Politics
Legal Practitioner Petitions INEC Over 12 Suppressed Constituencies In Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A legal Practitioner, Barrister Ayo kunle Jonathan, has raised petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over 12 Suppressed Constituencies in Kogi state. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The Lawyer in his protest has urged INEC as a matter of necessity to address the issue without further delay.
Barrister Ayo Kunle Jonathan presented the protest letter through the Resident Electoral Commissioner in-charge of INEC in Kogi, Dr. Tersoo Aguldu in Lokoja on Thursday
His Protest reads; “the constitution mandates the INEC to create some constituencies, particularly as it relates to section 91 of the constitution, which mandates that the House of Assembly of a state should have three or four constituents as the number of the federal constituencies in the state.
“Now, we observed that after the state’s creation in Kogi State, some particular constituencies were suppressed, and by this there is no equal representation at the Kogi State House of Assembly.
“So, we have written to the INEC, the national office of the INEC, through the Kogi State office, mandating INEC to comply with these constitutional provisions before the next election to enable equal representation.
” Question, So, Kogi State was created about 34 years ago, and the same constitution has been regulating electoral process in the state. In what way, or why now that you just discovered this, and in what way has one section been affecting the other?
“Ans: If you look at the policy today, particularly as it relates to the Kogi State House of Assembly, we have just 25 members of the House of Assembly presently as against the required members stipulated under section 91 and section 114 of the constitution.
“Question:
What is the required number?
“Ans: I would not want to give you a particular number. We would allow INEC to do their job, do their investigation, and give us feedback.
“Question:
So, what do you think is the reason for all this, for the suppressed constituencies?
“Ans: We have no idea, and that is why we have written to INEC that this suppression should not continue. There must be equality amongst the constituencies in Kogi State. Now, in Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, we have just one House of Assembly member.
“Before now, we used to have Kabba-Bunu 1 and 2, Ijumu 1 and 2. In the Yagba Federal Constituency, we had Yagba East, Yagba West, Yagba North East.
“We also have in the East, that is the Kogi Eastern Senatorial District, the Bassa-komu was also suppressed. Then we have the Lokoja Koto axis under the Western Senatorial District.
“So, going by this protest, we want all this to be restored back as it is supposed to be in accordance with the law”
Adding his voice to the petition submitted, the Executive Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government, Zacchaeus Dare Michael said that his local government is one of the suppressed constituencies in Kogi
In his words; I’m here today as an interested party in this protest letter submitted to INEC National through the State Office as one of those local governments whose constituencies were suppressed.
“laws are drafted in the spirit of fairness, justice, and equity. And this fairness, equity, and justice has been murdered over time in memory of Kogi State.
“Section 91 of 1999 Constitution has stipulated that a Federal House of Representatives will have three or four House of Assembly members in the State Assembly.
“And I’ll break it down. I will start with that Federal constituency, for example. They have four local governments. They have Igalamela-Odolu, Ibaji, Ofu and Idah.
“The four local governments are represented in the State Assembly. That makes it the maximum provision of the Constitution for one Federal Constituencies. In Ankpa, they have three local government.
“Ankpa, Omala, and Olamaboro. They have Ankpa 1, Ankpa 2. Olamaboro has assembly, Omala has one assembly. Either two colleagues achieve their maximum constitutional provision.
“In Dekina, for example, they have Dekina 1, Dekina 2. Dekina federal constancy is Dekina Basa. They have Dekina 1, Dekina 2, and they have Basa.
“That mean Kogi East have only one more member to meet the maximum requirement of the constitution. Come to Kogi Central, for example. Kogi Central has five local governments.
“They have six House of Assembly, and they have three Federal Constituencies. And these three Federal Constituencies in line with the spirit of section 91 of the constitution of 1999 as amended, which we didn’t draft, and it was drafted for this, I mean, to secure egalitarian state assembly.
“They have only six House of Assembly member. Six were suppressed in Kogi Central. In Kogi West, we have seven local government, and we have eight members. Only Lokoja has one and two. And four were suppressed in Kogi West.
“And in 1991, 1992 assembly, we have this suppressed constancy, having that member. The records are there. As a journalist, you can go there and take your record.
“Kabba has one and two, Ijumu has one and two, Yagba has one and two, Koto has one and two.
“So we are here now, in solidarity with our people, that in the spirit of the constitution, the INEG, we are not asking for creation, because creation will involve amending the 1999 constitution to create more constituencies.
“We are asking for restoration of what has been before, that is not on ground anymore.
“And we are urging INEG, as a matter of urgency for the next election, to revert to that old 1991, 1992 structure of the state assembly.
“The danger of this, I will emphasize it, it means that Kogi Central Assembly, from time immemorial, has been incompetently, I mean, constituted. It’s improperly constituted. If the law is saying, three, the three will give us 27.
“The four, four will give us 36. And the Assembly is 25. It doesn’t mean that, from time immemorial, the resolution passed in the House of Assembly, if it’s challenged in court, it will be declared null and avoid.
“Quorum in the face of law is fundamental. So we are urging the INEC to restore all the suppressed constancy.
We are urging His Excellency, Ahmed Usman Ododo, to please listen to the cry of those suppressed individual, so that we can have our representatives”
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Ataoja’s Open Declaration Of Support For Aregbesola And ADC Rattles Opposition Camps In Osun
As the battle for the soul of Osun State gathers momentum, the Ataoja’s open declaration of support for Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has thrown other political parties in the state into massive confusion. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
During the recent constituency tours across Osun State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Laroye II, openly endorsed Aregbesola and the African Democratic Congress as the state prepares for the 2026 gubernatorial election.
The 21st Ataoja and paramount ruler of Osogbo, Oba Oyetunji, made this declaration during a courtesy visit to his palace in Osogbo as the ADC rounded off its constituency tour.
Oba Oyetunji spared no words as he emotionally affirmed his loyalty, saying he would follow and support Aregbesola wherever he goes.
“Your coming to Osogbo today is symbolic. I had not heard that you adopted a new party until now. Your open declaration, along with the people who followed you, means the whole of Osogbo will stand behind you. No one will see me without seeing Aregbe, and whenever you see Aregbe, you will certainly see me.
“Aregbesola’s journey this time is different because he has come with a renewed commitment to work for the betterment of the people of Osun. He is one man I respect greatly because, when some naysayers mounted pressure on him to dethrone me, he refused to listen.
“We are not ingrates in Osogbo. Osogbo is always united when it comes to politics. I am for Aregbesola. I will never leave him. Wherever he goes, we shall follow.”
According to multiple sources, this declaration has thrown opposition parties into complete disarray, considering the weight and influence the revered monarch commands among the Council of Kings in Osun State.
A fearless and straightforward ruler, Oba Oyetunji explained that his decision to support the leader of the Omoluabi ethos in Nigeria stems from the need to return Osun to a system of governance where social welfare and human capital development take preeminence.
A source, who pleaded anonymity, said:“For a First Class Oba like the Ataoja of Osogbo to openly declare support for any party or individual outside the ruling party means a lot. He was unapologetic about it. That speaks volumes.
“And as you can see, no one has dared to challenge him. The opposition is afraid to speak out because they have seen the handwriting on the wall. It will not be business as usual in Osun. The state is ready for a progressive government, a government that prioritises social welfare and human capital development.”
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Politics
Awolowo’s Love And Abiola’s Organic Followership Reincarnate In Aregbesola’s Tour Of Osun
The Bible states in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This verse aptly describes the recent tour of Osun State Federal Constituencies by the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ably led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Since Ogbeni Aregbesola left office as Governor of Osun State in 2018, after serving two terms from 2010 to 2018, the people of the state have been yearning, hoping, and praying for another leader of his calibre.
The past three weeks allowed me to tour the length and breadth of Osun State with the former Governor and former Interior Minister. In every Federal Constituency we visited, the mood suggested that the people were waiting for a messiah. Osun indigenes desire a compassionate leader, one who understands their needs, speaks their language, believes in social welfare, and prioritises human capital development, a leader reminiscent of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the revered leader of Western Nigeria.
True progressives are defined by their actions. They are not swayed by rhetoric, nor do they assign blame. They simply act. Unlike what Osun currently experiences, leaders like Obafemi Awolowo focused on policies that promoted welfare and modernisation, including free primary education and free healthcare for children under eighteen. He championed federalism, fiscal discipline, and the strategic use of state resources for social and economic development. He believed that education was essential for national progress and that the government should invest resources in social services to uplift citizens.
For nearly eight years, the general voice in Osun has been clear: the state needs another leader like Ogbeni Aregbesola, someone who puts the people first and cushions them from the hardships that have devastated businesses and livelihoods.
During his eight years as Governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola left a legacy of progressive governance marked by significant investments in infrastructure, public education, and social programs. Key accomplishments include:
Infrastructure and Urban Development
Roads: Oversaw the construction and rehabilitation of over three hundred kilometres of township roads and completed five bridges.
Education: Built 170 new schools and renovated existing ones, creating 1,694 standard classrooms.
Urban Planning: Implemented urban renewal projects in the state capital.
Education and Youth Empowerment
Opon-Imo: Distributed free electronic tablets to final-year high school students to aid their studies.
School Feeding: Introduced the Osun Elementary School Feeding Programme, providing free meals to primary school students.
Teacher Recruitment: Hired more than twelve thousand teachers to strengthen the education system.
Youth Empowerment: Launched the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, creating twenty thousand jobs for young people within its first one hundred days.
Training: Provided free tailoring training for three thousand youths and sent thirty unemployed youths to Germany for modern agricultural training.
Social Programs and Health
Health: Upgraded nine state hospitals, with the State Hospital at Asubiaro transformed into a specialist facility.
Elderly Care: Provided monthly stipends and healthcare for the elderly and indigent.
Free Health Insurance: Extended free health insurance to over thirty thousand pensioners and performed free surgeries for over sixty thousand residents.
Agriculture and Economic Development
Agriculture: Established farm settlements to train unemployed graduates and sold affordable fertilisers to farmers.
Market Development: Built modern markets to support traders.
Job Creation: Created over twenty thousand jobs through youth empowerment programs and other initiatives.
Since his departure in 2018, Osun has struggled with ineffective leadership. This explains why Ogbeni Aregbesola’s tour of Osun Federal Constituencies as General Secretary of the African Democratic Congress was warmly received. The love from his people was organic. They truly desire the return of his style of leadership.
The tour began at Ifedayo, Ila, Boluwaduro Federal Constituency, where thousands of supporters and party leaders gathered at the ancient palace of the Orangun of Ila Orangun, Oba Wahab Kayode Adedeji Oyedotun Bibiire I, to welcome the former Governor. Ogbeni Aregbesola noted that critical sectors of governance, including security, infrastructure, education, and the economy, have deteriorated.
“When your people are hungry and suffering, and you do not show compassion, you cannot claim to be an Omoluabi. Awolowo and our other founding fathers would not be pleased seeing Nigeria in this state,” he declared. From Ila Orangun, the tour continued to Ayedaade, Irewole, and Isokan Federal Constituency in the ancient town of Ikire.
From the Naira and Kobo junction to Obada Market, the Akire’s palace, and Sango, residents turned out in large numbers to show love, solidarity, and support for the party and its leader. From Ikire, the tour proceeded to Obokun and Oriade Federal Constituency in Ijebu-Jesa, where a similar outpouring of love and belief in the ADC was witnessed.
“Aregbesola’s journey this time is different. He has come to work assiduously for the betterment of the people of Osun. I am for Aregbesola and will never leave him. Wherever he goes, we shall follow,” declared His Royal Majesty Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Laroye II, Ataoja of Osogbo, as he endorsed Ogbeni Aregbesola and the ADC during the Osogbo, Olorunda, Irepodun, and Orolu Federal Constituency leg of the tour.
Oba Oyetunji emotionally expressed his support for Ogbeni Aregbesola, declaring that he would follow him wherever he goes. From the Ataoja’s Palace, the tour continued through Oke Fia, Osogbo Grammar School, the NUJ Secretariat along Dada Estate, to the Government Technical College open field, where thousands of indigenes and residents gathered under the scorching sun to hear words of hope, social welfare initiatives, and human capital development plans from Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The reception across the state clearly demonstrates the organic love and unwavering commitment of Nigerians to restoring good governance. It also highlights the widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration, whose policies have worsened hunger, poverty, and insecurity. Osun is ready for meaningful change, the kind that the ADC and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola represent.
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Politics
Massive Turnout In Osogbo As Osun ADC Concludes Federal Constituency Tour
– Nigerians Have Resolved To Vote Out Incompetent Govt, Install Responsible Leadership – Aregbesola
– As Party Leaders Canvass Aggressive Mobilisation, Support For ADC
Residents of Osogbo, and by extension Osogbo/Olorunda/Irepodun/Orolu trooped out massively as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in Osun State, concluded its Federal Constituency Tour. googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
From the Ataoja’s palace to the Technical College in Osogbo, where supporters waited for several hours, residents, artidans, market men and women, youths, students among others came out in their numbers to show love and support to the party’s National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who led the party’s hierarchy on the tour.
Addressing party supporters and loyalists, Aregbesola thanked them for their age-long show of support for his political tendency.
He said it is time for Nigerians to speak with one voice and galvanise the electorate to vote out the ruling parties at all levels.
The former Governor of Osun noted that his party presents the viable alternative to addressing the nation’s challenges of insecurity, maladministration, poverty, hunger and absence of good governance.
His words, “There is nowhere in Osun that the people do not resonate with what we represent. Our achievements and legacies when we were here continue to speak for us. That is why we get the kind of reception we have anytime we come here, particularly Osogbo, the state capital.
“There is no sector where they have not failed. They have disappointed Nigerians in almost every sphere. The economy is in dire straits, insecurity is ravaging the country, as well as many pitfalls of the present administration.
“The only viable alternative to all of these is our great party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is poised to liberate the people and make life more abundant for the masses.
“We are glad that our people have resolved to vote out an incompetent government. Our party, if elected, will correct all of the governance misnormals and set the tone for our dear state, Osun and country to witness a masses oriented development.
“Continue to mobilise and draw more people to join the party and participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. We promise you all a government of vision, mission and direction,” Aregbesola stated further.
Receiving the former Minister and his entourage in his palace earlier, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II pledged to back the resolve of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to reclaim the state.
The Ataoja, who recalled the monumental transformation of Osogbo to a modern capital city, during the Aregbesola administration (2010-2018), promised that the people of the town will back the party in 2026.
“Aregbesola’s journey this time around is different. This is because he has come now to work assiduously for the betterment of the people of Osun.
“He is one man I respect a lot, because when some naysayers were mounting pressure on him to do dethrone me, he did not listen to them.
“We are not ingrates in Osogbo. Osogbo is always united when it comes to Politics. I will never leave Aregbesola. I will always support him and all he represents,” the monarch stated.
The event also served as a mobilisation centre as senior party figures; Dr. Charles Omidiji, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, Senator Felix Ogunwale, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Dr. Najeem Salaam and others charged party members to recommit themselves to grassroots engagement.
They described the ADC as the only party with the moral clarity and capacity to rescue Osun and Nigeria from the current decline.
Other dignitaries at Tuesday’s event include Engr. Jide Adeniji, Alhaji Rasaq Salinsile, Revd. Adelowo Adebiyi, Senator Adelere Oriolowo, Mr. Jide Bewaji, and other leaders of the tendency.
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