Tag: Politics

My attention has been drawn to a report being circulated in some section of the media about the purported emergence of another consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the August 16, 2025 bye-election in Ibadan North Federal Constituency and I wish to state categorically that the public should disregard it. The truth of the matter is that Mr. ADEWALE OLATUNJI (a.k.a Murphy) remains the candidate of our great Party.

The said report is nothing but a misrepresentation of fact because all we did at the meeting which took place on Wednesday at the State Secretariat of our Party was to appeal for understanding and cooperation of the aggrieved aspirants who actually were the conveners of the meeting. Also, it must be clearly stated here that the Party Leaders who attended the meeting on invitation of the Aspirants lacked the power to substitute Party Candidate’s name and none of them, including myself, made any allusion to such a claim.

As a matter of fact, the National Secretariat of our great Party has submitted Mr. Adewale Olatunji’s name as our candidate and what we are concerned about now is how to bring everyone (including his co-contestants on board) for the purpose of working together as members of the same progressive family to win the seat which originally belonged to us.

However, I am using this medium to make a strong appeal to all the aspirants, their supporters and other stakeholders who still nurse one grievance or the other on account of the unavoidable controversies which surrounded the Consensus arrangement which produced Mr. Olatunji as our candidate to exercise patience and give room for dialogue as I can assure all and sundry that the leadership of the Party would do the needful to assuage their individual and collective feelings.

August 16 is here and we must deliver together as the bye-election means so much to us. May God grant us a resounding victory at this poll as well as those coming in the future.

Thank you.

Pharm. Olayide Abas Chairman, APC (Oyo state)July 31, 2025.

In a strongly worded response, the Akinremi Legacy Forum has denounced the recent actions of a splinter group known as the Akinremi Think Tank—a faction of just eight individuals—accusing them of betraying the collective ideals of the late Hon. Musiliu Olaide Adewale Akinremi (JAGABAN).

In a press release dated Thursday, 31st July 2025, the breakaway group announced their withdrawal from the affairs of the Ibadan North chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the upcoming bye-election scheduled for 16th August 2025. They cited grievances such as “disappointing dispositions,” “unprovoked hatred,” “outrageous labelling,” and “toxic environments” within the local APC structure.

We, the undersigned members of the Akinremi Legacy Forum, representing Wards 1 through 12 and beyond in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency, feel compelled to correct the record and address the wider public and APC leadership at both local and state levels.

Following the untimely passing of our revered leader, Hon. Musiliu Olaide Adewale Akinremi JAGABAN, on 10th July 2024, the so-called Akinremi Think Tank began engaging in anti-party activities, including collusion with opposition members. These actions were swiftly reported to the relevant APC leadership bodies—including the Ibadan North Local Government Executive Council, the State Executive Council, and the Ibadan North APC Apex Leadership Forum. Despite multiple warnings from party loyalists, their disloyalty has persisted.

Credible reports indicate that this group has received financial incentives from various aspirants and opposition figures in exchange for promises of support in the upcoming election. Most recently, they attempted to pressure the wider Legacy Forum into opposing the official APC candidate. It has become abundantly clear that they are working in alignment with political elements close to the state governor and the opposition, with expectations of political appointments and material rewards in return for dismantling the Akinremi Legacy Forum from within.

Let it be known: the Akinremi Think Tank consists of only eight individuals with no significant electoral value. They do not represent us. Anyone who engages with them under the impression that they speak for the Akinremi Legacy Forum does so at their own risk. We have formally disowned them.

The Akinremi Legacy Forum remains united, unwavering, and fully committed to the success of Hon. Wale Olatunji Murphy, the duly endorsed APC candidate for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election.

We hereby invite all members of the Akinremi Legacy Forum across Ibadan North to a solidarity meeting scheduled for Friday, 1st August 2025 at 3:00 PM at our usual meeting venue.

We also reaffirm our loyalty to the leadership of Alhaji (Pharm.) Olaide Abass and the entire Oyo State APC hierarchy, as well as to the Apex Leadership of the APC in Ibadan North. This election is not just political—it is a tribute to the enduring legacy of our beloved JAGABAN.

A vote for Murphy is a vote for Jagaban. Let’s uphold Akinremi’s legacy. Come out en masse to support Hon. Wale Olatunji Murphy.

Signed:

1. Dauda Atunlute – Public Relations Officer

2. Owolabi Adeniyi – Financial Secretary

3. Aliu Jubril Aroso – Youth Leader

4. Monsuru Inukan – Vice Chairman

5. Okeniyi Olumide – Welfare Secretary

6. Abideen Otiti – Auditor

7. Waheed Kolawole – Ex Officio II

8. Mrs. Olaide Salisu – Assistant Financial Secretary

9. Animasaun Wosila – Assistant Woman Leader

10. Mrs. Kadelu – Ex Officio III

11. Kola Omotade – Assistant Auditor.

All signatories are executive members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ibadan North Local Government, and official representatives of the Akinremi Legacy Forum, Ibadan North.

The passing of Rt. Hon. Musiliu Olaide Adewale Akinremi, fondly known as JAGABAN, has left a significant void in the House of Representatives and within the All Progressives Congress (APC) family in Ibadan North. His absence is deeply felt.

Before the APC released its guidelines for the upcoming bye-election and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the election timetable, over twenty dedicated party members expressed interest in contesting for the vacant seat. After a thorough screening process, ten aspirants—eight men and two women—met the party’s requirements. Each of them displayed remarkable zeal, competence, and unwavering commitment to securing the party’s ticket. Their passion and determination are commendable and deserving of recognition.

However, in every contest, only one candidate emerges. The party has officially announced Hon. Adewale Olatunji, popularly known as Murphy, as the APC flagbearer for the bye-election scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025.

As devoted and loyal members of our great party, and in honour of the legacy left behind by Hon. Akinremi JAGABAN, it is both honourable and strategic to set aside differences, forgive past grievances, and come together in unity. Supporting Murphy is not only a tribute to Akinremi’s memory but also a necessary step in strengthening the party for the challenges ahead.

To all aspirants who invested their time, energy, and resources into this race: you fought valiantly. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and your contributions have elevated the party’s strength and visibility—even at the national level. I urge the party leadership to offer continued support and encouragement to these worthy individuals.

I commend our State Party Chairman, Alhaji Pharmacist Olaide Abass, for his impartial leadership and commitment throughout the process. This bye-election is an important milestone for his tenure, and we owe it to him—and to our party—to deliver victory.If today belongs to Murphy, tomorrow could belong to any one of us. Let us embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and carry forward the lessons we’ve learned. We must now stand together and give our full support to the local government party chairman, Alhaji T.A.O. Olayiwola, and his executive team as they lead us into this crucial election. Their success is our collective success.

Lastly, I appeal to our Apex Leaders to come together, close ranks, and foster unity within the party. History will judge us not only by our individual ambitions but by the legacy of unity we leave behind.

Victory is certain—Victory is for us all.

Balogun Gaphar Babatunde OjetolaWard 3, Ibadan NorthMember, APC Apex LeadersBAT AGENDA National Coordinator.

In a reaction to the sustained false criminal and slanderous accusations by one Ayodeni Aluko against Elder Wole Oyelese over a land matter,
a socio-political group, Egbe Omoluabi,has cautioned the said Ayodeni to desist from her public criminal outburst and media campaign or else face the legal consequences of her action. This is because clear and incontrovertible evidence has shown that the land Ayodeni is laying claim to actually forms part of a larger piece of land belonging to former Minister of Power and Steel and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Elder Wole Oyelese.

In a statement issued by the group’s Chairman, Engr. Waheed Ajani, Egbe Omoluabi described the actions of Mrs. Aluko as ” irresponsible, misleading,criminal and a calculated and deliberate attempt to smeer the impeccable public image of Elder Oyelese in order to gain public sympathy instead of pursuing legal steps.

“It is unfortunate and disheartening that a respected elder statesman like Elder Wole Oyelese is being dragged into a matter as this with baseless allegations. The accuser, rather than follow the appropriate legal channels to prove her claims if she has any has resorted to a media trial,” Engr. Waheed Ajani stated.

He further stressed that land acquisition issues, especially those involving tenancy or disputed ownership, are not resolved in the court of public opinion but through proper legal processes.

Engr. Waheed Ajani further claimed that they’ve concluded their investigations into the land issue and it has been confirmed that Ayodeni Aluko unfortunately conducted her transactions with an individual who has now been identified as a land fraudster and a member of the family that initially sold the land to Elder Oyelese. At no time was the former minister brought into her matter.

“We gathered that the said fake vendor whose name was given as Yekini Abule fraudulently presented himself as having the authority to sell the land and so misled Aluko during the transaction.

It is important to clarify that the land in question was originally and legally sold to Elder Wole Oyelese, who possesses all valid documents proving ownership. Several other victims of this fraudulent scheme by Abule have since acknowledged their situation and mistake and are already taking steps to resolve their matters directly with Elder Oyelese.

Elder Oyelese is a man of integrity, blessed by God, and has no need to unlawfully lay claim to what does not belong to him. The said property in question measuring about forty nine acres we gathered was acquired over twenty years ago by the former minister with valid documentation. If Mrs. Aluko truly believes she has a claim to the one acre she claimed she bought three years ago, she should present her case before the appropriate authorities instead of seeking emotional validation through the media.”

The group also advised Mrs. Aluko to desist from “false and defamatory assertions,” urging her to embrace the rule of law if her claims are genuine.

Egbe Omoluabi concluded its statement by commending the former Honourable Minister for the mature and dignified way he has so far handled the matter. The group while asserting their support for Elder Oyelese, described him as a statesman who has contributed immensely to both the state and the nation and should not be subjected to unnecessary discomfort.

SIGNED
Engr. Waheed Ajani
Chairman,Omoluabi Group
Oyo State.

Mr. Kazeem Olalekan Bello
Secretary, Omoluabi Group
Oyo State

With deep gratitude and immense appreciation, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Chief (Engr.) Jubril Dotun Sanusi for his unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and progress within the JDS political movement. His visionary leadership and relentless dedication to humanity continue to inspire and bring together individuals from all walks of life, strengthening the foundation for a greater political future in Oyo State.

We also extend our profound appreciation to Hon. Arole Gbenga Adewusi and Hon. Adeyemi Kazeem, whose selfless efforts and peace-making initiatives have played a significant role in fostering harmony and unity within our movement. Their ability to mediate, reconcile, and build bridges of understanding is truly commendable, and we recognize them as vital pillars in ensuring the continued growth and stability of our collective political aspirations.

A special prayer of goodwill and appreciation goes to Alhaja Abegbo Lawal, whose tender and peaceful approach to leadership has been instrumental in uniting the various JDS groups across Oyo State. Beyond being a leader, Abegbo Lawal is a mother, a mentor, and a builder of people, tirelessly nurturing individuals and preparing them for greater political responsibility. Her ability to identify, support, and elevate emerging leaders within our movement is a testament to her selfless nature and unwavering commitment to the growth of our political structure. May Almighty Allah continue to bless her with wisdom, strength, and long life to keep guiding us toward a brighter future. Furthermore, we extend our deep appreciation to Hon. Adeyemo Amosun and several others for their understanding, trust, and love in the leadership of Jubril Dotun Sanusi. Their loyalty and belief in the cause have contributed immensely to the solidarity and resilience of our political family. The spirit of togetherness and commitment they have displayed is an assurance that our collective political future is strong and promising.

Lastly, to all inclusive JDS groups, we acknowledge your steadfast followership, unwavering trust, and relentless dedication to the movement. Your belief in Dotun Sanusi’s leadership and political ideology fuels the strength of our cause. Together, we will continue to work for a better, inclusive, and progressive Oyo State, driven by justice, fairness, and service to humanity. May our unity remain unshakable, and may we continue to grow stronger, together In valuable decision making.

Signed:

Alhaja Chief (Mrs) Abegbo Lawal

For JDS Consolidated Groups.