Politics
Oyo 2019 Elections: Surprises And Challenges Ahead || By Akinyode Ishola
I don’t know what to write when the much anticipated February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections sprang expected and unexpected surprises as well as disrupting the permutations and calculations of the political analysts.
The poll was also a tedious exercise for the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially the Presiding Officers, Returning Officers, Chief Returning Officers and Domestic and Foreign Election Observers.
Members of the fourth estate of realm were not left out especially in the area of informing the public on the happenings and giving situation reports of the elections to their respective media houses.
The Presidential and National Elections held on Saturday February 23, no doubt sprang some surprises and challenges that changed the political permutations and calculations; hence the need for realignment in the Oyo state politics.
Since the Nation’s return to uninterrupted democracy in May 1999, battle to take over the Agodi Government House always attract more attention within and outside the state, the reason is that Ibadan has remained the political headquarters of the Southwest where political decisions were usually concluded.
Now, all political parties have tested their strengths and perhaps know the weaknesses as well as identified the strongholds ahead of the March 9 Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections
The big question is who will occupy the Agodi Government House?
No doubt, with the permutations and calculations on ground, especially with the outcome of the February 23 Elections, one can easily concludes that the battle is between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic party (PDP).
Even on social media platforms and newspapers’ stands, the discussion is about Adebayo Adelabu of the APC and Seyi Makinde of the PDP, while some members of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Oyo State was allegedly canvassing for Seyi Makinde, some Muslim Organizations drummed their supports for Adebayo Adelabu making the battle more interesting.
However, statistically, the APC has formidable structure in all the 33 local governments across the state plus 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) plus the unprecedented achievements of the state government in the last seven and half years. It is expected nothing less than victory at the poll.
Although APC won 9 House of Representatives’ seats and two senatorial districts, but poor results from Ibarapa land and some local governments in Ibadan which
necessitated the loss of Oyo South Senatorial District to opposition can not make the APC to rest comfortably.
On the part of the PDP, the results of Saturday February 23 elections was a greater improvement when compared to the outcome of 2015 elections
The Presidential election results also revealed that PDP won Oyo state with margin of 1000 votes, meaning that they are ready to slog it out with the progressive
Transfer Window
The term transfer window is not new to lovers of round leather game,the two leading political parties now signed new players ahead of the Oyo 2019 political champions league final.
The new signing of APC, as learnt included, Former Governor of Oyo state, Otunba Adebayo Alao- Akala, Hon Olatoye Sugar, Hon Adigun Hammed, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, Hon Dapo Lam Adesina, Sen Monsurat Sunmonu, Sen Adesoji Akanbi and other members of the African Democratic Party (ADP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC)
The new signing will join the already established team led by the incumbent Governor of the State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, former Senate leaderand Senator elect, Teslim Folarin, Senator Fatai Buhari and others ready for Saturday Final Clash.
The new signing in the PDP Camp, though yet to be sealed as at the time filling this report; are Former Governor of Oyo state and Ibadan High Chief, Rashidi Ladoja, Senator Femi Lanleyin, Barrister Sarafadeen Alli and others.
This new signing will work harmoniously with Team Seyi MAKINDE of the PDP led by Senator- Elect Muhammad Kola Balogun, Bisi Ilaka, former House Leader, Mulikat Adeola among others.
Of course, the referee will be the Chief returning officer of the state, Barrister Mutiu Agboke, Assisted by state Returning officer and Presiding officers at various polling units with security agents serve as Video Assistant Referees.
According to a Communist Tyrant Josef Stalin “Those who cast the votes decide nothing, those who count the votes decide everything ”
Without Iota of doubt, the March 9 polls may be the most keenly contested governorship election in Oyo state as all eyes are on who will succeed ‘Mr Constituted Authority’ (CA) in the race to Agodi Government House.
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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