Osun gov snubs VP Sambo in Osogbo •PDP tenders apology on behalf of state

DIGNITARIES at the commissioning of a Federal High Court complex in Osogbo, Osun State, were shocked, on Thursday, when the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, ignored protocol by snubbing Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan.

Aregbesola, who was not at the event, sent a speech through his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, in which he said he refused to recognise the person of the vice-president in protest against the interception, by the police, of some of his supporters, who were going to Abuja on Tuesday.

Although Aregbesola was in Abuja on Wednesday for the trial of Senator Bola Tinubu at the Code of Conduct tribunal, it was not immediately clear why he elected to stay off the state while the vice-president was visiting in official capacity.

Aregbesola, in his speech, said, ”you will notice that I did not salute the person of the vice-president in my opening. I only recognised his office. I mean no disrespect for him but I did it in protest of the outrageous manner the Federal Government, through its agency, the police,  has treated my person and office in flagrant violation of federal principle, rights of citizens and liberty of people.”

Aregbesola noted that the act of  the police was a declaration of hostility against his person and office as the governor of  Osun State. ”I demand an explanation. We must be very careful and watch out for acts capable of destroying the constitution.  Reckless disregard for and unconscionable violation of the principles of federalism which position the states and the Federal Government in a union in which the later is just primus inter pares has become the hallmark of the police, as it is (sic) aided in evil mischief by the Federal Government all the time.

“This has subverted the federal principles in the constitution and has de facto turned the country into a unitary state in which the Federal Government assumes the position of a headmaster over the states that are now treated at will like pupils, “ Aregbesola explained.

President Jonathan, in his speech read by the vice-president, urged  anybody  who was aggrieved to always seek justice in the law court, because that was why the judicial authority was brought closer to them.

He said bringing the judiciary authority closer to the people was for people to be able to lodge their complaints.

Sambo was apparently referring to the allegation by  Aregbesola, who complained that his office was disrespected by  the police by turning back  his supporters.

The president, therefore, appealed to the elite and opinion moulders to have understanding of the working of the judiciary.” This commissioning today, I am pleased to note, is adding value to the cause of justice, and we have brought justice closer to the people of Osun State,  and whoever has any grievances today has a closer avenue to lodge his complaint.

“I wish to call on all well-meaning Nigerians, especially the elite and opinion moulders, to galvanise intellectual energy in the direction of deepening and objective understanding of the working of the judiciary in our national development.

“I also call on your Lordship and other operators and the Body of Benchers and the bar to pursue  internal ethical codes that are hallmark   of legal and judicial  practice. This, to a large extent, will dispel every form of observing perception regarding your line of duty, I am aware that you are indeed serving at a most trying time in our national journey, having sworn to uphold letters and spirit of the constitution, you cannot afford to fail at this time, when we were poised to deliver in all steps, especially on the rule of law and natural justice,” the president said.

Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated Governor Aregbesola for openly attacking the office of the president of the country in the presence of the vice-president.

A statement issued by the state chairman, Mr Sunday Ojo Williams said it was shocking that Aregbesola could carry his “wild politics” to such an extent.

“Aregbesola should be told that he is giving this state a bad name by his rascally behaviour. He should know that Osun is not Lagos of Tinubu's era where misconduct in governance was  celebrated as virtue.

“We, on behalf of the good people of Osun State, apologise to President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo for the unruly behaviour and utterance of Mr Aregbesola. That has been what the people of Osun State have been enduring since last year when the Appeal Court awarded the governorship of Osun State to the man,” the PDP said.


http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/30407-osun-gov-snubs-vp-sambo-in-osogbo-pdp-tenders-apology-on-behalf-of-state

No hostages taken.

I don't understand any rascal behaviour in this

^ you are a foo'l for not understanding the rascality and 'nitwiticy' in this. Its time for Nigerians to stand up and say no to primitive and mannerless elements parading themselves as governors ala This useless aregbesola peter obi and theodore orji who think running a state is a private property. This is why for every step forward Nigeria makes, it makes a thousand backwards

change the thread title to how it was used in the paper ''AREGBESOLA SNUBS GEJ''
BTW, this just goes to show what a f0ol the governor is.a tout that doesn't know what it means to host the president in whatever capacity.useless rascals

what do u mean by rascality? has no rigth to protest

I believe Aregbe is right on this one. I see no signs of rascality here. Its simply a protest from him. This should be encouraged and Aregbe hailed. More of this is needed if truly we want that true federation we all are clamoring for.


Aregbesola, in his speech, said, ”you will notice that I did not salute the person of the vice-president in my opening. I only recognised his office. I mean no disrespect for him but I did it in protest of the outrageous manner the Federal Government, through its agency, the police, has treated my person and office in flagrant violation of federal principle, rights of citizens and liberty of people.”



Aregbesola noted that the act of the police was a declaration of hostility against his person and office as the governor of Osun State. ”I demand an explanation. We must be very careful and watch out for acts capable of destroying the constitution. Reckless disregard for and unconscionable violation of the principles of federalism which position the states and the Federal Government in a union in which the later is just primus inter pares has become the hallmark of the police, as it is (sic) aided in evil mischief by the Federal Government all the time.

“This has subverted the federal principles in the constitution and has de facto turned the country into a unitary state in which the Federal Government assumes the position of a headmaster over the states that are now treated at will like pupils, “ Aregbesola explained.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State yesterday refused to recognise President Goodluck Jonathan represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo at an event in Oshogbo, the state capital.

Aregbesola who conspicuously left out the President in the ‘Order of Precedence’ (recognition) in his welcome address, stated that “the President was deliberately skipped while recognizing other government officials present at the occasion in order to protest the arrest and detention of 29 members of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) by the Commissioner of Police in Kogi state without any justifiable reason.”

“The arrest of the 29 ACN members in Kogi State was unwarranted as it is a dangerous trend in our democracy and must be reversed in the interest of justice, fairness, equity and sustenance of our democracy,” the Governor said.

The Governor would have shown his anger personally if not for his engagement in Abuja.

Media aide to the governor Semiu Okanlowan said: “His Excellency, Aregbesola, would have loved to make the presentation himself if not for the engagement he had in Abuja. But he was ably represented by his deputy, Mrs Grace Laoye Tomori.”

Speaking at the official commissioning of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Aregbesola protested the detention of his supporters by the Police, saying it was an insult to his office and infringement on the fundamental human rights of the members.

However, the President who was represented by his vice, Architect Namadi Sambo advised the Governor to seek redress in court if there was any security threat to the lives of the ACN members and infringement on their fundamental rights.

Vanguard could not confirm at press time if the governor will take the advice as he was said to be on his way back to Oshogbo from Abuja.

Aregbesola in a speech titled: “Justice is beyond the court room”, said the federal government needed to address some issues that affect the administration of justice in the country, saying that reckless disregard and disrespect for the principle of fundamental human rights in the country is a serious concern.”

He enumerated some of the issues affecting administration of justice in the country to include impartiality, inefficiency, delays and prison reforms among others.

In his address, President Jonathan urged Judges in the country to pursue judicial codes that is the hall mark of the judiciary, adding that they should strive to erase the unsavory perception about the judiciary in the minds of the public.

The Governor’s grouse

Governor Rauf Aregbesola had on Wednesday expressed displeasure over the arrest, detention and consequent ‘deportation’ of 29 Osun State leaders of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) from Lokoja, Kogi State by the police.

The governor’s spokesman, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon said in a statement: “The ACN leaders were travelling in a bus belonging to the Office of the Governor, Osun State. They were arrested on the Niger Bridge in Lokoja, allegedly on the orders of Kogi State Commissioner of Police Mr. Amanana Abakasanga. The ACN men were travelling to Abuja.

Abakasanga allegedly detained the 29 ACN leaders in Lokoja till yesterday when he dispatched an armed escort to deport them to Okene to ensure that they did not make their trip.

The men were then directed by Governor Aregbesola to insist on their fundamental right of freedom of movement by resuming their Abuja bound journey.

According to him, as soon as the ACN men got to Niger Bridge the second time, they were again stopped by the Police.

When the news of the arrest was received by Aregbesola, he contacted the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, who denied issuing the order to arrest, detain and ‘deport’ the ACN leaders from Kogi State.

The statement reads: “When news reached Governor Aregbesola in Abuja on Tuesday that the men were still prevented from embarking on their onward journey to Abuja, he called the Kogi Police Commissioner to complain on the infringement on the rights of these men to move freely in their country and demanded that the Police Commissioner respect the law without further delay.

Aregbesola spoke to the Kogi state police commissioner, he promised to release the men and allow them to proceed on their journey but he refused to honour his words by detailing a police team led by Mr. James Otai, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, to prevent them from passing through the Niger Bridge to Abuja.

The Osun State government, according to the statement, “takes serious exception at this flagrant violation of the 1999 Constitution by a police officer who is paid and commissioned to enforce the same law but has now chosen to flout it with recklessness.”

“The ACN leaders were not found with anything to suggest criminality while they committed no offence to warrant the shabby treatment they received from the police in Kogi State.

“We wonder where the police commissioner got the power to carry out the unlawful arrest of law abiding citizens, curtail their movement and deport them illegally from one part of their country to another.

“Nigerians should recall that this was how patriotic Nigerians who were on solidarity with the symbol of democracy then, were harassed and persecuted during the sham trial of M.K.O Abiola in 1993 in Abuja.

“It is equally noteworthy to draw attention to the fact that for over 100years that Lagos served as the seat of federal government this assault was never visited on any Nigerian.

“It is important for all citizens to note the totally appalling phenomenon of illegal prevention of citizen to freely visit Abuja which is a city of unity for all as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/10/arrest-of-acn-members-aregbesola-snubs-jonathan/

grafikii:

what do u mean by rascality? has no rigth to protest

Is that the best form of protest? GEJ was probably right when he described these ACN guys as rascals. Tinubu is exhibiting it at the code of conduct tribunal.

By the way, what where these thugs going to do Abuja, with Osun state money?

I just read from Sun Newspaper that Osun state is on life support with dwindling resources but the governor has money to waste on thuggery to show solidarity to Tinubu at the tribunal.

Loooooool!Olodumore! Aregbe baba o Kosi iya were ni Alimosho.Moje ri e!
As long as you perform sha.

Rules are meant for all if anyone decides to break it then its game on.

am sure he didnt spend a quater of what gej spent sponsoring 170 ppl to austrailia only not to show up for his speech

@Topic,
[b]Decorum [/b]is one very crucial element for every political office holder.
Now [b]rascally [/b]behaviour as exhibited by this governor, is exactly the opposite of Decorum.

Yet people wonder why Aregbesola is variously calledd AregbeRascal, AregbeSewer, or why he 'allegedly' slapped Fashola.

If not for imposition, is this man the best Osun state can churn out? In any case, Osun state will have to endure this mistake of a governor for a while, I suppose

Why are you not complaining about the 120 PDP thugs attending a jamboree meeting in Austrialia?  . . .And i also read that Nigeria is broke and about to remove fuel subsidy. NO?

@Topic
Rauf Aregbesola got it very wrong! You cant embarrass the office of the presidency in such manner and expect the citizens to have confidence in the system. This is really bad, coming from a governor for that matter. Am i still surprise why they call this guy a rascal?? Kai! A motor park abgero attitude displayed by a sitting governor. I no fit shout.

Nigeria is finish!

Even when they are at logger heads or tendering scores, he should have respected his guest atleast. With this kind of rubbish, the politicians are opening cracks and giving the military boys reasons.

I hope this does not degenerates to more murky level. Show of shame!!!!!

Goddex:

Is that the best form of protest? GEJ was probably right when he described these ACN guys as rascals. Tinubu is exhibiting it at the code of conduct tribunal.

By the way, what where these thugs going to do Abuja, with Osun state money?

I just read from Sun Newspaper that Osun state is on life support with dwindling resources but the governor has money to waste on thuggery to show solidarity to Tinubu at the tribunal.

Hope they wont truncate this democracy?

Mr. Globe:

^ you are a[b] foo'[/b]l for not understanding the rascality and 'nitwiticy' in this. Its time for Nigerians to stand up and say no to primitive and mannerless elements parading themselves as governors ala This useless aregbesola peter obi and theodore orji who think running a state is a private property. This is why for every step forward Nigeria makes, it makes a thousand backwards

mind your gutter language, am not one of them

LOL! You gotta love these ACN figures. 'Rascal' is such a cute name.

PointB:

@Topic,
Decorum [/b]is one very crucial element for every political office holder.
Now [b]rascally [/b]behaviour as exhibited by this governor, is exactly the opposite of Decorum.

Yet people wonder why Aregbesola is variously calledd [b]AregbeRascal, AregbeSewer, or why he 'allegedly' slapped Fashola.

If not for imposition, is this man the best Osun state can churn out? In any case, Osun state will have to endure this mistake of a governor for a while, I suppose

Whatever you call him does not matter to the good people of Osun state. That's why osun is 100% ACN in elective posts.

Such a rude display of grievance.

is it not better to have RASCALS[font=Lucida Sans Unicode][/font] that will perform than gentlemen that will make us go through hell  

Its disheartening that a democratically elected governor who swore to protect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can stoop so low to disrespect the office of the President as a way of showing grievance.

In the Yoruba culture, are you allowed to snub your father in public simply because you are angry with him?

The divisive form of politics being played by the ACN leadership will only lead to rancour and disorder in the society.

If an elected local government chairman in Osun state does this same thing to the governor, I wonder what will happen to him.

Aregbesola should decide if he wants to be a governor or a Students Union activist who usually spoils a good message with a crude style.

As a governor of a state, this is very very childish. This is almost like a little child telling his mother, "I will not play with you again" because she didn't give him ice-cream.

Come on Governor, grow up and stop shaming yourself.

Aregbesola showed a huge lack of sophistication its all politics but at least they are supposed to be statesmen not street boys. Whether you like your presidency or not some things are sacred. I like sambo's response - he asked that the state government kindly build an access road to the newly finished federal high court

Respect is a two way street.

If you don't give it, then don't expect it back.

ekt_bear:

Respect is a two way street.

If you don't give it, then don't expect it back.

Will you publicly disrepect your father under any circumstance?

When did Sambo or GEJ become Aregbesola's father?

The analogy fails. This is a federation, not an autocracy or centralized government.

Aregbe is not Sambo or GEJ's sidekick.

Sambo is not Aregbe's oga, had nothing to do with him gaining office. Aregbe's "oga" is the people of Osun State.

rascals. that's what they are. we also have them on nairaland.
ekt bear
eko ile
rhino.dms
sagamite
ystranger
bluetooth
ileke idi
seanet
koojunkie
borntofuck

Damn straight

And it is a badge of honor

Disrespect for the Office of the President is unacceptable and should be condemn by all well meaning Nigerians.

I am surprise that she is protesting the arrest of Thugs who where going to Abuja to defend a Thief (Tinubu) who has stolen from them and was facing trial.

they tend to exhibit their rascality everywhere they go

ekt_bear:

When did Sambo or GEJ become Aregbesola's father?

The analogy fails. This is a federation, not an autocracy or centralized government.

Aregbe is not Sambo or GEJ's sidekick.

Sambo is not Aregbe's oga, had nothing to do with him gaining office. Aregbe's "oga" is the people of Osun State.

Mr ekt_bear,

Forget the arguments,
It is inappropriate to disrespect the office of the president.

Why are people castigating Aregbesola for his actions. I think it is higj time we started standing up to our useless leaders. Was GEJ right to order the police to stop ACN supporters from entering Abuja? Shame on Useless and coward GEJ that parade himself as Nigerian president. RUBBISH