Politics
May 29 : Ajimobi inaugurates ‘first joint transition committee’, preaches against politics of bitterness
The Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, on Thursday inaugurated the first joint transition committee in the history of the state, which is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a smooth transition from the incumbent to the Governor-elect, Mr Seyi Makinde.
The 27-member committee, comprising 17 from the government and 10 from the incoming administration, was inaugurated at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Ibadan.
Part of the terms of reference of the committee, as learnt was to evolve a seamless framework for the change of baton, as well as to organize a befitting handing-over ceremony.
Speaking at the historic event, Governor Ajimobi charged the committee members to place the interest of the state and its citizens above other narrow interests by emulating the existing cordiality between himself and Makinde.
The governor stressed that the event should not be seen as a mere stunt targeted at making history, but should be regarded as a deliberate step to promote the tenets of politics without bitterness.
“We make history today again as the first administration in the history of Oyo State in which the governor will inaugurate a transition committee comprising representatives of the incumbent and incoming administrations.
“Consequently, today’s event is another ‘Koseleri’ (unprecedented) in the annals of the history of our dear state. It is also pertinent to note that for the first time in the history of Oyo State, an incumbent governor formally received in audience a governor-elect (Makinde).
“These, for us, are not just stunts for making history, but a demonstration of true tenets of democracy, good governance, politics without bitterness and the ‘Ajumose’ spirit of collective responsibility.
“The governor-elect, upon my request, forwarded a list of nominees to government and I have no doubt in my mind that members of his team are men and women capable of implementing a smooth transition from one government to another”, Ajimobi said.
He also expressed the hope that future administration would take a cue from his gesture by sustaining such a collaborative spirit and not make the event a ‘Koselemo’ (forbidden), urging the incoming administration to raise the bar on delivery of good governance like he successfully did through his administration’s restoration, transformation and repositioning agenda.
He posited that the cutting-edge agenda, which began with the restoration of peace and security to the state, provided a solid foundation for the state’s massive infrastructural revolution, innovative and result-oriented approach to education, empowerment programmes, pragmatic healthcare delivery and improved agro-business and enhanced value-chain addition in agriculture, among others, bore true testimonies to his administration success story.
Representatives of committee from the government include Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli (Chairman); Head of Service, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adeniyi Olowofela; Commissioner for Finance, Mr Abimbola Adekanmbi; and Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr Wasiu Dauda; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Seun Abimbola; Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun; and Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Chief Isaac Ishola.
Others are Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Prince Oyewole Oyewumi; Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan; Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey, Mr Isaac Omodewu; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Abimbola Kolade.
Continuing, also on the list are the Special Adviser, Economic Planning and Budget, Dr Isiaka Kolawole; Special Adviser, Efficiency Unit, Dr Isaac Ayandele; Special Adviser, Security, Mr Segun Bolarinwa; Executive Assistant, Administration, Mr Soji Eniade; and Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Mr David Olatunde, who will serve as the Secretary.
Those from the camp of the governor-elect were led by Senator Hosea Agboola, with Chief Bisi Ilaka, Hon Debo Ogundoyin, Miss Lolade Ajibola, Mr Adeniyi Babatunde, Mr Seun Ashamu, Dr Bashir Bello, Mr Wale Adepoju, Hon. Temi Adibi and Mrs Bosede Ayo-Famola, as members.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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