Politics
Controversy trails emergence of Omodewu as Oyo APC chairman
Saturday’s state congress of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), in Oyo state, which ratified the emergence of a former Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Survey, Mr. Isaac Omodewu as the party chairman in the state, has thrown up major controversy.
The outgoing Chairman of the Party, Chief Akin Oke, had on Friday evening raised an alarm over the delegates’ list handed over to him by the Alhaji Gambo Lawan-led State’s Congress Committee, insisting that the said list do not reflect the results which emanated from the Ward and Local Government Congresses as done on July 31 and September 4, 2021 respectively.
Oke further questioned Gambo, where and how the results handed over to him was generated?
“I have been bombarded by critical stakeholders and members of the party across the state over the authenticity of the result. I have communicated the reaction of party members to the leadership of the APC in Abuja. I am also under immense pressure by members of the party over the fate of the party congress scheduled for tommorrow.
“As a responsible party leader, I wish to state categorically that the lists which were given to me this afternoon do not reflect the results which emanated from the Ward and Local Government Congresses as done on July 31 and September 4, 2021 respectively. To this end, I have no option but to call for an urgent meeting of stakeholders of the party for 9a.m tommorrow Saturday 30th October 2021 at the State Secretariat to determine what to do to manage the tension in the party and avert the orgy of bloodshed being threatened by most members of the party across the state”, he said.
Meanwhile, the emergency meeting could not hold as planned, attributing its failure to security reasons.
Also, corroborating the outgoing chairman’s submissions, some prominent leaders and stakeholders of the party in Oyo state, on Saturday, alleged manipulation of the delegates’ list to the congress.
The stakeholders, including the Minister of Youths and a Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission, Professor Adeolu Akande, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Chief Niyi Akintola who was represented, the 2019 Governorship flag bearer for the state, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, Ex-SSG Sharafadeen Alli, Dr Azeez Adeduntan and Joseph Tegbe.
Some of the federal lawmakers in attendance include, Prince Akeem Adeyemi, Mrs Tolulope Shadipe, former Oyo Assembly Speaker, Mr Olagunju Ojo, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye.
Other leaders who converged at Premier Hotel Ibadan for a press conference are Fatai Ibikunle, Niyi Adeagbo, Mrs Folake Oshinowo, Gbenga Olayemi, Kola Olabiyi, Wasiu Owolabi, Ambali Abiodun and Olalekan Kazeem among others.
The Oyo APC stakeholders called on the national secretariat and leaders of the party to investigate and punish those responsible for the false list appropriately.
They, also appealed to the national leadership of the party to reconsider its decision on the state congress already billed for Saturday till an authentic delegates’ list is provided.
But, the Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Alhaji Gambo Lawan , informed that he had directed his Secretary, Bello Abdulai to conduct the state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state since he was prevented from leaving his hotel for several hours, by unknown hoodlums alleged to be sponsored by some members of the party who did not want the congress to hold.
The congress, which produced the Otu born politician in Itesiwaju local government area of the state, Omodewu, and new members of the state executive could not hold until around 5pm
“I didn’t come because hoodlums sponsored by miscreant elements barricaded my hotel and were shooting. So, the hoodlums were sponsored by politicians in Oyo State. It’s a pity that APC leaders can do this. Politics is about people trusting and electing you.
“Because of the situation, security people advised me to stay until they were able to clear the way but their actions did not subside. Fortunately, my secretary and one other officer already went out before they laid the siege. So they were asked to go and organise the congress. The national secretariat approved that the secretary do it. The delegation was also approved by me. So, it can’t be a nullity. It was legal and correct”, Gambo said.
The new Oyo APC chairman appealed to members of the party to put their grievances aside and unite to move the party to greater heights, urging them to allow peace reign and focus on how to win elections in 2023.
Omodewu thanked the leaders of the party for their support, promising to do his best to reconcile aggrieved members and reposition the party
However , for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo state, its nagging problem is daily panning out as crises without end, considering the latest development.
It was learnt that four of the seven members in the State congress committee have allegedly opted out of the assignment and hurriedly returned to Abuja, the nation’s capital.
According to impeccable sources, the members sneaked out one after the other from the Jericho Apartment, Ibadan where they were lodged to head for Abuja enroute Lagos.
The four members included, Mr Lanre Edun, Mallam Abdullai Kontagora, Mr Diran Iyantan and Chief Ralph Igbokwe.
These committee members, as learnt, had argued at a meeting of the committee Friday night that the protest against the delegates’ list presented at the Stakeholders meeting should not be dismissed if the party would be reconciled for the 2023 elections.
“A member of the committee who spoke with party officials in Abuja explained that the number of gladiators and groups who have protested the controversial list are too numerous to be ignored.
“But the Chairman and Secretary are adamant that the congress must hold with the disputed list”, one of the sources disclosed.
The four members who reportedly expressed their worries over the adamance of the Chairman and Secretary walked out of the apartment and organised to be taken to Lagos from where they headed for Abuja.
One of the committee members, who did not want his name in print, confirmed that they had left the Chairman and Secretary in Ibadan as they could not afford to be part of the scam going on in Ibadan.
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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