One of the witnesses called by Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Moshood Adejare, to prove the allegation of malpractices in the August 9th governorship election failed to prove the allegation of overvoting he alleged in his witness statement on oath at the Election Petitions Tribunal.
Adejare, who was called by counsel to the petitioner, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), had earlier adopted the statement he deposed to at the registry of the tribunal as his evidence before the court.
Adejare, a ward supervisor for PDP in Ede South during the poll had alleged overvoting among other irregularities before the tribunal.
However, the All Progressives Congress’ counsel, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, during cross examination confronted the witness with exhibit 207 which is result for the ward but he said he could not find evidence of overvoting there.
He added that his explanation might not have been full.
The counsel described him jokingly as a witness of truth and said he should be given an award by his religious leader.
The counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye, also challenged the witness to prove the allegation of superimposition which was contained in his deposition but he failed to establish this before the panel.
Asked what he superimposition meant, Adejare said, ” It is when you complain of irregularities and your complaints are not attended to.”
Another witness, Taofeek Opaleye, from Boripe Local Government Area of the state also alleged that eligible voters suspected to be supporters of the PDP were prevented from voting by some APC leaders.
He admitted that he voted but he stated that PDP agents were forced to sign election results.
The third witness, Oluwaseun Fapohunda, stunned the tribunal, when during cross examination, he said that Governor Rauf Aregbesola voted at his polling unit in Oriade Local Government whereas Aregbesola is from Ilesa in Ilesa West Local Government Area.
Fapohunda also alleged overvoting and he was presented exhibit 203 ( election result for his areas) but he said it was not clear after the counsel had given his ( counsel) glasses to the witness to assist him to read the result.
The tribunal’s proceedings are still going on.
DAILY TIMES
Aregbesola Opposes Omisore’s Forensic Expert’s Report 
Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has urged the Election Petitions Tribunal hearing matters arising from the August 9th governorship election to reject the report tendered by the forensic data analysis and ICT expert called by Senator Iyiola Omisore to prove his petition.
Counsel to the petitioner, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), led the expert witness in evidence on Tuesday at the resumed hearing of the matter.
Izinyon sought to tender the report of the witness but Aregbesola’s counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), who represented the All Progressives Congress and the INEC counsel, Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye raised objection to the admissibility of the report.
The first respondent (Aregbesola) said that the document did not comply with the provisions of Section 84 of the Evidence Act.
According to him, the report is computer generated and such requires a certificate that the computer used in arriving at conclusion was working properly when it was used.
Osinbajo, who aligned himself with the arguments of Aregbesola’s counsel cited a Court of Appeal ruling in Akeredolu versus Mimiko to back his argument.
Counsel for the INEC said computers could be used to do photo tricks and that was why the provision of Section 84 of the Evidence Act was sacrosanct.
Izinyon while reacting on point of law said that Appeal Court just warned court to be weary of using experts opinions.
He also described the reliance of the respondents on the Section 84 of the Evidence Act as a gross misconception and misapplication of what the section contained.
The tribunal admitted the document and reserved ruling on its admissibility until judgment stage.
Meanwhile, the tribunal has warned lawyers and those attending the proceedings against taking photographs of witnesses and uploading same on social media.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime gave the warning before the proceedings started on Tuesday.
She said, “It has come to our notice that some persons are taking photographs of witnesses and uploading them on Facebook. This is wrong. I believe all of us here are matured.
“I observed somebody (a lawyer) was fidgeting with his phone yesterday and he denied. But there was no evidence against him.
Why are those involved doing this? Is it to expose the witnesses to unnecessary danger?
“Be warned! If you are eventually found out, justice will take its course.”
PUNCH

It was remarkable as Osun civil servants thronged on Governor Rauf Aregbesola on arrival at Bola Ige House- his office- the first time after taking oath for his second term as Osun governor.
The workers; led by the Head of Service, Sunday Owoeye were ecstatic as they sang praise songs- thanking God for bringing back the man that has brought various inovation that has impacted positively on Osun workers.
Governor Aregbesola took second oath of office last Thursday.
Addressing the workers, 5 he Osun governor noted that the song with which the workers welcomed him to office reminded him that three days was already out of his second term calender. He explained that he made a pronouncement after he took the Thursday oath to further develop the state with the speech of twenty years within the next four years of his new administration. He urged the workers to stand up to the task ahead.
Aregbesola thanked the workers for appreciating what was achieved by his government the first term.
He urged the workers to ignore the grandstanding of the opposition; adding that no amount of shenanigans of the opposition can truncate the steady growth Osun is experiencing. He said members of opposition “are telling all sorts of lies on a radio station in Ife in order to continue their grip on ignorant members of their fold”. He however decried the inaction of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, NBC- adding that the broadcast regulatory body “is allowing evil by not cautioning a radio in Ife.
“This is not how to operate in a civilised community. Don’t insult our senses by inciting the public.
“What they were saying before the inauguration on the radio was that inauguration would not hold. Unfortunately for them the inauguration has held”, Aregbesola said.

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has urged members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) to see their call to service as a call for dedication and commitment to the success of the nation now and in the future. The governor stated this yesterday at the NYSC orientation camp, Ede, Osun State during the formal opening of orientation exercise and swearing-in ceremony of the 2,780 batch ‘C’ deployed to the state.
The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adepele Ojo administered the oath of office on corps members comprising of 1,339 males and 1,441 females. Aregbesola who was represented on the occasion by his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori, told the corps members that their deployment to the state was designed for a purpose and charged them to strive hard to be relevant in the state in the next one year.
THISDAY

One of the witnesses called by Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Moshood Adejare, to prove the allegation of malpractices in the August 9th governorship election failed to prove the allegation of overvoting he alleged in his witness statement on oath at the Election Petitions Tribunal.
Adejare, who was called by  counsel to the petitioner, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), had earlier adopted the statement he deposed to at the registry of the tribunal as his evidence before the court.
Adejare, a ward supervisor for PDP in Ede South during the poll had alleged overvoting among other irregularities before the tribunal.
However, the All Progressives Congress’ counsel, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, during cross examination confronted the witness with exhibit 207 which is result for the ward but he said he could not find evidence of overvoting there.
He added that his explanation might not have been full.
The counsel described him jokingly as a witness of truth and said he should  be given an award by his religious leader.
The counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye, also challenged the witness to prove the allegation of superimposition which was contained in his deposition but he failed to establish this before the panel.
Asked what he superimposition meant, Adejare said, ” It is when you complain of irregularities and your complaints are not attended to.”
Another witness, Taofeek Opaleye, from Boripe Local Government Area of the state also alleged that eligible voters suspected to be supporters of the PDP were prevented from voting by some APC leaders.
He admitted that he voted but he stated that PDP agents were forced to sign election results.
The third witness, Oluwaseun Fapohunda, stunned the tribunal, when during cross examination, he said that Governor Rauf Aregbesola voted at his polling unit in Oriade Local Government whereas Aregbesola is from Ilesa in Ilesa West Local Government Area.
Fapohunda also alleged overvoting and he was presented exhibit 203 ( election result for his areas) but he said it was not clear  after the counsel had given his ( counsel) glasses to the witness to assist him to read the result.
The tribunal’s proceedings are still going on.
DAILY TIMES

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has raised the alarm over Boko Haram’s ceaseless attacks on the country, expressing fears that Nigeria could be destroyed.
Aregbesola in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Semiu Okanlawon, strongly condemned last Friday terrorist attack on Kano mosque where over 150 were killed.
The governor was said to have stated this in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Sunday at a prayer session of Nasrullahi -il Fathi Society of Nigeria, Osogbo Branch where he joined other Muslim faithful to pray for the country as well as Osun State.
Aregbesola, while describing the Friday’s attacks as sad and unfortunate said every Nigerian irrespective of religion or ethnic background should come out and condemn the act.
He said, “Last Friday’s bombing of the Central Mosque in Kano has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the nation is in the throes of life-threatening crisis. Nigerians should be alerted to the serious danger that lurks around with the ceaseless spate of bombing in some parts of the country.
“The bombing of Emir’s palace’s Mosque has proved ultimately and beyond any doubt that this country faces daunting challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgents.
“Condemnable as the act is, yet it baffles one that a lot of us still deceive ourselves by reading religious colouration to this whole violence.
“I do not believe that a Muslim, who is a true Muslim, can do this to a Christian let alone a fellow Muslim hiding under the guise of promoting his religion.
“It is painful to hear that the places of worship are no longer safe places for our people.
 

OSUN state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said Nigerians have demonstrated capacity to stand by and support any government that is committed to their welfare.
The governor while expressing gratitude for what he called an impressive turnout at the Thursday swearing in ceremony at the Osogbo Township Stadium, said the people, with their massive turnout, made an impactful statement of affirmation that the governor they voted for on August 9 this year was the one being inaugurated.
In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola was quoted as saying that he was highly appreciative of those who made the inauguration a huge success.
According to the statement, the governor said he was elated to see national and state leaders of the party, members from across the country as well as well wishers from all walks of life.
The governor noted that he was impressed by the conduct of the huge crowd, who came out to make the ceremony a memorable one.
He said: “I wish to express my joy and appreciation to all who blessed us with their presence at the inauguration of our second term in office: artisans, market women and men, professional bodies, associations, corporate organization, members of the diplomatic community, traditional rulers, religious leaders and religious organizations up to national leaders of our party. Words are not enough to express our appreciation.
“That crowd could only be interpreted to mean one thing: That the outcome of the August 9 governorship election was the true reflection of the wishes of our people and a complete triumph of the wishes of the people.
“It is a demonstration of the fact that our government in its first four years, worked with the people and changed their conditions as never witnessed before our advent. We are therefore committed to doing more.”
THE GUARDIAN

The Governor of the State of Maryland, United States of America, Mr. Martin O’Malley, has congratulated Governor of the State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, over his inauguration for a second term in office.

Governor O’Malley’s congratulatory message and a Citation of Honour was delivered by the Global Ambassador, All Eyes on Africa, Mrs. Kemi Fadojutimi, at the Government House on Friday.

The Citation delivered to Aregbesola reads: “Be it known that on behalf of the citizens of this state, in recognition of a well-deserved tribute to honour and congratulate you on the occasion of your second term inauguration with best wishes for success in future and as the people of Maryland join together with your many admirers in expressing our great respect and warmest regards.

“We are pleased to confer upon you this Governor’s Citation.”

Governor Aregbesola, while responding, said the recognition had come to further boost his resolve to work for the people and ensure a more monumental delivery of good governance for the people.

“The honour is very timely and a show of the fact that what we are doing here reverberate through the whole world.

“Our second term will definitely prove that the feat we have achieved in the first term is a mere foundation for a more monumental development of our state.”

The Citation was signed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Anthony Brown and the Secretary of State, John McDonough.

Aregbesola was sworn in on Thursday following the outcome of the August 9 2014 governorship election in which he was declared the winner.

THE All Progressives Congress has congratulated the people of Osun for their exemplary demonstration of strength and determination to enforce the democratic will of the people which was consolidated over the weekend in the second term inauguration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as governor of the state.
According to the party’s director ?of publicity, research and strategy, Barr. Kunle Oyatomi, ‘the inauguration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo was a celebration of the people’s triumph over tyranny, state terrorism and blackmail by the forces of evil.
‘The people of Osun have become the symbol and testimony to all Nigerians that people are the ultimate power in a democracy.
‘They have demonstrated that no matter the intimidating power of any government, if people stand their ground and reject tyranny as the people of Osun did on August 9, 2014, they will triumph’.
‘What happened in Osogbo on Thursday, Nov 27 when the people’s choice – ? Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, was sworn in for second term as governor of the state of Osun, was a celebration of the triumph of the courage of the human spirit to overcome evil.
‘The APC said that Osun has become a symbol for Nigerians that it is possible for our country to come out of the evil of strangulating tyranny which the PDP-led Federal Government is foisting on Nigeria.
Unless Nigerians use their votes as the Osun people did to stop the PDP monstrosity, that party will lead Nigeria into perdition.
‘The APC therefore urged all Nigerians to brace up to fight and defeat the PDP next February with the power of their votes, so that the country can celebrate in May next year, as the people of Osun celebrated over the weekend.
‘No matter the tanks, hooded soldiers and the terror security forces, they may deploy next February, Nigerians should show courage and vote out the PDP which has in the last 15. Years done more harm to Nigeria’s progress and unity than at any other time in our history’, the APC said.
BIOREPORT