Politics
Ajimobi’s aide ‘Ti O Common’ breaks silence, reacts to misconception generated by his resignation.
CONTRARY to the rumour being peddled by some members of the opposition parties in Oyo state that the erstwhile Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Broadcast, Mr. Babatunde Olaniyi popularly known as ‘Ti O Common” has resigned from Ajimobi led government due to what some sections of the opposition termed as ‘disastrous performance’ of the governor since he won the second term election, Mr. Olaniyi in his reaction to the rumour has, however, debunked it describing it as an obnoxious barb targeted at spiting the governor’s efforts geared towards making Oyo state a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria.
Mr. Olaniyi expressed his displeasure to the rumour which recently went viral on internet, lampoon those behind it saying that people should never take their words seriously as according to him they thrive mostly on rumour and always looking for a way to score cheap publicity, adding that there was no rancour whatsoever between him and his boss, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Speaking further on the purported resignation, Mr. Olaniyi stated that the governor initially refused his resignation letter which was dated November 7th, 2016 and received by the governor on the same day added that the governor asked him to reconsider his stand but the governor had to let him go officially on January after begging the governor several times that relieving of his official duty will allow him to take care of his string of businesses.
According to the letter which was signed personally by him and which was made available to our reporter, “all my life I have always craved to be independent, hoping to try my hands out on risky entrepreneurship. In my current effort, laying my hands on the transportation business excites me. I sincerely want to see what the result of this efforts will be.
He continued, “there is no doubt that this will be difficult, tasking and challenging. When there is a will, Your Excellency, I believe there is a way. My regret is that if I try to do both- the entrepreneurship and working with your Excellency- (sic) there will be a serious clash which will seriously affect my desire to give you the quality support I have always given your government. This is why I seek your go ahead to bail out (sic) of this government for now sir.
“May I, however, add that my bailing out would not be totally opting out of duties that have to do with my mentor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. I still crave to give personal contributions to your success through any assignment you may want to give me in my private capacity. I will gladly accept to do any assignment that Your Excellency apportions to me”, he concluded.
Lamenting at the rate some people are abusing the opportunities presented by internet, Mr Olaniyi expressed disapointment over what he described as ‘alarming and unhealthy for our fledging democracy’ saying that none of those who were writing gibberish on the internet deem it fit to ask him what transpired but instead went ahead and published a story embellished with malice and falsehood and with the opposition parties having lost out politically they saw his resignation as an opportunity to fester what they know how to do best- propaganda.
Mr. Olaniyi then revealed that though his resignation has been approved by the governor he still send people to him to do certain jobs for his administration reaffirming that the relationship between him and the governor which he said dated back to his pre-senatorial career has transcended the official matters to a father-son relationship.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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