Politics
Oyo LG agog as former PDP members, others rejoin party
Published
5 years agoon
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adminAmid fanfare and pageantry, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja on Tuesday led thousands of his teeming followers to rejoin the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan South East Local Government area.
The event, which took place at Christ Church Primary School, Odinjo, Ibadan, was well attended by the leaders of the PDP in the State.
The returnees, it would be recalled, had earlier joined the party at a mega rally organized by the PDP at Mapo Hall in March this yearbefore the coronavirus pandemic that led to the suspension of political and social gatherings in the State.
The event, which took place at Christ Church Primary School, Odinjo, Ibadan was well attended by the leaders of the party in the State.
Among those in attendance to welcome the returnees to the PDP fold were the former first Lady in Oyo State, Alhaja Mutiat Olayinka Ladoja, who represented the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde State. Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, Hon. Dare Adeleke, Alhaji Tiamiyu Abidikugu, party chairman in Ibadan South East Local Government, Engr Sulaimon Adesina and others.
Others included member of the federal House of representatives, Hon. Abass Agboworin, Hon. Rasaq Abdulahi, Hon. Segun Popoola, Hon. Yay Akinbile, Alhaji Gbade Adeleke, Mogaji Abass Oloko, Alhaji Dsuda Yusuff, Hon. Yemi Aderibigbe, special adviser to the Governor on local government and chieftaincy affairs, Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye, Special Adviser on Political Matters among others.
Addressing the crowd at the event, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja said that they took the decision to return to the party after a critical review of the present administration and with the obvious steady and development being experienced in the State, they are left with no other option than to return to the PDP. He declared his full support for Engr Seyi Makinde’s re election for second term in 2023, stressing that Makinde deserves full support of all and sundry for second term in office.
He added that the PDP has a party has brought a new paradigm shift in the governance of the State in the area of road infrastructure, free education for students, health care delivery, prompt payment of workers’ salaries on or before the 25th of every month, payment of backlog of pension for retired civil servants and other initiatives which have brought succour to many residents in the State.
He appealed to members at the gathering to embrace true and genuine reconciliation in the party.
According to him, reconciliation is very important in the party. The governor realizes this that is why he set up a reconciliation committee headed by Chief Saka Balogun.There must not be any faction or group whatsoever. We are back again in PDP. We are grassroot politicians. The opposition will never return to power in Oyo State. We must unite and mobilize others to the party to achieve this.”

(R-L) Ex- Oyo first lady, Alhaja Mutiat Olayinka Ladoja, PDP state Secretary, Mr Wasiu Adeleke, state chairman, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha and Amb. Taofeek Arapaja at the event.
Other returnees at the gathering included the Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, Hon. Fatai Adesina, Hon. Dele Ojo, Hon. Adedoja Ekolo and Hon. Sunday Babatunde. Hon. Deji Aboderin, APC candidate for Ibadan South East/North East in 2019 election and Hon. Yinka Omikunle from Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
While welcoming the returning and new members at the gathering, the Chairman of the party inIbadan South East Local Government, Engr Sulaimon Adesina, described Arapaja and other returnees as heavyweight and great political asset to the party, and therefore, advising them to work more for uplifting the party in the State.
In their goodwill messages, Hon. Dare Adeleke, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha and others specifically described the event as home coming for the returnees, said that they have further swelled the ranks of the party to become an indomitable force in the State.
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Ex-Oyo deputy governor Adeyemo sworn in as APC chair, rallies support for Tinubu
Published
1 hour agoon
March 6, 2026By
adminA 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.
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2027: Sen. Dickson Dumps PDP, Joins Newly Registered NDC
Published
1 day agoon
March 5, 2026By
adminThe 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.
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Oyo APC congress: Oseni congratulates Adeyemo, others
Published
2 days agoon
March 4, 2026By
adminThe 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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