Politics

Oyo APC Guber Primary: Who Wears The Crown Part 3 || By Akinyode Ishola

Published

6 years ago

September 7, 2018

admin

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Politics

Auxiliary: Oyo APC wants NSA, IGP to investigate alleged cover-up by state govt

Published

3 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Idowu Ayodele

A fresh twist has been introduced to the travails of the former boss of the Park Management System (PMS) in Oyo state, Mr. Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as Auxiliary, as the All Progressives Congress has called on the National Special Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbedokun, to carry out thorough investigation on the various allegations against the suspect to unravel his sponsors and other accomplices.

Lamidi popularly known as Auxiliary was paraded on Thursday at the Eleyele, Ibadan headquarters of the Oyo State Police Command following his arrest by the officials of the Department of State Security last week. The State Commissioner of Police, Adebola Hamzat, told pressmen during the parade that Lamidi would soon be arraigned in court on several charges which included; the murder of one Rahmon which happened in Ibadan in 2021, possession of a large cache of arms and ammunition among other crimes.

In a statement issued today and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC cautioned against selective justice “as could not have committed the heinous crimes all alone and without the sponsorship or support of the powers-that-be in the state in view of the fact that he was not only a chieftain of the ruling party but also an associate of the PDP governor.

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“Arrest and prosecution of Lamidi was long overdue in view of the fact he has always been a thorn in the flesh of the residents of Oyo state and the good people of Ibadanland in particular. It is on this note that we commend the officials of the DSS who eventually got him arrested following a long time of distress calls from his numerous victims. Until recently when the bubble burst between him and Gov. Seyi Makinde, the same man (Lamidi) was untouchable as he got the full backing of the Agodi Government House landlords to run a separate government in the state.

“There is no denying the facts that Lamidi and his vicious gang have violated many innocent people’s rights since May 29, 2019, when Gov. Makinde came into power. Also, it is an established fact that he had in his possession a cache of arms and ammunition which no security agency in the state could boast of. He displayed these weapons at will just like he did on several occasions when he went on political functions and campaigns in the company of Gov. Makinde. There are even claims from certain quarters that weapons meant for the Amotekun Corps in Oyo state ended up in the hands of Lamidi and his gang members.

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“Apart from the 2021 incident in which one Rahmon was killed, Lamidi followed the entourage of the governor to Kogi state, Osogbo in Osun state, Ekiti state, Igangan in Oyo state, and many other places where he used the stockpiled arms and ammunition brazenly since he was under the state cover. The question on the lips of the people is; “why did Gov. Makinde keep Auxiliary so close to the seat of power for four good years only to part ways with him immediately he got his second term mandate?

“Many members and leaders of our great Party (APC) have fallen victims to Mukaila Lamidi’s reign of terror in the past but this cannot make us support selective justice. Both the NSA and IGP should wade into the matter and ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out to unmask those who sponsored or backed Lamidi’s criminal acts in the state. With thorough and unbiased investigation, a lot would be revealed and all those responsible for political violence, thuggery, and brigandage in the state over the last five years would be made to face justice.” Oyo APC stated.

Politics

Insider Claims: Ex-minister Shittu reveals manipulations, fraudulent approvals under Buhari

Published

1 week ago

May 7, 2024

admin

Former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, has made startling claims regarding alleged manipulations and fraudulent activities during the previous administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

Despite serving as a minister under Buhari’s government, Shittu has voiced concerns over what he perceives as individuals close to the former Nigerian president exploiting their positions for personal gain, resulting in adverse effects on the country’s economy.

In an interview on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, monitored by Mega Icon Magazine, the ex-minister asserted, “Let me tell you, there were a lot of manipulations and we even heard that a lot of the so-called approvals did not emanate from President Buhari.”

He addressed allegations circulating about the previous government resorting to printing money to sustain the economy, stating, “There were a lot of manipulations and fraudulent approvals which did not emanate from the President.”

Shittu remained resolute in his claims, emphasising, “I am telling you confidently that a lot of it did not get his attention.”

He further alleged, “There were a lot of people around the President who exploited their relationship with the President and conspired with the then-CBN governor.”

Politics

Putin sworn in for unprecedented fifth presidential term

Published

1 week ago

May 7, 2024

AFP

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian president-elect Vladimir Putin takes the oath of office during a ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 7, 2024. (Photo by Alexander KAZAKOV / POOL / AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin was Tuesday sworn into office at a lavish Kremlin ceremony for a record-breaking fifth term with more power than ever before.

The 71-year-old has ruled Russia since the turn of the century, securing a fresh six-year mandate in March after winning presidential elections devoid of all opposition.

In his inauguration speech, Putin said that Russia would emerge from the current “difficult” period victorious and stronger, as he took power for a record fifth presidential term.

“We will pass through this difficult, decisive period with dignity and become even stronger,” Putin said at his inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin, attended by an AFP journalist.

“We are a united and great nation,” Putin said in an upbeat speech, to applause from an audience of around 2,500 people including officials and military top brass.

“Together we will overcome all obstacles, achieve everything we have planned, and together we will win,” he said.

He said after being sworn into office that he viewed the presidency as a “huge honour, responsibility and sacred duty”.

The Russian leader vowed to ensure “sustained and stable development, unity and independence of the country”.

Putin thanked soldiers taking part in what Russia calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine, more than two years after it began on February 24, 2022, at a ceremony attended by some of those fighting.

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“We are looking forward confidently,” Putin stressed in his speech, which was aired on national television.

Evoking the country’s “thousand-year history” as he spoke in the Kremlin’s gilded St Andrew’s Hall, the president said that present-day Russians owed a debt to previous generations who achieved “such triumphs that inspire us today”.

He said Russians shared a “firm conviction that we ourselves alone will determine the fate of Russia for the sake of present and future generations”.

Russia is “not refusing dialogue with western states” and is ready to talk about “questions of security and strategic stability”, Putin said, “but only on equal terms, respecting the interests of each other”.