Politics
CONGRESS: Group lauds APC leaders for positions zoned to Oyo town, suggests Okunlola as party secretary
New Era Frontier, a group loyal to the All Progressives Congress, (APC), on Thursday, lauded the leaders of the party for the positions zoned to Oyo town ahead of next Saturday’s state congress.
The party leaders had, on Wednesday, zoned the positions of state secretary, state auditor, assistant organizing secretary and assistant publicity secretary to Oyo zone.
In a statement by Kazeem Bukunmi and Elijah Adekunle, the group assured that the APC in Oyo zone would continue to deliver, stressing that the positions is a reward for delivering the town for APC in the 2019 House of Assembly election.
The statement read, ”Apart from the governorship election which we lost by little margin, APC in Oyo town recorded 100 per cent in other elections in the ancient town. Apart from Prince Akeem Adeyemi who was re-elected for the second term, the trio of Hon. Asimiyu Alarape (Atiba), Isiaka Arole (Oyo East/Oyo West)!and Seyi Adisa (AFIJIO) all defeated their opponents to become state lawmakers. So, we see these positions zoned to us as a reward for staying strong with the party in the last election.
”While we express appreciation to former governor Adébáyọ̀ Alao-Akala, former deputy governors Iyiola Oladokun and Moses Alake-Adeyemo and other leaders of the APC in Oyo State, we want to implore our leaders to utilize the opportunity and filing the vacancies with qualified and energetic persons so as to represent us well at the state level.
”For example, the position of a party secretary is tedious and as such, a capable person is required. Though we have then in abundance but one of them is Comrade Taiwo Okunlola. Almost in his mid-40s, he is a member of the board of Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA. His love for education is insatiable as he is an alumnus of the Osun State College of Technology Esa-oke in 1999 where he had his National Diploma in Electrical/Electronics. In his quest for more knowledge, Olafemi proceeded to Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye in 2003 and bagged B.A. in Mass communication (Public Relations major). He completed his Masters degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at the Institute of African Studies (now Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies), University of Ibadan in 2011, where he was also a student member of Society for Peace Studies and practice {SPSP). His research interest was on internal conflict. Olafemi also holds a Diploma in Public Relations from National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nigeria.
“Within Oyo federal constituency and beyond, he is well known as he was once national president of the Federation of Oyo State Students Union, FOSSU. Before then, Okunlola had served in different students’ leadership capacities, which include national secretary of National Association of Oyo students, NAOS and national speaker of the same association.
“Okunlola began his active service as a political office holder in Nigeria as far back as 2007, when he served as the chief of staff to the chairman of Oyo East local government. He was also appointed as personal assistant to the chairman of the same council and served from February, 2012 to January 2015. Due to his experience as a UNICEF/NYSC peer educator trainer, PET, who has trained hundreds of in-school and out-of-school youths on HIV/AIDS, Okunlola was appointed as the chairman, local action committee on AIDS(LACA), in his native Oyo East local government.
It continued, “In the last election, Okunlola sought to represent Oyo East/West state constituency on the platform of our great party. He bowed to party’s decision. He was also recently appointed as a member Oyo State media and publicity committee of APC membership registration exercise.
“We can go on and on but time won’t permit us. The success of any administration, as well know, rests on the secretariat of the party which is headed by the secretary. In recent past, the progressives have recorded huge successes due to the youthfulness of those who have manned the office. Here is Okunlola who is young in age and mind, who has the zeal and energy to work with other Excos members to achieve what we want. Almost all the states have Excos majorly headed by youthful people. So Oyo shouldn’t be an exemption.
“A facilitator of numerous jobs opportunities for youths across the state who works in a federal agency through his office, some with other government parastatals. He has been described as a young human capacity builder who has the capacity of bringing together,” the statement concluded.
They assured that if Okunlola is allowed to be secretary, the people of Oyo and Oyo State in general would know it for good.
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.
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