Politics

War in Osun as Oyetola, Adeoti, Battle for APC’s Guber Ticket Today

Published

4 years ago

February 19, 2022

Moshood Adeoti and Gboyega Oyetola

*Governor AbdulRazaq heads 7-man election supervision team, says he’ll be fair to all

Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State and the Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, who is Oyetola’s predecessor, will today go to war, as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) holds direct primary elections across the 322 wards in the state to pick its candidate for the governorship election holding next July.

The Osun State Governor and Aregbesola have been at loggerheads for almost three years, over the control of the state and the party.
Oyetola is seeking the party’s ticket to run for a second term while Aregbesola and his political movement, The Osun Progressives (TOP) are backing erstwhile Secretary to the Osun State Government, Moshood Adeoti to unseat Oyetola.

Many agree that Oyetola has performed creditably well since he assumed office despite the mountain of debt left behind by Aregbesola.
Aside the power of incumbency, as well as his achievements in the past three and half years in office, Oyetola enjoys the support of former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the national leadership of the party and the backing of the State Executive of the party, led by Adegboyega Famodun.

But Aregbesloa insists Oyetola must not get the party’s ticket to run for a second term because the governor has been disloyal to him and the party members in the state.

The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party has sent a seven-man team led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State to supervise today’s primary in the state. Senator Julius Ucha is the Secretary of the committee.
Other members of the committee are Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, Hon. Abdulkarim Abdulraman, Hon. Wale Raji, Mrs. Yetunde Imolehin and Mr. Ofonmbuk Okon Bassey.

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There were moves by some chieftains of the party to postpone the primary in order to address the rift between Oyetola and Aregbesola, but the national body resisted the moves.
Incidentally, AbdulRazaq has been engaged in a feud with the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, just like the case between Oyetola and Aregbesola.

But AbdulRazaq promised all contestants that he would be fair to them in the conduct of the primary election.
He said he would act in strict compliance with APC’s Constitution in the conduct of the election.
The governor said he and other members of the panel on the Osun primary were looking forward to conducting a free and fair primary election in the state.

Oyetola has persistently resisted Aregbesola’s moves to operate as the Godfather of Osun State politics and dictate to him as the governor, on the day to day running of the state.
This has resulted in numerous violent clashes among supporters of the two camps.

The Special Adviser to Oyetola on Political Affairs, Sunday Akere, explains further: “Oyetola did not fight Aregbesola. He (Aregbesola) declared that Oyetola’s tenure was his third term and he wanted to be in charge. He also promised those close to him that 80 per cent of them would return as cabinet members, which did not happen. The ex-governor thought the eight-year tenure was for eternity. It has ended but he could not believe that reality. The root cause of the issue is what I just said.”
The Chairman, Elders’ Caucus of the Osun State APC, Sola Akinwumi described the “street shows” by Aregbesola as a display of thuggery and hooliganism.

Akinwumi adds: “As a matter of fact, the erstwhile governor belittles himself and I am very sure he didn’t know the implications of what he did. He acted so low and naively as if he was the sitting governor.
“Was he telling us that there are two governors in the State? Has he forgotten that he is no longer a Governor? We have known his intention and we leave everyone to his or her conscience.”

Meanwhile, members of the APC in Osun State have been urged to remain focused and resolute in their resolve to re-elect Oyetola at the party’s primary election coming up today, as they have demonstrated during the strategic tour conducted round the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prince Oluwole Oyebamiji gave the charge in a press statement, describing the atmosphere of tension recently created in the State as a mere distraction.

The SSG affirmed in the statement that Osun “is the most peaceful state and will remain so during and after the primary election.”
He then urged every member of the public to embrace peace and go about their lawful duties without any fear.
The statement further revealed that the Oyetola administration had touched lives and impacted the society in an unprecedented way without relegating human capital development to the background.

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Aregbesola: Oyetola Waging War against Me

On the other hand, Aregbesola alleged that Oyetola had been waging a war against him since becoming the governor.
The Interior Minister reiterated this in Ikire town last Thursday while addressing a rally held to garner support for Adeoti, his anointed candidate in today’s primaries.

Speaking in Yoruba, Aregbesola said he pleaded with Oyetola for about two years not to fight him, adding that his successor rejected his advice, which made him call his supporters to salvage the party.

He said, “I begged him (Oyetola) for two years; I told him that people must not mock us; I told him that he was heading for destruction. I served this state with the whole of my heart; I also positioned Oyetola so that he could succeed me in office.

“When we came to this town (Ikire) for his campaign, we were drenched in rain from the Akire’s palace to this place. He got to the office and claimed I am his enemy; those who contested against him during our party primary he pulled closer, while he is fighting me.

“Since Oyetola assumed office, he has waged a war against me as if I once harmed him. He claimed that I did not want him to emerge as the governor; I told him that I heard him and that now that he had been governor, what else did he want?
“I begged him for two years; I sent people to help me beg him and that he should not love me, but he must not fight me; even if he wanted to fight me, he should not abuse me and destroy my legacies.

“All that I warned him not to do was what he did. He opposed what I did; all the things I did together with him for eight years, he opposed and reversed them. He thought he could destroy me through my work; nobody was pushing him, he is pushing himself. He deliberately towed that path. He waged a war against me and refused to listen to my pleas until he got rid of me.”

Sack Aregbesola Now, Coalition Tells Buhari

Meanwhile, a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Osun State has demanded the sack of Aregbesola for promoting civil unrest ahead of today’s governorship primary election.

The Spokesperson of the Coalition, Mr. Wasiu Alli, while addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, said according to the 5th Schedule of the constitution, Aregbesola was expected to act only in ways that promote National Security and does not expose Nigerians anywhere to threats to their lives and property.

The Coalition added that where the contrary becomes the case, erring government officials must receive appropriate sanctions.
The coalition said Aregbesola in the past one week had engaged in a public show of rascality, encouragement of followers to behave in manners that undermine the superintendence of the present administration in the State, denigration of Elder Statesmen, among many others.
It noted that the recent utterances of Aregbesola were already heating the polity in the State to a point where residents now live in fear.

It stated: “While superintending over Security Agencies under the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has now turned security details attached to him by these Agencies (NSCDC and NPF) into tools of political warfare, clearly undermining the jurisdiction of the Nigeria Police Force in maintaining security in Osun State.

“Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, despite being responsible for coordination of public security, is, by his actions, promoting disunity and insubordination between two key security agencies that should ordinarily be cooperating. This portends grave danger for the maintenance of peace and security within Osun State and indeed, Nigeria.”

The coalition said if the federal government failed to call Aregbesola to order and charge him to focus on his official responsibilities instead of going about causing civil unrest, he would end up inflaming the otherwise peaceful Osun State.

It said, “Where he cannot be cautioned, we demand his outright sack or redeployment if he cannot act responsibly in line with the dictates of the office he presently holds. A public officer must never be seen acting contrary to the spirit and provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.”

Responding, Aregbesola said the Coalition was hurriedly put together and plotted by the leadership of the government in Osun State.
The minister, who responded in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, insisted that the state government in particular had mounted a campaign of calumny against the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) because they were providing security for some citizens in Osun while they hold meetings and ward off attacks against them.

You Have Been Chosen to Rule Osun for Second Term, Ataoja, Olobu Tell Oyetola
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, and the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, yesterday reiterated their support for Governor Oyetola, saying they were resolute to work for his success in the forthcoming governorship election.

The monarchs showered encomiums and prayers on the governor for his modest achievements in the last three years, just as they assured him of their royal backing before, during and after the July 16 governorship election in the State.
This is even as Oyetola rounded off his strategic engagement tour across the nine Federal Constituencies of the State in Osogbo, the State capital, on Thursday night.

Oyetola had in the last three weeks embarked on a familiarisation visit to each of the 30 local government areas, including Ife-East Area Office, to identify and solidarise with the newly-elected executives of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State.
Receiving the Governor in his palace, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, threw his weight behind Governor Oyetola whom he described as a promise keeper.

In the same vein, Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, acknowledged the monumental achievements of the Administration of Governor Oyetola, which he described as unprecedented in the history of the State.
Oba Olaniyan, who implored the Governor to remain steadfast and not be distracted, said, “We are solidly behind you and we are ready to mobilise our subjects to re-elect you.”

Thisday

Related Topics:Adeoti APC battle Featured guber Osun Oyetola ticket

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Politics

Ogun 2027: Group Rejects Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Endorses Adebutu

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi)

Ogun 2027: Group Rejects Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Endorses Adebutu

A political pressure group, Ogun West Concerned Stakeholders’ Conference, has rejected the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) ahead of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election, arguing that only aspirants with verifiable local roots and a longstanding commitment to the region should represent Ogun West.

The group, however, threw its weight behind the governorship aspiration of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, describing him as a true son of Ogun State whose ancestry and political journey are closely tied to the state.

Addressing journalists in Ilaro on Thursday, the group’s spokesperson, Hakeem Adetunji, said the organisation, which he claimed has about 5,000 members across Ogun West, was compelled to respond to what it described as attempts to portray opponents of Senator Adeola’s ambition as enemies of the district.

According to Adetunji, the group’s opposition to Adeola is rooted in his alleged lack of historical involvement in the political struggles of Ogun West and what it described as his failure to support previous governorship aspirations from the senatorial district.

Ogun West Concerned Stakeholders’ Conference

“We are here to rewrite our story because, over time, people have called us bastards simply because we do not support Senator Olamilekan Adeola’s governorship ambition,” he said.

He argued that during the 2011 governorship election involving the late General Adetunji Olurin and the 2015 election in which Gboyega Isiaka (GNI) contested, Senator Adeola was not part of the political movement for Ogun West.

Adetunji further alleged that in 2019, Adeola worked against the region’s governorship interest and repeated the same pattern in 2023 by opposing the candidacy of Biyi Otegbeye, who emerged as the sole governorship candidate from Ogun West.

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According to him, the senator allegedly deployed his political influence, resources and network to frustrate Otegbeye’s ambition in pursuit of his own governorship aspiration.

He maintained that the issue extends beyond politics, insisting that Ogun West deserves a candidate who shares the history, identity and aspirations of its people.

“Today, some people expect us to forget where we are coming from and abandon our history. We cannot do that. Senator Adeola does not share our historical background or political journey. That is why some of us cannot align with his governorship ambition,” Adetunji stated.

The group consequently endorsed Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, saying his family roots and connection with Ogun State make him a more suitable choice to lead the state.

“Some of us have identified with the aspiration of Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu because we see him as one of us,” he added.

Another member of the conference, Adeshola Hakeem, also questioned Senator Adeola’s claim to Ogun West, alleging that the lawmaker only identified with the district after relocating his political interest from Lagos State.

He argued that governorship representation should not be determined solely by political popularity but also by genuine community identity, historical contribution and consistent grassroots engagement.

The group’s position comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Ogun West intensifying its longstanding campaign to produce the state’s next governor.

However, Kayode Odunaro, media adviser to Senator Adeola, dismissed the allegations, describing the conference as a faceless group pursuing a political agenda.

Odunaro maintained that the senator’s indigeneship is well established and no longer a matter for public debate, insisting that Adeola remains qualified to contest the governorship election under Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.

The latest criticism follows Governor Dapo Abiodun’s endorsement of Senator Adeola as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus governorship candidate for Ogun West after consultations with party leaders across the senatorial district.

Governor Abiodun had said the decision was aimed at ensuring Ogun West, which has never produced a democratically elected governor since the state’s creation in 1976, finally gets the opportunity to occupy the state’s highest political office.

As political alignments continue ahead of the 2027 election, debates over indigeneship, zoning, political loyalty and regional equity are expected to remain central issues in Ogun State’s governorship race.

Ogun 2027: Group Rejects Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Endorses Adebutu

Politics

Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2026

Trends Admin

National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Senate President, David Mark

Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark, dismissing a suit that sought to nullify the appointments of Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Musa Liman held that the suit filed by Leke Abejide, the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, lacked merit and was not justiciable because it bordered on the internal affairs of a political party. The court ruled that it had no jurisdiction to interfere in such matters except where there is a clear breach of the law or violation of a member’s legal rights.

Justice Liman upheld the preliminary objections raised by the ADC, its former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, David Mark and Aregbesola, effectively dismissing Abejide’s claims.

The judge held that the plaintiff failed to establish that any of his legal rights had been infringed by the emergence of the current party leadership. He also ruled that Abejide did not exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before instituting the suit, a requirement under the ADC Constitution and established legal principles governing disputes within political parties.

On the substantive issues, the court ruled that the transition of leadership from Ralph Nwosu to David Mark did not violate either the ADC Constitution or the Electoral Act, 2026.

Justice Liman explained that the July 2, 2025, gathering at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja was merely a stakeholders’ meeting where Nwosu announced his intention to hand over the party’s leadership. According to the court, the formal emergence of David Mark and Aregbesola occurred during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The court held that the process complied with the party’s constitution and all applicable electoral laws.

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Justice Liman consequently declared that David Mark’s emergence as National Chairman and Aregbesola’s appointment as National Secretary were valid and lawful.

The court also imposed financial penalties on the plaintiff and his counsel. Abejide was ordered to pay ₦2 million in costs to each of the defendants, while his lawyer was directed to pay ₦10 million in costs pursuant to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Abejide had instituted the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, seeking to invalidate the leadership transition within the ADC. He argued that Nwosu’s handover of the party’s leadership to Mark and Aregbesola was unlawful and asked the court to nullify the process.

He also sought perpetual injunctions restraining David Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary and asked the court to prevent INEC from recognising them, alleging that their emergence failed to comply with the Electoral Act.

However, Justice Liman rejected all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff and affirmed the legality of the leadership change, leaving the David Mark-led National Working Committee firmly in charge of the party.

The judgment is regarded as a significant legal victory for the ADC leadership as the opposition party continues preparations for the 2027 general elections. It also comes weeks after INEC reinstated David Mark and other members of the party’s National Working Committee on its official portal following a Supreme Court decision that set aside an earlier Court of Appeal order affecting the party’s leadership recognition. Despite Thursday’s ruling, other suits challenging the ADC leadership remain pending before the courts.

Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

Politics

2027: Atiku Names Kenneth Okonkwo New Spokesperson

Published

3 days ago

July 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Kenneth Okonkwo and Atiku Abubakar

2027: Atiku Names Kenneth Okonkwo New Spokesperson

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed actor-turned-politician and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo as his official spokesperson, in a move seen as strengthening the party’s communication strategy ahead of the next general election.

Okonkwo announced his appointment in a statement shared on his verified X account on Thursday, expressing gratitude to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him and pledging to discharge the responsibility with wisdom and dedication.

“I give God all the glory for being appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank His Excellency for the immense confidence reposed in me,” Okonkwo said.

The former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson described the appointment as evidence of Atiku’s leadership style, saying the former vice president prefers dialogue, consultation and compromise whenever disagreements arise within the party.

“Rather than take offence at associates for expressing genuine reservations about any action taken, His Excellency always opts for dialogue and compromise that engender solutions to problems,” he stated.

According to Okonkwo, his concerns over the political interests of the South-East were addressed during discussions with Atiku and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He explained that the consultations provided assurances that the interests of the South-East would be protected within the framework of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the prevailing political realities.

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“At a dialogue with His Excellency and other well-meaning members of the African Democratic Congress, the interests of the South-East were discussed and guaranteed within the existing challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, and the realities on the ground,” he added.

Okonkwo also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Kashim Imam, former ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu, and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Ekene Onwuka, for their roles in promoting reconciliation and strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

He further thanked his family, supporters and friends for their encouragement and prayers.

“I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision and protection needed to carry out this challenging responsibility, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria,” he said.

The appointment comes weeks after Okonkwo openly criticised the ADC’s vice-presidential selection process.

He had argued that choosing a running mate from the South-South would further deepen what he described as the political marginalisation of the South-East, the only geopolitical zone yet to produce either a President or Vice President since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

Despite his reservations, the ADC later announced former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate after the former vice president secured the party’s presidential ticket.

Okonkwo’s acceptance of the spokesperson role suggests that consultations within the party have helped bridge earlier differences over the composition of the presidential ticket.

A lawyer, actor and seasoned political communicator, Okonkwo previously served as a spokesperson for the Labour Party presidential campaign and has remained an influential voice in Nigeria’s opposition politics. His appointment is expected to bolster Atiku’s public engagement and media outreach as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.