Aregbesola of the State of Osun
winds down in November 2018, the
question of who takes over from him is
permeating the political space.
Notwithstanding that the election is about
20 months away and that political parties
have not flung their doors open for
campaigns to the Bola Ige House,
political manoeuvrings, consultations,
scheming, alignment and re-alignment
are in top gear.
Notable politicians are positioning
themselves to clinch their parties’
nominations, by seeking the backings of
the juggernauts, influencers and
kingmakers within the folds of their
respective political parties. Among the
aspirants that have overtly or covertly
signified their interests in governing the
state in 2018 are Lere Oyewumi, Adejare
Bello, Iyiola Omisore, Adeola Adewopo
and Kayode Oduoye, all on the platform of
the opposition People’s Democratic Party
(PDP).
In the fold of the ruling APC, Isiaka
Adeleke, Yusuf Lasun, Mojeed Alabi,
Gboyega Oyetola and Nojeem Salaam are
some of the contending factors for the
position of the number one citizen of the
state.
Lere Oyewumi
Akogun Lere Oyewumi is currently a
national commissioner in the National
Population Commission (NPC).A former
federal legislator and chairman of Irewole
Local Government, Akogun Oyewumi is
said to be a down-to-heart politician and
grassroots influencer. He was appointed
director-general of Omisore/Bello
campaign organisation in 2014, a duty he
carried out to the satisfaction and
admiration of all the party faithful.
Oyewumi, who holds a doctorate degree
from the University of Ibadan, is credited
with many laudable capital projects which
were executed during his tenure as the
Irewole council boss. However, he is
believed not to have the needed financial
wherewithal to sustain elaborate
gubernatorial campaigns.
Adejare Bello
Adejare is a lawyer and served in the
Osun State House of Assembly for 12
years: first as the Minority Leader
(1999-2003) and later as the Speaker
(2003-2011). He contested the 2014
gubernatorial election in the state as the
running-mate to the flag-bearer of the
PDP Iyiola Omisore. He is from Ede in
Osun West Senatorial District. In the 2014
election, his party (PDP) polled 17,889
votes in the two local governments in Ede
as against the APC’s 27,141 votes. He is
known as a grassroots politician with
vast wealth of experience and who can
hold his ground anywhere.
Iyiola Omisore
Omisore is not new to the politics of the
state. Since 1999 when he was elected
deputy governor to Chief Bisi Akande, he
has been a recurring decimal in the
scheme of things in the state.
He ran against the incumbent Governor in
2014.He is from Ile-Ife, the same
senatorial district as the current Governor.
Rumour has it that he is making
surreptitious moves to join the ruling
APC. His pockets, unarguably, are deep
and he is loved by his Ile-Ife people, going
by the outcomes of a series of elections
from the zone. Omisore owns a radio
station in the state which can be a very
veritable campaign tool for him.
However, his albatross has been his
alleged link to the gruesome murder of
Chief Bola Ige. Chief Ige, an Ijesha
aristocrat who was shot and bludgeoned
to death by unknown assassins in his
Bodija home in December 2001, had a
towering image that cut across the length
and breadth of the state. He was the
Governor of old Oyo state (now Oyo and
Osun states) from 1979-1983.
Omisore, alongside other notable
politicians, including Jelili Adesiyan (who
later became police affairs minister during
the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan) was
detained in Agodi prison, Ibadan in
connection with the murder of Chief Ige.
While in detention, Omisore won a senate
seat in 2003.
Ayoade Adewopo
Ayoade Adewopo is a lawyer and expert in
anti-money laundering matters. He was
educated at the Polytechnic Ibadan,
University of Wales and Indiana
University. A prince and blueblood from
the Ogboru Royal Family of Ile-Ife and
Laoye of Ede(his mother was the first
daughter of late Timi of Ede Oba John
Laoye), Ayoade is the president of the
Johnson Adedoja Adewopo
Foundation.Through the Foundation,
Ayoade has provided scholarship awards
to many students in the states. Although
he is relatively known in the Osun
political circle, his alleged link with a rich
and influential first class monarch in the
state is going to be a plus for him.
“Ayombo”, his campaign slogan, is
gathering rave in the state.
Kayode Oduoye
(Dr) Kayode Oduoye, fondly called
“Superkay”, is a household name in the
state. Since he lost the Ifelodun/Boripe/
Odo-Otin Federal House of
Representatives seat election in 2015 to
the candidate of the APC, the popularity
of this Ikirun-born and OAU/Buckingham-
educated lawyer has been on the rise. He
has many good things working for him: he
is young, wealthy, humble, generous and
gregarious. He is a politician with decent
and verifiable pedigree. He is a scion of
late Senator Simeon Oduoye, a retired AIG
and former military administrator of
Ebonyi/Niger states. Kayode Oduoye’s
clout cuts across all divides. He is seen
as a reliable unifying factor. There is
speculation that some APC chieftains,
having seen his positive exploits in the
state, are making overtures to him to join
the progressive fold.
He has donated immensely to the cause
of the media, faith-based groups and
students/youths in the state. He, in
company with his spouse Mosun Filani-
Oduoye, has donated handsomely to a
number of orphanages and the physically-
challenged persons in the state. Mosun
Filani-Oduoye is a popular Nollywood star
and her politician-husband would find her
popularity in the entertainment and movie
industry readily beneficial in the
campaign.
Oduoye also has used his contacts as an
international businessman and active
player in the Oil/Gas and
Telecommunication sectors to secure
employments for many youths of the
state. Perhaps his good gestures and
kind responses to the cause of the
masses prompted his teeming supporters
to urge him to seek the highest political
position in the state.
Be that as it may, the internal wrangling
in the Osun PDP, a fall-out of the May
2016 party congress in the state may
impede his lofty ambition. The PDP has
been polarised into two factions: one
faction, believed to be loyal to the Senator
Ali-Modu Sheriff Executive is led by Soji
Adagunodo, while the second faction,
sympathetic to the Ahmed Makarfi
Caretaker Committee is led by Soji
Faforiji,a known ally of Otunba Iyiola
Omisore. Analysts are of the view that if
all the squabbles in the party are not
resolved in the shortest possible time,
further balkanization may be witnessed in
the party and will affect the chances of
the party in 2018.
“PDP are in the opposition in both the
state and in the federal. It would do them
no good if they carry their roforofo fights
into the election year,” one commentator,
Yekini Agboola, sounds a note of warning.
On the platform of the ruling
All Progressives Congress
(APC), we have the
following:
Isiaka Adeleke
Senator Isiaka Adeleke at present is a
senator representing Osun West in the
Senate. He has the honour of being the
first Executive Governor of the state
(1992-1993).A member of the Senator
Ayoola Adeleke Dynasty of Ede, Isiaka
Adeleke, nicknamed “Serubawon’’, holds
degrees in Political Science and Public
Administration of the University of
Jacksonville. During his brief stay in office
as the Governor of the state, it is to his
credit that Osun State Polytechnic, Iree;
Osun State College of Technology, Esa-
Oke were established. Also during his
tenure, he ensured the completion of the
Osun State Broadcasting Corporation
(OSBC).
Adeleke has a deep pocket and enjoys
cult-like followership in his native home of
Ede. His two children Bayo Adeleke(B-
Red) and Adeshina Adeleke(Shina Rambo)
are hip-hop stars. His younger brother
Adedeji Adeleke(father of popular singer
Davido) is the founder of Adeleke
University, Ede.Isiaka Adeleke may benefit
in no small measure if these influential
and interesting characters are brought
into the political turf for his sake. The
involvements of these interesting and
influential characters in the election can
positively rub-off on Senator Adeleke’s
campaign.
However, some analysts critical of him
maintain that Adeleke is of the old
generation and has nothing special to
offer again, having governed the state 24
years ago when he was still in his late
thirties. To this category of commentators,
Osun is in dire need of ‘High Tech
governance’ which, they presume, Adeleke
cannot offer them.
Yusuf Lasun
Hon.Yusuf Lasun is deputy speaker of the
House of Representatives. He is from
Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government (Osun
Central Senatorial District) and he
represents the people of Irepodun/
Olurunda/Osogbo/Orolu Federal
Constituency. He is an alumnus of the
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife where
he studied Mechanical Engineering. He is
acknowledged as a grassroots politician
who has used his political influence and
connections to mitigate the suffering of
his constituents. Lasun is seen as a
politician and leader who feels the pulse
of the electorate.
“Since his election as the Deputy Speaker
in the country’s lower chambers,”
according to one of his fans, “Honourable
has impacted positively on us. He has
drawn many capital projects to our
constituency and also secured decent
political appointments for some of our
folks.”
However, his governorship ambition may
hit the rock if he does not close ranks
with the incumbent Governor. Although he
has repeatedly denied the alleged rift
between him and the Governor, evidence
abounds that there is no-love-lost
between the two political colossi.
Gross insubordination and disloyalty to
the party hierarchy in the state are some
of the allegations that are said to have
been levelled against him by the governor.
Within the main rank of the party
structure in the state who are believed to
be sympathetic to the governor, Lasun is
regarded as a political Macbeth.
“Since his judasious emergence as the
Deputy Speaker, Lasun has arrogantly but
perilously moved on…He carries himself
with air and portrays a larger-than-life
image. He has kept himself away from all
state/party functions, including from the
President’s visit to the state in August
2016. It is an open insult and
confrontation to the authority of president
Buhari. This is the person that has not
yet become the Governor; what if he
becomes the governor tomorrow…and
begins to enjoy immunity? He will be
pointing fingers at the nose of the
president as Ekiti Governor Fayose is
currently doing!”
On the contrary, Lasun’s supporters do
not see things in this light. One of these
supporters boasts that: “Rauf Aregesola is
just being petty and jealous of the
meteoric rise of our amiable honourable.
And he should note that it is God that
chooses a leader. With or without
Aregbe’s support, Lasun will become the
next governor of our state. Insha Allah.”
They liken his case with that of new
Governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akereeolu,
who against all odds and alleged political
gang ups by party kingmakers in the
South-West emerged the party flag-
bearers in the primaries.
Mojeed Alabi
Mojeed Alabi is a seasoned professor of
Political Science and adjunct professor of
Law. He is from Ejigbo in Osun West
Senatorial District. A former speaker of
the Osun House of Assembly (1999-2003)
and a current member of the House of
Representatives, Professor Alabi
continually uses his scholarly writings
and engagement to deepening the cause
of democracy and good governance in
Nigeria, nay Africa. His supporters believe
he has, over the years, used his office to
draw laudable constituency projects to his
people.
He is articulate, ebullient and has mien,
poise and comportment of a state
governor. He is also known to be a loyal
party man and ally of the state governor.
However, the position of many non-
partisan commentators is that Alabi’s
ambition may be an unrealistic one, going
by his political leaning and moral
standing. He is said to be an outspoken
politician who considers some attitudes of
today’s politicians detestable. He is not
given to political shenanigan. They also
say he does not have fat war-chest to
curry political favour and swing party
delegates to his side unless he enjoys the
massive and unalloyed support of the
incumbent government who calls the tune
in the party.
Nevertheless, his admirers are hopeful
that his political kite will fly in 2018. To
them what Alabi lacks in financial
buoyancy, he possesses it in intellect and
integrity: two qualities that, they affirm,
can exalt a nation. Alabi, they chorus, is
the Best Man for the Job.
Najeem Salaam
Hon.Najeem Salaam is the current
Speaker of the Osun State House of
Assembly.He is from Ejigbo in Osun
West.A graduate of Political Science of
the Obafemi Awolowo University, Salaam
appears to be a mature politician, going
by the way he has piloted and conducted
the affairs of the Assembly since 2011
when he assumed the position. His
support for the Aregbesola’s Government
has been unwavering. There is much
camaraderie between the Assembly and
the Executive. This singular development,
no doubt, has helped the machinery of
development and governance in the state.
Considering his deep understanding and
ample knowledge of Osun politics,
governance and government, he appears
suitable for the office of the Governor.
Gboyega Oyetola
Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola is the Chief of
Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola.He is
from Iragbiji in Osun Central. An alumnus
of the University of Lagos where he
earned a bachelor’s degree in Insurance
(1978) and an MBA (1990), Oyetola
worked for a number of insurance
companies including Corporate Alliance
Insurance as the Technical Controller and
Crusader Insurance as the Underwriting
Manager. Prior to his current position, he
was vice-Chairman of Paragon Group of
Companies, a consortium with interest in
Oil and Gas, Real Estate, Stock Broking.
Oyetola is rumoured to be an anointed
candidate of the Governor and THE
National Leader of the All Progressives
Congress Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Asiwaju
Tinubu has been a strong factor in the
state since 2005 when his former works
commissioner Rauf Aregbesola launched
his governorship bid in the state. If
Oyetola can emerge as the APC flag-
bearer in a rancour-free atmosphere and
primaries, it is going to be to the
advantage of the party; however, if his
candidacy is imposed on the other
aspirants, this may spell doom for the
party.
In rounding off, it is instructive to note
that there is a possibility of the two main
political parties adopting ‘zoning’ in the
(s)election of their candidates. If they do
that, the outcome may tilt towards
aspirants from the Osun West
Senatorial District who are said to have
been marginalised…. Since the creation of
the state in 1991, only Osun West has not
produced a governor that would spend a
full one-term. Senator Isiaka Adeleke,
from this zone, was governor of the state
from January 1992 until November 1993
when the democratic structures were
dissolved by the military. At the return of
democratic rule in 1999, Chief Bisi
Akande, from Osun Central, mounted the
rostrum and he was in the saddle until
2003 when Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola
took over. Oyinlola, also from Osun
Central, was in power until
2010 when the incumbent Ogbeni Rauf
Aregbesola came into power. By this
explanation and trajectory, it means Osun
Central has called the shot for 14 years,
Osun East for eight years and Osun West
for barely two years.
In the different vein, some analysts believe
strongly that if the existing cohesion
within the APC is not pretentious, and
Ogbeni Aregbesola continues to give
responsible and purposeful leadership,
and his Government’s current harmonious
relationship with the labour is not
allowed to severe again, it may be a
tough feat for any opposition candidate to
dislodge the ruling APC in the general
election.
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