Observers Times

Tag: Makinde

  • Senate knocks Makinde over UN plea

    Senate knocks Makinde over UN plea

     

    The Senate has taken a swipe at Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led probe into the abduction of pupils and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, asking the governor to stop trivialising a very serious and traumatic matter.

    Recall that Makinde, on Monday in a statewide broadcast hours after the Nigerian military formally handed over the rescued pupils and teachers to the state government following their release after spending 56 days in captivity, called on the United Nations and other international human rights and accountability bodies to examine the circumstances surrounding the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

    According to Governor Makinde, the incident raises questions that require independent scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions.

    The Upper Chamber has also commended the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency and all officers and personnel who participated in the operation for their exceptional professionalism, courage, patriotism and selfless service to the nation.

    The Senate has congratulated the rescued schoolchildren, teachers and their families on the successful conclusion of their traumatic ordeal and prays for the peaceful repose of the soul of the teacher who lost his life during the period of captivity.

    The Upper Chamber has urged the Federal Government to ensure the prompt payment of all statutory death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other welfare entitlements due to the families of the fallen heroes and to continue strengthening the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of members of the armed forces and other security agencies; and

    It has called on all Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies through timely intelligence, cooperation and patriotism.

    Resolutions of the Senate on Tuesday were a sequel to a motion titled “Commendation of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Nigerian Armed Forces; and other security agencies for the successful rescue of abducted school children and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and recognition of the gallant security personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice during the operation.”

    The motion, which is a Senate one, was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, and co-sponsored by all the senators.

    The additional prayer for the Senate to kick against Makinde was raised by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, APC, Edo North, and seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey, APC, Cross River South.

    The Senate paid glowing tribute to the memory of Lieutenant F. A. Isaac (N/20349); Private Silas Musa (23NA/84/4604), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army; and Sergeant Abena John Jerome (F/No. 234511), Nigeria Police Force, who paid the supreme sacrifice during the rescue operation in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State in defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for the protection of innocent school children and their teachers.

    The Upper Chamber observed a minute’s silence in honour of the fallen heroes in recognition of their exceptional courage, patriotism and selfless service to the nation.

    The Senate has extended the heartfelt condolences of the Senate to the families of the fallen personnel, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and the entire Nigerian security community, while praying that Almighty God grants the departed eternal rest and comforts those they left behind;

    It commended Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain (16NA/75/6430), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, for his gallantry and courage in the face of grave danger; wished him a speedy and full recovery; and urged the appropriate authorities to ensure he receives the best possible medical treatment and all welfare entitlements due to him.

    The Senate urged the Federal Government to sustain and intensify ongoing military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements across the Federation through the provision of modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, intelligence capabilities, improved logistics and enhanced welfare packages for members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies until every Nigerian can live, work and pursue education without fear.

    Details later…

  • BREAKING: Makinde Declares Presidential Ambition Under APM

    BREAKING: Makinde Declares Presidential Ambition Under APM

    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement.

    The governor made this known at a rally held at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the state capital, amid a growing political realignment in the state involving factions of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    “I, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, Excellency, announce my candidacy for the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

    Makinde had earlier led the Taminu Turaki faction of the PDP in Oyo State to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the APM as part of a strategic alliance for the forthcoming elections.

    Under the agreement, candidates of the PDP faction contesting for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats are expected to run on the platform of the APM rather than the PDP in the 2027 elections.

    More to come…

  • 2027: We’ll Teach Politicians a Lesson, Makinde Declares

    2027: We’ll Teach Politicians a Lesson, Makinde Declares

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that the influence of the Federal Government will not determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that Nigerians will freely choose their leaders.

    Makinde spoke on Wednesday at the Oyo State Tourism Summit held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.Nigerian news app

    According to the governor, Nigerians are becoming more politically conscious and will no longer remain passive during elections.

    “I believe that this election cycle, federal might will not work. It has worked in Ekiti State in both instances but this time around, Nigerians will show politicians pepper,” he said.

    “They will show us that they don’t want to be bystanders anymore; they will participate, and I’m sure of what I’m saying.”

    The governor also spoke on the future of governance in Oyo State after the end of his administration, saying efforts had been made to establish structures that would ensure continuity.

    Makinde maintained that although he could recommend a successor, the people of the state would ultimately decide who becomes governor.Nigerian news app

    “I tell people that I will recommend for Oyo State people, but the decision will rest with the people of Oyo State,” he said.

    He warned residents against supporting any candidate lacking the competence to govern effectively, stressing that the consequences of poor leadership could linger for years.

    “But if you make a mistake and bring someone who will not do good work, it is a one-day event, but the impact will last four years.

    “So, we must get it right. Leadership changes but systems, they endure. So, our focus has been deliberate,” the governor added.

    There has been increasing speculation that Makinde may support a former Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanbi, as his preferred governorship candidate ahead of the next election.

    The speculation gained attention after the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, revealed that he led lawmakers to what he described as a strategic breakfast meeting with Adekanbi, whom he called “the consensus gubernatorial candidate” of the Allied Peoples Movement in the state.

    Responding to the discussions surrounding succession politics, Makinde said his support would go to any candidate who is loyal to Oyo State and possesses the ability to govern effectively, irrespective of political party affiliation.

    “People said ‘oh, so Seyi, you did not mentor anyone these seven years you have been in government that can take over from you without the taint of APC’? And I ask them that Morohunkola Thomas or Bimbo Adekanbi, are they not from Oyo State?” he said.

    “For us, if you’re from Oyo State, loyal to Oyo State, and have capacity, we will support you. We are blind to party colouration but open to capacity that can move Oyo State forward.”

  • Refund N30bn Plus Interest,” Fayose Tells Makinde

    Refund N30bn Plus Interest,” Fayose Tells Makinde

    Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has urged Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to return the N30 billion he admitted was released by the Federal Government as an intervention fund for the January 16, 2024, Bodija explosion in Ibadan, since he claimed not to have spent the money.

    Fayose said it was funny that the governor did not inform the people of Oyo State of the N30 billion that Governor Makinde has now admitted to have received and the N20 billion balance, until he blew the whistle on the N50 billion intervention fund.

     

    In a statement on Thursday, by his Spokesperson, Femi Philips, the former governor said “since Governor Makinde has now said that he kept the N30 billion he admitted to have received in a bank since 2024, Oyo State Government should return the money to the Federal Government so it can be used for the people for which the money was meant.

    “After all, the Federal Government has mechanisms to reach victims of the explosion since their Givernor has chosen to play politics with their welfare.”

    Fayose also insisted that “N30 billion in a bank for 18 months would have generated at least, N4.5 billion at 10 percent interest.

    “Therefore, Governor Makinde must return not less than N34.5 billion to the Federal Government.”

    Fayose, who said public office demands transparency and accountability, maintained that he had to make the intervention fund public so as to expose the hypocrisy of the Oyo State Governor.

    “If he hadn’t go on national television to disclose what happened in a meeting with the President, and concealed the fact that he requested for N50 billion intervention fund for the explosion victims from the President, and the request was granted, there wouldn’t have been any reason to talk.

    “But you can’t tell the public what favours you about a meeting and keep the ones that should favour the other parties.As a Yoruba man we will not allow you to destroy the President’s name and image because of inordinate Presidential ambition .