Politics
2023: Why I’m running for senate – Faozey
Engr. Faozey Oladotun, Oyo central senatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in the last general elections, on Tuesday, ended speculations about his re-run bid, saying that he was back in the race to fulfill his vision for the development of the state by possessing legal authority to engage in the formulation of public policy, as well as to create a sustainable development platform for his constituents , particularly the youths; in order to harness their full potentials .
Oladotun, noted that their energy has not been totally harnessed for productive use, assuring that the platform will renew the hope of the people.
He, specifically tasked the youths to tap into the opportunity of this generation by taking advantage of the fourth industrial revolution driven by digital technology.
“To be realistic and fair to ourselves, this generation belongs to the youths . The present occupant of Oyo Central senatorial district, Oloye Teslim Folarin, became a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria at the age of 39 years.
“Even, in developed countries, most of the richest people are the youths, including Facebook C.E.O, Mark Zuckerberg, whose fortune made him the sixth richest in the world. He’s just 37 years old. The ideology, I want to sell is about tapping the opportunity of this generation, that’s my vision, that’s what I want to bring on board because; we own this generation”, he said.
The APC chieftain, who disclosed this while addressing a press conference in Ibadan , the Oyo state capital, also revealed that he has learnt some lessons from the previous political process that would be crucial to making decisions about his future aspirations.
According to him, “initially, I didn’t plan to embark on politics, even in those days, I usually tell people that I will never participate in politics. I came back to Oyo in 2018 for different purpose. There is a non- governmental organization in Italy, its role is to bring in innovative road construction products. I came in and we wrote FERMA, informing the agency about the concept, unfortunately, we were unable to get the approval to execute the project, even up til now; because they wanted something. So, because of this delay in approval process , one of my brothers in Oyo town, who is also a politician, later advised me to contest for the National Assembly seat so that I can be able to facilitate these developments for my people; with less stress. That was when my journey into politics started. We sat together and drafted some plans as to how to go about it.
“Also, in Nigeria, we have almost 2 billion minutes international calls coming in monthly, and from that 2 billion calls, government is not making a cent. So, we introduced international sort out to the federal government which will pass through Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Telecommunications, but they didn’t see the light in it, because they wanted immediate gains, the proposal did not fly. If, we calculate 2 billion minutes calls, even if the government only introduces N5 as tax, its a huge revenue which is billions of naira monthly into the covers of the government. But, up till now, that policy has not been implemented in Nigeria.
“So, the political process started due to gallant of approvals that we were unable to secure for these projects. My people would have benefited from these projects , so, in terms of policy making, I want to get involved actively ”, he declared.
Speaking further , the successful ICT guru, also announced his readiness to establish the first Oyo Incubation and Innovation Tech hub in Oyo town. He explained that the hub will assist in research and development, adding that anyone with innovative idea would be mentored, empowered with start up fund among others.
The Oyo – born politician, also revealed that he is planning to launch the first electric vehicles with charging stations in his town.
He said, “We are trying to set up the first Oyo Incubation and Innovation Tech hub which is going to be situated in Oyo town. The purpose of setting up this hub is that anything that relates to research and development would be coming out from there and anyone with an innovative idea can come down, we will give mentorship , start up fund and some other things that are related. For example, we planned to launch the first electric vehicles and set up charging stations for at least 10 electric vehicles. I want to create platforms for people, particularly the youths to be self-reliance.
“Because, we have created the platform, a lot of investors will come in that in the whole of Oyo state, in Oyo town that’s where we have electric cars , it’s going to be reflected on google, thus placing the town on the map. That’s what we are trying to do.
Oladotun, however, assured that Oyo town, as one of the hubs in Nigeria, would be used for the upcoming Internet Governance Forum (IGF) meeting which is billed for Poland before the end of this year, saying “it is even going to be the first in the Southwest , we don’t even have it in Lagos presently.
“We are using our Oyo Tech Hub to host Internet Governance Forum meeting which is a global thing. A lot of people will participate at a global level. This will surely attract huge development not only to the town, but the state in general”, he added.
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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