Politics
Oyo APC guber primary : Who wears the crown? || By Akinyode Ishola
BEYOND reasonable doubt, the 2019 general elections is gathering momentum as the gubernatorial hopefuls under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state are increasing on a daily basis.
Since the country returned to civilian rule in 1999, this is the first time an interesting number of political gladiators, irrespective of political faith are showing their interests to contest for the number one seat in the state.
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For Instance in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), it was reported that at least 14 notable aspirants had earlier declared their intentions officially at its Oke -Ado state party secretariat or local governments and wards respectfully.
While posters, banners and billboards of other aspirants also flood the state revealing an inexhaustible number of governorship aspirants eyeing the Agodi Government House.
With the registration of another 26 more political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), only God knows how political parties will present their Governorship candidates in the 2019 election in the state.
For the purpose of this discussion, it is imperative to critically analyse the chances of some APC aspirants ahead of the party’s guber primary billed for September.
This analysis will also be extended to some major political parties in the state with a view of given our numerous readers critical analysis and possibility of these aspirants to clinch the ticket of their respective political parties.
Without mincing words, the 8-year administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi has necessitated the passion and interest people have for Governorship seat in the state.
Indeed everybody wants to become ‘Mr Constituted Authority’ (CA).
Unlike 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and ,2015 where few aspirants declared their intention. The September Governorship primary election of the APC as predicted will have at least 10 to 15 aspirants except last minute consultation and permutation which is a perpetual act during the primary elections
Method of the primary elections
As at the time of this analysis, how the primary elections will be conducted is not clearly stated, whether it is consensus candidate, Delegates’ or Direct Primary elections as it was the determinant factor in the just concluded Osun state Primary Governorship election in the APC.
No fewer than 6 aspirants were currently serving under Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration Including Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli, Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, his land and Survey counterpart, Mr Ajiboye Omodewu, Immediate past Oyo state Head of Service and Executive Assistant to the Governor, Mr Soji Eniade, former Commissioner for Natural Resources and now Special Adviser on Natural Resources, Chief Olanrewaju Abogun and the Executive Assistant to the Governor on political matters, Barrister Moronkola Thomas are jostling to be occupant of Agodi Government House.
Other aspirants who are not members of Ajimobi’s cabinet include former governor Adebayo Alao Akala, the immediate past Deputy Governor, Operations Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Bayo Adelabu, Strategies and lead Partner KPMG, Engr Olasunkanmi Tegbe , Former Chief Press Secretary to late Oyo state Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina, Mr Kehinde Olaosebikan, the Ibarapa born business magnate, Dr. Olusola Ayansola, Former Commissioner for Health, Dr Owolabi Babalola and few other aspirants also intensified efforts through their consultation with the party executives and members to be the next Governor of the pace setter state.
All these aspirants were eminently qualified to succeed Governor Ajimobi based on their academic qualifications and political experience.
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Although September is around the corner, who will be the next standard bearer of the party is a serious task for the governor and the party executives as aspirants have begun their permutations and political calculations.
With less than few weeks to the APC Governorship Primary election rumour and false information has dominated the social media platforms spreading unconfirmed stories and analysis.
This is not new in politics especially at the twilight of any administration and when political mood seems to have been activated. It is however, important to verify the source of information before diffusing it in order to protect the Nigeria nascent democracy.
To be continued…
By Akinyode Ishola (Mega Icon Magazine, Political Desk)
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.
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.
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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