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
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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