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
Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo South Senatorial District have endorsed a member of the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Alice Hall, Ibadan, with party leaders, stakeholders, local government chairmen and state executive members from the nine local government areas in attendance.
The councils represented at the meeting are Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North and Ido.
The stakeholders expressed satisfaction with Oseni’s aspiration, describing it as timely, credible and anchored on tested leadership and grassroots appeal.
Those present at the meeting included Chief Timothy Jolaoso (Ibarapa East); Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe (Ido); Chief Abdulrauf Bello (Ido); Alhaji Muili Oluokun (Ibadan North-West); Alhaji Mufutau Adisa (Ibadan South-East); Alhaji Bello Oladeji (Ibadan North); Prince Gbade Lana (Ibadan North-East); Engr. Olatunji (Ibadan South-West); Comrade Wale Gbadamosi (Ibarapa North); and Alhaja Moji Adetona (Ibarapa Central).
Other party officials in attendance were the senatorial chairman, Alhaji Mojeed Adebayo; the secretary, Fatai Adesina; Welfare Officer, Sunday Babalola; Deputy Women Leader, Alhaja Fatimah Hassan; Auditor, Alhaja Tinu Adigun; Youth Leader, Lekan Adebayo; Ex-Officio member, Kola Amoo; Treasurer, Lateef Ajiboye; and Senatorial Youth Leader, Olalekan Olowe.
A chieftain of the party in Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Shina Alabi, moved the motion for the lawmaker’s endorsement, which was seconded and unanimously adopted by the stakeholders.
Alabi said Oseni’s decision to abide by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to step down his governorship ambition for the senatorial race underscored his loyalty and commitment to party unity.
He said, “Hon. Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of the people. His leadership style is inclusive, responsive and development-driven. We are convinced that his emergence as the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District will strengthen the party’s chances and guarantee effective representation.”
He also urged party members to remain united and rally behind credible aspirants with proven capacity and electoral value.
In his remarks, Hon. Aderemi Oseni said his decision to pursue the senatorial seat followed the presidential directives, noting that he accepted the decision in the interest of party cohesion, progress and stability. He recalled that he had earlier prepared for the Oyo South senatorial race in the 2023 general elections, having already purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms as part of an arrangement reached, before stepping down following appeals by party leaders.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the party must close ranks to reclaim political dominance in the senatorial district.
According to him, “There is a huge task ahead, especially with several House of Representatives seats in the district currently held by the opposition. We must work together, mobilise effectively and secure victory for our party and leader, President Bola Tinubu”.
Oseni thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to advancing the interests of Oyo South Senatorial District.
The meeting also had representatives from all nine local government areas, with about 10 leaders from each council in attendance.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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