Politics
Oyo 2019: Onigbinde emerges AD guber candidate
•Caretaker committee holds parallel primary
FORMER Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Dr Akin Onigbinde has emerged the governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy in the state.
Onigbinde emerged at the party congress which was held on Saturday at A-Three Hotel, Along Iwo Road-Ojoo Expressway, Ibadan.
The primary which was organised by the Michael Akinropo led state executives was witnessed by party national leaderships, southwest leadership, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission amongst other delegates.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Onigbinde who emerged through the nomination and affirmation by the delegates emerged unopposed alongside three senatorial candidates, 12 house of representative candidates and 32 house of assembly flag bearers.
Meanwhile, another caretaker committee of the party led by Pastor Akin Alamu also held its congress at the Greenspring Hotel, Old Ife Road, Ibadan.
But the National Legal Adviser, Mr Kehinde Aworela who as at the Akinropo’s led primary where Onigbinde emerged said, the party constitution does not in anyway recognise caretaker committee but affirmed Onigbinde and other candidates for other elective positions as duly recognised flagbearers of the party for the 2019 general elections.
Present at the Akinropo’s led primary are delegates from all the 351 wards in the state, state executives and about over 15 national officers of the party.
The national officers who monitored the exercise include, the National Vice Chairman/Southwest Chairman, Otunba Tayo Onayemi, National Vice Chairman South South, Mr Keneth Brown Ebughe, Chairman Congress and Primary Committee who also doubles as the National Welfare Officer, Mr John Okafor, Assistant National Secretary, Idris Musa Mohammed, National Deputy Legal Adviser, Mr Ken Emekowa, National Auditor, Mr John Onoku, Assistant National Organising Secretary, Mr Abubarkar Germans and National Women Leader, Abigirl Aina.
Others are, National Ex-Officio, Mr Steve Omodogbe, Osun state chairman, Mr Olapade Fakunle, National Legal Adviser, Mr Kehinde Aworela, National Ex-Officio, Hajia Sadatu Bello, National Organising Secretary, Roland Kiente and Deputy Nations Treasurer, Ahmad Sagir amongst others.
The Alamu led caretaker primary, which produces Mr Akeem Alao as the governorship candidate was witnessed by the party National Secretary, Mr Akin Fasogbon, a party chieftain, Mr Ayinla Bello, Ekiti state caretaker committee chairman, Mr Famuseye Charles.
Addressing the delegates at the Akinropo’s primary, the Chairman, National Congress Planning Committee for Oyo state party delegates Congress and party primary, Mr Okafor said the national leadership of the party was shocked at what he described as the private decision of some individuals to set up caretaker committee, noting that any other primary held outside of the one witnessed by the national leaderships is a nullity.
He said “We are all shocked at the private decision of Mr Joseph Avazi and the National Secretary, Mr Akin Fasogbon to create a caretaker committee to run the affairs of Oyo state.
“Apart from the fact that our party does not know or recognise a caretaker committee structure in our party, it has no place in our constitution and if any decision of such magnitude were to be taken, it cannot be taken by only two persons pretending to be chairman and secretary NWC and NEC all roles into one. The party cannot be greater than the whole. Neither NWC nor NEC was privy to such a decision.”
State chairman, Mr Akinropo noted that the party used to be a united house until Azazi and Fasogbon sowed the seed of discord.
He assured the members that the illegality would soon be resolved by the court, noting that the matter of caretaker committee is already laid before it.
National Legal Adviser, Mr Aworela distance the party of its national leadership from any other purported primary by any individual or group, noting that the party which is known for its integrity and uprightness will not allow any form of illegality in its fold.
Dr Onigbinde in his acceptance speech thanked the national leadership, state executives, local government execñutives and all the delegates for the confidence reposed in him to fly the flag of the party come 2019 governorship election.
He assured the people of the state that the party still has all that it takes to bring the state back on track and restore its pace setting glory with both human and infrastructural development that would impact on the people.
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.
Politics
Ibarapa East Assembly Hopeful, Ramon Congratulates Ajiboye, Says Emergence Good for Oyo APC
An aspirant for the Ibarapa East State Constituency seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Engr. Yusuf Abiodun Ramon, on Tuesday congratulated Alhaji Lateef Akinsanya (Ajiboye) on his emergence as the State Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
Akinsanya was elected at the party’s state congress held today, a development party faithful in Ibarapa East Local Government described as significant for the zone’s growing influence within the APC structure.
In a statement issued shortly after the announcement of the results, Ramon described Ajiboye’s victory as “well-deserved and timely.”
According to him, “Alhaji Lateef Akinsanya has remained steadfast, loyal and committed to the ideals of our great party. His emergence as State Treasurer is a clear affirmation of the trust and confidence members have in his integrity and administrative competence.”
Ramon noted that the election of a party stalwart from Ibarapa East into a critical financial office at the state level would further strengthen grassroots participation and unity within the APC.
“This is not just a personal victory for Ajiboye; it is a collective achievement for Ibarapa East. It reinforces our relevance in the progressive family and encourages broader inclusion in party administration,” he said.
The aspirant expressed confidence that the new treasurer would discharge his responsibilities with transparency, accountability and diligence in order to deepen internal democracy and institutional stability within the party.
He urged party leaders and members across Oyo State to close ranks in support of the newly elected executive members to ensure cohesion and effective management of party affairs ahead of future political engagements.
Ramon reaffirmed his commitment to the growth of the APC in Ibarapa East and Oyo State at large, stressing that sustained unity and responsible leadership remain essential to consolidating the party’s strength across the state.
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