PDP tackles Bakare over Mimiko’s endorsement

The Senior Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly and vice-presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the 2011 general election, Pastor Tunde Bakare, seems to have stirred the hornet’s nest with his endorsement of the second term ambition of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state.

Bakare had said on Sunday in Lagos predicted that Mimiko would win by a landslide victory in the October 20 governorship election in the State.

But the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said the cleric was only expressing his wish which ignored the strong desire of the people of the state for change.

Pastor Tunde Bakare

Reacting through its Deputy Director of Publicity, Rotimi Ogunleye, the Olusola Oke Campaign Organization (OOCO) described Bakare as a bad representative of the Christendom who has soiled his garment with politics.
Ogunleye questioned the basis of the prediction of Bakare that the victory of Mimiko would usher in a new wave of leadership in the South-West when the people of Ondo state had not achieved any iota of real development in the last three and half years of his government.
He said: “Pastor Bakare was merely expressing his wish which will have no effect on the October 20 governorship election in Ondo state. He has displayed his lack of understanding of the mood of the people of the state who are yawning for change. I would like him to come to the state and speak with the people who have been in the grip of excruciating pains in the last three and half years.
“The cleric has been an embarrassment to the Body of Christ. Instead of him to focus on tendering to his flock, he is busy playing nauseating politics. As he is a failed pastor, he is also a failed politician. None of his predictions has ever come to past which shows how far he is from God. If he could predict the victory of Mimiko in the forthcoming election in the state, why did he fail to foresee the failure of his party in 2011?
“We thank God Bakare did not become the Vice-President of this country. He would have been in constant disagreement with his boss, Mohammad Buhari, if the CPC had won the 2011 presidential election. He would not have been a loyal deputy. He does not seem to be on the same page with Buhari on the future of CPC.

Source: Daily Post.

ONDO VOTERS’ CARD FRAUD: Court Remands LP Chieftain till October 22

A Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State Capital today adjourned the case of the two-suspected fraudsters who were allegedly caught with over 1123 voters’ cards in Ondo West local government to October 22.

The suspects include a member of the ruling Labour Party (LP), Mr. Olaolu Oladapo and an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) security man in Ondo West local government, Mr. Raphael Omolade.

The duo were Charged to Court on Monday for conspiracy and unlawful possession of 1,123 voters card.

The offence was allegedly committed on October 5, by 4.30pm at INEC office, Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo state.

When the case resumed today, the Police Prosecutor objected to the bail application of the accused on the ground that by virtue of Section 150(2) it is INEC or its appointed Lawyer that can prosecute electoral offender under the Electoral Act.

The police prosecutor noted that he could not, under the law respond to the bail application.

He sought for an adjournment to contact the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] to take over the case or appoint a prosecutor.

Presiding over the matter, the Chief Magistrate J O Adelegan, had requested for the 1,123 voters cards recovered from the suspects, and were all tendered by the Police before the Court.

Also, items and souvenir of the Labour Party were among the exhibits recovered from the suspects and placed before the court.

Adenegan ordered that the accused be remanded in Prison till October 22 when the case shall continue.

Additional Reports by Daily Post.

“Mimiko, Omisore behind Osun State Secretariat bombing in 2007″ – Aregbesola

The Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola today alleged that the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko and former senator Iyiola Omisore were the ones behind the June 14, 2007, bombing of Osun State Secretariat.

According to Daily Post, an online medium, Aregbesola spoke at the last day of the Redemption rally of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) organised for its governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) at Ore in Odigbo local government area of Ondo State.

The Osun State governor said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who was in government then framed him up. This, he said later led to his arrest by the security operatives.

Aregbesola noted that it was in the same way that Mimiko betrayed the ACN leaders, despite his relationship with the party Chieftains.

“To God who made me, I don’t know anything about this bombing. However, it was later revealed to us that Mimiko was secretly working for Omisore, who was his close friend. I was arrested, and Mimiko was pretending as if he was part of us, because he too contested against Governor Olusegun Agagu in Ondo State.

“I know he might be telling the people that I am lying against him, but I believed his conscience will be judging him because he is a traitor. He did not stop at that stage, despite our supports for him in reclaiming his mandate, Mimiko was secretly working for Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to the extent that he attempted to bribe one of the judges, but, his friend Oyinlola lost the battle at the Appeal Court.

“I am repeating this again that Mimiko is a traitor and a betrayer, he betrayed Asiwaju Tinubu, and all ACN leaders. We must work against him. The people must vote him out. He is lair; he was telling the people that the ACN leaders are after his money. Tinubu never collected any kobo from us. He had been the one spending on us, because he wanted the Yorubas to be united”.

He however charged the electorate to vote massively for ACN flag-bearer, saying the party was ready to transform the south West.

Also speaking at the rally, the Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun said the ACN leaders don’t control their governors.

Amosun who claimed he was a former member of PDP said he enjoyed the supports of the ACN leaders to win Ogun election during the last 2011 general election.

“Tinubu has been so kind to me and all other ACN governors. Since I was elected as governor of Ogun State, he never demanded a kobo from me. Mimiko should stop lying that our leaders asked him to bring money,” He concluded

“Jonathan wants to win Ondo governorship election for PDP” – Kuku

The Presidential adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku yesterday, said if there was anything President Goodluck Jonathan was passionate about at this moment, it is winning the October 20, Governorship Election in Ondo state for the candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olusola Oke.

Kuku also dismissed the claim from the camp of the incumbent governor and candidate of ruling Labour Party, Olusegun Mimiko that President Jonathan gave him the nod to seek re-election, describing it as blatant lie.

The Arogbo politician who also double as chairman of Presidential Amnesty programme described President Jonathan as the most educated president the nation ever had, and a loyal party leader who will rather do everything humanly possible to ensure the victory of PDP in any election.

The presidential adviser said it was common knowledge that the PDP lost the grip of South West from Ondo state when it lost to the LP through the judgment the Appeal Court of 23 February, 2009, adding that the party was ready to regain the control of the region.

Meanwhile, the PDP in the state has dismissed the boast by governor Mimiko that he would win the October 20, election by 70 percent.

Hon Kingsley Kuku

 In a statement signed by the director of media and publicity of the party Ayo Fadaka, it said this indeed is one of the many unrealistic comments that he has being making in recent times.

Fadaka said;” It is obvious from his many comments that he is completely insulated, isolated and detached from public opinion, however we consider it necessary to jolt Mimiko from his revelry to absolute reality to let him know that the people of this State have come to distrust him absolutely”

“It is time to make Mimiko realize that the people have not forgotten about the many projects he initiated and abandoned after he has sunk so much money. In this regard, mention must be made of the Dome project that was to cost N1.2 billion and given a completion period of six months, has since gulped N2.9billion, the Kaadi Igbeayo project, an Identity Card Scheme that cost the State N4billion has since been abandoned and same for many of its other projects,” Fakada stated.

Source: Daily Post.

ONDO GUBER ELECTION:Fashola Endorses Akeredolu

The Iconic Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has paid a solidarity visit to the flagbearer of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu(SAN) in Akure. Governor Fashola expressed confidence in Akeredolu capacity to deliver on his promises to transform Ondo State if voted in as governor because he is another SAN with a SOUND mind.

A statement by Idowu Ajanaku, the Director Media, Publicity and Strategy of Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) said Fashola whose performance as governor of Lagos State has become a benchmark for development in Nigeria and indeed Africa, strongly asked the good people of Ondo State to vote for Akeredolu as governor on October 20 so that he can replicate the type of developmental project currently being enjoyed in Lagos. 

“For us at ACO, we say that Akeredolu would not disappoint the good people of Ondo State like Governor Olusegun Mimiko who has wasted their resources on purchase of awards, cosmetic projects with no direct bearing on the socio-economic development of the people in the past three years. He would create 30,000 jobs in his first 100 days in office, will pursue comprehensive health care programme which will ensure that health workers are happy and every strata of the populace is cared for; implement affordable housing scheme for Civil servants and medium/low income earners; massive infrastructural development both in the rural and urban areas of the state.”

"Besides, the abrupt cancellation of the independence day celebration in Ondo State by Mimiko while other States of the Federation are celebrating is an indication that he is not only jittery but has lost focus. In fact, it is an admission that there is nothing to celebrate in the nonperformance of the Mimiko government which has brought misery to the people. We want to call on the good people of Ondo State to strengthen their resolve to vote Mimiko out on October 20. They have a date with destiny and a glorious opportunity to restore the pride of place of Ondo State in the South west and indeed Nigeria."

In his response, Akeredolu thanked Governor Fashola and promised to replicate what he is doing in Lagos in Ondo State. He also promised to continue to uplift the noble profession to which they both belong and commit to the development of the people of Nigeria. On hand to receive Fashola alongside Akeredolu are Chief Nathaniel Adesoji the State Chairman of ACN, the Director General of the Campaign Organisation, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, Hon. Jaiyeola Ajata, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, Mr. Adegboyega Adedipe and other party leaders in the State.