Politics
APC primaries: Oyo guber aspirant, Owolabi urges delegates to vote according to conscience
DR Owolabi Babalola, a gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State on Thursday called on party delegates to vote according to their conscience in the forthcoming primary election ahead of the 2019 general elections billed for Saturday.
Babalola, who made the call during his familiarization visit to the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also expressed his readiness to run the affairs of the state, stressing that he aims to pursue an agenda to bring people out of poverty.
While expressing confidence that he will get the support needed to do what is best for the state, the guber hopeful added, “with all sense of humility, I bring to the table over a quarter of a century contemplation and rigorous intellectual involvement in development. Having also been at the critical juncture of policy formulation and integration, I think over time, I have been primed for this position.
“I am more than convinced that I will get the support that is necessary to push further, an agenda that is pro-poor for the collective good of our citizens in Oyo state.”
Speaking further, the University of Jos-trained-medical doctor described members of the party who will be taking part in the process at the delegates conference as people of very strong conviction, but, urged them to bare in mind that the average man on the street is now more politically conscious and more aware of the powers of his voting right.
“I am persuaded that our party leadership is well aware of that, and they are going to vote accordingly, not to the dictate of individuals but of course, according to that which they hold as sacrosanct values of the APC”, he said.
He commended the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Chief Akin Oke for enduring when Nigeria was under despotic military control, just as he noted that he was not thinking of reinventing the wheel. “We hope every home will be able to put food on the table, we will work to ensure that every worker has a living wage. We will attend to infrastructural deficit, we will continue the transformation that no road of any lesser standard will be constructed anymore, I assure you that I crave for one additional thing, that is your support”.
When asked what he would do if he failed to clinch the governorship ticket, the aspirant submitted, “all well and good, I am assured that we have all subscribed to the process that will dovetail into the emergence of a single candidate. And I am sure, whoever that candidate is, will be the very best among us that will fly the flag to ensure that the APC continues to remain the party to beat in Oyo state and in the Southwest of Nigeria.”
Babalola also informed that during his time as Commissioner for Health under the Adebayo Alao-Akala administration, he went beyond achievements in health to development programmes and post conflict reconstruction. He hinted that his cabinet experience makes him more aware of the challenges, the strength and the low hanging fruits, that could become great opportunities to bring democratic dividends to the people.
He, also recalled his accomplishments in the state’s health sector, revealing that he was first to introduce the state social health insurance scheme to the whole of the federation.
He said, “I was a critical part of national strategic framework for health and its implementation.
“And for the very first time in the history of Oyo state, we have the most advanced health care information management system that I evolved, arguably the best in sub Sahara Africa, attested to by the multilateral instruments of global governance, such as UNICEF, WHO, and the likes.
Responding, Chief Oke, who declared that only one candidate would emerge at the primaries, welcomed him on behalf of the party and wished him the very best.
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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