Politics
APC destroying traditional institution in Ibadanland – Accord party alleges
The Oyo State chapter of Accord Party on Sunday took a swipe on the recent report of Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the state to review the Olubadan Chieftaincy declaration which recommended 32 beaded crown Obas in Ibadanland.
The party alleged that by coming out with such report, “The APC government in Oyo State is on the verge of destroying the valued traditional institution in Ibadanland.
Accord party stated that the report has “further confirmed the popular notion that an idle hands is devils workshop due to cluelessness and lack of commitment to people’s welfare by the APC government in Oyo State”.
The party “described the move to have more Obas in Ibadanland as a diversionary tactics by the Governor Ajimobi led APC administration from the myriads of problems confronting his administration”.
Accord party in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Engineer Akeem Olatunji and made available to DAILY POST however advised Ajimobi to strengthen the existing positions of community leaders through the Olubadan-In-Council rather than having 32 beaded crown Obas in the ancient city.
The party maintained that the review will not only bring chaos to the traditional institution which has been enjoining relative peace but erode the age-long respect for Olubadan and the Olubadan-In-Council.
The statement reads, “Accord in Oyo State has described the move to have more Obas in Ibadanland as a diversionary tactics by the Gov Ajimobi led APC administration from the myriads of problems confronting his administration. Rather, we would want the government to strengthen the existing positions for community leaders through the Olubadan in council.
“The APC government in Oyo State is on the verge of destroying the valued traditional institution in Ibadanland, it further confirmed the popular notion that an idle hands is devils workshop due to cluelessness and lack of commitment to people’s welfare by the APC government in Oyo State.
“Review of the 1957 declaration on Olubadan stool will erode respect for Olubadan and members of Olubadan Traditional Council.
Accord further advised that such decision if necessary should be left for the Olubadan and the Olubadan-In-Council to decide.
“Such a decision to create additional Obas should be left to Olubadan and his Council of Chiefs to decide since he is the custodian of the Ibadan customs and traditions.
It urged the state government to attend to pressing issues such as prompt payment of workers’ salaries, pensioners arrears and address the lingering crisis rocking Ladoke Akintola University oaf Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
“Oyo State as at today is owing salaries and pensions arrears while the State ranked 29th in the last WAEC results apart from the deplorable situations of the rural and urban roads couple with unprecedented poverty in the State due to capital flight occasioned by corruption and non patronage of local contractors.
“Furthermore, LAUTECH has been under lock and key with students remaining stagnant in their academic pursue since 2015 due to the APC led administration refusal to cater for the school needs and backlog of salaries being owe her staffs and lecturers.
It also alleged that Oyo and Ogbomoso were the next target of the Ajimobi-led administration to create room for an unpopular candidate in the 2019 general elections in the state.
“We have heard from various sources that Oyo and Ogbomoso traditional councils are the next target of the State government.
“The aims and objectives of the unpopular moves to jettison the fantastic Ibadan ascendancy structure is to create avenue for the unpopular APC administration in Oyo State to cause confusion ahead of 2019 poll.
“Since the ancient city started the monarchial system in 1820 with Baale Maye Okunade as the first king, the well-arranged traditional structure that is adjudged the best in the Southwest has been followed. This orderly arranged ascendancy to the throne of the Olubadan makes Ibadan unique in Yorubaland.
“The party, Accord wish to reiterate that African history are not written for fun, as it contained processes and procedures to be followed in our ways of life. Our traditions and culture cannot in any way be equated with modernity or globalisation.
“The party, Accord in Oyo State hereby challenge the state government to organise a town hall meeting, as regards the review of the Chieftaincy law before it embarks on an exercise in futility.
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.
-
News7 days agoOseni Secures Prestigious City People Political Award Nomination
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Oseni kicks off Oyo South Senate bid, rallies support for one million Tinubu votes
-
Crime & Court1 week agoJoshua crash: Driver faces fresh charges as court adjourns trial
-
Health1 week agoOyo confirms Lassa fever death in Ibadan, activates emergency response, traces contacts