Politics

Osun 2022: Frontline PDP Aspirants, Their Strengths, Weaknesses

Published

3 years ago

January 10, 2022

D'SHOW

The carnival-like atmosphere that usually comes with every election year in the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet on the loose again, with the state governorship election fast approaching. Just like in previous years, an array of aspirants have surfaced and from all indications, the 2022 race for the PDP governorship ticket is more colorful given the mix of the old and the young, including those never imagined could pick up the party’s nomination forms. This, no doubt, has kept many in the political circle in Osun State wondering.

In this piece, we shall examine each of these aspirants, their strengths, pedigree and weaknesses, with a view to allowing members of the public, especially party delegates to know who their aspirants are.

Abdulfatai Akinbade

Born on the 2nd of April 1955, Akinbade, a Civil Engineer by training, served as a commissioner in different capacities under three successive military administrations in Osun state,

In 2001, he was elected chairman of Osun State PDP before he became the Secretary to the State Government in 2003, in which capacity he served till 2010.

It will be safe to refer to Alhaji Akinbade as a veteran governorship aspirant as he was a contender for the governorship seat in 2011 until the Aregbesola administration came on board and truncated the scheduled 2011 gubernatorial election in the State. In 2014, Akinbade dumped the PDP for Labour Party where he contested the gubernatorial election, only to return to the PDP in 2018 to contest for the gubernatorial ticket. He however left the PDP again to pick the gubernatorial ticket in ADC for the 2018 election.

Alhaji Akinbade is once again running on the platform of PDP to lead the state for the next four years

Till date, Akinbade’s greatest political credential remains his being a three-time commissioner, SSG, and party chairman, making him one of the aspirants on the PDP that needs no introduction.

The former SSG hails from a Senatorial District that is agitating to produce the next governor of Osun State since they have never produced a governor, exept the 22 months stint the late Isiaka Adeleke had under the Ibrahim Babangida transition.

It must however be noted that Akinbade’s greatest undoing as he goes into the PDP primary election on the 26th of January, is his inconsistency and what many believe to be his life and death ambition to be Osun governor.

Aside his constant dumping of PDP to pick gubernatorial tickets elsewhere, Akinbade comes from one of the smallest local government areas of Osun State, which may be a disadvantage in terms of numbers in the election proper if he eventually wins the PDP ticket. Also to his disadvantage is the belief that he does not have the financial muscle to run a well-oiled electioneering campaign.

Ademola Adeleke
Senator Ademola Adeleke, popularly called the dancing Senator, is no doubt a household name in Osun, not because of any outstanding achievements but on account of his being the younger brother of a former governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.

It will be recalled that Senator Adeleke had an almost free ride in replacing his brother, Isiaka at the Senate when the former governor died in 2017. Riding still on the popularity of his brother and a family with deep pockets, Senator Ademola Adeleke won the PDP governorship ticket in 2018 and went on to narrowly miss becoming governor after his victory in the first ballot was declared inconclusive.

Adeleke comes from Ede, where his family is highly respected and can be sure of bulk voting coming his way in any election, just as funds for electioneering campaigns cannot be a problem for him.

The above notwithstanding, Senator Adeleke comes with baggage that has refused to go away; his educational background and question marks surrounding his certificate!. His certificate forgery case before an Abuja High Court, may, among other things like the uncertainty about his religion and rumors that he takes orders from his elder sister, may work against him either at the primaries or the election proper.

Akin Ogunbiyi
Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, an aspirant on the platform of the PDP in 2018, is the Chairman, Mutual Group.

The astute businessman became a household name in 2018 shortly before the PDP primaries, as he was a major contender facing Senator Adeleke squarely for the primaries, which he lost under controversial circumstances.

Arguably the most read among the aspirants with a Ph.D., Ogunbiyi has attended several leadership training outside the country, with great administrative skills and experience.

He is an aspirant with good followership among the elites.

Ogunbiyi however has issues that may work against him in the forthcoming primaries, as he has been accused of abandoning his supporters after the election, being too assertive and independent-minded who could become high-handed if given power.

Some party members also accused him of not doing enough to rescue the former Chairman of the Osun State PDP during his trying period

Dele Adeleke
Young Dele Adeleke came to prominence during the 2018 governorship election result collation, when he was the returning officer for his uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

His five-star performance in the face of intimidation during election result collation warmed him to the heart of the teeming youths of the state.

A thoroughbred professional, Dele has over two decades of a flourishing career in the banking industry. And as the face of the youth, he has been a unifying factor between the group led by his uncle and that of the former chairman of the party.

He has been a peacemaker and for this reason, many called on him to come and rescue the party. With the family’s huge support from their hometown; Ede, this could be a great advantage.

The above notwithstanding, a good number of members of the group that suffered from the vindictive posture of his uncle are still not comfortable with him, believing he could tow the path of his uncle, while others believe he could bow to family pressure and withdraw from the race

Dotun Babayemi
Dotun Babayemi came to the limelight through his program, Alafia Dotun, a free medical program that has impacted on the lives of a lot of people across the state.

His political adventure, during the 2018 governorship election in Osun State, when he was a major sponsor of the ADP and in 2019, when he contested on the party’s platform for the Osun West Senatorial District, where he garnered 44, 000 votes, an unprecedented feat for new party, is a testament to the level of his level of acceptance in the state.

Dotun however later joined the Peoples Democratic Party and showed interest in running for the senatorial seat.

The aspirant, who schooled in Nigeria, England and the United States, is a lawyer and an entrepreneur with over 20,000 staff under his direction.

Popularly called Omoba Dotun Babayemi (ODB), born December 5, 1966 to the family of late (Oba) Dr Solomon Babayemi, who was the immediate past Olufi of Gbongan in Ayedaade Local Government Area, State of Osun, he currently sits atop a group of companies, Fort Knox Group, with interests in security solutions and telecommunications.

Though Dotun is not new to politics, he is not well-rooted in the politics of the PDP, while many also see him as too polished for the kind of politics played in Osun State. He however has a mass appeal due to his philanthropic gestures and is believed to be a major force in the forthcoming election, taking into consideration the large voting strength of his local government, Ayedaade.

Sanya Omirin
Sanya Omirin is a former Chairman of Atakumosa East Local Government Area of Osun State and a former Commissioner of the Revenue and Fiscal Mobilization Commission. He is a grassroots mobilizer and a stabilizing factor in the party.

An entrepreneur with an interest in the hospitality industry and farming, Omirin’s strength is in the firm control of his local government and great showing in his federal constituency
Sanya is however from Ijesa South Federal Constituency where Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate former governor of the state hails from. Many are of the opinion that the Ijesa already had their eight years as governor and should allow other areas of the state to have their turn.

It is also believed that the voting strength of his local government is another disadvantage for him.

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Politics

Farmer Governor, Umar Bago’s Impeccable Strides

Published

9 months ago

March 17, 2024

D'SHOW

For the Executive Farmer Governor of Niger State; His Excellency Umar Bago who happens to be the 6^th democratically elected Governor of the Power state, has paid his dues and also played politics at the grassroots level before getting to his current status.

From his actions, he seems to have prepared for the job ahead as he is in the quest of making history as a governor who takes food security and farming to the next level taking advantage of the fertile and vast landmass Niger state currently has also banking on the current challenges affecting agric business in Nigeria as an opportunity for Niger state to create revenue and also empower its local farming population.

The banker-turned-politician started with a stellar career in the banking sector having worked at the United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank FCMB and Afribank before heeding the calls of his people to delve into politics in 2007. For him, he had always said his sojourn into the murky waters of politics was humanity is driven and one thing he has come to realize is that he is a fulfilled man serving his people and also bringing succour to their pains and making life better for them. In 2010, He contested and won a seat at the House of Representatives representing Chanchanga Federal constituency in Minna where he was until he was sworn in as Governor of Niger State.

As a member of the Green Chamber; Bago was cosmopolitan, refined, cerebral, and socially savvy and was adjudged a great guy by his colleagues. He was a force in the chambers that spoke with confidence, and authority and knows his onions. As chairman House Committee Maritime Safety Education and Administration; the Political science graduate from the Usman Danfodio University Sokoto ensured he discharged his duties diligently this placed him on the map and made many people notice his strides.

In his bid to make Niger state regain its lost glory as one of the biggest food-producing states in Nigeria; he acquired over 300 tractors and other mechanized farming equipment as he also allocated thousands of hectares of land for farming. President Bola Tinubu was on the ground to flag off the pilot phase which would see the prices of food crash drastically and also bring about food security in the country. Apart from his giant strides in Agriculture, he has committed a whole lot to road and infrastructural development, security, education, commerce, tourism, health, infrastructural development, and women and youth empowerment he also rebuilt and remodelled the moribund Minna Airport with modern equipment and also renamed it Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The farmer Governor is indeed not relenting on his oars as he also signed a partnership with Lagos state to supply the state which already has the ready-made market for farm produce which will ensure that farmers get to sell their goods in real-time and also make profits to be reinvested as he also plans to synergize with more state who are ready to key into the massive food production chain.

Politics

Senator Solomon Adeola Yayi’s Workaholic Nature

Published

11 months ago

January 18, 2024

D'SHOW

If Distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola FCA, CON were to be like Nostradamus; the man who sees tomorrow; he would have predicted what the future holds but unfortunately he is not one and he has never met a soothsayer who told him what the future holds but he is a man who believes in the spirit of hardwork, resilience, doggedness and passion. More reason he was able to climb the ladder of success early in his career as a politician and a seasoned accountant.

While growing up, he learnt the art of working hard and smart from his parent but he also ensured he was in tune with his immediate environment which provided him and molded him into the man he has become today. His influence and political capacity in Lagos and Ogun his filial relationship with President Bola Tinubu and also the Senate President Godswil Obot Akpabio is a testimony that he has indeed done well for himself to have commanded such respect.

As an assembly member in Lagos, Member of Representative and Senator representing Lagos West and now Ogun West; Yayi as he is fondly called has remained consistent and is known for being a progressive-minded person. He is also a kind man who puts his people first. Often time many people ask him why a successful accountant like him would be looking for the political terrain a game perceived to be dirty by many, but he often answers them that; His love and passion for service to the people has been a driving force. Today, calling Yayi anywhere in South West Nigeria is synonymous with; success, political power, philanthropy, intelligence, brilliance and hard work.

Last December during the yuletide season when many of his colleagues had retired back to their constituency to spend time with their constituents and family; Yayi was deprived of his luxury of time as he was so enmeshed with the national assignment that is billed to move to Nigeria to the next level. While he resumes in his office at 8 am he closes in the wee hours to ensure a smooth budget passage and meeting the needed budget cycle. He worked tirelessly forgetting his meals most times. Despite his exceptional delivery of the budget process; he still made time to host his people in the New Year at his country home in Ilaro. Last weekend he also empowered several of his constituents with empowerment facilities worth millions of Naira to ensure financial stability despite the biting economy. He is currently one of the most experienced lawmakers in Ogun as he is focused on attracting more development to his region and state at large.

Politics

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s Strategic Moves

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2023

D'SHOW

Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah made the headlines last week when he announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC from the moribund Young Progressives Party YPP where he won the senate seat of Anambra South twice. To some, the news came as a shock but to those in the know it’s a move to better the lots of his people after he had consulted widely with his supporters and constituents.

While many said his move was to help him solve his multibillion naira case with the EFCC those close to him disclosed that the issues had long been resolved even before his defection that the court just officially made the pronouncement which comes as a coincidence after both the NNPC and Capital Oil have reached an agreement to settle out of court.

Those in the know and other political pundits say the move is chess-like which will be a game-changing venture in his political sojourn haven built an occultist followership within his district. Sources say his move will solidify the ruling party APC in Anambra state where Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA is currently ruling. Sources say his move will put him at an edge to oust Governor Soludo from office in the next Guber election to make Abambra an All Progressives Congress State. The move will give Senator Ubah the needed support in other to mobilize votes in the next election and also make him the leader of the party in the state.