Exit of Alao-Akala: Onerous task to fill leadership vacuum in Oyo APC

Like him or hate him, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala was an enigma. Many things have been written and said about the late former Governor of Oyo state. ‘Oyato Governor’ as he was popularly addressed by his numerous fans and admirers, was not a push over politician in Oyo State politics, Southwest politics and by extension, Nigeria politics.

Before his transition to the great beyond, Alao-Akala, was the de facto leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo-State. But before then, he was deferring to late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, a two term governor in the state when the latter was alive. With the exit of Ajimobi, the mantle of leadership of the opposition APC in the state, automatically falls on Governor Adebayo Alao- Akala.

Today, reality has dawned on the Oyo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Its leading light Alao-Akala has passed away…the ‘man’ died! But as the saying goes, nature abhors and does not like vacuum, and filling the huge vacuum created by the demise of ‘Omo Iya Alaro’ is an urgent and onerous task for the party in the state. Interesting times lie ahead as the party is expected to face higher hurdles to select a conflict Manager, popular rallying point that would be acceptable and respected; otherwise, the 2023 general election may be a replica of the 2019 poll in the state. It is believed that the ‘star studded’ Oyo APC with a good Manager of both human and material resources, may become the next landlord of the Agodi Government Home.

The emergence of late Akala as the leader of APC, faced some challenges as his leadership position was tactly challenged, but for his strength laced with cognate experience in the power game, he would not have survived the intrigue and manoeuvre played out within the party politics in his lifetime.

However, before individual strengths and weaknesses are analysed, it is important to consider some benchmarks, compulsory characteristics the APC  must take into cognizance before concluding on the next leader especially at this time the party is entangled in internal crisis, couple with the fast approaching of 2023 general elections. One thing is certain, the emergence of a credible and widely accepted leader would make the party strong and enhance the party’s chances of returning to the Agodi Government House.

Even though the purpose of this write up is not to guide or provide framework in which the APC should follow to pick its leader but at the same time, giving the fact that political leader(s) of any state or nation sprouts out from party politics, it becomes incumbent to offer suggestions and or advices in this dire hours to a leading political party and for that matter, the ruling party at the center.

On this note, members and stakeholders of the APC in Oyo state should look out for political experience, large heart, charisma, constituency and mixed breed among arrays of its members who are aspiring to take over from late Alao-Akala.

Already some names are being mentioned, among whom are Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, Senator Ayo Adeseun, Chief Akin Oke and the minister of sports, Chief Sunday Dare.

Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo who hails from Igboho in Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State served two terms as the deputy governor in late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi’s administration, while Chief Iyiola Oladokun, was the deputy governor during late Alhaji Lam Adesina’s reign as the state’s gaffer.

Both Adeyemo and Oladokun are from Oke-Ogun zone, where the state’s party chairman is zoned to. Notably, the two men are former deputy governors and highest -ranking public office holders of the state within the party.

Also, both are core and committed progressives, however, political pundits posited that a mixed breed politician with some deep purse to finance the politics of his people is better as a State Leader.

Sen. Ayo Adeseun is an experienced politician. The former local government chairman of Surulere Local Government, Iresaadu, Ogbomoso has large heart, a mixed breed politician, charismatic and a good bridge builder.

As a former House representatives member  and Senator represented Oyo Central, he has the requisite connections. What may count against him at this material time is his “long vacation”  from political schemings for some time now.

Chief Akin- Oke is the outgoing State Party Chairman who hails from same Ogbomoso as Akala. Chief Oke, who has been in the saddle for almost 11 years, is a committed progressive but does not have a strong political followership.

Some of his Exco members had parted ways with him and may not have the confidence of  the new Excos as he was alleged to have opposed the emergence of large numbers of the new faces.

Also, age, financial strength, ability to adapt to modern ideas are considered as some of his weaknesses.

Presently, Chief Sunday Dare is the highest holder of political post from Oyo state. In some clime, the minister for Sports, who also hails from Ogbomoso as late Alao-Akala, should have been the leader of the party.

 

But giving some circumstances how politics is being playing in Nigeria, he would find the shoe too big  to put on. Aside, Dare, as many would argue, is too new to the intricacies of Oyo State politics, hence still needs some time to learn its dynamics.

The big question now is, who is the table tilting or turning to? Only time will tell as any decision make by the APC will either unite or further polarize the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

 

Idowu Ayodele writes from Ibadan, Oyo state Nigeria