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₦300bn Loan: Progressive Parliamentarians Ask IGP to Protect Oyo Lawmaker, Shittu

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Progressive ex-parliamentarians in Oyo State have urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other security agencies to urgently protect Hon. Ibrahim Shittu, the lawmaker representing Saki West Constituency, after he exposed Governor Seyi Makinde’s alleged ₦300bn loan approval by only 13 members of the House of Assembly.

The former lawmakers, under the aegis of Oyo State Progressives ex-Parliamentarians, raised the alarm after an emergency meeting held in Ibadan, warning that Shittu’s life might be in danger from “disgruntled politicians” angry at his disclosure.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the chairman of the forum, Hon. Ibrahim Bolomope, said members were compelled to intervene because of the grave implications for governance in the state and the safety of the lawmaker.

“As former lawmakers, we know that while the House can approve loans for the executive, such approvals must follow the rules. For fiscal matters, the Constitution is clear on the requirement of a two-thirds majority or at least a simple majority. What happened in this case does not satisfy those requirements,” Bolomope said.

He described Shittu’s revelation as an act of courage, insisting that he acted not just for his constituency but for the entire state.

The forum accused Makinde’s administration of piling up debts despite rising allocations to states under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to them, Oyo State has taken multiple loans in recent years: ₦100bn in 2020, ₦50bn between 2021 and 2022, and ₦150bn in 2023, with the latest ₦300bn plan now causing public uproar.

They argued that with almost a 500 per cent increase in federal allocations, there was no justification for Oyo to keep borrowing.

The group cited Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State as an example, noting that higher allocations enabled him to clear inherited debts and raise workers’ minimum wage to ₦104,000.

The ex-lawmakers alleged that there were underground plans to suspend Shittu from the assembly and stop his salaries and allowances as punishment for going public.

“We want to warn the House to jettison such a plan to avoid violence that may follow,” the group warned.

They insisted that security agencies must rise to the occasion by protecting Shittu and others who share his position, saying this would encourage more Nigerians to expose corruption and maladministration.

“In our environment, the truth is often punished. Anybody who says the truth is prone to danger. That is why we are calling on the IGP and other security agencies to give adequate protection to Hon. Shittu,” Bolomope added.

The forum commended Shittu for being “a courageous parliamentarian” and praised him for offering good representation to his people.

Those present at the meeting included the forum’s secretary, Hon. Sikiru Akintola Alli; PRO, Hon. John Olaleru; former Speakers Hon. Olagunju Ojo and Hon. Asimiyu Alarape; Hon. Mogaji Adigun Ahmed Murphy; Hon. Elder Adegboyega Mathew Abioye; Hon. Fatai Salaam; Hon. Afeez Adeleke; Hon. D.A. Lawal; Hon. Dr. Mathew Oyedokun; Hon. Hazmat Ogunsola (a Third Republic member); Hon. Mrs. Ramata Okemakinde, among others.

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Oyo : Oseni seeks reconciliation, urges aggrieved APC members to close ranks

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‎The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has called on aggrieved members of the party in Oyo State to put the outcome of the primary behind them and embrace reconciliation in the interest of the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

‎The appeal came on Wednesday at an enlarged meeting of APC leaders and stakeholders in Ibadan North East Local Government Area, where Oseni urged members to close ranks and work together to reposition the party for victory at the polls.

‎In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said the time had come for party faithful to move beyond the disagreements that followed the primary election.

‎He said: “The primary election has come and gone. As loyal party members, our responsibility now is to unite behind the decisions of our great party and work together for its success. There is no victory without unity.”

‎The chairman House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) noted that while it was natural for party members to hold different opinions during the contest, the APC’s overriding interest must remain paramount, urging those with reservations to seek redress through dialogue rather than division.

‎According to him, “I appeal to every leader, stakeholder, member and supporter of our party to sheathe the sword, forgive one another and embrace genuine reconciliation. Our shared commitment to the APC is greater than any individual ambition.”

‎The APC senatorial candidate said the challenges confronting the party could only be overcome through collective resolve, mutual respect and sustained engagement among members across the state.

‎”The people of Oyo State expect a strong and united APC that is ready to provide purposeful leadership. We cannot afford to remain divided when there is so much work to be done. This is the time to rebuild trust, strengthen our structures and move forward together,” he said.

Oseni expressed confidence that with reconciliation, discipline and the support of party leaders and members, the APC would emerge stronger from the primary process and be well positioned to secure victory in Oyo State in the 2027 general election.

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Arapaja endorses Oseni’s Oyo South Senate bid, seeks APC victory in 2027

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A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, has endorsed the senatorial ambition of the All Progressives Congress candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement came during a courtesy visit by the member representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency to Arapaja’s residence in Ibadan, where both politicians held discussions on the future of the APC and preparations for the 2027 polls.

A statement issued on Wednesday by Oseni’s Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, said the meeting focused on strengthening the party and mobilising support to ensure the APC records victory at all levels in the forthcoming elections.

According to the statement, Arapaja expressed confidence in the lawmaker’s capacity to represent the people of Oyo South in the Senate, describing his performance in the House of Representatives as evidence of purposeful and people-centred leadership.

He was quoted as saying, “Hon. Remi Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of his constituents through people-oriented projects and impactful representation. His performance in the House of Representatives gives me every confidence that he will deliver even greater results in the Senate.”

The former deputy governor also pledged his support for Oseni’s senatorial bid and promised to work towards the success of all APC candidates in the 2027 elections, from the presidential candidate to those contesting seats in the National Assembly and the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Arapaja further appealed to Nigerians, particularly people of the South-West, to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, saying continuity would enable the President to complete his constitutionally permitted two-term tenure.

“The South-West must remain united behind President Tinubu to enable him complete his constitutionally guaranteed eight-year tenure. We must also work collectively to ensure victory for our party at every level,” he said.

He also described Oseni as a humble, loyal and dependable politician whose consistent service had earned him the confidence of the people across Oyo South.

Also speaking, Mogaji Abass Oloko reaffirmed his support for Oseni’s senatorial aspiration and praised Arapaja’s enduring influence in Oyo politics, saying his relevance remained unquestionable because of his grassroots connection and longstanding relationship with the people.

Responding, Oseni thanked Arapaja for the warm reception, valuable counsel and endorsement, describing him as “a trusted ally, dependable leader and reliable teammate” whose support had further strengthened his resolve ahead of the 2027 elections.

The lawmaker recalled that their political relationship dated back to the period they both worked with former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and later collaborated in the political coalition that reshaped Oyo State’s political landscape in 2018.

Oseni reiterated that leadership should be anchored on integrity, trust and honour, adding that he remained committed to providing quality representation and expanding developmental initiatives across Oyo South if elected to the Senate in 2027.

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Oseni hails Aderibigbe’s appointment as APC guber campaign DG

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated Barr. Yemi Aderibigbe on his appointment as the Director-General of the Campaign Council of the party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli.

Oseni described the appointment as well deserved, saying it was a recognition of Aderibigbe’s years of loyalty, dedication and invaluable contributions to the growth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.

The lawmaker, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele.

The APC chieftain said Aderibigbe had consistently distinguished himself as a committed party stalwart, grassroots mobiliser and dependable administrator whose efforts had strengthened the APC across the state.

According to Oseni, the appointment was a testament to Aderibigbe’s competence, hard work and unwavering commitment to the ideals of the party.

“I heartily congratulate Barrister Yemi Aderibigbe on this well-deserved appointment as the Director-General of Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s Campaign Council. This is a call to greater service, and I have every confidence that you will justify the trust reposed in you,” Oseni said.

He added, “Your experience, leadership qualities and organisational skills will undoubtedly strengthen our campaign and further unite party members as we work towards securing victory for our great party in the governorship election.”

The federal lawmaker urged party leaders, members and supporters across Oyo State to rally behind the new campaign leadership and work together to ensure the APC records a resounding victory at the polls.

He also reaffirmed his unwavering support for Senator Alli’s governorship ambition, expressing optimism that the party would remain united and focused in its quest to win the election.

Before his latest appointment, Aderibigbe served as the Director-General of the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF), a political support group that coordinated grassroots mobilisation and political engagements for Engr. Aderemi Oseni across Oyo State.

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