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Tag: Adebayo Alao-Akala

  • Witness’ absence stalls Akala, others’ hearing in N11.5b fraud suit

    The trial of the former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, and two others for alleged N11.5 billion fraud was on Wednesday adjourned to May 2, 2019 due to absence of the prosecution witness.

    The witness was to give evidence in support of the 11-count charge preferred against the accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Olalekan Owolabi of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, granted the EFCC’s request after its counsel, Dr. Ben Ubi, told the court that the second witness, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, who is also the current Head of Operations in the commission’s Port Harcourt zonal office, was unable to make it to the court.

    The former governor is standing trial alongside former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters during his tenure, Sen. Hosea Agboola, and an Ibadan-based businessman, Femi Babalola.

    The charge against them borders on conspiracy, awarding a contract without budgetary provision, obtaining by false pretence, acquiring property with money derived from an illegal act and concealing the ownership of such property, among others.

    Read Also: APC: we didn’t bribe Akala to support us

    Among the offences, according to the information on the court papers, was a road contract worth N8.5bn, which Alao-Akala allegedly awarded between 2007 and 2009 to Pentagon Engineering Services, Babalola’s company, without budgetary provision.

    The said contract was executed on behalf of the 33 local governments in the state.

    Also in the charge is the allegation that the former governor ordered the supply of drilling machines on behalf of the 33 local governments in the state to the tune of N3.5 billion.

    Apart from the allegation of conspiring with Agboola to withdraw N2.9 billion from the Oyo State Local Governments Joint Account, the anti-graft agency is equally prosecuting the former governor for allegedly illegally acquiring some property on Old Bodija Road, off Rotimi Williams Road, when he was in office.

    The offences were said to contravene Sections 22 (4) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and 1 (18) of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act.

    The case was originally filed in 2011, and has witnessed series of adjournments due to the volume of evidences and witnesses prepared to reinforce the prosecution’s argument.

    Though, the court was to continue with the trial yesterday, it was not possible because the witness billed for cross-examination was not present.

    Dr. Ubi told the court that the witness was unable to attend the proceeding because he was involved in election duties.

    Counsel to the first and third defendants, Hakeem Afolabi (SAN) and his counterpart holding the brief of the second defendant, Richard Ogunwole (SAN), did not oppose the prosecution counsel.

    The judge adjourned the matter to May 2, 2019 for continuation of trial as he ordered the prosecution to make its witnesses available at the next date.

  • Akala wins polling unit for APC’s Adelabu

    Following his alignment with the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the governorship election, the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party, Adebayo Alao-Akala was able to secure gubernatorial victory for APC in his unit.

    In his area at Olukutun, Unit 13, Ward 7 in Ogbomoso north, APC won the governorship election with 201 votes while PDP and ADP had 82 votes and 23 votes respectively.

    However, the former governor was able to deliver victory for his party, ADP in the House of Assembly election.

    ADP led with 146 votes, while PDP had 70 votes and APC came third with 65 votes.

  • Akala agrees to work for party ahead of polls

    A former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, is working for the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of next week’s governorship election, and wants his supporters across the state to join him in his latest move.

    Akala was, until yesterday, the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the state.

    He, however, confirmed last night, that, he has agreed to work for the emergence of APC’s Adebayo Adelabu as the next governor of the state.

    Speaking to reporters at his Ibadan residence, Akala said: “I remain in ADP and all our candidates for the House of Assembly seats will stand in the March 9 elections, on the platform of the ADP, with my full support but I will work for the victory of Bayo Adelabu.”

    He explained that his alliance with APC was based on the party’s belief that the ADP could perform optimally, and maintain a strong grassroots network not only in Ogbomoso but also in Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun and Oyo.

    He said: ”Our core values and philosophies as indicated in our ADP manifesto, ‘Rescue Mission Agenda’ has been adopted by Bayo Adelabu with the Presidency as witness. I have, therefore, as a candidate of ADP, accepted to support Adelabu of APC for victory and therefore form a coalition government.

    “My solemn gratitude goes to our members, state and national leaders of the ADP, for the ample opportunity given to me to lead and fly the flag of the party. Though my decision is a very tough one, it is for the progress of Oyo State.”

    Alao-Akala said his decision following the outcome of the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections was based on the outcome of some incidents.

    “It is widely known, that, I initiated alliance talks with the main opposition parties in Oyo State vis-a-vis my great party, the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) with my boss, the former governor of Oyo State and Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashid Adewolu Ladoja as mediator.

    “Meanwhile, during the alliance process, I received an emergency call from the Presidency. In the meeting with Presidency, I was prevailed upon to work for APC. My response was that I should be given 48 hours to consult with my people, the opposition parties’ alliance committee as well as the teeming members, leaders and the stakeholders of my great party, ADP.

    “On resumption of the alliance meeting, my boss, (High Chief Rashid Adewolu Ladoja), told me point blank in the presence of other governorship candidates, that I was not in consideration for governorship due to my place of birth – Ogbomoso. According to him, ‘We need an Ibadan man to slug it out with another Ibadan man, which is Bayo Adelabu.’ With the statement, my geographical place of birth is the only crime I committed.

    “Since I’ve been unfairly and technically booted out of the alliance talks, I consulted with my party stakeholders and supporters whose support have brought me this far. Having realised that my 2019 governorship agenda cannot be realised in isolation based on the present situation, the only option remaining for me is to form an alliance with Mr. Bayo Adelabu of APC.

    “I, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, the Oyo State 2019 Action Democratic Party (ADP), have decided to form an alliance with the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adebayo Adekola Adelabu, ahead of the March 9 Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections in the state. However, all the ADP candidates for the House of Assembly seats will go to the elections with my maximum support.”

    Earlier, yesterday, Akala’s spokesman, Wale Ohu, issued a statement saying: ”After a careful consideration of the results of the last Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives elections and in furtherance of the development, progress and peace of Oyo State, far-reaching decisions have to be taken and actualised.

    “The ADP, after holding series of high level consultations across Oyo State after the last general elections, has come to the conclusion that the sanctity, integrity and progress of Oyo State cannot and must not be compromised.

    “We have felt the pulse of the people whose support has brought us this far: it is important that we dance when they play the tunes.

    “We have given deep thought to the future of this state and have realised, that, not much can be realised in isolation, hence the need to team up with the party that puts the interest of the masses on top of its priority list.

    “Looking at the results of the last elections, we have realised the need to restrategise and ensure that Oyo State is not left out in the cold.

    “To this effect, the Oyo State ADP and the Akala Campaign Organisation, hereby, call on all our members, teeming supporters and well-wishers across the state to come on board in this move towards positioning our state for better national interest.”

    Akala defected to the APC last year, only to join ADP, a few months back.

    However, the anti-APC coalition is set to resume talks today as yesterday’s meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Social Democratic Party(SDP) lasted barely 90 minutes, after which representatives of the parties agreed to resume their discussions today on what they termed ‘government of unity.’

  • Akala back in APC

    A former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, is working for the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of next week’s governorship election, and wants his supporters across the state to join him in his latest move.

    Akala was, until yesterday, the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the state.

    He, however, confirmed last night, that, he has agreed to work for the emergence of APC’s Adebayo Adelabu as the next governor of the state.

    Speaking to reporters at his Ibadan residence, Akala said: “I remain in ADP and all our candidates for the House of Assembly seats will stand in the March 9 elections, on the platform of the ADP, with my full support but I will work for the victory of Bayo Adelabu.”

    He explained that his alliance with APC was based on the party’s belief that the ADP could perform optimally, and maintain a strong grassroots network not only in Ogbomoso but also in Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun and Oyo.

    He said: ”Our core values and philosophies as indicated in our ADP manifesto, ‘Rescue Mission Agenda’ has been adopted by Bayo Adelabu with the Presidency as witness. I have, therefore, as a candidate of ADP, accepted to support Adelabu of APC for victory and therefore form a coalition government.

    “My solemn gratitude goes to our members, state and national leaders of the ADP, for the ample opportunity given to me to lead and fly the flag of the party. Though my decision is a very tough one, it is for the progress of Oyo State.”

    Alao-Akala said his decision following the outcome of the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections was based on the outcome of some incidents.

    “It is widely known, that, I initiated alliance talks with the main opposition parties in Oyo State vis-a-vis my great party, the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) with my boss, the former governor of Oyo State and Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashid Adewolu Ladoja as mediator.

    “Meanwhile, during the alliance process, I received an emergency call from the Presidency. In the meeting with Presidency, I was prevailed upon to work for APC. My response was that I should be given 48 hours to consult with my people, the opposition parties’ alliance committee as well as the teeming members, leaders and the stakeholders of my great party, ADP.

    “On resumption of the alliance meeting, my boss, (High Chief Rashid Adewolu Ladoja), told me point blank in the presence of other governorship candidates, that I was not in consideration for governorship due to my place of birth – Ogbomoso. According to him, ‘We need an Ibadan man to slug it out with another Ibadan man, which is Bayo Adelabu.’ With the statement, my geographical place of birth is the only crime I committed.

    “Since I’ve been unfairly and technically booted out of the alliance talks, I consulted with my party stakeholders and supporters whose support have brought me this far. Having realised that my 2019 governorship agenda cannot be realised in isolation based on the present situation, the only option remaining for me is to form an alliance with Mr. Bayo Adelabu of APC.

    “I, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, the Oyo State 2019 Action Democratic Party (ADP), have decided to form an alliance with the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adebayo Adekola Adelabu, ahead of the March 9 Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections in the state. However, all the ADP candidates for the House of Assembly seats will go to the elections with my maximum support.”

    Earlier, yesterday, Akala’s spokesman, Wale Ohu, issued a statement saying: ”After a careful consideration of the results of the last Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives elections and in furtherance of the development, progress and peace of Oyo State, far-reaching decisions have to be taken and actualised.

    “The ADP, after holding series of high level consultations across Oyo State after the last general elections, has come to the conclusion that the sanctity, integrity and progress of Oyo State cannot and must not be compromised.

    “We have felt the pulse of the people whose support has brought us this far: it is important that we dance when they play the tunes.

    “We have given deep thought to the future of this state and have realised, that, not much can be realised in isolation, hence the need to team up with the party that puts the interest of the masses on top of its priority list.

    “Looking at the results of the last elections, we have realised the need to restrategise and ensure that Oyo State is not left out in the cold.

    “To this effect, the Oyo State ADP and the Akala Campaign Organisation, hereby, call on all our members, teeming supporters and well wishers across the state to come on board in this move towards positioning our state for better national interest.”

    Akala defected to the APC last year, only to join ADP, a few months back.

    However, the anti-APC coalition is set to resume talks today as yesterday’s meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Social Democratic Party(SDP) lasted barely 90 minutes, after which representatives of the parties agreed to resume their discussions today on what they termed ‘government of unity.’

  • Breaking: Akala, Lanlehin, Alli form alliance against Adelabu

    Major opposition parties in Oyo State have formed an alliance against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship and House of Assembly election.

    The development will put the APC under intense pressure as the three parties, working together, commands large followership across the state.

    The alliance was formed on Friday in a meeting at the residence of the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Adebayo Alao-Akala.

    Alao-Akala, who is a former governor of the state, had indicated three weeks ago that opposition parties would form an alliance to end the reins of the APC in the state.

    But he declared that he was not working for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seyi Makinde.

    The Nation gathered from a reliable source close to the meeting of candidates that Alao-Akala (ADP), Olufemi Lanlehin of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Sharafadeen Alli of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) agreed to review the results of tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections to determine the structure of the full alliance.

    Read Also: I’m not in any alliance against Adelabu– Akala

    It was agreed the party, which performs best in polls tomorrow, will be supported in the governorship and House of Assembly elections on March 9.

    The source explained the alliance structure will spell out how the interest of the remaining two parties will be taken care of if the alliance succeeds in winning the election.

    “They agreed to wait for the result of the presidential and National Assembly election to determine which party will be supported in the governorship election.

    “They will review the result and work out the modalities for taking care of the interest of the two supporting parties. It will be a pure alliance,” the source said.

    If the alliance succeeds, the major parties in the governorship election will be three.

    This will put the APC and PDP on their toes as the three struggles to gain voters’ support.

  • I’m not in any alliance against Adelabu- Akala

    The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, has cleared the air on the plot by opposition candidates to form an alliance against their All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart Adebayo Adelabu.

    Alao-Akala, who is a former governor of the state, said he was not working with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other in any form of alliance as being reported in the media.

    Speaking through his campaign organisation on Wednesday, the ADP candidate said the reports were aimed at “misinforming and confusing our teaming supporters world over.”

    Director General of the campaign organisation, Chief Wale Ohu, said: “At a time, the rumor in town was that he was not serious about his governorship ambition and that he was going to play the role of a spoiler or work for another governorship candidate.

    Read Also: I’ll respect gender balance as Governor, says Adelabu

    “The most recent is that he is working for the PDP governorship candidate, Engineer Seyi Makinde.

    “The Akala Campaign Organization hereby debunks all these insinuations which is the handiwork of the Propaganda machinery of the government in power in Oyo state which is jittery and overwhelmed by the soaring popularity of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and to state clearly that the former Governor is committed to taking the people of Oyo State out of the political mess they have been plunged into by the insensitive A. P. C government of Sen. Ajimobi since he left office eight years ago.

    “Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has toured the nooks and crannies of Oyo State, taking the message of hope to the citizenry which was received with enthusiasm by the people.

    “His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is not into any discussion, alliance or talks with the PDP governorship candidate Engr. Seyi Makinde or any other for that matter.

    “That is like the elephant hiding behind a rat when in the real sense. It is the rat that needs the cover of the elephant.

    “It is not in doubt that Akala is a political giant who cannot and would never hide under any candidate or politician in the state.

    “Rather, it is expected that, considering Akala’s experience and achievements, other young candidates should come together to support and rally Alao Akala so as to restore the State’s pacesetter position in the Committee of States.”

    He added: “What is the sensibility behind Alao-Akala dissipating his energy and financial resources over the governorship election if it is for any other motive other than to govern Oyo State again?

    “If it is prominence, Otunba Alao-Akalahe has it. If it is wealth, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is comfortable for the rest of his life so rather, his pursuit is for the emancipation of Oyo State people.

    “The Akala Campaign Organisation thereby reiterates that His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is not advancing the cause of the PDP candidate, Engineer Makinde or any other political party or candidate and consequently advises cheap rumor peddlers who want to profit from Alao-Akala’s large image to desist from cheap gossips and get more involved in issues that can move Oyo State forward.”

  • Why we boycotted Akala’s campaign flag off, by ADP state Excos

    Indication emerged on Tuesday that all is not well within the ranks and file of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo state, the platform on which former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala is seeking a return to the Agodi government house come 2019.

    After a laudable campaign flag off which held at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, the state executive of the party denounced participating in the event on the ground of some allegations against the person of the party governorship candidate.

    The state executive members said they decided to boycott the official presentation of candidates of the party at the event citing “highhandedness of the governorship candidate.”

    Speaking with selected journalists at the party office, shortly after Akala flagged off the party campaign, the state party chairman, Mr Folaranmi Olanrewaju Owolabi accused the former governor of hijacking the party structure upon his joining the party.

    He also accused the former governor of betraying the trust of the state executive members and the old members of the party in the allocation of tickets to aspirants for State House of Assembly and House of representatives.

    Owolabi who was flanked by some chairmen of the party at the local government level said “We decided to boycott the programme held today (Tuesday) by the party’s flagbearer and the inauguration of campaign by our members today.

    “Since his arrival, he has been operating  as an independent candidate as if he does not belong to the ADP.

    Read Also: Alao-Akala boycotts Oyo guber primary



    “With his cohorts, he has been making frantic efforts to hijack the whole structure of the party from us as if there was nobody in the party when they arrived. So, we have been nursing it for so long with maturity in order not to cause crisis in the party.

    “The party was not notified of the exercise held at Jogor on Tuesday. They constituted not less than 11 different committees and the party was not informed. It was around two or three days ago that they sent an invitation to me as guest of honour at the programme. That is insulting and ridiculous. We know what is happening.

    “They invited us as executive members and we decided to boycott the programme. Today we held a programme in attendance with all members of the executive committee, 27 chairmen of local government and other senatorial leaders. It was a joint decision not to attend.

    “Since Alao-Akala came, he has separated myself and my acting secretary. All our efforts to bring the Acting Secretary back proved abortive, so we suspended him not less than three weeks now. We copied the appropriate quarters informing them of the development.”

    On the next line of action, Owolabi said boycott of Tuesday’s programme is the first step, saying they have tried to save the face but has been pushed to the wall now.  He said they still have the interest of their people at heart, especially the old members who had signified their interest to contest election under the platform of the party but are now being denied by loyalists of the former governor.

    He however called on well-meaning people in the society to intervene before the matter degenerates to a more irreparable level, saying they have made several efforts to salvage the situation before today but to no avail.

  • 2019: I am on a rescue mission, says Alao-Akala

    A former governor of Oyo state and the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the forthcoming 2019 elections, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has said he is seeking another opportunity to govern the state on a mission to rescue and re-position the state for the betterment of the people and investors.

    He lamented that his heart aches because of what he described as the anti-people policies of the outgoing government of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, saying at least 90 percent of the government programmes and projects are not in the interest of the people.

    Alao-Akala spoke on Tuesday while delivering his address at the official presentation of the Alao-Akala and Olaiya as the ADP candidates for the 2019 gubernatorial elections cum official inauguration of the Akala-Olaiya campaign organization.

    The event which held at Jogor Centre, Liberty Area, Ring Road Ibadan was attended by his running mate, Prof Abideen Olaiya, party candidates for the National Assembly positions, party leadership and members from different parts of the state.

    The former governor who noted that instead of criticizing, he made himself available to guide the incumbent government on how to best run a proactive and pro-people governance but that the driver lacks the required goodwill.

    He further alleges that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) is conniving with some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to engage in what he described as advanced rigging method.

    Read Also: Why I want to be Oyo governor again – Alao-Akala

    Alao-Akala said, “As a bonafide citizen, I’m seeking another opportunity to govern the state from May 29th 2019 with a rescue mission to reposition the state for the betterment of our people and investors.

    “Service to humanity especially holding a public office is not a function of age but mental capacity, experience, maturity, good vision and mission, sensitiveness, responsiveness, credibility and popular acceptability of a person. I am offering myself again to serve the good people of Oyo state because I am healthily and mentally fit for the rigorous tasks of governance.

    “My heart aches because 90 percent of the outgoing government’s policies, programmes and programmes and projects are best described as anti-people which leave our people in pain and despondency.

    “Instead of criticizing, I made myself available to guide the incumbent government on how best to run proactive and pro-people governance but the driver lacks the required goodwill. Today, the major sectors of our economy, which are education, health, agriculture and environment, have been either neglected or bastardized. Oyo state is in a serious mess.

    “When a serious duty of overhauling government calls, experience counts. On July 4th of this year, I responded to Oyo State Patriots’ clarion call to contest the 2019 governorship elections, so that succor, humane posture, robust economic activities, even and equitable infrastructural developments that were once entrenched in governance of the state during my past tenure could be repeated and improve upon with renewed vigor.

    “Immediately after the inauguration of our government come May 29th, 2019, we shall hit the ground running by declaring state of emergencies in the education and health sectors of Oyo state. Our dying LAUTECH, EACOED, The Polytechnic Ibadan and other state-owned tertiary institutions will be rescued and their pride statuses in the comity of educational institutions will be restored.

    “Also, we are determined to initiate and implement policies and proagrammes that would transform the state, improve the welfare of the residents and create an environment conducive to business growth and security as well as wealth and employment.

    “May I use this occasion to inform the stakeholders in the Nigerian electoral system and the world at large that information reaching us from competent sources is that some bad elements in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are conniving with the ruling APC to disenfranchise thousands of voters across the state and weakening the leading opposition candidates in their strongholds by engaging in state-wide illegal relocation of voters from their units/local government of origins to another units/LGAs.

    “We call on the INEC chairman and the constituted security agencies to put a stop to this advanced rigging method.

  • Ajimobi tackles Akala over boycott of Oyo APC governorship primary

    Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has described as ‘unsubstantiated’ the allegation by his predecessor and a governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adebayo Alao-Akala, that he has chosen to impose Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe in today’s (Sunday) primary.

    Eight aspirants are jostling to succeed Ajimobi in the party.

    In a statement by his media aide, Jeremiah Akande on Saturday, Alao-Akala announced his boycott of the election and directed his supporters to do the same.

    The primary is scheduled to hold on Sunday in Ibadan, the state capital.

    Alao-Akala, in the statement, alleged that Ajimobi had sent words round to coerce and intimidate delegates into voting for Tegbe today.

    He, therefore, called on the national leadership of the party to come to the rescue of the party which he said was heading towards collapse.

    The statement read in part: “His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, a true party man and committed loyalist to any cause he believes in, wishes to state categorically that he is not a push-over in the game of politics and as a well-grounded and groomed politician who has occupied the number one seat of a politically conscious state as Oyo State will not be part of any move or attempt to subvert the true will and wish of the people by the selfish interest of an Individual.\

    Read Also: Osun 2018: APC will emerge victorious – Ajimobi

    “The general public should also note that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi has clandestinely offered Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala the ministerial slot of Oyo State in an attempt to pitch him against Barr. Adebayo Shittu, an offer he has rejected in its entirety as he is not one to be tailored or shown the way round in the game of politics.”

    But Ajimobi’s spokesman, Mr Bolaji Tunji, described the allegation as unsubstantiated, stressing that the governor has thoroughly demonstrated that he has no preference for any aspirant. Tunji reminded Alao-Akala, who he described as a respected politicians and who has played a good role in fostering unity in the party, that Ajimobi once met the aspirants and advised them to pick a few among them that will go into the primary.

    Tunji, who is the Special Adviser to Governor Ajimobi on Communication and Strategy, explained that the governor has emphasized severally at the meeting that he has not anointed any of them. He added that the aspirants, who were originally up to 26, did not get back to the governor on those they have chosen to participate in the primary.

    Tunji said it is not uncommon for aspirants to come up with excuses and unsubstantiated allegations when it becomes clear to them that they may not win an election.

  • Defection: Alao-Akala restates commitment to APC, warns perpetrators

    Following the rumors of defection and media reports speculating his dumping the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala has described the report as mere “publicity stunt aimed at laundering the Image of the ADC.”

    In a statement issued and signed by the Head, New Media and Public Affairs, Alao-Akala Campaign Organisation, Mr Jeremiah Akande, the former governor said he is too busy with his campaign activities and will not engage in any form of media war or propaganda involving any group, body or political party.

    He reiterated his “unshaken commitment and dedication to the ideals of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State and at the national level”, urging his supporters to remain steadfast and resolute in their belief in him, as the journey towards 2019 begins in earnest.

    The statement reads in parts, “The attention of Alao-Akala Campaign Organisations has been drawn to a newspaper report with the headline:

    “OBJ to Ladoja, Alao-Akala: Produce younger ADC Governorship Candidate’, currently making the rounds.

    “The Media and Publicity Directorate of  Alao-Akala Campaign Organisation after a careful study of the said media report and analysed the disjointed and unfounded information pieced together in the body of the story came to a professional conclusion that the idea behind the story was a mere “Publicity stunt” aimed at laundering the image of the political party in question.

    Read Also: Why I want to be Oyo governor again – Alao-Akala

    “The Alao-Akala campaign Organisations wishes to state categorically that His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala as an experienced politician who has tested the murky waters of Politics and who is well schooled in the ‘Rules of Engagement’, is too busy with his campaign activities and will not engage in any form of media war or propaganda involving any group, body or political party.

    “The Legal Advisory and  Monitoring Directorate of the Alao-Akala Campaign Organisation has been mandated to formally write to the affected groups and persons to henceforth desist from misleading the public with their distorted facts and to put  a stop to defaming and involving the name and person of His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala in acts, actions and activities that has nothing to do with him or face the Legal consequences of their dirty actions

    “The Alao-Akala Campaign Organisation wishes to once again reiterate His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala’s unshaken commitment and dedication to the ideals of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State and at the National Level and urge his teeming supporters to remain steadfast and resolute in their belief in him, as the Journey towards 2019 begins in earnest.”