Politics
2023: Ibadan Southeast/Northeast aspirants, stakeholders adopt primary after failed consensus
Aspirants for Federal House of Representatives for Ibadan South East/North East federal constituency, including stakeholders and leaders under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have resolved to go into primary as they failed to reach a consensus in picking a candidate on Monday evening.
The PDP stakeholders also lauded Governor Seyi Makinde and the deputy national chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja for their verdict on the conduct of primary when they failed to reach a consensus.
It was learnt that after a series of meetings by the aspirants, leaders and stakeholders from the constituency, they failed to agree on consensus at a meeting held in Ambassador Arapaja’s house on Monday afternoon.
Mega Icon Magazine recalled that Governor Makinde, who is the leader of the party in Oyo state had earlier directed that anywhere they failed to agree on consensus, they should go for a primary.
The Governor, as gathered further stressed that he would provide level playing ground at the primary.
The stakeholders meeting had in attendance, Engr Suleiman (World best), PDP Chairman Ibadan South East; Chief Banjo (IBSE PDP Vice Chairman); Akeem Alarape (IBSE PDP Financial Secretary); Alhaja Kemi (IBSE PDP Women leader); Aare Ajibi (IBSE PDP Youth Leader) and Pastor Emmanuel Alawode (IBSE LG Chairman).
Others included , Hon. Biodun Adedoja (Ekolo), former IBSE LG Chairman; Hon. Popoola (Former Chairman IBSE LG); Hon Fatai Adesina, former state House of Assembly member; Alhaji Yusuf, (former IBSE PDP Chairman); Mogaji Abass Oloko, (PDP Leader); Alhaji Inakoju, (Former House of Assembly) member; Hon Fadipe (Former House of Assembly member); Alhaji Yekini Atoyebi (PDP Leader); Alhaji Hassan (PDP Leader); Pastor Adegoke (PDP Leader); Baba Olaoti (PDP Leader) among others.
The aspirants present at the meeting where they could not reach a compromise on consensus and opted for primary include a United Kingdom-based Nigerian medical consultant, Kazeem Sina Olasupo popularly known as KSO, Akeem Ige, Deji Aboderin, Laide Ali and others.
The aspirants after a meeting at Ambassador Arapaja’s house on Monday afternoon agreed that the leadership of the party should allow them to test their popularity based on their political antecedents.
The aspirants pledged their support for whoever emerges as the party’s candidate provided such is a product of primary election which is the wishes of all members of the party and tenet of democratic setting.
After the meeting at Arapaja’s house, in the evening they proceeded to government house to brief the Governor Makinde the outcome of their meeting.
At the government house, it was gathered that the governor emphatically told them that so far they could not agreed on consensus, he has given his consent to go for primary.
It was also gathered that the governor told them point blank that he has no anointed candidate, that all of them should go to the field to test their popularity, which is the beauty of democracy.
While pledging their support for Governor Makinde, they thanked him for giving them the nod to go to field to exercise their popularity.
“In as much as we cannot agreed on consensus arrangement, we want to thank Governor Makinde and Ambassador Arapaja for allowing the wishes of the people to prevail because the governor himself is a product of democracy”.
Speaking after the meeting, a leader and stalwart of the party from Ibadan South East, Alhaji Tiamiyu Abidikugu disclosed that Governor Seyi Makinde during the meeting at the Government house, told all the stakeholders that, where all the aspirants failed to give their consent on consensus, they should go to the primary.
He applauded Governor Makinde for allow the tenet of democratic to reign supreme, saying with this act, the PDP will be victorious at the 2023 general elections.
Abidikugu maintained that after the meeting at the deputy national chairman’s house, the aspirants, leaders and stakeholders on Monday evening proceeded to the government house to brief the Governor the outcome of the Arapaja’s house meeting where they could not agreed on consensus, hence the need for primary.
He noted that Governor Makinde and Ambassador Arapaja have gave their consent on the conduct of primary after they failed to reach a consensus.
He maintained that the governor told them that he has no anointed candidate but that all aspirants should go to primary when they couldn’t agreed on consensus.
Abidikugu disclosed further that the Governor assured them of level playing ground during the primary.
He maintained that considering the order from the Governor and the deputy national chairman, South, they are awaiting the date for primary.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the newly elected State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
The party, at its state congress held on Tuesday at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, elected a former Deputy Governor of the state, Moses Alake Adeyemo, as its new chairman alongside other state executive members.
Oseni, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, described Adeyemo’s emergence as well-deserved, noting that his experience and longstanding commitment to the party would further strengthen its structure in the state.
He said the peaceful conduct of the congress demonstrated the party’s commitment to internal democracy and progressive leadership.
The statement said, “I congratulate our newly elected State Chairman and leader, His Excellency, Moses Alake Adeyemo, and other members of the State Executive Committee on their emergence. This victory reflects the confidence reposed in them by party members across the state.”
Oseni further expressed confidence that the new leadership would reposition the party for greater cohesion and electoral success.
According to him, “This is a critical moment for our party in Oyo State. It calls for unity, reconciliation, and renewed commitment to the ideals that bind us together as progressives.”
The federal lawmaker assured the new executives of his support and cooperation in advancing the programmes of the party and strengthening its grassroots structures.
He urged party members to rally behind the new leadership to ensure stability and secure future victories for the APC in the state.
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