Barring any last minute change, President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and the Senate President, Senator David Mark will tomorrow (Saturday) lead other top notchers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Osun State on mega rally to ensure the victory for the party’s candidate in the August 9, 2014 governorship election, Senator Iyiola OmisoreOther notable stalwarts of the PDP expected to be in the entourage of the Jonathan include the national chairman of the party, Alhaji AdamuMuazu, chairman, PDP’s Board of Trustees, Chief Anthony Anenih, chairman, mobilisation committee of the party in South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu, Governor-elect of Ekiti state, Mr Ayodele Fayose, among others.Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, on Thursday, the publicity secretary of the PDP in Osun, Prince Bola Ajao hinted that the essence of the President’s visit wasto promote the candidature of Omisore.While disclosing that all necessary arrangements had been put in placeto ensure that the President’s visit is memorable, he contended that adequate and effective security measures would be explored forestall breakdown of law and order during the visit.Ajao, however, cautioned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to steer clear Osogbo city stadium, venue of the campaign rally, emphasising any attempt by the APC to engage in sweeping the venue of the rally or streets after the President might have left wouldbe resisted.According to him, “it is common with APC members to sweep the venue of the PDP rally whenever the President visits any state, but I want to warn them not to try it this time around. They should keep all their dirty brooms in their homes.”He further disclosed that the President will pay a courtesy visit tothe Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade at his palace upon his arrival in the state before proceeding to Osogbo, the state capital.Also, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Maishanu, on Thursday, affirmed that the police and other security agencies in the state had beefed up security at hotspots, with a view to guaranteeing peaceful election exercise.Speaking at a workshop in Osogbo on security management organised for security agencies in the state, he implored residents of the state to go about their businesses without fear, just as he issued sternwarning to hoodlums and political against instigating violence.People’ll reward our efforts in gov poll —AregbesolaOsun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, said on Thursday, in Lagos, expressed optimism that the people of the state will reward his service to them in the last three and a half years with another term as governor by voting him in the forthcoming August 9 governorship election.Aregbesola said this at the public presentation of a book titled: “The Oranmiyan Phenomenon: The Trinity of Progressivism,” written in his honour.The governor, who was represented at the occasion by his deputy, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye- Tomori, said his administration had raised the bar in governance in the state, saying that the welfare of the people had become a priority in its policy formulation.“All our programmes have led to the creation of jobs and employment for our people. Our state has never had it so good. There is equal opportunity for all our people to enjoy good governance. We are confident that the people will reward good governance,” he stated.Aregbesola, while speaking further, said it was good that a book had been written to capture the effortsof his administration to transform the state, pointing out he had no doubt that “future generations would read and know about the unusual government we have provided.”He promised that he would further deepen democracy and continue to provide good governance to the people of Osun people, such that there would be more events for progressive writers to document forposterity, if re-elected as governor.The former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, in his opening remarks, said that the bookis a compendium of ideas, creative thinking that would enhance Nigeria’s quest for good leadership that would lead the country to its development destination.“The book with its fascinating title,contains some novel ideals and innovative thoughts on leadership and the principle of progressivism. Itcreates an ingenous modern leadership philosophy christened futurism,” he added.NUJ organises debate for gov candidatesAhead of the governorship poll scheduled to hold in Osun, on August 9, 2014, the state council ofthe Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in conjunction with all broadcast stations, resident in the state had concluded arrangements to organise a debate for all governorship candidates of the political parties.The debate which would be transmitted live by the electronic media, was part of efforts by the NUJ to ensure the conduct of a peaceful and violence-free election in the state.In a statement signed by the chairman of the state council of the NUJ, Mr. Abiodun Olalere and hissecretary, Mr Bamigbola Gbolagunte, the body hinted that the debate will hold on Monday, August 4, at White Plain Hotel, Osogbo, by 3.30pm.Six governorship candidates already invited for the two-hour livebroadcast debate include Hon. Niyi Owolade of Accord Party, Senator Sunday Fajinmi of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Mr Rauf Aregbesola of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Fatai Akinbade of Labour Party (LP), Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr. Segun Akinwusi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).The statement, however, advised all the flag bearers of the political parties invited to turn up punctuallyfor the programme which the NUJ would afford them the opportunity to once sell their party’s manifesto to the people of the state ahead the August 9, poll.While contending that the programme was not a political rally, the NUJ said only the candidates and those with invitation cards thatwill be allowed assess to the venue of the event, stressing that the people of the state should endeavour to watch the debate.Aregbesola condemns activities of DSS •Commissions emergency call centreOsun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, on Thursday evening, condemned the apparent display of power shown by the men of the Department State Service (DSS) in the streets of the state on Wednesday and Thursday.Aregbesola stated this at the official commissioning of the emergency call centre built by the present administration for the effective and efficient security network around the state.The governor observed that under no circumstance must a security agent discharging his duties within his country should wear mask to cover his identity away from Nigerians.He also noted that the act of unprovoked street shootings negates the rule of internal securityin a state that is peaceful like Osun.The governor stated that his administration will launch an officialcomplain to the authorities concerned that they have no constitutional right to threaten or intimidate law abiding citizen of thestate.According to the governor, “we oweit a duty to let the whole world know what is happening here. This is against the right of the Nigerian people. We’ve all forgotten that we pay the salaries of the security agencies. “We don’t pay them to wear mask in our towns. They should only wear masks when they engage terrorist and if they have to operate in a region where seeing them might compromise their own safety and security.“What would they say is the reason for what they are doing now other than threat, shock and awe? So, what this means is that they want to conquer and cow our people, which is a direct assault on democracy. “I won’t take gun against them but Iwill not be quiet. We should all talk and condemn it because this is not about Aregbesola alone”. The governor stressed.According to the governor, the emergency call centre built in Osogbo the state capital will immediately alert security operatives at the dial of a distress call line (080067866786) that can take 24 calls at a time and 100 (hundred) calls when upgraded. The Governor pointed out that just as it has been done in all other aspects of public life in Osun, protecting the lives and properties of the people is a task that has keptthe administration busy and for which his administration will continue to shoulder. He said it is a task for which his government is fully committed to observing, adding that government would leave no stone unturned in terms of welfare and security of the people.The Governor stated that the Emergency Call Centre will go a long way in enhancing the effectivenessof the various security measures which have been put in place for the safety of lives and property in Osun.He added that the intervention will also make the state a haven of peace and safety where all those activities that give meaning to human existence can be legitimately and joyfully undertaken.“This Emergency Call Centre will go a long way in enhancing the effectiveness of the various security measures we have been putting in place for the safety of lives and property in Osun.?“Towards this end, therefore, we have gradually been building a mutually reinforcing security system that will guarantee the pursuit of a ‘life more abundant’ in the State of Osun. We have, among other measures, set up a patrol unit,the Swift Action Squad (SAS).?“As a government, we are sworn to uphold our constitutional duty to protect our people. In accordance with the inscription in the 1999 constitution that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’, wewill go to any length to fulfil this duty”. The Governor stated.In his ddress, the head of ICT, aeronautical engineering, the body in charge of the call center maintenance, Group Captain AkeemAdebomeyin stated that Osun has joined other states of the world who have taken the bold step towards making the state secured through the use of ICT.He described the safe city project which has CCTV security cameras for effective monitoring as the first of its kind in anywhere in Nigeria.“The safe city project is as a result of the doggedness and determination of the Governor to make the state secure.“With this, we can show the light not only Osun, but all over Africa that technology can be used to solve security challenges easily.”Also speaking, the state Commissioner for police Mr Ibrahim Maishanu who spoke on behalf of other security chiefs in the state stated that the move is another bold step towards ensuring the security of lives and properties of the people of the state.He expressed appreciation to the Governor for strenghtning the job of securing the state, saying the security operatives are now more than determined to get rid of criminals in the state.Earlier in a welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Barr. Adekunle Amos maintained that the Governor has always been passionate and committed to the provision of security in the state.Fayose, Kashamu, Oladipo, others arrive Ile-Ife •As Ooni hosts campaign teamThe Governor-elect of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Wale Oladipo, former Minister for Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the chairman, organisation and mobilisation committee of the PDP .in South West, Chief Buruji Kashamu ,among other top notchers of the party, on Wednesday evening, arrived Ile-Ife to boost the campaign of the PDP governorship candidate in August 9 poll, Senator Iyiola Omisore.Speaking at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, the Ekiti governor-elect expressed optimism that Omisore would emerge victorious in the forthcoming election, saying that with the overwhelming reception accorded the campaign team, the PDP would coast home to victory during the election.Describing the Ooni as the foremosttraditional ruler in Yorubaland, Fayose said the PDP government would always strive to protect the sanctity and integrity of traditional institution, underscoring the crucialneed for all the states in South West to align with the mainstream political movement aimed at developing all the geopolitical zones of the nation.In his remark at the palace, Omisore thanked the traditional rulerfor his tremendous support and encouragement, disclosing that thewarm reception accorded his campaign train by traditional heads of towns and communities visited attested to the royal blessings of Oba Sijuwade.According to him, “we have gone to every ward and every community in this state and the reception in all these places have been unparalleled and unprecedented. Most of the traditional rulers we have met believed in our cause. They believe this is a movement andthat this is time for change in Osun State.Omisore continued, “my candidacy in this election is in the hands of God. It is the work of God and whoever stands in the way of God does that to his own peril. Because God is not a man who needs to be advised”.However, while addressing a huge crowd at the rally, Fayose implored the people to vote for Omisore the way Ekiti people voted him, contending that the PDP was out to liberate the South-West from the grip of of the All Progressives Congress He affirmed that “today in Ile-Ife, bythe powers conferred on me as the governor-elect of Ekiti State, I hereby anoint, support and confirm Omisore as the governor-elect of Osun State”.
Earlier, Oladipo posited that the response that the party had received in Ife and other parts of the state had indicated that Omisore is a “good politician, who has consistently oiled his structure and added that history has come a full cycle”, adding that “Omisore has only nine days to becoming governor-elect of this state”.
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