Politics
My Political Journey To Zenith Labour Party || By Rashidi Ladoja
AFTER the 2015 elections, Sen Ayo Adeseun and the likes came to me and analysed the results of the state election which gave Sen Abiola Ajimobi just thirty two percent while other opposition parties shared the rest among themselves. They therefore advocated the fusion of all the parties which eventually gave birth to the emergence of a new PDP.
Unfortunately, we later discovered those holding the party at the national level only wanted to enslave us as we got to know that they had already made up their minds on who would carry the flag of the party as a guber candidate.
Political pundits and gladiators started coming around to solicit our support. Among them was the former governor of Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko, the elder statesman, Chief Olu Falae sent emissaries and a host of other eminent personalities. Later, a break away faction of the APC called the Unity Forum came to me and solicited that we come together, they claimed they had nothing against President Muhammadu Buhari but Sen Ajimobi and said they would prefer a party without a presidential candidate so that they will have the opportunity to work for Buhari and have a new governor that will not be a tutelage of Governor Ajimobi .
That was the beginning of the formation of the ADC with the coalition of my group, the Labour Party, the Unity Forum, the CNM and a host of others. We decided to have a caretaker committee charged with the responsibility to conduct congresses from the ward to the state levels but it was like the blind was driving the vehicle. I have never seen a situation where congresses will be conducted into the three tiers, that is, the wards, local and state, with just a day interval! And up till this moment, the party cannot be said to have standing executive committees in the wards and local governments.
The worst of scenario played out when we were to have candidates for various elective offices. In Ibarapa East/ Ido, the House of Representatives candidate slotted in his Personal Assistant as the House of Assembly candidate, ditto for Ibadan North West, Ibadan North East and so on and so forth. They came up with the idea of automatic tickets for all serving National Assembly members as if they all did well in their various constituencies to offer them such a ticket. In the Oke Ogun area of state, all seven state Assembly, three Reps candidates are from the Unity Forum, others are just there to look on and serve them, the people who are to be represented have no in-puts at all.
In Iseyin axis where there are four local governments presenting a federal Rep, the Unity Forum went ahead to have both the Rep and Assembly candidates from Iseyin and later the Deputy Governorship candidate from Iseyin again at the detriment of other local governments, where is justice here, how can you win elections with this kind of arrangement?
Are you really taking the interests of the people into consideration at all?
As a politician of note, the interest of the people takes the center stage and the buck stops on my table, the people will ask me, they won’t ask them. When we asked all the leaders of the Unity Forum to come over so that we can iron it out, only Sen Monsura Sunmonu came and the meeting had to be postponed. For the rescheduled meeting, none of them turned up. You can imagine how insultive that could be to a man of my age and status.
With that weak structure, I was so sure the ADC can’t win any election, and with the so called automatic tickets here and there where the people are already waiting to take their pounds of flesh from the so called representatives, those in that party are only wasting their time.
We now gave those willing to work with us, including Sen. Olufemi Lanleyin, the grace to come with us into the Zenith Labour Party but declined. To God be the glory, we now have a strong structure good enough to win elections as most of the people in all the geo-political zones—Ibadan,Oyo Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, all reasoned with us.
Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.
The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.
The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.
The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.
Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.
Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.
He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.
While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
Politics
#OndoDecides2024: Rep Oseni Hails Aiyedatiwa’s Victory, Commends Residents for Peaceful Polls
The Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni has congratulated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his victory in the recently concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election.
Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of the Sunshine State, was declared the winner of the election on Sunday at 2:30 pm. He defeated his closest rival, Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a landslide victory.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, Oseni described Aiyedatiwa’s triumph as a testament to his resilience, grassroots connection, and unwavering dedication to the development of Ondo State.
He praised the electorate for reaffirming their trust in visionary leadership.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my dear brother, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on this historic victory. Your emergence reflects the confidence and hope the people have in your ability to deliver purposeful and transformative leadership,” Oseni remarked.
The lawmaker commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other stakeholders for their pivotal roles in ensuring a transparent and credible election.
He also applauded the people of Ondo State for their active participation and peaceful conduct during the polls, which bolstered the election’s credibility.
Oseni expressed optimism that Aiyedatiwa’s administration will usher in renewed development, unity, and prosperity for the state.
“As you prepare to assume office, I urge all stakeholders and citizens of Ondo State to lend their support to your administration. Together, you can advance progress and strengthen the democratic foundations for a better Ondo State,” he stated.
He further expressed confidence that Aiyedatiwa’s second term will be characterized by impactful governance and innovative policies that will advance the state’s growth and enhance the welfare of its people.
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