Politics
Ex-Oyo lawmaker, Olafisoye backs Buhari’s decision on electoral bill
A former Chief Whip in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede better known as Lafi has said that Nigerians have lost confidence in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari that is why it is difficult to see anything good in whatever action he takes as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He stated this while speaking on the controversy surrounding the refusal of President Buhari to assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill passed by the National Assembly which approved conduct of Direct Primary election for various political parties to pick their candidates.
Akinmoyede , who represented Lagelu State constituency between 2015 and 2019, maintained that what the President has done was the best thing considering the peculiarities and constitution of each of the political parties as well as the excessive financial implication and shortage of staff that would be needed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the primaries of all the political parties.
He stressed further that apart from the cost implication stated above, the direct primary might create more crisis in the political space in the country that is still battling with insecurity.
According to him, this aspect of the direct primary contained in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill is beyond the National Assembly containing 109 Senators and 360 House of Representatives members alone. “What the Lawmakers should have done before passing the bill was to subject it to public debate in all the 774 local government areas of the federation to seek people’s opinion.
“This aspect of electoral process is something that affects the entire Nigerians. So consideration of this bill must be in the overall interest of over 200 million people irrespective of their political inclinations.” he maintained.
Speaking further on the internal crisis that trailed the ward, local and state congresses elections conducted so far by the APC in some states especially Oyo, the former lawmaker noted that such misunderstanding was normal in a big party with many gladiators like the APC for democracy to thrive.
He expressed optimism that the misunderstanding would be resolved and strengthen the party ahead of the 2023 election.
“APC has constitution which stipulates that the Governor is the leader of the party in each state but where there is no sitting governor, the former governor, if any, shall be the leader. So in the case of Oyo State, we don’t have sitting governor and the only former Governor we have at present is Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala. He is therefore automatically the leader of the party in Oyo State while Chief Akin Oke is the acting State Chairman until the substantive state Chairman of the party is sworn in.”
Lafisoye who ruled out the possibility of conducting any fresh state congress election in the state said such will be challenged and upturned by the court.
He disclosed that the leadership of the party are working on harmonizing the list of executive so as to accommodate all interested factions for peace to reign.
While calling on all gladiators in the party to sheath their sword in the interest of the party, Hon. Lafisoye advised any aspirant who sees himself as serious contender for gubernatorial election to come out and propagate himself instead of thinking that the ticket would be brought to him in his house.
When asked on his intention for the 2023 election, Lafisoye who is also a former council boss hinted that though there was already established rotational arrangement between Akinyele/Lagelu for picking candidate for Federal House of Representatives, he would embark on wide consultation among the stakeholders and weigh the credibility of aspirants from other parties as well before making his final decision on whether to contest or not for the Federal House of Representatives seat.
According to him, “based on the rotational arrangement that exists between Akinyele and Lagelu local government for the selection of our representative for the Federal House of Representatives, presently our representative is from Akinyele. During the 2019 election, all the political parties including PDP, APC, ADC and ADP conceded the ticket to Akinyele local government to present candidates.
“In 2023, it is the turn of Lagelu local government to present candidate. I hope the gladiators in these two local governments will abide by this arrangement. I will capitalise on this to embark on consultation within the leaders and stakeholders for their support.
“But if they say otherwise, I will only support any candidate who is original indigene of Lagelu local government, well brought up and has the charisma to give us effective representation.” He said.
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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