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.
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.
-
News1 week agoOseni Secures Prestigious City People Political Award Nomination
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Oseni kicks off Oyo South Senate bid, rallies support for one million Tinubu votes
-
Health1 week agoOyo confirms Lassa fever death in Ibadan, activates emergency response, traces contacts
-
Crime & Court1 week agoJoshua crash: Driver faces fresh charges as court adjourns trial