Politics
APC Convention: Ex-Oyo LG Vice-chairman, ‘Socrates’ joins race for national secretary post
Former vice-chairman of Aare Latoosa Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Oyo state, Monsuru Adeyemo, better known as ‘Socrates’, has joined the race to emerge as the National Secretary of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC), at the national convention scheduled for March 26.
The ex- students’ union leader, who made the declaration in a statement on Sunday in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, noted that, as a young politician, his intention was not to incite the sentiment of age discrimination against the ‘older generation’, but to render, as usual, selfless service to the party, by fostering unity among party faithful and contribute his own quota to the progress of the APC, at all strata.
He, however, appealed to the governors elected on the platform of the APC, in the South-West zone and other critical stakeholders to micro zone the position to Oyo-State, stressing that such a key position would bring the pacesetter state back to progressive path, come 2023.
The statement further read, “As we all know, our great party, APC represents the greatest omen for genuine change in this country, and as a true progressive and patriot, who is strongly determined to render selfless service, at any stratum of our great party, APC, I, Monsuru ‘Tunde Adeyemo popularly known as ‘Socrates”, courageously, come forward, today, to make a bold step. I mean, to volunteer myself, to serve, as the National Secretary of our great party, APC. This is in the best interest of our great party, APC, advancement of our zone, Southwest and progress of our state, Oyo.
“As the motto of our great party, APC emphasizes it, if the mandate is given, I will ensure justice, build peace and foster unity among the party faithful, locally, regionally and nationally, even, beyond.
“If the mandate is given, I promise to contribute my own quota. Yes, under the general direction of our National Chairman, to efficiently, build on the numerous achievements that have been recorded by our founding fathers, and current Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee(CECPC).
“Under the general direction of our National Chairman through my watch, if the mandate is given, the secretariat of our great party, APC, will be strengthened, more than ever before, to effectively, collaborate with all Chapters of APC, throughout, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and beyond.
“If the mandate is given, the secretariat under the general direction of our National Chairman through my watch, will not only work assiduously, to retain all the elective offices, in all tiers of government, won by our great party in the last elections but, also, the secretariat will passionately, mobilise enmass and strategically canvass electorates, to win more positions, at all levels and across the country.
“Under the general direction of our National Chairman through my watch, the secretariat will, precisely, prove and reprove it that APC is truly a great party built on the genuine concepts of progressivism- politics in favour of modern method, new idea and positive change.
“As a young politician, I am not in the race to incite the sentiment of age discrimination against the ‘older generation politicians’, but I am, boldly marching forward, to serve in this capacity, because as a foundation member of our great party, APC, I have always been at front line of rendering selfless service to our great party, fostering unity among party faithful and contributing my own quota to the progress of our great party, at all strata.
“As the “National Secretary’ office has been zoned to Southwest, I want to humbly appeal to all our critical stakeholders in Yorubaland to micro zone it to Oyo-State, as we need such a key position to bring the pacesetter state back to progressive path, come 2023.
“And if, peradventure, it is zoned to Oyo State, I want to, also, humbly, appeal to all our leaders and elders in Oyo-State to consider me as their consensus candidate for the office of the ‘National Secretary’ and I promise never to let you down, if the opportunity to serve is given.
“Without trying to sound immodest, as a former gallant student union leader, in the country, eloquent political communicator and active young politician, I am confident to say it categorically that I have all what it takes- ‘Competence, Capacity, Charisma, Doggedness and Valour’ – to productively serve in this capacity and I will definitely make you all proud, by His Grace”, the statement concluded.
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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