Politics
I ‘ll build on Oke’s legacy – Omodewu inaugurates Oyo APC State Excos, LG chairmen
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state, Mr. Isaac Omodewu, on Monday inaugurated the state executive members of the party and the chairmen of the party across the local government areas in the state.
Speaking at the event which was held at the Oke Ado Party secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital, Omodewu said he will build on the immediate Past Chairman’s legacy, Chief Akin Oke.
The former Commissioner for Lands and Housing, also promised to embark on genuine reconciliation.
“All glories and adorations are due to Almighty God for making today possible. Forever we shall be grateful.
“I consider it a great honour and privilege to stand before this august gathering to perform my first official duty as Oyo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is an official inauguration of other state executives and the 33 local chairmen of our great party.
“Before I proceed with my speech, I would like us to stand up to observe a minute silence in memories of our great leaders and heroes: His Excellency (Dr.) Lamidi Onaolapo Majiyagbe Adesina (Great Lam), His Excellency Senator (Dr.) Isiaq Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi (Shehu), His Excellency Otunba (Dr.) Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyato Governor) and all leaders who are no longer in the land of livings. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.
“The aforementioned great leaders died in active services. I solemnly pledge to religiously preserve their legacies and aggressively carry on with their unfurnished agenda, which is reclaiming Oyo State in 2023 from the misruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The journey to take back Oyo State in 2023 general elections starts today.
“There is no gainsaying that APC is an hybrid political party – merger of defunct legacy parties, which are ACN, CPC, PDP, APGA, ANPP and LP. Therefore, this great party (APC) belongs to no one but all the members. All members have equal stakes.
“Soldiers go, Soldiers come but the barracks remain! It is on this note I recognise the efforts and sacrifices of the immediate past state, local and ward executives of our great party. It’s my pledge that I’ll build on the achievements of Chief Akin Oke’s more than 8 years achievements as State Chairman of APC. Since a tree cannot make a forest, I therefore commend all other executives, staff and leaders that served with Baba Oke. May Almighty God Preserve you as we jointly lead Oyo APC to electoral victories in 2023 and beyond. Once again, thank you for excellently serving our great party for that long period of years”, the chairman said.
He continued, “Fellow members of our great party, the congresses have come and gone; there is no victor, no vanquished. It’s time to get united and mobilised for the 2023 general elections. Though I am of Ajimobi political bloc, I belong to all forward-looking members of APC. My main tasks are to unite all tendencies within the party and to lead APC to victories in 2023 general elections.
To be in charge of a very sophisticated political party like APC is a heavy responsibility; I assure our teeming members, it is a responsibility we will not take very lightly. I pledge to do my utmost, God being on my side, to justify the faith and the confidence all APC members have imposed on me and other executives at all levels.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. Therefore, I pledge to run an open and transparent administration where all party members will be carried along. Also, our administration will instill discipline, respect for rule of law and constituted authorities within and outside the party.
“Apart from genuine reconciliation and harmonisation, our administration shall also embark on aggressive membership drive. Let me reiterate that APC is a party built on the principles of democracy and human development; the party provides equal opportunity for every party member and any Nigerian that is willing to join the party.
“To the state and local party executives being inaugurated today, I charge you to work in line with the party’s constitution and also ensure you carry all party members along without discrimination or nepotism. You are also expected to work hard to settle all disputes and differences in the party living no aggrieved party member behind.
“While I congratulate all of you on your inauguration, I seek your understanding, cooperation and support in order to pilot the affairs of Oyo APC to electoral victories in 2023.
“I am open to progressive ideas, advises and suggestions. Therefore, feel free to relate with me. According to Winston Churchill, jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war. To this end, I urge you to extend hands of fellowship to members who are aggrieved because we cannot do the tasks alone.
“I thank all former deputy governors, Oyo APC Elders Advisory Council led by His Excellency Barrister Iyiola Oladokun; former first ladies, former speakers, former and serving National Assembly members; former and serving state lawmakers; former and servings political appointees; party elders and critical stakeholders; youth and women wings of our great party. I look forward to your maximum cooperation and support. May we succeed together.
“I am assuring our party leaders, aspirants and their supporters that era of impunity and imposition of candidates is over. Our administration shall create a level-playing field for members jostling for one position or the other in 2023 elections. We’re returning the party to the members; they will determine the faiths of all aspirants. No leader or group will be allowed to impose candidates on the party.
“I’ll close my speech by thanking His Excellency Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) for achieving a lot for our great party. I wish our great party, a crisis-free and successful national convention on 26th February 2022”, Omodewu concluded.
The Oyo State Government on Friday presented the staff and instruments of office to the new Alakufo of Akufo in Ido Local Government Area, Engr. Lamidi Taoreed Ayankojo Adefisoye.
The presentation, held at the Ido Local Government Secretariat, followed the approval of Adefisoye’s appointment by Governor Seyi Makinde.
A memo dated June 24, 2026, from the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, titled “Re: Filling of Vacant Stool of Alakufo,” conveyed the governor’s approval.
The memo, with reference number CB141/152/4T/119 and signed by the Director of Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Kola Abiola, on behalf of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, stated that the appointment took effect from October 23, 2023.
It read in part, “I am directed to inform you with great pleasure that His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, has graciously approved your appointment as the Alakufo of Akufo with effect from October 23, 2023.”
The staff of office was presented to the monarch by the Chairman of Ido Local Government, Sheriff Aderemi Adeojo, alongside Abiola, who represented the state government.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Head of Local Government Administration in Ido, Alhaji Sarafadeen; the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the council, Mr Adelu; the head of the Adefisoye family, Mogaji Nurudeen Adegbola Adefisoye; the head of the Okekegan family of Akufo, Asiwaju Tunde Black; and Alhaji AbdulAzeez AbdulSalam.
Speaking after receiving the staff of office, Adefisoye expressed appreciation to Makinde, the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, and the Ido Local Government chairman for their support.
He also thanked the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, and all those who contributed to the successful completion of the selection process.
The monarch expressed gratitude to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and members of the Olubadan-in-Council for their support throughout the process.
He pledged to work closely with the state and local governments while promoting peace and development in the community.
Adefisoye promised to prioritise infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, youth and women empowerment, investment, security, transportation, and the preservation of Akufo’s cultural heritage.
He called on indigenes of the community, both at home and abroad, to unite in support of efforts aimed at accelerating the development of the town.
“I accept this honour with humility and a deep commitment to serve. This is not my vision alone; it is our collective mission. I invite all sons and daughters of Akufo, at home and abroad, to join hands with me in building a peaceful, united and prosperous community for future generations,” he said.
Market men and women across Oyo South Senatorial District have declared support for the senatorial ambition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the district, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, and reaffirmed their backing for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The traders said their endorsement was driven by the lawmaker’s sustained grassroots interventions and what they described as his people-centred representation.
The endorsement came on Monday during an interactive engagement in Ibadan with market stakeholders drawn from the nine local government areas of the senatorial district.
At the event, Oseni supported market men and women across the district with N90 million, with each of the nine local government areas receiving N10 million to boost petty trading, expand businesses and stimulate grassroots economic activity.
In a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker said the intervention was part of efforts to improve livelihoods and deepen economic inclusion, particularly among small-scale traders.
Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said empowering market operators remained central to his development agenda.
He said markets remained the heartbeat of local communities, noting that traders’ resilience continues to sustain families and drive local economies.
“This intervention is aimed at strengthening their businesses, easing economic pressure and encouraging enterprise at the grassroots,” he said.
The APC chieftain added that his representation would continue to focus on practical interventions with visible impact.
“Leadership must translate into visible impact. I remain committed to initiatives that support small businesses, create opportunities for growth and complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Oseni also canvassed support for President Tinubu among traders in Oyo South, saying stronger alignment between federal, state, senatorial and local government leadership would accelerate development in the state.
He listed the Tinubu administration’s initiatives to include the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND, measures to curb industrial actions in tertiary institutions, tuition-free technical colleges, construction and rehabilitation of major highways, agricultural support programmes and subsidies for cancer treatment, fuel subsidy removal, which he noted has boosted state and local government revenues.
He urged traders to mobilise support for APC candidates in the next general elections, expressing confidence that Tinubu’s re-election would further improve residents’ welfare.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, the Coordinator of Market Men and Women in Oyo South Senatorial District and Babaloja of Omi-Adio and Ido Local Government, Chief Odedele Waheed, commended the turnout and described the engagement as a demonstration of confidence in Oseni’s leadership.
He lauded the lawmaker for sustained grassroots development efforts, noting that the N90 million support would strengthen businesses across the district.
Odedele also commended the leadership of market men and women in Oyo State for granting traders approval to meet and interact with the lawmaker, saying the platform allowed them to express concerns and understand his vision for Oyo South.
The traders pledged to mobilise support across markets in the district in favour of Oseni’s electoral bid and President Tinubu’s re-election.
Those present included the Babaloja of Ibadan North East, Ibrahim Balogun; Babaloja of Ibadan South West, Rafiu Iyo; Babaloja of Ibadan North West, Alhaji Tajudeen Hammed; Alhaji Abdulraman Salawudeen; Asiwaju Oloja of Ibarapa Zone, Chief Okanlawon John Adebisi; Babaloja of Ibadan North, Chief Adewole Basirat; and Iyaloja of Ibarapa Central, Chief Ige Fausat, among others.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the Governor of Ekiti State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Biodun Oyebanji, winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, announced the result at about 3:13 a.m. on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, saying Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rivals and secure a second term in office.
According to Oladiji, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Oluwole Oluyede, garnered 40,543 votes, while the African Democratic Congress candidate, Dare Bejide, secured 12,872 votes.
She said 384,940 voters were accredited for the election, while 375,777 valid votes were recorded. The electoral umpire also announced that 6,332 votes were rejected, bringing the total number of votes cast to 382,109.
The declaration capped a governorship poll largely adjudged peaceful by observers and security agencies, despite complaints of malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines, delayed commencement of voting in some polling units and allegations of voter intimidation by opposition parties.
INEC said voting was conducted in all the 2,445 polling units across the state’s 16 local government areas, noting that 2,257 units, representing 92.31 per cent, opened before 8.30 a.m., while 188 polling units commenced accreditation and voting before 10.30 a.m. after experiencing minor delays.
The commission also commenced uploading polling unit results to its Results Viewing Portal shortly after the completion of voting and counting in several centres.
The PDP candidate, Oluyede, had expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the exercise at Ugele/Arokun Ward in Ikere Local Government Area, alleging that many prospective voters were disenfranchised due to BVAS-related challenges.
Speaking with journalists after voting at Polling Unit 006, he further alleged cases of harassment and intimidation of voters in the area.
Some elderly voters at the polling unit also lamented difficulties encountered during accreditation and urged INEC to urgently rectify the technical glitches.
The ADC candidate, Bejide, similarly alleged irregularities during the exercise.
However, Oyebanji dismissed the claims, insisting that those making allegations of electoral misconduct should provide credible evidence to support them.
The governor, who voted at Polling Unit 003, Okelele, Ikogosi-Ekiti, in Ekiti West Local Government Area, described the election as satisfactory and urged eligible voters yet to cast their ballots to do so peacefully.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Abayomi Shogunle, said no case of vote-buying was reported to security agencies throughout the exercise.
Election observers commended the peaceful atmosphere that characterised the poll but raised concerns over procedural inconsistencies.
The First Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sebastian Anyia, described the process as orderly and peaceful, saying voter turnout was encouraging.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Brenda Anugwom, lauded the resilience of female voters, many of whom remained at polling units for several hours with their children to exercise their franchise.
Yiaga Africa, however, expressed concern over discrepancies involving ballot papers, result sheets and INEC’s published list of candidates, warning that such inconsistencies could create challenges during collation and reconciliation of results.
The election observer group urged INEC to provide further clarification on the final list of participating parties and candidates and issue clear guidance to electoral officials handling result documentation.
Ahead of the poll, INEC and security agencies had repeatedly assured residents of their preparedness to deliver a peaceful, credible and transparent election, deploying personnel and restricting vehicular movement to forestall electoral violence and other offences.
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