Politics
2023: Ex-Oyo Assembly chief whip, Lafisoye declares interest in house of representatives seat
Indeed, it was a jubilation galore at Ejioku in Lagelu Local Government area as the former Chief Whip in the 8th Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede officially declared his intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat.
Olafisoye, popularly addressed as ‘Lafi’ by his admirers, who aspires to represent Lagelu/Akinyele Federal constituency in 2023 made his declaration at the All Progressives Congress (APC) party secretariat office, Ejioku, on Thursday in the presence of all the party leaders in the state, and all the local governments and wards party executives in the federal constituency.
In his remarks at the event, the Oyo Central Senatorial Chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji (a.k.a. Atiku) declared that the issue about who will get the party ticket for the Lagelu /Akinyele federal constituency has already been settled because the incumbent represntative of the constituency, Sir Akintola Oluokun, who hails from Akinyele Local Government has certified that the ticket should be given to Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede from Lagelu Local Government following his decision not to re-contest again.
According to him, “history is being written with what is happening here today because we have cause to thank God that the issue of House of Representatives ticket for Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency has been settled. The present occupant of the position, Hon (Sir) Akintola Oluokun has certified the person to whom the ticket shall be given following his decision not to re-contest again. He has endorsed that the ticket be given to Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede who has surrendered his life and left it on the altar to be slaughtered for the party. I am also aware that all the leaders, elders, and party executives at Lagelu and Akinyele local government areas have thrown their weight behind his candidacy.
“I am saying this to let others know that there is a reward for everything and to let them know that no aspirant will be sidelined as each of them shall be rewarded with whatever is due to them at the appropriate time. The present leadership of APC in Oyo state will not impose any candidate against the popular wish of the people and will not allow any external influence to determine for us in selecting candidates for any elective positions. This is an assurance from the party Chairman, Hon. Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu”, Oyebamiji assured.
Declaring his ambition, Hon. Olafisoye said he is in the race to make use of his experience to make meaningful contributions to the state and national development as a legislator so as to attract monumental projects targeting at developing the Lagelu/ Akinyele federal Constituency from the federal government and to bring dividends of democracy to the door step of the people.
Tagged “Ilerioluwa 2023”, Lafisoye who hails from Ile Oba Isale Lalupon in Lagelu Local Government, expressed optimism of clinching the APC ticket to represent the party at the election.
He enjoined other party faithful to rally round his candidacy so as to ameliorate the sufferings of the people through effective representation at the National Assembly.
His words, “I am in the race for Federal House of Representatives because I want to make use of my experience in politics. I have been in this game of politics since 1998 having served as council chairman for Lagelu Local Government and as Oyo State House of Assembly member for four years, I have good record as a politician and all the necessary experiences needed to run and win.
“Look at the crowd of people who gathered here today from the two local governments to show their support. All the leaders and executive members from the said two local governments are here with us not only to witness my declaration but also to identify with my ambition. This is an affirmation of my acceptability by them and I won’t take their support for granted after the election”, he said.
Other leaders and party executives from the two local governments that spoke at the event, Hon. D.A. Lawal, Madam Abodunwa Abosede, Madam Lateefat Olayinka Jayeoba, Mrs Felicia Bukola, Chief Mrs Akinpelu Olufunke, Elder Amoo, Hon. Ambali Abiola, Professor Adeyemo Oyewo and others all testified that Olafisoye is the best when talking about complete grassroot politician that the party can field for the House of Representatives election in 2023 if it desires to win the election.
Representatives of Team Senator Teslim Folarin, members of Omoluabi Frontiers Group by Chief Yemi Aderibigbe in Lagelu/Akinyele local governments, members of Hausa community in Lagelu/Akinyele, Hon Shina Alabi, Hon. Apapa Adeleke, Hon. Charles Olalekan Odunade, Hon. Abiodun Adedeji, Hon. Taofeek Arowomole, Hon. Aransi Akibu, Hon. M.N. Lawal, Hon. Kehinde Adeleke, Hon. Femi Akintunde, Hon. Wale Bello, Femi Akinyemi were among the leaders present at the ceremony.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of letter of expression of interest to contest presented by Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede separately to the party chairmen in both Akinyele and Lagelu local governments, Hon. Awoyoola Fatai Sunday and Engr. Akinbode Emmanuel which was read on their behalf by Hon. Gbenga Adekanmbi, party Secretary in Lagelu Local Government area.
Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo South Senatorial District have endorsed a member of the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Alice Hall, Ibadan, with party leaders, stakeholders, local government chairmen and state executive members from the nine local government areas in attendance.
The councils represented at the meeting are Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North and Ido.
The stakeholders expressed satisfaction with Oseni’s aspiration, describing it as timely, credible and anchored on tested leadership and grassroots appeal.
Those present at the meeting included Chief Timothy Jolaoso (Ibarapa East); Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe (Ido); Chief Abdulrauf Bello (Ido); Alhaji Muili Oluokun (Ibadan North-West); Alhaji Mufutau Adisa (Ibadan South-East); Alhaji Bello Oladeji (Ibadan North); Prince Gbade Lana (Ibadan North-East); Engr. Olatunji (Ibadan South-West); Comrade Wale Gbadamosi (Ibarapa North); and Alhaja Moji Adetona (Ibarapa Central).
Other party officials in attendance were the senatorial chairman, Alhaji Mojeed Adebayo; the secretary, Fatai Adesina; Welfare Officer, Sunday Babalola; Deputy Women Leader, Alhaja Fatimah Hassan; Auditor, Alhaja Tinu Adigun; Youth Leader, Lekan Adebayo; Ex-Officio member, Kola Amoo; Treasurer, Lateef Ajiboye; and Senatorial Youth Leader, Olalekan Olowe.
A chieftain of the party in Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Shina Alabi, moved the motion for the lawmaker’s endorsement, which was seconded and unanimously adopted by the stakeholders.
Alabi said Oseni’s decision to abide by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to step down his governorship ambition for the senatorial race underscored his loyalty and commitment to party unity.
He said, “Hon. Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of the people. His leadership style is inclusive, responsive and development-driven. We are convinced that his emergence as the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District will strengthen the party’s chances and guarantee effective representation.”
He also urged party members to remain united and rally behind credible aspirants with proven capacity and electoral value.
In his remarks, Hon. Aderemi Oseni said his decision to pursue the senatorial seat followed the presidential directives, noting that he accepted the decision in the interest of party cohesion, progress and stability. He recalled that he had earlier prepared for the Oyo South senatorial race in the 2023 general elections, having already purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms as part of an arrangement reached, before stepping down following appeals by party leaders.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the party must close ranks to reclaim political dominance in the senatorial district.
According to him, “There is a huge task ahead, especially with several House of Representatives seats in the district currently held by the opposition. We must work together, mobilise effectively and secure victory for our party and leader, President Bola Tinubu”.
Oseni thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to advancing the interests of Oyo South Senatorial District.
The meeting also had representatives from all nine local government areas, with about 10 leaders from each council in attendance.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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