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 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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