Group warns Dangote to stay clear of Osun politics - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

A political action group in Osun State, Omoluabi United, has called on Africa’s richest man Alhaji Aliko Dangote to stay away from the partisan fray in the state as it gears for the election of a new governor, reports ITREALMS.

Omoluabi United in a press statement made available to ITREALMS, called on Dangote to eschew the word on social media and a YouTube message that he would deploy his wealth in support of the PDP candidate Ademola Adeleke.

In an open letter, the Omoluabii United said the people of Osun State shared similar values with Alhaji Dangote. These are “Common values like Truthfulness, Selflessness, Integrity, Modesty, Assiduity, and Industry”.

They stated, “Given our shared preference for stellar values, we are horrified to hear in the news making the rounds in our state that a charlatan boasts of how he would deploy your money to buy the electorate of Osun. True to his character, he brags not of his own money but to utilise the funds Alhaji Dangote earned from customers in Osun State and others in Nigeria from his enterprise and apply it to unwholesome ends.”

The statement added: “Your wealth is yours to deploy as you deem fit. We assume, however, that you would always cherish positive associations and not negative ones. We urge you to exalt the values that you love, and that best describes you in the politics of Osun State.”

Omoluabi United then pleaded: “Please do not elevate the wrong values, by association,  in Osun State.  Do not do to Osun State what you would not wish on Kano State or any progressive geographical space in Nigeria. Or on any of the companies under the Dangote Group.

“You would not hire to run any part of Dangote Group a character without the necessary school certificate, a waffler, a fellow with no record of any personal attainment in any of life’s undertakings.”

Spokesman of Omoluabi United, Opeyemi Ige, said the message to Aliko Dangote is a plea born out of the need to avoid a significant error in the State.

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Oluwo condemns tag of 'Ajele' in Osun politics - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has condemned those disparaging some politicians in Osun State and labelling them ‘ajele,’ which means ‘outsiders’ in Yoruba language, reports ITREALMS.

He also described them as uncivilized and agents of underdevelopment. 

Ola Akanbi said rather than disparage them, Oba Akanbi said Osun State people should celebrate the so-called Ajeles for their exposure and rich experience, which if well applied, will help develop the towns and the state at large. 

The traditional ruler said he would love to be described as an Ajele of civilisation and development.


Speaking penultimate Tuesday at the Free Medical Outreach for Iwo residents by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Osun State governorship election, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, said the campaign is christened  ‘Ilerioluwa’. The initiative was undertaken by the Ilerioluwa Free Health Mission. 

Over 2,000 residents of Iwo benefited from the project, which began at the weekend in Ejigbo. 

The word Ajele had surfaced since the beginning of the state’s election campaign as a derogatory word for candidates that are not ‘home grown.’ 

But Oba Akanbi said the towns, communities and the entire state of Osun need ajeles to bring in development because of their exposure and experience. 

He said: “What I heard is that some people are calling some other people ajeles. They said Oluwo is also an ajele. What is ajele? Ajele is somebody who brings civilization to your domain. You can see the free medical services being offered here today. Iwo has lacked civilization because back in the days, we pushed civilization out".

"That’s why Iwo has not been developed. We want people, even those in the Diaspora to come and better the lot of this country. We are in dire need. Anybody that calls indigenes living outside the town, state or country ajele is uncivilized. 

"We want Diasporans to come because of their exposure. Who is actually not an ajele one way or the other? If you study Law in Nigeria, you have to go to Lagos, Abuja or Enugu for your Law school. That’s outside your locality. It then means that everybody is an ajele one way or the other. 

"Ajele is about civilization. And this is what we want. We want development. The way to develop is not by sitting down in a local area. We need exposure. As the Oluwo, I’ve brought civilisation  to my domain because of my exposure. So, if they call me an ajele, I’m happy to be one.”

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Pix: Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, courtesy of Punch.