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Exclusive: Confusion As Thugs Disrupt NUT Election In Ogo- Oluwa LG
Mega Icon Magazine exclusively gathered that there was palpable tension and confusion in Ajaawa, headquarters of Ogo Oluwa local government area of Oyo State on Tuesday, as suspected thugs invaded Ajaawa town hall and disrupted the processes of electing new leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ogo-Oluwa local government wing.
It was also gathered that the thugs were allegedly sponsored by the Caretaker Chairman in the council, Mr. Oluwaseun Ojo to disrupt the process in order to prevent election from holding and impose candidate of his choice, one Mrs Kadewole Obalade to emerge as the chairperson of the NUT in the local government.
The Council boss, it was allegedly gathered mobilized the thugs alongside members of the newly inaugurated Amotekun Corps to the venue of the election to threaten and prevent delegates that would vote in the election from entering the venue.
Mega Icon Magazine, further gathered that when the atmosphere became tensed and rowdy, the policemen from Ajaawa Divisional police station, were invited to the venue on the order of the Chairman to forcefully suspended the election under the pretext that they did so to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Some members of the union who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that the Caretaker Chairman of the council, Oluwaseun Ojo has been making frantic efforts to impose his candidate, Mrs Kadewole Obalade on the union against their preferred candidate, Mr Oyeyinka for selfish reason.
They revealed that part of his plan was that he used his power as the council Chief to ensure the transfer of their candidate , Mr Oyeyinka Ezekiah Olasupo, Mr Adeniran Isaiah Adewale and one other from Ogo Oluwa to Atiba local government in Oyo through a member of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission board, Alhaja Nusiratu who happened to be his ally.
They wondered why the council gaffer would intervene in the affairs of a professional and independent body like teachers that is non-partisan and guided by the ethics of their profession in the name of politics.
According to them, “we want to let the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde and the entire people of the State know that the harmonious relationship that is existing among the teachers in Ogo Oluwa is being threatened by the Chairman of this local government in person of Mr Oluwaseun Ojo who is hell bent to impose a candidate on us to lead us in our union for his selfish motive. This is unacceptable and we are ready to rebuff his action.
“We want His Excellency to call him to order to stop interfering in our internal affairs because we are not politicians. Whatever affects teachers will affect teaching profession and can equally have negative impact on the quality of teaching we are giving to our pupils and students”, they lamented.
But, the Caretaker Chairman of Ogo Oluwa local government, Mr. Oluwaseun Ojo has denied the allegation that he sponsored thugs to disrupt the election, stressing that he only provided security for the union to prevent violent during its botched election.
The council boss, in a telephone conversation with our reporter explained that he had held a meeting with all the concerned members of the union for about three to four times for them to allow peace to reign which did not yield any positive result, adding that as the chief security officer in his local government, it was his duty to forestall anybreak down of law and order for all citizens in his council area.
While denying having knowledge about the transfer of one of the candidates in the election and two others to Atiba local government, Ojo also accused the State Chairman of NUT of using his influence to disrupt the relationship among members of the union in the local government by polarising the union in his local government with the aim of turning the teachers against the government for personal interest.
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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