Politics
LG Elections: Why Lagelu APC Will Not Partake – Oyo Reps Member, Olafisoye
…Says Leaders, Stakeholders Unite On Decision
A member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Olafsoye Akinmoyede Wasiu on Saturday cleared the air on the insinuation that he was the brain behind the withdrawal of the Lagelu local government chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from participating in the forthcoming local government election, stressing that the decision was unanimously made by all the leaders and stakeholders in the council and communicated to the State Executive committee of the party.
Mega Icon Magazine recalled that the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) had earlier fixed April 27, 2024, for the conduct of the local government election, and the major opposition party, APC had announced its readiness to fully participate in the said election.
However, some members of the party had alleged that the federal lawmaker, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede better known as ‘Lafi’, single-handedly prevailed on the leaders of the party from fielding candidates for either the chairman or councilors across the 14 wards in Lagelu Local government area.
Reacting to the allegation, Lafi stated that he has no power to control or influence any member from exercising his right to contest for any election, adding that the decision was made by the leaders at a stakeholders meeting held at the party Chairman’s house on Monday, August 7, 2023, to discuss on the subject matter and in the best interest of the members of the party who are yet to recover from the financial losses they suffered during the last general election in the State.
In his words, “On the forthcoming local government elections, all the APC leaders in Lagelu local government held a stakeholders meeting and after due consultation with members, they came to the painful conclusion that our party in Lagelu will not field candidates for the election on the ground that the local government election has always been winner takes it all affairs with the ruling party taking it all.
‘In our wisdom, we considered it unworthy to allow members to spend their hard-earned money and other resources in an election where it is evident that the ruling party will clear everything across the 33 local government areas in the State.
“We also took into consideration the losses of individuals and all party members at large in the recently concluded general elections who are yet to recover from their respective losses should they decide to commit another resource in another election which is to be conducted by an electoral umpire put in place by the ruling party in the state.
“In my contribution at the said meeting, I drew the attention of the leaders to the fact that winner takes it all affairs during the local government election is not peculiar to Oyo State alone as it has been practiced by state governors in all the 36 states of the federation that the ruling party in control of government will clear all the local government council election I also cited the example of 2018 when the APC led administration under the late Abiola Ajimobi conducted and cleared all the 68 local government areas including local council development areas and 620 councilors.
“For the above-stated reasons, the leaders, party executives, ward chairmen, and other critical stakeholders unanimously agreed not to participate in the election that the outcome is already known will be won 100 percent by the ruling party no matter the efforts committed to it by the opposition parties.
“I now wonder why such a decision is being attributed to me alone, but I consider it as the handiwork of my traducers who are hell-bent on tarnishing my image for reasons best known to them”, the lawmaker submitted.
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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