Have you been to Ibadan lately? If you have, you must have noticed all the political billboards doting the major streets. It’s like a billboards war. As you approach the Ibadan end of the Lagos Ibadan expressway you will see the billboards of all top politicians who want to be next governor of Oyo State. They all want to take over from Gov. Abiola Ajimobi.
As you drive through the City you will see the bill board of Bayo Adelabu, an APC aspirant. You will also see that of Tegbe. Dr. Mohammed Kola Balogun is also running on the platform of ADC. Dr. Azeez Popoola Adeduntan, an international surgeon is also running via APC. There is also Alhaji Yunus Abiodun, Hon. Olatoye Temitope Sugar, Dr. Olusola Ayandele, Dr. Deolu Akande has a big bill board at the Ibadan end of the toll gate.
So, the race to Agodi Government House of Oyo state come 2019 is becoming more interesting by the day. It is also more competitive everyday, as professionals and top politicians are joining the race. City People’s Dare Adeniran presents to you 30 aspirants who want to be governor of Oyo state in 2019. Read on.
BAYO ADELABU
The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Bayo Adelabu is a leading aspirant in Oyo APC. Being grandson of the late nationalist and political icon, Adegoke Adelabu (Penkelemesi) is believed to be a great value for the CBN Deputy Governor who is also the Agbaakin Olubadan of Ibadan land. He is one of those said to be tipped by Governor Ajimobi to succeed him come 2019. He is more than qualified for the job.
SEYI MAKINDE
Seyi Makinde is a candidate to beat as far as the 2019 guber election in Oyo State is concerned. He is popularand has the resources to prosecute an election. Another thing that Seyi Makinde has going for him is that, he has earned respect and love of people through his philanthropic gestures. But only if he can dig more by reaching the grass roots directly and in the real sense of it and familiarise with true leaders. Seyi Makinde is more than qualified for the job; he has an enviable record of achievements, academic qualifications and good character to back it up. Though he is a successful businessman and philanthropist of note but he has not been tested politically. Perhaps he may need to be given a chance to prove himself politically.
JOSEPH TEGBE
Before now, Tegbe was only known as a boardroom guru who had built a formidable career for himself in the corporate world. But with this his decision, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe has not only launched himself into the mainstream politics; he has joined many aspirants jostling for Oyo APC governorship ticket, to succeed the sitting governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe is a young man born on the 21st of March, 1966 in Oyo Town but of Ibadan ancestral. He hails from the prominent Jegede Compound in Labo area of Ibadan. He is a Partner and Head of the Technology Advisory Services and Markets of KPMG Professional Services in Nigeria.
NIYI AKINTOLA (SAN)
The legal icon, Barr. Niyi Akintola (SAN), is not new to Oyo politics. He has been the Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly. Apart from that, as a lawyer, he has been working the top politicians across the country for sometime now and perfectly understands the dynamism in politics. He enjoys a robust relationship with most of these top politicians. He is a close associate of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as well as Gov. Ajimobi. Some say if he can scale-through the primaries level, he will spring some surprises.
AYO KARIM
The Ibadan-born, Lagos businessman is also in the race. Within the short space of time he came out, he has shown seriousness. He is from the popular Karim family in Ibadan.
ADEOLU AKANDE
Adeolu Akande is a visiting Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at the Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State and former Special Assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He is also the immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Ajimobi. He is an indigene of Otu in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oke-Ogun. He is a member of Oyo APC. He is one of the arrow heads of Unity Forum within the party.
ALAO AKALA
The Ogbomosho born politician is the immediate past governor of the state and the Deputy Governor in the Ladoja era (2003 and 2007). He cut his political teeth when he served as Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government area, where he hails from. He became governor after Gov. Ladoja historic impeachment, which was overturned by the Supreme Court after 11 months.
Alao-Akala was elected governor of the state in 2007 and was in the saddle till 2011, when Ajimobi defeated him. His governorship campaign posters have flooded the state, especially Ogbomoso, announcing his intention to return to the Agodi Government House in 2019.
FEMI BABALOLA
Engineer Femi Babalola is the owner of Jogor Event Centre. He is also an Engineer by training. He is a stakeholder in Oyo PDP and the state politics. He is fully ready to contest for the number seat come 2019.
BOLAJI AYORINDE (SAN)
Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), the legal icon turned politician has also joined Oyo guber race. The respected legal luminary from Ibadan is from the illustrious Ayorinde family in Ibadan and he is set to run under ADC. For decades now, he has run a very successful legal practice in Lagos but he has not forgotten his Ibadan roots.
HON. ISAAC OMODEWU
The honourable commissioner for Lands Housing Survey & Urban Development, Omodwu, is one of the core loyalists of Gov. Ajimobi. He wants to put to use the wealth of experience he has gathered over the years.
ADEREMI OLANIYAN
A practising engineer, Olaniyan is from Igboho in the Oke Ogun area of the state. He is said to be a gentle and soft-spoken new politician who recently retired from the Oyo State Civil Service as a permanent secretary. A former chieftain of the Accord Party who recently defected to APC, Olaniyan was the General Manager of Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OSTROMA) where he was said to have made some significant positive contributions.
Olaniyan can best be described in politics as Senator Rashidi Ladoja’s man. That he left Ladoja to join APC remains a surprise to many within the political circle.
LOWO OBISESAN
Barrister Lowo Obisesan is the former Commissioner for Environment and Habitat in Oyo State. He is now eyeing the position of the number one seat in the state under the platform of Labour Party (LP).
MOSES ADEYEMO
Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo is the current Deputy Governor in Oyo State and he has since declared his intention to succeed his boss, Senator Abiola Ajimobi at the expiration of his tenure come 2019. He is from Orelope Local Government area of Oke-Ogun. Adeyemo is a retired Banker before his foray in politics.
SARAFADEEN ABIODUN-ALLI
His profile is intimidating. He was a former local government chairman, former Secretary to the State Government, former Chief of Staff, former chairman of O’dua Group of Companies.
He Is also a lawyer by training, Alli is well regarded in the conservative political class. He was running mate to Alao-Akala in the 2015 elections. He commands a cult-like followership in his camp, although the group is said to be dwindling by the day. He is seen as belonging to the old guards which the state and, although a candidate in many elections, it is difficult to identify him with any policy thrust on how to govern Oyo State.
HON. SOJI ENIADE
He is the former Head of Service in Oyo State and presently the Executive Assistant to Governor Ajimobi. He is one those who want to take over from Ajimobi in APC come 2019.
ADEBAYO SHITTU
Barr. Adebayo Shittu, popularly known as the Bayo that you can trust, is the current Minister for Communications. He is fro the Oke-Ogun zone of zone and one of those from the zone who are not in good term with the sitting governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. He is an arrow head of the Unity Forum within Oyo APC. At 65, he is one of the oldest aspirants in the race. As popular as his ambition is, many analysts are of the view that his major strength lies in his closeness to President Buhari Muhammadu, being a member of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the two political platforms where the president contested and failed on two occasions.
BOLA SARUMI-ALIYU
She is the only female aspirant in the Oyo 2019 governoship race. Bola Sarumi’s decision to join the guber race is because of her strong believe that full and equitable participation of Nigerian women in public life is essential in building and sustaining strong and vibrant democracy.
AZEEZ ADEDUNTAN
He is the Commissioner for Health. He is also a seasoned Surgeon from the United States of America. He is one of those whose name has been mentioned the likely successor of Gov. Ajimobi come 2019. While Adedutan enjoys cordial relationship with the governor, those who should know however revealed that he is not in the good book of the first lady.
FATAI BUHARI
Senator Buhari is the Senator representing Oyo North in the Upper Chamber, under All Progressives Congress (APC). He is 52 years old. In terms of empowerment and representation, Buhari has done wonderfully well. He is the Chairman, House Committee on ICT & Cyber Crime. Though he is very popular in his constituency and the Federal level but if he has a good relationship with party leaders in the state is another thing.
SOJI ADEJUMO
Prof. Soji Adejumo is more than qualified. Not only that he has triumphed academically, but he has proven over the years to be an Omoluabi with an implacable character. His political antecedents are also solid; right from the days Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) till now, he is still waxing stronger as one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Oyo State. Though it is claimed that his political structure is not strong enough to battle a political opposition. But nobody can predict what happens next in PDP.
TAOFEEK ARAPAJA
The former Deputy Governor of Oyo State,Taofeek Arapaja has joined the long list of aspirants who want to take over from Governor Abiola Ajimobi come 2019. He has launced a strong campaign machinery to achievehi dream to rule Oyo State under African Democratic Congress (ADC). The former Nigeria Ambassador to Jordan sure has a very good track record in politics.
DEBO ADESINA
The Executive Head, Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspapers and former Editor- in-Chief of the newspaper is from Okaka in the Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oke-Ogun. Since the seasoned journalist turned politician, Debo Adesina announced his decision to run for the guber race, he is been working tirelessly to make sure his dream come to pass.
GBENGA BABALOLA
The Iseyin born former Federal honourable has joined the guber race and has since commence consultation to rally support in PDP.
MOROUNKOLA THOMAS
He is a former Commissioner under the late ex-Gov late Lam Adesina and now Special Assistant to Governor Ajimobi on Political Matters. He has joined the long list of the who want to succeed Ajimobi come 2019.
RASHIDI LADOJA
Though he has not made any official declaration about his ambition but some are highly convinced that the former Governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja will run. He recently defeated to ADC with a good number of his supporters. Ladoja is a force to reckon with as far as Oyo politics is concerned.
TAOREED ADEDOJA
Professor Taoreed Adedoja, the erudite scholar and the former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, has shown interest in running for the state number one seat too. He has been SUBEB Chairman as well as being the Honourable Commissioner for Education in Oyo State. He is 66 years old. Though he is an Ibadan but some believe he doesn’t have political structure that can be used to achieve his political aspiration. Age also is not on his side.
AHMED RAJI (SAN)
Ahmed is a leading Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He is also the Founder/Principal at Ahmed Raji & Co. He was appointed by the President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of Nigeria as the Resident Electoral Commissioner where he served in five different states in Nigeria for eight years. His expertise and experience extend to diverse and broad areas of practice, including litigation, mediation and arbitration, banking and corporate finance, maritime and admiralty, election matters and telecommunications. He has about thirty (30) years experience in administrative and constitutional matters, criminal law, debt recovery, and other areas of practice. He was part of the team that successfully defended. His wealth of experience is the main reason his people want him to contest the number position oi the state.
SOLOMON OLANIYONU
He is the former Commissioner for Education in Oyo State. Prof. Solomon Olaniyonu is been described as a candidate to beat any day. He believes strongly in Oke-Ogun cause and he is said leaving no stone unturned to be able to clinch his party (APC)’s ticket in 2019.
ZACCHEAUS ADELABU
He is the former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State during Gov. Abiola Ajimobi’s first term. But those in the know claimed the relationship between him and the governor has gone sour, hence the reason he didn’t make Ajimobi’s secord term cabinet. Another factor to play out is the fact that he is from Ogbomoso and the zone is not likely to produce governor of the state now. Aside all that, he is qualified like every other brilliant young men in the race. In fact, he could have be one of the suitable candidates for the job. He is a First Class product, like Bayo Adelabu, from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
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