Culture

Condolence: Dignitaries Throng Late Oba Lekan Balogun’s Residence

By Web News 566

By Wale Asake

Following the demise of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun dignitaries have continued to pay condolence visits to the bereaved family at the late monarch’s residence, Alarere, Iwo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Some of the personalities who earlier on Wednesday visited the late Olubadan’s residence include a foremost legal luminary, Chief Niyi Akintola, S.A.N; a former board member of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Chief Bolajoko Doherty, a former Head of Service in Oyo State Civil Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu and representatives of traditional rulers from Oke Ogun Zone of Oyo State.

In their separate remarks, Chief Bolajoko Doherty and Secretary-General of Oke-Ogun Obas who is also the Aare of Ago-Are, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji described the deceased as an enigmatic monarch whose entire life was dedicated to the service of ‎God and humanity and this was evident in his peaceful and harmonious reign in Ibadanland.

The sympathisers urged the family to take solace in the fact that Oba Balogun lived a good life and left a great legacy worthy of emulation by all sons and daughters of Ibadanland.

They described the transition of the Oba Balogun as a colossal loss not only to the family but also to Ibadan land, Oyo State and the entire nation adding that his legacies would remain in the hearts of the people.

Other members of the traditional rulers from Oke Ogun Zone of Oyo State who also paid their condolences were, Ona-Onibode of Igboho, Eleyinpo of Ipapo and Alamodu of Ago-Amodu.

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Politics

I don’t belong to Omodewu or Teslim Faction- Akintola

By Web News 728

As crises continue to rock All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, a chieftain of the party in the state, Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, has cleared air on the side he belong to in the party.

Chief Akintola while addressing newsmen at his Agodi residence, Ibadan said he has been a progressive from his sojourn in politics and always pitch his tent with people of like minds in the party.

The legal icon said he does not belong to the Teslim Folarin or Omodewu factions of the party in Oyo state.

“There is no doubt that there is faction in Oyo APC, I want to say categorically that I’m not in the league with Tessy and I have nothing to do with Omodewu either.

“I don’t belong to their camp as they all met me in the game and based on principle and certain ethics I stand by I don’t engage in Politics of rice and beans so I have nothing to do with Omodewu and Teslim faction of the party.”

Chief Akintola who also used the occasion to made known his intention to run in the guber race on the platform of APC said the challenges facing Oyo APC are not insurmountable if proper action is taken immediately.

He called on the national body of the party to quickly address the issues dividing the party in Oyo state so that history would not repeat itself in 2023 general election.

“ It seems people do not learn from history and for history not to repeat itself, it is better for the National body of the party to act fast.

“ We have challenges in Oyo state just as in any other parties, but if the National body act on time, we can still remedy the situation so they need to step in and harmonize all the factions”.

The legal icon added that joining the guber race is not a matter of life and death as he a professional in politics who has other things he does for a living.

Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Judiciary

Oyo Govt, ALGON Case Suffers Setback

By Web News 860

There was confusion today at Oyo State High Court as two different counsels appeared for the Minister of Justice in a case the Oyo State Government filed against the suspended Council chairmen over the crisis rocking the leadership of local governments in the state. 

In the case, Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Inspector General of Police and Attorney General of the Federation are also attached, respondents.

At the resumption of the case today, a counsel Mr Abiodun Amole from Chief Niyi Akintola’s Chamber stood for the Attorney General of the Federation but was immediately countered by a Principal State Counsel from Federal Ministry of Justice Abuja, Mrs A.O. Ukpai said she came from Abuja to represent the minister. 

The argument on this representation took some minutes as the state counsel insisted that she was given a letter to that effect and counsel from Chief Akintola’s Chamber said he was the one to speak for the minister and requested that the case be stood down to consult his principal.

This was however opposed by the Counsel to Oyo State Government, Dr Akin Onigbinde who called the attention of the court to a letter he received from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Malam Yusuff Alli indicating that he had been consulted to replaced Former Counsel to the Suspended Local Government Chairmen, Mr Kunle Shobaloju and requested for adjournment of the case till April 13 and 14.

Other Counsel in the matter told the court the dates were not convenient and chose May 11 and 12.

Ruling on the arguments, the Presiding Judge, Justice Moshood Abass told the Counsel from Chief Akintola’s Chamber and the Counsel from Federal Ministry of Justice to settle the issue between them before the next adjournment and adjourned the case till May 11 for the report of settlement or hearing.

Sunday Ogunyemi