![NG-[A_BA[COMP_TABL_ALLC]:TABLETS_160x600](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_utmZUk2T3DQUdS26eZz7cmYl1XZBw113Pjsy1_eAhSWavDX0E-ZpPZoAjECL842fr0Vx3eZ9BMqsqs5yYheRJ9JLToG8VfR58UznRqksf2H5HK8lsL2NyjuaH4Ya4uk2CuLF-u7vAfU3kYY5x36tuFEacfIkqdW_PaXC7SveC09OI66ChS1g=s0-d)
The race for the Agodi Government House in Oyo State is getting tougher by the day and for 2 major reasons it has been a fierce battle among the top contestants for the number one seat in the state. One so much attention has always been on the state as it is seen the political headquarters of the South-West. Two, because of the pedigree and political antecedents of the major contestants in the race. Also, there have been alignments and re-alignments within the political class in the state especially after parties’ primaries. The February 28, 2015 battle is between the incumbent APC governor, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi, former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala (Labour Party), former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin (Peoples Democratic Party), former governor, Senator Adewolu Ladoja (Accord Party) and Eng. Seyi Makinde (Social Democratic Party).
They are all eminently qualified and have been canvassing for votes from the electorates in the state. According to the existing voting pattern of Oyo State, major votes normally come from Ibadan, followed by Ogbomosho, then Oyo and Ibarapa. Ibadan has 11 local governments, the whole of Oke-Ogun division has 10, Ogbomoso 5, Oyo, 4 and Ibarapa with 3 local governments. But with these people in the race, the dynamics of Oyo politics seem to have changed. It is believed that Ibadan is divided politically now and bulk votes may not come from Ibadan this time around. Political watchers in the state believe the votes will be shared mainly among Ibadan indigenes in the race, Ajimobi, Ladoja, Teslim Folarin and Seyi Makinde. They are all from Ibadan and Akala who is not from Ibadan has chosen a prominent Ibadan son, Akogun Sarafadeen Abiodun-Alli, a former S.S.G and Chief Staff under Ladoja as his running mate. With this calculation, attention seems to have shifted to the Oke-Ogun region for the contestants who want to garner more votes and add to whatever they could get in their domains. Hence, the movement of top contestants to Oke-Ogun zone.
Incidentally, the zone, which is believed to have hitherto been marginalized is now enjoying serious patronage and has been given a sense of belonging by political players in recent time. All the major parties and their candidates have taken their campaign train to the zone and have succeeded in having strong men representing their interests in Oke-Ogun.
For instance, the former S.S.G to late Gov. Lam Adesina, Chief Michael Koleosho (formerly of the ACN) is working for Labour Party in the zone. Seyi Makinde has his running mate, Sulaiman Adediran fondly called Santana, a former Chairman, Irepo Local Government from the zone; Ajimobi’s deputy, Alake Adeyemo is from that same zone; Senator Gbenga Babalola from Iseyin is Ladoja’s running mate; Teslim Folarin has a two-term Chairman of Oriire Local Government, Hon. Ezekiel Oyedepo as his running mate. While ex-Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala chose an Ibadan man, Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli as running mate. Meanwhile, findings have revealed that ex-Governor Ladoja has done a lot of leg work in Oke-Ogun. He has capable men on ground and even started door to door campaign in the zone long before other parties knew who would fly their flags, a move that is believed to have helped him to gain more ground. The tide however seems to have turned and other candidates have registered their presence in the region too. Some say Ladoja has fallen out with some of his loyalists who felt betrayed about how he handled issue of his party’s tickets.
0 comments:
Post a Comment