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Uneasy calm in Oyo PDP as Makinde plans LG election
ALL appears not well within the fold of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State following the decision of Governor Seyi Makinde to concede some local government councils to members of the coalition political parties ahead of the planned local government election in the state.
It was reliably gathered that former members of the Oyo State House of Assembly who lost their reelection bid largely due to the ‘coalition tsunami’ which paved way for majority of the PDP candidates in the State House of Assembly are being considered as Caretaker Committee Chairmen and Secretaries in some selected local government council in the build-up to poll slated for the first quarter of next year.
Majority of the proposed Caretaker Committee Chairmen, as learnt, are likely to contest the election as substantive chairmen without any formal defection to the PDP. This has also generated mixed feelings among the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Also, Mega Icon Magazine checks revealed that protests have trailed Governor Makinde’s decision as party faithful, who overtly expressed their dismay against many key appointments made so far alleging that members of the coalition parties and the governor’s cronies who were unknown to the party were offered juicy appointments and thus occupy strategic positions in the PDP led government at the detriment of loyal party members. The aggrieved PDP members are of the opinion that Governor Makinde could be promoting a selfish agenda which would end up destroying the party in the state if the trend was not reversed.
Some political parties, which included; African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the New Progressive Movement (NPM) had formed a coalition in the build-up to the March 9, 2019 election to dislodge the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and this eventually facilitated the victory of Seyi Makinde who was the PDP candidate.
Meanwhile, Governor Makinde had assured the coalition partners, drawn from various political parties and interest, of his commitment to the formation of an inclusive government. Although, recent appointments made by the governor had made some members of the coalition parties to express doubts about his commitment to their pre-election agreement, pundits are of the opinion that he (Makinde) has done well in this regard.
A prominent PDP chieftain in the state who confided in our reporter insisted that only card carrying members of the party will occupy the local government councils across the state, stressing that none of the said lawmakers stepped down for any of the party’s candidate during the election, but pursued their personal ambitions vigorously.
“The claim by the lawmakers isn’t true, they want to reap from where they did not sow. People voted massively for our party and its candidates because they wanted a change of government. Electorate in Oyo state were tired of the APC government and the only available alternative that could alleviate their plight was the PDP. So, claiming to have sacrificed their ambitions and won elections for our candidates is nothing but a scam.
“Did they rig, campaign or canvass for our House of Assembly candidates?”, he questioned.
Speaking further, the source disclosed that PDP stakeholders are seriously mounting pressure on Governor Makinde to consider the position of the party as they cannot entrust the local government councils, which is the grassroot into the hands of the oppositions on the basis of coalition or alliance which may affect the party’s electoral prosperity in future elections.
“This issue is very sensitive and we have to treat it as one. As a party, we cannot submit the councils to opposition parties in the name of coalition. Now that local government autonomy has come to stay, loyal party members must occupy our councils so as to complement our governor’s efforts in making Oyo state an envy of all. The councils cant be a bargaining tool”, the PDP source submitted.
When contacted, the party’s spokesman in the state, Engr. Akeem Olatunji maintained that Caretaker Committee is an appointment, and as the governor; Engr Makinde has the prerogative to concede some slots to the coalition parties.
“However, only card carrying members, core party faithfuls would be screened and allowed to contest on the platform of the PDP in the election slated for next year”, Olatunji emphasized.
By Idowu Ayodele
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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