Atiku, Ayu, 10 PDP govs for Adeleke’s inauguration today

Osun State Police Command has said it will deploy adequate number of security operatives to ensure hitch-free inauguration of the sixth elected governor for the state, Senator Ademola Adeleke, holding at Osogbo City Stadium on Sunday (today).

The command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, during an interview with Sunday PUNCH, however declined given an official figure of the men and officers that would be on duty.

She maintained necessary security arrangements had been made to protect lives and property before and after the ceremony.

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said as much as 3,700 personnel would be on duty during the ceremony.

A statement obtained in Osogbo on Saturday signed by Kehinde Adeleke, the Acting Public Relations Officer for NSCDC Osun Command, also said there would be ‘operation stop and search’ within already identified flashpoints across the state.

The corps then urged residents to remain calm, saying its men would be fully on the ground during and after the inauguration to maintain law and order.

The statement further read in parts, “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Osun State Command, has deployed 3,700 personnel for the inauguration of Osun Governor elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

“NSCDC and other sister agencies in the state embarked on a show-of-force yesterday (Friday) as a way of sending signal to criminally minded people in the state.”

Similarly, Osun State Security Network, also known as Amotekun Corps, said the agency had deployed 250 personnel for the inauguration.

The Public Relations Officer of the agency, Idowu Yusuf, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH at the venue of the inauguration, also said all entry and exit points to the state were being monitored closely.

On the preparation of his men for the ceremony, Osun Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Paul Okpe, said 350 personnel would be on duty.

Meanwhile, the Osogbo City Stadium, venue of the Sunday’s event was wearing a new look on Saturday when our correspondent paid a visit.

Decorators were busy decorating the main bowl of the stadium with red and white colour of the Peoples Democratic Party in preparation for the ceremony.

On the guests expected at the event, the Secretary of the Media Sub-committee of the Inauguration Ceremony, Rasheed Olawale, said the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the national chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and about 10 PDP governors had already indicated interest to attend the event.

Olawale said diplomats and many foreign business operators would also be attending the ceremony.

Oyetola playing games

Meanwhile, Ismail Omipidan, an aide to the outgone governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, said his principal would hand over to the most senior civil servant, after the team of the incoming governor, refused to continue relating with the Chief of Staff to the outgoing governor, Dr. Charles Akinola.

Omipidan said, “Chief of Staff, Dr. Charles Akinola, was relating with them (PDP’s team), but they suddenly said they would no longer relate with him and our administration. So, my principal will hand over to the most senior civil servant in the state.”

But when contacted for reaction, Olawale accused the outgone governor of insincerity, saying Oyetola played game with handing over to the incoming government.

He said, “Oyetola was not sincere with submission of handover notes to the governor-elect. We were invited for the handover notes as late as 2pm on Friday at a time we were busy with the inauguration programme.
Atiku, Ayu, 10 PDP govs for Adeleke’s inauguration today (punchng.com)