Politics

How Oyetola threw away his reelection chances, killed APC in Osun — Aregbesola ex-aide

Published

4 years ago

December 29, 2021

Former Special Adviser, Information and Strategy to ex-Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Semiu Okanlawon

A former Special Adviser, Information and Strategy to ex-Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Semiu Okanlawon, has stated that Governor Gboyega Oyetola may have inadvertently thrown away his chances of getting reelected as Osun State Governor by demonising the administration of his predecessor, where he played a major role as Chief of Staff.

He said Oyetola, by his action, has not only thrown away his reelection through the window, but has also “killed” the All Progressives Congress in the state.

Okanlawon stated this in an opinion piece he penned on Tuesday, which he titled: “Oyetola and the ‘a o m’erin j’oba’ choristers,” published elsewhere on this news website.

He said he confronted Oyetola when he began to exhibit “his operation tear down Aregbesola” tendencies in his early days as the newly-elected governor of the state and warned him how such could cost him dearly.

READ ALSO:

He wrote: “As a functionary in that administration, I knew ab initio that any attempt to present Aregbesola as evil was going to hurt Oyetola and his administration more than it would Aregbesola.

“This was the crux of my discussions with him in December 2019 during which I asked whether he thought it possible to extricate himself from whatever happened under the Rauf Aregbesola Administration by virtue of his position at the time.

“Assuming, without conceding, that Aregbesola’s administration was spendthrift or took certain decisions bordering on the finances of the state, including loans, salary issues, infrastructure financing and virtually every general matters, is it possible for Oyetola to be seen as an outsider to what transpired?”

Okanlawon said that with Oyetola’s emergence as Osun State Governor, “no one expected any lull in the advancement of the ‘State of the Virtuous’ in education, job creation, infrastructure rebirth, security, and above all, value re-orientation that hallmarked the administration where he served as the Chief of Staff and as a matter of fact, a major policy egghead.

“But rather than busy himself with these lofty objectives for which continuity would be a preference for public good, a vein, inglorious and totally unnecessary attempt at ‘removing the hands of Aregbesola’ from the politics of Osun was elevated to the level of state objective. If you cannot key into that objective, you certainly cannot matter either in government or the party.

“I have asked myself what were these objectives meant to achieve.”

Okanlawon revealed that it took a lot of effort for leaders of the APC to convince members of the party who totally rejected his candidature as governorship aspirant in the state in 2018.

He wrote: “Knowing the shreds to which his forced candidature turned the party ahead of the 2018 election, we would have been saved the troubles if we had not followed this ignoble path. I recall vividly that the entire executive committee of the APC in Governor Oyetola’s Ward in Iragbiji all resigned from the party to join the African Democratic Party in 2018. I remember calling on the Aragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi, at the time to intervene and not allow APC stalwarts in Oyetola’s homestead bring us all to shame.

“Of course, given the roles I had played previously in the election of the Governor, especially in the face of the total rejection of his candidature, people from my ward and local government were becoming apprehensive. Simply put, the grassroots ‘soldiers’ of the All Progressives Congress were already suspicious something capable of destroying the fabric of the party was going on at the ward levels across the state. They needed information, assurances that the party was not coming in the hands of those who would destroy it. They needed to bring their anxieties to me.

“They kept bombarding me with messages that our party was witnessing something very sinister, the type that could ignite an implosion if nothing was done.”

READ ALSO:

Okanlawon said he confronted Oyetola to confirm from him whether he was the one behind the underhand motives to cut Aregbesola into pieces by those he described as Ileri Oluwa leaders.

He said the governor denied knowledge of such moves, adding in the column: “Not convinced that he was unaware of the discriminatory moves and ill-feelings already being created, I went ahead to tell him that any attempt to cast Aregbesola in the image of someone to be discarded was predictably going to blow in the face of everyone.”

He described the present promoters of the governor’s reelection as the ‘a o merin joba crowd who don’t mean well for the elephant.

He said those of them goading Oyetola to go ahead with his reelection are only deceiving him because of their ultimate goal to disgrace him in the end.

Okanlawon said even a cabinet member of the governor had told him that Oyetola had become a hard sell but that no one was ready to tell him the truth just to remain in his good book.

The former Aregbesola aide said the ‘a o merin joba’ crowd will gladly turn back when Oyetola, the elephant, must have ended in the “decorative grave dug for him by those hailing him.”

He wrote: “A o m’erin j’oba (We’ll Make the Elephant King), which, in history, has no parallel in apt dramatisation of deceit, wickedness and fraud usually woven around fame and positions of influence and affluence. In the A o m’erin j’oba tragi-comedy, the elephant, in its obvious majestic size and shape, was led on by a band of deceivers, manipulators all garbed in praise-singers’ attires. Sadly, they had a sinister motive. Those who chorused its praises and assured the elephant of its impending ‘coronation’ had dug his grave where they planned to ditch it once they succeeded in cajoling it to follow them to the venue of ‘coronation’ ceremony.

“The grave was decorated with very attractive, velvets. And so they went for the elephant with singing and dancing.

“Our friend, totally oblivious of the evil plots by its praise-singers, danced on its way to the venue thinking it was its day of honour.

“Alas! On getting to the ‘coronation’ venue, where a beautifully decorated royal chair had been placed, the elephant sank with all its weight into the grave, while the praise-singers went their different paths; some of them jubilating.”

The Eagle

Related Topics:APC Featured Okanlawon Osun Oyetola reelection

Up Next

New Year Shocker: Ganduje drops hint of possible reconciliation with Kwankwaso, Shekarau, others

Don't Miss

2023 presidency: Power must shift to South, says Masari

Politics

Oyo Chief Whip Denies Impeachment Plot Against Governor Makinde

Published

45 minutes ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde

Oyo Chief Whip Denies Impeachment Plot Against Governor Makinde

The Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, has dismissed reports linking him to an alleged plot to impeach Governor Seyi Makinde, insisting he has no involvement in any arrangement aimed at removing the governor from office.

The lawmaker, who represents Atiba State Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the clarification in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, amid rising political speculation within the state.

Oyekola said he was neither invited nor consulted on any meeting or discussion relating to impeachment, stressing that he completely dissociates himself from such claims.

“I, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, hereby completely disassociate myself from any arrangement or activity that has the potential to disrupt the peace of Oyo State,” he stated, adding that he remains committed to stability and unity within the Assembly.

READ ALSO:

He further declared his loyalty to Governor Makinde, stating that he “cannot and will not be disloyal” to the governor, while reaffirming his support for the administration and its policies.

“I reaffirm my unwavering loyalty and support for Governor Seyi Makinde, his government, and his party. I remain firmly committed to the peace, unity, and continued progress of Oyo State,” he added.

Oyekola also alleged that some individuals were attempting to create divisions within the Oyo State House of Assembly, warning that such actions could undermine legislative harmony and disrupt governance in the state.

He stressed that maintaining stability remains a priority for responsible lawmakers, noting that any attempt to destabilise the Assembly or state government could slow down ongoing development projects under the Makinde administration.

The clarification comes amid heightened political conversations and rumours of internal disagreements within some state legislatures across Nigeria, often fuelled by social media speculation.

However, no official confirmation of any impeachment move has been made by the Oyo State House of Assembly, and there has been no formal motion or public legislative action suggesting such a process is underway.

Political observers note that impeachment proceedings in Nigeria follow strict constitutional procedures and cannot proceed without formal legislative notice, investigation, and voting thresholds as provided under the law.

For now, the Assembly continues its legislative duties while stakeholders urge calm and caution against misinformation that could destabilise the state’s political environment.

Oyo Chief Whip Denies Impeachment Plot Against Governor Makinde

Politics

APC Adopts Senator Adeola (Yayi) for Ogun 2027 Governorship Race

Published

1 hour ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi

APC Adopts Senator Adeola (Yayi) for Ogun 2027 Governorship Race

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has officially announced Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The announcement was made on Monday during a strategic APC caucus meeting held in Abeokuta, which brought together party leaders, stakeholders, and political heavyweights to deliberate on succession planning and the party’s roadmap for the next election cycle.

Governor Abiodun said the decision followed extensive consultations within the party and reflected a collective agreement on the individual deemed most capable of sustaining APC’s political dominance in the state.

“But first, we’ve decided who is deserving as the next flag bearer of our dear state,” the governor stated during the meeting, signalling the formal adoption of Adeola as the party’s preferred candidate.

The announcement was followed by a show of excitement as Adeola stood to acknowledge the endorsement, with supporters cheering, chanting, and celebrating what many described as a major political breakthrough within the party.

READ ALSO:

Party leaders at the meeting reportedly emphasised the need for continuity, unity, and stability within the APC, noting that early consensus would help reduce internal rivalry and strengthen preparations ahead of 2027.

Adeola, who currently represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the Senate, has long been considered a front-runner in Ogun State politics due to his influence, political structure, and federal legislative experience.

Political observers say the endorsement marks a significant turning point in the APC’s succession strategy, potentially narrowing the field of aspirants and consolidating support around a single candidate within the party hierarchy.

The development is also expected to reshape early political calculations in Ogun State, as attention now shifts to opposition parties and other potential contenders ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive governorship race.

Analysts note that the APC’s early consensus move could give the ruling party a strategic advantage by reducing internal divisions and allowing it to focus on broader campaign strategy well ahead of the election season.

As preparations for 2027 gather momentum, the endorsement of Adeola signals the beginning of intensified political realignments across Ogun State’s political landscape.

APC Adopts Senator Adeola (Yayi) for Ogun 2027 Governorship Race

Politics

ADC Reps Demand Prosecution, Removal of INEC Chairman

Published

18 hours ago

April 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan

ADC Reps Demand Prosecution, Removal of INEC Chairman

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) caucus in the House of Representatives has called for the immediate prosecution and removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, over allegations of partisanship, compromised neutrality, and actions capable of undermining the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmakers made their position known after an inaugural caucus meeting held on Sunday, April 12, 2026, where they reviewed recent political developments and expressed concern over what they described as declining public trust in Nigeria’s electoral umpire.

In a strongly worded resolution, the ADC legislators alleged that the INEC chairman had engaged in conduct inconsistent with the expectations of an impartial electoral official. They claimed that his actions and public expressions raised questions about his neutrality in the discharge of his constitutional duties.

A key allegation raised by the caucus is that the INEC chairman allegedly operated a personal X (formerly Twitter) account where he was said to have expressed political opinions perceived as supportive of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and made posts relating to sensitive national issues, including claims of religious persecution in Nigeria.

Although INEC has previously denied any connection between Prof. Amupitan and the account in question, the lawmakers insisted that online investigations and digital claims circulating in the public space warrant deeper scrutiny and official clarification.

READ ALSO:

“The office of the INEC chairman is too critical to be tainted by allegations of partisanship,” the caucus stated, warning that failure to address the issue could erode confidence in the electoral process ahead of 2027.

The lawmakers further alleged that under Amupitan’s leadership, INEC has taken steps they consider prejudicial to the ADC, including what they described as recognition of a disputed internal leadership faction within the party. They argued that the commission’s actions interfere in internal party affairs and undermine its role as an independent electoral referee.

The caucus also raised concerns over an ongoing court case involving the ADC’s leadership dispute, scheduled for hearing on April 14, 2026, alleging possible undue influence and warning against what they described as judicial interference in party matters.

Citing provisions of the Electoral Act, the lawmakers argued that internal party disputes should not be subjected to external interference and urged strict adherence to constitutional and legal boundaries governing political party administration.

Beyond INEC, the ADC caucus also announced plans to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing some judicial officers of compromised conduct in politically sensitive cases. They called for investigations into alleged misconduct and possible disciplinary action where necessary.

The lawmakers referenced recent concerns raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) leadership over judicial independence and alleged political influence, including the controversial practice of political figures making donations or gifts to judicial officers.

Describing the situation as an “existential threat” to Nigeria’s democracy, the ADC lawmakers urged Nigerians to defend democratic institutions and ensure accountability across all arms of government.

They also lamented what they described as a decline in judicial integrity, citing respected jurists such as Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, Justice Niki Tobi, Justice Kayode Eso, and Justice Mohammed Uwais as benchmarks for judicial independence and credibility.

Reaffirming their position, the caucus insisted that INEC must not only be independent in name but must demonstrate transparency, impartiality, and credibility in both perception and practice, warning that any erosion of trust could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s democratic stability.