INTERVIEW: How I will take Osun out of poverty – RPN governorship candidate

Mercy Ayodele is the governorship candidate of Restoration Party of Nigeria (RPN) in Osun State. She is the first female to be nominated by a party for the governorship election of the state, which comes up September 22. She told AFRINEWS in this interview, that as an accountant of many years, she has what it takes to bring the state out of poverty and unpaid salaries.
AFN:You are the first female candidate elected by a party for the Osun governorship election; how are you coping with the campaigns?
Mercy : What actually pushed me out was the situation of the state and the country as a whole. The rate of poverty in the land is just too much and as a mother, I can’t bear it any longer. I can tell you, being the first female candidate, it is very challenging. You have people who appreciate what you are doing and you have people who will tell you, ‘go and sit down, women belong to the kitchen’, of which, we are more powerful than that.
AFN: Now you talk about poverty; there is a government on ground which claims to have done so much to improve the lives of the people.
Mercy : They have done that. Their best is not our best. We are going to improve on whatever they have done. We can do better than that.
AFN: What experiences do you have that make you think you can govern Osun State better than other contestants?
Mercy : Professionally I am an accountant and I have been in it for almost two decades now. The experiences I have garnered in the course of doing my job is what I am bringing into governance. Managing a home is challenging enough. If a woman can manage a home, she can manage a nation.
AFN: Given the kind of politics we play in Nigeria – money politics, vote buying and violence – as a woman, are you ready for this?
Mercy : We are not going to get involved in vote buying. We are going to go to the field with what we have for the populace. If they love us and they want a change, they are going to vote for us. We are doing that because we know one day vote buying in Nigeria will be a thing of the past. We are going to get there, but it is going to be gradual.

AFN: Do you see the Osun voters having a change of mind, and rejecting inducements from politicians to vote for candidates like you who?
Mercy : Osun people are a very intelligent people and they are going to do the right thing. Whoever gives them money, they may collect it, but they will vote with their conscience.
AFN: Your party is relatively new. What are you doing to make sure that the party is popular enough to get the needed support to put you in the government house come September 22?
Mercy : Our party is one of the newest parties in town, but let me tell you, among the newly registered parties, Restoration Party is the most popular in Osun State as far as this coming election is concerned. We have been to some media houses and the result we are getting is very fantastic because of the programmes we are putting forward to the people. With that…a journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, so we are hoping we will get there.
AFN: Corruption is a major problem in governance in Nigeria. Do you see any way out of this, as you approach the governorship of Osun State?
Mercy : Yes. It all begins with the head. When people know what we stand for, they want to follow that trend. If a person makes a quotation for a biro for N20 and another estimates N70, you cannot tell me that the one who quoted N20 is not going to make a profit. So, if you stand for the truth and you are seen to mean well for the people, the people will follow you. We have lovely Nigerians.
AFN : What are some of the programmes you are presenting to the people?
Mercy : We have five programmes. The first one is youth empowerment, talking about small scale enterprises. Youths make up the largest part of the population both in the state and in the country. So we will give them loans without interest and look at how we get the small scale enterprises operators to be involved in the pensions scheme, such as the contributory pensions. Also, we are going to take seriously the welfare of workers. We are going to ensure the payment of salaries as and when due. We are going to pay full salary.
Also in education, Ogbeni (Governor Rauf Aregbesola) has tried, we have a good structure on ground, but we are going to work more on human resources. We are going to invest in our teachers, give them incentives so that they give their best to their jobs. This is because, the research I did last, I discovered that Osun State has gone backward, about five northern states have overtaken Osun State in terms of education. We are going to work on that. On admissions, we are going to give free uniforms to our children, which would be sown by our local tailors.
We are also looking at rural development and agriculture. We are going to go to our grassroots and construct roads that will be linked to the towns so that all the produce in the farms would be made available at the markets. The last one, we are looking at our health sector. Most of our health facilities are not functioning effectively. We will equip the hospitals and ensure that salaries for medical personnel are made adequate. That is our five-point agenda.

AFN: There is an issue of unpaid salaries in Osun. There has been the cry of lack of funds. Is this something you can handle as governor?
Mercy : We are not going to sit back and wait for money from Abuja. We have resources on ground that we can work with. We know we have some debts and backlogs of workers’ salaries. Actually I don’t know the figures. But we are going to sit down and renegotiate with those we borrowed the funds from in such a way that we can pay it at our convenience so that it does not affect our governance.
AFN: What kind of support do you have from your immediate family, especially your husband, on your ambition to become the governor of Osun State?
Mercy: First, I will like to give it to my husband. He was the one behind me. He said to me, you can do it. So, I give it all to him, and I give it all to God. I know I can go places. My family is right behind me. My friends at home and abroad are right behind me.

I remain the best alternative — Mercy Ayodele RP candidate

Governorship candidate of the Restoration Party of Nigeria, RP, in Osun State, Mrs Mercy Ayodele has said that the party is the best alternative for the people of the state.
 She said the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ademola Adeleke  and that of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gboyega isiaka Oyetola are not the options needed at this time.
Ayodele, stated this while speaking to newsmen  in Osogbo, said RP is the only party that has a well thought out policy and programme for the development of the state.
“My party is ready to provide a viable alternative to Adeleke, Omisore and Oyetola  could not better the lot of the people.

She expressed readiness to harness the potentialities of the state to make it one of the richest in the country adding that the party, with representation across the local government areas of the state, had commenced voter education ahead of the September 22nd Governorship election.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF EMERGES CHAIRMAN OSUN NIGERIA INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS (NIPR.)

It was like a punishment for the senior workers of the third tier of Government in Lagos State, in 2003 when

Asiwaju Hammed Bola Tinubu the then Governor of the Lagos State, unified the Local and State Civil Services and moved senior officials from grade levels 14 - 17 from the Local Government Civil Service to the State Public Service.
 This move by the state government, led to the discovery of Governor Ambode who was then the local government Director of Finance ( treasurer) at the time before he was moved to public service where his diligence, brilliance,  competence, sense of focus and hard work came to limelight.
As a result, this has led him to the position of a governor which he still occupies till today. His enviable qualities made the local government workers  with their people not to deny him of their votes. The same was the case of Prince Adebisi Popoola whom the unified circular issued in 2014 by the State Government of Osun, posted him from Ede North Area Council, Owode Ede, as Director of Social Development and Information ( Image maker) to the State Ministry of Information and Strategies as the Director of Information. What a glorious exit.

In view of the above, another record of achievement was set on 24th of August, 2018 when staff of the Local Government who are also members of the Nigerian Institute of Public  Relations  unanimously cast their votes for Prince Adebisi Popoola as the new NIPR, Osun State Chapter.

Prince Adebisi Popoola was announced the winner of the election conducted by the Acting  Registrar of the Institute, Mr Kayode Yeku under the supervision of a  council member representing Ondo State at the National Council of the Institute, Dr Gbenga Abimbola, at the NIPR Osun  State secretariat Osogbo.

Prince Adebisi polled 17 votes to defeat his lone rival, Alhaji Muideen Adeleke of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation Ile Awiye Oke baale , Osogbo who polled 10 votes.

While delivering his acceptance speech, Alhaji Popoola, Director of Information, Ministry of Information and Strategies assured members of his determined effort to bring back the lost glory of the Institute in Osun. His words:

 " I appreciate  Mr President, NIPR,   Mukhtar  Sirajo, Mr Gbenga Abimbola, Council Member and the Acting Registrar, kayode Yeku
for their full support given to Osun NIPR for the successful conduct of the election that ushered in New Executives of Osun Nigeria Institute Of Public Relations.  Words are not enough to express my profound gratitude to you sirs.
My appreciation also extends to the immediate past chairman of Osun NIPR, Dr. Wale Oyekanmi, Director of Media, Osun State College of Technology Esa-oke, the electoral committee chairman Rev Fr. Femi Adetunji and other members. I appreciate all my friends: Messers Gbenga Ojo, Dapo Ajayi, Dr Woye Olaniran, Oga mi Lekan Awoyemi, Biodun Olarewaju, Kajogbola Salami, Dele Ayanboye and Omoloju-olodumare Adegboyega, Chairman NUJ,  Local Government Information Chapel,  Dr. Woye Olaniran, and host of others, you are tremendously blessed.

I also wish to thank my friend Alhaji Muideen Adeleke. All of us are Winners.

I hereby plead with all members of Osun NIPR, to let us join hands to rebuild and reposition NIPR in Osun State . God bless you all".

In his reaction after the lost out at the Election, Alihaji Muideen Adeleke praised the  Almighty Allah who enthrones and dethrones. His words:
 "All praises be to Allah who enthrones and dethrones...

I wish to congratulate the new executives of Osun NIPR under the chairmanship of Alh. Adebisi Popoola on their victory.

I equally salute the painstaking efforts of the President, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo and the Vice-President, Mr.Wale Adeniyi as well as the commitment of Dr. Gbenga Abimbola, the council members,  Acting Registrar, Mr. Kayode Yeku as well as the electoral committee. Most importantly, I appreciate the support of all those who believe in and stood by me all through.
Thank you all. Alhamdulillah"

While thanking members for the sense of maturity displayed during the process, the council member, Dr Gbenga Abimbola and the Acting Registrar, Mr Kayode Yeku, had earlier charged members to be more responsible and responsive to the affairs of the Institute as the duo has asked members who were indebted to settle their debts before it will be too late for them.

Congratulating the new executives, Rev Fr. Femi Adetunji, Chairman, Local Electoral Committee commended the newly elected executives for showing interest to steer the affairs of the institute. He further charged them with the words of Andrew Carnegie Cote "NO MAN WILL MAKE A GREAT LEADER WHO WANTS TO DO IT ALL BY HIMSELF OR GET ALL THE CREDIT FOR DOING IT." end of Cote.

He speaks further,

"A leader should be distributive. No one knows it all. A leader would identify the willingness to do it in others and allow them to do it. Accolades and honours will surely come back to the leader".

He said the leadership should avoid one man squad administration.

While thanking God for a successful 5years meritorious service to Osun Chapter of Nigeria Institute Of Public Relations during the handing over ceremony, the outgone Chairman and Director of Media Osun State College Of Technology Esa-oke, Prince Wale  Oyekanmi discribed the new executives as crop of competent Public Relations practitioners, while introducing them to the national Vice President of the Institute who hails from Modakeke, Ife East Area Council of Osun State , Prince Adewale Adeniyi the Deputy Comptroller of Custom's and the former National Public Relations Officer of custom's , he thanked him for his support so far.

His words:

"My Vice President, I congratulate you most sincerely for your support and that of the President to land us where we are at NIPR Chapter State of Osun today.
Am proud to tell you that we have a crop of very competent, qualified and high flier Public Relations practitioners in the  executives. Glory be to God. Osun State Chapter is moving to the next level insha Allah".

In his response, the National Vice President, Prince Wale Adeniyi thanked the  Almighty God for a new leaf that was opened.

"A new leaf was opened today in the history of the chapter with the reconstitution of the Exco. 
I congratulate Prince Adebisi Popoola and members of his Team.
I also want to congratulate and thank profusely Rev Fr Adetunji and other members of the Caretaker Committee for showing commitment and steadfastness in pulling through this process.
I also thank Council Member, Gbenga  and the Acting Registrar, Kayode Yeku for effective supervision of the process.
Now, we have crossed the first hurdle.
There's so much remaining. 
I urge us to cash in on the momentum generated by today's event to forge ahead.
Progress Osun NIPR!

The newly elected Executive members of Osun NIPR :

1.Chairman- Prince Adebisi Popoola

2. Vice Chairman- Kazeem Oyedeji

3. Secretary General  - Mr Rasheed Adebiyi

4. Assistant Secretary - Mr Akinola Adenitan

5. Treasurer - Prince Adedapo Omotosho.

6. Fin. Sec.  - Miss Funmilayo Adekoya

7. Public Relations Executive - Miss Kikelomo Owoeye

8. Auditor - Lukman Obembe

9. Ex - officio - Dr Adewale Oyekanmi

In a vote of thanks by the Public Relations Executive, Miss Kike Owoeye solicited for the support of all and sundry in raising high the banner of NIPR in Osun.

 "We all solicit your support as we got during the election in steering the affairs of this Institute in ensuring a vibrant, sustainable effective body in Osun State and across the country'.

2019: Turaki, Bafarawa pick PDP presidential forms

A former Special Duties Minister, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa on Wednesday picked the presidential nomination forms of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The two aspirants expressed the hope that the PDP will defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the 2019 presidential elections.

Ruling out the prospects of stepping down for one of the 12 PDP aspirants in the race as consensus candidate, the aspirants however said any of the aspirants could willingly withdraw from the race.

Turaki said, “If we say that we are going for consensus, what are we going to do with it? We agree we are all brothers. We see it as a game. Therefore, if anybody is interested in withdrawing from the race, it’s a welcome idea.

“But talking of consensus, you are going to fall like the All Progressives Congress (APC) where we are going to have a one-man show. We don’t want to go for one-man show. We want to practise democracy so that people will choose their own better candidate.

“For example, if APC is playing democracy, they will allow at least three to four aspirants to aspire for the position. But because the party is a limited liability company, while PDP is a public limited company, it is welcome by everybody”.

Turaki’s nomination documents were picked on his behalf by the Director of Media of his campaign organisation, Mr. Sola Atere.

On his part, Bafarawa, who came to pick his nomination papers in person, said he was encouraged by the number of aspirants in the race, stressing that it was an indication of acceptability of the PDP among Nigerians.

“That is why people are aspiring, more are interested in joining the party unlike other parties where they run a one-man show. So, it’s very encouraging to all of us who are aspiring for this seat.

“We are brothers, we are family. Our ambition is to get rid of APC. Therefore forget about the number of aspirants of the PDP. At the end of the day, we are all democrats, we must accept (the outcome of the primary, win or lose.

“Therefore, anybody who wins, I believe collectively we are going to work together and see that we save this country from this mess”, Bafarawa said.

2019 Osun Assembly Election : I'll offer quality representation - Fabayo

A young aspirant for the State of Osun State House of Assembly and member Restoration Party of Nigeria RP,  Olalekan Fabayo has said he will give the people of Ila local government area of the state quality representation if elected in the 2019 general election.
Fabayo who is vying to represent Ila state constituency made the pledge while speaking with newsmen.
Olalekan said that he would initiate bills that would enhance development of the constituency, adding that Ila Orangun needed the support of all and sundry.
” I will promote bills that would uplift Ila council area and place it at par with other local government areas in the state.
“I have already informed my supporters that my primary aim would be to see to the development of education in the area.
He also promised to embark on financial and job empowerment prorammes for the youths and schemes to support the less privileged in Ila State Constituency.
Fabayo said going into politics now for him is a heed to the clarion call of his people adding that “my foray into politics is borne-out of the need to raise the bar of service to humanity; to give an exemplary leadership service to my people.
“I have whole heatedly decided to offer myself, to fulfil the long time yearning and aspiration of the youths, and hoping to contest in a free and fair election come 2019.”
The media practitioner promised to prioritize public interest if given the opportunity . He however, revealed that his group FSG
 will soon embark on grassroots mobilization for the actualization of his ambition,stressing that the group has ready throw its weight behind the party gubernatorial candidate Mercy Ayodele ahead of the September 22nd Governorship election in the state.

OSUN 2018: POLITICS NOT A DO OR DIE AFFAIR - ODEYEMI OSUN RP CHAIR*

*OSUN 2018: POLITICS NOT A DO OR DIE AFFAIR - ODEYEMI OSUN RP CHAIR*
Osun State chairman for the Restoration Party of Nigeria RP Comrade Oluwatosin Odeyemi has said Election is not a do or die affair,  saying the party will play according to the rules of the game..
Odeyemi stated this  while speaking with newsmen at the party secretariat Ogooluwa area of osogbo, osun capital. Calling for proper treatment with respect for the party candidate Hon Mrs Mercy Ayodele  ahead of the coming Governorship elections in the state.
He advised the people of Osun to shun violence, saying they should not see the coming election as a do-or-die affair.
Comrade Odeyemi called on INEC to conduct a free, fair and credible election during the September 22nd Governorship election in osun. Canvass people to vote for the party in the coming guber poll for a tangible change to  see or touch.