Politics
Ibarapa East Bye Election: Oyo APC, Ajimobi, Others, Rally Support For Late Speaker’s Brother
STATE Assembly ambition of the late speaker’s brother, Mr. Olukunle Adeyemo on Thursday received a boost as Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state led the campaign train of the APC leaders and supporters, including his wife, Chief Florence Ajimobi; State Chairman of the party, Chief Akin Oke; members of the House of Representatives; Assembly members, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olagunju Ojo; members of the state executive council, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, among others to support his ambition.
The governor urged the people of Ibarapa land to rally behind the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidate for Saturday’s Assembly bye election, whom he described as the best among the candidates.
The seat had become vacant following the sudden death of the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo, who represented the constituency in the Assembly until April 27.
Addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters of the party during a campaign rally at Eruwa, Ajimobi reminded the people to reciprocate the good gesture of his administration as exemplified by the several completed and ongoing projects in the area.
In his words, “Ibarapa people are very close and dear to me. I can unequivocally say that Ibarapa had taken a front burner since I became the governor of this state. The access road to Ibarapa, which had long been abandoned, received the needed attention under my administration.
Ajimobi addressing party faithful, supporters in Eruwa yesterday
“Past administrations had merely patched the road. But, when we came on board, we decided to reconstruct and dualise it. Similarly, Ibarapa Polytechnic used to be a satellite campus of Ibadan Polytechnic, but today, it has become an autonomous polytechnic, courtesy of our administration.
“Apart from these, we are also working on the provision of potable water for Ibarapa, which is located in Ayete. We have nearly completed the project and it will certainly extend here. Ninety per cent of the work had been completed. It will serve several communities around here”.
The governor continued, ” but, I am hearing certain things from the grapevine about Eruwa. Some people are complaining that we created more local council development areas and reviewed the existing border delineation.
(L-R) Oyo APC State Chairman, Chief Oke, Governor Ajimobi and his Wife; Mrs Florence Ajimobi during the rally
“Whatever the case may be these are minor issues that should be resolved through dialogue. Let’s settle them amicably. When our father, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi pointed out some of our oversights during a similar exercise in Oyo we resolved the issues peacefully.
“This won’t be different. I’m a man of peace and I’m appealing to our people in Eruwa to embrace dialogue on the matter.”
The campaign train visit to Eleruwa of Eruwa’s palace, Oba Samuel Adegbola yesterday
The campaign train had earlier visited the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, to seek royal blessing for the APC candidate.
The monarch used the occasion to commend the Ajimobi’s administration for giving the people of Ibarapa a full-fledged polytechnic, located in Eruwa; a College of Agriculture and Technology at Igbo-Ora, as well as a College of Education of Education, in Lanlate.
He said, “We appreciate the efforts of the present government in Oyo State, led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi in the areas of standard road infrastructure. During this administration, new things that have affected the people positively have happened.
“We know many things are still in the pipeline but we appreciate the ones we are currently enjoying. We have a full-fledged polytechnic; our college of education is there in Lanlate and today, Ibarapa is proud to have the College of Agriculture and Technology at Igbo-Ora.
“The long-abandoned Ibadan-Eruwa road is enjoying reconstruction presently and we expect many more projects. We therefore need to consolidate on these and give further support to the Ajimobi’s administration. I wish the candidate success in the bye election”.
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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