Re: UPN Aspirant Tackles Aregbesola on Omoluabi Conflict Commission. Our attention has been drawn to the Punch News Papers of 10th January, 2014 at page 10 where an aspirant of a yet to be registered Unity Party of Nigeria, one Elder Akinwumi Adewusi berated the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for appointing His excellency, Prince Bola Ajibola, former Judge and President of the world court as the chairman of Omoluabi Conflict Resolution Commission. His only grouse is that the revered judge is not an indigene of Osun and as such the appointment is irregular. Ordinarily, the best approach to this kind of a statement should have been a deafening silence but for the sake of unsuspecting public who might want to read unnecessary meanings to the rubbish the so called aspirant had spewed, there is need for a clarification and serious education on his part. First, Prince Bola Ajibola was appointed the President of the world court to adjudicate on dispute from any part of the world. If the argument of Akinwusi is to be taken, does it mean that Prince Bola Ajibola should know everything around the world to adjudicate on whatever dispute submitted to him? The answer is in the negative. Secondly, we should also educate Akinwusi that our adjudicatory process presupposes that judges deals with facts submitted to it and not going around looking for evidence. A judge need not be an indigene of a particular area before he gives judgment on matters submitted to it for adjudication. The Federal High Court judges posted to various juridictions across the state of the federation are not familiar with the happenings in the localities they were to serve as judges, yet they adjudicate on matters submitted to them. If Akinwusi does not know let him be aware that our appellate jurisdiction does not have anything to do with the origin of the judges. Cases adjudicated upon in Osun are taken to Court of Appeal in Akure before judges who might not even come from this part of the country for adjudication while the same is applicable at the Supreme Court where one might not know which panel will adjudicate on one’s matter. To cap it all, since the creation of Election Tribunals have you ever seen an indigine of a state appointed to sit in a panel meant for his home state? None I say. To show how puerile Akinwusi’s argument is, this is not the first time a non indigene will be appointed to head a commission like this, In Jos, plateau state this same Prince Bola Ajibola was appointed chairman of truth and reconciliation commission; Late Justice Kayode Esho an indigene of this state was appointed the Chairman Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Rivers State while at the twilight of this administration a Truth and Reconciliation Commission was set up which was headed by Justice Odewingwe an indigene of Edo State. For the avoidance of doubt, the Omoluabi Conflict Resolution Commission was set up as a standing committee to resolve crisis that may arise as a result of interaction between communities and people and to as well nip any imminent threat to peace in the bud before it snowballs into rancor and acrimony leading to loss of lives and properties. The commission will look at whatever grievance which can come from any part of the state, thereby making it imperative to appoint people of good character and non affiliation to any part of the state. Our government is poised to bequeath to our state culture of excellence. We will make use of people who are knowledgeable and qualified in their own right for purposes that will benefit the state. It does not matter to us where such persons come from, what is important to us is the ability to deliver on the assignment given to them. The choice of Prince Bola Ajibola is not by accident, it is a result of long time excellence in his field of endeavours which Osun as a state will gladly tap into. The myopic thinking of those who aspire to govern this state in recent time is worrisome. Governance to them is about cake sharing which should be within their circle. Osun of today has gone beyond such pedestrian reasoning. Osun is on a global map of development and we will strive to do our utmost best to improve on its rising profile. Instead of Akinwusi dissipating his energy on issues that will expose him as a shallow thinker, he should as well save those energy in ensuring that the party under whose umbrella he wishes to contest as governor is registered before the election. Ibrahim Lawal is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor(Ministry of Regional Integration and Special Duties)
Posted on: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 08:53:15 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015