No fewer than 10 persons were feared killed and 15 others hospitalised following the explosion that also affected a section of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Oyo State House of Assembly, the residence of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, some buildings at Ologuneru, Apete, New Garage, Bashorun, Akobo, Sango and Eleyele.

Makinde, who visited the scene of the explosion Tuesday night, said though further investigations were still ongoing, anyone found culpable would be brought to book.

Preliminary investigations by the security agencies revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there which caused the blast. The investigations are ongoing. All those found culpable for this will be brought to book,” he tweeted on Wednesday

no fewer than 10 bodies were recovered from the site and taken away in ambulances.

But the governor said two people died while 77 others were injured in the explosion

In total, we have 77 injured victims so far, most of whom were treated and discharged, and two fatalities. May their souls rest in peace and may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Makinde added.

The governor also revealed that the “medical bills of victims will be picked by the government” while promising to ensure that all those whose houses were affected were ‘supported to rebuild their lives”

The governor urged residents to be calm, noting that rescue operations had already started at the scene of the incident.

“Earth-moving equipment, ambulances, emergency lights, and security were deployed to the scene of the incident. The wounded and injured are being treated and moved to public and private hospitals within Ibadan.

“Medical personnel are on standby at these hospitals to provide all needed assistance to the injured. We have visited UCH to see some of those injured during the incident.

“I urge all residents to please call 615 for any emergencies they may be experiencing at this time and to remain calm and stay away from the immediate scene of the incident to allow rescue operations to be carried out without interference,” he added.

The Chairman, Transition and Inauguration Committee, Segun Ogunwuyi, made this disclosure in a statement, on Friday. He, therefore, directed them to submit all government property in their possession to the committee.

Ogunwuyi said, “I have the directive of the state governor, Makinde, to inform you of the dissolution of the management and board of LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, with effect from Friday, May 26, 2023.

“The management and board of the hospital are by this directive required to officially hand over and submit all government property to the transition and inauguration committee.

“His Excellency appreciates your tremendous contributions to the development of our dear state and wishes you success in your future endeavours.”

Makinde made this known on Tuesday in Ibadan while swearing in the new Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iyabo Yerima.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event was held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Makinde said he had already communicated to the kingmakers in the two towns that institutional framework should be followed in the selection of new Aalafin and Soun.

According to him, once due process is followed, things generally will work out more efficiently.

“We have gone through a situation where a king was removed by the judiciary in the state after he had been on the throne for over 22 years.

“And I said to myself, not under my watch are we going to repeat the same mistake. I will rather delay and have due process followed. Then, if anybody decides to go to court after the emergence of the new traditional rulers, such exercise might be a nullity.

I believe this is what we need in Nigeria right now – strong institutions.

“But we also need people to build them –  people with experience, capacity and people with strong conviction to do what is right.

“That is why the appointment of people like Justice Iyabo Yerima is important because she has experience in leadership,” Makinde said.

The governors said Justice Yerima’s swearing-in as the substantive Chief Judge of Oyo State was in accordance with Section 271 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

Makinde, while congratulating the new Chief Judge, promised to give her the necessary support to succeed.

He hinted that his administration had taken steps to ensure that the judiciary in the state works effectively, assuring that his government would try its best to provide resources as they were available.

In her remarks, Justice Yerima pledged to take the judiciary in the state to a greater height.

Wike of Rivers State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) pulled out of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council last year, insisting that except the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, quits his position, they wouldn’t have anything to do with the campaigns.

Ayu would wield the big stick after the polls to demonstrate the supremacy of the party in line with the PDP constitution.

A member of the PDP National Executive Committee and former governor of a North-West state told our correspondent in confidence that the action of the aggrieved governors infuriated party stakeholders across the board, warning that failure to call them to order would raise a lot of questions from loyal members of the party.

The NEC member said, “We watched every day how these leaders ridiculed the party. Nobody said they had no reasons to be aggrieved, but we generally agreed that there were other ways to speak on the issues than the way they did.

When the elders (Board of Trustees) intervened, we all thought the crisis was over, but it only got worse. We expect some sanctions, although the leadership of the party will set in motion what to do with them.

“At the NEC, it was nothing short of a disgrace to wake up to see governors dancing not in solidarity with their party, but with rival parties to cast aspersions on the same PDP that catapulted them to national prominence.

“It’s a good thing that Ayu is focused on the elections, but we would like to see what happens after that.”

When reached for comment, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, refused to confirm or deny the fate of the Integrity Group, telling our correspondent that “we will wait until it is confirmed” what the party intends to do.

The biggest indication of what lies ahead for the Wike-led group came from the Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Timothy Osadolor, who told The PUNCH that sanction for the aggrieved governors “is not a question of if but when.”

Osadolor stated, “How else could they have worked against the party than they have already? If they didn’t know that there would be sanctions, they wouldn’t be running to their states’ High Courts to procure ex-parte orders, but they are merely buying time.

“They know that they have erred, and the full wrath of the law will fall upon them. It’s not a matter of if, but of when.”
Osadolor added, “When the dust of elections is over, the party will revisit the issue. The party is supreme. Head or tail, their issue will be treated.”

Following Ayu’s refusal to go and the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s apparent non-interest in the sacking of the former Senate President, the governors have since pitched their tents with their preferred presidential candidates.

While Makinde and Wike were said to be allegedly working for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Tinubu, Ortom has openly endorsed the candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, even as Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi are reportedly torn between Atiku and Obi.

According to him, since PDP has a law, it should be followed and not thrown away as if it is a party not governed by law.

Aniagwu, who is also Delta State Commissioner for Information, said this in an interview with The PUNCH.

He was responding to questions on the meeting between Atiku and Makinde, where the governor insisted on the resignation of Ayu, even though the National Executive Committee has passed a vote of confidence on him.

Aniagwu was also asked why Atiku, presidential candidate of PDP has not responded to the demand by governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for the exit of Ayu, more than two weeks he had promised to act in that regard.

He said, “I am sure that the NEC of the party has resolved those issues particularly within the provisions of the law. And before now, a statement was issued where the presidential candidate also addressed a number of those issues.

“We have a law which cannot be thrown away and begin to do as if we are not a party governed by law.

“It must also be said that Makinde recognized him (Atiku) as the presidential candidate of the party and he said by the grace of God, the next President of Nigeria.

“For him to be the President of Nigeria, it shows that Makinde will work for him. That is the implication.

“Ayu’s going has been overtaken by events. It is something that has already been addressed.”

Makinde emerged as the new chairman few minutes after the former chairman, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State resigns from the position on Thursday.

The oyo state governor emerged as the new chairman at the ongoing PDP National Executive Council Board meeting in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The NEC passed a vote of confidence on the PDP National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu, putting to rest the clamour for his (Ayu’s) resignation by some aggrieved party members.

A total of 397 members of the NEC including past national chairmen of the party, the immediate past Vice President of the country, Namadi Sambo, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, among others were accredited for the meeting.

All the 397 members of the NEC present at the meeting voted in support of Ayu to continue as the chairman of the party.

Speaking during the Hijrah 1444 luncheon, held in Ibadan on Wednesday, the governor said security is a key aspect of his administration’s four-point service agenda.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying the government will continue to protect the interest of all stakeholders in the state irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliations.

Makinde said his government would always give every interest their due.

He maintained that his administration has not only overhauled the security architecture of the state but it is also doing everything within its capacity to make the state safe and secure for every citizen.

The governor said that the Hijrah being celebrated in the state amounts to what he called “a turning point.”

He said that the turning point in the case of Oyo State was brought about by his victory in 2019.

What is the Hijra we are celebrating today? It is a turning point. The turning point that came into effect in 2019, which brought light and made darkness vanish in the state.

“Righteousness also replaced wickedness and I can assure all of us that darkness will not return to Oyo State.”

He also stated that his administration promised to be tolerant and avoid religious bias and that it will continue to give everybody what they deserve to get, adding that it will not deviate from such promises.

Makinde also admitted that being a human, he can make mistakes but that stakeholders should readily point out such mistakes and they will be corrected.

He added, “When this government came in, the security architecture we met on ground was different from the layers we have created. We rejigged the SRS, we provided 100 cars within 100 days in office for the Police.

Another layer of security we came up with was Operation Burst, which is composed of Army, Airforce, Civil Defence, DSS personnel.

“We provided logistics and all they needed to function effectively for them. Another layer of security we created is Amotekun. We have another layer – Voluntary policing, but we are encountering some challenges in coming up with it. Vigilante people are working in Ibarapa zone of this state as I encountered them personally in my recent journey along the area. And I will continue to say that we cannot demonise any ethnic group in the state.

Who are our enemies? They are the criminal elements, but whoever they are, we will deal with them in Oyo State. “So, we are trying our best and we will continue to ensure Oyo State is safe and secure.

“Secondly, those who think they can separate us through religion won’t make any headway because the two religions (Islam and Christianity) are in our families.

“In Oyo State, we have Hijab policy. If that policy is going to change, there must be engagement with stakeholders and I am happy to say that we are ready to have that engagement.”

While debunking an allegation by a group called Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, the governor said his administration has never nursed any plan to return public schools to their owners, noting that those inciting religious bias in the state would fail in as much as he is not going contrary to the mandate given to him by the electorate.

He said, “I am aware that some politicians are trying to misinform our people. I read what MURIC said about us returning schools to missionaries. “We have a muslim as commissioner and we cannot take such step without his involvement.

“Yes, I also went to Loyola College. They made a request for the return of the school to the Old Students Association and I told them that we are still on the ‘Proof of Consent’. We are developing a template because the government alone does not have the resources to educate our children effectively and that is the fact.

So, we need to educate our children so that they can be with us in the future to do the needful.”

He declared that the state will always guarantee the rights of all the stakeholders to functional education.

The  Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Bayo Lawal, stated that the present government in the state is open to criticism.

He enjoined stakeholders to always come up with relevant ideas that could move the state forward.

In their various remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Bayo Oyero, Senator Monsurat Sumonu, Okeere of Saki Oba Khalid Olabisi, Alhaji Hammed Raji SAN and Alfa Oloore, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his open door policy which they said accommodates the interest of Islam.

They, however, charged religious bodies in the state to always channel their grievances through appropriate quarters rather than expressing them on social media.

In his Sermon, the chairman of the pilgrim welfare board (Muslim Wing) under the immediate administration in the state, Sheik Taofeek Akewugbagold, commended what he called the masses-oriented policies of Governor Seyi Makinde. He also admonished Muslims to work for the success of the administration.

He said this on Thursday while receiving members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, at his office in Ibadan.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, said the NIREC meeting was coming at the right time, particularly as the general election drew near

Makinde said, “What you stand for is what Nigeria needs, especially at this time that election is approaching. I know that conversation will take both ethnic and religious colourations. That is why we have been hearing of Muslim-Christian ticket, Muslim-Muslim ticket and all of that.

“Before the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, we were looking at where the presidential candidate would emerge from – maybe from the South, East, West or North or somewhere in the middle. And even after the emergence of the candidates, discussions have centred on the support for either the candidate from the Yoruba or whether the Northerners will support their own candidate.

“So, we need people like you to speak out in order to douse the tension and nudge the nation in a direction of progress. Well, so far, we are not evaluating the candidates on what they can offer the country.”

The said meeting has been scheduled to hold on Monday, April 25, 2022 (today) by 11 am at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

Daily Post reported that Makinde summoned the aspirants due to some disagreements concerning the forthcoming primary of the party.

A statement confirming the meeting, which was signed by the State Secretary of the party, Wasiu Adeleke, was released late Sunday.

It read, “This is to inform all aspirants for different elective political offices under Oyo State PDP that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State and the leader of our party will like to meet with us all tomorrow Monday 25/04/2022 by 11am prompt at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.”

Some political parties had teamed up with Makinde and worked for his electoral victory during the 2019 poll.

The governor appointed one of their leaders into his cabinet.

The commissioners, who were also joined by Special Advisers and 93 other Special Assistants appointed into local government positions from the African Democratic Congress said their decision to pitch tent with the PDP in the state was because Makinde had fulfilled the promises he made to the coalition.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Taiwo Adisa, said in a statement on Tuesday that the political appointees announced their decision to join the ruling party in the state on Tuesday.

While speaking on behalf of the other defecting members, the Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, said that the governor had fulfilled all promises made to the ADC as a coalition party.

Olatunbosun, also explained that he, the Commissioner for Energy, Mr. Seun Ashamu, and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Adeniyi Adebisi, decided to join the PDP after much consultation with leaders of the ADC.

He said, “On behalf of the commissioners here – the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Energy, Seun Ashamu and Commissioner for Agric, Adeniyi Adebisi, after much consultation with our leaders, we have decided to move to the ruling party, the PDP, because we believe that Governor Seyi Makinde has fulfilled his promises to our leaders.

So, we believe we should do everything to make sure we give him all the necessary support to win the second term in office.

“We were part of the success in 2019 and we believe that if we join forces together with him, we will be able to succeed together.

“Also with me here is Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Economic Planning, Gbenga Oyetola, 93 appointees at the state level, and elected representatives at the local government level.”