Politics
Oyo 2019: Adelabu, An Enemy of Himself !
By Idowu Ayodele, and Taiwo Oluwadamilare, Ibadan
FOLLOWING various crises in Oyo State political space, the All Progressives Congress, APC appeared to have edge over the oppositions in the state.
However, after the APC governorship candidate, Mr Adebayo Adelabu won the party’s ticket, he seems to be fueling intraparty crisis by creating enmities among members of the ruling party.
It would be recalled that during primaries which eventually produced Adelabu as flag bearer, all the aspirants enjoyed supports from party stalwarts especially the leading aspirant, Engr Olasunkanmi Tegbe who enjoyed total support from the people at the corridors of power before the pendulum swung and stepped down among other contestants for Adelabu as a result of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s intervention.
After the emergence of Adelabu, the expectation of the party faithfuls was for him to reconcile, resolve differences among warring party members to stand better chances in the forthcoming poll. But surprisingly, Adelabu is busy pointing accusing fingers to those who supported his contemporaries in the primary most especially, Tegbe.
The cabinet members and others at the corridors of power who are the governors’ think tank are yet to resolve with Adelabu, an internal crisis which could best be described as ‘cold war’.
The political strategists and influencers whom could also contribute to Adelabu’s victory are now his ‘perceived enemies’ because they didn’t support him during the race to the primary.
According to sources, the guber nominee, Adelabu has been alleged to have constituted his cabinet when the election is less than 3 months to be held. As a result of the aforementioned, the emergence of Adelabu as the APC’s standard bearer in the 2019 governorship election is now causing commotions among the progressive fold.
The incidence of an APC party member can be regarded as an evident instant of crisis rocking the ruling party after emergence of Adelabu.
Isiaka, popularly called ‘Adedibu’ who resides around Monatan axis of Ibadan, Oyo state capital recounted his ordeal in the hands of Adelabu’s boys for allegedly supporting one of his co-contestants, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan in the APC’s guber primary.
Isiaka, nicknamed Adedibu in a chat with our reporter on Friday
Isiaka, the APC member on evening of Friday, November 23, 2018 around 9:01pm while speaking with Mega Icon Magazine said he went to Adelabu’s hotel situated at Jericho, but on getting there, he didn’t see anybody around. He said: “I went to his hall where we used to hold meetings, also located around the same Jericho axis in Ibadan.
“When I got to the hall, I met them there and other people. But, surprisingly when they saw a face cap on me, with an inscription of Ganiyat Olawore Omo oku orun (Former Special Assistant to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Political Matters, Community Relations and Agriculture), the Adelabu’s boys fumed that Ganiyat didn’t worked for them during the primaries but rather worked for Dr. Azeez Adeduntan.
But I quipped, “Ganiyat (Omo oku orun, who also secured APC ticket for state Assembly) is our person”. And I can tell you that I have not benefitted anything from Adeduntan. It is based on the governor’s instruction that we should continue to work for the party irrespective of individual differences that made me give my support to Ganiyat. That’s why I deemed it necessary to go to Adelabu to get some posters to paste around my axis in Monatan.
“But when Roma, one of Adelabu’s aides and SA to the Governor saw me with Ganiyat’s face cap, he said I have told you before that this guy (me) isn’t Adelabu’s loyalist, saying that I am Ganiyat’s loyalist working for Dr Azeez Adeduntan. Another one said I am Tegbe’s loyalist and I told them that I am for Adelabu. All of a sudden, they started beating me , stabbed me with bottle, hit me on the head with stones.
“My head, hands and body were stabbed which mutilated my skin through other sharp objects. They are many, Adelabu was there, even his Personal Assistant, Boye”, Isiaka narrated further.
As a result of related issues like this, some APC members in the state are ready to work for candidates in their respective areas but not for ‘Penkelemesi’, (Adelabu’s branded name) due to alleged fences around him or intra-party crisis caused by Adelabu and his men.
It would be recalled that when Governor Abiola Ajimobi inaugurated his campaign committee in 2007, 2011 and 2015 respectively, the committees were comprised of people with familiar faces and the doors to his Oluyole private residence were opened to everyone.
“Any candidate eyeing the Agodi Government House must be submissive and decline hiring a reputable construction companies like Julius Berger (JB) to construct fences around him like that of biblical ‘Jericho wall”, another source submitted
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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