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
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.
Politics
From ‘Books to Shops’: Oyo APC Slams Makinde Over ‘Shameful’ Library Conversion
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized the alleged forceful conversion of public reading and learning facilities in Dugbe, Ibadan, into shopping malls and lock-up shops by the state government, describing the development as shameful, ill-conceived, and unacceptable.
In a statement released over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the APC also raised concerns about the alleged sale of the modern motor park facility at Wema Area on New Ife Road, Ibadan, built during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the party, the motor park has been sold to a pastor who presides over a popular church near the facility.
Residents of Ibadan, the state capital, were reportedly stunned when they noticed the sudden erection of massive private business complexes within the premises of the Oyo State Library Board.
The facilities, built by the defunct Western Region government, had served as public libraries and archives for decades, benefitting students, researchers, and tourists until recently.
“It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for the development of commercial and business structures,” Sadare said.
“The implication is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the state by an administration that has done little to address the poor reading culture among young students.”
The APC expressed alarm over what it termed the erosion of public heritage under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, alleging that public properties are being sold or leased to private individuals and groups under questionable circumstances.
“How can a government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops in the name of making money, thereby subjecting society to the dangers of illiteracy and ignorance?” the statement queried.
The party also cited other instances of alleged mismanagement of public assets, including the concession of OYSADEP Guest House in Saki and Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the state’s socio-economic development.
“Sad enough, the ignoble activities of the governor and a few other characters around him as they involve mismanagement of land and other resources belonging to the state have paved the way for a surge in land grabbing cases in most parts of the state capital. There are many cases involving appointees of the governor, PDP lawmakers, local government officials, and party chieftains,” the statement added.
The APC called on well-meaning individuals and stakeholders in the state to demand accountability from the Makinde administration and halt what it described as the systematic erosion of public resources and heritage.
Politics
Relief as Rep ‘Lafi’ Empowers 300 Constituents Through Skill Acquisition Programme
Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.
The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.
The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.
The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.
Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.
Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.
He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.
While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.
Politics
Oyo: Olafisoye Facilitates Capacity-Building Training for 300 Constituents
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
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