Politics
2023: ‘It’s our turn’ – Lagelu PDP leaders, stalwarts demand house of reps slot, as Adeaga declares ambition
Leaders and party stalwarts in Lagelu Local Government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday renewed their demand to further advance the ‘Lagelu lo kan’ (It’s Lagelu’s turn) political project, adding that it was the turn of the local government to produce the party’s Federal House of Representatives candidate.
The Oyo PDP leaders took the lead to Akinyele local government as Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga officially declared ambition to contest the 2023 House of Representatives election on the platform of the ruling party in the state.
Adeaga, who is a successful UK based entrepreneur before returning home to Nigeria held several executive offices under the PDP Diaspora being a founding member of the party in Britain since the return of democracy in Nigeria in1999 while living in the United Kingdom (UK).
Speaking with newsmen shortly after his formal declaration at the PDP Local Government Party Secretariat, Akinyele, Ibadan on Monday December 20, Adeaga, who commended Governor Makinde for making the ruling party the toast of many politicians and prospective political aspirants said he is all out to serve his people with quality and sound representation at the green chamber of the National Assembly.
The House of Reps hopeful who was also accompanied by no fewer than eleven elected Councilors out of the fourteen in Lagelu Local Government went memory lane on how the political journey began upon arriving the UK some over 25 years ago with high hopes and expectations as a young Nigerian abroad. He noted that the passion driving his active involvement in politics was all about giving back to the people and bringing practical developments to Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency.
“We are here today to formally declare my intention to contest the 2023 House of Reps to represent Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency so that the era of docile or poor representation at the green chamber of the National Assembly can be brought to an end because my people certainly deserve so much more as a people with great history in this state.
“If you take a look at how joyful people are by yourself, you would know for sure that this is God’s mandate because you can see how happy and excited they are simply because I declared my intention to contest. Truly the voice of the people is the voice of God and we believe that with God on our side, this mission is an already accomplished one.
“Even though a lot of people have been expecting this for a long time I believe in God’s time and I believe that God’s time is now which is why God placed it on my heart to come out publicly and make this declaration to contest to represent my people at the National Assembly because they deserve nothing less than quality and sound representation.” Adeaga said.
Speaking on the leadership of the party in Oyo state and his trust in a free, fair, and transparent political process that will produce the party’s flagbearer come 2023, Adeaga praised Governor Makinde for his political style and approach to leadership stressing that the party remains supreme to any individual political ambition saying he will not at any point allow personal interest conflict with the party’s overall interest.
“The man at the helms of both Government and party’s affairs in Oyo state today, our able Governor Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde is a man of the people. I know him to be a very trustworthy person, he will always stand by the truth and defend it to the end. He will never allow anyone to suffer injustice of any form so I feel safe and secured as a party man under his able leadership.
“He has been a victim of imposition himself and I know that he will not allow imposition of candidates in our party. I am a party man and I have been a party man under the PDP for a very long time even as the former PDP Public Relation Officer (PRO) southwest UK and also PDP Vice Chairman, UK and Iceland from way back before I finally decided to return home. So, It is PDP first, all others come second.” Adeaga added.
Speaking earlier, some of the PDP leaders from Lagelu who spoke while introducing Adeaga commended the political aspirant for being a committed party man to the core even while he was away in the UK. They noted that he has performed exceptionally well as a loyal and committed PDP member living in diaspora by always reaching out to the party in Lagelu all the time he was being called upon for supports and assistance.
They solicited for support from the leaders and elders of PDP in Akinyele to throw their weight behind Adeaga for the realization of his political aspiration stressing that a man who has done so much for the party in his private and personal capacity without any political ambition for many years deserves a reward for such noting that such political support will encourage others to emulate the act of showing commitment to the party even when no political ambition was attached.
The Chairman, PDP Akinyele Local Government, Engineer Akinsola Peter commended Adeaga, all the party leaders and other political bigwigs that accompanied the aspirant. He urged Adeaga to ensure he does the needful towards Akinyele as being done in Lagelu adding that the door of Akinyele is widely open for the aspirant’s political activities to all nooks and crannies of the local government.
In their separate remarks, PDP leaders in Akinyele commended Adeaga for taking the bull by the horns and bring the first person to officially declare his intention to contest for House of Reps on the platform of the party in Lagelu/Akinyele federal Constituency adding that the door of Akinyele is widely open for him to move around in pursuit of his political ambition.
Some of the leaders noted that for an aspirant to have been led by the array of political leaders, party stalwarts and no fewer than eleven elected Councilors out of the fourteen in Lagelu was a clear show of love and acceptance and assured that Akinyele is ready to work with Lagelu in unison to ensure whoever emerges as the party’s flagbearer eventually emerges winner after the general election.
Other Akinyele leaders who spoke noted that it is in order for individuals to formally indicate their intentions to contest the 2023 election but caution against a rancorous reactions that may lead to needless controversies. The leaders maintained that Governor Seyi Makinde remains the overall leader of the party in the state and his position on party related issues must be factored into any form of consideration urging prospective aspirants to intensify prayers on their aspirations.
The party leaders from Akinyele however, urged Adeaga not to limit his largesse to Lagelu alone noting that the aspirant should ensure even distribution of opportunities and other benefits due to Akinyele as being provided for the people of Lagelu should be given to them in Akinyele while assuring that even though, there may be others with same political aspirations with Adeaga who are yet to declare their intentions officially, politics should be played with the spirit of sportsmanship.
Some of the leaders and elders present as the event include the Honourable Commissioner for Lands, Tpl Olayiwola, Olusegun Emmanuel, Elder Ajao, Ayobami Sunday, elder Kehinde Fabunmi (KENFAB), chief Adegoke, elder Odeyemi, and others notable party leaders.
Politics
Oyo APC Lauds Members’ Peaceful Conduct in Primaries, Moves to Reconcile Aggrieved Aspirants
The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State on Thursday applauded its members for what it described as their peaceful, mature and orderly conduct during the party’s primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying they deserved commendation for sustaining internal democracy.
The party also disclosed that it had commenced moves to reconcile aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders following the conclusion of the fourth phase of its scheduled primaries, including the governorship primary held on Thursday.
The governorship primary, which featured 11 aspirants cleared by the party’s national leadership, marked another milestone in the Oyo APC’s preparations for the 2027 elections as it intensifies efforts to reclaim power in the state.
In a statement issued in Ibadan by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC said the conduct displayed by members throughout the exercise would remain memorable, adding that no amount of commendation would be enough to appreciate their sense of responsibility and commitment.
The statement partly read, “Against all odds, members of Oyo APC demonstrated a high sense of maturity and commitment in choosing party candidates for various elective offices, including the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship positions.
“Not a few political watchers doubted the ability of any political party to conduct successful and hitch-free direct primaries for known reasons, but our great party has proved them wrong.”
The party acknowledged that some complaints and grievances had emerged from aspirants and stakeholders after the primaries but assured members that no individual would be sidelined in the affairs of the party.
“We are aware of complaints and grievances from some aspirants and stakeholders, but no individual leader or member will be taken for granted because we recognise the fact that most complainants are progressive-minded persons with passion for democracy and good governance,” the statement added.
The APC further described its direct primary process as evidence of its commitment to grassroots participation and democratic values, insisting that the exercise distinguished it from other political parties.
“Going by the current situation in the political space across the country, we in the APC have further shown that we are the only democrats around. With the success recorded so far in the conduct of our direct primaries, there is no doubt that our great party is committed to deepening democracy by involving people at the grassroots in the selection of candidates,” it stated.
The party, however, admitted that the process was not entirely flawless but maintained that stakeholders, especially members at the grassroots, deserved recognition for their dedication, loyalty and team spirit.
It noted that as a democratic institution, only one aspirant could emerge victorious in any contest, expressing optimism that members would close ranks and work together for the success of the party in the forthcoming elections.
The statement added that a post-primary reconciliation mechanism had already been activated to ensure unity within the fold.
“The leadership of the party in the state is already working on a post-primary reconciliation drive and very soon, everyone will be on board to participate actively in our electioneering drive,” Sadare said.
The party added that it remained focused on mobilising support for the re-election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reclaiming the Oyo State governorship seat in 2027.
There was jubilation across the nine local government areas of Oyo South Senatorial District on Monday as the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Aderemi Oseni, secured a landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election, winning in all 99 wards in the district.
Oseni, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), emerged victorious across the nine councils that make up the senatorial district, in what party faithful described as a peaceful and well-attended exercise.
The primary election witnessed a large turnout of APC members, many of whom trooped to their respective wards to participate in the exercise amid chants, celebrations, and jubilation following the announcement of results.
Speaking shortly after voting at Community High School, Elenusonso,in ward 7 of Ido local government area, Oseni expressed appreciation to party members for what he described as overwhelming support and confidence in his aspiration.
He assured party members that immediate steps would be taken to unite stakeholders and strengthen cohesion within the party ahead of the general election.
According to him, reconciliation among aspirants and party leaders remained a priority to ensure a formidable APC in Oyo South.
“Disagreement over the nomination of candidates in a political party as large as the APC is expected and normal. We are one family, and whatever misunderstanding that may have arisen during the process will be resolved amicably,” he said.
Oseni also hailed the peaceful conduct of the primary election and the impressive turnout of party members across the nine local government areas, describing the exercise as a demonstration of internal democracy and the growing strength of the APC in Oyo South Senatorial District.
He further pledged inclusive leadership and sustained engagement with party stakeholders, stressing that the collective interest and unity of the APC would remain paramount.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu, popularly known as Lafi, has emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 House of Representatives election after defeating two rivals in the party’s primary election.
Lafi secured victory in the keenly contested exercise held on Saturday, defeating Hon. Sulaiman Hamidu Ajibade and Hon. Danladi Ajao Wasiu by a wide margin to clinch the party’s ticket.
The primary election, conducted across the 26 wards in Akinyele and Lagelu Local Government Areas of Oyo State, witnessed a large turnout of party members amid what observers described as a peaceful and orderly process.
The incumbent lawmaker, who is serving his first term in the National Assembly, reportedly garnered overwhelming support from party faithful whom cited his performance in office and commitment to grassroots development as reasons for backing his re-election bid.
Some party members who spoke with journalists shortly after the announcement of the results said the outcome reflected the confidence reposed in the lawmaker by constituents.
“Our decision to support him is based on his proven capacity for effective representation, accessibility and unwavering commitment to the unity and growth of the party,” one of the party members said.
Others also commended the federal lawmaker’s empowerment initiatives and constituency engagements, describing them as major factors that shaped the outcome of the exercise.
Addressing party supporters after the election at Ward 7, Lalupon, Lafi expressed gratitude to APC members for their support and confidence in his leadership.
He also appealed to other aspirants and party stakeholders to close ranks and work together in the interest of unity and electoral victory in the 2027 general elections.
“This victory belongs to all of us. I appreciate the trust and confidence our party members have reposed in me, and I urge everyone to join hands with us as we continue to build a stronger and more united party ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.
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