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Akala’s guber ambition suffers setback

-As Ibadan PDP top notchers tip Senator Teslim Folarin for 2015’

THE ambition of former Oyo State governor, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala to rule the Pacesetter State once more is now in jeopardy, if the information at ENCOMIUM Weekly’s disposal is anything to go by.

Senator Teslim Folarin
Senator Teslim Folarin

According to information, the ex-super cop turned politician has been asked by the Ibadan Indigene Forum (IIF), a socio-political group made of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) power brokers to withdraw from the race as it will only lead him to nowhere politically.  We learnt the action of the group was premised on the fact that they want the ancient city to retain the governorship seat come 2015.

An impeccable source also informed ENCOMIUM Weekly that the caucus and other prominent members of the party, who are of Ibadan extraction, had a meeting recently with former majority leader in the Senate, Senator Teslim Folarin, and top on the agenda of the meeting was to field and support a  candidate who is a native of Ibadan for 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.  At the end of the meeting, we were told that Senator Folarin was tipped for the ticket.

The development, the source said, led to the break-up in Akala’s camp as some of those who were hitherto loyal to the Ogbomosho, Oyo born politician have now moved to Folarin’s camp.

With the development, however, it appears the political equation of the state against 2015 has changed again.  And the battle line may be drawn between the incumbent governor, Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Folarin of PDP concerning who occupies Agodi, the seat of power of the state after 2015 guber polls.

Akala, who recently broke up with his former boss and leader of Accord Party (AP), Alhaji Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, is now off balance politically. Not only that, he has also moved his campaign to his home town, Ogbomosho and Oyo North comprising Shaki, Ibarapa, Sepeteri and others.

However, to political watchers in the state, Akala’s recent move may not earn him the desired ticket as the decision about who rules the state is mainly taken by Ibadan indigenes.

“I don’t think former Oyo number one man, Alao Akala can get PDP governorship ticket for 2015 any longer.  Whatever efforts he is making now won’t yield any positive result.  I learnt the party leaders in Ibadan have edged him out of the race technically.  There is a group called Ibadan Indigenes Forum, which comprises mainly PDP top members and they have all united against Akala and other aspirants that are not from Ibadan. Now, I learnt they have unanimously picked Senator Teslim Folarin to represent the party in the 2015 governorship race.

“Now, Akala is not happy about the development.  I learnt he is still insisting on vying for the ticket.  And he has started going round to lobby party faithful from other parts of the state including Oyo North. But time will tell if he will get the ticket.”

ENCOMIUM Weekly sought the views of one of Akala’s loyalists from Omi Adio, Ibadan, Oyo State, Alhaji Mukaila Ganiyu, and he insisted that the astute politician is still in the race.  Not only that, he will contest the state’s governorship election in 2015.

“Yes, Senator Teslim Folarin is in the race also but no one has given him automatic ticket as PDP flag-bearer in the 2015 gubernatorial election in Oyo State.  Oyo State is larger than a group of people.  Akala is the only credible candidate that can defeat Isiaka Ajimobi in 2015.  Others, including Folarin are just there.  They will all end up working for Akala when the time comes.  I am very sure of that.”

However, aside Akala and Folarin, who are now said to be day and night because of the ticket, other aspirants who also pull enormous strength in the party are Engineer Seyi Makinde, Hazeem Gbolarumi, Prof. Soji Adejumo, Engineer Femi Babalola and Chief (Mrs.) Jumoke Akinjide, amongst others. But if the house is not put in order before 2015, things may completely fall apart in the party which may eventually brighten the chances of Ajimobi retaining the number one seat of the state.

-TADE ASIFAT

Encomium

Written by Encomium

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