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  • 2019: Akintola and Oyo APC succession battle

    A legal luminary, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), is among the aspirants itching to succeed Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s election. He will face other 23 aspirants at the primary later in the month. Can the eminent lawyer overcome the hurdles and pick the ticket? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the succession battle in the Pacesetter State.

    As a lawyer, he knows his onions. Vocal, versatile and hardworking, Niyi Akintola (SAN), can be described as a genius. He is bold, brave and courageous. His legal advocacy has been deployed to the sustenance of the democratic order. But, after many years of successful practice, the legal luminary is now changing his gear. “I want to be governor of Oyo State and I know what it takes to be governor,” he said.

    Akintola has been in politics for long. In the Third Republic, he was elected as the deputy speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly. He had to resign from the position when he failed to bow to the shenanigans of the Ibadan strongman, the late Chief Lamidi Adedibu. At the beginning of this dispensation, he worked actively with his leader, the late Chief Bola Ige. When the former Oyo State governor was writing the constitutions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the defunct All Peoples Party (APP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Akintola was beside him.

    Although he had an opportunity to seek for elective positions, he never did so. Instead, he embraced the role of assisting victims of electoral fraud to recover their stolen mandate. The legal fireworks took him to tribunals in Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Ondo and Edo states.

    Nineteen years after the restoration of civil rule, he is throwing his hat in the ring. “Governor Abiola Ajimobi has performed well in the last seven and half years. There is the need for a government of continuity. If elected as governor on the platform of the APC, I will build on his achievements,” Akintola added.

    Akintola is a household name in Oyo State and Nigeria. At home, he is not treated as a foreigner. The lawyer is a community man. Little did he guess that he would be vying for a public office when he ploughed back to Ido, his cradle. Apart from participating in many community projects, he has personally sponsored some social programmes which have impacted on the community and Ibadan city state.

    Many believe that Ajimobi has actually recorded many achievements. But, his greatest achievement will be his ability to hand over to a government of continuity on May 29, next year. Will the lot fall on Akintola to continue from where the governor will stop?

    No fewer than 24 APC chieftains are in the race to succeed the governor. The contenders are from the three senatorial districts.

    Apart from Akintola, the contenders include former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Soji Adejumo, professor of animal physiology and former chairman, Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Adebayo Adelabu, former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Ayo Karim, engineer and Chief Executive Officer of Costain West Africa Plc, Joseph Tegbe, a senior partner with KPMG Professional Services, Dr Olusola Ayandele, Director of Integrated Energy Distribution And Marketing Limited, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, Commissioner for Health, Soji Eniade,  former Head of Service, Abimbola Adekambi, Commissioner for Finance, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari from Oyo North District, and Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications.

    Others are Akeem Agbaje, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association  (NBA), Oyo State, Dr. Babalola Owolabi, former Commissioner for Health, Isaac Omodewu, Commissioner for Land, Housing and Survey, Temitope Olatoye, who represents Lagelu/Akinyele Constituency in the House of Representatives, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, journalist and former chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area, Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo, deputy governor, Senator Soji Akanbi from Oyo South District, Dada Awoleye, member of the House of Representative from Ibadan North Constituency, Debo Adesina, a journalist, Zacheaus Adelabu, former Commissioner for Finance, and Prof. Adeolu Aknde, a political scientist.

    There are rumblings in the party hierarchy over who succeeds Ajimobi. The succession battle may be taking its toll on the State Executive Council. There is growing suspicion and mistrust among commissioners and special advisers. Succession has become a divisive issue. Six members of the cabinet are in the race. They are Deputy Governor Adeyemo, Eniade, Omodewu, Adeduntan, Special Adviser on Political Matters, Morounkola Thomas, Commissioner for Finance, and Adekanmbi. The governor has not anointed a candidate. So far, he has been silent on the succession struggle. His only intervention is limited to the admonition to the people of Oke Ogun to put their house in order and endorse an aspirant. The sub-zone is pushing for zoning, although zoning is not in the APC constitution.

    Until recently, eyes were on two aspirants, who were believed to be the governor’s choice: Adelabu and Chief Adeniyi Akintola, (SAN) The latter has since lost out following a careless talk attributed to him which filtered to the ears of Governor Ajimobi. Adelabu is said to be close to Ajimobi. His associates were boasting that he could get the ticket on account of close ties. But, sources close to the governor confided that the anticipated pay back time for cordial friendship may not come.

    Since the governor may not be looking in the direction of Adedibu, some people came up with the permutation of a titanic contest between Akintola and Tegbe, another Ibadan indigene, who is believed to be Ajimobi’s business partner.  Observers have said that Tegbe will defend the governor’s legacies and cover his tracks.

    To some Ibadan indigenes, Akintola is not a push over. He has so many factors working in his favour. As one of the Ibadan and Oyo State leading lights, he is known to the social gatekeepers, including traditional rulers;  the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi,  the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, the Aseyin of Iseyin and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji. These monarchs are from the three senatorial districts.

    The political capital accruable from Ibadan could be enormous. Ibadan controls 54 per cent of the voting population in the state. Akintola’s aspiration has received the blessings of the influential umbrella body in the ancient city, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes.

    Akintola is a political war horse of sorts and not a latter day opportunistic progressives. His legal career is interwoven with the history of the Fourth Republic. Many have showered encomiums on him for deploying his legal service to the cause of the progressivism. In those anxious and uncertain years when the defunct Action Congress (AC) was robbed of electoral victory by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akintola rendered invaluable legal services that led to the recovery of stolen mandates.He was the lead counsel in the case instituted by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who challenged the victory of PDP candidate, Professor Oserheim Osunbor in Edo state.

    Akintola was involved in historic electoral cases involving Ajimobi and Alao Akala in Oyo State, and Dr Kayode Fayemi and Segun Oni in Ekiti state. He was also the lead counsel in the titanic case between Chief Rauf Aregbesola and Brig-Gen Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Osun State.

    When Senator Rasheed Ladoja was impeached as Oyo State governor and Alao-Akala became the ‘governor,’ Akintola handled the case up to the Supreme Court without collecting legal fees, to the surprise of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes.  His sagacity, candour, resilience, fidelity and selfless contributions endeared him to Southwest leaders, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande and Ajimobi, who now holds the ace on who becomes his successor.

    Akintola is feared and respected by the Oyo PDP as a great and principled fighter. Thus, the party believes that the rejection of his candidature by the APC family will be a blessing in disguise to the likely PDP candidate, Seyi Makinde, an engineer.

    But, is the zoning agitation not a threat to his ambition? What is the assurance that Ajimobi will prefer him as successor? Many also believe that the lawyer is too independent-minded and cannot be controlled by any party leader.

    Akintola said zoning will not be a factor. He said he enjoyed cordial relations with the governor. He said Oyo State is made of historically and culturally linked towns and villages. The said the bond of kindred exists up to now. He delved into history, emerging with evidence of many prominent Ibadan indigenes who came from many surrounding Oyo, Oke-Ogun, Osun, Egba, Ijesa and even Ekiti towns. He noted that a former Ibadan monarch, Baale Idi Iwo Balogun, came from Iwo, the Alayandes came from Oyo, Ladoja came from Iseyin, Olunloyos have links with Owu and a former Timi of Ede, Oba Laoye, a pharmacist, even wanted to be Mogaji in Ibadan in the past. In his view, Oyos are Oyos, whether they are from Ibadan, Oke-Ogun and Oyo, the territory of Alaafin. Besides, he pointed out that zoning is not in the APC constitution.

     Akintola was born in Ibadan on January 21, 1960. He attended I.D.C. Primary School Seni Village, via Omi, Adio Ogunsami Primary School, Ogunsami and Ebenezer African Church Primary School Salvation Army Road, Ibadan. He later attended Nigeria Army School of Education, Ilorin, Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, the University of Ibadan and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

    The lawyer holds a Master’s degree in Political Science. He taught briefly at Mac-Job Grammar School, Abeokuta between 1979-8. In 1984 the late Chief Toye Ogunyemi, his adopted father and mentor, assisted him in getting him a scholarship to go to the Law School, Lagos through an Ibadan Social Club, the Lagelu Sixteen under the leadership of Alhaji Tunji Bello. On his graduation day, he could not afford N4.00 to pay for his photograph. He could not even afford the Wig and Gown for practice. Yet, he became a SAN at 41.

    Akintola is conscious of his past. He is always willing to plough back to society through numerous philanthropic gestures.mOn his 50th birthday in 2010, he awarded scholarships to 50 indigent students of higher institutions. He singlehandedly built a cottage hospital for Omi-Adio, Ibadan and donated same to the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

    In the legal profession, he is a star. He is a member of Benchers, a director of Nigerian-reinsurance PLC, adjunct lecturer, Department of Political Science, UI, member of the NBS Disciplinary Committee, Fellow of the London Court of International Arbitration, former Vice Chairman of NBA, Ibadan Branch, Fellow of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria and UK, and members of Africa Bar Association and International Bar Association.

    Akintola was a member of the Presidential Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution. He was counsel to the Federal Government on the Judicial Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe NIGERDOCK N81 billion fraud.

  • With AD, economic development is assured, says Akintola

    The governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Osun State, Mr. Olugbenga Akintola, has promised to reverse the economic status of the state and ensure speedy development, if voted in the forthcoming election.

    In a statement yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, Akintola said his goal is to ensure that Osun State fulfils its obligations towards its people without incurring debts while it creates a capable workforce for industrialisation.

    The statement reads: “Let them hear the gospel of our rebuilding agenda of economic development and human capital investment. Remind them that it is only our party that has the record of putting people’s needs at heart.

    “Collectively, we have begun a journey to the house that our party built in Oke-Fia. From the tributaries of Osun River to Ikirun Hills and from Ikoyi Mountain to Erin-Ijesa Waterfalls, our efforts will be crowned with success.

    “The work has begun from this moment and it is our collective responsibility to do the work. Let us join hands to strengthen our party. “Never since 2003 has our chance been greater to win the governorship elections in this state. Please, let us set aside differences in the interest of the peaceful citizens in Osun State.

    “I humbly offer a branch of an olive tree to all our members to let us work together in the interest of peace and for victory of our party.

    “Be assured that AD is alive and we are determined to work for victory on September 22. We have taken the first step of a long journey. Please go out from Odo-Otin (in Osun North) to Ife North (in Osun South) and from Ayedire (in Osun West) to Oriade (in Osun East) to let the people of Osun know that AD is alive.

    “Spread the word to the people that, with AD, economic development is assured for our beloved state. Let them hear of our vision of an Osun State that is capable of creating wealth for its people in good health.”

     

  • It’s new dawn in APC, says Akintola

    A LEADING aspirant for Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket, Chief Michael Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), has described the victory of the party’s national chairman, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, as birth of a new dawn.

    The former Labour leader was affirmed as APC national chairman through voice votes by delegates at the national convention conducted at the weekend in Abuja.

    Akintola, in a statement, said he was convinced that Oshiomhole was coming to take charge at the party’s national secretariat at an auspicious time when the party was in dire need of a tested team player imbued with the administrative skills to galvanise the party’s faithful ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    He said: “Your Excellency, I am very happy to congratulate you on your election as the national chairman of our great party, the APC.

    “You could not have come at a better time than now that the party needs your wealth of experience.

    “Your adoption without any opposition eloquently attests to your immense leadership qualities, experience and character, all of which will combine to foster unity and give our great party the much-needed direction to unassailable victory in the coming elections in 2019.

    “It is truly the birth of a new dawn for the party and our dear country Nigeria.”

     

  • It’s new dawn in APC, says Akintola

    A LEADING aspirant for Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket, Chief Michael Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), has described the victory of the party’s national chairman, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, as birth of a new dawn.

    The former Labour leader was affirmed as APC national chairman through voice votes by delegates at the national convention conducted at the weekend in Abuja.

    Akintola, in a statement, said he was convinced that Oshiomhole was coming to take charge at the party’s national secretariat at an auspicious time when the party was in dire need of a tested team player imbued with the administrative skills to galvanise the party’s faithful ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    He said: “Your Excellency, I am very happy to congratulate you on your election as the national chairman of our great party, the APC.

    “You could not have come at a better time than now that the party needs your wealth of experience.

    “Your adoption without any opposition eloquently attests to your immense leadership qualities, experience and character, all of which will combine to foster unity and give our great party the much-needed direction to unassailable victory in the coming elections in 2019.

    “It is truly the birth of a new dawn for the party and our dear country Nigeria.”

     

  • Akintola remembers jurist

    AN Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), said yesterday that with the death of a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, “Nigeria just lost the most incorruptible of jurists and the most upright among humans”.

    In a statement yesterday, the senior lawyer said: “Justice Akanbi lived a modest life. In that, he was a moral Titan, when many Nigerians of his age and class were self-diminished, by their quest for unbridled materialism. That complemented his role as an incorruptible judge.  He was a great soul, and I’ll love to add, foster-father to my family.”

    Akintola said the late Justice Akanbi was as scrupulous as a judge as he was pious in his faith.

    “Since my first ever appearance before him at the Court of Appeal, I noticed how scrupulous, godly, fair-minded, simple and austere he was. He scorned all forms of materialism and venality, and lived every second, at peace with himself and his God.

    “Apart from his depth and brilliance in law, he started and ended every discourse with God.”

     

     

  • Oyo APC crisis a storm in tea cup, says Akintola

    A chieftain of Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), has said the current crisis within the party is a mere storm in a tea cup.

    He said any party with the potential to win elections or ruling parties usually have internal issues that should not spell doom for such parties, if they manage their disagreements well.

    Akintola spoke at the weekend on “Southwest Political Circuit”, a programme on Ibadan-based radio, Fresh FM.

    The APC chieftain said members of a group, named Unity Forum, were friends and political associates of those in the mainstream wing of the party.

    He said they remained under the same umbrella of the APC, adding that the group was only fighting for a better share of privileges and opportunities in the party.

    The erudite lawyer, who is a governorship aspirant, posited that members of the Unity Forum were seeking relevance in the party ahead of the 2019 election.

    According to him, those who participated in the parallel congresses only wasted their time because only those organised by the national congress committees were acceptable and recognised.

    On why he filed and handled court cases for Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Akintola said he did not personally handle cases for the governor but for the party.

    The lawyer said he had been counsel to the party before the Fourth Republic, adding that he handled most of the cases pro bono.

    On why the party was unable to grant the request of the group, Akintola said the party has enough for everybody’s need but not enough for everybody’s greed.

    He added: “They are asking for too much. Many of them are not placing party interest above theirs. Party discipline is important.”

  • Akintola: No zoning in Oyo APC

    Legal luminary Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) is an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State. The former Deputy Speaker of House of the Assembly spoke with LEKE SALAUDEEN on his chances at the primary, his programmes, zoning and other partisan issues.

    What prompted you to join politics in the aborted Third Republic?

    My foray into politics was not by accident; it was designed. I started playing politics right from my university days. Since then, I have been showing interest in developments in my state. I was the General Secretary, Federation of Ibadan Students Union. The President of the University of Ibadan Students Union at that time, Mr Bola Longe, was my room-mate. The person who succeeded him was my friend. We were very close to the late Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige. We were referred to as Bola Ige boys. We are also fans of the former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope (a.k.a Ebino Topsy). I was instrumental to the creation of my local government (Ido Local Government from Akinyele LG). In 1992, I contested and won a seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly. I later became the Deputy Speaker of the House.

    Why are you back in politics?

    I have always been in politics. At the time when the late Gen. Sani Abacha turned the country upside down, I was a member of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), the pressure group that spearheaded the struggle for the revalidation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, which was annulled by the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime. The Ige boys in NADECO included Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Prof. Tola Atimo, Dr Yemi Farounbi and the late Ondo State Governor Dr Olusegun Agagu. In 1998, we held a pan-Yoruba Congress in Ibadan. That was the peak of NADECO activities. It was there that the Yoruba nation decided to participate in Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar’s transition programme. The congress was well attended by the royal fathers, intelligentsias, professionals and opinion leaders. Before then, most of our leaders, such as Ige and Chief Lamidi Adedibu, were in detention. Some human rights activists like Comrades Awosede, Moshood Erubami. Dave Ajetunmobi and I organised anti-Abacha rallies.

    With that the Yoruba people became united for a purpose. The congress mandated Chief Ige to liaise with people of like minds across the country to form a formidable political party. This led to the formation of the G-21 headed by the former Vice President, the late Dr Alex Ekwueme. Notable members included Malam Adamu Ciroma, Ige, Solomon Lar and Bola Tinubu. The G-21 transformed into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP constitution was drafted by Ige. He co-opted me, Mrs Kofo Akerele-Bucknor, Prof. Adeniran, Prof. Atimo and Dr Agagu, to assist him in drafting the constitution.

    When the PDP was hijacked by the conservatives, the Southwest leaders pulled out to form another party. We moved to the All Peoples Party (APP). When we saw Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and others on the high table, Ige said we can’t stay here; we pulled out again. This was three days before the close of submission form for the registration of political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Our leaders resolved to float a new party named Alliance for Democracy (AD). We had to beat the INEC deadline. That was why the PDP and AD constitution were the same. All we changed in the PDP constitution were the nomenclatures.

    Who is your political hero?

    I have two of them: the late Chief Bola Ige and lately, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Both of them studied Chief Awolowo in and out. Tinubu is a talent hunted politician. He appreciates talent when he sees one. In 2000, Tinubu invited me for a meeting, through his Chief of Staff, Babatunde Fashola (SAN). Tinubu told me at the meeting that he wanted me to continue what I was doing under Ige. That was how I was recruited into his think-tank team and that was how I became Tinubu’s boy. I am yet to see another talent hunter like him. The rest are feudalists. Ige and Tinubu are true disciples of Awo.

    The take-over of the Southwest by the progressives was planned by him. I will never forget Tinubu. God used him twice to save my life. He started with the case of one Dr Akintaro who won the Ibarapa East Local Government chairmanship on the platform of the Action Congress (AC), but the Oyo State Governor then, Chief Rashidi Ladoja of the PDP refused to swear-in Akintaro. The case went up to the Supreme Court and Akintaro won and he was eventually sworn-in as council chairman. It was in the process of handling that case that I collapsed in court. It was Tinubu that took care of me.

    When Ladoja was impeached, I handled his case; his impeachment was nullified by Justice Bolaji Yusuf. After the judgment Tinubu called me and asked me to leave Ibadan immediately. On my relocation to Lagos, Tinubu paid my hotel bills for 14 months. Ibadan was no longer safe for me to stay. That was how Tinubu influenced my relocation to Lagos as a lawyer. I returned to Ibadan in 2011, after the victory of Governor Ajimobi. When Tinubu gives you assignment, he will give you all the support to make you achieve. That is why people like me passionately and fanatically believe in his leadership.

    What are your chances in Oyo APC governorship primary?

    I don’t count my chickens until they hatch. I have a good chance. Every aspirant is qualified. All of us are indigenes of Oyo State; we are all good; the more the merrier. If it were to be the era of Ige and Pa Abraham Adesanya, everyone would have known his limitation. That time there was party discipline, respect for elders. This kind of proliferation of aspirants would have not been allowed. In 1992, Lam Adesina emerged as Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate unopposed, because he was the most experienced. Well, it is the constitutional right of every indigene of the state to aspire for the office of governor.

    Do you subscribe to zoning of the governorship in Oyo State?

    The word zoning is meant for cultural and social illiterates. Who are the indigenes of Oyo? The Oyos are one. It is the antics of those who cannot compete; those who have siege mentality that are clamouring for zoning. Anyone playing religious or ethnic card must be suffering from inferiority complex.

    The Oyo people are one, irrespective of towns or location. Oyo starts from Ota in Ogun State to Offa in Kwara State. I am an indigene of Ibadan, but my progenitor Ibikunle was from Ogbomoso. I am sixth generation of Ibikunle. I speak as an Oyo man, I am Oyo proper. We have had six Olubadans who were from Ogbomoso; they include Oba Salau Amminu and Oba Oyetunde. The father of the present Olubadan was from Igbeti. Oba Ali Iwo hailed from Iwo. In fact, three quarters of people in Iwo have family compound in Ibadan. Today, Iwo is in Osun State. The former President of Central Council of Ibadan Indegenes (CCII), Chief Bayo Oyero, comes from Iragberi, in Osun State. Former Governor Kolapo Ishola was from Ede. The grandfather of incumbent Governor Abiola Ajimobi was from Iseyin in Oke-Ogun.  Are you aware that the late MKO Abiola was from Ojoo in Ibadan? His grandfather was Balogun Ojoo. That was why he was made Bashorun of Ibadanland. The famous Arulogun family are from Offa. A former Commissioner of Works, Bolaji Kareem, is from Isale-Osi in Ibadan, but his grandfather migrated to Iseyin.

    What is your programme for the people of Oyo State?

    I don’t want to let out the cat from the bag. I have my job well cut out for me. I am an Ige, Tinubu and Ajimobi boy. I have been part of the system. Lagos State has set the template for us in the Southwest. All of us are keying into it. I have other things to add, but the foundation had been laid for us by the Lagos State. Tinubu is the founder of modern Yoruba development. From the word go, Asiwaju has laid the foundation for the development of the Southwest. The foundation of human and infrastructural development was laid by Tinubu. The developmental plan of Asiwaju Tinubu which he put in a blueprint since 1999 are vividly captured in the working document of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN). If DAWN is allowed to actualise its aims and objectives, the Southwest in the next 25 years will become an Asian Tiger in Nigeria. I have been part and parcel of the above development plan from the word go. I won’t be a governor that will not know what to do. I am happy to have come across Ige and Tinubu and to have drank from their fountain of knowledge. Today, Southwest is the most stable, peaceful, pragmatic and economically-developed  in the country. People are migrating to Southwest at geometric rate.

    On no account should the people of the Southwest allow conservatives and reactionaries to take-over power in the region. The worst of a progressive government is better than the best, most benevolent conservative and reactionary government. We have seen the result of continuity in Lagos and we are all benefitting from it. We should allow it to continue in other Southwest states.

    Today, look at Lekki/Epe/Badagry axis of Lagos State, the developmental efforts are so phenomenal that one will think that the projects were carried out by the Federal Government. They are the handiwork of Tinubu, Fashola and Ambode. We can’t afford to break the chain. Continuity should be replicated in other Southwest states, so that the efforts of DAWN will be beneficial to all of us. We must give Tinubu boys the chance to be in charge for at least 50 years.

    How would you assess Ajimobi’s tenure?

    His performance in office has been fantastic. Before the advent of Ajimobi, we had government of  illiterates by the illiterates, for the enlightened. It was rather unfortunate that the Pacesetter State could degenerate to a lawless state. In a day, 13 medical students were mowed down. Thugs were in charge of Oyo State before Ajimobi came. I don’t know the magic wand he used to restore peace, law and order in the state. Peace is the flagship of his achievements.

    Ajimobi has attracted 153 industries from China; 32 are completed and functional. He introduced welfare scheme for students and civil servants; free transport from all locations. The Ajumose bus service has been on since he assumed office. He has constructed many roads within and outside the state capital, such as UI–Secretariat by Jemibewon Road; dualised Yemetu-Bere Road; Toll gate-Challenge road dualised; Onireke-Magazine road; Dugbe-Magazine-Eleyele road; Eleyele-Eruwa road; Koso (Iseyin)–Okeho junction; Federal Government College-Taake–Palace-Ejigbo round about in Ogbomoso under construction.; Olivet-Isokun road in Oyo town has been dualised; Poly-Sabo road in Saki under construction.

    If you see anybody criticising or castigating him for his style of governance, you should take a look at the person, he could have been a beneficiary of “ Amala politics of Molete”. Ajimobi has taste and class. He is gold. That is why those of us who want to succeed him must be platinum.

  • Akintola, Onikepo Akande, others get CCII awards

    Akintola, Onikepo Akande, others get CCII awards

    Legal luminary, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN); a two-time Minister of Industry and former chairman of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Onikepo Akande; wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs Omobolanle Olonisakin, Deputy Governor (Operations) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bayo Adelabu and the National President of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Alogba Olukoya, were among Ibadan indigenes honoured yesterday for their contributions to humanity.

    The event, christened: Award for Patriotism and Friendship, was organised by the apex umbrella body of socio-cultural groups of Ibadan indigenes, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).

    The ceremony is among the week-long events to commemorate this year’s edition of annual Ibadan Cultural Festival.

    Eleven individuals and two corporate organisations were honoured for their contributions to the development of the ancient city and its people.

    While Ibadan indigenes were presented with the award of “Most Patriotic Ibadan Indigenes,” non-indigenes were honoured with “Most Outstanding Friends of Ibadan.”

    The honoured organisations were First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc and Nigeria Breweries (NB) Plc.

    The event, which held at Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, was attended by traditional leaders, government functionaries, local government chiefs, cultural ambassadors, drummers, traditionalists, community leaders, friends, families and well-wishers of the awardees.

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; his wife, Florence; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji as well as Oba Lekan Balogun, Oba Eddy Oyewole, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Aare Musulumi of the Yoruba Edo and Delta, Daud Akinola; the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Okudili Azinta were among dignitaries at the event.

    Other awardees included a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Seyi Makinde; Oyo State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan; Mogaji Akin Alabi, a broadcast veteran Yanju Adegbite and Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi.

    Ajimobi, who presented the awards to Akintola, Olonisakin and Adeduntan, hailed CCII for the awardees.

    The governor described the awardees as worthy individuals.

    He advised the residents not to always politicise every celebration, saying an event like Ibadan Cultural Festival should be devoid of politics but an avenue to celebrate the people and their culture.

    CCII President General Yemi Soladoye said the award ceremony was organised to celebrate the sons and daughters of Ibadan as well as the non-indigenes who have contributed to the progress and peace of the city.

    He said the awardees were n9ot selected for their financial muscles but to showcase them as worthy individuals.

    Akande urged the people to work for the completion of the new palace, which he said had been stalled for years due to paucity of funds.

    She called for a board of trustees (BoT) to include the donors for the completion of the project.

    Chairman of the Planning Committee, Asiwaju Nurudeen Akinade, noted that the cultural festival was meant to bring desired development to Ibadan by showcasing the city’s culture to the world as a source of attraction and development.

     

  • Oyo Assembly denies endorsing Akintola

    Oyo Assembly denies endorsing Akintola

    The Oyo State House of Assembly has denied reports that it endorsed a governorship aspirant, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), ahead of next year’s election.

    The Assembly described the report as “a misconception, erroneous and out of place”.

    It emphasised that the Legislature is not an endorsement body, adding that the current Assembly would not endorse any candidate because it is not authourised to perform such a function.

    Addressing reporters after a budget defence meeting yesterday, Deputy Speaker Abdulwasiu Musa said the legal luminary visited the lawmakers, like three other aspirants had done before him, to curry the support of the lawmakers.

    Musa said the lawyer was hosted the same way the lawmakers did for those before him.

    The deputy speaker said the Assembly, which has three major political parties, is not a political party and would not have endorsed an aspirant from any political party.

    He said: “This is a responsible and responsive House of Assembly. We do our things in consonance with the laid-down rules and regulations of the land. The House of Assembly is not an endorsement body. It is not a stakeholder as far as the endorsement of any candidate is concerned.

    “What happened specifically last Friday was that one of the governorship aspirants in the state, Mr Niyi Akintola (SAN), came to solicit and canvass for the support of members, just as we had earlier received no fewer than three other aspirants before him.

    “The Assembly welcomed him and wished him well in his governorship pursuit. We did not at any point endorse him. It was a misconception, it is erroneous and out of place.

  • Akintola gets Oyo lawmakers’ backing for governorship bid

    Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary to pick its candidate for next year’s governorship election, lawmakers in the Oyo State House of Assembly have endorsed one of the aspirants for the ticket, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN).

    The lawmakers spoke about Akintola in glowing terms during his visit to the Assembly.

    Akintola was a member of the House of Assembly between 1991/1992 and served as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of its Committee on Public Petitions and Judiciary.

    In an apparent show of comradeship, the lawmakers noted that having a former lawmaker as governor would further boost existing cordial relationship between the Executive and Legislative arms.

    The Chairman of Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the House, Segun Ajanaku, described Akintola as a role model in legislative business and parliamentary leadership.

    He said: “If party nomination for governorship were like that of nomination for political appointment, the House would ask Chief Akintola to take a bow and leave, which mean it’s a done deal.”

    The lawmaker representing Ogbomosho North, Olawunmi Bimbo Oladeji, lauded Akintola’s aspiration.

    She said: “I know you served us well in this House because you were once a member and leader. You know the nitty-gritty of parliamentary job and governance.”

    Another lawmaker, Segun Olaleye, praised Akintola for his parliamentary experience.

    He added: “You impressed me with your statement that even if you are not picked, you will still remain a progressive. You are one of best politicians we have around now. You also said politicians should be able keep to their promises.”

    Akintola applauded the lawmakers for the existing warm relationship between them and Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    He said: “What we have at hand presently in Oyo State, in terms of governance as propelled by Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the present versatile House of Assembly, is gold. We should not settle for nothing less than what we have at hand presently. Therefore, I am aspiring to be the next governor of Oyo State to sustain the good work jointly done by the governor and this honourable House of Assembly.

    “If elected, I owe each and every member of this hallowed chamber a medal of excellence in leadership for creating a cordial working relationship with the Executive arm of government. We can all see the multiplier effect with various development projects going on across the state.”

    Present at the event were Deputy Speaker Abdulwasiu Musa, Majority Leader Subair Kehinde Hassan, Chief Whip Olafioye Akinmoyede and Deputy Majority Leader Oyedokun Oyeleke, among others.