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Tag: Oyo 2019

  • Oyo: Ajanaku returns to APC, pledges support for Adelabu

    As part of plans to ensure the victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo state, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party for Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency in the just concluded National Assembly election, Dr Rotimi Ajanaku has made a return to the ruling APC.

    Ajanaku, accompanied by thousands of his supports at his Oke Ado base noted that his absence and that of his supporters was felt in the APC camp.

    He said his return to the APC was made possible by the “timely and uncommon intervention of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi who unequivocally fast-tracked the whole process, through his assurances of immediate re-integration of my followers into the party hierarchy and other worthy considerations.”

    Reading his text entitled; “I am back to my root”, the business mogul noted that his consultations with his supporters, loyalists, party leaders, elders approved the request and insistence of the APC governorship candidate for him to return to the ruling party.

    He vowed to work for the success of the APC candidates at the governorship and house of assembly levels.

    Ajanaku said, “The only constant phenomenon in life is change.

    “In my press statement when I joined the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), after my unpalatable experience in the All Progressives Congress (APC), as I was denied the House of Representatives ticket, I emphasized that my supporters and loyalists are the determining factor in every political decision I take.

    “I do not always decide without their consent. These people were severely embittered and they insisted that I must run on any available platform since there was no provision for independent candidacy.

    Read Also: Yoruba group drums up support for Adelabu

    “You may recall that I reiterated that leaving the progressives bloc was a painful decision for me, judging by my investment and unquantifiable contribution since my foray into politics in the late 90s.

    “The outcome of the last National Assembly elections showed that my political camp is a formidable force to reckon with in Ibadan Northwest /Southwest Federal Constituency. Though, I didn’t win the election, the results of the election reflected our conspicuous absence in the APC.

    “Having consulted widely with the relevant stakeholders – the party hierarchy, public opinion leaders, supporters, loyalists and well-wishers, including the APC Governorship Candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu (Penkelemesi), who personally insisted on my comeback, I , Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku hereby succumbed to the public pressure to return to All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “This became necessary in order to support the governorship and state assembly candidates of the party and to further brighten their chances at polls on Saturday, March 9, 2019.

    “In view of this, I hereby direct my followers to start mobilising for the APC in their respective wards. Henceforth, all our campaign vehicles, billboards and other promotional materials should wear APC looks.”

     

     

  • Oyo 2019: Opposition coalition suffers another delay

    The plans by the opposition parties in Oyo State to form a coalition has again suffered a slow take off. Journalists, party faithful and other stakeholders who had swarmed on the Bodija residence of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja as early as 10am were disappointed as a source privy to the discussions ongoing behind closed doors said the parties have yet to agree on a decision.

    The source noted that arriving at the candidate to support following the pulling out of the plans by former Governor Christopher Alao-Akala is becoming tougher for other governorship candidates interested in the coalition. The meeting was attended by four governorship candidates, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (ADC), Seyi Makinde (PDP), Sharafadeen Alli (ZLP) and Bolaji Ayorinde (SDP) in the presence of Ex-Governor Ladoja.

    A source who pleaded anonymity said based on the inability of the meeting to reach a conclusion, the sitting have again adjourned till 5pm later yesterday (Saturday) to reconvey with the hope of finalising talks. However, observers are of the views that, many of the opposition parties are been wooed by agents of the ruling APC to give them better offer than they are been offered in the proposed coalition. Oppositions in the state are working towards forming an alliance to defeat the ruling APC.

    Going by the looks on the faces of the governorship flag bearers as they left Ladoja’s residence separately, it could be sensed that reaching a consensus on the coalition could take longer time.

    When probed by reporters when leaving the building, Ladoja disagreed that the sharing formula for the portfolios is causing the delay but that the agreement would soon be signed by all the concerned parties.

  • Akala rejoins APC, dumps gubernatorial ambition

    A former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, has returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He is the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the March 9 governorship election.

    The former governor, The Nation learnt, made the decision earlier today after meeting the APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Abuja and Lagos.

    A reliable source within the party confirmed that the Ogbomoso-born politician will make a statement on his new decision today for his supporters across the state to understand the reasons for his move ahead of the March 9 governorship and House of Assembly election.

    READ ALSO: Breaking: APC NWC suspends Amosun, Okorocha

    His return to the APC will deal a heavy blow on the alliance he was leading among opposition parties against the governing party in the state.

    He was leading an alliance between ADP, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Prior to the election, Akala had vowed that all opposition parties would do anything to end to the reins of the APC in the state.

    But the intervention of Tinubu and other national leaders made him change his mind.

    The former governor left the APC last October to pick the governorship ticket of the ADP.

    He is widely believed to have influenced the victory of the PDP in Ogbomoso Zone in the February 23 presidential election.

     

     

     

  • Oyo 2019: Is Shittu a threat to Adelabu?

    The Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) post-primary crisis is far from being over. Minister of Communication Adebayo Shittu, has vowed not to campaign for the governorship candidate, Mr Adebayo Adelabu. Can the minister’s threat affect the party’s performance at the poll? LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the implications of division in the ruling party.

    The war of attrition in Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) over the governorship primary is yet to abate. One of the aspirants and Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has threatened not to campaign for the flagbearer or work for his success in the election. Analysts believe the face off is an extension of the political rivalry that played out between Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the minister at the governorship primary.

    An indication that the minister was not ready to abide with party supremacy emerged when he said the peace and reconciliation committee set up by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) was chasing shadow. According to him, there would be no peace in APC and the Oyo State chapter in particular without restitution and justice. He said: “I will be a bastard to support the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, after I was defrauded out of the party’s primary election held last October”.

    Shittu narrated his ordeal in the hands of the APC leaders thus: “They asked us to pay N22 million for nomination form and didn’t advertise any condition other than as provided in the constitution. After we have been screened and certified, the chairman of our party, Adams Oshimhole, unilaterally and in violation of the constitution got me out of the way so that they can impose a new comer on the party; somebody who was barely two months in the APC.

    “You cannot expect me at my level to support such candidate. I believe I gave enough warning. You don’t expect me to support such a candidate. Before you talk of reconciliation, you must talk of restitution. It is heartening to say we must have peace even if there is no justice. As for me, I don’t recognise the candidate of the APC. I’m in court and I believe I will triumph over those who were less than intelligent to foist a stranger on our party in Oyo State.

    “You don’t expect me to support such candidate. Before you talk of reconciliation, you must talk of restitution. It is hearkening to say we must have peace even if there is no justice. As for me, I don’t recognise the candidate of the APC. I’m in court and I believe I will triumph over those who were less than intelligent to foist a stranger on our party in Oyo State.

    “Of course, they had the opportunity and they had missed it and the party will certainly pay for it. I have passed that stage where any party will be threatening me. The temporary loss is not for me, but that of the people of Oyo State who deserves the best in governance. We are not going to beg them. They can go to blazes. If justice is not done, there will not be peace. If people will not talk about restitution, we will not talk about reconciliation,” Shittu added.

    But, Oshiomhole explained that  the APC disqualified Shittu to protect the party’s core values. He said the minister was not cleared because he did not participate in the compulsory one year National Youth Corps Scheme (NYSC). “He admitted that he did not do the mandatory NYSC as provided for under the law, and in his own judgment, his being a member of the Oyo House of Assembly and now as a minister of the Federal Republic were enough sacrifices,” he said.

    Oshiomhole added: “But for us as a party, we know NYSC is a mandatory scheme. It is not something you may elect to do or abstain from doing. So, for us, not participating in the NYSC raises very serious moral issue as well as legal issue. If he did not do NYSC, that for us was enough to disqualify him and we had to find the courage to do so.”

    Shittu said without him as governorship candidate, APC would lose Oyo State. He said he would not mind picking Adelabu as his running mate for the sake of winning the election. The minister said only him has what it takes to win the election.

    However, the Oyo APC has described the utterances of Shittu as empty threat. The party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Dr Abdul Azeez Olatunde, said “Adebayo has no electoral value and should stop making empty threat”.

    He challenged the minister to release the results of his polling unit, ward and local government in 2007 and 2011for the public to know whether he is an asset or a liability to the party.

    According to him, Shittu was very ignorant of the party’s procedure in screening the aspirants. “The screening of National Assembly aspirants and governorship aspirants was handled by the APC National Working Committee (NWC). He was disqualified by the NWC because he failed to present NYSC certificate. Why should he transfer his aggression to the leadership of Oyo APC? It was not the state chapter that disqualified, but the the NWC for failing to satisfy the requirements for governorship ticket.

    “He is making noise to create the impression that he is relevant in Oyo politics. The APC has decided to only watch the various utterances of the minister instead of joining issues with him.

    “The party believes that Shittu’s contribution to the electoral victory of APC and the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 was not beyond his 30 minutes  appearance in the public rally in ancient Mapo Hall, yet he is the greatest beneficiary by becoming a minister.

    “It is common knowledge that his two elections (2007 and 2011) were colossal failures. So, his threat not to support Adelabu lacks condiments of substance and it’s in fact an empty threat. A Yoruba adage has it that: ‘A tree which one rest upon but could not support one, if such a tree decides otherwise, its impact would obviously be minimally felt.

    “Barrister Shittu is expected to know that Oyo State APC did not screen him as such we are aghast at his transferred aggression to us. As a self acclaimed Islamic cleric, we thought he would live an exemplary live and be a role model, going by Quran 3: 26 where it was explicitly stated that ‘Allah giveth power to whom thou pleaseth’, the APC spokesman concluded.

    A chieftain of APC from Oke-Ogun where Shittu hails from, Chief Adebimpe Ajayi, blamed the media for promoting the minister. According to him, Shittu has no political base, even in his home town, Saki; he can’t win councillorship election in his town.

    Ajayi said if Shittu had been allowed to participate in the governorship primary, he would have failed woefully. “He is just making noise in the media. Ask from people of Saki if they reckon on him as a political leader, they will ask you who bears that name. He has no link with the people at the grass root.

    “In fact, APC leaders in Oyo State should ignore him. He doesn’t have electoral value. If he leaves the party today, it won’t affect the fortunes of APC come 2019. The good work of Governor Ajimobi will win election for APC in Oyo State. The people of Oke-Ogun are solidly behind APC “

    Read also: Why I closed Buhari’s campaign office in Oyo- Shittu

    A lawyer, Mr Tunde Olajide, cautioned the party against what he called over confidence. He said politics is a game of number. The election is won by simple majority; APC should not feel comfortable with many of its leading members that defected to other parties at the height of the crisis over the party primaries.

    His words: “APC leadership in Oyo State should not shut its door against aggrieved party members. Agreed, Shittu has his own excesses, but the party should find a way of accommodating him. I will advise Adelabu to reach out to those who left the party for one reason or the other to consolidate the APC chances in 2019.  This is not the time for celebrating exit of members. All hands must be on deck.”

    APC  youth leader in Oke-Ogun, Mr Adedayo Ayoola, corroborated the statement of the APC spokesman on the performance of Shittu during the 2007 and 2011 elections when he contested for governorship election. According to him, “Shittu was floored in his ward and unit on both occasions. It is annoying that a political liability is now boasting of being a political juggernaut. In 2007 and 2011, Shittu scored about 5,000 votes as governorship candidate”.

    Ayoola said he was lucky to have been appointed a minister by President Buhari. What qualified him was because he was governorship candidate in 2011 on Buhari’s former political party, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Shittu is not popular in his ward, unit and Saki his home town. He should stop deceiving people that he was political leader of Oke-Ogun.

    “His loyalty to APC is in doubt. He was the ring leader of the so– called APC Unity Forum in Oyo State that attempted to destabilise the party. Most of his foot soldiers have defected to Obasanjo led– African Democratic Congress (ADC). Shittu should summon courage and join his political associates in their new found political party. He should stop making ridiculous statements that without him, APC can’t win in Oyo State. I don’t expect a loyal party man to make such statement. It’s subversive. That is enough to prove that Shittu is no longer a committed APC member.”

    “The leadership of APC should sanction him for predicting electoral defeat for the party. He had closed down the campaign office he purportedly opened in Ibadan for the re-election of President Buhari in 2019. He did that because he lost governorship ticket and he was not sure of political appointment in the next dispensation, given the baggage he’s carrying. I wonder why he should stop campaigning for Buhari the man that rescued him from misery”.

    In his defence, Shittu said: “I think the whole idea that I stopped campaigning for Buhari is nonsensical. I was the first cabinet member who started campaigning for Buhari’s re-election. I’m still part of this government and part of the APC.  In fact, I’m a foundation member of the APC. My interactions and relationship with Buhari are not just starting. I was his party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State in 2011. President Buhari has continued to earn my respect and adoration because he is one President who was either the first or second to willingly reduce his salary by half.  I think the first leader to do that was Gen. Murtala Muhammed, who is late now.

    He added: “If Buhari can reduce his legitimate salary so that Nigerian state can utilise that second part for the good of this country, why would I do that? I think the story is mere mischief. We had a rented apartment which is not my property. We rented it for three million naira (N3m) per annum and we simply could not afford to pay that and the landlord was impatient with us. He said we either pay or get out and we simply took the most sensible option by vacating the place.

    “We are in the process of looking for another office space for the campaign. We hope to get something cheaper. So, it is not true that for whatever reason, I would say that I’m no longer campaigning for Buhari. It was the handiwork of mischief makers and a section of the media cannot be exonerated from that.”

  • Oyo 2019: Alao-Akala says INEC, APC conniving to rig election

    Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Oyo governor and governorship candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP), has alleged that some INEC officials were coniving with ruling party to rig 2019 elections.

    He made the allegation in Ibadan on Tuesday while being presented alongside Prof. Abideen Olaiya as ADP governorship candidate and deputy governorship candidate respectively, in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Alao-Akala was governor of Oyo State from 2007 to 2011 on the platform of PDP.

    He alleged that the ruling APC and INEC were conniving to disenfranchise thousands of voters across the state.

    “May I inform stakeholders in the Nigerian electoral system and the world at large that information reaching us from competent sources reveals INEC and APC are conniving to disenfranchise thousands of voters.

    “This action is aimed at weakening the leading opposition candidates in their strongholds by engaging in state wide illegal relocation of voters from their units/local government of origin to another,” he said.

    The ADP governorship candidate called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mammud and security agencies to put a stop to this advanced rigging method.

    “Let me also tell the people that I am healthy and mentally fit for the rigorous tasks of governance.

    “Holding a public office is not a function of age, but mental capacity, experience, maturity, sensitiveness, responsiveness, credibility, popular acceptability, good vision and mission,” he said.

    The former governor declared that he was in the governorship race to reposition the state for the betterment of the people, saying 90 per cent of the outgoing government’s policies, programmes and projects were anti – people.

    Alao-Akala promised that if elected to govern the state once more, he would hit the ground after inauguration on May 29, 2019.

    He pledged to declare state of emergency in the education and health sectors as well as implement policies that would transform the state.

    “My administration will also improve the welfare of the residents and create conducive environment for business growth. We will also improve the security network of the state,” he said.

    Alao-Akala said his running mate is a devout Muslim from birth, saying he was not an emergency Muslim who adopted name to falsify religious leaning and appeal for pity.(NAN).

  • Oyo 2019: APC, PDP, ADC in succession battle

    The gale of defections has hit major political parties in Oyo State. This is affecting their 2019 permutations. No fewer than 32 aspirants are struggling for governorship tickets across the parties. Who succeeds Governor Abiola Ajimobi? Southwest Bureau Chief BISI OLADELE examines the challenges confronting the parties ahead of  next year’s election.

    Many voters are confused because of the gale of defections that has hit major political parties. The situation is much clustered in Oyo State where some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to team up with former governor, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja. The former governor had last year defected from Accord party to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his original party. But, he led his supporters again to the ADC last week, claiming dictatorship and lack of sincerity on the part of the PDP leadership. With him is Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin and Sharafadeen Alli.

    Also in the ADC are former chieftains of the APC, including Chief Michael Koleoso, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu, Dr Yunus Akintunde, Deputy Speaker Abdulwasil Musa, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, many serving state and federal lawmakers and former local government chairmen.

    Their defection to the ADC has boosted the ranks and chances of the hitherto unknown party in the state, making it a party to reckon with in the next year’s general election.

    In the PDP, Seyi Makinde still holds the ace as he teams up with Sen. Ayo Adeseun, Chief Bisi Ilaka and Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, among others.

    In the APC, over 32 aspirants are itching to succeed Ajimobi. They include former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Joseph Tegbe, Ajiboye Omodewu, Adebayo Adelabu, Fatai Buhari, Adeniyi Akintola, Adesoji Akanbi and Azeez Adeduntan.

    The three top parties are working hard daily to put their best candidate forward for the election even as they patiently monitor one another in the in the build up to the election.

     

    The parties

    ADC

    The ADC was unknown until aggrieved APC members defected to it. Since then, it has been gaining popularity through the activities of the new members.

    The strength of the party in Oyo State lies in the name of Ladoja and the number of serving federal and state lawmakers and other APC juggernauts. They are spread across the state. Some of its leaders are good mobilisers and have good record with the people in their various communities.

    But, the party’s weakness lies in its doubtful ability to match the APC and PDP in financial might, particularly in this era of voters monetisation and high cost of mobilising for elections. The ADC may also struggle to get sufficient number of supporters to upstage a ruling party, given the fact that the majority of voters are not just massively divided between APC and ADC. The PDP remains a major player in the race.

    Also, some followers of Ladoja have refused to follow him to the ADC. While some stayed back in Accord, others stayed back in the PDP because of their own interest and other considerations. Consequently, Ladoja’s political strength may not be absolutely the same as it was in the 2011 and 2015 elections.

    As Ilaka succinctly put it on a radio interview recently, many new voters who just attained voting age in the last 10 years are not likely to vote for Ladoja, having left governance for more than 10 years. Many of them, he said, are unaware of his performance in office as governor between 2003 and 2007.

    Not only that, as the APC reconciliation machinery advances, some aggrieved members may still be wooed back into the fold, thereby depleting the ranks of the ADC.

     

    APC

    The APC still remains the party to beat in next year’s election in Oyo State. Though critics have listed a number of flaws of the current administration, its achievements are unrivaled since the return of civilian regime in 1999. From security to infrastructural development, elevation of the governance system and decency in political practice, Ajimobi has earned himself the credential of the author of the modern Oyo State.

    Besides, the APC is in charge of the Federal Government and many states in Nigeria. Its victory in Ekiti State in the July election, which sealed its fortune as the only party in governance in the entire Southwest, will also serve as motivation for many voters to prefer it in the 2019 elections. This factor will also draw many financial supporters to its cause.

    After the image of the PDP was battered by its profligacy toga, which culminated in its electoral rout in 2015 and the many revelations of financial crimes committed by its leading lights all over Nigeria, the APC is still seen as a saner party by many voters.

    Oyo and Oke-Ogun zones are more likely to prefer the APC. The same may play out in Ogbomoso, if Alao-Akala remains in the party.

    Not only that, the APC is considered the most popular and best organized party in the state, because it has been the ruling party in the last seven years. While the ADC is still trying to organise itself, having drawn together people from different political backgrounds, the PDP is still reeling from the loss of Ladoja. It has gone back to the drawing board to see how it can attract more crowd pullers within the limited time to the election. Whether or not it can succeed on that is questionable.

     

    PDP

    The PDP is far from regaining its strength in Oyo State since it was defeated in the 2011 elections. Its leading figures have since left for other parties. They include Ladoja, Alao-Akala, Teslim Folarin and Taofeek Arapaja. Without the influence of the former leaders, it may be difficult for the party to win governorship election in the state.

    Though its leader, Makinde, is targeting youths in his campaign, the task of mobilizing voters of all ages may be a huge challenge for the PDP  to accomplish. Makinde’s ambition to pick the governorship ticket allegedly forced Ladoja out of the party. That loss is huge for the PDP.

    The succession battle will not be a child’s play, even for the APC, owning to the confusion cause by the defection of politicians. Besides, the number of aspirants presents another Herculean task, if the experience of Osun State is taken seriously. Coming up with an acceptable and popular candidate is the hard nut the APC must crack, if it intends to produce Ajimobi’s successor.

  • Oyo 2019: 25 governorship aspirants eye Ajimobi’s seat

    … as Costain West Africa PLC boss joins race

    The current Managing Director/CEO of Costain (West Africa) PLC., Mr. Ayodeji Kareem, has joined the growing list of governorship aspirants in Oyo State . He is contesting under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    With Kareem’s entrance into the contest, the total number of aspirants eyeing the exalted and highest position in the state is now 25 as at the last count.

    He said his intention to contest the gubernatorial race in the state was to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Abiola Ajimobi and make Oyo State investors’ destination.

    The governorship aspirant, who gave the hints while briefing journalists in Ibadan at the weekend, stated that his decision to vie for the highest position in the state was as a result of wide consultation with leaders of the party.

    While expressing optimism that APC will win the 2019 governorship poll in the state, Kareem charged members of APC to find amicable solution to internal differences threatening the unity of the party.

    He further appealed to all the aggrieved members to embrace the party’s reconciliatory machinery to forge a united front ahead 2019 general election.

    Though, the aggrieved APC members who were dissatisfied with the conduct and outcome of the last congresses in the state claimed to have reached a consensus to decamp and join the African Democratic Forum (ADC), the APC governorship faithful pleaded with them to retrace their step and come back to the main fold to strengthen the unity of the party, stating that there is strength in unity.

    He also commended the efforts of the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, and the state Chairman of the party, Chief Akin Oke, for working hard to reconcile all members of the party.

    On why he joined the race, Kareem said, “my foray into political leadership at this time is to consolidate on the efforts of all past governments in the state , who have all labored within the rigours of politics to lay a foundation for the socio- political and economic development of Oyo State.”

  • Oyo 2019: Former civil servant joins governorship race

    As the 2019 general elections gather momentum, the immediate past Head of Service (HOS) of Oyo state, Soji Eniade, has declared his intention to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi in the saddle.

    Eniade, who is currently serving as an Executive Assistant to Governor Ajimobi, was at the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to declare his intention, and also intimate the party chieftains of his aspiration during a visit to the party secretariat. While stressing the need for people to elect a resultoriented politician as the next governor of the state, the former HoS noted that the preferred candidate should be someone who is ready to consolidate on the achievements of the incumbent Governor Ajimobi and even build on it.

  • Oyo 2019: Battle for soul of AD

    There is disquiet in the Oyo State Alliance for Democracy (AD), following disagreement between old party members and intending defectors over which of the divide should produce the governorship candidate for next year’s election. EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

    There is disquiet in the Oyo State Alliance for Democracy (AD), amid alleged moves by supporters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and former governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, to take over the party machinery.

    The alleged hijack bid is being championed by a prominent governorship aspirant in the Ladoja camp, preparatory to their defection to the AD from the PDP, where power tussle between them and another faction, led by a governorship aspirant, Mr Seyi Makinde, has forced them to search for alternative platform to fight the 2019 election.

    The group may have settled for the AD and initiated talks with some party leaders over the possibility of joining the party.

    Also, a plot was hatched to sack the state executive of the AD to pave way for the control of the party machinery by the prospective defectors.

    The move seemed to have succeeded with the recent dissolution of the state executive committee along with its Ogun and Osun state counterparts and its replacement with a caretaker committee, led by Joseph Avasi.

    But, the state leadership faulted the NWC‘s action as illegal and a breach of article 15(2) of the AD Constitution, which provides for a four- year tenure.

    According to party leaders, the NWC lacked the power to suspend or remove state officers from office or replace them with an interim caretaker committee their tenure has not expired.

    The current exco‘s tenure is not expected to lapse until December next year, having been elected like the party‘s national executive at a national congress in December, 2015.

    Sources alleged that the controversial sack of the party exco was orchestrated by two party chieftains who, allegedly went behind the party leadership to negotiate with the Ladoja group to come to the AD.

    The duo, a former federal lawmaker and a stalwart from Lagelu local government, have allegedly promised to hand over the party to the Ladoja group. Both politicians were accused of working for selfish political gains.

    But, a meeting of the stakeholders last week attended by the executive committee members, elders council, party officers and members from the 33 local governments AD Southwest chairman Otunba Tayo Onayemi and some governorship aspirants, including Dr. Akin Onigbinde (SAN), Akeem Alao; Opatoki and Comrade Sanyaolu, passed a vote of confidence on the Chief Michael Akinropo -led  executive and rejected the appointment of the caretaker committee.

    In a communique by the chairman, Akinropo, secretary, Wale Adebayo and AD Southwest chairman, Onayemi, the meeting resolved to keep its doors open for old and new members and “decampees” from other parties, provided they were willing to abide by the AD constitution.

    It urged prospective members to join the party at the ward level and support the current leadership structure and programme of the party.

    Tempers rose at the meeting, with members condemning the perceived treachery of the two stalwarts accused of instigating the crisis. The two men, however, did not attend the meeting.

    Although the Oyo Central senatorial leader, Pastor Akin Alamu, who was appointed as the new caretaker chairman by the national leadership, allegedly tried to urge the meeting to support the NWC‘s decision, his view were opposed on the ground that it was self-serving and merely to justify his “illegal” appointment.

    The composition of the caretaker was also rejected on the basis that it excluded representation from Oyo, Ogbomoso and Ibarapa zones. Three members were picked from Egbeda local government in Ibadan, where Alamu also hails from.

    The letter of appointment signed by the AD National Secretary, Akin Fasogbon, listed other members as Yomi Alade (Secretary), Dauda Adams, Barrister Tajudeen Tijani, Mr. Akin Oke, Mr. Dayo Badmus and Mrs. Adegoke, and mandated them to organise a congress to elect new officers for the party within three months effective from May 1.

    Ladoja has reportedly denied sponsoring the alleged attempt to old party members. A governorship aspirant and former Speaker of the House of Assembly Dr. Onigbinde, said Ladoja told him that he had no knowledge of acts of “impunity, strong arm tactics and dishonest means at seizing the structure of the party”, by some of his associates, when he objected to the planned invasion. He described Ladoja a a man of reputation, a democrat of impressive progressive credentials, former elected governor, who made significant impact on the lives of Oyo State citizens, and an astute politician who resisted the military, his illegal impeachment and impunity.

    His denied the plan to hijack the party, stressing that he could not do what he was condemning in the PDP.

    Ladoja‘s denial tend to lend credence to the view that the onslaught against the AD was being promoted by some in his camp to gain undue advantage to further their political ambitions ahead of 2019. The idea, said an AD chieftain, is to position the loyalists to take charge of the party to favour their emergence as candidates for the elections.

    But, Chief Akinropo said the two AD chieftains lacked the consent or authority of the legitimate AD leadership to negotiate for the party or open talks with intending defectors.

    A source said the duo also reportedly failed to report their discussions with the prospective defectors to the party leadership.

    The Ladoja group also initially reached out to Onigbinde, who informed the leadership of the party on the former’s intention to join the AD.     However, a meeting of AD stakeholders and the team nominated by Senator Ladoja, led by former Accord Party chairman, Nureni Adisa, scheduled for April 26, which was expected to brief the latter on the true situation in the party, was called off at the last minute through a phone call by one Olaoye, who said the meeting could not hold again, because the PDP faction team leader was unavailable.

    The development has cast doubt on Ladoja’s claim that he was not aware of the plot to hijack the chapter. The AD chieftains were miffed by the group’s reluctance to discuss with the official party leadership.      There are fears at the weekend of possible clash as the caretaker committee members may try to take over the party secretarial at Yemetu, Ibadan today.

    The committee’s hands may  have been strengthened by the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC)’s recognition and the endorsement of the AD NWC‘s meeting which sacked the state executive and appointed the interim body in its place. The Nation learnt that the AD national executive had, in line with the statues, invited INEC to observe the exercise, which was presided over by the National Chairman, Avasi who had earlier been suspended from office.

    Although the dissolved state party executive has declared its purported sack as illegal, null and void, as the meeting that did it was incompetent, having been convened by the suspended chairman, among other reasons, INEC has upheld it as valid. The commission stated that it would continue to recognise Avasi as chairman, because the provision of the party‘s constitution for him to be replaced by his deputy in acting capacity after his purported suspension was not followed. Instead, the party’s National Auditor was designated as such to run the affairs of the party, a situation INEC said was unconstitutional and unacceptable.

    There is, however, a twist to the whole drama. The Oyo AD party chairman, and his Osun and Ogun counterparts and Southwest chairman of the party has sued the NWC.

    In a joint suit filed on their behalf at a Federal High Court in Abuja by Olusola Baiyeshea (SAN) on April 20, Chief Akinropo and his Ogun and Osun state counterparts Prince Dayo Adesina and Hon. Fakunle Olapade, as well as Otunba Tayo Onayemi the southwest chairman challenged the powers and validity of the NWC‘s meeting and its resolutions, based on the provisions of the AD constitution as amended on December 3, 2015. They also complained that they were excluded from the meeting of the NWC, which they also contended lacked the power to remove them from office.

    The party leaders are asking the court to restrain the national AD from tampering with their office or tenure which are still subsisting and valid until December 2019.

    They also seek, among others, declarations that: neither the “National Executive Committee” nor the “National Working Committee”, has powers to remove them from office, and/or appoint a caretaker committee in their stead, in contravention of the provision of Article 15 (5) of the AD constitution; the proposed meeting of the National Working committee of the 25th April, where they, who are principal members of the party were not invited was against the letters and spirits of Article 8 of the constitution of the AD.

     

     

  • Adesina, Oke Ogun and Oyo 2019: On the cusp of history?

    As the 2019 general elections draw near, the quest of the people of Oke Ogun axis of Oyo State is assuming interesting dimension, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

    Soji Akanbi, the Senator representing Oyo South in the upper chamber of the National Assembly stirred the hornets’ nest in Kishi the other day when, on the occasion of Kishi Day, a celebration of the people of that ancient town in Oke Ogun,  in the northern part of Oyo State, he asked the people of Oke Ogun to tidy up their house or, if they are unable to do so, consider him for the governorship of Oyo State instead.

    In response to the passionate appeal by Dr Zacceus Segun Ajuwon, President of the Oke Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF), to all citizens of Oyo State to support the people of Oke Ogun in their quest to produce the next governor of Oyo State, Akanbi said no one had any objection to the quest.

    But, in a fairly long speech, he delved into what could be deemed a poor coordination of the Oke Ogun agenda especially the fact that there are too many candidates from the region already in the race.

    Ile ni e o ba ko tun se, he thundered!

    With about 10 candidates, he said, Oke Ogun needs to put its house in order first before reaching out to other areas of the state for support!

    And he went dead serious when he added: Just in case you are unable to do that, consider me as one of your own and make me the governor. Speaker after speaker after that, of course, took his statement more than lightly and insisted the Oke Ogun agenda must be fulfilled.

    That was a direct jab from Akanbi but, in truth, Oke Ogun region of Oyo State certainly has a herculean task in its hands as far as the 2019 elections are concerned.

    Perhaps as a result of the sentiment that the region should produce the next governor, too many persons have come out of that area to struggle for the seat. And, so far, the elders are yet to successfully persuade them all  to yield ground to one.

    Among them are the current Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, a former permanent secretary and coordinator of the state’s intervention agency, Oyo State Roads Maintenance Agency, OSROMA, My Remi Olaniyan, A former aide of the current governor, Adeolu Akande, current commissioner, Ajiboye Omodewu, Serving deputy governor, Moses Adeyemo Alake and the famous journalist and Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian group of Newspapers, Mr Debo Adesina.

    For one obvious reason, however, Adesina’s candidacy has been an intriguing one. Perhaps the least politically exposed of the lot, Adesina is winning the hearts of people as a result of what an insider calls ‘political innocence a persona that public office has not contaminated.’ Hence there is a general talk of looking in his direction because of his non-susceptibility to blackmail and his wide appeal across the state. Apart from serving briefly as a Federal Commissioner in the Fiscal Responsibility Commission under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, he has largely been a private sector person, distinguishing himself in his profession.

    Very well-regarded at home on account of his service to the people, his humility and accessibility; and supported by many who see in him the combination of brains, hard work and passion for the state, Adesina himself has not only been going round stating his case to the people, his champions are permanently on the move.

    He speaks passionately about his plans at every stop and is uncompromising in his stand that the contest should be of ideas and not money or anything else.

    The other day, he hosted a few people in his Okaka, Itesiwaju Local Government Area, home to review one of his social and economic plans for Oyo State.

    Experts from within and outside Oyo State converged on the sleepy town to discuss ideas and designs for the state. A former Central Bank Governor led a team that both briefed and also queried Adesina on some of his plans as well as how a new government might hit the ground running in 2019.

    Questions flew all over. And there was no shortage of fireworks.

    How might we do this? Where would the money for that come from? Where is the current government getting it right and where could there be improvements? If you were an investor, would you come here? Where would you go instead, if not here? What would be the attraction? What can we do and what is right? Where are the people in this or that?

    With charts, slides and power-points, a review session that was meant for a few hours practically took the whole day. Fiery in his queries or submissions when unsatisfied with a certain point and exultant when he hit what he called breakthroughs on a particular plan, he cut the picture of a man in a hurry to govern.

    Whether he would get the chance is another matter. But, certainly, Adesina is in full preparation mode.

    The Okaka session was the climax of a state-wide tour by him and his top advisers with a view to having a feel of what the state has and feel the people’s pulse. “I took my friends round for them to verify some of the claims I have made, so the geophysicists can fault the plan if it is wrong, so the economists can burst my bubble if I am being unduly optimistic, so the agriculture experts can tell me what the state’s rich, vast land can be used for.”

    And as facts and figures were reeled out, Adesina spoke again of the need to take the government to the people.

    “Poor understanding of the job of the leader, misuse of power and lack of vision will automatically breed poverty and underdevelopment. The people have a duty to change the story of our state by getting involved and asking the relevant questions.  What kind of state do we want and how do we create it? Once again, being put in office is good, but what would you do with it?”

    He insists the next leadership must be one that can meet the immediate needs like paying salaries, building roads and digging boreholes as most governments do, no doubt, “but the future has to begin today.” Therefore, “the foundation for a sustainable prosperous future has to be laid with a comprehensive plan to maximize for Oyo its solid mineral and agricultural resources.”

    He then brought out a compilation of the solid minerals in Nigeria and mapped out what abounds in Oyo State, even in his own native Itesiwaju Local Government area, that can be leveraged upon in the immediate, medium and long term.  Shaking his head, he lamented that the bulk of these minerals is either not being explored, being illegally mined and exported without any revenue accruing to the people of the state. ‘’This simply has to change.”

    “The dependence on free money from the federation account has not helped anyone and will end someday. We have all become lazy in Nigeria, waiting for the monthly handout from the central government. Our job in this state is well cut out for us. There is money in our soil and we must dig it out. I know it is not a day’s job and it is not easy. But we must seriously begin the work today”

    He also talked on why the state must look for the resources and invest massively in education of its citizens. “I have said it before and I am repeating it now: When roads are tarred and infrastructure is built without building the minds that will generate wealth and maintain the infrastructure, the future is doomed.”

    While he sounds well prepared for the job of leading his state, with the large number of candidates especially from his own Oke Ogun region and within his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, what about the politics of getting the job?

    Again, Adesina said it is a democracy and the people will decide. His only plea is that the people should ‘change their own story by changing their attitude to the leadership selection process.’

    “I am repeating something I have told our people at every turn, that the people of Oyo State must avoid the curse of failing to see that one man can make all the difference in the destiny of this state.

    They must avoid the curse of failing to see a direct relationship between themselves, who they put in power and the decisions that will be made by the government on their behalf. They must avoid the curse of putting so-called experienced politicians and office seekers in power.

    They must stand up and be counted on the side of history by doing it differently this time around.”