Politics

Reconciling APC Reconciliation In Oyo State | By Idowu Ayodele

Published

6 years ago

August 17, 2020

Without a doubt, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state will of necessity required some balancing, broadness, fairness , forgiveness, openness and truth to bring back its aggrieved members in the state.

Before former Governor Abiola Ajimobi died, he put in place a broad based reconciliation committee to bring together the warring groups and fragmented caucuses within the Oyo state All Progressives Congress (APC). Many of the genuine and committed members of the party, faced with glim chances to actualise their hopes, aspirations and interests before the 2019 elections, left the party. They teamed up and with ‘Oyo protest votes’ ensured that APC lost the gubernatorial, state assembly election and many other elections into the chambers of federal legislature. Aggrieved members who left the party to pursue their political ambitions elsewhere also failed woefully at the poll.

Pitiably, the reconciliation committee has not really made headway as some dissenting members do not believe in the leadership and composition of the committee. However, a party in opposition must quickly gets his act together, as year 2023 draws near. This is very urgent and important.

Akala leadership of Oyo APC

Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao – Akala, a former governor of Oyo state was made the Chairman of the reconciliation committee set up by late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi before he died. In about a year, he has held about three general meetings and has scheduled members of the committee to start making contacts with members that had misgivings against the party to come back. After Ajimobi, the Oyo state APC state leader has died like his predecessor, late Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina (Great Lam), also a former governor.

In all fairness, Akala is the only former governor in the camp of Oyo APC now.

Arguments against him had included that the former governor has not been a progressive from inception. The truth is that there is a thin line between Progressive and conservative camps in Nigeria political sphere now. Who could have thought that original Awoist like Ebenezer Babatope could be in the conservative camp of the PDP? Or a hardworking, result bearing Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari representing Oyo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly could find solace and settlement in Oyo state APC that he has been for decades from the PDP where he decamped?

Akala has the clout, remnants of deep financial pockets, political structure, networks and large heart that can enable him galvanise the various interests in the party. More so, unlike many of those against his leadership, Adebayo Alao-Akala is not contesting for any elective political office again. At best, the agitation of many opposers of his state leadership of the party has been that Ajimobi had the political structure of SENACO and cannot impose another SENACO on them; so let a LAMIST be made Deputy state leader then.

A neutral person like Akala is more advantageous to nip in the bud the critical disturbing divisions within Oyo state APC.

2023 Elections

The major political Party against the All Progressives Congress in Oyo state is and will be the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Despite being the ruling party in the state as a result of ‘mistakes’ of Oyo state APC in the 2019 elections, PDP is not a particularly strong party in Oyo state. It defeated Oyo state APC because of the coalition and merger with other parties just before the 2019 elections. There was imposition of candidates in APC and many candidates who contested election did not embrace their colleagues in the party who did not win the primaries. It is however, important to note the following:

* No one party, interest or godfather can single-handedly win a gubernatorial election in Oyo state, going forward. Without merger and coalition of groups, interests and parties, Oyo APC SENACO, LAMIST, Amosun elements or Akala PDP splinter group or APC as a party cannot do it alone.

* Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state is not strong; neither the party , nor the state leader, Governor Seyi Makinde can be underrated. PDP has the concept of ‘first get the power at all costs’ and then ‘share’. By year 2021, Governor Seyi Makinde will begin sharing more than ever before. APC at the National level should empower stakeholders of the party in Oyo state more than before if there will be genuinely committed members to hold party members down before 2023 elections.

* The issue of governorship candidate, especially should be settled as soon as possible by 2021 and even in many elective posts, contenders should be reduced to barest minimum. A major issue tearing the Oyo state APC apart include but not limited to the issue of many candidates for the primary elections pre-2019 who paid huge sums of money to the party and sectional party leaders but were not allowed even to participate in the primary.

Contenders should be spoken to on time and fair screening of all candidates should be done. It will minimize desertions.

Interestingly, politics in Oyo state has a self-regulating system. After Bola Ige, of Oyo plus Osun states, it was only Akala who was able to become governor outside the Ibadan zone. Ibadan voting area has the population and deciding votes. A political party thinking about winning gubernatorial election in Oyo state should be thinking about an Ibadan man.

Even religion-wise, Bola Ige was a Christian, after him came Alhaji Lam Adesina, a Muslim, after the great Lam came Ladoja (Muslim) / and Akala (Christian) who finished the tenure. After Christian Christopher Alao Akala , came Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi, a Muslim. Then a Christian Seyi Makinde is the present occupant of the Agodi Government House. As it is, the vociferous powerful huge Muslim communities are already complaining marginalisation in the scheme of things in Oyo state. Your guess is as good as mine, for the better choice in terms of religion by a party desirous of unseating the incumbent in Oyo state.

* Not everybody will be able to come on board. However, the state leadership of the party must embrace an all inclusive programme to reach out to all former members individually and as groups. Let their former traumas, frustrations, dismay be met with promises of better deals.

Ajimobi has ‘crack team’ of unbiased apolitical, intelligentsia who worked with him in all local governments and they were able to feed him with truths about happenings and gatekeepers who could assist him. Identifying these people may also assist the party in its future elections.

The Oke-Ogun and Oyo North axis should not be neglected in the new emphasis and scheme of things. The Ibarapa Zone is also an area that Oyo state APC needs to work on, as the young speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin has become the new ‘political czar’ in the zone.

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Politics

Adeleke: I Had No Electoral Deal With ADC

Published

5 days ago

August 18, 2026

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OSUN State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has denied having any electoral agreement or partnership with the African Democratic Congress before, during or after the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke made the clarification on Tuesday in a post on his verified X handle, saying his victory was achieved through the support of God and the people of Osun State.

The governor said the ADC was not part of the political coalition that campaigned and mobilised support for his re-election, describing the group of political allies that worked for his victory as a “rainbow coalition.”

He said, “I had no electoral deal or partnership with the ADC before, during, or after the governorship election.”

Adeleke added that it was important to put the record straight, stressing that the ADC was not part of the coalition that campaigned and mobilised support for his re-election.

“For the sake of history, it is important to clarify that the ADC was never part of the rainbow coalition that canvassed, mobilised, and supported our campaign in the battle leading to last Saturday’s election,” he said.

The governor thanked his political allies for their sacrifices and efforts during the campaign, noting that their commitment contributed to his victory at the poll.

Adeleke, who called for unity after the election, said he remained governor of all Osun residents regardless of their political affiliation, religion or tribe.

“Now that the election is over, I remain the Governor of all Osun people, irrespective of political affiliation, religion, or tribe. My commitment is to unite our people and continue working for the progress and prosperity of Osun State,” he said.

Adeleke defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, in the keenly contested election.

The governor polled 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes, while Salaam secured 17,180 votes.

Adeleke won in 19 of the 30 local government areas in the state, while Oyebamiji won the remaining 11.

Politics

Adeleke Reaffirms Tinubu Endorsement After Osun Victory

Published

1 week ago

August 16, 2026

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Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has renewed his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, barely hours after he was declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election.

Adeleke, who secured a second term in office, also commended Tinubu for what he described as his support for a free, fair and credible electoral process.

The governor spoke in Osogbo on Sunday while reacting to his victory, which he dedicated to the people of Osun State.

“At this point, I must deeply appreciate Mr President, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his strong support for a free and fair election,” Adeleke said.

“Mr President is a son of Osun State. And I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.”

Adeleke thanked the people of the state for standing by him, saying their resilience and commitment to democracy had helped to produce the outcome of the election.

“In the last few months, Osun people have been under very intense pressure. Today, the issues are settled by the grace of God and the people.

“I therefore dedicate this victory to the good people of Osun State. I deeply appreciate your resilience, your strong will and your unwavering commitment to democracy,” he said.

The governor promised not to disappoint the electorate, saying his administration would build on its achievements and address areas where it had fallen short.

“As you have trusted me again for the second term in office, I will not disappoint you. To serve you better, I will reinforce my strong points and correct my errors,” Adeleke stated.

He also pledged to pursue accelerated development across the state under his renewed five-point agenda.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner of the election in the early hours of Sunday.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, announced in Osogbo that Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.

The candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

A total of 1,005,800 votes were cast across the 30 local government areas of the state, while 985,079 votes were declared valid.

INEC said 1,010,684 voters were accredited for the election, which was contested by candidates of 15 political parties.

Adeleke’s victory secures another four-year term for him and further strengthens his political position in Osun ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

Tinubu tasks INEC, security agencies on credible Osun election

Published

1 week ago

August 14, 2026

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President Bola Tinubu has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State.

Tinubu made the call in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, ahead of Saturday’s poll.

The President urged INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that voters are allowed to freely choose their preferred candidate.

“As the people of Osun State head to the polling units to elect who will govern them in the next four years, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure orderly conduct of the election.

“The election must be transparent, free and fair. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process,” he said.

Tinubu also urged the electoral commission to use the Osun election as an opportunity to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” the President added.

The President also charged the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security chiefs deployed for the election to provide adequate security at polling units and prevent attempts to disrupt the exercise.

“I have charged the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security outfits taking part in the election to provide maximum security at polling units. No room should be allowed for troublemakers to disrupt the process,” Tinubu said.

He stressed the need to protect voters and electoral officials, urging residents to participate in the election without fear or intimidation.

“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation. Voters should feel confident to go out in their numbers to vote for the candidate of their choice, as all measures necessary to ensure a peaceful, free and fair election have been put in place.

“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” he said.

Tinubu further urged voters to exercise their civic responsibility peacefully and avoid actions capable of undermining the conduct of the election.

More than 25,000 security personnel have been deployed across the state for the poll, while INEC has said preparations are on course.

With 15 candidates on the ballot, the election is expected to be keenly contested as voters across the state’s 30 local government areas elect a governor for the next four years.