Politics
Ex-Oyo lawmaker, Olafisoye backs Buhari’s decision on electoral bill
A former Chief Whip in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede better known as Lafi has said that Nigerians have lost confidence in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari that is why it is difficult to see anything good in whatever action he takes as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He stated this while speaking on the controversy surrounding the refusal of President Buhari to assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill passed by the National Assembly which approved conduct of Direct Primary election for various political parties to pick their candidates.
Akinmoyede , who represented Lagelu State constituency between 2015 and 2019, maintained that what the President has done was the best thing considering the peculiarities and constitution of each of the political parties as well as the excessive financial implication and shortage of staff that would be needed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the primaries of all the political parties.
He stressed further that apart from the cost implication stated above, the direct primary might create more crisis in the political space in the country that is still battling with insecurity.
According to him, this aspect of the direct primary contained in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill is beyond the National Assembly containing 109 Senators and 360 House of Representatives members alone. “What the Lawmakers should have done before passing the bill was to subject it to public debate in all the 774 local government areas of the federation to seek people’s opinion.
“This aspect of electoral process is something that affects the entire Nigerians. So consideration of this bill must be in the overall interest of over 200 million people irrespective of their political inclinations.” he maintained.
Speaking further on the internal crisis that trailed the ward, local and state congresses elections conducted so far by the APC in some states especially Oyo, the former lawmaker noted that such misunderstanding was normal in a big party with many gladiators like the APC for democracy to thrive.
He expressed optimism that the misunderstanding would be resolved and strengthen the party ahead of the 2023 election.
“APC has constitution which stipulates that the Governor is the leader of the party in each state but where there is no sitting governor, the former governor, if any, shall be the leader. So in the case of Oyo State, we don’t have sitting governor and the only former Governor we have at present is Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala. He is therefore automatically the leader of the party in Oyo State while Chief Akin Oke is the acting State Chairman until the substantive state Chairman of the party is sworn in.”
Lafisoye who ruled out the possibility of conducting any fresh state congress election in the state said such will be challenged and upturned by the court.
He disclosed that the leadership of the party are working on harmonizing the list of executive so as to accommodate all interested factions for peace to reign.
While calling on all gladiators in the party to sheath their sword in the interest of the party, Hon. Lafisoye advised any aspirant who sees himself as serious contender for gubernatorial election to come out and propagate himself instead of thinking that the ticket would be brought to him in his house.
When asked on his intention for the 2023 election, Lafisoye who is also a former council boss hinted that though there was already established rotational arrangement between Akinyele/Lagelu for picking candidate for Federal House of Representatives, he would embark on wide consultation among the stakeholders and weigh the credibility of aspirants from other parties as well before making his final decision on whether to contest or not for the Federal House of Representatives seat.
According to him, “based on the rotational arrangement that exists between Akinyele and Lagelu local government for the selection of our representative for the Federal House of Representatives, presently our representative is from Akinyele. During the 2019 election, all the political parties including PDP, APC, ADC and ADP conceded the ticket to Akinyele local government to present candidates.
“In 2023, it is the turn of Lagelu local government to present candidate. I hope the gladiators in these two local governments will abide by this arrangement. I will capitalise on this to embark on consultation within the leaders and stakeholders for their support.
“But if they say otherwise, I will only support any candidate who is original indigene of Lagelu local government, well brought up and has the charisma to give us effective representation.” He said.
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.
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