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Oyo 2019: Olaosebikan, Tegbe, Adelabu in close chase for APC guber ticket
THE race for the gubernatorial ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State is reaching a crescendo as the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi narrows his contemplation to three out of the over twenty aspirants jostling for the coveted seat in the party, and this is authoritative.
Highly impeccable sources close to the governor gave the names of the three top contenders as: Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe and Alhaji Kehinde Isiaka Olaosebikan, all, indigenes of Ibadan, the state capital
Chief Adebayo Adelabu (48) who recently resigned as a Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria is a 1992 Accounting graduate of of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife and became a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria [ICAN] in 1994. Adelabu is also a fellow of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria [FCIB]. Before his appointment in the Central Bank, Adelabu was an Executive Director in First Bank of Nigeria. He attended Lagelu Grammar School, Ibadan and hails from Kudeti, Ibadan South East Local Government in Oyo South Senatorial District, the same senatorial district with the incumbent governor.
Oyo: Anxiety Grips Other APC Aspirants Over Tegbe’s Guber Ambition
Also, Joseph Tegbe (52) studied Civil Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife and later proceeded to Lagos Business School, Nigeria, where he obtained a MBA. Joseph Tegbe is currently a Senior Partner and Head of the Technology Advisory Services and Markets of KPMG Professional Services in Nigeria. He is also the Chairman of the National Council for Management Development [NCMD]. Tegbe went to Federal Government College, Ogbomosho. He is from Labo, Ibadan South East Local Government in Oyo South Senatorial District.
Alhaji Kehinde Isiaka Olaosebikan (56) is a 1987 Mass Communication graduate of The Polytechnic Ibadan and also holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Language Arts of the University of Ibadan. Olaosebikan disengaged from active journalism practice as the Regional Editor, North for Vanguard Newspapers in 1999 when he was called upon to serve as the Chief Press Secretary to the late Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina. He held the post till 2003. Olaosebikan, the House of Representatives Candidate for the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Oluyole Federal Constituency in 2003 is a two time former Chairman of Oluyole Local Government. A professional in politics, he is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Midas Communications Limited, a public relations firm. Olaosebikan attended Ibadan City Academy, Eleta, Ibadan. He is an indigene of Onipe, Oluyole Local Government in Oyo Central Senatorial District.
The three aspirants have varied degrees of affinity with the incumbent governor of the state ranging from professional to politics. Chief Adelabu who had been visible in the programs of the state government in the last two years was appointed by Governor Ajimobi as the Chairman of Oyo State Security Trust Fund. He is holding the position till date.
Tegbe is said to be an informal adviser to the Governor on commerce and economic development. His company KPMP performed the recent staff auditing of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) that led to the redistribution of many workers of the corporation.
Olaosbikan, a known leading edge promoter of the APC and Oyo State Government’s policies and programmes was appointed the Chairman of School Governing Board in the novel educational revolution of Governor Ajimobi. He made the first personal donation to the education program. Reputed for his robust contributions to tourism and economic development of the state, Olaosebikan is an active participant and investor in the Transformation Industrial Park, a programe at the heart of Governor Ajimobi.
Both Adelabu and Tegbe have formally made their intentions public through declaration and sinages, Olaosebikan, a seasoned politician is at the moment concentrating efforts in winning endorsements and buy in from critical stakeholders including the youths, the cause of whom he champions, always unrelenting.
Other notable aspirants in the race on the platform of APC, include Mr. Soji Eniade, the immediate Head of Service of the state, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, the state Commissioner for Health, and his counterparts in the ministry of Lands &Housing, Finance, Isaac Omodewu, Bimbo Adekanmbi, Professor Adeolu Akande, Engineer Aderemi Olaniyan amongst others.
The immediate past governor of the state, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Akala who has been variously mentioned as an aspirant disclosed in a recent interview that he was still making consultations.
With the ward, local government and state congresses just conducted in the state, Governor Abiola Ajimobi is in absolute control of APC machinery in the the pace setter state.
Meanwhile, the consensus among the various interest groups and leaders in the state clearly emphasized the importance of the choice of the right candidate as the solution to the lingering crisis in the party.
The Core Progressives Forum (TCPF) comprising of notable progressives across the state, proffered that the pick of gubernatorial candidate for the next year’s election is critical to the final resolution of the persistent crisis.
The group, in a statement in Ibadan said that the state governor and party leadership must ensure that the party picks a candidate with profound appeal to all the warring members and possessing adequate political experience and tenacity to galvanize party members and as well draw new members to the party. He must also be a person of high integrity known for peace, progress and development of Oyo State
According to the statement signed by the State Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Akeem Oladeji, the issue at stake has gone pass the personality of the governor, hence the need to see that the candidate of the party for the gubernatorial election possesses the right credentials and qualities requisite for victory for the party.
The group noted that once the party chooses the right candidate with the full participation of the hierarchies of the party, the crisis would dissolve.
Alhaji Oladeji said the time has come for the aggrieved members to sheath their swords and stop being egoistic and personal about issues stressing that agitating for sharing of posts now or working against the interest of the party would not yield them nor the party any good.
“With the new executives put in place at all the levels in the state, as a group made up of politically experienced people, we know the time for agitations for party posts is gone. Without apportioning blame whatsoever, we want to appeal to our people to let us all move on and join the new executives in the process of strengthening our party.
“It is a clear fact that APC remains the most potent and popular party in Oyo State and Nigeria and for anybody with serious political importance that wants progress for himself, his ward, community, local government, the state and Nigeria, APC is the place to be. We should all therefore concentrate efforts towards the growth of our party in our different wards in the overall of the party and our candidates for next year general elections.
“We also know that at this crucial stage, it is binding on the our State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the leadership of the party to do an extensive search across the state in order to give us the right candidate that would suit the present circumstances; a candidate with the most profound appeal to the majority of our members, the aggrieved members and the generality of the people of Oyo State; a candidate with adequate knowledge and sound political experience capable of galvanizing party members and as well draw credible and valuable new members to APC.
“With the right candidate, we are certain that all the members of the Unity Forum and others grumbling within the mainstream will all return and be pleased with the leadership and the party. What every right thinking party man is looking for is continued success of the party at the polls and continuity of APC at all levels of government” Alhaji Oladeji added.
Already, a number of the warring Unity Group members are retracing their steps to the party while some are planning to exit and a few others undecided. But basically, most of their leaders particularly those with political appointments have decided to stay put in APC.
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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