Politics
Oyo guber hopeful, Olaniyan gets commendation from Apc lawmakers
Governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Engr. Raufu Olaniyan on Monday received commendation from the All Progressives Congress, APC Parliamentary caucus of the State House of Assembly.
The commendation came when he visited the parliamentarians to inform them of his desire to contest the 2019 governorship election in state.
Hon. Segun Ajanaku, representing Ibadan South West State Constituency II chaired the meeting where he was warmly received at the parliamentarian caucus.
Some of the lawmakers described the ex Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency, (OYSTROMA) boss as a gentleman who God has endowed with humility, noting that while he was in the civil service he performed his duties creditably, this they affirmed is a pointer to his capacity to excel if he has the opportunity to serve in a higher office.
The All Progressive Caucus members also added that Olaniyan has a good name, the prerequisite experience and pedigree to govern a state like Oyo, having worked in the state civil service for over 26 years and retired as a permanent secretary, without an iota of infringement against the rules, codes and regulations of the state civil service commission, despite holding very sensitive positions, an achievement the legislators found very commendable.
Also, a parliamentarian who spoke at the meeting said, ” I don’t know Engr. Olaniyan, but I have heard good things about him, there are people from Oke Ogun, who seem to have reputation, but they amount to nothing. Engr. Olaniyan has had opportunity in the past to serve the people and he used it well”.
Speaking further, he also described the gubernatorial hopeful as a very humble man who is a specialist in his chosen career. The caucus members also lauded the aspirant for having former Oyo State House of Assembly members in his entourage, a testament to the cordial relationship that has existed over the years between him and the state assembly.
Olaniyan, earlier in his remarks, had thanked the caucus members for the warm reception, just as he informed them of his desire to contest the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state. He noted that he considered the house members as very cardinal in the present democratic dispensation hence his decision to seek their support towards the actualisation of his guber ambition.
The APC guber hopeful added that he is not seeking to be governor of Oyo state, because he is from Oke Ogun, but he is seeking to serve the state because he is qualified and suitable to hold the office.
He remarked that he has always had cordial relationship with the Oyo State House of Assembly and he hopes that he will at this time benefit from the fruits of the healthy relationship that has existed over the years.
In a related development, he noted that, within the short period he joined the party he has done quite a few things to uplift the APC not just in Orelope local government, but the state in general.
The retired Permanent Secretary also shared some of his plans with the lawmakers tailored towards moving the state to an enviable height if elected into office.
Amongst those who accompanied the gubernatorial hopeful included former Oyo State House of Assembly members Hon. Najeem Omirinde, Hon. Olufemi Josiah, APC Chairman in Orelope local government, Alhaji Wahabi Alade, , Ward Chairmen and Youth leaders from various local governments in Ibadan.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday received an enthusiastic reception from supporters and residents of Ihima community in Kogi State, despite a state government ban on rallies and processions.
By 8 am, crowds from the five local government areas of Kogi Central Senatorial District, which Akpoti-Uduaghan represents, had flooded the Ihima community in Okehi Local Government Area (LGA) to welcome the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker.
Several local musicians entertained the gathering as they eagerly awaited the arrival of the senator. Their patience was soon rewarded when Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived in a white helicopter, prompting cheers and jubilant applause from her supporters.
Addressing the crowd, Akpoti-Uduaghan acknowledged the state government’s ban but dismissed concerns that it applied to her visit.
“Yesterday, we heard on the news that rallies and gatherings will not be allowed, that roads will be blocked, and convoys leading into the state will not be permitted. I knew that we were the targets. But then I said, this is not a political season, this is not campaign time,” she said.
“We are not having a rally. This is just me, the Senator representing Kogi Central, coming down to her people to celebrate this festive time – Sallah – with you, and there is nothing wrong with that. I am breaking no law. This is Nigeria. We have the right to be free, to express our choice in gatherings and celebrations.”
Her visit came just hours after the Kogi State Government imposed a ban on public gatherings and processions, citing security concerns. The restrictions were further reinforced by a curfew imposed in the area by Okehi LGA Chairman, Amoka Monday, and a police warning advising her to cancel the event.
Despite these measures, Akpoti-Uduaghan remained defiant, insisting that no authority could prevent her from visiting her home.
“Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land. I’m the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I’m not a bastard, and I’m not afraid of anybody,” she declared to the cheering crowd.
Ahead of her homecoming, the senator alleged that any security breach during the event should be blamed on Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has been in the headlines in recent months, having been suspended from the Senate for allegedly violating its rules. Her suspension coincided with a sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Akpabio. Additionally, a recall process against her is currently underway. However, she maintains that her political travails are the result of a witch hunt.
Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has declared his willingness to step aside in the 2027 elections if a stronger candidate emerges to lead the party.
Adebayo made this statement on Sunday during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television, monitored by Mega Icon Magazine.
“Everybody knows that I have an aspiration. I’m working on it, but God is the author of tomorrow; we don’t even know who is going to be around in 2027,” he said.
The lawyer and politician emphasised that his ambition would not stand in the way of a more capable leader who could address Nigeria’s challenges.
“It is my prayer to God that if there is a person who God thinks is better than me to fix the problem of Nigeria, my ambition should not stop that person because we want a country that works. That is the kind of thing we are working on at this time,” he added.
Adebayo assured Nigerians that the SDP would present a candidate worthy of national support, capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election.
He further stressed that the SDP would avoid divisive politics based on religion and ethnicity.
“What used to be an easy discussion – with religion and ethnicity – has become explosive now. So, we will not use the SDP forum to try to bifurcate our people into different zones,” he noted.
According to him, the party aims to produce a candidate whose emergence will be met with widespread approval.
“When we make a choice in the SDP, there will be resounding joy outside the SDP, and Nigerians will say: ‘Okay, finally, this platform has given the country a chance’,” Adebayo said.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Engr Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Oyo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Moshood Olayide-Abas on his appointment as the Board Chairman of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Oseni, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), described Olajide’s appointment as a recognition of his dedication to the party and his contributions to its growth in Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker commended President Tinubu for considering competent and loyal party members for key federal appointments.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our leader, Prince Abas Olajide on this well-deserved appointment. His leadership and commitment to the APC in Oyo State have been exemplary. I have no doubt that he will bring the same level of dedication to this new role,” Oseni stated.
He also congratulated other notable figures from Oyo State who were appointed to federal boards, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering on their mandates.
“This is not just an opportunity but a call to service. I encourage all appointees to work diligently in support of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
Oseni expressed optimism that these appointments would further strengthen governance at the national level and reinforce the APC’s political structure in Oyo State.
