Politics
Oyo APC Guber Primary: Who Wears The Crown Part 3 || By Akinyode Ishola
THE closure of the voters’ registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) further indicates that 2019 general elections is a matter of days after this year.
What next is for the political parties to pick their standard bearers running for their preferred elective positions come 2019.
The battle on who picks the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Oyo State and the eventual successor of Governor Abiola Ajimobi continues.
The battle for the soul of regards to who will succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi by clinching the APC Governorship ticket.
Privileged information reveals that direct primary has been adopted by the APC to select its Presidential candidate while some states may likely follow suit in selecting their respective candidates
Akala
No doubt, Otunba Alao-Akala remains a significant factor to reckon with as far as Oyo politics is concern.
Having contested the seat in 2007, 2011and 2015 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party (LP) respectively, former Governor Alao-Akala is indeed ready for the coming back to Agodi Government House except last minute political consultation and change of mind.
Plus or Minus
Alao-Akala has the most formidable group among the APC governorship aspirants and his political experience as a former council boss, Deputy Governor and state Governor is a greater advantage.
Presently, his son Olajuwonlo Alao Akala is the council gaffer of Ogbomoso North Local Government and age factor; as well as zoning arrangement may fault Otunba Alao-Akala’s chances of becoming the Governor of Oyo state again.
Asides this, former Governor Alao-Akala is constitutionally qualified to contest.
Amiable SSG for Governor.
Alli
Mr Ismael Olalekan Alli joined Governor Abiola Ajimobi led administration over 4 years ago as a seasoned administrator and strategist.
Alhaji Alli’s contributions to the sustainability of the present administration is noticeable, hence the need for people to accord him respect.
The declaration of the incumbent SSG has truncated the initial political calculations and permutations of some chieftains, especially some cabinet members eyeing the most exalted seat in the state.
Plus or Minus
Any aspirant from Ibadan has brighter chance to be the standard bearer of the APC while loyalty to Governor Abiola Ajimobi is an advantage for Alli. The amiable SSG who was Governor Ajimobi’s junior in secondary school at Lagelu Grammar School also maintained a worthwhile relationship with his boss, but he lacks vibrant political mobilizers and strategists.
BAYO We Can Trust
Shittu
Barrister Adebayo Shittu who is the current Minister of Communications is not new in the political game of Oyo state, he’s familiar with the terrain.
Having served as member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Shittu was the governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011 and APC guber aspirant in 2015.
Although, the governorship ambition of Bayo Shittu was opaque until his recent leave of Absent was granted by President Muhammadu Buhari
Plus or Minus
Presently Barrister Adebayo Shittu has a shaky relationship with Governor Abiola Ajimobi which may truncate his chances of winning at the primary but his closeness and relationship with President Buhari seems to be a great strength.
With Shittu, Omodewu, Fatai Buhari and Alao- Akala coming out from the same senatorial district – Oyo North will not only polarized their interests, but pave way for any aspirant to emerge from other districts.
#ERUOBODO 2019#
Ayandele
Dr Olusola Ayandele is an Ibarapa born industrialist who has administrative and managerial skills in both public and private sector
Since joining the guber race, Dr Ayandele had enjoyed warm reception from the leaders and members of the APC which has indeed boosted his morale and energized his aspiration towards the realisation of Agodi Government House dream.
Dr Ayandele popularly addressed as Eruobodo by his numerous followers is the second guber hopeful from the Ibarapa zone after Dr Ismael Adewusi .
Plus or Minus
Dr Olusola Ayandele is the only APC governorship aspirant from Ibarapa and if the primary election is a direct one, the block vote from his zone is a plus for Ayandele.
Meanwhile, it is also a minus for him because, Dr Ayandele is from the minority zone and taking cognizance of the Ibadan factor, it may be a gap needed to be filled on time. Asides this, Dr Ayandele ‘is a goal’
Eni Tia De 2019
Eniade
Mr Soji Eniade is the immediate past Head of Service in Oyo state and presently the Executive Assistant to Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Mr Eniade who is the son of an APC Chieftain in Ibadan North East Local Government, Chief Ayo Eniade played prominent role in this government as a bridge builder especially during the face off between government and labour leaders in the state.
Plus or Minus
When its comes to party politics and grassroot mobilization, Eniade is not a novice. His experience as Head of Service is an added advantage.
But his inability to reach out to wards, local government areas and lack of media hype may affect his quest.
Omodewu 2019
Omodewu
Mr Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu is the only governorship aspirants from Oke-ogun zone asides Barrister Adebayo Shittu and with the tactical withdrawal of the state Deputy Governor, Otunba Moses Adeyemo from the race and defection of Professor Adeolu Akande, Engr Rauf Olaniyan to the ADP. It is indeed, an opportunity for him.
In the last few weeks, the aggressive campaign by Team Omodewu has enhanced his chances.
Plus or Minus
The Otu born politician, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, Omodewu is an established aspirant having served with Governor Abiola Ajimobi since 2011 till date. The former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters is a kitchen cabinet member and an age long associate of the governor.
Can Omodewu, who now seats on the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development garner the votes of APC members in Oke-Ogun? If yes, then positive result is possible, otherwise the chance to succeed his boss is tiny.
Why Olaosebikan for Governor?
Olaosebikan
Kehinde Olaosebikan is not a novice in the Oyo state politics, having served as Oluyole local government chairman and chief press secretary to late Governor Lam Adesina. He’s an experienced man for the job.
The Onipe born politician is a journalist and grassroot mobilizer who knows where shoe pinches.
Plus or Minus
Kenny’s political awareness is a gradual process and not aggressive like his fellow governorship aspirants, which may as well affect his aspiration. But his passion for good governance and his charismatic leadership coupled with youth inclusive is an added advantage for Olaosebikan.
Fatai Buhari For Governor
Buhari
Dr Abdulfatai Buhari is the current senator representing Oyo North senatorial district in the upper legislative chamber.
His contribution to the district is unprecedented compared to previous senators who had earlier represented Oyo North at the Senate.
Dr Fatai Buhari’s governorship ambition is borne out of passion he had for good governance and development of Oyo state.
Plus or Minus
Dr Fatai Buhari has the grassroot APC especially some local governments in his district which is a plus for him. Meanwhile, the declaration of former Governor Alao-Akala may jeopardise his gubernatorial ambition and Ibadan factor is another issue to be considered.
Another strong governorship aspirant is Chief Adeniyi Michael Akintola SAN. The legal luminary is among the highly cerebral and experienced aspirant jostling for the number one seat in the state.
Akintola
The legal colossus, who has maintained a rhythmic success story in his legal business was a former member and Deputy speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Now, Akintola is back to contribute his quota to the development of the state.
Plus or Minus
Chief Akintola, a native of Ibadan with his village situated in Ido Local Government has greater advantage in terms of connections, network and past political experience. However, his campaign process is seemingly slow and not enticing.
Dr Moronkola Thomas is an household name in Oyo politics having served governments in various capacities.
Thomas
The ‘Commissioner Emeritus’ is currently serving as Executive Assistant to the Governor on Politic Matters.
Plus or Minus
Dr Moronkola Thomas is among the Governors’ aides who worked for the sustainability of this administration which is a plus for him but Dr Thomas campaign has remained static, not really spreading across unlike other aspirants.
The highly cerebral and experienced lawyer is a political strategist, but, he lacks the financial strength to fight the battle before him.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday held a high-level strategic meeting with the Oyo State chapter of the party as part of efforts to reposition the APC for victory and prevent internal crisis ahead of the polls.
The development was first scooped by OYOINSIGHT.COM which quoted multiple party sources familiar with the closed-door deliberations.
Sources disclosed that the meeting, held in Abuja, focused largely on a consensus arrangement being considered by stakeholders of the party in Oyo State, in line with political templates reportedly being adopted in Lagos and Ogun states ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Party insiders said the move was aimed at strengthening unity within the fold of the opposition party in the state, minimising rancour during the primaries and presenting a formidable front against rival parties in 2027.
It was further gathered that some members of the state executive committee may have been subtly informed about preferred consensus candidates being considered for elective positions across the state.
Though details of the deliberations were still sketchy as of press time, sources hinted that the national leadership stressed the need for cohesion, discipline and strategic alignment among stakeholders to improve the party’s electoral fortunes in Oyo.
Those at the meeting included the Oyo APC Chairman, Moses Alake Adeyemo; the state secretary, Fatai Adesina Adeniyi; the Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare; the Organising Secretary, Aderemi Adepoju; and the Legal Adviser, Sunday Aborisade.
Others were the Women Leader, Adekemi Opatunde; the Youth Leader, Olalekan Oladejo; Joshua Oyebamiji; Tunde Oloyede; Sunday Babalola; Joseph Omoniyi; and Mojeed Adebayo.
As of the time of filing this report, the party had yet to issue an official statement on the outcome of the meeting.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, on Monday assured aspirants and party members that the party would conduct transparent, peaceful and credible direct primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo declared that no aspirant would be victimised or denied a level playing field, stressing that the party leadership remained committed to internal democracy and progressive ideals.
The former deputy governor spoke while receiving members of the APC Screening and Appeal Committees deployed from the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja at the APC Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
He disclosed that although the party initially explored consensus arrangements across elective positions, prevailing realities indicated that direct primaries would be conducted in some areas, including the governorship contest.
Adeyemo said the party had already put necessary structures in place to ensure a hitch-free exercise capable of strengthening unity within the APC.
He said: “We set machineries in motion for us to achieve the aim of consensus across board but reports available to me indicate that we would have to go by the second option which is direct primary in certain cases including the governorship ticket.
“To this end, we shall work towards organising free, fair and credible exercise in all the affected areas even as we cannot rule out the possibility of some aspirants having a rethink and supporting the consensus arrangement as necessary.
“Where we have more than an aspirant, Abuja would send people to conduct primaries and we at the state level would provide the required support to make everything work out in the interest of our great party.”
The APC chairman explained that all registered party members would participate fully in the exercise at their respective wards on dates to be announced by the National Secretariat.
According to him, affirmation would be adopted in areas where consensus candidates emerge, while voting would be conducted wherever direct primaries become necessary.
“For consensus, members will lend their voices for affirmation while voting will be done in the cases of direct primary,” he added.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Screening Committee and former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Taofiq AbdusSalam, assured party faithful that the committee would carry out a thorough, transparent and unbiased screening process.
He said only eligible aspirants would be cleared to participate in the primaries and eventually fly the APC flag in the forthcoming elections.
Other members of the Screening Committee are Kamal Sanusi (Secretary), Smart Oluwole, Tunde Kolade and Olabamiji Agunloye.
Members of the Screening Appeal Committee are Jibola Oduwole (Chairman), Abimbola Jack (Secretary) and Jelil Jimoh.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress on Saturday zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, declaring that the party’s candidate would serve a single four-year term if elected.
The decision was reached during the party’s national convention held in Abuja amid growing momentum within the opposition platform following a wave of high-profile defections from other political parties.
Announcing the development on its official social media handle, the party stated, “NDC presidential ticket is zoned to the South!!”
The party also resolved that its 2031 presidential ticket would be ceded to Northern Nigeria as part of efforts to maintain regional balance and internal equity.
The convention comes as key opposition figures, including former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former New Nigeria People’s Party presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, joined party leaders and delegates at the Abuja gathering.
Saturday’s convention is expected to ratify several recent decisions taken by the party’s National Executive Committee, including zoning arrangements, amendments to the party constitution, and the election of new national executives.
According to the convention agenda obtained by journalists, discussions centred on zoning, ratification of the amended constitution, and leadership restructuring ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NDC has in recent weeks witnessed a surge in defections from rival opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
On Tuesday, no fewer than 17 members of the House of Representatives defected from the ADC to the NDC.
Their defections were formally announced during plenary at the House of Representatives.
The lawmakers include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.
Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, Murphy Omoruyi and Abdulhakeem Ado.
The defections came barely two days after Obi and Kwankwaso formally joined the NDC from the ADC.
The duo were presented with the party’s membership cards last Sunday shortly after a closed-door meeting with party leaders.
A former Governor of Bayelsa State and NDC national leader, Seriake Dickson, officially welcomed the opposition figures into the party.
Obi had attributed his exit from the ADC to worsening internal crises, external interference and what he described as increasing hostility within party structures.
The former Anambra State governor said Nigeria’s political environment had become increasingly toxic, marked by intimidation, insecurity and sustained scrutiny of opposition figures.
He also lamented that institutions meant to protect citizens were now often deployed against them, while individuals committed to genuine public service faced mounting pressure both publicly and privately.
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