Politics
2019: AJIMOBI’S AIDES EYE OYO GUBER SEAT.
THE game is continuity, as the political class in the pacesetter state scheme and manoeuvre amidst suspicion and skin deep intrigues.
Politics of preservation manifests in Oyo state, as political gladiators further protect hiding interests.
The political atmosphere in the state, no doubt is becoming more lively on a daily basis owing to the different dimensions it has taken by the day while the political gladiators from different political parties, even in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are warming up to take over from the incumbent governor, Abiola Ajimobi.
However, opposition parties in the state are scheming to present the candidate that will occupy the Agodi Government House in 2019.
With the present situation of things in the state, politicians from different political backgrounds, dossiers and antecedents are scheming to contest. What, however shocked political watchers recently in the state is the same camp, which the gladiators have pitched their tent.
Interestingly, four members from Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State cabinet have signified interests to succeed him as the next occupant of the Agodi Government House, Mega Icon Magazine fresh facts revealed.
This struggle for the coveted governorship seat is being nursed surreptitiously, a faultless source disclosed.
The aspirants include, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Olalekan Alli; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan; Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Physical Development, Mr Ajiboye Omodewu, and Commissioner for Finance, Planning and Budget; Mr. Abimbola Adekanmbi.
As cabinet members, they met once in a week at the State Executive Council meeting, mostly Mondays and other government functions aside personal interactions.
Although, they belong to the same political party- APC, but the quest to succeed Ajimobi as the sixth civilian governor of the pacesetter State might put a crush among the four cabinet members anytime from now.
Olalekan Ali : Who was Governor Ajimobi’s junior in secondary school at Lagelu Grammar School hails from Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State. He had served the state as SSG at the twilight of Ajimobi’s first term, before his appointment was renewed and maintains a worthwhile relationship with his boss.
Abimbola Adekanmbi: the young Commissioner in charge of the Ministry of Finance is from Ona Ara Local Government and has a cordial relationship with the entire first family of his boss for decades, thus he could push a lot through. He was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff during the governor’s first term. Apart from being a fat cat, the tall dark dude has started underground consultation.
Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu: The Otu born politician, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area is intensifying his intention to become the next governor of the state. The former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters is a kitchen cabinet member and an age long associate of the governor.
The commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Omodewu is one of the prominent gladiators, alongside Professor Adeolu Akande, former Chief of Staff to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Minister for Communications from the Oke Ogun zone.
Dr Azeez Adeduntan : Another prominent and illustrious son of Ibadan SouthWest Local Government is a budding politician who has been in the race since 2011. He specializes in General Surgery and Vascular Surgery.
The Commissioner for Health got his slot on a recommendation from Senator Mamora, a close pal to Governor Ajimobi on account of his exploits in the field of medicine.
However, apart from breaking the second term jinx, the biggest political hurdle before Governor Abiola Ajimobi is to install a successor, and many factors must be considered to achieve the desired goal. Presently, the governor is still keeping his preferred candidate very close to his chest and striving hard to raise the bar of good governance as the major selling point of the Apc led government in the state.
By Idowu AYODELE.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized the alleged forceful conversion of public reading and learning facilities in Dugbe, Ibadan, into shopping malls and lock-up shops by the state government, describing the development as shameful, ill-conceived, and unacceptable.
In a statement released over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the APC also raised concerns about the alleged sale of the modern motor park facility at Wema Area on New Ife Road, Ibadan, built during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the party, the motor park has been sold to a pastor who presides over a popular church near the facility.
Residents of Ibadan, the state capital, were reportedly stunned when they noticed the sudden erection of massive private business complexes within the premises of the Oyo State Library Board.
The facilities, built by the defunct Western Region government, had served as public libraries and archives for decades, benefitting students, researchers, and tourists until recently.
“It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for the development of commercial and business structures,” Sadare said.
“The implication is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the state by an administration that has done little to address the poor reading culture among young students.”
The APC expressed alarm over what it termed the erosion of public heritage under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, alleging that public properties are being sold or leased to private individuals and groups under questionable circumstances.
“How can a government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops in the name of making money, thereby subjecting society to the dangers of illiteracy and ignorance?” the statement queried.
The party also cited other instances of alleged mismanagement of public assets, including the concession of OYSADEP Guest House in Saki and Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the state’s socio-economic development.
“Sad enough, the ignoble activities of the governor and a few other characters around him as they involve mismanagement of land and other resources belonging to the state have paved the way for a surge in land grabbing cases in most parts of the state capital. There are many cases involving appointees of the governor, PDP lawmakers, local government officials, and party chieftains,” the statement added.
The APC called on well-meaning individuals and stakeholders in the state to demand accountability from the Makinde administration and halt what it described as the systematic erosion of public resources and heritage.
Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.
The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.
The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.
The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.
Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.
Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.
He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.
While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
-
Metro21 hours agoGrim Friday: Man, Wife, Grandson Perish in Ibadan Fire
-
News2 days ago
Bank Robberies Now History in Lagos Since 2014 – IGP
-
Crime & Court2 days ago
Human Rights Lawyer, Dele Farotimi, Granted ₦30m Bail
-
News20 hours ago
NNPCL Refutes Shutdown Claims: Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational
