The barometer is flailing wildly, it’s an interesting time in the history of Oyo State.
Interesting in the sense that at no time and political period had there been a cluster of qualified people jostling for the seat of power in the State.
The gladiators are many, branding qualifications, backgrounds, experience, connection, money and whatever they have to sway support and earn the trust of the electorates.
Another interesting angle is the strong belief across the state that whoever picks the ticket of the ruling APC has scaled half the hurdles, with opinion linking the hopes of the party on the achievements of the outgoing governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi who broke the jinx and won a second term in office, becoming the first Governor in the State to rule for 8 years (a feat many considered impossible), thus explaining why the finest of the contestants are jostling to hoist their flag with the APC and sail to victory under the Governor’s goodwill.
A source revealed it was not an easy task for Governor Abiola Ajimobi to pick a successor. The Governor, a seasoned politician that firmly holds the reins of the party vowed not to impose a candidate, but narrowed down the attributes he wanted in a successor.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi hinted that his successor would be a competent individual, highly cerebral with track record of achievements, who will not only envision and visualize but someone who will have the courage to do what is right.
The contenders under the APC are being screened while Governor Ajimobi displayed openness and encouraged all the aspirants. The Governor never showed his direct support to any candidate and his body language is difficult to interpret, even to his closest allies and family members, Governor Ajimobi kept a sealed lips on his choice of candidate.
Interestingly Governor Ajimobi some days ago disclosed of the plans in conjunction with some elders of the All Progressive Congress to meet all the contenders tomorrow, Saturday 8, 2018 at the Government house, Agodi, Ibadan
The Governor explained that the meeting became necessary for the party to appeal to some of the contenders to possibly step down and avoid waste of resources.
The pundits have gone to work, with strong analysis on the strength and weaknesses of each contender…

THE 5 STRONG CONTENDERS

Niyi Akintola (SAN)

Niyi Akintola is a notable and highly successful legal practitioner from Ibadan in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State. He was Deputy Speaker in the Oyo State House of Assembly during the aborted Third Republic before he gave politics a break. He has declared his intention to vie for the governorship seat and he is an aspirant that merits the position in all considerations, especially given his exploits and accomplishments in the legal profession.

However, many are saying the strength of the legal giant lies in his closeness to many top-shots of APC for whom he had handled many electoral cases. As far as politics is the main consideration here, he may not be able to go far with a simple fact that he is more of a stranger to the clusters in the party..

Adebayo Adelabu

Among the recurring names in the race for the governorship seat in Oyo State is Adebayo Adelabu (FCA), one of the grandchildren of the late popular Ibadan politician, Chief Adegoke Adelabu. A distinguished accountant and an accomplished banker, the relatively young man has carved a niche for himself, directing the affairs of the nation’s apex bank as a deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before he resigned recently.

In terms of popularity, he is quite popular as he has done quite a lot to positively change the face of Ibadan and its people. He has the war chest and enjoys the backings of some stalwarts in the APC, however there are strong indications that Governor Ajimobi does not share the belief that he is the man for the job. Recent events and calculations had pointed to the fact that the qualities the ex banker exhibited in the boardroom may not work for him in politics.

AYO KARIM

The Managing Director of Costain PLC is rumored to be the favorite of Governor Ajimobi among the contenders. Bold and witty, Karim according to observers has all the qualities that Governor Ajimobi claimed he was looking for in a successor.
He is fairly young, 48 to be precise and his I-SHAPE strategy that involves Infrastructure, Sports, Health, Agriculture, Power and Education is what many described as a master-plan that puts him ahead of others in readiness for the task ahead.
A specialist in initiating and executing ‘niche’ projects utilizing refined work approaches has all the aces and technical experience to govern Oyo State .

SOJI ENIADE

The former Head of Service is another strong contender. Those in the know claimed Eyinade understands the workings of the government based on his wealth of experience and understanding of governance. Eniade is a son of Chier Ayo Eniade, a chieftain of the APC in Oyo State.
What many considered his major weakness is that Eniade is only popular within the APC and not the among the electorates that will determine the outcome of the general election.

JOSEPH TEGBE

Tegbe is the assumed ‘man friday’ of Governor Ajimobi. The KPMG topshot has been a consultant to the State government from the word ‘go’. Tegbe’s hand is behind many lofty projects of Ggovernor Ajimobi. He is said to enjoy the ears of the government. What many dubbed his weakness has to do with his age, his late declaration of interest, his questionable background and unpopularity within and outside of the APC.

Aside these 5 strong contenders are other contenders like Dr Isaac Adeduntan, Barrister Bayo Shittu, Isaac Omodewu, Kehinde Olaosebikan, Soji Adejumo, Senator Soji Akanbi and many others who do not stand better chances like the others.