The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam, has warned against plot to subvert the forthcoming general elections.
He said any attempt to remove the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, could derail the nation’s democracy.
According to a statement by his media aide, Goke Butika, the body language of President Goodluck Jonathan is suggesting that he is moving toward removing Jega before the Presidential election.
Salaam stressed that Nigeria should not be dragged into needless crisis over the position of INEC chairman, saying that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should spare Prof. Jega from its campaign of calumny.
He condemned the way some politicians were waging media war against the leadership of the INEC ever since Jega has insisted on using the Permanent Voter’s card (PVC) and card reader to conduct the rescheduled polls.
He said their comments were disgusting, ridiculous and uncalled for, and at best suggesting that there was plot to subvert the elections.
He said: “We should all strive to consolidate this 16 years old democracy as a people, and no section of the people should see power as their exclusive right, but right of those who could obtain the mandate of the people through elections. Thus, it is needless to indulge more on the campaign of calumny.”
The Speaker, therefore, implored Jonathan to discard the idea of removing Jega if the card was on the clandestine table, noting that “the consequence of changing the game when the game is almost at extra time would vitiate the credibility of not only the elections, but also democratic credentials of this country.
THE NATION

THE Mainland of Lagos wore a carnival look  Saturday, when members and party officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) marched from Ikorodu Road to Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere to demonstrate their loyalty for the party.
Tagged, One-million-man March For Buhari, the gathering attracted huge crowd estimated about two million, according to sources from the APC secretariat.
Beginning from 7:30 am, party members in branded attires and with posters of various candidates of the party, started arriving in batches at the Maryland end of their meeting point. Before 8am, the corridor was already filled with people, setting the tone for the march.
Drumming, singing, dancing and chanting party slogans, the politicians by 8:30 set out in slow march from Maryland to Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, the terminal point.
Among notable party members leading the march were the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; running mate of the APC presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and his wife; the APC governorship candidate in the state, Akinwunmi Ambode; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and members of Lagos State House of Assembly led by their Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji.
Others were the senatorial candidates of the APC: Lagos East, Gbenga Ashafa; Lagos Central, Remi Tinubu; and Lagos West, Solomon Olamileka Adeola and wife of the Lagos State governor, Abimbola Fashola.
In his address, Tinubu urged supporters of the party to vote for change in the March 28 presidential election and for continuity in the governorship election scheduled for April 12.
He said the long expected change that Nigerians hoped for could have been achieved on February 14, if not for the PDP and its cronies that conspired to shift the elections.
Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said President Jonathan has failed Nigerians and should be voted out of office come march 28.
Comparing the President to Prophet Jonah in the Bible, who God gave message of hope and deliverance to the children of Israelites, but was later cast into the raging sea, Aregbesola said the original purpose of God for Mr. President is to come and deliver the country, but since he got into power, he abandoned his divine assignment and plunged the country into hardship; it is, therefore, a must for us to cast him out of office with our votes on March 28.”
GUARDIAN

Photos of the Governor of Osun and Coordinator for the South-West, Buhari/Osinbajo Campaigns Organisation, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola being presented with a copy of the book The GMB Phenomenon by the author, Mr. Aderemi Idowu, a London-based Housing expert and former Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the ACN in the United Kingdom at the Office of the Governor, Osogbo, Osun last Thursday.

Osun state government, yesterday announced the expulsion of five public schools’ students fingered as perpetrators of the crises that ravaged two neighbouring schools in Osogbo.
The schools, Osogbo High School, and Government Technical College, both located few meters away from each other, along Osogbo/ Iwo road, in Osogbo, had in February, engaged each other in deadly clashes, forcing the government to close the schools.
The government, according to a release signed by the permanent secretary, Osun state Ministry of Education, Mr. Lawrence Oyeniran, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, arrived at the decision after a careful consideration of the cases that involved the two schools.
It also claimed that it considered the final year students of schools, who are scheduled to sit for the year 2015, May/June, West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, and year 2015 NABTEB, respectively.
It added, that it took cognisance of the need to enforce discipline among the students and maintain peace in the schools, before arriving at the decision to expel the students.
The statement further stated that, parents of returning students and the students themselves are to sign undertakings as stipulated by the government and should mandatorily attend a meeting with the management of both Schools on Monday, 9th March, 2015 by 11:00a.m

The State of Osun House of Assembly has urged the owners of private schools operating in the state to improve the standard of teaching in line with the state government policies on education.
The Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, made the call in Osogbo on Monday, when the Assembly received delegates of the state chapter of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS).
The Speaker noted that some private schools dropped the standard with which they operate after few years of operation.
He advised the proprietors to ensure clean and conducive environment for learning, stressing that teachers must be well-coordinated in dressing and morally, as the pupils learn from them.
According to him, the private schools owners have been assisting the government in providing jobs for the people, saying, the association needs encouragement from government to be able to do more.
“It is not everybody that the government can provide jobs for, but you are assisting government to put food on the table of some of those not captured by government.
“You must ensure that the environment of your schools are neat and ensure that the structure you use to house your pupils meet the required standard.
“The business of teaching must be done with keen interest, so that the required result could be gotten. That is the notion you must encourage your teachers to have.
“Unlike in the past, the policies of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration in the area of education have increased the enrolment into public schools. This is not meant to debar your progress, but because it is an assignment we must do.”
While calling for the continued support of the association for the state government, he assured that the House would look into issues on multiple taxation, fees charged for external examinations and other fees that affect the association.
Earlier, the President of NAPPS, Prince Wale Oyeniyi, appealed to the state parliament for reduction of taxes and other fees being paid by private schools owners.
OSUN DEFENDER

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has urged the military and other security agencies in the country not to allow themselves to be used to intimidate voters before, during and after the general elections.
The governor made the call during a courtesy visit to him by the General Officer Commanding II Mechanised Division, Ibadan, Major General Sanusi Muazu, in Osogbo on Monday.
Aregbesola noted that the traditional role of the military was to protect the territorial integrity of the country and ensure an atmosphere where democracy must thrive.
The governor added that military and other security institutions must ensure that they were not used to harass civilians during the elections as it was done in Osun State during the last August 9 governorship election.
‎He said: “It is a great misnomer and misuse of the military and tax payers’ resources for military and other security agents to be deployed during elections as instruments to harass and intimidate the citizens’ freedom and liberty, and bully them for partisan and selfish interest of gaining electoral advantage.
“During the last governorship election here, security agencies were unprofessionally utilised to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes were used to pay their salaries.
“Our victory is due to the steadfastness and resolute determination of our people to assert and defend their rights. Some security agents in connivance with the opposition did all they could in a most desperate manner to steal the people’s mandate.
“Security agents wore the same identical hand band to carry out their acts but the popular wish of the people prevailed.”
Governor Aregbesola urged Major General Muazu and other security personnel not to tolerate any instruction or order that would compromise their professionalism during the forthcoming general elections. Speaking earlier, Muazu assured the governor that military would not intimidate or harass the electorate during the March and April elections.
SUNNEWS ONLINE

Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday described Pastor Enoch Adeboye as a detribalised Nigerian, who champions truth and peace in the country.

The governor disclosed this in a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, on the occasion of the 73rd birthday of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Aregbesola said the clergy has lived a truly inspiring life dedicated to service in the vineyard of the Lord worthy of emulation by all, especially as the country approaches the next general elections and at all times.
The statement reads: “We want to use this occasion of Pa Adeboye’s 73rd birthday to remind Nigerians that he symbolises peace and truth and that he has lived a truly inspiring life of dedicated service in the vineyard of the Lord.
“As the country is about entering another period of elections, we need him and other God-fearing men in our country to seek the face of the Lord for the success of the forthcoming elections and also offer spiritual support to the nation’s leadership at all levels.”
While enjoining Nigerians to pray for long life for the clergy so that he would continue to wax stronger in the vineyard of the Lord, the governor also prayed to the Almighty God to grant Adeboye long life and the grace to continue to do that which will benefit Nigeria and the world at large

All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Osun State House Assembly from the Obokun State Constituency, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has observed that creation of additional local government development areas in Osun State will accelerate growth and development.
Oyintiloye, who commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the decision to create additional local government development areas in the state, described the action taken so far as a giant step towards grassroots development. According to him, “Aregbesola’s commitment to create more local government is a giant step towards grassroots development.
Oyinlola spoke of his participation in the referendum conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) at Isale-Alfa Unit 9, Ward 1, Obokun Local Government Area of the state, being part of the constitutional provision for the creation of new councils.
He noted that the initiative of the Governor as well as the exercise would deepen good governance.
The Governor had presented a bill to the state House of Assembly for the creation of additional 27 local government areas.
Oyintiloye also lauded the state legislature for supporting the Governor to achieve his course by directing the commission to conduct the referendum in compliance with the Constitution.
According to him, the referendum conducted by OSSIEC has shown that the government is actually serious about the creation of new councils, and committed to meet all legal, technical and constitutional procedure for the exercise.
Describing local government as the closest government to the people at the grassroots, he said the creation of new councils would further bring development closer to the people.
DAILY INDPENDENT

Afenifere Deputy Leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi yesterday said that the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term by a section of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, was a ruse, adding that Yoruba will not vote for an incompetent leader.
The Second Republic senator lamented that his colleagues, including Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, spearheaded the endorsement without sparing a  thought for the future.
He said the foremost Awoists, who have called on the Southwest to support the President, have mocked their antecedent and rich history of struggle for a better Nigeria, adding that they are not leaving behind worthy legacies.
Fasanmi spoke with our correspondent on phone on the endorsement, the general elections and issues that will shape the contest. He said a glorious dawn was imminent, urging Nigerians to gird their loins.
Fasanmi, who was the President of the Action Group (AG) Youth Association in the 1960s, lamented that his colleagues and disciples of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, have derailed by supporting an inept government.
He said: “The purported endorsement is unfortunate, illogical, embarrassing, and misleading. It is confusing. It is artificial. It is not profound. Thy are my colleagues in the days of the Action Group Youth Association. What legacy do we want to hand over to the next generation? When you are endorsing an incompetent person, a government of rot, a government that has failed, it is worrisome. I am dejected.
“This is the lent season. I am praying for my colleagues, my party and Nigeria. My prayer is that Gen. Buhari will win. Our leader, Awolowo, predicted that the progressives will come together. This is the time. Buhari is a disciplined Person. He is incorruptible. He is fit to rule this country. he is a better person.”
Fasanmi challenged the Afenifere chieftains to list the achievements of President Jonathan in the Southwest that could warrant their endorsement of his candidature.
He said the Federal Government has marginalised the region in the distribution of appointments and amenities, wondering why the Afenifere chieftains are rooting for his second term.
Fasanmi described the promise by the President to implement the National Conference Report as a fallacy, stressing that the report will be considered by the National Assembly before any action can be taken.
He added: “They said that they are supporting Jonathan because he has promised to implement the National Conference report. Jonathan cannot implement it. It must go to the National Assembly. When Gen. Buhari wins, APC legislators in the National Assembly will do the job.
“Under Gen. Buhari, Nigeria will witness that glorious dawn predicted by the late chief Awolowo. There will be a dawn of the new era. They are attacking Buhari. But, Buhari is a disciplined and incorruptible person.  Buhari is not a soldier again. He is now a democrat. He has demonstrated it. On three occasions, he lost the presidential elections and he went to court. He is a different person. Awo will never support ineptitude like my colleague are doing. But, Yoruba will not heed their call to support Jonathan.”
Fasanmi warned against further postponement of the general elections, saying that it could lead to a crisis of monumental proportion.
He added: “The people are ready for the elections. But, they are dragging their feet. They are postponing the doomsday. This government has failed. It cannot restore insecurity. It cannot curb corruption. It cannot provide employment. And they want a second term. It is very unfortunate.”
THE NATION