EVERY election has a central story which usually gets tailored by summary of voters’ intelligence based on ground reports as per their political ideologies and faith.

As the battle for the sole ticket of Agodi Government House heightens, different aspirants struggling for the coveted governorship seat in the state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) are currently intensifying great efforts toward the realisation of their dreams.

Mega Icon Magazine obtained the recently conducted survey by the Independent Political Analysts on the disposition of the stakeholders in Oyo politics and general public on the political development in the state and who among the aspirants in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC ) in the state is likely to emerge as the party flag bearer.

The report signed by its Project Coordinator, Mr John Akinropo and Secretary, Idowu Ayobami informed that the survey was to  ascertain the level of acceptability and popularity of these notable aspirants among the stakeholders at the grassroot and the delegates that will participate at the ‘delegates conference’ billed for September where a sole candidate would emerged as the standard bearer of the party and indeed; becomes the next ‘Constituted Authority’ (CA).

So far, no fewer than 8 aspirants are ready for the task, according to the survey.

Without any iota of doubt, all the 8 aspirants  jostling for the party ticket are eminently qualified and enjoy supports from different quarters and have their group of canvassers mobilizing for them in all the nooks and crannies of the state, but the survey also revealed that only a few enjoys strong support base beyond Ibadan land.

Having obtained the APC nomination and expression of interest forms, the 8 prominent aspirants that are brave and courageous enough to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi are:

Dr. Azeez Adeduntan

Barrister Adeniyi Akintola

Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala

Engr Olasunkami Tegbe

Chief Bayo Adelabu

Dr. Olusola Ayandele

Barrister Adebayo Shittu

Mr Ayo Kareem

Also, the survey says 5 out of the 8 aspirants are from Ibadan, the zone which houses the largest voting population, while the remaining 3 shared other geopolitical zones in the state, including Oke ogun , Ogbomoso and Ibarapa. This correctly indicates that the Oyo zone is not represented in the contest.

“Interacting with stakeholders during the survey, 3 out of the aspirants were at the forefront and considered to have a better chance above others based on popularity, cognate experience, political affiliation and relationship with the party. Since the delegates conference is not a tea party, the financial strength of the aspirants will also go a long way in determining who clinch the ticket”, the project coordinator, Akinropo noted.

Although they appear to have the same ambition of emerging as the governor of the state, they however, have different Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

According to the survey, the Ogbomoso born politician and former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao  Akala, who joined the party in 2017 enjoys rhythmic popularity in the state. The political Juggernaut and city spender who maintains a sizeable number of followers in the state is known to be generous.

However, his political  camp is not as strong as it was in 2015, but withers day by day as some of his loyalists, lieutenants recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while others remained in the PDP.  Majority of Akala’s loyalists were unable to make the delegates list, but he is confident of securing some votes in Oke Ogun, Ogbomoso as well as  few in Ibadan.

Chief Bayo Adelabu, an experienced accountant of repute who recently left the plum job as Deputy Governor of the apex bank in the country – the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is a young and dynamic personality. He is enjoying the support of the heirs and beneficiaries of the late Aare Arisekola Alao and Late Adegoke  Adelabu. He  has been consulting widely and making headway into the party through generous donations and financial support for the party at all levels.

His philanthropic gesture seems to be opening doors for him. Adelabu is more popular outside the party, especially among the ‘Ibadan establishment’ with a notion that he would be controlled by these personalities at the detriment of the hoi polloi (common people), which may negate the unitary intention of the party and the development of other zones, if he eventually becomes the next governor of the state.

The ex- CBN Deputy Governor, Adelabu, according to the survey, also lacks strong political backup at the party level, as most of his supporters and strategists are new breed politicians; while, a few of them – ‘ the self -acclaimed politicians’ are not participating directly in the selection of the party flag bearer. However, based on his financial strength as a ‘fat cat’, Adelabu may likely win some delegates in Ibadan, and probably gather, a few votes in Oke-ogun, Oyo and Ibarapa.

Joseph Olasunkami Tegbe is multi-skilled. His experience is diverse and varied having provided advisory services to states and federal government in Nigeria and West Africa on good governance, administration, quality assurance, policy formulation and implementation. He has also consulted for multinational organisations and non -governmental organisations. This is informed by his background as a first class civil engineer and a top rated chartered accountant.

His foray into politics started over a decade ago. Tegbe has been operating behind the scene. Some of the participants in the random sampling maintained that the silent philanthropist, Tegbe is one of the strong members of the  SENACO group, whose members dominated the delegates list that will participate in the indirect primary. At least 80% of the SENACO members made the list, an edge over other aspirants. His background as a relationship expert and conflict manager has also enhance his acceptability as he parades experienced and highly cerebral political strategists.

Party members also posited that the next governor is likely to be an Ibadan Christian following the codified resolution of the major opposition parties in the state to present an Ibadan Christian, since the incumbent governor, Abiola Ajimobi who is billed to complete his second term tenure next year, is a Muslim, the survey observed.

From all indications, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is likely to present Engr Seyi Makinde, while Senator Olufemi Lanlehin is set to clinch the ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Only Engr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, Adeniyi Akintola SAN seem to be favoured by this tradition.

Further report emanating from the analysis and empirical study of the political arrangement and development among the party stakeholders, also submitted:

Ogbomoso:  Former Governor Adebayo Alao Akala holds 40% of the delegates while the SENACO group can conveniently boast of 60%,

In Ibadan, the  SENACO  holds 80 % and LAMISTS  20%

Oyo –  SENACO 90%, Others 10%

Oke Ogun – SENACO 85%, Others 15%

Ibarapa – SENACO 70 %, others 30%

Conclusively, the reviewed status and political rating of the aspirants, clearly shows that the pendulum is seemingly swinging towards Joseph Olasunkami  Tegbe and he is likely to emerge as the next gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state and his emergence as the governor of the state lies in the ability of his team to consolidate on the  strategy adopted to  launder his image and manifestos,  retain the commitment and loyalty of the party faithful and other aspirants, especially those that competed with him at the primaries amongst others