Politics
Oyo 2019:Tension as APC guber aspirants know fate today
LESS than few hours to the anxiously expected meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants with the incumbent Governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and other leaders of the party billed for Saturday.
During the meeting with aspirants and leaders of the party in Oyo Central Senatorial District, Governor Abiola Ajimobi told members and aspirants to put interest of the party above their personal interests.
This decision has created uneasy calm within the APC guber hopefuls in Oyo state.
Mega Icon Magazine also confirmed the palpable tension and anxiety within the aspirants as their supporters and chief promoters surreptitiously stormed the Agodi Government Secretariat last night to gather hints . The aspirants also stationed their informants to study the governor’s movement as well as to nose for more information.
It was also rumoured that the governorship candidate may likely come from the Ibadan Zone which has 52% of the voting strength. Further checks revealed that the major political parties in the state are expected to present their candidates for the number seat from the zone.
Oyo 2019: Alli seeks support in Ibarapa, Oke Ogun for guber ambition
Based on this unconfirmed information, it is imperative to predict some aspirants that may likely emerged as the standard bearer of the party in the state governorship election.
No doubt, special attention is on the APC being the ruling party, but with the declaration of multitudinous aspirants eyeing the Agodi Government House assignment on the banner of the party, raised serious concern for the leaders as well as the party executives.
Although at the national level and state like Lagos opted for Direct Primary but in the pace setter state, Consensus may be the answer.
Why Consensus Candidate?
The idea of ‘Consensus Candidate’ is not new in Oyo APC and the progressives lineage. The late ‘Great Lam’, ex- Oyo Governor of blessed memory and the incumbent Governor, Abiola Ajimobi were products of ‘consensus candidate’.
It would be recalled that in 2011 it was through consensus that Governor Abiola Ajimobi emerged and later the aggrieved candidates including Chief Femi Lanleyin, Dr Ismael Adewusi were honoured with elective and political appointments after the emergence of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the ruling party in the state.
Same method could also be adopted as the 2019 Governorship election draws nearer considering the high cost of APC governorship Nomination and Expression of Interest forms so as to prevent the aspirants from further expenses.
Narrowing the prospective guber candidates to Ibadan Zone only, which implies that the quest for Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa and Ogbomoso under APC is not realistic based on the present political permutations.
Ibadan Governorship Aspirants
As at the time of filling this report, no fewer than 10 guber aspirants had earlier declared their intentions to occupy the Agodi Government House. However, this report targets at least 6 aspirants, according to our findings.
The six governorship aspirants include the current Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli, Serving Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan, leading partner of the KPMG, Engr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, immediate Deputy Governor Operations CBN, Chief Abdulwaheed Adebayo Adelabu, Immediate Oyo State Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade and a brilliant legal luminary, Chief Adeniyi Akintola SAN
APC guber candidate is expected to emerge from these 6 aspirants
Continuity and Progress
Alhaji Ismael Olalekan Alli, the current SSG is one of the loyalists of Governor Abiola Ajimobi who has contributed meaningfully to the success of the Abiola Ajimobi led government.
Alhaji Alli has worked closely with Governor Ajimobi as scribe of the government for 5 years and with his over 25 years work experience in both public and private sector will ensure continuity of the good work of this administration come 2019.
Gba fun Adeduntan 2019
Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan, the state Commissioner for Health can eventually be considered because of his brilliant contributions to the development of the health sector in the state and past political experience.
Dr Adeduntan who is an international surgeon has what it takes to govern and facilitate more meaningful developments to the state through his international connections.
TEGBE F’ Oyo 2019
Engr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe is a policy maker and strategist who has the experience to turn around and transform the state for the better.
Tegbe declaration to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi has already gathered momentum in the state especially with his style of campaign, human relations and consultation.
Adelabu 2019, Oyo First Project
Chief Adebayo Adelabu who is the grand son of the late political icon, Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu has contributed constructively, effectively and positively to the state when he was CBN Deputy Governor operations
Adelabu used his good office at CBN to facilitate projects to the The Technical University, Ibadan. Adelabu seems to be more prepared for the herculean task considering the energy, resources invested into this guber project. Age is also an advantage for the young vibrant Adelabu who may also enjoy sympathy votes from the youths.
Eni Tia De 2019
Soji Eniade is the immediate Head of Service of the state and Ibadan born administrator.
Eniade has served the state meritoriously and reached the pinnacle of his career.
The highly cerebral Eniade as Executive Assistant to the Governor, and ex Head of Service understands administration, especially policy formulation. He can be selected as standard bearer in APC.
Why not Akintola?
Chief Adeniyi Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is among the governorship aspirants that any governor can rely on for successful smooth administration.
Asides from being a legal practitioner, Chief Akintola has deep knowledge when it comes to election tribunal matters and other litigations that may likely arise after the polls
The Ido born legal luminary has once served as member of the Oyo State House of Assembly when he represented Ido state constituency. Akintola. The brilliant lawyer enjoys huge connection and network.
Barring any – last minute changes, the APC guber candidate is expected to emerge from these 6 aspirants analysed earlier, if the candidate would be from Ibadan Zone.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
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.
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