Politics
Oyo: Crossfire as Adeduntan, Adelabu groups spit fire over 2019 APC loss to PDP
A political group, the Adelabu Solidarity Group (ASG) has fired back at Dr Azeez Adeduntan, the immediate past Commissioner for Health in Oyo state, following a recent statement credited to him, calling the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 9 election, Oloye Adebayo Adelabu, a wrong Candidate.
The group, loyal to Adelabu has described the statement credited to Dr. Adeduntan as senseless and not expected from any reasonable person who had benefited from the party when APC was in control of the state.
Contained in a statement signed by Comrade Femi Awogboro on behalf of the group, he said Oloye Adelabu will not like to join issues with a political jobber like the former Commissioner for Health, saying it is pertinent for Adelabu Solidarity Group to respond to some of the remarks attributed to Dr. Adeduntan.
“If not for people like Dr Azeez Adeduntan who worked against the APC at the 2019 poll ,despite the hands of love extended to him and Some betrayers by Bayo Adelabu ,the party won’t have temporarily lost the seat of power in Oyo state.
“The former commissioner was quoted as saying, he facilitated one billion naira for Adeoyo Ring Road Hospital out of fifty billion naira which was expected and the self styled “World class Surgeon” bragged with impunity
“Oloye Adelabu who is a silent philanthropist that has contributed a lot to the pace setter state .The Technical University Ibadan, Oyo state ,Security Trust Fund, numerous scholarship awards among countless among others are what chief Adelabu has been shouldering without making needless noise”, the statement added.
Comrade Awogboro who is the Publicity Secretary of APC in Ibadan South East, also urged Dr Adeduntan to be mindful of his utterances in the public , especially on issues relating to the party and should apologise immediately for his misguided and malicious invectives against the respected Chief .
“What ought to be paramount in the mind of any committed member now is to work harmoniously through prayers and commitment to the party towards ensuring the victory of APC at the Appeal court, not making unnecessary and baseless remarks about the party and its leadership”.
Awogboro asked Dr Adeduntan to learn about APC’s ideology and stop tarnishing the image of the party and its real stalwarts, saying “his type of attitude and arrogance displayed by him (Dr Adeduntan) necessitated the then Labour Party to substitute his name prior to the 2011 Governorship elections”.
But, the Adeduntan Support Group (ASG) in a statement issued in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital on Monday described former Deputy Governor of Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) and the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebayo Adelabu as a toddler who needs to enroll at the school of Oyo politics for him to excel in his future political endeavour.
The ASG in its reaction to a statement credited to Abiodun Awogboro of Adelabu Solidarity Group also said “the woeful outing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State during the 2019 general elections was due to the inability to unite and work with his major opponents who jostled with him for the party’s governorship ticket.”
“Adebayo Adelabu, the defeated candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
in the Oyo State governorship election started carrying himself like a governor-in-waiting from the moment he was imposed by Ajimobi as the governorship candidate at a kangaroo primary organized by Ajimobi on September 30th 2018
“Adelabu even after he lost the election passed several insults on the leaders of the party, blaming them for his loss in the election, and how he was involved in fisticuffs with an aide of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, his main allies who is also a Personal Assistant to the former governor at the Governor’s Oluyole residence.”
The group further advised Adelabu to place his failed ambition in the right perspective, saying the real reason for his thrashing is his aloofness to the party, it’s leaders, co- contestants, and his arrogance.
“On some of the issues raised by Awogboro in his statement, the group disclosed that one of the factors that caused the defeat of APC in the election was also some of the people used during the campaign who have no wherewithal to lead such sensitive and serious business just like Awogboro.
“Awogboro according to our findings is from Ekiti State, as a matter of fact chairman, of recently dissolved Yoruba Youth Council, Ekiti State chapter. In the past eight years with no serious means of survival except politics. He was formerly with Chief Femi Olaore, also a senatorial aspirant of APC and left when the latter can no longer trust him.”
“The said Awogboro who cannot be described as a professional journalist despite his Diploma certificate in Journalism from Institute of Journalism, Iyaganku, Ibadan due to his inability to be engaged by any media outfit can not be taken serious for whatever reason and his not qualified at all in any issues especially politics in Oyo state”.
The statement, however cautioned Adelabu and his team to engage only professionals in the pursuit of his political career and always warn his sympathisers in getting their facts right to avoid been sued in the court of law for libellous statements.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
Oseni made his aspiration known during a high-level meeting with the Ibarapa APC Elders’ and Leaders’ Forum, comprising the G9 and the expanded G64 caucus, held at the party secretariat in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area, over the weekend.
The G9 and G64 groups consist of influential stakeholders drawn from Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central, and Ibarapa North local government areas.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to the forum for their support and confidence in his leadership and vision.
He said his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District was anchored on a determination to consolidate and expand his record of performance.
Oseni said, “This aspiration is not built on mere rhetoric, but on the continuity and expansion of a proven track record of quality representation and grassroots-oriented governance.”
While soliciting the support of party leaders, he described his ambition as a divine call to serve the people with renewed dedication.
According to him, “This is not a time for self-glory but a sacred responsibility to intensify efforts towards real development, bring more relief to our people and ensure inclusive governance.”
He pledged not to betray the trust reposed in him by party elders and faithful, stressing that his aspiration is rooted in progressive ideals and a genuine commitment to the development of the district.
Oseni also urged leaders in the zone to mobilise support towards delivering one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming election.
Speaking at the meeting, a leader from Ibarapa East, Chief Michael Morawo, lauded the lawmaker for delivering democratic dividends and strengthening the party structure. He added that Oseni has demonstrated commendable leadership through his performance, noting that his impact in stabilising the party within the constituency is evident.
Similarly, a former council chairman in Ibarapa Central, Chief Theophilus Adenrele, commended the lawmaker for not betraying the trust reposed in him. Also, a chieftain from Ibarapa North, Chief Francis Babalola, described Oseni as a humble leader committed to progressive ideals, dismissing speculations about his possible defection if he does not secure the governorship ticket.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the forum, Chief Timothy Jolaoso, said the lawmaker enjoys widespread grassroots acceptance that cuts across political divides.
Jolaoso said, “All indicators consistently point to Oseni as a candidate with acceptance that transcends party lines. He is not only capable but a man of deep faith with proven empathy for the downtrodden.”
He added, “He possesses the goodwill, financial strength, and public trust required for leadership.”
The elder statesman further noted that Oseni’s performance in the House of Representatives, alongside his role as Chairman of the FERMA Committee, underscores his competence and commitment to development.
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