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Opinion: Governor Seyi Makinde, Time To Be Your Own Man | By Wasiu Odewale
“Disunity Costs Votes”
-John Major.
Abraham Lincoln, one time President of the United States of America, quoting from the Bible, said “a house divided against itself will not stand”. This is how it seems with the administration of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state. It is apparent that the in-fighting inside the administration, between certain gladiators, is much more than what is coming from the opposition.
The above is especially true judging by the rumored rift between the Governor and his Deputy, Engr. Raufu Olaniyan. The house, it seems, is divided against itself and things may soon fall apart. This situation, if not stymied, is capable of whittling down the electoral fortunes of the government in future. As John Mayor, former Britain Prime Minister noted, “disunity cost votes”.
It is however worthy to note, that the fight is not between the Governor and his Deputy, but the Deputy Governor and the Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council in the person of Senator Hosea Agboola who sees the deputy governor as someone new in the party, and takes precedence over him by virtue of his position as the deputy governor.
It is common knowledge that the purported impeachment attempt of the Deputy Governor was orchestrated by Hoseah Agboola, without the governor’s knowledge.
It seems the Senator, who has a history of not only betraying those whom he worked with in the past both also have a penchant for destabilizing any government he has been part of ( eg former governors Senator Rashidi Ladoja and Otunba Alao Akala etc ) is at it again. This time, he is looking to shift the governor’s gaze from himself, who nurses governorship ambition, towards the Deputy Governor. His thinking is that if he succeeds in destroying the relationship between the governor and his deputy, the governor would be a sitting duck.
“Igi woroko”, as the Chairman of the Advisory Council is also known, is the one who is pitting the governor against his deputy.
Governor Seyi Makinde, no doubt, is aware of Engr. Raufu Olaniyan’s pedigree that was why he chose him as his running mate. He knew what they could both achieve to the betterment of Oyo state if they combined their strengths. However, a third force who is bent on making sure things do not augur well stands against this.
It is very shocking to many that Hosea Agboola has such a tight leash on the Governor, who ordinarily, has a mind of his own. That Senator Agboola has come thus far in his sinister scheming rankles not a few watchers of Oyo politics as it calls to question the governor’s ability to resist being manipulated. He has successfully alienated the governor from PDP party leaders in the state. Where is the likes of Hon.Mulikat Adeola former House leader of house of representative, Abuja an ally of the governor, Hon. Muriano Ajibola from Ibarapa and many other PDP stalwarts.
The onslaught against the Deputy Governor started from day one of this administration. It makes one wonder who is afraid of Olaniyan. Certainly not the governor, but those who are close to him. They are afraid because they know that with the experience of Olaniyan, it would be difficult for them to manipulate the governor who they consider as lacking the required experience to govern the state.
It will be in the best interest of Governor Seyi Makinde to be his own man. Senator Hosea Agboola can not be seen as teleguiding the governor. At the end of the day, whatever the outcome of this administration, it will be said that the administration of Seyi Mankinde and Rauf Olaniyan did this or that. It won’t be Seyi Makinde and Hosea Agboola.
The governor should stop listening to lies and rumours about his deputy. The likes of Senator Agboola and others who have preached “Don’t trust your deputy” are saying so hoping to isolate him before going for the kill. This is the very same tactics that lions use when hunting.
Why are these people, led by the Chairman of the Governor’s advisory committee, against a cordial relationship between the governor and his deputy ? Their plans to tarnish the image of Raufu Olaniyan is only enhancing his popularity. The earlier the governor puts Agboola in his rightful place, the better for his administration.
Agboola did not deliver Oke Ogun in the last election nor did the charlatans who recently joined him to sow discord between the governor and his loyal deputy. The people of Oke Ogun and Oyo state in general voted Makinde and Olaniyan because of what they hoped their working together would birth.
Recently, the enemies of the Makinde administration were at it once more with the latest sponsored online publication wherein they alleged that, in a purported impeachment saga, the Deputy Governor outsmarted the governor. This is clearly reverse psychology aimed at stoking the ego of the governor into going to war with his Deputy.
This administration, in the coming days, will be marking its first year anniversary. What are the tangible achievements governor Makinde will highlight ? I urge him to note that whatever he has achieved would have been more if he leaned to the experience of his deputy.
Your Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, please stop listening to Hosea Agboola. The only “good” his advice will do you is to dim the light of your electoral value.
Lastly, one sincerely hopes that the Governor was not the one who recommended Hosea Agboola to the PDP for his latest assignment in Ekiti. If he did, it would be unfortunate. Hosea Agboola aka “Hallelujah” would definitely bungle the assignment. It is not for nothing that he is called “Igi Woroko to da ina ru” .
Wasiu Odewale , writes from Ibadan via odewalew1968@gmail.com
Photo credit : adeeko
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 Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
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.
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