The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District in the 2027 general election and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has donated ₦20 million to victims of the recent fire outbreak at the Bode Traditional Herbs and Other Products Market, popularly known as Iso Alagbo, in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, while assuring the affected traders of additional intervention from the Federal Government.

‎Oseni made the donation during a sympathy visit to the market on Monday, where he met traders whose shops, traditional herbs, medicinal products and other valuables were destroyed by the devastating inferno. His message of hope and support was contained in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan.

The federal lawmaker said he visited the scene to personally identify with the victims, describing the incident as a painful tragedy that had wiped out years of hard work and investments, leaving many families devastated and uncertain about their future.

‎”Today, I visited the Bode Traditional Herbs and Other Products Market, popularly known as Iso Alagbo, to personally identify with our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who suffered devastating losses in the recent fire incident. Walking through the ruins and listening to the heartbreaking stories of the affected traders was deeply emotional,” Oseni said.

‎According to him, many of the traders watched helplessly as years of sacrifice and labour went up in flames, noting that what the victims lost extended far beyond goods and property.

‎”For many families, what was destroyed was not just merchandise but their means of livelihood and hope for a better tomorrow. I could see the pain in their eyes and hear the despair in their voices. This is a tragedy that calls for compassion and collective support,” he added.

The chairman , House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) stressed that leadership must be measured not only by words of sympathy but by practical actions capable of restoring hope to people in times of adversity.

‎”In moments like this, leadership must go beyond words of sympathy. It must be demonstrated through compassion, presence and meaningful support. That is why I have come not only to sympathise with the victims but also to stand with them through tangible assistance,” he said.

‎To cushion the immediate hardship occasioned by the disaster, the APC senatorial candidate  donated ₦20 million to the affected traders, acknowledging that while no amount of money could adequately compensate for the huge losses suffered, the intervention was intended to provide immediate relief and help many victims begin the difficult process of rebuilding their businesses.

‎The lawmaker also assured the victims that he would engage relevant authorities at the federal level to facilitate additional intervention for those affected, saying every available avenue would be explored to ensure the traders receive the support needed to recover from the unfortunate incident.

‎”We will continue to engage the appropriate authorities at the federal level to seek additional intervention and support for those affected. We will explore every available avenue to ensure our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters are not left alone to bear this burden. Together, we will overcome this challenge,” Oseni assured.

‎He commended the resilience of the affected traders despite the painful losses and prayed for divine restoration for every victim.

 “To every trader affected by this unfortunate incident, please know that you are not alone. Your resilience inspires us. I pray that Almighty God grants everyone the strength to recover, restores every loss and continues to protect our communities from tragedies of this nature. By His grace, hope will rise again, businesses will flourish again and brighter days will surely return,” he said.

The Presidency on Friday directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force to identify and prosecute officials who allegedly collaborated with Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew in operating the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, a body it described as non-existent.

It also accused the suspect of attempting to drag the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, into what it described as a criminal enterprise through a sustained smear campaign.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, disclosed this in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Friday.

According to Ajayi, investigations must go beyond Adeniyi to uncover those within government institutions who allegedly facilitated his activities.

He said, “What is not in doubt is that internal collaborators enabled Adeniyi to get this far. That is precisely what investigators from the DSS, the Police and the EFCC must now unravel.

“The criminal network within the affected institutions must be dismantled, and everyone found to have played a role should be arrested and prosecuted.”

The presidential spokesman described Adeniyi as “an irredeemable con artist,” accusing him of exploiting public perception about corruption to divert attention from the allegations against him.

He said, “In Nigeria, the easiest and most believable allegation anyone can throw at a public officer is corruption. Once that accusation is thrown into the mix, the water is polluted, the lines are blurred, and everyone is kept busy arguing over distractions rather than the real issues.

“Matthew Adeniyi understands Nigerian public psychology, and he is exploiting it expertly to shield himself. He is an irredeemable con artist who is attempting to drag the name of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, into his criminal enterprise. The Chief of Staff is simply his last straw.”

Ajayi further alleged that investigators must establish how Adeniyi allegedly forged presidential appointment letters, operated 34 bank accounts in the names of fictitious government agencies, hosted foreign ambassadors and opened a Central Bank account while allegedly parading himself as the Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

He maintained that exposing those who aided the suspect was crucial to dismantling what he described as a criminal network operating within public institutions.

As of the time of filing this report, Adeniyi had yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations by the Presidency.

Since the emergence of Senator Sarafadeen Alli as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election in Oyo State, I have listened to and read numerous reactions from party members and stakeholders. While some of his co-contestants have expressed disappointment, such feelings are understandable in every keenly contested democratic process.

Interestingly, many people have attempted to draw Senator Teslim Folarin into the controversy surrounding the party’s choice. However, he has remained silent. In my view, that silence is deliberate. I believe Senator Folarin understands the direction taken by the party’s national leadership regarding the choice of candidate.

Anyone who believes Senator Folarin was unaware of Senator Sarafadeen Alli’s governorship ambition does not fully appreciate his political experience. Senator Folarin is a strategic politician. In the 2023 governorship election, he pursued victory with determination and commitment. Personally, I had hoped he would emerge victorious, and I remain convinced that he gave his all in that contest.

Former Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, also contested the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the Accord Party. Although I disagreed with that political decision, democracy guarantees every citizen the freedom of association and political choice.

Following the election, he was appointed into the Federal Executive Council, a development many interpreted differently based on their political perspectives.

Today, Chief Adelabu commands a substantial political following built over several election cycles. His support base remains significant, and if APC is to present a formidable front in 2027, Senator Sarafadeen Alli will undoubtedly benefit from the goodwill and backing of Adelabu and his loyalists.

Similarly, former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has consistently demonstrated interest in Oyo State’s governorship over the years, even though he did not purchase the APC nomination form this time. His political experience and network remain valuable assets that should not be ignored.

My sympathy also goes to those aspirants who invested as much as ₦50 million each to purchase the APC governorship nomination form. That is no small sacrifice. Nonetheless, politics demands sacrifice in the collective interest. The pendulum could easily have swung in favour of any of them. Had that happened, the rest of us would equally have appealed to others to rally behind the eventual flag bearer.

I recall an incident during the 2022/2023 party activities when an official from Abuja, sent to supervise APC affairs in Oyo State, passionately appealed to stakeholders to embrace consensus. His message remains instructive. He warned that continued division within the party would only prolong its stay outside power and ultimately hurt everyone.

That warning remains relevant today.
For seven years, the APC has remained outside government in Oyo State. Can the party afford another four years in opposition? I do not think so.

This is why the task before us goes beyond the personal ambition of Senator Sarafadeen Alli. It is a collective struggle for every APC member, especially the foot soldiers who have remained loyal through difficult times. The Federal Government alone cannot provide opportunities for everyone. Regaining power in Oyo State is essential if the party hopes to broaden opportunities for its members at both the state and federal levels.

The challenge before us, therefore, is to build a larger political platform that accommodates everyone.
Senator Sarafadeen Alli is no political novice. Over the years, he has built relationships across virtually every ward in Oyo State. His political structure and grassroots appeal are undeniable. If party members unite behind him, APC stands a strong chance of returning to Government House.

Realistically, the 2027 governorship contest in Oyo State is shaping up to feature three major political forces. First is Senator Sarafadeen Alli of the APC, representing arguably the state’s most established political platform. Second is Hon. Bimbo Adekanbi, who many believe enjoys the backing of Governor Seyi Makinde and is expected to fly the flag of the APM. Third is Alhaji Hazmat Oriyomi of the Accord Party, whose growing popularity among many grassroots supporters cannot be dismissed.

The eventual winner is likely to emerge from one of these three political blocs. That reality alone should remind APC members that victory is far from guaranteed.

The surest path to success is unity.

This election should not be seen as Senator Sarafadeen Alli’s personal battle. It is the collective responsibility of every APC member who desires the party’s return to power in Oyo State.

The time has come to bury personal grievances, close ranks and work together. Only through unity can APC reclaim Oyo State in 2027.

Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, former Chairman of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Oyo State, former Chairman of Ido Local Government, former Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Oyo State, and former Federal Commissioner representing Oyo State at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), writes from Abuja.