The dynamism in Nigeria’s political environment has greatly changed. Unlike in those days that politicians wouldn’t want their children in what has been described in different quaters as the ‘murky waters of politics’, many prominent politicians now have their children involved in the system in one way or the other.
In fact, some have even taken over from their fathers in politics. That is why you now see Seyi Tinubu, son of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, following his father to political campaigns and the likes of Davido of this world taking centre stage of electioneering campaigns of his Osun State governor-elect uncle, Demola Adeleke.
Of course the case is not in anyway different in Oyo State, the acclaimed political headquarters of South West. In Oyo, there are three major categories of politicians who are taking after their fathers, while there are politicians who are already stakeholders or elderstatemen in their own rights. There are also politicians whose fathers are late but they too have become stakeholders and elders in their respective political parries or government. The third category are the up and coming politicians who are taking after their fathers whether late or alive. They are the ones who have been able to buy into their fathers political vision, ideology and are building into it.
On the list is Senator Soji Akanbi, a former Federal lawmaker, who represented Oyo South senatorial District between 2015 and 2019, under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congres, APC. Before then, Akanbi had earlier served as a member of the House of Representatives in 1991, at age 29. He was a Special Adviser on Industrial and Economic Matters to the late former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina from 1999 to 2003. His father, Chief Muibdeen Olalere Akanbi, popularly known in his lifetime as ‘Baba Isale’ was a prominent politician who wined and dined with the likes of Chief Lekan Salami, Chief Nathaniel Idowu and co. Soji Akanbi, no doubt, is cashing in on the goodwill and legacies of his late father. Akanbi is now a strong member of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju 2023, SWAGA ’23.
Another politician who is taking after her father in politics is the former FCT Minister, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide. She is the daughter of late legal luminary, Chief Richard Akinjide. Richard Akinjide in his lifetime was a legal icon, an elder-statesman and an evergreen politician. Jumoke is one of the most prominent female politician in the South-West and a stakeholder in Oyo PDP. Jumoke Akinjide’s political pedigree is working for her. Her education, character, and name are also part of the indices of her achievements plus her quest for excellence in anything she does.
What about Chief Bolaji Ayorinde? The Senior Advocate of Nigeria and legal icon is currently a prominent member of Governor Makinde’s advisory council. Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) has more than taken after his father’s shoe steps but stepped into his shoes perfectly. His late father wasn’t only the Chief Judge of Oyo State but was also very active in politics. Bolaji Ayorinde is a member of Judicial Council of the country and a former pro-chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University. He is seen as a symbol of success by the Ibadan establishment.
We also have on the list the son of strongman of Ibadan politics, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, Kamorudeen Adedibu, who represented Oyo South senatorial district between 2007 and 2011. Though he seems to be off the political scene lately but there are other members of the family flying the flag. Tola Adedibu is a Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde, While Baba Adedibu’s wife, Alhaja Bose Adedibu is the PDP South West Woman Leader.
The Adedibu name is an institution in the politics of Oyo State. The name is very relevant and symbolic. Yet another politician who took after his father is a former lawmaker who represented Oyo South in the Senate, Femi Lanlehin. His late father was a force to reckon with politically. He is presently the head of Oyo APC reconciliation committee.
We must not also forget former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and the APC guber candidate in 2019, Chief Bayo Adelabu. Adelabu, who recently defected to Accord after losing the party’s guber ticket to Teslim Folarin, has an issue in Oyo politics. The father, Gbadamosi Adegoke Adelabu popularly known then as ‘Penkelemesi’ wasn’t only a grassroot politician but also a Federal Minister. He was also one of the leading lights of National Council of Nigerian Citizens, NCNC back then. So, Bayo Adelabu aka ‘Penkelemesi’ is taking after his father’s footsteps in politics.
The present Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin is also on the list. He is the state’s Assembly member representing Ibarapa East Constituency. In fact, the youthful Speaker came to the political limelight as a result of his late billionaire father’s goodwill and popularity. Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin, in his lifetime, was an item on the political, business and social scenes. The Eruwa-born business magnate was a prominent member of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC).
The same goes for Idris Abiola-Ajimobi, son of late Oyo former governor, Abiola Ajimobi. Idris is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ibadan South-West II State Constituency in the coming 2023 election. The young man, no doubt, is set to carry on with the family legacy. Idris’ grandfather, Alhaji Gani Ajimobi was a stakeholder in Ibadan politics. He was a parliamentarian, and a kingmaker. He predicted that his son would become governor and encouraged him to tow that line, while his father, Abiola Ajimobi was a Senator between 1999-2003 and Ajimobi legacy and political pedigree are what he built on.
In Ogbomosho axis, the story is the same. The Akintolas like their late father have excelled and have towed the path of their father in terms of public goodwill, nationalism, etc. There are several other up and coming politicians taking after their Dads. Talk of Olamiju Alao-Akala, son of late former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala. He hasn’t only stepped into his father’s political shoes but also representing the family very well. He had previously served as the executive Chairman of Ogbomoso North and now APC’s candidate for Ogbomoso North, South and Oriire Federal Constituency come 2023.
Another pea in the pod is Dapo Lamidi Adesina, the son of late Oyo Ex-Gov, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina. His brother Wasiu is also in politics but Dapo has cut his political teeth and has a very formidable political structure he has built. Dapo Lam-Adesina’s political future is very bright. He has built on his father’s legacy. He had served as commissioner in two different ministries under late Ex-Gov Ajimobi before he became a Federal honourable. He represented Ibadan North East/South East Federal constituency of Oyo State between 2015-2019. He has secured APC’s ticket to contest the same seat come 2023.
Hon. Saheed Fijabi is also a former Federal honourable in the state. He is staging a comeback in 2023, as he has gotten APC ticket to contest Ibadan South West/North West Federal Constituency seat. The father, Oloye Ismail Akinade Fijabi is a popular chief in Olubadan line and has connections in the necessary places as far as Oyo politics is concerned.
Children of late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Aare Arisekola Alao have found themselves in politics by fate or design. Their father in his lifetime was a man of influence and power. Umar Farouk Alao is a former Commissioner for Youth and Sports. Idris, Isa and many of Arisekola’s children are also in politics.
The former Deputy National Chairman (South) of PDP, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo has a daughter, Kafayat who is already in politics. She is a former Commissioner for Regional Planning and Urban Development, under Ajimobi. There is also Sheriff Adeojo, the current executive Chairman of Ido Local Governor. Like his sister, Sheriff is also building a name for himself in politics. Before now, he was the caretaker Chairman of Omi/Apata LCDA. He has contested to be a member of House Representatives for his constituency twice.
Late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111 was one of the most powerful monarchs in Nigeria. Alaafin Adeyemi, Alhaji Arisekola and Adedibu, all of blessed memory, were major determinants of who gets what in Oyo politics in their lifetimes. Alaafin’s son, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi (Skimeh) has been LG Chairman for eleven years, he has built on his father’s goodwill. He has established himself as a politician of repute. He is presently the lawmaker representing Afijio, Oyo West, Oyo East, Atiba West Federal Constituency. He has won APC’S ticket to contest the same seat again come 2023.
Others who are also taking after their fathers’ political footsteps include the former Commissioner for Information under Ajimobi, Prince Gbade Lana, son of late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade. Oba Odugade was a former Minister. Then Folake Olunloyo-Osinowo, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives from the state. She is no push over in Oyo politics. She is a member of Oyo APC. Her father, Chief Olunloyo was a very rich businessman and one of the Ibadan’s eminent sons; just like her uncle, ex-Gov. Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, a stakeholder in Oyo State politics. Folake has carved a niche for herself.
-Dare Adeniran
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