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  • Akwa Ibom poll: Gov. Eno defeats AA, AP guber candidates in Appeal Court

    Akwa Ibom poll: Gov. Eno defeats AA, AP guber candidates in Appeal Court

    The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has rejected two distinct appeals challenging the victory of Governor Umo Eno in Akwa Ibom state.

    The appellants, Akpan Jeremiah of the Action Alliance and Emem Coffie of the Accord Party sought to overturn the election results.

    In a unanimous decision of the three-man panel, the Appellate Court held that the case lacked merit and that Pastor Umo Eno remains the validly elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

    The governorship candidate of the Accord Party, Emem Coffie had approached the Appeal Court, seeking that the judgement of the lower trial tribunal be upturned in his favour.

    The AP candidate and his party who were represented by their counsel, Chidi Nwachukwu argued that his client deserved to be declared the Governor as other candidates in the election, were not qualified to contest the election.

    Coffie maintained that the respondents did not present any witness, and as such their petition ought to have been upheld.

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    In his brief of argument, Counsel to Governor Umo Eno, Paul Usoro, SAN, Counsel to INEC, Kolapo Kolade, SAN and Mofesomo Oyetibo faulted the claims by the appellants that 800 polling units recorded infractions, saying no effort was made by the petitioners to identify the 800 units, neither was there any attempt to bring witnesses from any of the said polling units.

    The respondents also told the court that the only witness the appellants brought, was the Governorship candidate, Emem Coffie who admitted that he was only in his polling unit and after voting on the said date, went to his house.

    “Every evidence they gave, amounted to hearsay and that is why the lower court dismissed the case,” Mofesomo Oyetibo, Counsel to the PDP told the Court.

    In the appeal filed by Akpan Abraham of the Action Alliance against the 15th September judgment of the Governorship Election Tribunal, he and his party had appealed against what they described as unlawful exclusion by INEC, but the respondents in their separate briefs urged the court to discountenance the appeal by AA as abuse of court process.

    The respondents argued that the suit constitutes a pre-election matter bothering on internal party disputes, which the party itself failed to resolve before the elections.

    Delivering judgement on Friday, the Appellate Court in Lagos upheld the arguments of the respondents and dismissed the case as lacking in merit.

    Meanwhile, the Appeal Court also heard the appeal brought before it by the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Akanimo Udofia, and the candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, Sen John Akpanudoedehe.

    The duo are challenging Pastor Umo Eno’s election on the premises that he was ineligible to contest in the 2023 elections.

    Judgment on the two additional appeals by APC and NNPP are also reserved for a later date by the Appellate court.

  • ‘No alternative to Accord Party in Kogi’

    ‘No alternative to Accord Party in Kogi’

    The Kogi State chapter of the Accord Party (AP) has held its state executive meeting on at its state secretariat in Lokoja.

    The outgoing chairman of the party, Deacon Ambo odiah on Wednesday at the event charged members to work for the success of the party in coming election in the state.

    The Legal Adviser, Abubakar Aliyu admonished party members to close ranks and ensure that the message of oneness “which the party stands for gets to every home in Kogi State.”

    A chieftain of the party, Prince Mohammed Abdullahi reiterate the need for kogites to see the party as a platform that will right all the wrongs and ills being experienced currently.

    He also debunked the allegations linking the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello with the Accord Party.

    He said the reason behind such rumour was because the party shared premises used by the former during his quest for Lugard house in 2015.

    According to him: “Accord Party has a political philosophy and a vibrant manifesto that is capable of reducing the challenges and difficulty being experienced under the APC-led government in the state”.

  • ‘Oyo APC, AP set for council poll’

    All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman in Oyo State Akin Oke and an Accord Party (AP) chieftain Oluwafemi Josiah have declared their parties’ readiness for the local government election on February 11.

    The APC said its screening had been concluded and primaries would soon be conducted in the 33 councils.

    Josiah said his party has conducted its primaries and screened eligible candidates.

    He doubted the sincerity of the State Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) in conducting the election on the set date.

    His words: “We are ready for the election. We have our supporters on ground. We have done our primaries and our candidates have emerged.

    “The problem now is OYSEIC is not doing enough to educate the electorate. On our part, we have entered into alliances with other parties. So, you will not be surprised that in some places we will be using the platform of another party to contest.”

  • LP, AP hijacked pensioners’ protest – Oyo government

    The Oyo State government has alleged that a recent protest by a splinter group of pensioners in the state, under the aegis of retired primary school teachers, was sponsored by political opponents.

    Stating that the pensioners’ rank had been infiltrated by the leaders of Accord Party and Labour Party in the state respectively, Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, in a statement said, “This is a season of politics and so we are not surprised. When a group of pensioners say they are not bothered that their pension and gratuity totalling N6.5billion was stolen by government officials and the government of the day then looked the other way while the theft held sway, the details of which are in the public domain and the alleged culprits of this monumental heist are being tried at the moment by the EFCC, then there is more to it than meets the eyes.”

    The state government disclosed that it had entered into an agreement with the parent bodies of the pensioners, namely Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the National Association of Retired Local Government Primary School Teachers, on the modalities for the settlement of the pension arrears and gratuity in installments consequent upon the theft, but alleged that the pensioners were coerced to reject the offer by their political sponsors.

    “In the so-called communiqué of the pensioners, you will realise that they are a wing of the Accord and Labour Parties respectively. They stated that they rejected the sum of N100million offered them by the Ajimobi government,” the statement said, adding, “No line of the communiqué condemned Adebayo Alao-Akala, under whose watch the N6.5 billion was stolen, nor Ladoja, who has a governmental history of hatred for civil servants and pensioners.

    “It was Ajimobi, who personally held several meetings with them to tell them about the state government’s financial dilemma, especially aftermath of the theft of N6.5 billion of pensioners’ money by some officials during the regime of Adebayo-Akala, and who articulated how he will pay the arrears in the face of dwindling allocation from Abuja that they now have a beef with.”

    The statement said the state government had started to pay the arrears to the retired primary school teachers until their rank was infiltrated by some politicians.

    It said that the Ajimobi administration puts the welfare of retirees on the front burner in the scheme of government’s fiscal policy, which informed the implementation of the 142 per cent pension rise by the administration in 2011.

  • APC, PDP, LP, AP battle for Senate in Oyo

    APC, PDP, LP, AP battle for Senate in Oyo

    Unlike in 2011, when the senatorial race across the three districts in Oyo State was among three political parties-the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party (AP), four parties – All Progressives Congress (APC),  Labour Party (LP), PDP and AP – are fielding candidates for the parliamentary elections. BISI OLADELE examines the strengths and weaknesses of the flag bearers and their chances at the polls. 

    Four parties-the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the Accord Party (AP)-are warming up for senatorial elections in Oyo State.

    In Oyo North, Oyo Central and Oyo South districts, there is enthusiasm among the stakeholders. The only obstacle to a successful poll now is the lack of Permanent Voter’s Cards. The distributions of the cards was not successful in Oyo State.

    The senatorial election will be very interesting because of the defections across platforms. Those who contested on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011 are now flag bearers in the AP and the PDP. Those who fell out with the PDP and the APC are now vying on the platform of the AP and LP.

    There are three serving senators in the race. They are experienced politicians. But, they will work hard to retain their seats because new entrants are also working to dislodge them.

    The three senators are Olufemi Lanlehin (Accord), Ayoola Agboola (PDP) and Ayoade Adeseun (PDP). Lanlehin and Adeseun defected from the APC to their new parties.

    Oyo Central

    This struggle for the Senate is expected to be tough in this district. This is because the district cuts across three major towns of Ibadan, Oyo and Ogbomoso. Adeseun, who hails from Ogbomoso, currently occupies the seat.

    But, the Speaker of the  Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, has picked the APC ticket to contest the position. She will face Adeseun and Chief Oyebisi ilaka, the Ladilu of Oyo, at the poll. Ilaka is the Accord Party flag bearer. Sunmonu and Ilaka hail from Oyo town.

    In the LP, where former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala calls the shots, Comrade Olu Abiala is the flag bearer.

    Sunmonu

    Sunmonu is an astute lawmaker. A former employee of the British Immigration Service, she returned to Nigeria in 2010 to join politics. She is representing Oyo East/Oyo West Constituency in the House of Assembly.

    Her tenure witnessed unprecedented peace in the House, judging by the vices that have assailed the parliament since 1999. This has shored up her popularity in the district and the entire state.

    The APC and Accord zoned the senatorial slot to Oyo because it is the only town in the district that has not produced a senator since 1999.

    Besides, the APC is waxing stronger in two local governments in Ibadan among the five that make up the district in the capital city. They are Lagelu and Akinyele.

    With her grassroots style and gender appeal, Sunmonu stands a better chance in the race.

    Yet, she faces a hurdle in Oyo, her home town, where Ilaka is also a major contender.

     Ilaka

    A United Kingdom-trained tax consultant, Ilaka contested and lost to Adeseun in 2011. But, the fortune of Accord has risen in the last two years in Oyo, making him a strong contender once again.

    The candidates fielded by Accord are mostly riding on the fame of Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who is well known in the state. With the possibility of getting reasonable votes in Oyo, Ilaka is also likely to enjoy Ladoja’s goodwill is some parts of Ibadan.

    But, it is doubtful if the Oyo chief will garner enough votes to emerge as the winner.

    Adeseun

    Adeseun was a member of the House of Representatives. In 1999, he was a member of the Alliance for Democracy. In 2003, he defected to the PDP. In 2011, he was a Chieftain of the ACN. Until recently, he was an APC leader in the district.

    The senator is back in the race after losing the governorship ticket to Senator Teslim Folarin. He is popular across the district. He is an experienced politician. Adeseun has been reaching out to his constituents through constituency projects.

    As an experienced politician, the senator is counting on his goodwill among constituents. The PDP is also depending on the federal might. Folarin’s strength in some parts of Ibadan is also an advantage.

    Yet, Adeseun may find it tougher this time. The PDP’s popularity has declined in the state. The dwindling fortune has reflected in the way it was defeated in the 2011 general elections, in spite of power of incumbency. The crisis generated by its primaries this year has not been resolved.

    In Ogbomoso, his home town, three people are vying for both governorship and senatorial seats on the platforms of different parties. While Alao-Akala is vying under the Labour Party, Hon. Fatai Buhari is the APC’s senatorial candidate for Oyo North. He is the third candidate from the town. Obviously, votes in the town will be divided across the three lines. Adeseun is not likely to pull any meaningful votes in Oyo and two other local governments in Ibadan. He will count on the PDP’s strength in Ona-Ara, Oluyole and perhaps, Egeda local governments to get votes. With the odds against him, it is believed that the senator faces a huge hurdle to retain his seat.

    Abiala

    The LP candidate, Comrade Olu Abiala, will slug it out with the three. Abiala, a renowned labour unionist ,is in partisan politics for the first time. The election will be an uphill task for the former Secretary o the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT),  Oyo State chapter. He hails from Ibadan.

    Oyo South  Lanlehin

    The senator joined Accord earlier this year. He is a well-known politician. He hopes to coast into victory with his power of incumbency and popularity. He may also enjoy some goodwill in Ibadan because of Ladoja.

    But, Lanlehin, who rode to victory,on the crest of the ACN, may not find it smooth this time. The political space is more polarised today while the APC is working harder daily to win more voters. Besides, some APC members and other stakeholders believe that Lanlehin should have waited in the party to pick the governorship ticket after Governor Abiola Ajimobi leaves office. This may also work against him. His major huddle is the APC. Besides, there are some people who are not happy over his defection.

    Soji Akanbi

    The APC candidate, Soji Akanbi, is an experienced politician. He was a governorship aspirant in 2011.  Since he picked the APAC ticket, Akanbi has been working to entrench himself within and outside the party across the senatorial district. A follower of the late Alhaji Lam Adesina, the former governor of the state,  Akanbi is close to key players in the Lam Adesina political family.

    His party is an added advantage because it is popular in the district.

    But, Akanbi must work very hard to defeat Lanlehin. He will need to warm himself into the hearts of voters outside the camp because they will ultimately decide who emerges the senator.

    Adedeji Otiti

    The PDP candidate relies mostly on her party and gender appeal to win the election. The PDP candidate in the 2011 election, Kamorudeen Adedibu, was defeated by the incumbent.

    Otiti is only relatively known in the political circle. Her political experience is doubtful. But, she may be a candidate of the future.

    Akinyo

    Nurudeen Akinyo, who recently defected to the LP, is new in Oyo politics. He was a Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Although he hails from Ibadan, Akinyo will have to cover several miles in popularity to win the election,

    Oyo North Agboola

    The candidate of the PDP, Senator Ayoola Agboola, is the candidate to beat in this district. He is a grassroots politician and he is entrenched in the district. The power of incumbency may also count for him.

    But, Agboola faces a huge hurdle in his Oke-Ogun Constituency because the LP candidate, Hon. Tajudeen Abisodun Kareem, who is representing Atibo/Saki East/West in the House of Representatives, is also a grassroots mobiliser. Both of them were with Alao-Akala, but Kareem followed his boss to LP.

    Agboola faces a tough time in the three local governments in Ogbomoso where Alao-Akala delivered for him in 2011.

    Buhari

    Hon. Fatai Buhari is a former member of the House of Representatives. He is the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs. He relies on his popularity and that of his party, the APC, in Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso to win the election. Besides, the party,  zoned the position to Ogbomoso.

    But, Buhari will need to work extremely hard to win the three councils in Ogbomoso where Alao-Akala also hails from. He also needs to work very hard to garner enough votes in Oke-Ogun to win the election.

  • AP: politicians should stop using indecent language

    AP: politicians should stop using indecent language

    Osun State Accord Party’s (AP) governorship candidate Niyi Owolade has urged politicians to desist from using indecent language during their campaigns for the August 9 poll.

    Owolade, who spoke at a media briefing in Osogbo, said no amount of character assassination could make the electorate vote against a good candidate.

    He warned the electorate to look out for those calling themselves Awoists, but do not exhibit the late sage’s principles, urging the people to vote against such people.

    Owolade, who was Commissioner for Health in the Bisi Akande administration, said there were no first class Awoists in any political party, but half-baked. He added that original Awoists were no more.

    He said the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who some politicians professed that they were following, would not use fowl language at political rallies.

    “He would address issues rather than attack personalities. The All Progressives Congress political philosophy and democratic process are not in the same wave length with that of Awolowo’s political doctrinal principles which are people-oriented and respected humanity,” Owolade added.

    He appealed to the people to vote for him as the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in the August 9 election, promising that there would be qualitative education for students if voted in as governor.

    He also promised an effective and robust agricultural scheme that will employ 18,000 graduates within 12 months of being in power, saying his administration would construct good road network.

  • 1,000 Accord Party members defect to SDP

    ABOUT 1,000 members of Accord Party (AP) reportedly decamped to the Osun State Social Democratic Party (SDP) yesterday in Ejigbo Local Government Area.

    The AP members, led by their chairman, Alhaji Saka Salam said at a brief ceremony that they decided to dump their old party due to alleged attitude of its leaders at the state and the national levels.

    On their choice of AP, Salam explained: “Many political parties came around. We have the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) here. They met us, but we decided to go with SDP, which has a welfarist agenda.”

    The AP former chairman promised to mobilise people in his local government and neighbouring councils for SDP and its governorship candidate, Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi.

    Receiving the members, Akinwusi said the state of Osun’s economy and his interest for the youth led him to join the governorship race.

    The former Head of Service (HOS) stated that all decamping to the party will be treated equally.

    But he urged them to work assiduously for SDP, assuring that the party will be victorious in the August 9 polls.

     

  • ‘More PDP, AP members’ll defect to APC in Oyo’

    ‘More PDP, AP members’ll defect to APC in Oyo’

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Oyo State, Alh Abass Oloko has confidently disclosed that more opposition party members from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Accord Party(AP) in the state will soon join APC ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    He spoke yesterday while addressing journalist in his office at Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    He said APC is a coalition of the strongest parties, adding that the recent achievements by the APC governors has been responsible for the defections of the members of the opposition party to APC in Oyo State and the country at large.

    “APC is stronger now and the PDP is already jittery. Look at the rate at which people are trooping into the APC. Look at the just concluded registration exercise. It shows we have the love and support of the people to floor the PDP in 2015.

    “I supervise the registration in Ibadan and I can confidently tell you that we recorded close to 900,000 registration in Ibadan alone, and most Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party members also registered enmass.”

  • ‘Me, defect to Accord Party? Never’ – Amosun

    ‘Me, defect to Accord Party? Never’ – Amosun

    Governor of Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has dismissed suggestions that he might be on his way to the Accord Party (AP).

    He also says he will rather run a government whose achievements are visible for all to see than a government on billboards.

    The governor at an interactive session with reporters in Abeokuta on Friday night said that he could only endear himself to people of the State by continually putting in place, structures that would transform positively their socio – economic status among others and not by posting his posters all over the place or allow the state – owned radio or television station to be used to sing the government praises.

    He warned employees of the state owned television, OGTV, to jettison such unprofessional practice, which he said, was not representing him or the state well.

    Governor Amosun denied that he planned to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Accord Party (AP) floated by the former Governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja.

    He expressed shock at reports that he would move over to the AP should his alleged rift with former governor Olusegun Osoba rob him of a second term ticket in APC.

    Amosun said, “They said I was in Ibadan to see Ladoja on how I’m going to move to Accord Party because they (APC) are not going to give me ticket and I begin to wonder.

    “In fact, I think the last time I met Ladoja was when (Governor Abiola) Ajimobi was burying his mother. He (Ladoja) came to greet me. Is it me that will go to another party? So, when they begin to say that, I just think it is just one politician that is using them.”

  • With a divided house, Oyo PDP to battle APC

    With a divided house, Oyo PDP to battle APC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is warming up for the next governorship election in Oyo State. BISI OLADELE takes a look at the aspirants, their pedigree and odds against them.

    The die is cast between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State.

    Prominent PDP chieftains eyeing the governorship have returned to the drawing board. They are reactivating their politicl structures across the local governments.

    However, the strength of the ruling APC is that Governor Abiola Ajimobi has been endorsed as the consensus candidate for the 2015 poll, following his sterling performance. Therefore, the party will not go into the election with acrimony.

    Unlike the APC, the PDP is more divided. Analysts have predicted a hectic primaries. There are other scenarios too. Sources said that the third party, Accord Party (AP) may team up with the PDP to battle the APC.

    The road is rough for the PDP. In the absence of peace in the party, it may find the next election dificult. There are many caucuses in the party. This is also a disadvantage.

    The APC is waxing stronger. The achievement of the governor is a factor. Although he has not declared his second term bid, many beleive that whenever he unfolds his aspiration, Ajimobi will not have any rival. Some aspirants may spring up, but they may later tep down for the governor because he is popular in the party.

    In the AP, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja towers above other chieftains. Sources said that he is interested in bouncing back as the governor. He lost the seat in 2007. However, if he contests again, there is no assurance that he will regain the seat. The odds are against him.

    The PDP has greater number of governorship aspirants.. They include the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Jumoke Akinjide, former Minister of Power and Steel Elder Wole Oyelese, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin and a business man, Mr Seyi Makinde.

    There is no strong leadership in the Oyo PDP. There is no leader who has the clout of the late “strongman”, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. All the aspirants are leaders and no one is ready to bow for another person.

     

    Jumoke Akinjide

     

    A brilliant lawyer, Oloye Akinjide rode to the limelight largely on the fame of her father, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in the Second Republic. She contested for the Senate in the Oyo Central Senatorial District in 2011, but lost to Senator Ayo Adeseun. She was later rewarded with the ministerial appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Since her declaration of intention, Akinjide has been building her political structure. She has become a philanthropist, particularly to the people in her constituency. Although she spends most of her time in Abuja, the minister maintains regular contacts with her constituency. She oils her political structure, which seems to be expanding at the grassroots.

    Akinjide has also been playing a role in mending fences among feuding party leaders. Many of them have not been able to forge a common ground against other parties, due to strife, rancour and battle for supremacy. The caucuses see her as a uniting force.

    But the odds against her are many. They include the negative gender stereotype, particularly among Muslims. Similarly, interested party elders have pointed out that she is not popular beyond Ibadan, her place of birth. However, she is a serious contender.

     

    Oyelese

     

    A former minister and and party elder, Oyelese is believed to be interested in the exalted office. He signified interest in 2011, but intra-party squabbles prevented him from flying the party’s flag. His faction of the party remains neutral, according to analysts, because members of the faction have not been participating in the primaries since 2011.

    An experienced politician, who enjoys the respect of other party leaders acros the zones, Oyelese may pull some weight, if he is able to leverage on his connections and work with other stakeholders within the party.

    But he would definitely need more leaders and supporters on his side to gather the weight he needs to fly the party’s flag. Oyelese would also need to accommodate younger politicians, who have a different orientation to politics.

     

    Adeojo

     

    Adeojo is a veteran aspirant. He has been nursing the ambition for two decades. But success has eluded him. He is a party leader, who lacks followership among the four factions. He belongs to the old generation of politicians, who have a different orientation in politics.

    Adeojo has a lot of work to do. It appears that the mood of the party will accommodate younger aspirants.

     

    Alao-Akala

     

    Alao-Akala was defeated by Ajimobi in 2011. Many have alleged that the former governor lost power because he promoted violence and did not perform well in ofice. But, others have arguued that these are debatable.

    Alao-Akala still wields a great influence in the party. He commands a large followership, particularly in Ogbomoso, his town of birth, some parts of Oke-Ogun and Ibadan, the state capital.

    He is believed to have a large financial war chest. He is a courageous politician.

    But his alleged poor performance and the N11.5 billion fraud case are not good for his image as an aspirant. He was under attack for the way he also ran the party when he was in power. Sources said that some members are still nursing bitterness against him. Therefore, they are not willing to surrender leadership to him the second time.

    Alao-Akala will also have to contend with some elders, who are also interested in the position. It is doubful, if he can garner support in Ibadanland. Ibadan alone has about 55 percent of voters in the state.

     

    Teslim Folarin

     

    Senator Folarin has been eyeing the governorship, since his days in the Senate. In fact, the murder case he faced at the twilight of the 2011 election was believed to be the ploy by other power blocs within the party to stop him from participating in the primaries.

    Folarin currently controls the party machinery. The party officers were sponsored by him. But, under his leadership, the party is unable to pull a meaningful weight without the support of other factions.

    Besides, Folarin, analysts believe, lacks financial muscle and the political structure that can win a governorship election.

    Makinde

    Makinde, a business mogul, contested for the Senate in the 2007 election. He contested under defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). But he lost hi deposit. He defected to the PDP in 2011, but could not secure the ticket for the seat.

    Makinde is young and resourceful. He is a serious contender. He has no bargage. He also has the financial strength to pursue his ambition.

    But PDP leaders see him as a man that should wait for his turn. Therefore, he can only make progress, if they sup[port a generational shift. He can only emerge as the candidate, if the leaders dump their ambitions, shun bitterness, and allowa neutral, younger person to ride the ladder.

    Apart from Alao-Akala, other contenders hail from Ibadan. This factor, it is believed, will shape the party primaries.