Politics
Oyo : Lanlehin was imposed on ADC, his selection was undemocratic – Oseni
By Idowu Ayodele
ONE of the governorship aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in Oyo State, Engineer Aderemi Oseni, on Saturday insisted that Senator Olufemi Lanlehin was imposed on the other twelve aspirants and other members of the party as its gubernatorial candidate.
Oseni, who stated this in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, while featuring on a private radio station, also maintained that Lanlehin did not emerge as the party’s governorship nominee through popular choice but through an alleged manipulation by the ADC national secretariat in Abuja, describing the process as undemocratic.
It would be recalled that Lanlehin was announced as the candidate of the party by some leaders last week, a decision which has triggered altercation among the supporters of the other twelve (12) gubernatorial aspirants and other members of the ADC.
Speaking on the purported endorsement of Senator Lanlehin by the national secretariat of the party, Oseni maintained that the selection was wrong and undemocratic.
According to him, “Senator Olufemi Lanlehin was imposed on ADC in Oyo state as the governorship candidate. His selection was wrong and undemocratic.
“His candidature was not divine. We only have problem with his nomination, we don’t have problem with Lanlehin as a person”.
The guber aspirant added that Oyo state at this particular period needs a person who is divinely ordained to lead the state in the right way, calling on the citizenry to hold ADC leaders responsible should the party failed at the end of the general elections.
He observed that the emergence of Lanlehin as the ADC governorship candidate completely negated the outcome of the agreement reached by all the 13 governorship aspirants in the party that an election be held among them and that whoever emerges as the winner of the election should become the party’s governorship candidate and as well be supported by other aspirants for the 2019 general elections.
Oseni explained further that at the said election among the aspirants, Dr Nureni Adeniran emerged winner while himself came second with Senator Lanlehin coming fifth, noting that before the election, all the aspirants signed an undertaking that they will all abide by the outcome of the election.
He also added that after the election, all the other 12 aspirants including Lanlehin congratulated Adeniran who later proceeded to the Abuja National Secretariat of the party for other processes of perfecting his emergence as the ADC governorship candidate in Oyo state.
Continuing, the ADC gubernatorial aspirant said he was surprised to see a press release issued by the ADC National Secretariat claiming that Senator Lanlehin emerged as the party’s governorship candidate after a “keenly contested election”.
Oseni unearthed that it was then that he withdrawn his earlier support for Senator Lanlehin’s governorship bid.
While lamenting that it was unfortunate that the party’s national secretariat manipulated Adeniran out of the race by claiming that he did not obtain any nomination form which they themselves know was not true, Oseni, however insisted that he will not dump ADC for any other political party.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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