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Feb 18th, 2009
Feb 18th, 2009
Appeals Court Verdict Expected on Moday, Feb 23
This is according to information from our sources in Akure. We will wait for the media to confirm.
This will be longest days ever for the two principals involved in the dispute.
69 Responses to “Appeals Court Verdict Expected on Moday, Feb 23”
Ondo West is sure of victory,it means mimiko is sure of victory on monday.Pls tell former Governor agatu to start packing his load now, becos u are out of the site that is why i qualify you agatu as former governor. iroko gba si be
IS VERY THAT WE ARE EXPECTING KEEP REJOINSINGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
vetory is sure…………………………..
iroko gbapada
At last judgment day come in…Thank God..God guide us and help us..Victory shall be ours.olorun wa do ju ti alagbara.they said that they have power and we have only one thing.we have God..tribunal Judgment will affirmed in jesus name..Justice abdullahi will declared mimiko as duly elected governor of Ondo State..(AMEN)
we have nothing to fear all what we are expecting is to take over the administartion of the state. I want to thank God for the all for a good work and comments. God bless you all. Sunday is a day of thanksgiving and monday is a day of entry into where God designed for us.
Congrats to all
iroko joo Gongo ti so.it is going to be a celebration galore on monday when mimiko is declared as duly elected Governor of Ondo State.they are going to announce our excellency Gov Olusegun Mimiko..AMIN
Oluwa eyin le segun segun fun Segun ni tribunal.e wa segun segun fun Segun ni Appellate court.Hope must restored..
Thank God, the judgement day is finally known. My concern however, is the security for the day in Ondo State. I wonder why security arrangements should only be made for Edo State where judgement is only delivered and not Ondo State where the effect is expected.
Please read the following article from Tribune and I fervently hope peace will rein in our BELOVED State on the day of judgement. I guess it will be fair to advise people to stay home that day though.
We shall all rejoice.
All remain blessed.
Agagu vs Mimiko: 5000 policemen deployed for judgment
Uchechukwu Olisah, Benin City – 20.02.2009
ABOUT 5,000 policemen would be deployed in Edo State ahead of Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment in the disputed 2007 governorship election between the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the election, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.
The Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Mr. Peter Ogboi, who made this known on Thursday, said the command had completed security arrangements, particularly within and outside the premises of the Court of Appeal in Benin City, the state capital.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, had ordered reinforcements from Delta and Bayelsa states, which, with Edo State, make up the Zone 5.
The Court of Appeal judgment on the Agagu versus Mimiko’s case scheduled for Monday in Benin City, had led to the calling of an emergency meeting of security chiefs in the state in order to fashion out strategies that would forestall any breakdown of law and order before, during and after the judgment.
“In the first place, I want to say that the command has been informed about the date of the judgment and we have accordingly, put heads together and formulated the best way of coping with the situation that day.
“Our men are fully ready to ensure that everything comes out peacefully that Monday. We have oiled our machinery and in addition to the men on the ground here in Edo, the IG has been very magnanimous as he has approved some helping hands to the Edo command from the neighbouring states.
“As part of the security measures, we have decided that everybody that will come to the court hall shall be accredited and only those carrying the authorised and duly signed accreditation card would be allowed to enter the Court hall that Monday. This means that those without the accreditation card will not be allowed to come near the premises of the court. So, it is advised that those not invited by virtue of not being accredited should stay in their houses and listen or watch the proceedings live on television,” Ogboi said.
Ele se o ele se, Ele se o elese
Ero tota ro lori wa elese
A ti ni Jesu loluwa elese.
Greetings my people. I give all the glory honour and praise for sparing my life to witness the DAWN OF A NEW ERA, A DAY OF REAWAKENING AND A DAY OF RESOUNDING JOY IN ONDO STATE ON THE 23RD OF FEBRUARY 2009.
This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. @Ola thanks for constantly asking about my welfare whenever you dont hear from me on the forum. I commend your kind considerations and it is my prayer that the good Lord will remember your labour of love for good at all times.
Ondo State, we have been very very patient, we have never lost faith in our living Jehova. Now is the time for is to enter into the joy of our Lord.
Dr Rahman Olusegun Ajasegun Mimiko, this is your very appointed time to deliver in Ondo State, and the angels of the Lord will assist you at all times and you shall deliver. We thank God for choosing you as He chose Noah, Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Samuel and David. You will not fail. YOU WILL MORE THAN SUCCEED IN GOVERNING ONDO STATE AS THE BEST GOVERNOR THAT ONDO STATE NEVER HAD. Irawo re si ma tan si.
No fear no shakkkiiiing my people. Iroko gba sibeeeee. Mimiko o jareeeeeee.
As we move closer to our victory D-day, we offer more praise and victory songs to God our king and redeemer:
E seeeeeeeeeee Olorun awa ooooooooooooo
Oro wa ko riiiiiiiiiii Bi ota se fe ko riiiiii E se baba
E seeeeeeeeee Elshadaiwa ooooooooooooooo
Oro wa ko ri bi PDP se fe ko riiiiiiiii.
Our Lord said – ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU, GOOD MEASURE, PRESSED DOWN, SHAKEN TOGETHER AND RUNNING OVER. Our dear Governor Mimiko, e ku orire. You are more than a conqueror because your hope and heart is set firmly on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of your faith. We all share in this blessed assured victory of yours and we alll with one accord offer praise songs to our Lord for THE NEW ONDO STATE UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF DR OLUSEGUN MIMIKO.
E je ka finu didun yin Oluwa Olore
Anu re yio wa titi, lododo daju daju.
SOON AND VERY SOON MY PEOPLE
THE SHEER EXCITEMENT OF MONDAY’S VERDICT…….
Peace my people.
Conscience is like an open wound and it’s only the truth that can heal it. Because the usurping Governor of Ondo State is not truthful to himself and the people of the state, I am sure he will be having sleepless nights now and his conscience must be pricking him bad. I hope the honorable justices of the appeal court will tell the truth as it is on Monday and uphold that which everybody know as the truth, that Dr. Mimiko is the duely elected Governor of Ondo State in the April 14th 2007 election. Like Peter Tosh’s music of old you can not talk of peace if there is no justice. In this case it is of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.
My fellow commentators on this blog we shall pop champaign on Monday, but not the type Oni was popping at the Ekiti Government house lastTuesday. Cheers and God bless.
Agagu is devoid of conscience but this no longer matters. Ondo State will be rid of him soon, then it will be him and God for judgement shall come.
I am confident that Abdullahi will give a verdict of truth.
Peace as always. We are now counting down in hours.
Peace we need during and after the verdict……………………………… good people of Ondo state lets embrace peace in the state,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,////////////////////////// well we the people of Ondo state plead to the Appeal chairman and the board to give the truth judgement at the appeal court on 23rd february, 2009 Truth……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Truth………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Truth………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
A very happy Sunday to you all my people in Ondo State. This is a very important Sunday for it marks the EVE OF DEMOCRACY BEGINNING A JOURNEY OF JUSTICE IN ONDO STATE. Agaain we praise our God for being our help and succour all these months. Let us all spend today as a day of praise and sing joyful songs unto the Lord:
O TI SE O, BABA TI SEO
O TI SE O, BABA TI SE O
OHUN TO MBA WA LERU BABA TI SE O.
MIMIKO TI SASIWAJU WON
NINU OLORI RE
AWA LA MA SIWAJUWON
NINU OLORIRE.
Because we have put our whole trust in our Lord Jehovah, we are more than conquerors.
IROKO NI BABA WON
MIMIKO YIII JOOOOO, GBA GBA GBASIBE OJAREEEEEEEEE
OMOTAYLOR WRITES FROM THE HOSPITAL BED. IN THE NEW ONDO STATE THERE WILL BE ADEQUATE INFORMATION TECH IN SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND HOMES. AMEN
PEACE MY PEOPLE
@Omotaylor, hope all is well. and wish you a rapid recovery. Tommorow is the day and we are sure of Victory in Ondo States.
All remain blessed.
Ms. Omotaylor wishing you a speedy recovery. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the sweet fellowship of the holy spirit continue to be with you at this time when we are expecting good news and at all times. It shall be well with you in body and in spirit. Get well soon, a true and committed patriot.
The good people of Ondo State……………………………………………….
JOY TO THE WISE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
JOY TO ME & ONDO STATE PEOPLE::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BECAUSE WE REFUSE TO BE A FOOL::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No more Agatu to rule in Ondo State,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,????????????????????
Iroko lan waa ni Ipinle Ondo State;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Peace …………………………………………..
Cant get to sleep. I can feel the excitement of answered prayers. The excitement of Justice revealed, the excitement of vindication for a very patient and long suffering Dr Olusegun Mimiko. I thank God for getting me connected even while here for it would have been too hard for me to be so removed from the D – VICTORY day. I am on the mend my people, the devil is a liar and I in fact we all are more than conquerors. Thanks Mr Fred and my dearest brother Olaniyi for your concern and kind prayers. All is well. Today, it is not about Omotaylor but about DEMOCRACY and victory for the masses.
Gongo Aso, o ti so.
Mimiko is Governor of Ondo State, no more no less. Our Lord Jehovah has spoken. Let us just keep on giving Him all our thanks and praise AMEM.
Peace my people.
JUSTICE ABDULLAHI’S VERDICT WILL BRING
AND NOTHING BUT 
TO LOVERS OF TRUTH AND ESPECIALLY THE DOWNTRODDEN IN ONDO STATE.
FOR AGAGU IT WILL BE
ALL THE WAY OUT OF ONDO STATE, OUT OF NIGERIA AND OUT OF WELL WHO CARES.
SHAME ON ONDO STATE PDP. I KNOW THE GOD THAT I SERVE. HE IS A JUST AND RIGHTEOUS GOD AND WILL NEVER SEE THE RIGHTEOUS BEGGING BREAD.
IN CASE ANYONE WONDERS WHY OMOTAYLOR IS SO DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THIS CAUSE, WELL MY ANSWER IS, IT IS WORTH IT. ASK NGUGI WA THIONGO, ASK AYIE KWEH ARMAH, EVEN ASK THE FRENCH PHIOLOSOPHERS, MONTESQUE, JEAN JACQUES ROUSSEAU AND VOLTAIRE.
MY QUESTION FOR OUR VICTORY DAY IS:
WHO SAID THIS:
“MAN IS BORN FREE BUT EVERYWHERE HE IS IN CHAINS”?
THANK GOD FOR TODAY IN ONDO STATE GOD HAS BROKEN THE EVIL CHAINS OF AGAGU ASUNDER.
IT IS GOOD TO FIGHT FOR TRUTH, DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE. NOW I FEEL LIKE MY DEAR PAPA MANDELA.
Omotaylor will be back. Down but not out.
Down to rise up stronger and more resolved in the cause that God has sanctioned. 2009 is the year for we children of God.
Peace my people.
Sorry I note the date and time and well where I am it is VICTORY DAY – 23RD FEBRUARY 2009. PRAISE GOD, ALLELUIA.
MIMIKO O JAREEEEE
GBA GBA GBASIBE…
WE SHALL ALL CELEBRATE TOGETHER WITH JESUS AS THE CHIEF CELEBRANT FOR THIS BATTLE HAS BEEN THE LORDS.
BE HAPPY MY PEOPLE. ONE BY ONE THEY WILL DISAPPEAR WHEN THE VERDICT OF TRUTH IS GIVEN TODAY. A FEW MORE HOURS TO GO.
OH THIS IS ALMOST MORE INTENSE THAN THE OBAMA RESULT AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS GRIPPIIIIIIIIIING.
MIMIKO OF ONDO STATE, OBAMA OF USA, BOTH DESTINED FOR GREATNESS AND SET ASIDE TO MAKE A GOOD MARK ON MANKIND. WATCH OUT FOR THESE ANNOINTED MEN THAT GOD HAS CALLED TO SERVE. LIKE JOSEPH SUCCESSFULLY DID, SO SHALL THEY SERVE.
OK I PROMISE TO GO TO BED NOW, THE NURSES ARE THREATENING TO REPORT TO THE DOCTOR TOMORROW, AS IF I CARE. IF ONLY THEY KNOW WHAT THE LORD IS DOING RIGHT NOW FOR ONDO STATE.
GOOD NIGHT ALL YE GOOD PEOPLE. SHALOM
Iroko mowore wa, congratulations, ore moworewa, ore mopwore wa,ore mowore wa congratulations ore mowore wa.
Lanre Akosile
Atlanta GA.
USA
Iroko mowore wa, congratulations, ore moworewa, ore mowore wa,ore mowore wa congratulations ore mowore wa.
Lanre Akosile
Atlanta GA.
USA
VICTORY,VICTORY ALLELUYA, ALLELUYA, ALLELUYAAAA!!!!!,VICTORY, VICTORY ALLELUYA IROKO CONQUER AGAGU PATAPATA
TAIWO AKOSILE
AKURE
My Dear Omotaylor i prophesy that nothing shall be wrong with you! All is well!! all you need now as the rest of us here that can not sleep is a good dose JUSTICE from Abdulahi in favor of all true lovers of democracy. I sincerely wish you a speedy recovery as others earlier did. God Bless.
VICTORY IS CERTAIN, NO MATTER WHAT. ROCK ON IROKO
I’M HAVING SLEEPLESS NIGHT, WAO!!!!!!!, CONGRATS MY BROTHER, MORE GREASE TO YOUR ELBOWS.IROKO GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOUR STORM.CONGRATS AGAIN.
LANRE AKOSILE
ATLANTA
USA.
@ Omotaylor God is on your side and HE HIMSELF will do what HIM alone can do. Keep the fire burning what I want from you now pls is some rest, because the tack ahead in great. Bless you and love you all. Ondo is bless as the who world is watching to see the emergerance of a great man with a GREAT GOD.
Joy to the wise,
Joy to me.
we refuse to be a fool.
THERE IS NOTHING I REALLY WISH NOW THAN HAVE A VIRTUAL RECORDING OF THE GREATEST JUDGEMENT THE WHOLE OF NIGERIA EVER HAD. THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY IN THE LIVES OF THE TRUE PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE AND NOT THE BASTARDISED SYCOPHANTS THAT HAS LEECHED THE PEOPLE DRY FOR SO MANY YEARS.
TODAY MARKS THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW LEADER, A HERO, A MAN OF THE PEOPLE IN THE NAME OF DR RAHMAN OLUSEGUN MIMIKO. WE THANK GOD FOR JUSTICE FOR I AM 101% SURE THAT JUSTICE WILL BE DELIVERED ANY MIMUTE FROM NOW.
FEBRUARY 23 2009, A DATE TO NOTE, A DATE THAT WOULD GO DOWN IN THE HISTORY BOOKS AND A DATE TO BE REMEMBERED BY POSTERITY.
E ba mi gboruko Baba
Emi ni ti nje Emimi
Oloruko nla, Emini to ga ju.
I CAN PHYSICALLY FEEEEEEEL THE WIND OF CHANGE
I AM SHEDDING TEARS OF JOY FOR OUR MAN
AND FOR THE GOOD PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE.
IROKO KU IROJU, OGA WA TO DA, OLORI AWON OLORI.
GOD IS GOOD, CONFIRMATION OF THE VERDICT OF JOY AND BLISS IS ANY MOMENT FROM NOW.
PEACE BE WITH ONDO STATE, THE HOUSEHOLD OF MIMIKO AND ALL LABOURERS IN THE VINEYARD OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE
My dear brothers Tunde and Ola, I sincerely appreciate your concerns and say a big AMEN to your prayers. No shakkiiiiiing. We shall all Buga together in celebration of the greatest news that Ondo State has ever waited so patiently and so so long for.
Agbara esu da nibiti Jesu nge joba?
Agbara esu da, ko si o, o ti wo.
WE SHALL SOON OFFICIALLY WELCOME OUR VERY OWN MAN OF THE PEOPLE, GOVERNOR OLUSEGUN MIMIKO TO HIS OFFICIAL RESIDENCE AT ALAGBAKA. I CAN SEE THE HEADLINES FLASHING RIGHT BEFORE ME AND I CAN SEE THE WHOLE WORLD JUBILATING THAT JUSTICE HAS AT LAST BEEN DONE. I CAN SEE AGAGU DIGGING A HOLE TO HIDE IN, LIKE SADDAM HUSSEIN AND I CAN SEE HIS COHORTS OF LYING CHEATING THIEVES DISBANDED. THE SHAMELESS ONES ARE ALREADY SUCKING UP TO MIMIKO, AND THE OTHERS GETTING THEIR PASSPORTS READY.
LEARN FROM ALL THESE MY PEOPLE. WHAT PROFIT FOR MEN WHO GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD ESPECIALLY BY LOOTING AND LOSE THEIR DIGNITY WORTH RESPECT AND OF COURSE THEIR SOULS.
LET US EMBRACE THE NEW ONDO STATE WITH RESOLVED DIGNITY, INTEGRITY, HONESTY, HARDWORK AND LOVE FOR THE COMMON MAN. JUST AS WE PRAY THAT THE DEATH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL NEVER BE IN VAIN, PLEASE PLEASE
DO NOT LET THE SUFFERINGS AND HARD WORK OF GOVERNOR OLUSEGUM MIMIKO AND ONDO STATE LABOUR PARTY BE IN VAIN. REMEMBER THAT THERE IS ROOM ENOUGH FOR ALL. BUT ROOM ENOUGH ONLY FOR PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY, CONSCIENCE AND RESPECT.
Omotaylor will be back ….in just a mo…… Peace
I can’t sleep here too. Anyway victory is ours any moment from now.
Ondo:Agagu, Mimiko know fate today
Written by Dayo Johnson & Simon Ebegbulem
Monday, 23 February 2009
A 21-month long legal tussle over the Ondo State governorship peaks today as the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin decides the fate of the two political gladiators in the April 14, 2007 election in Ondo State- Dr. Olusegun Agagu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP). Today, one of the two gladiators and his supporters will celebrate while the other and his supporters would sulk.
The question on the lips of the generality of the people of the state is “who goes where in less than 24 hours?”
To forestall any breakdown in law and order whichever way the judgement swings, the police in Akure have deployed armoured personnel carriers (APCs), and riot policemen to strategic parts of the state capital.
In Benin-City, Edo State, where the Appeal Court is sitting, no fewer than 5,000 mobile policemen have been deployed to beef up security.
Meanwhile, the combat-ready mobile policemen and other security personnel had taken over the premises of the court since Saturday evening.
Two APCs were stationed on the court premises while other policemen began a stop-and-search operation particularly on vehicles entering the city from neighbouring states.
In Akure, palpable fear and apprehension have continued to grip the state as churches devoted yesterday’s Sunday service to pray for peace to reign after the verdict by the Justice Umar Abdulahi-led appellate court.
To nip any violent act in the bud, a security meeting was held yesterday afternoon where strategies were mapped out to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order after the verdict.
Ondo Police Commissioner, Mr. Charles Dawodu and the State Director of the State Security Service, Mr. Boma Sperrow-Jack, led other security chiefs to the meeting. Dawodu, however, stated that mobile policemen from other states were on ground to assist those in the state.
Benin hotels booked full
In Benin, a majority of the hotels there had been booked because of the influx of politicians from Ondo State and others areas.
The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Peter Ogboi, said policemen from the neigbouring Delta and Bayelsa states have arrived to assist his on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police Mr. Mike Okiro.
Speaking with Vanguard on the level of preparedness of the command, the Police Public Relation Officer,ASP Peter Ogboi said there was no cause for alarm, that the police were ready to check the excesses of party supporters and politicians.
Olowo sues for peace
Meanwhile, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, has sued for peace in the town and the state in general ahead of the judgment.
He noted that what the state needed to engender development was peace, advising that the people of the state should shun violence over politics.
Agagu, Mimiko hopeful
Reacting to today’s verdict, PDP, according to its Director of Publicity, Chief Adeyemi Adedipe, was sure of victory, saying the verdict at the lower tribunal would be thrown away by the appellate court because of the flaws inherent in it.
“The PDP is hopeful and indeed, certain of victory at the appeal court in Benin. Judging from the inherent laws discovered in the lower tribunal’s verdict and the weight of the facts presented before the Appeal Court by our party, it is certain that we are coasting home to victory,” Adedipe said.
Also, the Labour Party’s Director of Press, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, assured that his party and candidate would come out victorious after today’s verdict.
Enjoining the people of the state to maintain the peace, Olabisi assured that Agagu would lose again at the Appeal Court and the people of Ondo State would have the man they chose as their governor installed by the judiciary.
The Justice Garba Nabaruma-led Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal had last July 25, declared Mimiko as the winner of the governorship election in the state.
However, Agagu later challenged the decision of the lower tribunal which declared Mimiko as the winner of the April 14 governorship election in the state headed for the appeal to challenge the judgment.
He filed a 185-ground while his party, PDP, filed same number of ground.
why the Appeal should set aside the decision of the lower tribunal.
Dr Mimiko in a swift reaction filed a two ground cross appeal to challenge the judgment.
In the appeal Mimiko advanced two grounds for the rejection of the verdict that pronounced him the winner of the election.
The LP governorship candidate contended that |”the tribunal erred in law and failed to exercise its discretion judicially thereby occasioning a miscarriage of justice when it rejected in evidence the Certified True Copies of Voters Register issued by INEC for some polling units in Apoi wards in Ese-odo local government area of the state.
——————————————————————————–
O RUN KE. O GBODO SOJU WA.
OBASANJO, WHAT WILL YOU NOW SAY AFTER THE VERDICT. BABA AGBAYA THAT LEFT HIS FARM AT OGUN STATE TO COME AND CAUSE RUDURUDU IN ONDO STATE FOR NO REASON EXCEPT THAT ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY. GOD IS HIGHER THAN YOU ALL. GOD IS GOING TO BRING YOU ALL DOWN INTO THE ABYSS OF NOTHING FOR
I HATE INJUSTICE
BUT I LOVE JUSTICE
AND TODAY IS A DAY OF JUSTICE
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
IROKO YI JOOOOOOOO
YOU ARE A WINNER. CONGRATULATIONS
THE JUBILATIONS WILL SOON COMMENCE.
@Omotaylor Nice to read from you, I am happy havng hear yo strong in words and voice.
Am glue at watching the proceedings and will get back to you by mail and phone as soon as the judgment is declared.
Where is Agagu Commissioner for Information, Eddy Olafeso (thief, sorry typo error, chief). Why is he not blabbing away at the press as usual. I think we know the answer.
The Vanguard report above although comprehensive LACKS BALANCE, but who cares. This will not change the VERDICT OF TRUTH. God is the Absolute Reporter in this case.
Peace my people. It is well. We are smiling and on to laughing out loud. JUBILATIONS SOON.
Thanks Ola, I trust you. Your persistence and resilience and dedication is a gift from God and it is my prayer that you put all these to good use for the people in Jesus name. amen.
Thanks. Dr. Mimiko is also in the court room surrounded by angles awaiting the total declearation of heaven. Proceeding is going on fine.
Keep you posted.
Thank you ola
UPDATE COURTESY OF NATION NEWSPAPER:
Agagu vs Mimiko: Police deploy APCs in Ondo 23/2/2009
From Damisi Ojo, Akure
AKURE, the capital of Ondo State, went to bed early last night.
Major streets were almost desolate as from 5p.m., but the massive Erekesan market was jammed by shoppers reacting to the rumour that businesses would be closed today – in anticipation of the tension that may greet the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the state’s governorship dispute.
Many taxi-cab drivers said they were battling to make up for the “work-free” day that may be observed today.
The police patrolled the streets in Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs). The show of strength was to tell likely troublemakers not to rock the boat.
Governor Segun Agagu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is challenging the declaration of Labour Party (LP) candidate Dr Segun Mimiko as governor by the Election Petition Tribunal.
Many civil servants said they would remain indoors today. Sources said an army of policemen had been drafted to Ondo town and Okitipupa home town of the two principal contenders.
Scores of LP and PDP supporters left Akure for Benin as early as 8a.m. yesterday morning to book for hotels.
Christian leaders across the state held special prayers in anticipation of the verdict. They admonished their congregations to shun violence.
Meetings were held by the top PDP leaders at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.
Agagu, sources said, told PDP supporters to accept the court’s verdict in good faith, adding that he had tried his all over the matter.
Mimiko, it was learnt, was preparing to go to Benin.
The state headquarters of LP had been tentatively re-located to the Ondo private home of Mimiko.
The media war between PDP and LP supporters continued, with Labour politicians accusing Agagu of deliberately offering the state’s commonwealth for sale.
Agagu’s camp fired back, accusing the opposition of whipping up sentiments in its desperation for power.
However, the allegation by LP that the governor was running a contracts bazaar was swallowed by many indigenes, especially in LP strongholds.
LP called on security agents to nip in the bud planned attacks on its members and leaders by those it called government agents.
In a statement issued by its Director of Press, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, LP disclosed that one of its leaders, Hon. Bolu Kunlere, was early Saturday attacked in his home by agents of the government who it said made spirited attempts to scale his fence before they were repelled by his security men.
Said Olabisi: “Kunlere, who was the immediate past Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before he defected to the LP, had been subjected to a similar attack on May 22, 2006 when his wife was almost strangulated by night marauders who went wild on discovering that he (Kunlere) was not at home. His perceived offence then had been that he as Secretary of the PDP had told the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, that Agagu could not win a fair election in the state if made PDP flagbearer.
“Hon Kunlere was at a recent parley with the State Police Commissioner with political parties during which he had warned that there were plans by the Olusegun Agagu-led PDP government to foment trouble and pin it on the opposition.
“And last Friday at about 11.31 pm in the night, he started receiving strange calls on his lines from a Zain number: 08080301680. And by exactly 2.30 am on Saturday morning, the assassins came and made attempts to scale the fence before they were fought back by his security men.
“It is also instructive to alert the whole world that last Thursday night, several PDP thugs were arrested at a popular hotel at Ijapo by men of the Ijapo Police post with charms, guns and other dangerous weapons.
“This has been the colour of things since Dr Agagu became desperate to hang onto a mandate that was never given to him in the first place by the people of Ondo State.”
Olabisi enjoined the people to maintain peace, assuring all that Agagu would lose in court and the people of Ondo State would have the man they chose as their governor installed by the Judiciary.
But the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, denied allegation that the PDP government was behind the attack on Kunlere.
He said since the judgment day had come, nothing short of perfidy was expected from “a group well-known for false alarms and reckless utterances”.
“I bet you, there will be no LP in this state after the Court of Appeal might have delivered its judgment today,” Olowolabi said, adding:
“Their folly will be exposed very soon. And to these latest allegations, I challenge them to provide evidence. But I can assure you that LP has no proof. It is a party of pathological liars.”
Policemen in armoured tanks patrolled the streets to alert hoodlums on their preparedness to ward off violence.
Police spokesman Aremu Adeniran, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told The Nation that the police command had provided men from various units to stop likely violence.
There are officers and men from Mopol (the mobile unit), regular policemen, highway patrol, Special Investigation Bureau (SIB) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Adeniran was optimiistic that peace would be sustained, urging the citizenry not to entertain any fear but go about their duties as there is adequate security before, during and after the judgment.
THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF WRITING BY ENI AKINSOLA AND COURTESY OF NIGERIAN NATION NEWSPAPER WOULD MAKE GOOD AND COMFORTING READING. WELL DONE MR AKINSOLA:
Ondo: Give us this day… 23/2/2009
Eni Akinsola
On the location called Ondo State, in the nooks of the hilly towns of Akoko land, the rocky mountains of Idanre, the sprawling streets of Ondo, the towns and villages of Owo, in Akure, the whole of Ikale, Ilaje and Ijaw lands, there is a prayer that is implied: give us this day.
Since April 2007, when Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu was declared the winner of the election into the office of governor, there has been a deluge of requests at the doorstep of God. Of these requests before God there are a few asking that the government of Agagu be made stronger; that his reign will stretch to its appointed time and that attendant prosperity, even if of the few, will be its high point.
Majority however have kept unending night vigils, asking that the kingdom decreed into existence by the grace of Maurice Iwu be cut short; that the dominion of the alleged vote riggers will come to an end and that the era of the arrogant will be terminated. Of this spiritual battle many may have little or nothing to say. After all, there are still many who have found no appeal in the Supreme Being beyond running to him in times of trouble.
What is beyond doubt however, is that the high and the lowly, the knowledgeable and the ignorant, the flimsy and even the serious have been drawn into the intrigues of the prayers before, first the Petitions tribunal, and of late, the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, the Edo State capital.
Before the Justice Garba Nabaruma-led Petitions Tribunal decided on the petition brought before it by the Labour Party and its candidate, Dr Segun Mimiko, the lower lid of the box of electoral fraud had come unstuck in several of the House of Assembly seats in Ondo. Coming from a different panel, the decisions were not as hotly contested by the losing party and candidates ostensibly because it was felt that a re-run while the governor is still in the saddle will favour the incumbents.
After the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission was voided by the Justice Nabaruma-led tribunal however, the tempo of agitation heightened and the reaction to the tribunal and the judiciary more antagonistic.
From a party and governor that only voiced intentions to contest the decision at the appellate courts in respect of the House of Assembly election, the case in Ondo changed with the nullification by judicial means of the April election into the office of the governor.
Nabaruma was vilified in several sponsored media attacks by the ruling party and its candidate. No mention was made of the salient fact that similar findings, though concerning another set of political office holders, assemblymen, have been made and reversals made of the farcical declaration of INEC.
The people, who indeed voted or were prevented from voting, waited; praying that a day like this will come. And here we are. The good people of Ondo, young and old, informed and unlettered are expectant. They want to know who won the election. There is a declared winner but who indeed won?
If the likes of Mike Tyson had not voted, if the late Pastor Ayo Babalola had not resurrected in Ondo, who won? Beyond this, they want answers to other questions.
Would a reality in which principal government functionaries appended their signatures on results be seen as substantially complying with the Electoral Act? Will it be right to uphold a situation in which duly registered voters were prevented from voting and yet 100 per cent participation was recorded? Will it be right to ask those who came in on falsified documents to remain in office? These and many more need answers.
Nigerians and Ondo State indigenes in particular are praying that the good Lord who saw what they saw and knows what they know will direct My Lords, the Justices of the Court of Appeal, to act accordingly.
But that is not all they have been pondering and praying over. Will it be right to give to a party what it did not ask for in the first instance? If a party to a case lays some claims and another debunks them, will it be right to ask that the latter be granted his wish when it is found that the claims of the former are genuine? Will it be right for a party that swore on the sanctity of the last polls to now be given its wish to have the same poll totally upturned and have a re-run?
This is another critical question that will be answered today in Benin. The stage is set. The parties are ready. Their lawyers have had their days. The arguments have been presented. Now is the day of the Lord. It is also the day of My Lords. It is the day the past of many will be recalled to reconcile with the present; the day that their depth of legal knowledge, their erudition, conviction and sense of judgement will be brought to the forefront. This is neither a day for the timid nor is it a day for the shameless.
This day is the day of integrity, of honesty and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of that which is true, of that which is the truth and that which is truthful. As said somewhere else, it is not a day for a mere judgement, but a day for true justice.
It is not a day to pander to the manipulations a few men want the law to see, but to the specifics of what the law is meant to do. Today is not a day to dance to the whimsical cynicism of legal gymnastics and or technicalities, it is a day of direct application of logic; the logic of causation and effect, of what follows conclusively from a set of arguments. This is not the day of yes, it is true, but we have to do otherwise.
There has been a long wait; a period in which an agent of the present occupant have said they would rather empty the treasury than allow their successor access to the commonwealth. We heard people say they planted our wealth and so will reap alone on our behalf, now we want to hear something different.
The lovers of peace, the promoters of justice, those who want true change and those who want democratic development; all of those who have waited for the law to take its course and have refrained from taking the laws into their hands, they are the people of Ondo State. Where they come from is immaterial, the dialect they speak is not important. They are Ondo, Ikale, Akoko, Ilaje, Akure, Owo, Ilaje, Apoi and many of the tens of Yoruba peoples lumped together in the state called Ondo. The common denominator is justice. We all want it done in a free and fair manner.
The people of the Sunshine State have been longing for the sun of justice to shine, yes, to shine on all, the victim, the culprit, and the society; the guilty, the innocent and the rest.
We, the people of Ondo State deserve nothing less and we ask of you today, Our Lord and My Lords: give us the day.
This is a well written piece. Thanks for sharing this. GIVE IS THIS DAY O LORD!
THE PAPERS REPORT SO DIFFERENTLY BUT ALL VERY INTERESTING. ENJOY TO DEFUSE THE TENSION OF WAITING FOR OUR MANDATE TO BE HANDED BACK. THIS IS A THIS DAY REPORT:
For Agagu, Mimiko, Today is D-day
From James Sowole in Akure, 02.23.2009
Ahead of today’s judgment of the Court of Appeal, Benin in the gubernatorial tussle between Governor Olusegun Agagu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP), security had been beefed up in Akure, the Ondo State capital and other major towns of the state.
Security sources said no less than 5,000 policemen made up of both regular and mobile policemen are combat ready in case of any crisis as rumour had been flying round the town that there would be mayhem should the judgment not favour a particular interest.
The combat ready mobile policemen were seen parading Oyemekun/Adesida Road in a show of strength. In Ondo town, where Mimiko of the LP hails from, mobile policemen were positioned at Oka Junction, Ife Junction and Ile Oluji junction, all entrances leading to the town.
However, the two major dramatis persona, Agagu and Mimko, had been calling on the people of the state to remain peaceful assuring them that security agents had been put on the alert.
While Agagu’s message was repeated on the state radio and television stations, Mimiko’s announcement was relayed on the private radio station known as Adaba FM.
Agagu in one of the interviews granted on the impending judgment said, ‘‘I am very afraid of the possibility of the Court of Appeal upholding the judgment of the lower tribunal. I am afraid not for myself, but for the state. I pray it never happens because it would drag us back by at least 10 years’’.
The rivalry between Agagu and Mimiko dates back to the 3rd Republic, when the two and others wanted to be the running mates to Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua.
Olumilua ended up choosing Agagu while Mimiko was made Commissioner for Health in the government of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Since last Thursday when the Court of Appeal, Benin, gave today as the judgment day in the appeal filed by Agagu against the judgment of the Justice Garba Nabaruma-led Election Petition Tribunal, which declared Mimiko as the winner of the April 14, 2007 poll, there had been an uneasy calm in the camp of the two candidates and their parties.
The entire state had equally been gripped with anxiety over uncertainty in the way the judgment may go.
Happenings in the last 48 hours revealed that Akure, Ondo and some other major towns had been gripped with apprehension over what the ruling of the court would be.
.Last Friday, banks in the state capital, Akure, experienced panic withdrawals as many customers bombarded them in order to have some cash at hand in case of any crisis.
Also on Saturday, major markets witnessed increased patronage as many families trooped in to buy food items and provisions since shops may not open yesterday (Sunday). The increase in the number of buyers had led to the slight rise in the price especially meat which has increased from N600 per kilogramme to N700 while the price of other ingredients witnessed slight increase.Gripped by fear of uncertainty, the Paramount Ruler of Akure, the Deji of Akureland, Oba Oluwadare Adesina, had on Friday through a town crier announced that all markets and shops should remain closed on Monday.Equally, Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbei had enjoined the people of the ancient town to maintain peace before, during and after the judgement.Coincidentally, all public schools in the state would be on mid-term break for today (Monday) and tomorrow while some private secondary schools as usual are on one week mid- term break.
BROTHER TUNDE THE LORD HAS GIVEN US THIS DAY. NO SHAKKIIIIIIIING. AGAGU IS A GONNER, AND AGATU IS LOST. HE WILL FROM NOW ON HAVE FUN WITH HIS GODFATHER AT OTTA FARM.
Amen!
This is taking too long. LORDPLEASE GIVE US THIS DAY!
I KNOW THE FEELING MY BROTHER. OK READ THIS DAILY SUN REPORT WHILE WAITING. IT IS GOOD NEWS IN JESUS NAME. ABDULLAHI WILL NOT DO MAGO MAGO:
A’ Court judgment: Uneasy calm in Ondo
•Police beef up security, schools closed
…As commissioners move out of official quarters
By TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure
Monday, February 23, 2009
As the Court of Appeal in Benin City decides today who between Dr Segun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) and Dr Olusegun Agagu becomes the governor of Ondo State following the appeal filed by Governor Agagu against the judgment of the state election petition tribunal that declared Mimiko the duly elected governor of the April 14, 2007 governorship election, tension has gripped the entire state, sending panic everywhere as people await the last judicial verdict on the issue.
Already, commissioners and top other political office holders of the subsisting government of Agagu have moved their belongings out of government quarters in Alagbaka, GRA, Akure, the state capital.
Also police have beefed up security in all the 18 local government areas of the state as a step to forestall possible break down of law and order following today’s judgment.
Daily Sun gathered that commissioners and top government functionaries, who have been moving their belonging out of the government quarters at Alagbaka some weeks ago, finally vacated the official quarters at the weekend to their personal houses apparently unsure of which way the wheel of justice will swing.
Also, most official cars attached to the political appointees had been parked at the government driving pool.
When Daily Sun visited Alagbaka quarters yesterday, it observed that the place looked deserted as most of the houses belonging to commissioners and other political appointees at the place were under locked and key.
However, the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, was still at his Government House residence as at Sunday afternoon.
Also their was uneasy calm both among camps of the PDP and LP as both parties await the Appeal Court judgment.
Meanwhile, the Deji of Akure, Oba Oluwadare Adesina, has ordered that all market in the state capital be shut today because of the judgment while other monarchs in some major towns in the state had followed suit.
Also some schools in Akure had instructed their students to stay out homes today because of possible crisis following the Appeal Court verdict.
In Akure, the state capital, heavily armed mobile policemen were seen manning strategic places while amoured vehicles were stationed in front of Government House and offices while another was stationed at Alagbaka area.
Also police patrol with heavily armed police personnel were seen patrolling major roads and streets of Akure, in readiness to deal with anybody who may foment trouble during and after the Appeal Court judgment.
The security personnel were carrying out stop and search on motorists, okada riders and passers-by, especially those with luggage.
The police also mounted road blocks in all the roads leading to the state capital as well as other major towns in the state and roads users were subjected to thorough search before they were allowed into the state capital, apparently to prevent some political miscreants smuggling arms and ammunition, or other dangerous weapons into the state.
Meanwhile, fear has gripped the people of Akure following rumours that some political thugs of a particular party were planning to burn the houses of some politicians and other notable people in the town
But the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Charles Dawodu, has warned that his command was battle ready to deal decisively with anybody caught trying to breach the peace of the state.
He said over 6,000 policemen had been drafted to the major towns and cities in all the 18 local government area of the state with the sole aim of maintaining law and order during and after today’s Appeal Court judgment.
Good news on the line
To communicate with you
our governor is weeping for tears
Agagu nulified and gone
Yes! it is done!!!! Congratulation everyone!
Yes, it is confirmed, Mimiko in Agagu out!
TAKE GLORY FATHER, TAKE GLORY LORD, TAKE GLORY HOLY GHOST, TAKE CONTROL OVER THIS JUDGEMENT LORD.LET JUSTICE PREVAIL, ABDULLAHI NO MAGO MAGO OOOO !!!!!!!!!!.
JUSTICE AT LAST. TEARS OF RELIEF AND JOY FOR MY DEAR PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE. OUR GOD WILL NEVER SUPPORT EVIL. WE AWAIT THE OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION, BUT I TRUST THE ON GROUND REPORT FROM OLA. GOD BLESS.
The verdict is confirmed!
ALL GLORY TO GOD
from OUR GOVERNOR:
“I thank God, the people of Ondo and those who stood behind us in this struggle. God bless you all”
Congrats
In all what I want to say is All the Glory must be to the Lord. Because we can not share His glory. He is the only one that give victory to a man that is oppose by about 15 individuals and organs.
I am happy that victory is sure.
THE NEWS IS TRUE VERY TRUE MY PEOPLE. FEEL FREE TO EXPRESS YOURSELF ANYWAY YOU CAN. ME AM OVERWHELMED AND FULL OF GRATITUDE TO GOD.
CONGRATULATIONS ONDO STATE
WEEP NOT OUR DEAR GOVERNOR MIMIKO
OUR LORD GOD NEVER LEFT YOU ONE SECOND
A REAL TEST OF FAITH AND A GALLANT PASS FOR A TRUE SON OF THE SOIL.
ADMIN MAY WE REQUEST VIDEOS AND VIDEOS OF ALL THAT HAPPENS PLEEEEAAAAASE.
WELL DONE.
MIMIKO YI JOOOOOO
O KU ORIRE
C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,NOW I CAN CELEBRATE,FINALLY I CAN NOW BREATH AND SLEEP
LANRE AKOSILE
ATLANTA
USA
It has been a very long vigil, my people. You are great!
What happened over this last 20-30 months is ground breaking and will be recorded in the annals of history of Nigeria.
Thank you for your support!
It’s 6.28 am here in Birmingham AL, USA. I have been bombarded with calls from friends here in the USA who could not sleep waitng for this news. Thank you father for taking control. Truth and justice prevailed at last. Our dear Governor, God will be with you in this journey. Spend this politial capital given to you wisely. Peace to you my good people of Ondo State, at home and in the diaspora. It is well with the just and the faithful.
ADMIN, YOU MUST KEEP THE WEB GOING, NOW EVEN MORE THAN EVER. WE NEED A PORTAL TO ACCESS ONDO STATE AND TELL THE WHOLE WORLD THAT THIS JOURNEY HAS NOT BEEN IN VAIN FOR THE PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE.
WELL DONE AGAIN.
@ admin I want to say you have done a great work and am proud to assiocate with you in all your good works. You made this relationship of true and loving democrates a reality, as for me i want to say it is a proviledge to have been a part of this great, focus and wonderful people on this forum. You are all objective persons.
One thing please do not close this site. It should be updated and used to strunghten the works of the governor. Reminding him that God is on his side and so he must not let the people down. I love you.
@ omotaylor great is He that is you, am proud to assioctate with your God given wisdon.
@ Iroko kekere – no more shall you be call iroko kekere it will now be Iroko II (laughs)
@ Fred – Your words are inspiring and mind blowing.
God bless you all.
I really congratulate Dr Mimiko on his recent court victory as the duely elected Governor of Ondo State. It is my prayer that you will laugh the best and stay blessed.
HALLELUYAH, MIMIKO IS DECLARED WINNER. LET’S PRAY HE LEADS WELL
FOR YOUR ATTENTION PLS
Court of Appeal declares Mimiko Ondo governor
By Hamed Shobiye
Published: Monday, 23 Feb 2009
BREAKING NEWS: The Court of Appeal in Benin has declared the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Rahman Mimiko, as the winner of the April 2007 gubernatorial election in the state.
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Mimiko
In a unanimous decision by a panel of five justices led by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi, the court upheld the decision of the Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal, that had on July 25, 2008 declared Mimiko as the winner of the election. The appeal court said Mimiko, a medical doctor, won in 12 out of the 18 local governments of the state.
By this decision, the sitting governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, has been removed from office. The removal of Agagu, who is of the Peoples Democratic Party, has reduced the ruling party‘s control of states in Nigeria to 25, with Ekiti State, where the appeal court on February 17, 2009 ordered for a rerun governorship election in 90 days, still hanging in the balance.
Mimiko‘s ascension to office follows an acrimonious battle since 2007 between him and Agagu. Both were formerly of the PDP, before Mimiko‘s bid to clinch the governorship ticket in 2007 was truncated by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Mimiko is a former minister of Housing and Urban Development and has been a Secretary to the State Government in Ondo State.
The Labour Party was formed along ideologies espoused by the Nigeria Labour Congress, as the only pro-workers‘ political party in Nigeria. It was the initial platform on which the former NLC President, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, sought to run for governor of Edo State in 2007. However, due to political exigencies, Oshiomhole later dumped the LP and moved to the Action Congress.
He was eventually declared winner of the April 2007 governorship election by the appeal court on November 11, 2008. The LP has thus joined other opposition parties which control states in Nigeria such as the Action Congress, All Nigeria Peoples Party, the Progressive Peoples Alliance and All Progressive Grand Alliance.
Former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, was the first governor to be removed through the judicial process in the Fourth Republic. After his removal in March 2006 by the appeal court, other governors similarly ousted include Senator Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Ibrahim Idris (Kogi); Sir Celestine Omehia (Rivers); Mr. Andy Uba (Anambra); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Mr. Segun Oni (Ekiti); Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor (Edo).
However, Imoke, Nyako and Idris returned to office after winning the rerun elections in their states, as ordered by the appeal court. Omehia was removed by the Supreme Court and replaced with Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, whom the apex court said was wrongly substituted as the PDP’s governorship candidate.
There are reports of wild jubilation on the streets of the Ondo State capital, Akure, while officials of Agagu’s ousted administration have been moving their property out of official quarters since Sunday..
I tried to call home now and there was background noise of celebration everywhere. I agree with this reporter that there is wide jubilation but not only in Akure but across the nooks and crannies of Ondo State. Ride on the latest Governor in town.