 votes pledge

Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in the Osun State governorship election, Ademola Adeleke, rattled Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in the state capital, where available results show that he led him with over 8,000 votes.

Adeleke garnered 30,401 votes as against Oyetola’s 22,952 in Osogbo Local Government Area.

He indeed defeated Oyetola in a polling unit by the Government House.

Analysts may, however, recall that the Abere area base of the Secretariat is closer, by history and geography, to Adeleke’s hometown – Ede – than Oyetola’s Iragbiji.

Also in in Olorunda LGA, Adeleke scored 21,350 votes while Oyetola got 18,709.

The governor, however, fought back in Iwo LGA where he garnered 17,421votes with Adeleke getting 16,914.

Yet based on that result, the pledge made by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdurasheed Akanbi, did not substantially materialise as he said he would give Oyetola 90,000 votes.

Also, the governor won in Irewole LGA with18,198 votes against Adeleke’s 14,176.

Here are also some other elements of the results:

Ilesa East LGA results
APC – 13,452

PDP – 10,969

LP – 33

Total Registered voters – 73,440

Accredited voters – 26, 179

Total Valid votes – 25,352

Boluwaduro LGA results
APC – 5,649

PDP – 5,860

LP -9

Total Registered voters -24,329

Accredited voters – 12,007

Total Valid votes – 11,795

Atakunmosa West LGA results
APC – 6,601

PDP – 7,750

LP – 6

Total Registered voters – 36,470

Accredited voters – 15,171

Total Valid votes –

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5 minutes ago
Ila LGA results
APC – 11,163

PDP – 13,036

LP – 6

Total Registered voters – 46,623

Accredited voters – 24,947

Total Valid votes – 24,572

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12 minutes ago
Osogbo LGA results
APC – 22,952

PDP – 30,401

LP – 79

Total Registered voters – 142,459

Accredited voters – 56,020

Total Valid votes – 55,942

Updated: 11 minutes ago
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22 minutes ago
Ilesa East LGA results
APC – 13,452

PDP – 10,969

LP – 33

Total Registered voters – 73,440

Accredited voters – 26, 179

Total Valid votes – 25,352

Updated: 21 minutes ago
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Boluwaduro LGA results
APC – 5,649

PDP – 5,860

LP -9

Total Registered voters -24,329

Accredited voters – 12,007

Total Valid votes – 11,795

LGA: Isokan

Ward 06, Unit 001

APC – 177

PDP – 280

Ward 06, Unit 002

APC – 157

PDP – 197

Ward 06, Unit 003

APC –

PDP –

Ward 06, Unit 004

APC – 163

PDP – 227

Ward 06, Unit 005

APC – 84

PDP – 132

Ward 06, Unit 006

APC – 196

PDP – 139

Ward 06, Unit 007

APC – 5

PDP – 33

Ward 06, Unit 008

APC – 32

PDP – 14

Ward 06, Unit 009

APC – 11

PDP – 08

Ward 06, Unit 010

APC – 12

PDP – 17

Ward 06, Unit 011

APC – 17

PDP -10

Ward 10, Unit 001

APC – 53

PDP -64

Ward 10, Unit 002

APC – 94

PDP – 131

Ward 10, Unit 006

APC – 143

PDP – 48

Ward 02, Unit 001

APC – 99

PDP – 216

Ward 02, Unit 002

APC – 189

PDP – 140

Ward 03, Unit 003

APC – 184

PDP – 185

LGA: Obokun

Ward 03, Unit 001

APC – 88

PDP – 199

Ward 03, Unit 002

APC – 156

PDP – 156

Ward 03, Unit 003

APC – 32

PDP – 194

Ward 03, Unit 004

APC – 57

PDP – 153

Ward 03, Unit 005

APC – 35

PDP – 124

Ward 03, Unit 006

APC – 65

PDP – 37

Ward 04, Unit 001

APC – 75

PDP – 182

Ward 04, Unit 002

APC – 102

PDP – 191

Ward 04, Unit 003

APC – 116

PDP – 96

Ward 04, Unit 004

APC – 81

PDP – 148

Ward 04, Unit 005

APC – 95

PDP – 201

Ward 04, Unit 006

APC – 94

PDP – 220

Ward 04, Unit 007

APC – 50

PDP – 42

Ward 04, Unit 008

APC – 57

PDP – 95

Ward 04, Unit 009

APC – 92

PDP – 119

Ward 04, Unit 010

APC – 40

PDP – 48

Ward 04, Unit 011

APC – 35

PDP – 75

Ward 04, Unit 013

APC – 106

PDP – 217

Ward 04, Unit 014

APC – 09

PDP – 43

Ward 04, Unit 015

APC – 05

PDP – 45

Ward 10, Unit 001

APC – 93

PDP – 203

Ward 10, Unit 002

APC – 175

PDP – 142

Ward 10, Unit 003

APC – 83

PDP – 130

Ward 10, Unit 004

APC – 89

PDP – 89

Ward 10, Unit 005

APC – 146

PDP – 117

Ward 10, Unit 006

APC – 116

PDP – 121

Ward 10, Unit 007

APC – 70

PDP – 96

Ward 06, Unit 001

APC – 87

PDP – 107

Ward 6, Unit 002

APC – 100

PDP – 144

Ward 6, Unit 003

APC – 63

PDP – 111

Ward 6, Unit 004

APC – 105

PDP – 102

LGA: Ifedayo

Ward 7, Oyi, St James Pry School

APC – 17

PDP – 143

LGA: Olorunda

Ward 8, Unit 29

APC – 39

PDP – 91

Ward 8, Unit 34

PDP – 95

APC – 52

LGA: Iwo.

Gidigbo 2 Elemo 1, Unit 007

APC – 67

PDD – 105

LGA: Ejigbo

Ward 11. Unit 11

PDP – 145

APC. – 39

Ward 09, Unit 01,

PDP – 187

APC – 57

Oke Adan 3, Unit 014

PDP – 66

APC – 11

LGA: Osogbo

Ward 12, Unit 13

PDP – 113

APC – 58

LGA: Olorunda

Ward 2, Unit 4

APC – 105

PDP – 146

LGA: Ilesa West

Ward 5, Unit 16

APC – 16

PDP – 59

LGA: Boluwaduro

African Primary School, Gbéléru-Obaala

APC – 92

PDP – 69

Ologun Agbaakin Unit 7

APC – 63

PDP – 112

LGA: Obokun

Esa-Oke Ward 1 Unit 18 at Oscotech Campus Gate.

PDP – 43

APC – 3

LGA: Ejigbo

Ward 09, Unit 05.

APC – 48

PDP – 51

LGA: Ede South

Sekona Ward 8, Unit 6

APC – 76

PDP – 140

Ward 7, Unit 5

PDP – 304

APC – 104

Ward 1, Unit 8

PDP – 130

APC – 4

LGA: Ede North

Ward 5, Unit 6

PDP – 121

APC – 50

LGA: Oriade

Ward 3, Unit 5, Ijebu Jesa.

PDP – 71

APC – 25

LGA: Ifelodun

Ward 08, Unit 11

APC – 35

PDP – 119.

Erinosun Unit 2

PDP – 98

APC – 45

LGA: Obokun

Esa-Oke Ward 1, Unit 19

PDP – 33

APC – 04

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9 hours ago
Results from polling units
LGA: Osogbo

Ward 07, Unit 05

PDP – 130

APC – 106.

Ward 14, Unit 17:

PDP – 127

APC – 46.

Ward 13, Unit 12

PDP – 72

APC – 72

Ward 10, Unit 6

PDP – 220

APC – 74

Ward5, Unit 2.

APC – 76

PDP – 213

Ward 14, Unit 16

PDP – 104

APC – 96

Garage-Okefia Osogbo

PDP – 72

APC – 16

Ward 7, Unit 11,

PDP – 125

APC – 75

LGA: Ife South

Ikija ward 1, High school 02

PDP – 59

APC – 30

LGA: Egbedore

Ward 10, Unit 24

APC – 46

PDP – 86

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BREAKING: Oyetola, Adeleke share votes in absentee Aregbesola’s unit

Result of the election in Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola’s polling unit situated at Ward 8, unit 1, Isare Ifofin, Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State shows a close battle between top candidates Adegboyega Oyetola and Ademola Adeleke.

Although Oyetola won by polling 164, Adeleke also secured 134 votes.
in Saturday’s election.

Aregbesola never showed up for the election because of his feud with Governor Oyetola, who is his successor.

Observers are likely to note that the margin would have been wider if Aregbe was on the ground, although others will recall that he had not been performing absolutely in his hometown Ilesa area.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress won elections in the polling units of Oyetola and his deputy, Benedict Alabi.

In Oyetola’s polling unit situated at ward 1, LA school, Popo, Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area, APC got 545 votes to defeat its closest rival, Ademola Adeleke of Peoples Democratic Party, who had 69 votes.

In Oyetola’s polling unit situated at ward 1, LA school, Popo, Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area, APC got 545 votes to defeat its closest rival, Ademola Adeleke of Peoples Democratic Party, who had 69 votes.

Deputy Governor Alabi also won his polling unit at ward 6, unit 7, Baptist Day School, Ikire, in Irewole Local Government with 206 votes while PDP scored 184.

Also, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ademola Adeleke, won his polling unit in the ongoing governorship election in the state.

He polled 218 votes to defeat his main contender, Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress.

Oyetola scored 23 votes while Dr Akin Ogunbiyi of the Accord party had one vote.

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BREAKING: Oyetola manages to get 23 votes at Adeleke’s polling unit

The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in Osun, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, has won his polling unit at the ongoing election in the state – but his close rival, Adegboyega Oyetola managed to get some votes.

Adeleke who cast his vote in ward 2 , unit 9 , Abogunde /sagba area, in Ede North Local Government, polled 218 votes to defeat the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola , who polled 23 votes .

NAN further reports that the Accord Party had only one vote at Ward 2, unit 9 at Abogunde /Sagba area, in Ede North.

Adeleke had earlier cast his vote at 8:39 a.m, at ward 2 polling unit 9 in Ede North, under tight security and confidence of winning the election.

Also, Ede north has a total registered voter of 71,750 for the governorship election, with 151 polling units and 11 registration areas, while Ede South has 54, 880 registered voters, with 89 polling units and 10 registration areas.

The governorship candidates for the election are Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, PDP and Oyegoke Omigbodun, Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Other key candidates are Dr Akin Ogunbiyi of Accord (A); Mr Yusuf Lasun, Labour Party (LP ); Munirudeen Atanda, Action Democratic Party ( ADP) and Busuyi Ayowole, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

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Aregbesola helped Oyetola snatch victory from jaw of defeat in 2018 – Minister’s faction

As the Osun State governorship election holds in a matter of hours, the Osun Progressives, a faction of the All Progressives Congress loyal to the Minister of Interior Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola,has highlighted what it says is its travails in the hands of the Adegboyega Oyetola government.

According to the group, this is despite the fact that Aregbesola worked hard to ‘snatch victory from the jaw of defeat’ for Oyetola, who succeeded him in 2018.

The group, in a statement signed by one of its leaders, Sikiru Ayedun, however, said as far as Saturday’s election is concerned, it remained a committed member of the APC.

Although it did not categorically state whom its members will vote for, it noted:

“As the Osun Governorship Election comes up tomorrow, we The Osun Progressives (TOP) have been inundated with calls, questions and demands for our position by the media and our supporters and enthusiasts.

“Fundamentally, we are unabashedly democrats of the progressive hue. We live its credo and our entire being is in it.

“Our association, a caucus within the State of Osun All Progressives Congress (APC), was founded last year when we alarmingly saw the direction our party was going. It was like the falcon could no longer hear the falconer. We were filled with trepidation on the tempest long foretold.

“We were at this junction before, in the run-off to the 2003 General election. We feared that history might tragically repeat itself except we acted selflessly and forthrightly. Like-minded members and leaders of the party, therefore, came together to form the group.

“The administration of our leader, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, produced a successor in Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, against all odds, by snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. We worked hard on the mantra of continuity, the continuation of the giant development strides of the Aregbesola administration, which endeared the party to the people of the state, producing the victory that brought Governor Oyetola into office.

“As a caucus within the party, we have consistently made strident efforts at peace and reconciliation within our party. For this, we have only asked for one condition, which is inclusiveness.

“The State Governor and his henchmen, most regrettably, have turned his office and our party into a zero-sum game. You are either with them or against them. They rejected any idea of inclusiveness. They rebuffed all propositions for peace and reconciliation and not even a Councillorship position was ceded to any other section of the party outside of the Ileri-Oluwa caucus.

“Any party member that is not publicly demonstrating obscene loyalty to the governor and attacking Ogbeni Aregbesola or anyone remotely or directly associated with him is branded an enemy and marked for alienation from government and party offices. Worse still, the independent-minded party members not praise singing the Governor are subject to insidious and malevolent attacks.

“The policy of exclusion in OSUN APC is so deep that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who is the immediate past Governor of the state and the current minister from the state was neither consulted, invited nor included in any party matter, the most recent of which is the APC’s Osun Campaign Council for this election. This posturing has riven the party.

“Nevertheless, we remain unflinching members of our party, the All Progressives Congress and stand by its ideals, irrespective of our travails or even the outcome of tomorrow’s election. We are long-distance runners and will not abandon the ship of our party, in calm or stormy waters.”

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Oyetola speaks as police shoot journalist in Osogbo

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola, has reacted to te shooting of a journalist in Osogbo.

He condemned the shooting of the Nation’s Newspaper correspondent, Toba Adedeji, and another citizen by some trigger-happy police officers at Olaiya Junction, Osogbo, on Tuesday.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, said the shooting at unarmed citizens was completely unacceptable, irresponsible and condemnable.

He added that the sad incident could have been avoided.

He stated that it was unfortunate that the sad incident occurred while the citizens were mourning the death of a loved one.

He said such unlawful act by the police could aggravate an already- tensed situation that could lead to breakdown of law and order in the state.

Oyetola therefore called for thorough investigation of the incident, with a view to ensuring that the culprits are decisively dealt with in accordance with the law of the land.

“Shooting at journalists and unarmed citizen is completely unacceptable, irresponsible and condemnable.

“The police officers have no justification for this unfortunate and unlawful act.

“They could have employed other means rather than resorting to deadly force to disperse the group” he said.

According to him the frequency of these unfortunate and avoidable provocative incidents is a source of concern to us, as a government.

“I have directed the State Commissioner of Police to investigate the Tuesday shooting incident and ensure that his officers involved in it are identified and punished in accordance with the law.

“We must ensure that this kind of sad and barbaric incident does not occur again in our state.

“I wish the Nation Newspaper correspondent, Adedeji, and the other citizen whom I learnt are presently receiving treatment at the hospital, speedy recovery.

“I am also calling on residents of Osun to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands,” he said.

He gave assurance that that the matter would be pursued to a logical conclusion and the erring officers dealt with accordingly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the Nation Newspaper Correspondent, Toba Adedeji and another person, were reportedly shot by some overzealous policemen who were trying to disperse a group of people.

The group of people who had gathered to mourn the death of their person, allegedly killed by police officers in April

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POLITICS

Oyetola banks on Osun masses for reelection

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun says keeping to promises he made to people of the state in the last three and half years of his administration with limited resources, will give him victory in the July 16 governorship election in the state.

The governor said this at an engagement programme organised by the State’s Civic Engagement Centre with the Osun Chapter of the Association of Master Bakers on Sunday in Osogbo.

Oyetola, who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said the masses could testify to his achievements in all areas, which would make them support his re-election.

The governor, who noted that he would continue to focus on quality service delivery to the people, said the will of God would prevail through the popular support of the people.

Oyetola said that with the available meager resources accrued to the state, he had turned the economy of the state around positively for the benefit of those who elected him.

The governor, who described the masses as the pillar of his administration since its inception, said that he would continue to make sacrifices that would make life more comfortable for them.

Oyetola also said that he remained the candidate to beat in the election, adding that Osun belonged to the progressives, and nothing could change the status quo.

“My re-election is God’s project because the masses are behind me, and they will return me to office in the next election.

“I kept the promises I made with the good people of the state within the limited resources, and I know that they will keep faith with me on the election day.

“I will not in any way relax in my second term in office, but rather continue to build on the solid foundation we have laid,” he said.

Oyetola appealed to members of the association, who were yet to pick their Permanent Voter Cards at the Independent National Electoral Commission office to do so and use the same to support his re-election.

He said he would continue to provide the enabling environment for the growth and expansion of their businesses.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Mr Bakare Ganiyu, commended the governor for various developmental projects in the state.

Ganiyu promised that members of the association would support the re-election bid of the governor for his administration to continue with the good works

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POLITICS

Oyetola speaks on Omisore’s emergence as APC’s Secretary

Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun has congratulated a former deputy governor of the state, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, on his emergence as the new National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oyetola spoke shortly after the announcement of Omisore as the newly elected National Secretary of the APC at the party’s national convention in Abuja on Sunday.
The governor also congratulated the new National Chairman of the party, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, and other members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

He said he believed that the former Osun deputy governor would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the administration and management of the party’s affairs.
Oyetola expressed confidence in the ability of Omisore to deliver and contribute to the growth of the party through his new position.

According to the governor, Omisore will deploy his political sagacity, leadership qualities and experience ,which he acquired in both public and private sectors, towards building a virile and healthy party at the centre.
The News Agency of Nigeria ((NAN) reports that the former Osun deputy governor was returned elected through a consensus arrangement reached by other aspirants ,who withdrew from the contest.
NAN reports that the position of the APC National Secretary was zoned to the South-West by the party’s national leadership.
Oyetola hailed the leadership quality of President Muhammadu Buhari and praised him for playing a fatherly role to unite the party in the interest of all.
“First of all, I must thank our leaders in the South-West for their support for our own Sen. Iyiola Omisore.
“This is a great thing for us in Osun APC and I must thank other contestants for conceding and accepting to withdraw from the race.

“I commend them for the bold step, just as I assure them of our support in their times of need. I have no doubt in the capacity of Otunba Omisore to deliver and take our party to greater level.
“As you can see, the peaceful atmosphere here and the seamless conduct of the convention is a testimony to the strong unity that exists in our party,” he said.
Omisore said the successful conduct of the convention was an attestation that the APC had its ways of resolving issues without necessarily resorting to conflict.
He added that contrary to the negative expectations of some people, the APC National Convention went on peacefully.
The governor said that security operatives did wonderfully well in ensuring security of life and property.
“I am really proud of what had happened today, it is a sign that our party is united, formidable and remained indivisible.

“In achieving all these, I must personally commend the leadership quality provided by President Muhammadu Buhari who always advocate for harmony and peace in the party.
“It is natural to have disagreement, but what is important is the ability to have workable mechanism to resolve any crisis without necessarily resorting to rancour.
“I am confident that with the existing unity in the APC, our party will continue to remain in power beyond 2023 by the grace of God,” Oyetola added.

Also speaking, Omisore expressed gratitude to God, President Buhari, Gov. Oyetola, APC leaders and co-contenders for the unflinching support and confidence reposed in him to serve the party.
He promised never to disappoint them ,saying he would live up to expectations