Politics
Oyo: ‘Adelabu Is Baselessly Arrogant’, Says Adeduntan
- Urges Ajimobi to Step Down
FORMER Commissioner for Health in Oyo State and governorship aspirant under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan has attributed the monumental loss of the party to Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the state to Chief Adebayo Adelabu’s arrogance .
Dr Adeduntan, also noted that the party’s governorship nominee, Chief Adelabu supposed to seek involvements of other aspirants before and after the primary but his arrogance made him felt he could win the election with the only assistance of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
The Otun Bashorun of Ibadanland, who stated this during a press conference with journalists on Saturday at his office in Alakia, Ibadan, the state capital also disclosed, “you can ask Ajimobi, we are very close. I told him that Seyi Makinde is my brother, we have been in this game since 2011, I may be older than Seyi Makinde but Seyi Makinde is older than me in politics, he has been in this game since 2003.
“He was first with Ladoja, he ran away when in 2007 he went to Ajimobi, he wanted to run for ANNP, he lost. He went to Baba Adedibu at Molete, he wanted to run for PDP, he was not allowed, Kamorudeen was given. He ran again in 2015, we did G7 together – Ibadan people that wanted to become governor. So, Seyi Makinde has been in this game for the past sixteen years. How can you bring somebody from Central Bank in July to come and fight somebody who has been in the bunker? It’s a fact. I told Ajimobi this and it’s on MTN, why I like technology is that it can be printed, you can quote me that I said it.
“This man is already holding down the bunker, is ready for war. I was Labour party candidate in 2011, I knew what they gave me, I was aspirant in 2015 you didn’t use us and you now have somebody that brought 100 Serena cars into town. He went further to hire Aderupoko and others who are making jest on the streets, while Seyi Makinde was going to Oyo North begging people, connecting people who can help him , you are making noise in Ibadan here. Ibadan is not the only place where they vote.
The ex-Commissioner continued, “We paid N25 million to obtain the form, how many Nigerians can burn N25 million? They brought you from the Central Bank instead of coming to some of us who have been in the game, you believe that you and Ajimobi can win, after injuring eight other people?
“What Tinubu does in Lagos is that oh Dr Adeduntan, don’t worry, you will go to the Senate, Akintola, we are going to make you an ambassador, he will satisfy everybody.
“We called him, come this gentleman, politics is not a game of accounting money in the Central Bank. You can quote me that Adeduntan said he’s an arrogant person, Adelabu is baselessly arrogant because that’s why I said no-holds-barred, I am the Otun Bashorun of Ibadanland by now. If he wants to succeed he has to go and wear the cloth of humility, if he’s going to be arrogant, not to people like us, not to Akintola, not even to Tegbe. Tegbe have first class at the University of Ife, I have MBBS with distinction, so if you did Accounting and you say you have first-class in Accounting, you’re insulting people like us.
“Accounting is just one possible subject, there are no subjects that I cannot do. Instead of coming down with humility. This man was on a high horse with Ajimobi on the streets of Ibadan and the Oyo state people were just making jest of them. So it was a monumental disaster”
Reacting to the insinuation that he has joined the PDP, a reason he congratulated Governor Seyi Makinde, Adeduntan said he is still in APC saying Makinde is his brother from the same compound in Oja-Oba, thus congratulating him has nothing to do with currying favour from him or joining PDP.
“I am saying this to you, Adeduntan is still a member of APC in Oyo State, Ajimobi is my brother, so is Seyi Makinde, we are from Ojo Oba, politics should not divide us. So, if anybody says we saw Adeduntan with Seyi Makinde, and so what? If I had won, Seyi Makinde will congratulate me. What is wrong in congratulating somebody who has won an election, does that mean Adeduntan is looking for a job from Seyi Makinde?”, he questioned.
The revered surgeon maintained that he is still in cordial relationship with former Governor Ajimobi, adding that the ex-governor has learnt his mistakes in the last election. He noted that disunity in APC enabled PDP to take power.
According to him, “APC didn’t lose the last election, PDP got governorship a la carte , we give governorship to PDP. Look at what happened in Osun state, with all the money that Adeleke had, APC still crushed him using all necessary means. It is very difficult to defeat an incumbent government, but once you become disunited, the game is over.
“For those that forgot that I contested alongside some aspirants during the 2019 governorship election on the platform of APC should recall that I did not lose in the primary election but was illegally and unconstitutionally denied the right to contest even when it was all over that my good people of Oyo State will cast their votes for me as their preferred governorship candidate, but some leaders of the party did the bidding of their paymaster.
“Oyo state is not Lagos, what Tinubu was able to escape, you cannot escape it in Oyo state, this is not a no man’s land. So what I am saying, in essence, is that you cannot come to Oyo state and say you are the leader of APC and you want to impose on the people.
“There was also no APC primary in Oyo State on September 30, 2018, but an imposition of a wrong candidate. The consequences of that failure of leadership led to the monumental failure of APC at the governorship, senatorial and state assembly and even presidential elections showing that he who sows the wind shall reap the whirlwind and that God Almighty is God of justice and will always vindicate the just.
“I have nothing personal against Ajimobi, he’s my brother and we are very brotherly. But he himself knew he made mistake, he has asked for an apology from Nigerians including me, and he’s forgiven, APC needs to move forward”, he added.
He called for comprehensive and genuine reconciliation of active APC members ahead of 2023 and urged the former governor Abiola Ajimobi to step aside and allow younger elements to take over the party in order to move it forward, just as he condemned the imposition of candidates against the wishes of other aspirants.
In his words, “APC cannot move forward if all those people that caused the trouble are still there and they are not ready to reconcile. Reconciliation comes from the mind, it comes from the heart. If APC wants to reconcile against 2023, the party must realize that it has to be one man, one vote. At least, if some of us like me would be there, it has to be a direct vote and it can not be indirect. Indirect vote killed APC in the last election.
“What I am saying, in essence, is that imposition of candidate needs to go, new leadership must emerge in APC, it cannot be the old leadership. Like I said earlier on, what is going to happen to Adeduntan between 2019 and 2023? I believe in Almighty Allah and if you’re a Christian I believe in Jesus Christ because you can’t be a Muslim without accepting Jesus Christ using the Quran. Nobody will cage Adeduntan in 2023, I don’t need APC or PDP, God Almighty will direct where Adeduntan is going to go but I am in APC right now. APC will not cage anybody.
“But, if anybody is now saying that the APC that we have today is Adelabu ‘s APC, they are deceiving themselves, because Akintola is dredging in, Tegbe and others are waiting, even Teslim and others are waiting, it must be a free party, that’s the only way APC can survive and succeed. APC will be compelled to do what it needs to do if we want to succeed as a party. APC cannot remain the way it is and succeed, if there is going to be a primary in 2023, it has to be a direct primary without anybody influencing and saying this is the person I want to impose on you.
“And let me also close that Governor Ajimobi as I said is my brother, he trained in the US, when things like this happen after this kind of disaster what I believe he should do is not even a question of calling anybody, or he himself wanted to remain, leader, I think just like Douglas said old soldiers never die; they just fade away. I think Governor Ajimobi should try to step aside a little bit, allow younger elements to take over that party, if he does not, if what he wants to do is the same thing, what happened in 2019 will be a child’s play in 2023, but I can tell you Adeduntan will not be there by the grace of God”, the ex- Commissioner concluded.
Dr Adeduntan, however thanked Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji for the honour done to him with the conferment and promise to continue to assist the people of Ibadan and by extension Oyo state.
With Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election drawing closer, fresh political alignments are taking shape, with various stakeholders strategising to position their preferred candidates for the race to Aso Rock. Amidst this, loyalists of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have reportedly initiated discussions with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) about a potential move by the ex-Anambra governor.
Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television and monitored by our correspondent, SDP’s National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, confirmed that Obi’s associates had approached the party to explore the possibility of his defection.
“Obi’s people came to us to say if Obi comes, would you take him? Of course, we told them: ‘Yes’. I was in that meeting. Some of them are with us, saying that they are preparing the ground, but you have to join SDP. You cannot be in the Labour Party and be telling us Obi is coming without joining us, otherwise, we can’t open our doors for you,” Agunloye stated.
Obi Remains Silent Amidst Speculations
Despite these claims, Obi himself has yet to publicly declare any intention to leave the Labour Party, the platform on which he contested the 2023 presidential election and finished as the runner-up. While his loyalists may be engaging other parties, there has been no official confirmation from the former governor regarding his political future.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, continues to enjoy significant support from his followers, many of whom believe he remains the best alternative to the ruling establishment. However, with the SDP already boasting seven presidential aspirants, the political equation could become more complex if he eventually decides to make a move.
As the countdown to 2027 intensifies, political observers are keenly watching Obi’s next steps, particularly whether he will remain with the Labour Party or seek a fresh platform to relaunch his presidential ambition.
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has fiercely opposed Governor Seyi Makinde’s move to secure a fresh loan of N200 billion, describing it as reckless and detrimental to the state’s financial future. The party called on concerned Nigerians to intervene and prevail upon the governor to abandon the borrowing plan.
According to the party, it said sources had revealed that Governor Makinde sought and secured approval for the loan on Tuesday, allegedly through the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, and a few select lawmakers. It added that the governor’s request, contained in a letter dated 13th March 2025, cited the need to refinance an existing loan from a commercial bank.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, Oyo APC’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, condemned the move, insisting that the governor’s borrowing spree was driving the state into a financial mess.
“Another distressing development has emerged from the Oyo State House of Assembly today. The Speaker and a handful of his loyalists have secretly approved a fraudulent loan request from the governor without the knowledge of most of their colleagues. This decision was only made public through a post-plenary document released by the Clerk of the House,” the statement read.
Sadare decried the mounting debt profile of Oyo State under Makinde, alleging that the governor had already incurred over N300 billion in loans over the last six years. He questioned why, despite such heavy borrowing, the state had little to show in terms of infrastructural development, economic growth, and agricultural advancement.
“If the previous loans had been judiciously used to improve infrastructure, build the economy, and ensure food security through a sustainable agricultural revolution, there would be no need for concern. Unfortunately, the present PDP administration has demonstrated a lack of accountability and is determined to mortgage the future of Oyo State,” he said.
The APC spokesman further questioned the rationale behind the fresh loan request, citing the substantial revenue inflows into the state’s coffers.
“For the record, Governor Makinde receives an average of N11 billion in federal allocation and another N11 billion on behalf of the 33 local government councils. In addition, the state generates no less than N3 billion in Internally Generated Revenue, bringing the total monthly revenue to at least N25 billion. The critical question now is: what exactly is he doing with this massive income, and why does Oyo still need another huge loan?”
Sadare accused the governor of failing to prioritise essential needs despite the available funds, lamenting that workers in state-owned tertiary institutions were not being paid a living wage, while key sectors such as emergency response, agriculture, and education remained neglected.
“Oyo State cannot even afford five fully functional fire trucks to tackle emergencies. Farmers lack access to modern equipment, while the state’s public schools are deteriorating rapidly. Yet, Governor Makinde, who has failed to complete an ordinary bus terminal after allegedly spending N20 billion, has now set his sights on an airport upgrade project as another means to siphon public funds,” he added.
The APC spokesman also took a swipe at Speaker Ogundoyin, accusing him of acting as a rubber stamp for the governor’s financial dealings.
“The manner in which this N200 billion loan was hurriedly approved exposes the Speaker as a willing accomplice in Makinde’s financial recklessness. However, justice will eventually prevail, and no one involved in this dubious scheme will escape accountability,” Sadare warned.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get a reaction from the Oyo State government and the Speaker of the House of Assembly were unsuccessful.
A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has officially rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jandor announced his return to the ruling party at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, approximately two weeks after resigning from the PDP.
In his address, he explained his decision, stating that APC prioritises electoral victory regardless of the candidate.
“We have decided to return to the All Progressives Congress, APC,” he declared.
Anticipating criticism over his political move, he referenced a Yoruba proverb, saying:
“Before you are quick to remind me of the reasons why I dumped APC, I want to say that there is a Yoruba adage that says, if a woman has not tried two husbands, she would not know which one is better.”
Jandor had previously left the PDP on 3rd March 2025, citing what he described as anti-party activities by some leaders in Lagos State.
“We were waiting to see if the party at the national level, governed by its constitution, would address these anti-party activities. Instead of sanctions, the same individual was appointed Vice Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee,” he said at the time.
Following his resignation from the PDP, Jandor met with several political figures, including President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as other key stakeholders in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Jandor’s political journey began with the APC, where he led the Lagos4Lagos Movement before defecting in 2022. He joined the PDP ahead of the 2023 governorship election and became the party’s flagbearer in Lagos, but lost to APC’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
-
News1 week agoIdo LG APC Hails Oseni on FNSE Conferment
-
Education1 week ago
Emmanuel Alayande University Holds 2024/2025 Matriculation March 27
-
Politics1 week ago
Fresh N200bn Loan: Oyo APC Accuses Makinde of Pushing State Into Financial Ruin
-
News1 week ago
Tinubu Swears in Ibas as Rivers Sole Administrator
