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OPINION: Olubadan, The Ibadan Obas And Governor Abiola Ajimobi || By Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo
• So much fuss about nothing, but mere mischiefs and politricking
ONLY those who are mischievous and those that are not familiar with the facts and circumstances that led to the elevation of some Baales to Obas and the conferment of Obaship title on the hitherto High Chiefs will blame Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
The Governor has done the best for Ibadanland.
The whole idea emanated or originated from the Ibadan Progressives Peoples Union ( IPU) and it was approved by the Olubadan-In-Council under the immediate past Olubadan, Oba Odugade Odulana of blessed memory.
The Committe that he set up was headed by Otun Omowaye Kuye and had High Chief Femi Olaifa as Secretary, both now of blessed memories.
It was only Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Sule Omiyale who dissented and voted against the amendment. All other members of the Council including the present Olubadan agreed to the implementation during the reign of Oba Lana.
Unfortunately, Oba Lana could not adopt and ratify the report of the panel then due to his very advanced old age.
I concede that Oyo State Government (OYSG) did not get its approach of the matter right , because all the Governor ought to have done was to ask the Olubadan-in -Council to meet and vote on the report. The majority of the Council would have voted for its ratification and adoption while the government would just implement their decision.
Those who opposed and or criticised Senator Abiola Ajimobi over the matter are just being mischievous and or being ‘politrickal’ and it is most unfair, callous and unconscientious.
I was with the Governor at the Apapa residence of Otun Omowale Kuye when ( I think if my memory serves me right- High Chief Omiyale ) transited to glory.
The Governor went to check on Chief Kuye then who just sustained an accident on the course of Ibadan Golf Club.
The Chief said (and I was there, Chief Mrs. Priscilla Kuye too was there and Mama is still alive ), – “Biola (Governor), please and kindly save us in Ibadanland and elevate the status of our ranks who are members of the Olubadan-in-Council by confer on us the Kingship title that our report had already done and which is in consonance with what is contained in Chiefs Laws of Oyo Oyo State.
How sweet and refreshing would it have been if High Chief Omiyale had died as Oba Balogun of Ibadanland and I also became the Oba Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Posterity would forever remember you and write your name in gold if you can do this for Ibadanland.
You, Ojo as the Attorney-General kindly come up with the position paper for your Governor on this and Ibadanland a si gbe e.
High Chief Omowale Kuye also died not long after as Otun Olubadan and not as the Oba Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland. Myself and the Governor regretted not being prompt on his request on this matter before he died.
My other regret was my refusal to do Attorney-General under the second term of Senator Ajimobi because I would have been in the best position to offer the Governor and the Government the best and sound advise on how to confer Obaship on all the High Chiefs without the attendant degeneration and its consequences that we now face which allowed some people to make political capital out of best policy ever implemented by the father of the modern Oyo State, Senator Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi, Koseleri I
Asiwaju Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, former Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,writes from Dagenham – heath , United kingdom.
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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