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APC chieftain Akinterinwa felicitates Adejoke Orelope Adefulure on 65th birthday

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Wale Akinterinwa, has extended his warm congratulations to the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, on her 65th birthday anniversary.

In a statement on Sunday, Akinterinwa described Orelope-Adefulire, the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State as an iconic woman whose remarkable leadership traits continue to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians and humanity.

Akinterinwa maintained that Orelope-Adefulire has displayed exemplary leadership and compassion both in her private and official capacities.

He praised her for her ‘unforgettable’ contributions to the growth and development of Ile-Oluji community in Ondo state.

The statement reads, “On behalf of myself, my family and the good people of Ile-Oluji, I celebrate an iconic woman, the Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.

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LG Elections: Senator Yayi Criticises Governor Abiodun Over Alleged Imposition of Candidates

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Senator Adeola Olamilekan, popularly known as Senator Yayi, representing Ogun West Senatorial District, expressed strong concerns over the upcoming local government elections in Ogun State. His remarks followed the heated discussion on the Benue LGA elections, which Senator Abba Moro described as a “sham” on the Senate Order Paper. Yayi drew parallels between the situation in Benue and what he termed “undemocratic practices” in Ogun State.
Speaking on the matter, Senator Yayi highlighted the increasing interference by state governors in local government elections, specifically pointing fingers at Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for allegedly handpicking candidates for the upcoming local government polls without conducting proper primaries. According to Yayi, all candidates vying for the 20 chairmanship positions and 236 ward councillor seats in Ogun State’s LGAs were selected based on their loyalty to the governor rather than their competence or popular support.
The senator further alleged that the chosen candidates, all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), were required to swear an oath of loyalty to Governor Abiodun and the candidates reportedly submitted letters of resignation, effectively surrendering their positions even before assuming office, ensuring that they would remain under the governor’s control, all these alleged to have happened at Mitros Hall, located opposite the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta.
Senator Yayi expressed his frustration over the exclusion of party members who maintained ties with other influential political figures in the state, including former governors and himself. “This imposition of candidates and deliberate sidelining of legitimate party members is not only undemocratic but also dangerous for the future of local governance,” Yayi remarked, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
Governor Dapo Abiodun is not the first Ogun State leader to face accusations of manipulating local government elections. Former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, had similarly been criticized during his tenure for allegedly imposing candidates in local elections, sparking tensions within the state’s APC structure. Other governors in Nigeria, such as Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue and Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, have also faced similar accusations, raising concerns about the broader issue of state interference in grassroots democracy across the country.
One of the key issues raised by Senator Yayi, and echoed by several other senators during the debate, is the negative impact of not granting local governments full autonomy. Local government autonomy is seen as a vital aspect of democracy, ensuring that grassroots governance is effective, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people. However, the current practice in most states, where governors exercise disproportionate control over local government elections, undermines this principle.
Critics argue that when state governments handpick local government candidates, it leads to a breakdown in democratic processes at the grassroots level. Local government officials, often mere extensions of the governor’s political machinery, become unresponsive to the electorate’s needs. This top-down control stifles innovation, hampers development projects, and creates an environment where local government executives are more loyal to the state governor than the people they were elected to serve.
Senator Yayi stressed that the situation in Ogun State is emblematic of a larger national problem. “If we continue to allow state governments to hijack the local government electoral process, we are undermining democracy itself,” he warned. “Local governments must be allowed to function independently, free from the political manoeuvrings of state governors.”
As Ogun State prepares for its local government elections, the growing dissatisfaction among stakeholders like Senator Yayi raises important questions about the legitimacy of the process. The allegations of candidate imposition and demands for oaths of loyalty represent a significant challenge to democratic norms, and they highlight the urgent need for reform in the relationship between state and local governments in Nigeria.
With tensions rising within Ogun’s APC structure and the local government elections looming, all eyes will be on Governor Dapo Abiodun to see whether the elections will reflect the true will of the people or remain another example of state-level control over grassroots governance.

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Senator Gbenga Daniel Congratulates Edo Governor-Elect Monday Okpebholo

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Otunba Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East senatorial district and former governor of Ogun State has extended his congratulations to Senator Monday Okpebholo following his victory in the Edo State Governorship election held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
In a message on behalf of the people of Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Daniel commended Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their success in the polls.
Daniel highlighted Okpebholo’s previous role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, where he earned a reputation as a standout leader. He praised Okpebholo for his contributions to the committee, noting his leadership and strong relationships with fellow members.
“Your campaign efforts in towns and villages, combined with your humility and respectful engagement with voters across party lines, have paid off,” Daniel said. He described Okpebholo as a “deep thinker” and “highly responsible strategist,” adding that his election marks a victory for Edo State.
In his closing remark, Otunba Gbenga Daniel concluded by offering his best wishes to Okpebholo as he embarks on his new role as Governor of Edo State, assuring him of his highest regards.
The congratulatory message underscores the unity within the APC and the shared optimism for the newly elected governor’s administration in Edo State.

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Coalition of Ikeja Youths To Sahara Reporters: Your Allegations Against Faleke Not True

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The Coalition of Ikeja Youths (CIY), a Lagos-based youth organisation has reacted to the recent publication by Sahara Reporters, an online medium accusing Honourable James Abiodun Faleke using a Kaduna College as front for buying SUVs for traditional rulers.
The organisation in a statement signed by its Chairman, Olorunsogo Adeniyi; and Secretary, Blessing Chukwu, described the report as not true, urging the media organisation to do a proper fact-check on the matter. It even invited the media organisation to come to Ikeja on fact-finding trip.
According to the group, Faleke has been upright in all his dealings and follow due process in his constituency projects and empowerment programmes.
The group noted that as a lawmaker, Faleke has not been involved in awarding of contracts for his constituency projects. “His only job is to select projects that will benefit his constituents. Contract award is the duty of the Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) under which the project is domiciled. And the process of the contract award passes through the procurement process as laid down by the Procurement Act. Our representative is not involved in all these,” CIY explained.
Thus, the group explained further, all constituency projects of Faleke were budgeted for including purchase of vehicles for traditional rulers and community leaders which is also another form of empowerment for them.
“Don’t forget that the traditional rulers and the community leaders the vehicles were purchased for are also constituents of the lawmaker. There was nothing to hide or fishy in the purchase and distribution of the vehicles. They were publicly presented to the beneficiaries,” the group said.
The group was emphatic that Faleke has and continues to be a worthy representative of Ikeja people in the Green Chamber.
“We made bold to state here that Faleke has been and is still representing the good people of Ikeja Federal Constituency very well in the Green Chamber.
“We’re happy that this man has not only succeeded in taking hundreds of jobless youths off the streets, he has also succeeded in making successful entrepreneurs out of them through his various empowerment programmes which have been done through his various constituency projects”, the group said.
“Faleke has distributed over 400 mini-buses to youths and women as part of his constituency projects. He has also distributed hundreds of tricycles, countless number of deep freezers, grinding machine, sewing machines and pop-corn making machines to his constituents.
“Apart from all these, Honourable Faleke has facilitated the construction of over 37 roads in various communities and areas in the constituency and we made bold to say that he has become a reference point in quality, effective, positive, efficient and progressive representation not only in Lagos but in the entire federation of Nigeria.
“We want to invite Sahara Reporters to come to Ikeja Federal Constituency and see the number of caterers, fish farmers and small scale traders that are now fully engaged as a result of Faleke’s various constituency projects. We want the media organisation to send its crew to come and talk to various police divisions in the constituency and see how Faleke has enhanced their operations through vehicle and other security items.
“What about the various school interventions: construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, provision reading and writing materials for teachers and students as well as provision of laptops to students,” the group said.
The group also highlighted Faleke’s road construction and rehabilitation interventions, his light-up Ikeja programme which have seen virtually all the streets in the constituency enjoying street lights as part of the reasons his constituents love him and will always support him.
“It will be hypocritical to blame him if few of these street lights are not working which may be due to mechanical fault or whatever,” CIY noted.
CIY concluded that rather than maligning Faleke, he deserves the commendations of all for his various interventions in Ikeja Federal Constituency which have positively and progressively impacted on his constituents.

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