Politics

N11bn Security Vote: Sacked Commissioners Raise Alarm Over Their Return

Published

10 months ago

February 2, 2025

Editor

Some sacked commissioners in Ondo state, have alleged plan by one of the retained members of the cabinet, the finance commissioner, Mrs Omowunmi Isaac, to bring in her loyalists.

They also, kicked against her perceived influence in the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Recall that governor Aiyedatiwa sacked the commissioners and other cabinet members few days to the last local government election in the state.

Governor Aiyedatiwa retained only Mrs. Isaac and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN.

Speaking with vanguard in confidence, some of the commissioners, alleged that the finance commissioner, “believes they may have been behind a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning her handling of funds, including an N11.5 billion security vote, N230 million for her official vehicle, and a N1.5 billion contingency allocations for her ministry in the 2025 budget.”

They alleged that the commissioner “is not only dictating key financial decisions but also orchestrating plans to fill the incoming cabinets with her loyalists.

Also, they expressed concern that the commissioner has been wielding excessive power, sidelining them and influencing their removal in order to bring in board her loyalists.

They raised the alarm that she was determined to prevent them from returning to the cabinet.

Meanwhile, a group of concerned Ilaje youths, threatened weekend to stage a protest against ” the undue influence of the commissioner in Governor Aiyedatiwa’s government.

A statement signed by legal practitioner Comrade Igbalaye Enikanselu, the youths expressed fears that “Ondo State will suffer under his administration if the situation persists.

“The life of the Governor is precious to the Ilaje race. We need to protect him and free him from the grip of the finance commissioner.”

They also criticized the governor’s performance since assuming office following the passing of his predecessor, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.

According to them “governance has stalled due to financial constraints, delays in the recruitment of teachers and health workers, despite the governor’s prior approval.

“As we speak, about 3,000 official files remain unattended to in the finance ministry, while over 1,000 files approved by the governor have not been processed due to a lack of funding from the Finance Commissioner.”

The youths have therefore called on Ilaje elders and political leaders “to intervene, because Governor Aiyedatiwa is being held hostage by the commissioner.”

But while defending the finance commissioner, the Owo Local Government Chairman-elect, Hon. Tope Omolayo, dismissed the allegations against her describing them as baseless and illogical.

Omolayo, in a statement titled “Setting the Record Straight: Hon. Omowumi Isaac’s Commitment to Ondo State’s Progress,” Omolayo praised the commissioner’s transparency and financial management skills.

According to him “These claims are nothing more than a smear campaign against a hardworking and dedicated public servant.”

Omolayo said that that “Mrs. Isaac, the first female Finance Commissioner in Ondo State, has demonstrated competence and accountability in managing the state’s finances.

“The allegations of financial mismanagement and project delays are false. She has worked closely with the governor to ensure timely completion of projects and prudent financial management.”

Omolayo further urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to remain focused and not be distracted by political attacks.

“As we move forward, our collective focus should be on the development of Ondo State.”

The chairman said that “We must rise above misinformation and petty politicking to ensure a prosperous future for our state.”
(VANGUARD)

Politics

PDP Issues Certificate Of Expulsion To Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, Others

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it has issued certificate of expulsion from the party to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other 10 members earlier expelled from the party.

The party National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen after the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

The other members, according to him, include the embattled National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, the Legal Adviser, Kamarudeen Ajibade, former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.

They also included Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah Nnanna, George Turna and Chief Dan Orbih, expelled during the party National convention in Lagos.

Turaki said that the original copies of the certificate had been dispatched to the owners through a courier service to serve as proof that they were expelled from the PDP.

“We have taken note of the fact that Nigerian law frowns on dual membership of political parties, and so we have sought to make it easy for them.

“Now that they are no longer members of our party, and now that the National Convention, which is the highest decision-making organ of our party, has expelled them, we have decided to issue them certificates of expulsion.

“So, when they go to register with other political parties in Nigeria, they will show these certificates as proof that they are no longer members of the PDP.

“By that, those parties will not accuse them of trying to belong to more than one political party,” he said.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, and other government agencies, to take note.

“Very soon, members of the society will be informed via proper disclaimers that any person henceforth who decides to do business with them, any or all of them, does so at his or her own risk.

“They are no longer members of the PDP. They have been expelled,” he added.

He added that the NWC also reviewed some of the cases filed against the party and lawsuits instituted by the party, particularly the one that related to the “unlawful and illegal” closure of the party’s national Secretariat, the Legacy House, and the Wadata Plaza.

“The brief we received from our lawyers is that we are on sound ground, and that very soon, the law will take its course,” he said.

Turaki said the NWC was prepared to be saddled with the responsibility of performing its functions as the leading opposition party in Nigeria.

“We are going to provide a credible alternative to Nigerians. We are going to provide credible leadership to Nigerians by the special grace of God from 2027,” he said.

Politics

Adebayo Adedamola Wins Osun PDP Governorship Primary

Published

3 days ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola, popularly known as FRYO, has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the August 8, 2026 governorship election in Osun State.

The primary election took place in Osogbo on Tuesday amid heavy security presence.

Announcing the result, chairman of the primary election committee, Humphrey Abba, stated that Adebayo secured 919 votes out of 957 accredited ballots, giving him a clear victory in the contest.

Explaining that there were 20 void votes following the withdrawal of one of the candidates, believed to be Governor Ademola Adeleke, Abba added, “The candidate that got the remaining votes is Adebayo Adedamola with 919 votes and he stands elected and returned.”

DAILY POST reports that despite announcing his resignation from the party, Adeleke’s name appeared on the ballot paper for the PDP governorship primary.

Party officials said the exercise was conducted in accordance with established guidelines, with accredited delegates participating in the voting process.

Adeleke announced his resignation in a letter dated November 4, 2025, and addressed to the PDP leadership at his ward.

On Monday, Osun PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, had announced that the governorship primary slated for Tuesday, December 2, 2025, has been postponed due to leadership crisis at the national level.

But a faction of the party went ahead with the exercise in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Politics

Gov Adeleke Resigns From PDP

Published

3 days ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial primaries of the party.

Adeleke’s resignation letter, dated November 4, 2025, sighted by Tribune Online was addressed to the PDP ward chairman for Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, Ede, Osun State.

According to the letter, the governor’s resignation was based on “the current crisis of the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

According to the letter, titled: “Resignation of my membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’ read, “Due to the current crisis of the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my Membership of the People’s Democratic Party with immediate effect.

“I thank the People’s Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the People’s Democratic Party.”