Politics
CONGRESS: Group lauds APC leaders for positions zoned to Oyo town, suggests Okunlola as party secretary
New Era Frontier, a group loyal to the All Progressives Congress, (APC), on Thursday, lauded the leaders of the party for the positions zoned to Oyo town ahead of next Saturday’s state congress.
The party leaders had, on Wednesday, zoned the positions of state secretary, state auditor, assistant organizing secretary and assistant publicity secretary to Oyo zone.
In a statement by Kazeem Bukunmi and Elijah Adekunle, the group assured that the APC in Oyo zone would continue to deliver, stressing that the positions is a reward for delivering the town for APC in the 2019 House of Assembly election.
The statement read, ”Apart from the governorship election which we lost by little margin, APC in Oyo town recorded 100 per cent in other elections in the ancient town. Apart from Prince Akeem Adeyemi who was re-elected for the second term, the trio of Hon. Asimiyu Alarape (Atiba), Isiaka Arole (Oyo East/Oyo West)!and Seyi Adisa (AFIJIO) all defeated their opponents to become state lawmakers. So, we see these positions zoned to us as a reward for staying strong with the party in the last election.
”While we express appreciation to former governor Adébáyọ̀ Alao-Akala, former deputy governors Iyiola Oladokun and Moses Alake-Adeyemo and other leaders of the APC in Oyo State, we want to implore our leaders to utilize the opportunity and filing the vacancies with qualified and energetic persons so as to represent us well at the state level.
”For example, the position of a party secretary is tedious and as such, a capable person is required. Though we have then in abundance but one of them is Comrade Taiwo Okunlola. Almost in his mid-40s, he is a member of the board of Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA. His love for education is insatiable as he is an alumnus of the Osun State College of Technology Esa-oke in 1999 where he had his National Diploma in Electrical/Electronics. In his quest for more knowledge, Olafemi proceeded to Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye in 2003 and bagged B.A. in Mass communication (Public Relations major). He completed his Masters degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at the Institute of African Studies (now Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies), University of Ibadan in 2011, where he was also a student member of Society for Peace Studies and practice {SPSP). His research interest was on internal conflict. Olafemi also holds a Diploma in Public Relations from National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nigeria.
“Within Oyo federal constituency and beyond, he is well known as he was once national president of the Federation of Oyo State Students Union, FOSSU. Before then, Okunlola had served in different students’ leadership capacities, which include national secretary of National Association of Oyo students, NAOS and national speaker of the same association.
“Okunlola began his active service as a political office holder in Nigeria as far back as 2007, when he served as the chief of staff to the chairman of Oyo East local government. He was also appointed as personal assistant to the chairman of the same council and served from February, 2012 to January 2015. Due to his experience as a UNICEF/NYSC peer educator trainer, PET, who has trained hundreds of in-school and out-of-school youths on HIV/AIDS, Okunlola was appointed as the chairman, local action committee on AIDS(LACA), in his native Oyo East local government.
It continued, “In the last election, Okunlola sought to represent Oyo East/West state constituency on the platform of our great party. He bowed to party’s decision. He was also recently appointed as a member Oyo State media and publicity committee of APC membership registration exercise.
“We can go on and on but time won’t permit us. The success of any administration, as well know, rests on the secretariat of the party which is headed by the secretary. In recent past, the progressives have recorded huge successes due to the youthfulness of those who have manned the office. Here is Okunlola who is young in age and mind, who has the zeal and energy to work with other Excos members to achieve what we want. Almost all the states have Excos majorly headed by youthful people. So Oyo shouldn’t be an exemption.
“A facilitator of numerous jobs opportunities for youths across the state who works in a federal agency through his office, some with other government parastatals. He has been described as a young human capacity builder who has the capacity of bringing together,” the statement concluded.
They assured that if Okunlola is allowed to be secretary, the people of Oyo and Oyo State in general would know it for good.
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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