The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oyo

  • Alaafin to Buhari: No meaningful rural transformation without councils’ autonomy

    Alaafin to Buhari: No meaningful rural transformation without councils’ autonomy

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to confer with relevant stakeholders and commence work as a matter utmost national importance, towards granting autonomy to local governments’ administration in the country.

    He also called on members of the States’ Houses of Assembly to demonstrate that they derive their sovereignty from the people and
    support the National Assembly’s concerted efforts in granting autonomy to local governments. The country, monarch said, will be a better place when this autonomy is granted, as history will therefore remember all those who have, and who will support this genuine demand.

    Oba Adeyemi made the call today when members of National Union of Local Government Employees [NULGE] comprising the executives, leaders, and women representatives from the four local governments Afijio, Atiba, Oyo-East and Oyo-West] that constitute Oyo Federal Constituency paid him a Save Our Souls visit.

    According to him, ‘’ The quest for deeper and viable democratic instrument that will create the means for regular interactions between the people and the government, for proper service delivery and alleviation of poverty among the local population necessitated the idea of unfettered autonomy for local governments in the country. Many of the democratic nations of the world, including United States of America, Brazil, and India have come to terms with the need to strengthen local governments and make them functional in scope and operation.

    The socio-economic reality of the modern world has imperatively compelled every serious nation to improve the standard of living of the local population through a viable and efficient local administration’’. He noted that despite the desperate economic notion behind
    colonialism, the British colonial government in Nigeria after the amalgamation realised the paramount need for robust governance at the
    grassroots, hence their style of local administration though a facade, yet, they were conscious of its importance. ‘’Regrettably, development of the grassroots which should always be the concern of every responsible and responsive political system has not been the primary focus, as development and participation have continued to escape people of the grassroots.

    Development remains insignificant if it does not positively affect the lives of those in the periphery of decision making arrangement. Local Governments in Nigeria were created as the third tier of government whose objective are to ensure effective, measurable and efficient service delivery to the people. Why then are these genuine motives being stultified, council workers and rural dwellers are made to suffer for the unjust cause?’’.

    Earlier, the State Public Relations Officer of NULGE, Pastor John Ojo, said there is no doubt that Local government autonomy will bring about rapid transformation to the grassroots, unlike the present situation of stunted growth and inaction, adding that grassroots development will tremendously reduce rural urban drift, congestion and criminal propensity in our city centres. ‘’If autonomy is granted local governments, there will definitely be a reduction in rural urban drift which will equally reduce organised crimes in the country .Council workers would not be owed salaries for months as is presently the case in the state’’.

    Read Also: Buhari to tour Southeast states

  • Oyo striking schools to get councils

    The Oyo State government has said it will, this week, set up governing councils for the six striking state-owned tertiary institutions.

    It described the measure as a “holistic view” of addressing challenges in the sector.

    The government, however, said it was not owing 15-month arrears, as workers in the institutions claim.

    Last Friday, members of academic and non-academic staff unions in the six institutions began an indefinite strike.

    Protests were held simultaneously in Ibadan, the state capital; Oyo, Saki, Igboora, Eruwa and Lanlate.

    The affected schools are: Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH); The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa; The Polytechnic, Ibadan; The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki; The College of Education, Lanlate and Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (EACOED), Oyo.

    Workers initially gave a 14-day ultimatum to the government, saying they embarked on the strike to protest cut in their salary by 25 per cent and unpaid 13 to 15 months’ arrears.

    Speaking after a meeting with heads of the institutions, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela said the government was looking at how to resolve their problems.

    The commissioner noted that despite workers’ claims, the government is neither owing them nor stopped paying subvention to the schools.

    He said: “We have just met with heads of tertiary institutions and we are making progress. One of the issues has been addressed. Ordinarily, governing councils are supposed to be managing institutions.

    “So, we are not looking at the issues from microscopic perspectives; we are looking at the problems holistically and solve them downwards.

    “This week, by the grace of God, we are going to constitute the governing councils for the tertiary institutions. That is one of the fallouts of the meeting. Subsequently, the issue of funding will be resolved.

    “But, as I said, subvention is support, and government has not reneged in granting subventions to the institutions. We have not reneged. However, if the subvention is not enough, it is a different ball game.´

    On claims of insufficient funds to the schools, Olowofela insisted that the amount given to each school was based on what the government could afford at the moment.

    He said: “When you are talking about percentages, what you called 25 per cent might actually be a 100 per cent. If you say you are offering assistance to somebody, the assistance is dependent on the situation. Currently, what we are saying is that, yes, we used to give a certain amount of subvention, but now it is that amount divided by four. It is still subvention because it is still assistance.

    “That is what we have the capacity to do or that we can afford this time around. So, we must be careful when we are misconstruing the concept of owing workers certain percentages of salary. No, we are not owing.”

  • PDP holds parallel state congresses in Oyo, Ogun

    PDP holds parallel state congresses in Oyo, Ogun

    The Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday held parallel state congresses with the expectation of electing two different chairmen from the two factions.

    While the faction loyal to the former governor of the state, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, held its congress at the Watershed Events Centre, Old Ife Road, Ibadan, the state capital, the second faction loyal to the former leader of the House of Representatives, Mulikat Adeola-Akande, held its own at Baptist Secondary School, Oke Ado in Ibadan.

    Counting of votes was still going on as at press time at Watershed yesterday while the Akande faction had already elected Chief Jacob Adetoro as its State Chairman. But it was clear that Chief Kunmi Mustapha would emerge the Chairman of the faction led by Ladoja as he contested unopposed. The national delegation was led by former Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke.

    Representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also attended the congress of the Ladoja faction while the commission shunned the one held at Oke-Ado.

    Meanwhile INEC officials were not present at the congress of the other faction

    In a related development, Ogun PDP holds Congress, gets parallel state executive despite court order

    A magistrate court sitting in Abeokuta  presided by Magistrate Idowu Olayinka had in his ruling,  restrained PDP  constituted Panel from holding “Any congress, gathering, public assembly or meeting likely to cause breach of peace in Ogun State or any part of Ogun.”

    Also, the Chairman of the Electoral Panel,  Mr. Eddy Olafeso admitted that the party had gone through a lot of challenges in the last eight years, saying “Nobody wins alone, we are stronger when we are united.”

    Olafeso urged the party members to ” lay to rest injury of the past”and work for the unity and progress of the party.

     

     

  • Accord Party deregisters Ladoja

    Accord Party deregisters Ladoja

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Accord Party, has directed its Oyo state chapter to deregister Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, from the party.

    Mr Innocent Igbokwe, the chairman, National Working Committee, South East, gave the order on Tuesday during an official visit of the NWC members to the state secretariat of the party at Aremo in Ibadan.

    Igbokwe who described the ex-governor’s exit from the party as a blessing, said it would also pave way for progress and true internal democracy in the party.

    ”Accord party was established in 2006 while Ladoja joined the party in 2010 to contest the state governorship election in 2011.

    ”Accord is a party, no single person can be powerful than the party.

    ”Accord was not funded or owned by Ladoja, so, his defection to another party is his constitutional right and has no significant effect on the party in Oyo or nationwide

    ”The national body of the party did not enjoy his stay since he joined.

    ”The NWC of the party has therefore, directed the state party secretariat to deregister Sen. Rasheed Ladoja’s name from the register of the party.

    ”Also all wards and local councils’ executive members that were sacked by Ladoja are hereby reinstated pending the conduct of another congress,” he said.

    He said that the NWC has also given approval to the list of state executive members submitted by Mrs Adebukola Ajaja, the new leader of Accord Party in the state.

    Igbokwe assured members in the state that internal democracy would be the hallmark of the party.

    He implored all members to support the new leadership and let the progress of the party be paramount in their dealings.

    NAN

  • ‘Oando Foundation equips 80 primary schools in 22 states’

    ‘Oando Foundation equips 80 primary schools in 22 states’

    Oando Foundation, an independent charity organisation has equipped  80 primary schools in 22 states and the FCT, in its efforts to boost access to quality education in the country.

    Mrs Adekanla Adegoke, Head of the foundation, made the disclosure at the inauguration of a block of three classrooms, ICT Centre and toilet facility at LEA Primary School Rido in Kaduna on Wednesday.

    The  facilities were donated to the school by the foundation, as part of Oando’s corporate social responsibility.

    According to her, the foundation has initiated a programme tagged Adopt-A-School Initiative (AASI), aimed at  holistic improvement of public primary schools.

    “AASI was initiated in 2007 in partnership with the Ministry of Education and State Universal Basic Education Boards in line with Oando Foundation’s mission of transforming lives through education.

    “AASI is focused on improving the overall quality of basic education in public primary schools and to create a sustainable model for effective teaching and learning in all adopted schools.”

    She said that the 80 schools adopted by Oando Foundation were located in Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Kaduna, Katsina, Kwara and Lagos states.

    Others are in Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and the FCT.

    She disclosed that the foundation had adopted two schools in Kaduna state, namely LEA Primary School, Rido, and LEA Primary School Rigasa.

    “The foundation has so far spent about N50 million in LEA Rido since its adoption in 2011.

    “We constructed two blocks of five classrooms and sanitation facilities to improve hygiene.

    “We equally offered scholarship to 22 students to support their secondary education, provided over 1,000 units of teaching and learning materials to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning in the school.

    “We have also built the capacity of teachers and head teachers in modern teaching techniques,” the official said.

    She added that the foundation also partnered Sumitomo Chemical, a Japanese company, to establish the solar powered ICT centres in public primary schools in Kaduna, Lagos and Taraba states.

    “While most children in rural areas do not have access to a computer, three out of every five children in the urban areas lack basic ICT skills.

    “To reverse this negative trend, the foundation has established 15 ICT/Creative Centres in its adopted schools, serving the learning needs of over 16,000 pupils.

    “Together with Sumitomo Chemical and other well-meaning organisations like the Educate-A-Child Qatar, we are creating an enabling environment to provide pupils from marginalised backgrounds invaluable 21st century technology skills, “Adegoke said.

    Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Malam Nasir Umar thanked the foundation for the gesture, saying that “education is a collective responsibility”.

    Represented by a Permanent Member of the board, Mrs Mary Ambi, the chairman called on other corporate organizations to emulate the gesture.

    Similarly, the Village Head of the community, Alhaji Hamisu Haruna also commended the effort, adding that it would reduce current congestion of over 300 pupils per class.

    He said that the school, built in the 1960s and with a population of about 2,000 pupils, has only seven classrooms, stressing that much would be required to bridge the gap.

    NAN

  • We will not succumb to threat, Oyo replies lecturers

    We will not succumb to threat, Oyo replies lecturers

    Oyo state government has lashed out at the lecturers of the six state-owned tertiary institutions saying that it would not succumb to any form of threat in addressing whatever grievances they have.

    However, the government which appealed to the workers to thread the path of reasoning denied the allegations of owning the workers to the tune of 15 months salaries arrears.

    Academic and non-academic staff unions working in the institutions issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to pay their 15 months outstanding salaries, failure of which might compel them to embark on an indefinite strike action.

    The decision on the 14 days ultimatum was reached at the end of a meeting of delegates from the affected six schools. The ultimatum takes immediate effect from last week Friday that the decision was reached.

    The affected schools are The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, The Ibarapa polytechnic, Eruwa, The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, and College of Education, Lanlate.

    The state’s commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela while reacting to the ultimatum and issue of 15 months salaries arrears said although the state would not deny owing the workers, but, it is not 15 months across the board as claimed by the workers.

    While stating that the state government has never relented in paying the approved 25 percent subventions to all the schools, he noted that what the government was trying to do is it audit the schools as a way of blocking leakages and then know the true financial needs of each school from facts and findings if the government audit committee.

    He assured that government is not unaware of the challenges facing the institutions but that, the era of largesse and frivolous spending is over in the tertiary institutions noting that the state government currently spends 100 percent of her allocation on paying core workers salaries and only relying on her internally Generated Revenues (IGR) and others to fund other commitments in the state.

    “The point is that when things are generalized, there is always a misconception, the position of Oyo state government is that education will be supported including the welfare of staff in all sectors including all tertiary institutions, but the point is that the era of wastages is over. We must know the financial positions of all the institutions and do what we must do as a government to block leakages.

    “Let me state that when I saw the report, I also made some consultations, Oyo state government has been giving subventions to virtually all the 7 institutions in the state on a regular basis. The complaint is that that subvention is not sufficient. We are not claiming that it is sufficient but our own claim is that until we know the exact figure of what we need to put in that is what we will support them with. When you give an ultimatum, it is just to show anger or something but what we are saying is that, as government, we believe in facts and figures.

    “What have we done? What we have done is that all the tertiary institutions in the state, we have sent auditors to those institutions and they have given us some preliminary reports on some of the institutions. We will get the comprehensive report soon. Once we get the comprehensive reports, in terms of facts and figures, we will do the needful as a government. And the management will also do the needful. We are appealing to the members of the tertiary institutions that they should give peace a chance. We don’t want a repeat of Lautech crisis again in the state.  And as you can see that the Lautech issues have been resolved, all these issues will also be resolved soon.”

  • NANS hails Gani Adam as new Aare Ona Kakanfo

    NANS hails Gani Adam as new Aare Ona Kakanfo

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), on Thursday applauded Otunba Gani Adams over his appointment as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba nation by the Alaafin of Oyo.

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, confirmed the choice of Adams for the title on Sunday during his 79th birthday celebration.

    Aare Ona Kakanfo in the pre-colonial Yoruba history was a supreme military title conferred by the Alaafin of Oyo.

    The NANS’ National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Bestman Okereafor, gave the commendation in a statement issued in Enugu.

    Okereafor, however, called on the new Aare Ona Kakanfo to see this sacred position as a clarion call to service in the defence of the fundamental rights of the Yorubas.

    He said the title was also a call to uphold the rich cultural heritage and inheritance of the Yoruba nation, without any fear of favouritsm or nepotism which might be caused by political interference.

    “The leadership of NANS, under the leadership of Comrade Aruna Kadiri, heartily congratulates and felicitates with Otunba Gani Adams on his emergence as the new Are Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba nation.

    “NANS wishes to specially commend Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo for the critical decision.

    ‘’We believe that the decision, no doubt, has been taken purposely for the total emancipation and revival of the Yoruba culture and in defence of the Yoruba nation’s rights.

    “This is indeed a progressive, one coming after 19 years of the demise of the former Are Ona Kakanfo, the  late Chief M.K.O. Abiola,’’ he said.

    He said the late Chief Ladoke Akintola and the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola were the last two personalities to occupy the powerful Yoruba traditional position, in recent time in history.

    Adams, 47, has 52 chieftaincy titles to his credit so far in the country.

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo title was held last by the late Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, who died in 1998.

    NAN

  • 2019: Politics of realignment in Oyo

    2019: Politics of realignment in Oyo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s reconciliation with former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and the new understanding among Abiola Ajimobi, his predecessor, Adebayo Alao-Akala and former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin have signaled new alignments in the Oyo State politics, which may shape the 2019 general elections. BISI OLADELE reports.

    When the National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Markafi, declared after his victory at the Supreme Court on July 12 that he would lead the party on a successful reconciliatory path, many disparaged his ambition, based on the failure of previous efforts. But, the moves by his committee are yielding fruits in Oyo State. Some of the party’s former leaders are already returning, following after series of parleys. For instance, Oluseyi Makinde, who flew the flag of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2015 governorship election, is back in the fold.

    Political watchers are keenly waiting for former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and his successor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, to follow suit.  While Makinde and Akala dumped the PDP, preparatory to the 2015 elections, Ladoja left for Accord in January, 2011. They left due to irreconcilable differences.

    But, a surprise photo surfaced on social media recently, suggesting yet another realignment of forces in preparation for the 2019 elections. It was a group photograph of  Ajimobi, Alao-Akala and Folarin in a relaxed meeting in London, the United Kingdom. The conviviality of their mood conveyed a political fraternity, which made analysts believe that they may have been united for the 2019 elections.

    Since Akala and Folarin fell apart in 2010 over the PDP governorship ticket for the 2011 election, both politicians have not resolved their crisis. Yet, Fokarin supported Ajimobi in the 2011 elections in spite of the fact that they belonged to different parties. While Folarin was in the PDP, Ajimobi contested on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). It is believed that Folarin supported Ajimobi to spite Akala, who sought a second term to thwart Folarin’s governorship ambition in the 2011 poll. Besides, Folarin and Ajimobi are Ibadan indigenes who have a common tie through the late Ibadan politician, Chief Lamidi Adedibu.

    Yet, in another meeting, recently, Akala hosted Ladoja in his Bodija, Ibadan home. It is believed that the latter led the PDP team to woo Akala back to the party.

    From the two major meetings, it is becoming clearer that Akala will be a valuable bride to court in the 2019 election in Oyo State. His value is largely due to his popularity in Ogbomoso, his birth place. From 2007 till date, Ogbomoso voters have expressed solidarity for the former governor through landslide victory he recorded in all of the elections.

    PDP will wax stronger due to the return of Makinde and Ladoja.

    But, Akala may stay back in the APC, if he has the assurance of Ajimobi for joint ownership of the next administration. He will naturally prefer an arrangement where he would not be directly under the leadership of Ladoja for fear of revenge and uncertainty of party and policy decisions. If he operates in the same party with Ajimobi, Akala will interpret it as working with a friend and equal rather than under Ladoja where he would be a subordinate.

    For this reason, the return of Ladoja and Makinde will do little to upstage the APC in the next election because of its strength in Oke-Ogun, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso and Ibadan. The APC’s strength in Ibadan will also slightly grow, should Folarin perfect his defection to the party before the next election.

    The former senator will have good reasons to defect to the APC. It will be a time of reward for him for his support for Ajimobi since 2011. He will be a major voice in the APC, officially coming under Ajimobi who will have served two terms of eight years. Also his defection will reduce the strength of the PDP in Ibadan while wielding more influence as a leader of the party in power, both at the federal and state levels.

    All these mean that the next election in Oyo State may be between APC and PDP, unlike in 2015 when five major parties struggled for supremacy. They were the APC, Accord, Labour Party, PDP and SDP. This time, Accord and SDP, which were imported as safety nets, will be dead.

    Town unions including Ibadan Elders, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Ogbomoso Parapo, will wield great influence in determining who becomes governor and other top positions.

    But, their influence will somehow wane, if the above expectations come to reality. The PDP will solely determine its candidate before seeking their endorsement. The APC may honour them by letting them see the reasons they will like to present their candidate but will not likely pander to their choice if they differ.

    Other implications include the fact that the campaign will be tough and that the electorate will be divided into two sharp sentimental groups with fierce support for their parties and candidates.

  • Oyo aspirant promises to defend teachers’ rights

    Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Prof. Adeolu Akande, has promised to defend the rights of teachers, if elected as governor.

    He urged government at all levels to ensure the primacy of education in development.

    Akande, who spoke in Ibadan, the state capital, on the occasion of the 2017 Teachers Day, said Nigeria should learn from the experience of  developed countries where the renumeration of teachers towers above many other professions.

    He said: “An instructive experience was that of Germany where President Angela Merkel recently rebuffed agitations of top public servants for higher wages than what teachers earn, by saying she would not pay them salaries higher than those of the teachers who taught them in school.”

  • 2019: Politics of realignment in Oyo

    2019: Politics of realignment in Oyo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s reconciliation with former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and the new understanding among Abiola Ajimobi, his predecessor, Adebayo Alao-Akala and former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin have signaled new alignments in the Oyo State politics, which may shape the 2019 general elections. BISI OLADELE reports.

    When the National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Markafi, declared after his victory at the Supreme Court on July 12 that he would lead the party on a successful reconciliatory path, many disparaged his ambition, based on the failure of previous efforts. But, the moves by his committee are yielding fruits in Oyo State. Some of the party’s former leaders are already returning, following after series of parleys. For instance, Oluseyi Makinde, who flew the flag of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2015 governorship election, is back in the fold.

    Political watchers are keenly waiting for former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and his successor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, to follow suit.  While Makinde and Akala dumped the PDP, preparatory to the 2015 elections, Ladoja left for Accord in January, 2011. They left due to irreconcilable differences.

    But, a surprise photo surfaced on social media recently, suggesting yet another realignment of forces in preparation for the 2019 elections. It was a group photograph of  Ajimobi, Alao-Akala and Folarin in a relaxed meeting in London, the United Kingdom. The conviviality of their mood conveyed a political fraternity, which made analysts believe that they may have been united for the 2019 elections.

    Since Akala and Folarin fell apart in 2010 over the PDP governorship ticket for the 2011 election, both politicians have not resolved their crisis. Yet, Fokarin supported Ajimobi in the 2011 elections in spite of the fact that they belonged to different parties. While Folarin was in the PDP, Ajimobi contested on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). It is believed that Folarin supported Ajimobi to spite Akala, who sought a second term to thwart Folarin’s governorship ambition in the 2011 poll. Besides, Folarin and Ajimobi are Ibadan indigenes who have a common tie through the late Ibadan politician, Chief Lamidi Adedibu.

    Yet, in another meeting, recently, Akala hosted Ladoja in his Bodija, Ibadan home. It is believed that the latter led the PDP team to woo Akala back to the party.

    From the two major meetings, it is becoming clearer that Akala will be a valuable bride to court in the 2019 election in Oyo State. His value is largely due to his popularity in Ogbomoso, his birth place. From 2007 till date, Ogbomoso voters have expressed solidarity for the former governor through landslide victory he recorded in all of the elections.

    PDP will wax stronger due to the return of Makinde and Ladoja.

    But, Akala may stay back in the APC, if he has the assurance of Ajimobi for joint ownership of the next administration. He will naturally prefer an arrangement where he would not be directly under the leadership of Ladoja for fear of revenge and uncertainty of party and policy decisions. If he operates in the same party with Ajimobi, Akala will interpret it as working with a friend and equal rather than under Ladoja where he would be a subordinate.

    For this reason, the return of Ladoja and Makinde will do little to upstage the APC in the next election because of its strength in Oke-Ogun, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso and Ibadan. The APC’s strength in Ibadan will also slightly grow, should Folarin perfect his defection to the party before the next election.

    The former senator will have good reasons to defect to the APC. It will be a time of reward for him for his support for Ajimobi since 2011. He will be a major voice in the APC, officially coming under Ajimobi who will have served two terms of eight years. Also his defection will reduce the strength of the PDP in Ibadan while wielding more influence as a leader of the party in power, both at the federal and state levels.

    All these mean that the next election in Oyo State may be between APC and PDP, unlike in 2015 when five major parties struggled for supremacy. They were the APC, Accord, Labour Party, PDP and SDP. This time, Accord and SDP, which were imported as safety nets, will be dead.

    Town unions including Ibadan Elders, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Ogbomoso Parapo, will wield great influence in determining who becomes governor and other top positions.

    But, their influence will somehow wane, if the above expectations come to reality. The PDP will solely determine its candidate before seeking their endorsement. The APC may honour them by letting them see the reasons they will like to present their candidate but will not likely pander to their choice if they differ.

    Other implications include the fact that the campaign will be tough and that the electorate will be divided into two sharp sentimental groups with fierce support for their parties and candidates.