Politics
2023: ‘It’s our turn’ – Lagelu PDP leaders, stalwarts demand house of reps slot, as Adeaga declares ambition
Leaders and party stalwarts in Lagelu Local Government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday renewed their demand to further advance the ‘Lagelu lo kan’ (It’s Lagelu’s turn) political project, adding that it was the turn of the local government to produce the party’s Federal House of Representatives candidate.
The Oyo PDP leaders took the lead to Akinyele local government as Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga officially declared ambition to contest the 2023 House of Representatives election on the platform of the ruling party in the state.
Adeaga, who is a successful UK based entrepreneur before returning home to Nigeria held several executive offices under the PDP Diaspora being a founding member of the party in Britain since the return of democracy in Nigeria in1999 while living in the United Kingdom (UK).
Speaking with newsmen shortly after his formal declaration at the PDP Local Government Party Secretariat, Akinyele, Ibadan on Monday December 20, Adeaga, who commended Governor Makinde for making the ruling party the toast of many politicians and prospective political aspirants said he is all out to serve his people with quality and sound representation at the green chamber of the National Assembly.
The House of Reps hopeful who was also accompanied by no fewer than eleven elected Councilors out of the fourteen in Lagelu Local Government went memory lane on how the political journey began upon arriving the UK some over 25 years ago with high hopes and expectations as a young Nigerian abroad. He noted that the passion driving his active involvement in politics was all about giving back to the people and bringing practical developments to Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency.
“We are here today to formally declare my intention to contest the 2023 House of Reps to represent Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency so that the era of docile or poor representation at the green chamber of the National Assembly can be brought to an end because my people certainly deserve so much more as a people with great history in this state.
“If you take a look at how joyful people are by yourself, you would know for sure that this is God’s mandate because you can see how happy and excited they are simply because I declared my intention to contest. Truly the voice of the people is the voice of God and we believe that with God on our side, this mission is an already accomplished one.
“Even though a lot of people have been expecting this for a long time I believe in God’s time and I believe that God’s time is now which is why God placed it on my heart to come out publicly and make this declaration to contest to represent my people at the National Assembly because they deserve nothing less than quality and sound representation.” Adeaga said.
Speaking on the leadership of the party in Oyo state and his trust in a free, fair, and transparent political process that will produce the party’s flagbearer come 2023, Adeaga praised Governor Makinde for his political style and approach to leadership stressing that the party remains supreme to any individual political ambition saying he will not at any point allow personal interest conflict with the party’s overall interest.
“The man at the helms of both Government and party’s affairs in Oyo state today, our able Governor Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde is a man of the people. I know him to be a very trustworthy person, he will always stand by the truth and defend it to the end. He will never allow anyone to suffer injustice of any form so I feel safe and secured as a party man under his able leadership.
“He has been a victim of imposition himself and I know that he will not allow imposition of candidates in our party. I am a party man and I have been a party man under the PDP for a very long time even as the former PDP Public Relation Officer (PRO) southwest UK and also PDP Vice Chairman, UK and Iceland from way back before I finally decided to return home. So, It is PDP first, all others come second.” Adeaga added.
Speaking earlier, some of the PDP leaders from Lagelu who spoke while introducing Adeaga commended the political aspirant for being a committed party man to the core even while he was away in the UK. They noted that he has performed exceptionally well as a loyal and committed PDP member living in diaspora by always reaching out to the party in Lagelu all the time he was being called upon for supports and assistance.
They solicited for support from the leaders and elders of PDP in Akinyele to throw their weight behind Adeaga for the realization of his political aspiration stressing that a man who has done so much for the party in his private and personal capacity without any political ambition for many years deserves a reward for such noting that such political support will encourage others to emulate the act of showing commitment to the party even when no political ambition was attached.
The Chairman, PDP Akinyele Local Government, Engineer Akinsola Peter commended Adeaga, all the party leaders and other political bigwigs that accompanied the aspirant. He urged Adeaga to ensure he does the needful towards Akinyele as being done in Lagelu adding that the door of Akinyele is widely open for the aspirant’s political activities to all nooks and crannies of the local government.
In their separate remarks, PDP leaders in Akinyele commended Adeaga for taking the bull by the horns and bring the first person to officially declare his intention to contest for House of Reps on the platform of the party in Lagelu/Akinyele federal Constituency adding that the door of Akinyele is widely open for him to move around in pursuit of his political ambition.
Some of the leaders noted that for an aspirant to have been led by the array of political leaders, party stalwarts and no fewer than eleven elected Councilors out of the fourteen in Lagelu was a clear show of love and acceptance and assured that Akinyele is ready to work with Lagelu in unison to ensure whoever emerges as the party’s flagbearer eventually emerges winner after the general election.
Other Akinyele leaders who spoke noted that it is in order for individuals to formally indicate their intentions to contest the 2023 election but caution against a rancorous reactions that may lead to needless controversies. The leaders maintained that Governor Seyi Makinde remains the overall leader of the party in the state and his position on party related issues must be factored into any form of consideration urging prospective aspirants to intensify prayers on their aspirations.
The party leaders from Akinyele however, urged Adeaga not to limit his largesse to Lagelu alone noting that the aspirant should ensure even distribution of opportunities and other benefits due to Akinyele as being provided for the people of Lagelu should be given to them in Akinyele while assuring that even though, there may be others with same political aspirations with Adeaga who are yet to declare their intentions officially, politics should be played with the spirit of sportsmanship.
Some of the leaders and elders present as the event include the Honourable Commissioner for Lands, Tpl Olayiwola, Olusegun Emmanuel, Elder Ajao, Ayobami Sunday, elder Kehinde Fabunmi (KENFAB), chief Adegoke, elder Odeyemi, and others notable party leaders.
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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