Politics
2023 Presidency: Ibadan unites in support of Tinubu
The aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, last Saturday got boosted as family heads (Mogajis); Baales, chiefs and other notable groups in Ibadanland validated his quest to lead the country.
They unanimously declared their support for the former Lagos State governor at a well-attended event held at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The event, tagged ‘Ilaji Farm Mobilize For Tinubu/Shettima Endorsement In Oyo State’ was organised by a social political group under the aegis of Rontex for BAT Political Signature, and convened by Chief Dotun Sanusi, the Chief Executive Officer of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort in Ibadan.
Other groups that endorsed Tinubu’s presidency included the Agbekoya, O’dua Peoples Congress (OPC) Fasehun faction, Irorun O’dua and non-indigenes represented by people from Akwa- Ibom.
Speaking at the event, Chief Dotun Sanusi said he could vouch for Tinubu, describing him as the most competent among the candidates eyeing the presidential seat.
Sanusi maintained that he believed in Tinubu’s aspiration and would do everything humanly possible to ensure he emerges as the next president.
His words, “I have never taken contracts from any government. I have not taken anything from anybody, but I do accept destiny and the will of God.
“But, it should be said everywhere that the person I have confidence in, who will end our sufferings in Ibadan and Oyo State is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We are talking of presidential poll, not governorship, not National Assembly and not House of Assembly elections. We stand on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the billionaire businessman declared.
The Ibadan Mogaji, however, called on all groups to mobilise support at the grassroots for Tinubu, who according to him, would bring prosperity to all and sundry.
Sanusi, who said he was born a Muslim and today a Christian assured Nigerians that fears being expressed in some quarters over the Muslim -Muslim ticket only exist in the realm of imagination, adding that Tinubu protected the interests of Christians as Governor of Lagos State.
Also speaking, the President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Yemisi Adeaga, declared that Ibadan would always have a position.
According to Adeaga, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli, had sent him to tell the people that “they are keenly watching the character, nature, disposition and relevance of the candidates”.
He added, “for now, we are still watching and we know that by the grace of God, as it was being done before, Olubadan will give a directive through his council for Ibadan people.
“But then, we must state categorically that nobody goes against his people if that can be decoded,” he said.
In his remarks, Hon. Oyetunji Ojo, the Convener, South-west Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 (SWAGA), noted that the body language of the Baales, Mogajis, Obas and groups showed they were in support of Tinubu’s presidency.
The former lawmaker informed that over 10,000 Baales and Mogajis signed a compendium to endorse Tinubu, saying “the body language is all over and you can see their representatives.
“Once the Baales have agreed to that, once the Kabiyesis have agreed to that and once the Mogajis have agreed to that in Ibadanland, you know its a done deal,” he said.
Corroborating Ojo’s position, the National Secretary Southwest Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), Hon. Bosun Oladele described the endorsement of the former governor of Lagos state as a mark of acceptability and a new beginning of good things to come from 2023.
The former lawmaker reiterated that the message to the South-west was unassailable
which is 15 million votes for Tinubu. “And we can only achieve that if we mobilise all our registered voters”.
He said, “we are here because of a wonderful and unprecedented event. We are here because we needed to listen to the call of our people. As you know Chief Sanusi is a prominent Ibadan leader, a community and opinion leader here. He has been able to galvanise the chiefs and Baales in Ibadanland, he has been able to bring everybody together under one umbrella. And the reason for that is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate for APC and the next president of the federal republic of Nigeria by the grace of God.
“We have done the street work. Now, we are going into unit-by-unit. We are going to have unit Marshalls, Unit Captains, and Polling Booth Marshalls.
“All these are people that will work with us. So, the campaign has gone to the level of one-on-one”, Oladele added.
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.
Politics
Ibarapa East Assembly Hopeful, Ramon Congratulates Ajiboye, Says Emergence Good for Oyo APC
An aspirant for the Ibarapa East State Constituency seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Engr. Yusuf Abiodun Ramon, on Tuesday congratulated Alhaji Lateef Akinsanya (Ajiboye) on his emergence as the State Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
Akinsanya was elected at the party’s state congress held today, a development party faithful in Ibarapa East Local Government described as significant for the zone’s growing influence within the APC structure.
In a statement issued shortly after the announcement of the results, Ramon described Ajiboye’s victory as “well-deserved and timely.”
According to him, “Alhaji Lateef Akinsanya has remained steadfast, loyal and committed to the ideals of our great party. His emergence as State Treasurer is a clear affirmation of the trust and confidence members have in his integrity and administrative competence.”
Ramon noted that the election of a party stalwart from Ibarapa East into a critical financial office at the state level would further strengthen grassroots participation and unity within the APC.
“This is not just a personal victory for Ajiboye; it is a collective achievement for Ibarapa East. It reinforces our relevance in the progressive family and encourages broader inclusion in party administration,” he said.
The aspirant expressed confidence that the new treasurer would discharge his responsibilities with transparency, accountability and diligence in order to deepen internal democracy and institutional stability within the party.
He urged party leaders and members across Oyo State to close ranks in support of the newly elected executive members to ensure cohesion and effective management of party affairs ahead of future political engagements.
Ramon reaffirmed his commitment to the growth of the APC in Ibarapa East and Oyo State at large, stressing that sustained unity and responsible leadership remain essential to consolidating the party’s strength across the state.
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