Politics
2019: Group Tips Ayandele As Ideal Ajimobi’s Successor
A South Western Nigeria-based socio-political group, under the aegis of Millennium Patriots Forum, has identified one of the gubernatorial hopefuls of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Dr. Olusola Ayandele, as the ideal candidate capable of taking the state to the higher level after Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
The group in a statement issued and made available to journalists in Ibadan at the weekend by its National Coordinator, Chief Olawale Odu, and General Secretary, Hon. Sola Fakorede, noted that the Pacesetters State held a lot of promise since 1976 when it was created and the opportunity to fully place the state where it rightly belongs depended on who succeeds the incumbent governor in 2019.
“As the race for the occupation of Agodi Government House in 2019 gets more interesting by the day, it is imperative for all hands to be put on deck to assist the teeming electorate in determining the best man for the job since many capable hands are jostling to grab a single coveted seat.
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“Political pundits are of the opinion that most of the contenders particularly within the ruling APC are good enough to be governor in their own respective merit but only the best should be thrown up for the herculean task of governing a state like Oyo with vast population density and a lot of expectations from the outside world.
“It was on this premise that we volunteered to scrutize most of the leading aspirants and at the end of the painstaking exercise, we found the presence of all the needed attributes in one APC gubernatorial aspirant and the man is Dr. Olusola Ayandele who has been confirmed to be far ahead of his rivals as far as Oyo 2019 is concerned.
“While we are making a case for merit consideration above any premodial sentiment, we feel obliged to guide the discerning stakeholders including decision makers at the party level and the electorate to dwell on his noble background, academic achievements, public/private sectors exploits, global exposure, moral and social responsibility record as well as philanthropic gesture, loyalty and programmes of action designed to uplift the people.
“One should also be mindful of the fact that the same Dr. Ayandele has always been accessible to all and sundry while he is the only one who has traversed the nooks and crannies of Oyo State in order to consult widely with relevant stakeholders such as traditional rulers, religious leaders, party faithful and the entire masses in the last few weeks as against the practice of many aspirants who restrict themselves to the state capital.
“With no known Godfathers, sponsors and hired thugs, Dr. Ayandele has been able to sell his ambition across the state while an average resident in any of Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa zones can attest to the fact that he is indeed competent and ready to serve. Apparently, this must have allayed the fear of many people who wished for an ideal leader to succeed Sen. Ajimobi in office.” The statement concluded.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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