As the September 22, 2018 Gubernatorial Election approaches in the state of Osun, many contenders are now gearing up for the state’s top job. Sodiq Yusuf of Osun Defender Online in this story presents the top aspirants from across the main political parties in the state.
(*** Lasore Oladimeji Blog has decided to concentrate only on the contenders from the All Progressives Congress)
Many contenders both known and unknown from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, have shown interest in taking over Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s job when he hands over on November 27. In this treatise, we try to present their resume, analyze their chances of emerging as candidates of their various political parties and winning the main election.
They say in politics, there are no permanent friend and foe, only permanent interest. As the D-day approach, alliances and dispositions will change, forces will merge to collaborate, many will decamp and cross carpet, but as of January, these are the top contenders for the job and how they stand.
The list of the top six contenders is not arranged in any order.
1. Lasun Yussuff
Party: APC
Current Position: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives
Previous Position: Member, House of Representatives
Local Government: Irepodun Local Government
Senatorial District: Osun Central Senatorial District
Date of Birth:October 4, 1960, 57 years
Since the beginning of 2017, the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives has not hid his desire to rule the state of the virtuous. Having emerged a Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives in defiance to his party’s preferred candidate, a move which pitched him against the party structure in his home state and the south west where he hails, Hon. Lasun has proved he is a force to be reckoned with. With a somewhat heavy federal financial war-chest to fight the battle for who emerges as the APC flag bearer, he has some credibility issues to battle with.
Also of note is his hardline stance against the ruling administration of his home state. At the last Eid-El-Fitri celebrations, the Deputy speaker had openly criticized the education policy of the government, a move many see as being unnecessary all in a bid to prove he is anti-establishment. However, the move seems to have backfired as many political watchers in the state feel he should not have burnt the bridge that ultimately led him to his present position.
Despite all the baggage that trails Hon. Lasun, he may end up pulling a surprise for everyone. The only thing stopping him is the desire of people from the West Senatorial District who haven’t had the chance to hold the highest office in the state since the current political dispensation started.
2. Moshood Adeoti
Party: APC
Current Position: Secretary to the State Governor, State of Osun
Previous Position: Pioneer Chairman, Action Congress, State of Osun
Local Government: Iwo Local Government
Senatorial District: Osun West Senatorial District
Date of Birth: 27th February 1953, 63 years
Moshood Adeoti who is an influential politician in his Iwo Local Government had his image boosted when he served as state Party Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria. His party then, led the current government to victory at the polls during the 2007 election which had a protracted legal battle that eventually led to the declaration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the duly elected governor of the state on November 26, 2010.
His political nest traverses the length and breadth of the state as he played pivotal roles in the acceptability of the then AC by Osun people. During the race for 2007, he was among the few who escaped assassination attempts, maiming from the then ruling party in the state.
His instrumental role in the emergence of the new government in November, 2010 led to his eventual selection as the Secretary to the State Government in December, 2010. Adeoti is a grassroots politician whose political history earned him several positions in the past.
Despite the widely acclaimed impression that he does not have the financial wherewithal to contest the seat, the current SSG is a man to beat any day anytime. He also comes from Iwo in the West Senatorial District of the state, a town aiming to produce the next Governor of the State of Osun.
3.Gboyega Oyetola
Party: APC
Current Position: Chief of Staff to the Governor
Previous Position: Private Sector
Local Government: Boripe Local Government
Senatorial District: Osun Central Senatorial District
Date of Birth: October 1, 1954, 63 years.
Gboyega Oyetola
Before his appointment as the Chief of Staff to Governor Aregbesola in 2010, the name Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola might not have ringed a bell in the realm of Osun politics. Oyetola had been in the private sector all his life. His experience as a financial expert gave him a successful career in the private sector managing so many businesses.
Perhaps, the time and moment he had felt to resign and enjoy the dividends of his long service to humanity, the call beckoned on him to serve his people in the State of Osun.
His track record as a financial expert dates to about three decades where he showed responsibility, diligence and unrivalled service to humanity. His tenure in the last seven and a half years as the Chief of Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola has shown him as a man that has the technical know-how to govern a state like Osun.
His ingenuity in resolving several labour disputes on the side of government and contributions to improving government finances making people to point fingers at him as the next person to succeed Governor Aregbesola on November 27.
Recent events have also shown that a section of the party’s leadership in the Southwest is giving him the nod to steer the ship of the State of Osun.
4. Bola Oyebamiji
Party: APC
Current Position:Commissioner for Finance, State of Osun
Previous Position:Managing Director, Osun State Investment Company Limited, OSICOL
Local Government: Irewole Local Government
Senatorial District: OsunWest Senatorial District
Date of Birth: 17th November, 1965, 51 years old
Bola Oyebamiji
With little or no background in Politics, another name that comes to the mind of many to take up the tough job is Bola Oyebamiji. The current Commissioner for Finance in the State of Osun is an administrator and financial/commercial guru per excellence. Oyebamiji boasts of a rich experience in the banking industry going to about 2 decades.
Though in Lagos, his contributions to the growth of businesses in the private sector endeared him to Governor Rauf Aregbesola when he appointed him to head the Osun State Investment Company Limited OSICOL in 2012. His efforts at revamping the hitherto moribund company yielded positive results when the company’s major product, the Essence Table Water gained recognition in the six Southwestern states of the federation.
Oyebamiji’s prudence in financial management also secured several investments for OSICOL. His sterling record of performance gave him the new task of managing the finances of the State of Osun.
From the West Senatorial District of the state, Oyebamiji also stands a rich chance to get the job if he campaigns vigorously and gets the people to support his candidature.
5. Kunle Adegoke (K-RAD)
Party: APC
Current Position: Legal Practitioner
Previous Position: NIL
Local Government: Osogbo Local Government
Senatorial District: Osun Central Senatorial District
Date of Birth: September 5, 1969, 48 Years
Kunle Adegoke
Popularly called K-RAD, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, the Osogbo born lawyer cum politician was a key figure in the protracted legal battle that saw Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola returned as Governor of Osun in 2010.
His ideologies as seen in his campaign billboards looks like a replica of what is contained in Aregbesola’s Green Book. With no political history, his chances might be too slim to get the ticket of his party, the APC.
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Najeem Salaam
Party: APC
Current Position: Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly
Post Held: Member representing Ejigbo Constituency, OSHA
Local Government: Ejigbo Local Government
Senatorial District: Osun West Senatorial District
Date of Birth: August 8, 1965, 52 Years
Najeem Folasayo “Iwaloye” Salaam is the current Speaker of the State of Osun House of Assembly, a position he has held since 2011. He was robbed off his mandate as a member of the Osun Assembly in 2007 through the court.
Since he became speaker, he has been a force to reckon with in his hometown of Ejigbo and his West Senatorial District. He is seen by many as another politician who has the requisite political, academic and financial wherewithal to govern the State of Osun with his leadership style in the House of Assembly.
His senatorial district is also a key factor for him going into the APC Primaries.
The indigenes, residents, political watchers and the international community are keeping tabs on the state of politicking in the State of Osun in the coming weeks with political activities gradually building up for the September 22 election.
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