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.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the newly elected State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
The party, at its state congress held on Tuesday at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, elected a former Deputy Governor of the state, Moses Alake Adeyemo, as its new chairman alongside other state executive members.
Oseni, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, described Adeyemo’s emergence as well-deserved, noting that his experience and longstanding commitment to the party would further strengthen its structure in the state.
He said the peaceful conduct of the congress demonstrated the party’s commitment to internal democracy and progressive leadership.
The statement said, “I congratulate our newly elected State Chairman and leader, His Excellency, Moses Alake Adeyemo, and other members of the State Executive Committee on their emergence. This victory reflects the confidence reposed in them by party members across the state.”
Oseni further expressed confidence that the new leadership would reposition the party for greater cohesion and electoral success.
According to him, “This is a critical moment for our party in Oyo State. It calls for unity, reconciliation, and renewed commitment to the ideals that bind us together as progressives.”
The federal lawmaker assured the new executives of his support and cooperation in advancing the programmes of the party and strengthening its grassroots structures.
He urged party members to rally behind the new leadership to ensure stability and secure future victories for the APC in the state.
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