Politics
Oyo PMS members fingered in destruction of APC Reps candidate billboards, posters
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency, Engr Aderemi Oseni has alleged the destruction and removal of outdoor billboards and campaign posters belonging to him and other APC candidates by the agents of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led government in Oyo state
Oseni, while condemning the act, accused the ruling party in the state of violating the nation’s democratic order and extant law, adding that clampdown on the opposition by the ruling party was largely informed not only by its desperate bid to dominate the polity at all cost, but because the constituents had rejected the party and its candidates.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, the businessman cum clergy described the Sunday’s attack on the constituents in Ibarapa East local government by a gang of terror led by the chairman of the disciplinary committee of the Park Management System, (PMS), Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary) as an indication of his popularity and acceptability by the people.
He added that no amount of intimidation and onslaught against democratic order by the PDP-led government can change the resolve of the Ibarapa East/Ido constituents to vote for him and all the APC candidates in the forthcoming polls billed for next year.
The statement read thus: “It would be recalled that no fewer than two youths were allegedly shot dead in New Eruwa, Eruwa in the Ibarapa East local government area of Oyo state during the local government elections held under the Seyi Makinde-led PDP administration which was marred by violence. Today, families are still mourning their loved ones. As if this was not enough, the desperation to cling to power finally commenced as the men of the PMS empowered by Governor Seyi Makinde returned to the Ibarapa zone of the state to disrupt the fragile peace being enjoyed by the people.
“The people of Ibarapa East and Ido local governments are watching the atrocities of the hoodlums parading themselves as Park Managers. The people of Oyo-State who brought the present administration to power are also watching and will act decisively at the poll. On this note, I urge that this brigandage, reckless rascal behaviour and criminality should be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators and their agents should be brought to book.
“The issues surrounding intimidation and undemocratic practices ahead of the forthcoming elections have again come to the fore. The constitutionally guaranteed right to freely associate is now under attack even as our state is being pushed to the brink. I am confident that those doing this would one day face the consequences of their actions.
“The PDP and its candidates in the federal constituency, having realised that its chances of winning the 2023 elections get slimmer by the day and petrified by my popularity and acceptability has now resorted to a fiendish plot to physically attack our party members, destroy our outdoor campaign facilities as well as deploy force and orchestrated violence in an attempt to destabilise our structure in the constituency.
“Although I was surprised with the degree of damages done by these miscreants, I refused to be rattled because the constituents are with me. I remain their best and preferred choice. It is imperative to restate that no degree of intimidation and harassment will dissuade me from carrying out my philanthropic gestures to the people of my constituency.
“The PDP candidates should endeavour to endear themselves to the good people of Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency through humane and civilized manner as enshrined by the constitution, rather than resort to desperate tactics that threaten the lives and property of the constituents. As an apostle of politics without bitterness, who is determined to liberate my people, to the glory of God, I have not only given hope to the downtrodden but also corrected the almost eight-year wrongs made by the present occupant of the seat through our various intervention projects and programmes which have given a new lease of life to my esteemed constituents”, the statement concluded.
Oseni, therefore, called on the Oyo State Police Commissioner and other security agencies to act quickly and decisively to stop the brigandage of the PDP in the state.
Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo South Senatorial District have endorsed a member of the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Alice Hall, Ibadan, with party leaders, stakeholders, local government chairmen and state executive members from the nine local government areas in attendance.
The councils represented at the meeting are Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North and Ido.
The stakeholders expressed satisfaction with Oseni’s aspiration, describing it as timely, credible and anchored on tested leadership and grassroots appeal.
Those present at the meeting included Chief Timothy Jolaoso (Ibarapa East); Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe (Ido); Chief Abdulrauf Bello (Ido); Alhaji Muili Oluokun (Ibadan North-West); Alhaji Mufutau Adisa (Ibadan South-East); Alhaji Bello Oladeji (Ibadan North); Prince Gbade Lana (Ibadan North-East); Engr. Olatunji (Ibadan South-West); Comrade Wale Gbadamosi (Ibarapa North); and Alhaja Moji Adetona (Ibarapa Central).
Other party officials in attendance were the senatorial chairman, Alhaji Mojeed Adebayo; the secretary, Fatai Adesina; Welfare Officer, Sunday Babalola; Deputy Women Leader, Alhaja Fatimah Hassan; Auditor, Alhaja Tinu Adigun; Youth Leader, Lekan Adebayo; Ex-Officio member, Kola Amoo; Treasurer, Lateef Ajiboye; and Senatorial Youth Leader, Olalekan Olowe.
A chieftain of the party in Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Shina Alabi, moved the motion for the lawmaker’s endorsement, which was seconded and unanimously adopted by the stakeholders.
Alabi said Oseni’s decision to abide by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to step down his governorship ambition for the senatorial race underscored his loyalty and commitment to party unity.
He said, “Hon. Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of the people. His leadership style is inclusive, responsive and development-driven. We are convinced that his emergence as the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District will strengthen the party’s chances and guarantee effective representation.”
He also urged party members to remain united and rally behind credible aspirants with proven capacity and electoral value.
In his remarks, Hon. Aderemi Oseni said his decision to pursue the senatorial seat followed the presidential directives, noting that he accepted the decision in the interest of party cohesion, progress and stability. He recalled that he had earlier prepared for the Oyo South senatorial race in the 2023 general elections, having already purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms as part of an arrangement reached, before stepping down following appeals by party leaders.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the party must close ranks to reclaim political dominance in the senatorial district.
According to him, “There is a huge task ahead, especially with several House of Representatives seats in the district currently held by the opposition. We must work together, mobilise effectively and secure victory for our party and leader, President Bola Tinubu”.
Oseni thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to advancing the interests of Oyo South Senatorial District.
The meeting also had representatives from all nine local government areas, with about 10 leaders from each council in attendance.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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