In the past few weeks, media space has been awash with series of comments from political gladiators in the State over the choice of Makinde picking a young and energetic youth, Adegoke Wasilat as Commissioner-Nominee from Ibarapa East.
Meanwhile, contrary to speculations which circulated on the social media recently over a purportedly endorsed another commissioner-nominee for Oyo State Ministry of Youths and Sports different from Wasilat Adegoke, a credible source has confirmed that the political class in Ibarapa East mainly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had ratified and adopted only Adegoke Wasilat Adefemi nomination into the state executive council.
Another source in the Oyo State House of Assembly who pleaded anonymity therefore said that the House at its next plenary sitting would request Adegoke and one other Commissioner nominee meant for another Ministry to submit their CVs for legislative screening and confirmation as final ratification was already made and same had been documented, and duly communicated to the House.
The source disclosed further that Adegoke’s adoption by the PDP leadership in Ibarapa East followed due consultations and resolutions based on her political antecedents and track records in grassroots politics in addition to her suitability based on the set out criteria which include among others, that such nominee must not be older than thirty years.
Adegoke, a graduate of Statistics from the famous Polytechnic of Ibadan who hails from Elegun compound Oke Otun, in Lanlate was the State PDP Ex-Officio between 2018 and 2021 which according to the source made her the most suitable for their adoption following her active involvement in the enthronement of the Seyi Makinde led government in 2019.
Born in June 1994, Adegoke’s passion for the development of Ibarapa inspired her active participation in active grassroots politics and as such has since become a respected and loyal party faithful whose passion for the Seyi Makinde development plan prior to the 2019 general elections propelled her grassroots mobilization drive for both 2019 and 2023 governorship elections, the source added.
It was gathered that the name of another lady who also hails from Ibarapa East was equally submitted as a nominee but the PDP leaders in Ibarapa East would rather prefer a core party faithful.
” The final choice of a Commissioner is the prerogative right and power of Governor Seyi Makinde. We can only suggest and nominate. However, we are happy as the feelers reaching us have shown and confirmed that the Governor has forwarded the name of the 29year old Adegoke Wasilat Adefemi to the Oyo State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation. She is our choice and she has our support”
The source also disclosed that the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin was not left out of the selection process as one of the leaders from the area.
According to the source, PDP leaders and elders from Ibarapa East were compelled to adhere strictly to the laid down specifications listed by Governor Seyi Makinde for whoever would emerge as the new Youths and Sports Commissioner from the area.
It was also gathered that part of Governor Makinde’s specifications for a new Youths and Sports Commissioner nominee include the fact that such a person must be a female, a youth of under thirty years old, and must be a Muslim.
The source however, noted that the speculations in a section of online news media recently were sponsored to market the other person who was not the collective choice of the PDP leaders.
It added that such sponsored publication was needless, stressing that Wasilat Adegoke satisfied all expectations on experience needed to manage political and interpersonal relationships within a political family in the office and at home.