News

Osun APC, Ataoja Of Osogbo Trade Words Over Alleged Illegal Directive

Published

1 year ago

February 12, 2023

Editor

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has accused the Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji of issuing directives to non-indigenes to vote for all the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming general elections.

The allegation was contained in a statement signed by Tajudeen Lawal, the Osun APC acting Chairman and obtained by DAILY POST on Saturday.

In the statement, the Osun APC noted that the posture of the Ataoja towards the APC was undemocratic and absolutely an act of illegality.

The party frowning at the alleged directive said a palace source had disclosed that the royal father had summoned the leaders of the Hausa, Igbo, Fulani and Ebira communities where he warned them against voting for any other political party.

According to the party, at the meeting, the Ataoja also directed attendees to switch off their telephones to ensure the video and audio versions of the meeting are not captured.

The party also stated that the absence of the Igbo community leader in the meeting drew the irk of the monarch who angrily maintained that it has become his habit to exclude himself from such meetings.

The statement said, “It is on record that the monarch has never hidden his dislike for the APC as he celebrated the loss of the party as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on July 17, 2022.

“It is this despisement that the Ataoja has for the APC and Mr Gboyega Oyetola that has not made the Oba Oyetunji congratulate Oyetola since the governorship tribunal sacked his preferred candidate, the embattled Governor Ademola Adeleke, and withdrew his certificate of return to be given to Oyetola, the winner of the governorship election.”

While maintaining that the alleged directive from the traditional ruler breached the fundamental human right of association of those in attendance, Lawal urged the affected non-indigenes to resist all illegal directives that might be coming from any quarters to infringe on any of their fundamental human rights.

“Such directive from the Ataoja wasn’t within the purview of his constitutional roles and it’s capable of precipitating avoidable violence among the inhabitants of Osogbo.”

The Osun acting APC chairman advised Oba Oyetunji to be a father to all politicians irrespective of their political leanings.

Reacting on behalf of the palace, Wasiu Bello, the Secretary to Oba Oyetunji described the APC allegations as mere exaggeration and politicking.

Bello also maintained that the Ataoja never warned anybody from the communities.

In his words, “I convened that meeting as directed by His Royal Majesty, Ataoja of Osogbo.

“Even though I was not privy to the topic of the invitation, the usual topic is pertaining to Osogbo and its security. The Igbo, Hausa, Ebira and Fulani community representatives were in attendance.

“On Wednesday, the day of the meeting, other community representatives were in attendance except for the leader of the Igbo community

“I called the Igbo community leader to inquire why he was absent and he made me understand that he did not get any invitation and I assured him that I’d communicate with him whatever was discussed at the meeting.

“Ataoja only discussed matters pertaining to the security and welfare of Osogbo and appealed for calm with regard to the general elections. He also encouraged them to vote for any candidate of their choice.

“I was with the Ataoja and I never heard him issue any directive for phones to be switched off.”

Also, a rejoinder signed by the wife of the monarch who also doubles as his spokesperson, Kafayat Adedoyin Oyetunji stated that the statement by the APC sought to discredit the Ataoja and dent his reputation as a father to all irrespective of political leanings.

According to her, “The Ataoja of Osogbo has never been known to engage in any political activity that would breach the constitutional roles of his office. The directive given to some non-indigenes was in no way illegal or undemocratic as portrayed by some politicians. The Ataoja, in his capacity as the traditional ruler of Osogbo, has always sought to promote peace and unity among the people living in Osogbo and the recent directive was aimed at maintaining that peace.”

While reiterating that it was imperative for politicians in the state to desist from using the Ataoja for their political gains, she added that the monarch’s position as a monarch should not be taken for granted, and his role as a mediator and peacekeeper should be respected by all.

“The Ataoja should not be used as a political tool for settling scores and advancing personal interests.

“The Ataoja of Osogbo is a patriotic traditional ruler who has always acted in the best interest of his people. The statement by the Osun State chapter of the APC is not only an affront to the Ataoja, but it is also a disservice to the people of Osogbo who have always held the Ataoja in high esteem.”

She also advised the politicians not to drag the monarch into their political mudslinging and show respect for the Ataoja stool as he remained a father to all and a symbol of unity, peace, and stability in Osogboland.

News

Edo Police Break Silence On Operatives Fighting Dirty In Viral Video

Published

30 mins ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Edo State Police Command says a trending video showing two operatives of the command engaging in a fight is a handiwork of mischief makers.

In the video which has gone viral on the internet, two policemen are seen fighting themselves, while a voice commentary in the background claims they are from the Igueben Decisional Police Station headquarters in the state.

A writeup also attached to a version of the video sighted by Info Daily also claims that the policemen were fighting because of sharing formula of money collected from motorists on the highway. The writeup also claims that the incident happened yesterday, May 17th, 2024.

But reacting to the viral video in a statement issued by SP Chidi Nwabuzor, Police Public Relations Officer, the command said contrary to the claim, the incident happened in 2020, adding that disciplinary measures were taken against the erring policemen.

The statement which issued electronically to newsmen in Benin on Saturday evening partly reads: “Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that it’s aware of a video trending on the internet showing two policemen that engaged themselves in a fight in public spaces and wishes to state as follows that;

“The now trending video happened in April 2020 in a community called Ebelle in the Igueben local government area of Edo State.

“The two erring policemen, namely; (i) F/NO.491112 CPL Ozimeade Aidonojie and (ii) F/NO. 516384 PC Salubi Stephen were attached to Ebelle Police Divisional Headquarters.

“They defaulted, tried in an orderly and upon conviction dismissed from the Force for the offence of discreditable conduct contrary to Paragraph ‘E’ Sub Section 111 of the Police Act and Regulations 370 Cap. P19 of Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

Nwabuzor in the statement reiterated the state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, commitment to “making Edo State a desired secured state where the law abiding citizens and the general public go about their lawful businesses in making Edo State economic hubs of Nigeria without fear or intimidation.”

News

Excitement, Dance As ‘Looted Ancestral Stools’ Return To Oba Of Benin

Published

1 hour ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

It was a moment of joy, excitement and dance at the palace of the Oba of Benin as the revered monarch, Oba Ewuare II took custody of two looted royal stools from the German government.

They were handed over to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM on behalf of the Nigerian government by the German authorities in 2022.

The Director-General of
National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government on Saturday May18, 2024 in Oba of Benin Palace, Benin City.

According to history, the artefacts — Bronze and wooden Royal stools (Ekete), made during the reign of Oba Eresoyen and Oba Esigie several Centuries ago, were looted from Oba Palace during the punitive expedition in 1897.

Addressing the Benin Throne during the presentation of the artefacts, Mr Holloway, pledged on behalf of NCMM, to work-hand-in hand with the Benin Royal Court in uplifting and displaying Edo heritage.

He revealed that as the Benin Bronzes and other art works are gradually making their way home (Nigeria), “NCMM will join hands with the Royal Court to create a befitting destination for people around the world to come and appreciate these works”.

“What you see before us were originally taken away from the Royal family in 1897.

“We have a stool made of Bronze and a wooden stool.

“I speak for every member of my team, to say that we remain loyal to the Royal Court. And if there is anything we can do, we will do to support this laudable initiative.

“This heritage is not just Benin heritage, but Nigeria’s heritage.
When we speak of Benin heritage, there is nobody that doesn’t know the great works of ours.

“I appreciate you, we will always do what we can do with our powers to make His Royal Majesty lineage in memory”, he said.

After unveiling the repatriated Artefacts, Oba of Benin, who danced joyfully to Benin traditional rendition in dramatic dance steps, with excited Chiefs and members of the Royal family, offered prayers to Almighty God and his ancestors.

The traditional ruler, who was visibly overwhelmed with joy, appreciated the German government and the Federal Government and the NCMM leadership for their efforts.

The royal father, thereafter, in a historic move, sat in one of the royal stools (Ekete), and personally presented a chunk of white, which, according to belief, symbolizes peace and blessings to the Director-General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway.

Oba Ewuare II also prayed for Mr Holloway and his team, accompanied by the Curator, National Museum, Benin, Mr Mark Olaitan, Director, Legal Services, NCMM, Barrister Babatunde Adebiyi on the visit where Royal Drummers gave a good account of their stewardship.

News

50-year-old Man Dies While Watching Football Match In Lagos Bar

Published

3 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

A yet-to-be-identified man has died allegedly watching football in an open bar along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Lagos.

It was discovered that the deceased, a man in his fifties, was a frequent patron of the open bar prior to the incident and had visited on May 15, 2024, to watch a football game.

But problems arose when it was later found that he was sleeping and that attempts to wake him up were unsuccessful.

The Lagos State Police Spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident by saying that on May 15, 2024, at approximately 7:00 PM, the owner of the open bar came to Elere Division to report that the same day, one of his male customers—whose name and address are unknown—died while watching a football game.

In an additional explanation, Hundeyin stated that when detectives from the division visited the scene, they saw the deceased lying lifeless on the chair without any signs of violence.

“His body has been taken to the mainland general hospital in Rusty Yaa for an autopsy,” he continued, “We are still trying to find his family.”