Politics
Oyo minority leader, Alarape empowers 100 women with cash
No fewer than 100 women from the Atiba State Constituency, Oyo state were on Thursday presented cash assistance to boost their small-scale businesses.
The event, had in attendance, party leaders, party executives, faithfuls and constituents.
Speaking at the ‘Business Women Empowerment Programme’, which was held at Equilibrium Resorts, Ojongbodu in Oyo town, the minority leader, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Asimiyu ‘Niran Alarape said the gesture was in fulfillment of his personal commitment to give back to society and the fulfilment of his campaign promises to affect the lives of the women in the constituency positively. He added that the donation was part of his programmes aimed at empowering and improving the socio-economic development of his people.
According to him, “I always want to give back to people. During my campaigns, l promised to carry women along. If you empower women, you have empowered households, because in traditional Yoruba enclave, it is the women that run the show, that is the truth. They are very industrious with little money. I know my experience while I was growing up and when I was going to school. So I know what transpired, with the meager income from my mother; I was able to go to school.
“Someone made a testimony some few days ago that while she wanted to sit for her final exams that her mother had to sell her goat to pay for the WAEC fee. If you get to Ilora Baptist Grammar School now, that lady built a hall in the name of the mother. The mother is still living. She honoured her mother when she is alive, not when she’s dead; it is indelible .
“And as a result, I know what my mother went through to see me through my education and the preponderant number of women, when talking about population, they are more and most of them are more reliable”, the APC lawmaker said.
The former speaker emphasized that the gesture was beyond party affairs as beneficiaries were also drawn from other groups, associations in the constituency.
“At least 100 people were empowered and we did not limit the gesture to our party members alone , because apart from party people, we have a lot of groups within the constituency that contributed to the success of our party and you know we are still going back to them. So, if we do not curry their favour now by extending dividends to them, it would be difficult for us to go back to them, we have to start by now”, Alarape explained.
Also speaking at the event, one of the prominent APC leaders in Oyo state, Chief SM Akindele lauded the lawmaker for the gesture, assuring those who had yet to benefit that they too would have a bite of the gesture.
“Alarape has the knowledge of our problems and he has been addressing them”.
Earlier, in his own remarks, the Senatorial leader, Chief Akin Ojebode enjoined members of the APC to remain committed to the party. He, however urged them to support and cooperate with the lawmaker.
“in six months , our representatives are already sowing the seeds and giving back to the society”, he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Rasheed Saidat expressed appreciation to Alarape for supporting their businesses.
“We are very grateful, because we never expect such at this time, but Honourable ‘Enimoju ogun’ has surprised us and we will continue to pray for him”.
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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