Politics
Why I doled out N30million to constituents at Sallah eve – Odidiomo gives reason
No fewer than 2,000 constituents in the Ibadan/Northwest Southwest Federal Constituency of Oyo State on Thursday received financial support totaling about N30million from a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide popularly known as ‘Odidiomo ‘ to celebrate Salah and shore their businesses during the ongoing festive season.
The cash gifts, apart from the lawmaker’s routine empowerment activities, usually coincide with the annual Eid-el-Kabir celebration. Similar empowerment was done during the year 2021 salah celebration.
A beneficiary said “it was a deliberate act of benevolence from Hon. Adedeji Stanley Adedeji Olajide Odidiomo to allow us; members of his constituency celebrate in good financial standing.”
Olajide is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party who recently won the return ticket to contest the 2023 election for another term.
At Thursday’s event, chieftains of the PDP and a handful of the aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) within the two local governments described the lawmaker as a miracle worker whose philanthropic activities knew no bound.
Addressing the beneficiaries who were armed with their Permanent Voters Cards as means of identification to benefit from the largesse, Olajide said the importance of empowerment cannot be over emphasised.
He said within three years in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, he has empowered constituency with various programmes that could lift them out of poverty.
Some of such programmes included trainings in fishery; poultry farming; animal husbandry; tie and dye; paint production; ICT, among others.
Olajide also stressed that he had provided start-up capitals for traders, artisans and bursary for indigent but brilliant students. He said he has constructed classrooms; dug boreholes, erected maternity centres, saying “now is the time for more financial support through deliberate cash awards to our people.”
Olajide assured them that he would always do their bidding for as long as he remained their representative.
In their separate comments, Alhaji Abass Aleshinloye, Alhaji Fatai Olugbade, and some other notable partymen and women including the beneficiaries commended Olajide and charged the people to ensure re-election of the lawmaker for more dividends of democracy to go round the two council areas.
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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