"GOVERNOR DAPO ABIODUN, APC LEADERS BETRAYED ME BECAUSE OF MY PERCEIVED CLOSENESS TO SENATOR ADEOLA" ~ OLUMO

The embattled Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, broke his silence three days after being impeached by 18 lawmakers, asserting that he remains the Speaker and challenging the impeachment procedure.

 Addressing a press conference at his quarters on Friday, Oluomo described the impeachment as dramatic and revealed that he chose to leave the premises for the governor’s office when it commenced.

Impeached on Tuesday and replaced by Oludaisi Elemide, a lawmaker representing Odeda constituency, Oluomo accused aggrieved lawmakers of terrorizing him since the beginning of his second term.

“I remain Speaker of the Assembly. I have even filed a suit asking the court to determine whether the Speaker of the Assembly could be impeached through a jest,” Oluomo declared.

Responding to allegations of financial misappropriation, Oluomo stated that he has records of transactions between him and the members of the house. 

He expressed disappointment in the lack of intervention from Governor Dapo Abiodun and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, which he had expected.

Having waited for the party’s leadership to intervene without success, Oluomo announced his decision to take the matter to court. 

Despite describing Governor Abiodun as his benefactor and expressing gratitude for endorsing his candidacy for the Speakership twice, Oluomo emphasized the need for justice.

He also acknowledged Senator Adeola Olamilekan, popularly known as Yayi, as a personal friend. Oluomo praised the transparency in the distribution of Christmas gifts to the House by Yayi and others.

GROUP HAIL OGUN ASSEMBLY FOR PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF LEADERSHIP

A sociopolitical pressure group, Gateway Rebirth Forum has applauded the members of Ogun state House of Assembly on their peaceful transition of leadership in the Assembly.

In a statement made available to newsmen by  Mr. Abioye Mustapha Oladimeji the Director of Public Affairs, the group "acknowledged that the Assembly men and women have carried out this exercise peacefully, it is hoped and believed that the new leadership will take the interest of the state and the people paramount."

"It is also hoped that the new leadership under Rt. Honourable Oludaisi Elemide will work closely with the other arms of government to bring quality and transparent governance to the people and do away with any act that will bring the Assembly under another round of leadership distrust among its members."

Earlier on Tuesday, 23rd January 2024, 18 out of the 26 members of the House of Assembly signed the letter of impeachment sighting abuse of office, embezzlement, high-handedness, inciting Assembly members against one another among others. 

Rt. Honorable Elemide representing Odeda state constituency in the state Assembly and he had contested for the speakership position to lead the 10th Assembly but for the intervention of the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who prevailed upon the House of Assembly members to allow continuity in the leadership of the House. 

READ FULL TEXT OF THE RELEASE

Gentlemen of the Press;

Earlier today, we received a news from the Ogun state House of Assembly informing the general public of change of leadership in the Assembly. Of course the news come with mixed feelings and reactions knowing what such action is capable of causing the state in terms of social, political an economic stability.

Ultimately, we applauded the members of the Assembly for carrying out this exercise in a peaceful manner devoid of any rancor or violence. All parties and stakeholders in the Legislative arms are worthy to be acknowledged for this patriotic act. 

While we acknowledged that the Assembly men and women have carried out this exercise peacefully, it out hope and believe that the new leadership will take the interest of the state and the people paramount.

It is also hoped that the new leadership under Rt. Honourable Oludaisi Elemide will work closely with the other arms of government to bring quality and transparent governance to the people and do away with any act that will bring the Assembly under another round of leadership distrust among its members.

Signed;

Abioye Mustapha Oladimeji 

Director of Public Affairs

For; Gateway Rebirth Forum

"Your Election Fulfilled all Tenets of Democracy" ~Abiodun Akinlade Congratulates Dapo Abiodun on Supreme Court Judgement

The Chairman, House Committee on Aviation & Aerospace Technology, Rt. Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade has expressed his heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun CON on the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming his electoral victory in Abuja today. 

In a statement personally signed by Hon. Akinlade, he noted that "the Supreme Court decision truly reflects the will of the people and upholds the principles of democracy as this judgement has not only reconfirmed Prince Dapo Abiodun's election is legitimate but also fulfilled all tenets of democracy and our electoral processes."

"It is my strong hope and believe that this Supreme Court affirmation of your victory will further enhance your commitments and dedication to fulfilling the aspirations of the electorate".

"I prayed for divine protection for the Governor from any forms of adversaries. I wish God grant the governor and his Deputy the strength, courage and determination to fulfill their electoral promises while carrying out the duties with diligence and success."

Signed:

Rt. Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade,

Chairman, House Committee on Aviation & Aerospace Technology.

Friday, 19th January, 2024.

Tinubu means well, he will turn around Nigeria’s fortunes – Daniel

The Senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on Sunday, called on Nigerians to give concerted support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he means well for the country.

Daniel, who is also a former Governor of Ogun State, said he knows Tinubu’s capacity and competence, adding that he was optimistic that the President would turn around the fortunes of the country.

He said this in his remarks at the 19th Annual Thanksgiving Service organised by Abraham’s Tabernacle (Baptist International Worship Centre), Sagamu which was attended by a galaxy of eminent personalities.

Speaking against the backdrop of the prevailing economic situation of the nation, the lawmaker maintained that the President was not oblivious of the living conditions of the citizens.

According to him, the Tinubu administration has taken several necessary measures to ameliorate the difficulties being experienced by the people although the restoration process may take some time.

Daniel assured that Tinubu would not take Nigerians for granted, saying he only needed more time to deliver on his electioneering promises.

He said, “At the beginning it may be a little bit difficult. But I want to say to all of you that I have known Asiwaju (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) now for over 20 years and I know that he is capable and competent. And I know that one thing he must not do is to take you for granted.

“I know that Asiwaju will turn around the fortunes of this country and I’m sure it would happen before long. So, if there are little challenges, let’s just accept it that things like this normally go. I urge you to continue to support him and his administration.”

Daniel expressed hope that Ogun State will continue to experience peace, prosperity and development in the new year.

The former governor reiterated his commitment to ensuring adequate representation for his constituents and facilitation of federal government’s projects to his senatorial district.

“In the course of our campaign, I went through all the 103 wards in the Senatorial District and I know where the shoe pinches. Please rest assured that one by one we will continue to do what we need to do,” he added.

In his sermon entitled, “Thanking God for total victory, recovery and restoration,” the Bishop of Methodist Church of Nigeria (Diocese of Lagos North), Rt. Rev. Gboyega Ohu, admonished Nigerians to be faithful to God and put their trust in Him.

Quoting copiously from the scriptures, the cleric stressed the need for people to always appreciate God for divine protection and provision.

Ohu commended Senator Daniel for sustaining the annual thanksgiving programme and enjoined other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate him.

He, however, used the occasion to call the lawmaker’s attention to the terrible state of the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode road, saying the concerned authorities must rise to save the federal road from becoming a death trap.

Some of the dignitaries who attended the thanksgiving service included former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola; Odole Oodua, Sir Kessington Adebutu; Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, Rt. Hon. Muyiwa Oladipo, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, Chief Jimi Lawal, Chief Joju Fadairo, Chief (Mrs) Abba Folawiyo, Mrs Oluwatoyin Isiaka and Hon. Lukman Adeleye as well as traditional rulers led by the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi and Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.